grave dancer

Will sure knows how to break it down, EVERYWHERE. I know it's probably not the most respectful thing, but how can you not smile when your kid is doing his dance on a grave stone. I like to think that Papa had a sense of humor, and so finds this amusing from on high. :)

Always a good time when we do our annual visiting of the graves with Steve's family. 

It's been fun over the years to watch this family grow, except to say that pretty much we are missing everyone in this picture!

memorial day bash

Memorial Day is one of my favorites. Not only is it a day of remembrance and the kick off to summer...but it's a great day (weekend) of fun family traditions. One of which is the big BBQ bash at my grandma's house. It's always fun to get together with my extended family and enjoy good food.

My Aunt Dana, Grandma Ida, Uncle Alan, mom and Aunt Ann

Katy always has a blast at grandma's in her secret garden. She has a killer backyard that is great for parties.

Steve and his twin Will.

It's always so fun to see all of my cousins kids playing together. Katy had such a great time. They didn't want me coming and crashing the party to take a pic, but they smiled non the less!

a little mothers day adventure

Being a mother is something that I always imagined I'd get the chance to do. It was something that I wanted, but I never realized it would be something that I needed so much. I don't particularly need Will pulling my hair with his sticky hands, or Katy crying in my ear that she needs a band-aid (for something that isn't even bleeding). What I need, though, is to be needed. It's amazing how independent your children are, and yet how much they really count on you.

I am no mother of the year over here, I have many shortcomings that I am reminded of every day. Mostly I need to work on my patience. But when Katy tells me she loves me and that I am the best mom in the whole world, and that she wouldn't even trade me for an ice cream sunday that is as huge as a giant...or Will comes up from behind me and gives me the biggest hug and slobbery kiss...well that is what being a mom is all about.

Let's not forget that this would not have been possible without Mr. Steve who is the most amazing person I know, and who I could not imagine living this adventure without. He tells me every day that he is looking forward to when the kids get a bit older, but we are trying to savor these moments with our little kids as much as we can. After all, we have a pretty great team.

I decided it would be fun to go on a nice sunday drive. Something, Steve reminded me, would be much better with the top off the Jeep. We ended up at Alta. I was surprised that there was so much snow. Katy and Will sure thought it was fun. It was a great, relaxing way to spend the day.