Summer 09!

Our summer flew by soooo fast that I forgot I even had a blog! We had a great time with lots of adventure. We started off the summer heading home down to the coast (pictures in my previous entry). For most of the summer, staying in Auburn allowed me to teach my private swim lessons... and even bring the boys along a few times. They were so proud of that responsibility and loved getting "lessons" from me as well. Harper finally became fully confident in the water! We enjoyed our church family camp to Donner Lake, some time in Tahoe, and quick trips to see family. We are looking forward to seeing the rest of the family in the next few months. Many of our days at home were spent at the river... we are so thankful to live minutes away from a beautiful adventurous area. I enjoy summer way too much and have a hard time adjusting back to the school year. I am learning to take each day at a time and be thankful for what God has given to me :)



Day trip to visit Great Grandma Millie


Josh takes the boys fishing at the end of our church family camp


Tayven and me at Moons Dunes Beach in Tahoe


Harper practicing his new swimming skills at the Truckee River


Our boys posing with the DeNeui kids... I told them to make a funny face :)


We got to see Uncle David and Aunt Erin in Santa Cruz


On the trail to our favorite river spot 5 minutes from home. We went there throughout the summer... and I took them there every single day the last week before school started :-o

A Spring Glimpse

Welp... figure if I update this every season then I'm right on track with 4 posts a year :-D. This is a glimpse of our spring... but only a glimpse. I took the boys down to the coast for part of spring break. We saw a lot of our extended family, some friends, and went to the beach. The highlight for the boys was "surfing" down a windy slide on the sand of Pismo. This first picture is of them in the midst of their hours of beach fun. Last weekend we went to watch Danielle graduate from Junior High. She is sooo special to us and we are so glad we were able to help her celebrate. I don't think my boys could possibly love her any more!


This picture was 100% Tayven's idea. I didn't have to beg them to sit and smile ;)


We even had one day with one of my dearest friends ever, Cindy, and her girls. See our cuties behind us?



A picture with cousins and Grandma!



Token family picture on Easter Sunday ;)


My sister graduated from Junior High! Isn't she so pretty? Dad and Angi are proud!


Sisters picture!

In Honor of Harper...

It's crazy how it happens, but our little Harper turned 3. It's been so long since I've acknowledge the existence of this blog, that I thought it'd be fun to give a glimpse of our lives these past few months through Harper's eyes...


At our epiphany party with Aunt Erin and Uncle David back in January, Harper is sportin his home made crown



It snowed in Auburn in Februrary! They closed school and the boys were sure to be outside in all the necessary hardcore snow gear by 7:15 a.m. woo!


One of my favorite things... Harper curls up into a little ball like a rollie pollie when he get's out of the shower. Something I'll miss when he stops...


Hot chocolate with Hadley!


Harper is 3! We love you little man and we pray that you grow up to love God with all your heart!

Happy Birthday Jesus

Christmas was relaxing and enjoyable. We never felt the busy chaos this season... and there seemed to be more time to reflect on the birth of Jesus- who came to bring peace between us and God. What an amazing truth to begin to teach our children. We also had an amazing time with Josh's extended family enjoying our "Christmas" on New Year's. The season continues as my sister and David come next weekend and my Dad, Angi and Danielle a few weeks from now. We are looking forward to more time to embrace those we love.


JOY! Dax and his preschool buddies


Harper and Dax in the angel choir as part of the Christmas program. I wonder when they'll start fighting over that cutie in between them?


Christmas Day!



Happy Birthday dear Jesus....

Birthdays and such...

There are so many things that have filled our lives lately... Tayven turned 6 and Dax turned 4! At this stage of life, it seems more fulfilling to celebrate their birthdays then our own. I had a nice talk with each of them about how much I love them... and what I felt the day they were born. They were both very engaged in the conversation and enjoyed hearing about themselves. I know, I'll be a total goober mom if I do that every year, but for now, it was pretty cute to hear their questions. We are loving Tayven's life questions and creative energy as he makes up new games, trys out sarcasm on us, makes signs for our front door, writes books etc. Lately with Dax I've had some awesome conversations where he drills me with questions. Most recently, he dissected the praise song "Jesus Thank You" and wanted to know what each word meant. As I explained to Dax what the words "wrath, satisfied & enemy" meant... and what it meant to "sit at His table", I found myself sharing the gospel with him in a way that captivated him more than ever. I can get a little weepy now thinking of the glimpse of hope and interest in our Savior that Dax may have. Harper keeps busy following his brothers around being suuuper crazy cute one minute and a total punk the next... you know that stage? I can't imagine life without these boys.

We also had our friends, the Jensens, from Ecuador come visit us. We really miss them! We spent 11 New Years with them up in Lake Almanor, including our engagement... and now they're our missionary friends home from Ecuador. Crazy how life brings changes.


Tayven getting his birthday hat at Chevy's


Dax loving his cheddar cheese bagel from Flour Garden on his birthday


Harper next to Macoy, and Dax next to Hadley. They came to celebrate- such awesome friends!


Dax, Nick Jensen, Tayven and Harper

Kings Beach in Tahoe

This was a trip we took the last week before school started and it was sooo much fun! We relaxed, ate tons, and played on the sand all day long. I put a few pictures up that highlight the Deneui family since I know many people wish they had a blog. I still feel a little depressed about school being back in... but when I see these pictures I feel so thankful that I had this week with my family. Yep, there's my nice generic family vacation paragraph :)



Dax with a split lip and Harper in the bike trailer.


I think I took at least 20 pictures of Tayven with Taylor Deneui- they were cute buddies


Harper with Josh

First day of 1st Grade!

Oooh this picture makes me smile. I've had way too much fun with these little guys this summer... and can't believe my first born is now in first grade! I feel like the total goober mom for crying again this year about dropping him off at school. Last year I had a full blown whale/bawl session in the car on the way home... but at least this time I was able to stick with the more feminine style tear up. Life is happening so fast! As a mom it almost feels like you go through life a second time as you watch your child... and it's so weird to be on this side of it. I totally remember my first grade teacher and how excited I was. I loved watching Tayven wave to us with an anticipation and excitement about what was ahead. I will continue to pray and plead with the Lord to protect his little heart... and draw Tayven to Himself.