Wordless Wednesday

(random pics from Instagram :)

Seven years

We have done a lot

Been through a lot

Shared a lot

...and will do a whole lot more in the many, many years to come.

My husband and father of two of the most beautiful children in the world.

Grandma Jane visits

As always, we had such good times with Grandma Jane.  I'm pretty sure I say this everytime she has to leave, but I SO wish she lived here...We can keep wishing and hoping ;)

We did a lot in the 2.5 days she was here.

 Swam with Ali and girls on Saturday afternoon before a yummy dinner at Oh Mai.  So good.

 Went to the Farmer's Market at Wheeler Farm

 Followed by more swimming at the Murray pool.  He loves that dang slide!

 After a long nap, we ventured up to the Oktoberfest at Snowbird.  We really wanted to ride the tram, but the wait was over an hour, so we rode the Peruvian chair instead.  Such a better way to get up the mountain...at least for us.  We loved being in the open air and Sam really loves being high in the air and watch the chair go over the "wheels" each time we pass a tower :)

 Jane has never been to Cecret Lake and we wanted to see Sam hike again, so we took her there Monday afternoon.  It's beautiful!

 Scrambling

We had dinner at Tsunami and then Indian take out the last night she was here.  

So much good food.

We wanted to go visit Naomi and bring her flowers, but we had to stop for some yummy breakfast before.  This kid LOVES pancakes and syrup.  Since we don't really eat that in our house, it's a total treat for him.  He ate 1.5 of those big fat pancakes.  Shoveled it in his mouth!

 Jane got beautiful flowers for little sister.  It's so very emotional going to see her.  Good emotions and good crying.  It's all part of our grieving process and crying whenever we need to is very good for both of us it seems.

Sam put these cute little birds on her "special grass place"  They are so pretty.

Can't wait for your next visit Grandma!

Friday Fun

One of the main reasons why I love being able to stay with Sam all day is this. 

Going on a hike at 9:30am to Cecret Lake, on a weekday...just us.

He hiked up and down all by himself.

I may have had to entice him with treats and pretending the rocks were alligators, but he did it and I was so proud.  

I remember thinking when he was born how awesome it would be to hike alongside him someday.

He sure is a trooper and kept saying on the way down, "I tell Dad I'm a good hiker!"

You sure are buddy!

I thought I had tuckered him out with the hike, but he insisted on riding his bike for a bit after we were done.

Happy Friday!

Weekend and stuff

Dan and I spent a wonderful 24 hours alone this weekend.  (thank you Julia for the hookup on the hotel!)

We dropped Sam off in Kamas with my Mom and we headed to the Marriott Mountainside at PCMR.

As we usually do on any date the past couple years, we started off with a bike ride.  

This is our first time riding together since last fall.

Despite my meltdown when we got to the top of the downhill portion, it was super fun and I appreciate any time I get to bike with my husband.

  This my... crying because I was sad for Naomi, sad to be out of shape still and sad because I wanted Dan to wait more face...but with a smile :)

 So pretty and Dan rides fast.

 The hotel is beautiful.  Lots of hot tubs and a big swimming pool.

After our ride we walked over to dinner at the High West Distillery.  Oh my, so good.  We ate.  A LOT, especially the desserts.  We both agreed that all of my family should try it out and we need to take Mike and Jane when they each come to visit again. (best to go without kids).   

So sad I didn't have my camera for pictures of the food.  Delicious!

 Sunday morning we had a yummy breakfast right outside the hotel, checked out and headed out on another bike ride.  We followed that by some swimming at our friends condo, then off to meet my Mom and Sam and all of our family for dinner at the park.  It was a perfect weekend!

 And no post is complete without a picture of him.  He was running a fever this day and not feeling well, so we went to the dollar store to get a fishing pole.  He was totally in the zone in the bath.  I just love it.

And we planted Naomi's tree before we went to Park City.  

It's so perfect.

Many random things and thankfulness

Yesterday, our friends delivered quite the surprise in honor of Naomi.

It's perfect and so lovely.  They also brought a pretty big tree to plant in our yard to go along with it and some generous dollars to do with it as we please.  This was from 19 of our friends who some, we don't see a lot and some we see more often.  We know all of them from biking and skiing.  I cried in happiness for Naomi and the fact that so many people care of us and for her memory. 

We'll plant it very soon and put the bench underneath the growing tree.

 It's just amazing.

 We set up our tent in the basement to try and beat the ongoing heat.  Sam loved it!

His latest "thing."    Lining up any cars he can find.

 I'm getting back into the lifting and working out I was doing last summer.  I love it, but it seriously sucks starting from scratch.  

So tired!

At least I have this little dude to keep me cool with the hose while I'm out there.

More biking.  My happy place :)

 Sam met his new BFF last weekend.  This is Reed. They could be brothers. 

 They got a long so well.

Both ride their bikes like champs.  We haven't met anyone close by who rides like Sam does, so this was super fun for him, as Reed is really good on his bike!  

Too bad they live in Ogden, I wish you were closer Meg!

And a little more on Sam.  He's been pretty good at wanting to help us do things lately...like, for a minute or two.  I appreciate that he is willing to offer up his cleaning services though :)   He is so independent and opinionated these days.  He's also quite good at convincing us to let him "watch one more show" or "have one more treat"  It's so hard to say no, but I'm really trying.  The tantrums and flip outs are a regular around here and I'm learning that the more we ignore, the better off we are to get them to stop. 
He's also so, so sweet and super funny despite all of that. 
He's more interested in what's on the radio now than his little songs.  He'll always ask me the name of the song that's on and will say, "oh, I never seen that one before!"  So funny.  He also knows the names of the songs now since we drive a fair amount for play dates and to go swimming.
He speaks like a four or five year old, it's crazy and we're so thankful for that.
Keeps saying he'll go pee or poop in the potty "next time"  Ha! I wish!
Way into seeing pictures and video of himself.
Still naps great (most the time) and I'm also very thankful for that.
Could be better at sharing.  We're working on that.
Talks so softly and precious about Naomi anytime she comes up in our daily life.  He is so tender and adorable and such a good big brother when he talks about her, even though she's not here with us.

Told you, many random things going on....
Dan and I get to spend most of this weekend alone.  (thank you Mom!).
Grandma Jane is coming to visit next weekend.
We're taking a much needed little trip to Bear Lake in September before Dan has to be gone a lot for work.

One month (with more photos)

Sometimes it feels like just yesterday I was holding Naomi, yet it feels like forever ago.

It's crazy how many emotions I'm feeling today. (and everyday, let's be honest :)

I know that as the 10th of each month goes by, it will get easier and better. 

 It already has in some ways and in others, it's still so raw and close to my heart and mind.   

I feel I'm a strong person and always look on the bright side of things by nature.  That's just the type of person that I am, but I'm very sad and cry many times as well.  

It's all part of this grieving process and trying to create a new normal.  I try to just let my emotions be how they want and need to be, even if I don't have control over them. 

 It's good.

Today, two of my sweet friends and also Ali and Jenn surprised me at Naomi's grave with a bunch of balloons to let go in her memory.  All of our kids were there and it's the first time I'd been back since the funeral.  I had no idea where we were going, I just knew that Sedra and Julia had something planned.

What a special surprise and it means so much to me that they care so much for Naomi and for us.  They think about us all the time...that is one of the things that keeps me going each day. 

It was perfect

(her temporary headstone)