Fun Getaway

McCall has become one of my very favorite places to go since I've become an Idahoan. Eric played in a dental golf tournament there on Friday, which meant we got to stay at the Shore Lodge for a great deal. We were there on a perfect day. It was 70 degrees and we pretty much had the lake to ourselves. It was much too cold to swim, but perfect for a kayak ride. After playing in the hot tub and in the kayaks, we rented some beach cruisers with a trailer and went to Icecream Alley. We had brought Eva's bike and she was insistent on riding it, especially after being in the trailer, and she really wanted to "pull Chawie." She was able to do some riding (we spared Charlie) and then we headed home for a not so peaceful drive. It is funny though, how they can both sleep through each other's crying. What a fun family getaway!

A Happy Mommy

As Mother's Day has been approaching, I have been thinking about the wonderful moms in my life. I am grateful for their sweet examples of motherhood, their guidance, their friendship and their love. They have inspired me to be the best mom that I can be and to enjoy these special times with my kids.

I am blessed to be Charlie and Eva's mom. I am still learning, but they are patient with me and remind me to live life simply, enjoying the present moment. I am blessed to have a wonderful man who has given me the best gift: a family. My heart feels joy every day when I am with you guys. I love you.

Eva Joy is 3!

Eva had fun celebrating her birthday with Grandma Christy, Grandpa Cole, Great Grandma Donna, Aunt Liss and Alaina! It was great to have them stay with us for the weekend. One of Eva's favorite things is going to see movies so we all went to the theater and saw Rango (which I don't really recommend) and then went and got pizza afterward. I spent my morning making this Ariel cake, which was fun to do, especially seeing Eva get excited about it and putting the sprinkles on it herself. It was hard work though! Eva was thrilled to get an Ariel barbie, Woody ("he's a cowboy doll," she says) and some pretty new dresses.

What a big girl she is getting to be. She likes to do art, ski, ride her bike, talk and sing to Charlie. We love you Eva and all of the spice you add to our lives. Happy Birthday!

P.S. The close up photos are pre-mullett days. I just love them and had to add that cute smile to her birthday post!

A sad, sad tale about a pony tail

Last week Eva was playing at the neighbor, Jonette's house next door and I was having a quiet moment with Charlie. That is why I found it strange to find Jonette on my doorstep, without Eva. She was laughing to herself and said, "I don't know whether to laugh or to cry, but Eva just cut her hair." And I just started sobbing. (A little dramatic, I know, but she's my little girl who doesn't have much hair anyway!) So I went over to find that Eva and her friends had a pair of scissors on the trampoline. Thank goodness it was only hair that was cut. Yikes! It wasn't as bad as I had envisioned, but check out the sweet mullett she gave herself:

Since there was nothing I could do, I decided to just laugh about it and be glad that she: 1) didn't seriously hurt herself, 2) she won't be going to school where kids will make fun of her, and 3)fsimply because she doesn't care one bit. Thank goodness Liss came to town 2 days later to fix the do. I didn't know whether to do a short pixie cut or to just let this one side that was cut catch up to the rest. Liss ended up cutting bangs and now we do a nice comb-over and part it on the opposite side with a big flower covering it up. You can hardly tell when it is all in place!

The little guy, 5 months

Eva Skis Bogus

A few weekends ago we took Eva skiing for her first time at Bogus Basin. She did so good! Eric took her on the "Magic Carpet" and they skied down together and wow, does that girl like speed! They did it about a dozen times before she was tired. I didn't get the chance to do it with her so we've got to go back soon!

Halloween

I'm a little late I know, but I'm late for everything these days. We found this tiger costume at a kids consignment store and when I put it on Eva I almost peed my pants. Everyone in the store was looking at me wondering why I was laughing so hard. Am I the only one that thinks it is hilarious? And her friend Mikaylas costume couldn't have matched better. They looked so cute together and had fun at the trunk-or-treat. After getting 2 pieces of candy Eva stopped, trying anxiously to get a wrapper open. Why keep going when you have a candy right here? Mikaylas mom, Carina Dewitt, took these cute photos of them. (more photos by her to come).
And for the little guy...

He was toothpaste this year, wearing the same costume at 6 weeks old that Eva wore when she was 7 months. Cute aint he?