April Showers

My oh my--this last April about put me over.  There were A LOT of rainy days and gray skies--and that's coming from a girl who LOVES Seattle!!

Here were a few bright spots.

The little chick finally started strutting her stuff.

Finding pictographs at Zion National Park

Hiking with the three hooligans

Saturday springtime soccer

Candy-filled eggs--parent taxed, of course

Sunday Best

Toothy grins!

Lucky

Happy Birthday handsome!

Fourteen years ago I remember picking you up for a hot date to celebrate the day of your birth.  While both slaving away at the books we managed a break from our studies.  We went to your favorite restaurant--Louie's.  We ordered yummy food and were so excited to drench our romaine and iceberg with the trendy dressing of the time--raspberry vinaigrette.  I gave you rag-wool socks and probably a few York Peppermint Patties.  I am pretty sure the night ended with a sweet Birthday kiss!  You were LUCKY.

Now here we are.  You are working your guts out and making it possible for me to stay home to raise the sweet hooligans.  We garnish our baby greens with many new favorites.  You have the softer feet because you're still a fan of special socks.  And, we've traded in the Peppermint Patties for salted caramels.  I am LUCKY.

You challenge me.  You have expectations.  You reach goals.  Together we've been challenged.  Together we've fallen short, met and exceeded expectations.  And, together we have reached goals!  We are both LUCKY.

I love you and hope that you have a wonderful year.

I am so glad that you were born!

Sweetness

Sometimes people say they love their little kids so much that they could just eat them--it's a funny thought, but I really get it.  I could nibble on these little cheeks all day long.

She's a JOY.  Maybe it's that third kid thing.  It's all more familiar; I can let loose a bit and have more fun . . .  Maybe I am just older . . . Maybe it's nice that she doesn't talk back . . . yet.

Regardless, I love her.  

And I am wild about these hooligans too!