Mother's Day, Kites and the Temple

Mother's Day is always so special.  I had gifts from my family and a yummy breakfast.  Church was wonderful.  I helped the kids up to the front to sing for mother's day and then I saw Sister Opstad helping Evelyn to the stand as well.  Yes, Evelyn wanted to join the primary kids so she did. :)  After church, Tony made dinner and then he helped the kids make a homemade kite for a scout requirement.  

Then we walked around the temple grounds.  

Then we went to Robinswood park to fly kites the kids had received from Grandma to have a kite derby (another scout requirement).  It was really cute to see them flying their mini kites.

We got to talk to family and enjoy time as a family.  It was the perfect Mother's Day!

Black Light Fun Run

What a fun night!  We'd never done a Black Light run before and I would definitely do it again.  It was set up at teh Washington State fairgrounds.  A pre-race party was going on in on the main buildings so we could glow from the get-go, listen to good music and they were throwing out glow sticks.

Then we lined up outside at the start line.

The the DJ wanted someone to do the countdown for him.  My friends pointed at me, I pointed back at them.  Somebody shouted to him that I just had a birthday so he had everyone shout Happy Birthday to me.  I hate the spotlight but it was sweet anyway.  And then I did the countdown.  "3...2...1, BLACKLIGHT RUN" and we were off, jogging and walking the whole time.  The sun was setting and it was fun to be with friends.

Then there was the after party. :)

And I got to meet up with a dear, dear friend and catch up!

Such a fun night!!!

Mom's Birthday--Part 2

Life can be pretty busy with baseball and piano lessons and the like, so we celebrated with cake and presents the day after my birthday. :)

That morning, I went to storytime with the littles.  How cute are they doing the hokey pokey?

Then we went to pick up our race packets for a fun run the next day and enjoy a carousel ride.

Then a little play date while I planted bulbs.

When everyone was home it was birthday time.  The kids were so excited. :)

Tony and I never do the right numbers for each other. :)  He did trick candles too so the kids had a fun time trying to help me blow them out. 

After dinner, we took the kids to see one of my primary kiddos in the play, Peter Pan.

Then Tony took me on a date to pick out hiking boots and we saw the newest Captain America movie.  On Saturday, Tony built two grow boxes so that we can start our garden.  I'm so grateful for a fun birthday and all the thought and love that went into it.  Birthdays are just another opportunity to count the blessings in our lives.

Mom's Birthday 2016

I love my little family.  They did such a good job showing me love on my birthday.  I woke up to surprises from Tony and love from the kids.  I had love and surprises from friends throughout the day.  When Tony came home from work, he prepared a picnic lunch that we could enjoy while at Max's baseball game. 

Then I got kidnapped at the game and got to enjoy ice cream with these wonderful friends. 

It's always fun to celebrate with loved ones.  I am a pretty lucky lady to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Just Ev and I

Little Miss Buggy Boo and I went to ride and walk on the river trail.  Evelyn hasn't really ridden her bike much.  She's not really digging it yet.

We loved exploring the replacement bridge that is now open.

Evelyn loved playing pooh sticks with pieces of horsetail.  

I loved having her lead the way.  She didn't say too much but she told me where she wanted to go and we enjoyed the cotton wood fluff and the gorgeous scenery.

There is a little pond where we listened to frogs and birds.  Then this little duck came right out of the water and walked up to the path.  He approached us without getting too close.  Evelyn was giggling in delight.  

Sometimes there are just moments in life where you are outside with someone you love and you breathe in, listen to the sounds and realize that these good moments in life are the special moments that you have to remember and fill you up because there are times when things aren't going well.  But right now, right here, they are.

Just watching the water with my daughter.  And then we went down down to the water so we could throw rocks.  

An Early Birthday Present

I can't even tell you what a fun surprise it was to have a friend bring over this lilac tree as an early birthday present.. I love lilacs and have always wanted one of my very own.  I've tried to grow them from a start but summer heat, and sporadic watering meant they never thrived. (I feel like I'll be able to garden from seeds and young starts better when I don't have so many little people)  So instead of getting me a start, she got me a hearty tree so I can't kill it again.  That's a true friend. This make me smile.  I can't wait to plant it and next spring we should have some beautiful blooms.

Side note:  When Tony and I were first married and living in our 2 bedroom in South Tacoma, we were busy with school and work and married life.  Our decently landscaped yard became a jungle that first year.  In the four years we lived there, I feel like I started to love yard work more than I ever did before.  I learned a lot from both sets of parents.  We had 3 lilac trees at that house and they shoot off so many little starts that I constantly weeded them out.  In hindsight, I wished I'd grabbed one then and started planting it in a pot.  I did do that with blueberries so I took blueberries to each of the other houses we've lived in.  At that Tacoma house I also learned to love hydrangeas.  Our last house had two hydrangeas but no lilacs.  This house now has a lilac and a hydrangea.  Perfect!