Finishing the Race

So, I did it! I finished my first half marathon! I admit, I had a smile on my face the whole time- except the last 2 miles. I finished and beat my goal time by 15 minutes :)
Thanks Jess for supporting my training runs and thanks Dad for the great photos and loud cheers.

Pumpkin patch

camping

We had a wonderful vacation to Bass Lake. A true camping trip. we spent our days swimming in the lake, building sand castles, talking, roasting marshmallows and telling stories. Jess took us to Yosemite to hike to Bridalveil Falls and then spent the rest of the day swimming in the freezing cold water at the beach of the Yosemite river. Everley loved the water and throwing rocks as well as crawling all over the place. we put a pair of Jess' long socks over her knees and feet to protect them. She would get SO dirty, i gave her a bucket bath every evening before bed. Annella and Leah put on a dancing and music show. It was the highlight of my week. We made so many memories this family vacation. We cant wait to go back!

Everley turns 1

Everley, or Rosie, as we have been calling her lately is a big one year old. she loved when we sung to her, but didn't quite know what to make of the cake at first.
She is such a happy baby and just about the cutest little thing I have ever seen. She plays with the big sisters and says "uh-oh!" Rosie is still not walking but tries to stand on her own.
I can't believe how fast this year has passed.

Annella turns 5

We went to the SB Zoo to celebrate Annella's birthday with Nana and Grandad. She is blowing out candles and putting her new lip gloss on Grandad, sliding down the ant hill and enjoying a pony ride from her party with friends.

I love my kids!

Hiking

















Shoes Leah made. :)













New sense of fashion.
















"Smiley" her new nickname

Slumber Party under the Christmas Tree

Now that the girls are old enough, Jess decided to have a slumber party out by the Christmas tree. Movies, fire, cookies, popcorn, and sleeping bags lit up by the twinkle of the tree lights. I read the Christmas chapter of "On the Banks of Plum Creek" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was great. A memory I will cherish forever.