A Little Peak {35}

{35}
Just a little peak into my world this past year...

Highlights...food, fun, and of course,  family.

Visiting Oregon and heading to the U-pick blueberry fields with the boys to stuff ourselves silly was wonderful...

Working on my sweet grandpa's life history picture book.  He'll be 95 this summer.  I love him.

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is when this kid wraps his little arms around my neck.   The world flies out the window.

My 1st homemade blueberry pie...recipe via The Pioneer Woman...

and my 1st shot at homemade marionberry jam.

My favorite Christmas gift to give so far...{you can get this printable here they are at the end of the post.}

This needs no explanation...

Love this kid. I've never seen anyone so into Star Wars in my life. I've learned more about the force than I ever thougth possible.;)

Oh, and I learned a big lesson. If you have a sweet-tender hearted little man in your life, its not a good idea to use the phrases that can be taken literally such as, "If I tell you I'll have to kill you."  And when he says you shouldn't talk on the phone while you drive...he's probably right.  I can't imagnie my day without him.  I miss him while he's at school & can't wait for our next adventure together.

Could I love these two any more? I can't imagine it. They made my year and continue to make my life. I'm so blessed.

 Thanks are in order for my loving Father in Heaven.

I am truly blessed & grateful. 

May I love, serve, and live this next year to its fullest!

Toad

Self-Portrait

{My 35}

For posterity...The Self-Portrait. 

I'd Do It All Again.

{Worth it?}

I was holding Aidan on my hip as I bent over to pick up my keys that he threw on the bathroom floor of a truck stop in Idaho.  I couldn't find his shoes when we stopped to rush Ethan into the restroom, so I had to one arm wrestle him to keep his bare feet off of that filthy floor.   

Then when Ethan put the treat of his choice...twinkies...on the counter {that I was sure hadn't been washed in weeks}  I wondered if I'd make it.   Bathroom breaks were the hardest on the drive back.  That is one long drive {14+ hours} alone with the boys. 

But all I had to do is remember how wonderful the past few weeks were, and I'd do it all over again.  What made your trip so great you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.  It wasn't air conditioning going out in our car, chasing Aidan out of the dirt pile {aka what the cat uses as a liter box} at my parents house,  making the best wild blackberry shakes ever,  having someone else pump my gas, not having any sales tax, or even the great sales at the North Face outlet {gasp}.

It was... 

{The Family}

{The Friends}

Including Josh:
Seeing Josh, one of my best friends from high school, was an unexpected surprise!  Since he's a big wig health care lawyer in DC now our visits are rare and totally treasured.   Anyone who knows him knows how great he is.  Come SLC ASAP Hoser!

{The Food}

{The Adventures}

{The Lifelong Memories}

One of my dearest memories of this trip was Aidan actually falling asleep on me.  He has NEVER done that his entire life.  It only happened at the beach.  I loved it.

Yeah, I say it was worth it.

{Payoff}
And for those of you who have endured my host of posts that may have little or no interest to you--here you go.  Here's the download for my Lucy Long-Legged Owl Pattern and Tutorial!  Your little owl will no longer be lonely!

But here's a warning...I created the tutorial it in high res so it takes a while to download...like 5-10 minutes, & you have to download each page seperately.  I know, its real pain.  I'll try to make it easier {meaning I'll get my husband to help me condense it better} and post it again soon.  I just wanted to reward you trusty blog readers/sewing minded people.;) 

Now let's all go mourn the loss of summer.

Emily AKA Toad

{Toad's Bio }

{Toad's Faith}




{The Fam}
My real treasures.
I love nothing more than to hear the words, "Mom, can I cuddle with you?"

{About Bob}
The Man of the House.  He loves to coach football, eat Thai food, go to movies, & play with his boys.   Love him.

 
{About Ethan}
This guy is my little buddy. I LOVE spending as much time as I can with him.  1st grade rocks.  Learning Mandarin via a dual immersion program at his school keeps him on his toes & he loves to sit us down for "school" and "teach us.  ;)

He loves legos, swimming, cutting anything, swinging by himself, and wrestling with his little brother.

{About Aidan}

Where do I start? He loves throwing and chasing balls, eating, running away from me, and doing exactly what I ask him not to. His smile makes my day.  Although he's a bright little guy he's in a "special needs" preschool for a speech delay challenge.  Fortunately, words are coming and frustration is slowly melting away!