Happy Happy Birthday!

We got to celebrate my most favorite person this week! Shhh...we keep the numbers in our heads ;) It's a pleasure growing older with this guy. 

He's so easy to take for granted. But I hope his children know how big he loves. So often when I am unloveable, he is so patient with me and I'm so grateful for the journey we are on. He is such a wonderful expression of Gods love for me and I'm so blessed to have him. Birthday wishes for many many more candles blown out together! 

Holly Hobby

I've had a sewing machine hiding away for a while. I have used it from time to time, but haven't ever had a project to complete. So I'm learning to quilt. It is tedious and time consuming, but as my teacher has said- a quilt last forever! Miss Tinlee wants to learn too, so I'm looking forward to learning together. Can't wait to see quilt 1 complete!!! 

5 months!

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This squirt was home 5 months the end of August. We celebrated with pics in a beautiful sunflower field. I'll post those one day ;). 

I often wish I could hear what Kai thinks. We clearly gush over her as a regular occurrence. She's a delight. She keeps us laughing. She adores her siblings! She is wildly independent and needy from moment to moment. She is so wonderful and we are thankful she's home. 

So Long Summer...

We soaked up every last ounce of summer...and Monday the schedule returned! We sent out a 4th grader, 2nd grader and a feisty Pre-K cutie. Mommy & Kai are soaking up our one on one time. She cracks me up!!! She's becoming so animated and is such a character! When we moved to the big D, our 4th grader was in pre-K, shy and timid, hard to believe how fast time flies. We've learned to just hold on for the ride, it seems to head out faster each year! We are all exhausted and settling in to our new normal for the school year. Prayers for each of them growing in knowledge and character...deep deep roots for them to draw from all the days of their lives. 

Family Camp- Memory Making

I can't say enough about family camp. Sky Ranch Ute Trail is Holy Ground and we have been so blessed by attending the last 3 years. All the places we go, and this is what my kiddos look forward too! And we were thrilled to have Kai in tow this year. It's like coming home to see familiar faces and to catch up with everyone we've met over the years. It's so sweet to see what God is doing in everyone's lives. And the counselors! Priceless- pouring into our families and sharing life with us for the week. It's such a special time. We always learn so much and come away renewed and refreshed and ready to begin again. Derek and I like new beginnings, we can always do better and it's been so so valuable for our family. 

What's a road trip without cousins in tow- Tinlee was with Lizzie and Will as she calls them! 

My Girls!! Waterfall stop- after hours of asking if we were there, Harper said we are almost there! Yes! 

Scaling rocks and getting too close to the edge! 

Opening campfire! The moon was so bright and beautiful! 

Weee! 

River Day Fun! 

Harper doesn't just make friends with people but horses. Her buddy Dooley was back again this year! 

A Bryant tradition, Lake City picnic, love love love it! Sweet shop a must! Soda shop yes please! 

Our cabin Sunshine! 

We even enjoyed date night & ended the evening with rocking on the porch- sweetness! 

Tinlee, Gunnar, and Harper slept under the stars! 

T's debut in the talent show! 

Gunnar braved the ropes course! Our sweet counselor Amy- new Amy ;) 

Tinlee scaled the poles like it was a race! 

I was so proud of Gunnar for conquering his fears and trying something new!! It was a trying feat for us both! And I learned so much about this young man- I'm so thankful he came up the mountain with T and I. It was a good good day! His warrior spirit was in full force. 

Flying High! Tinlee didn't snap my pic- but I'm proud to say I conquered the pole this year! 

No smiling for a family pic, but for Robin! Of course she'll cheese! She's my cousins oldest - and has won Harpers heart! 

The annual goodbye pic! We hate goodbyes- my kiddos leave in tears saying goodbye to all their new friends- Kyle snapped a pic of Harper in the corner- crack me up!! 

But soon they are snoozing! All 4 at the same time!

Until we meet again...

XIT

XIT fun; parade, rodeo, rain! All to be enjoyed before heading to the mountains! 

To be a princess!

These sweeties warm my soul! I hope we will always remember this age! I'd like to store it in a bottle...the imagination, giggles, making everything a game, oh to be 4 and a princess!! 

Oh to be a boy!

This stud got his first set of braces-he is such a cutie and I'm shocked at how his smile has already changed! 

Some things I've learned: 

Braces are expensive- I never had them!

Brushing braces is a hassle. 

Brushing for a 7 year old is hard enough without gunk stuck everywhere- eww

Mom brushes teeth like a boss ;) 

Braces break and wires bend when pulled on

Don't put your hands in your mouth- means it's more tempting to have your hands in your mouth! 

Mom got a pat on the back for her boss brushing skills- who knew. 

14 months just might feel like forever when your 7 and well when your 32 at this rate! 

Gunnar brings spice to life! That I know full well! 

4 months...

4 months have flown by- 

Kai is flourishing and continues to surprise us with her blooming personality and array of facial expressions. She has been on two trips, an airplane, had more cake than one kid should eat, celebrated a birthday, become a little fish, and so much more! It feels like we've experienced a lifetime in such a short amount of time. God has been so good to us and we can't wait to see what all He has in store for this little spunky girl of ours! 

Mom loves hand me downs! This was a fav for me and Derek so when a cool day moved in- I was thrilled it fit! Baby T playing the piano- I could eat her!! 

Kai adores Gunnar. It's been so special to watch them bond! She lights up when he comes into a room. Answered prayers for sure! 

A toddler isn't a fan of stickers or a mommy who takes pictures like a crazy person! 

Kai wants to do everything the big girls do! So high heels even when they don't fit- are a must! 

She loves bathtime and cupcakes ;) and can say cupcake clearly! Lol

Girl means business 

In chin* Kai loved for us to stroke her legs and skin- they had rarely been touched under her ski attire. She still loves to have her feet tickled and this day she insisted Derek use a plastic spoon. Her expression is priceless- and her daddy is a sucker and smitten! 

A little swim before bed! 

Selfie Time- we can't get enough of her! Love her to the moon! And she has just come in and settled in as if she's always been here. It's too much to take in some days! We are so thankful she's home!!! 

Church Camp Fun

T and Dad headed to camp soon after our return from vacation- her smile tells how excited she was. Derek was just as excited. They enjoyed some intentional time soaking up the Word and having wacky fun! They came home exhausted and ready for their own beds- but excited to return again! I'm so thankful T has a Dad that will take this time with her, it's priceless and precious for them both. 

Key Biscayne

I love the beach, sand in my toes, waves crashing in, sunshine, sunshine, more sunshine. You get the idea. Our summers are fast and furious. This one has been no different with the exception of our pace. We've had to stick to nap times and meal times to keep Kai on a schedule and we've had to split up for big kids to enjoy certain activities while the little girls enjoyed routine. But it's worked and has been lots of fun. This year we were blessed to enjoy the beach in Key Biscayne outside of Miami. Kai's first flight since Chin*. And she was a trooper. 6 seats filled on a plane is a lot ;). 6am flights are for the birds- I don't recommend them with young children when you love 100 miles from the airport. But the chaos kept us all entertained. We did sit on the plane for an hour while a lightening storm passed over- all so we could roll 5 feet ahead and hop off the plane. We were thankful for snacks and diapers and iPads! Derek took the big kiddos to the Everglades and Tinlee held an alligator. That girl and reptiles I'll never understand! It was one fun super hot sweaty day. Kai had her first experience at the beach! Not sure about sand, but did love the water! Harper became a little fish all on her own, while making all sorts of friends poolside, one who didn't speak English. Miss Congeniality that crazy girl! And Gunnar loves the sunshine like his momma, he'd live in the pool if we'd let him. He and Tin buried me on the beach, he was more interested in destroying people's castles- he is a boy through and through. We survived and returned just in time to send Tinlee and Derek to camp!! 

Meet Snappy!