whitewater adventure.

Happy Birthday, Corey! Corey celebrated his 34th birthday a few weeks ago. His parents, Dean and Joyce came over and celebrated with us. I made a carrot cake (from scratch) that I was pretty proud of. I think I want one for my birthday!

We also took the boat on a rafting trip down the Hoh River. Corey and I went on our first date in 6 months (since Audrey was born) while Grandma & Grandpa Peterson watched the kids. It was beautiful. The water is glacier fed, very clear and sort of green. This was my first time rafting, and I had a few issues. Lakes and swimming pools don't bother me, but rivers freak me out. Just a little. So it was good for me to try it. We went over a few smallish rapids and it was FUN! I think I'm ready to try something a little bigger. We roasted some weenies.

Corey and Dean gearing up. Not a great picture, but this was so neat- a waterfall that split into two smaller waterfalls. As this picture was taken, they got stuck on a rock.

Ezra got to go, too...he woke up right at the end of the float!

La Push, First Beach at Sunset

I finally got to see the whales.

Real. Big. Fish.

We took our raft out on her maiden voyage last week. As everyone knows, doing things with kids is extremely interesting. Ezra was hyped up (paranoid mom worried he would go overboard) Audrey did NOT like her life jacket one bit, and the only other boat on the lake left shortly after we arrived.

Yes, I am breastfeeding. Just in case you were wondering.

I don't know why, but I always want to start laughing whenever we get one on the line. It's a strange reaction, but it's just so exciting/sad/comical. On one hand, I feel for the poor fish. But it is just hilarious how excited we get. I have to confess, I was thinking "we spent how much money on this boat?" But it was worth it when Corey landed the 21" rainbow trout. So, we had fish for dinner that night and it wasn't bad. Way to go, honey!

A few weeks ago we journeyed down to the sunny Tri Cities to visit DeAnne, Justin, & Katelyn. We toured a hospital, shopped, cooked up some real good food, played with kids, and just hung out. Seems like no matter what we do, we have fun. We also got babysitting (first time leaving Audrey) and went to the temple. I had gone to the open house before the Columbia River Basin Temple was dedicated, which was the same year I was baptized. So it was sort of special getting to go in. We also got to see Travis, Tabetha, and their kiddoes. Check out these cuties.

Sophie, Ezra, & Kate

Isaac and Audrey. He has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen.

Happy birthday, Sophie!

I just love this picture of Katelyn

What do babies dream about?

The last one is my favorite. Next, the kids and I drove to Spokane while Justin gave Corey (and the new boat trailer) a ride home. We also had dinner with Corey's parents, Dean and Joyce. I love having both sets of grandparents only a few miles from each other.

Ezra never falls asleep like this for me.

got my hair done

We stayed a few days longer than we had planned thanks to the spring storm that hit Snoqualmie. Dad and Kathy were good sports and did not kick us out. The kids (and I) were a little grumpy and overtired. Thanks, you guys.

My Daugher and Her Namesake

It's been awhile since I've posted and a lot of things have been running through my head. Ezra didn't take a nap today, Audrey had vaccinations yesterday and is feeling crummy and I...well, I am just having an "off" day. I watched Oprah the other day (while I ate a bowl of ice cream, too) and it was about the realities of motherhood. It seems like many of us here are mommybloggers, so you may also feel "this is the best and most important job/this is the hardest job and I better not screw it up." And if you don't feel that way (at least sometimes) then good for you, but I don't want to hear about it! Corey took Ezra to Scouts with him and Audrey's sleeping, so I thought I'd take a few moments and reflect. The shirt she's wearing says "I'm Mommy's dream come true." And it is so true. I remember thinking since my mother passed away, that I would really like to have a baby girl so that I could be part of a mother-daughter relationship again. I just sort of put it out there, and I guess Heavenly Father felt the same way. After Audrey was born, Corey said it was a girl and I let out this huge squeal. I would have been very happy with another son (of course) but I felt so elated, just joyful to have a daughter. I feel blessed. Audrey's middle name is Christine, just like my mother's middle name. It is incredibly meaningful to me, she really is a dream come true. It has been over ten years since my mother passed away and I feel like I'm finally starting to come to terms with that. I think that it hurt so much that as a teenager, it was too much for me to process. It's taken time to realize that everyone has challenges in their life and we all lose someone special along the way. Well, my little girl is no longer sleeping. A fifteen minute nap will suffice for her.