My cup runneth over.....

It's been another year. Another birthday, yet I still feel 28. For some reason, that's my go-to age and I'm not quite sure why. The hubby claims it's because that's the year we met. I just smile and nod when he says that.

But, this was pretty darn good. Lots of fun, lots of laughs....a few bumps and bruises along the way, but that is life.

(My traditional birthday margarita)

But it's mine. And it's a pretty sweet one. 

Snapshots of a family trip: a.k.a. City Girl goes to a Nebraska farm

We just got back from my husband's family reunion in Nebraska City, Nebraska. We spent the weekend at the Lied Lodge. I have to say, if you ever find yourself in Nebraska, this is worth checking out. It was founded by the Morton salt founder and it's the birthplace of Arbor Day! There is a huge farm (The Arbor Day Tree Farm), a forest with walking path, art displays and educational opportunities, plus a giant greenhouse where you can pick your free tree to take home and plant! I wish I had more pictures of those things (or any really), but I blame the heat and humidity. (Oh the heat & humidity!). They also had a little country store with fresh fruit and pies! (Oh the pies!). You could also snag free apples in the hotel lobby. Ruby and I loved that!

Part of the art displays in the forest.

Ruby says "I'm DONE with family pictures people!"

Look mom, mooooo cows!

After the reunion, we drove over to Guide Rock, Nebraska to visit the family farm. Matt's father and his three brothers grew up on the farm. His youngest brother still lives there, farming the 1800+ acres. He's got cattle, milo, hay, alfalfa and a few other things I'm sure.

His oldest daughter and her family also live on the farm. Ruby really enjoyed playing with her cousins, especially Lanee who's just 3 months older than her! Lanee showed her all around the farm and what it's like to be a toddler running free and wild on the farm!

That's the hubby and his uncle driving the swather. He's trimming the alfalfa. I drove it too. And Uncle Bruce said my lines were straighter! One point for the City Girl!

We also went on a cattle drive! Yes, I went on a cattle drive! It was so much fun! And really pretty! The farm was still pretty green despite that it was the end of July. There was even a little storm off in the back ground.

 We moved about 125 cattle from one pasture to another. I'm not sure of the acreage we covered, but it seemed liked a lot. Once the cows get moving, they get moving!

They hubby was bringing up the rear of the herd on an ATV, Ruby and I were in the truck with Uncle Bruce. But we got out to feed the cattle to help inspire them to follow us to greener pastures (ha!). Ruby had no problem being so close to these hundred pound animals, but Bruce's daschund Chubbie, he scared the heck out of her! She'd run around the house with Lanee saying, "Chubbie! Chuuuubbbbiiieeee!" and then when she found him, she'd stop point and start screaming. It was pretty funny.

Despite the heat, humidity and a few travel bumps on the way home (FYI, if you're ever in the Kearney "airport" the highlight is the fact that they have a Coke & a Pepsi machine which is useless to someone who doesn't drink soda by the way. We were there for nearly 4 hours.), it was a really fun trip!

Daddy's Day!

Nothing like a little snuggle time & books with a daddy & his little girl.

(I know this is a day late but we spend Father's Day without cell & internet access. It was lovely. More to come on that later this week.)

Cousins!

My sister and I had no cousins. 

None.
Nada.
Zip.

People always find this hard to believe, but it's true. My mom was an only child and my dad's sister didn't have any kids. The crazy thing is, the cousins my dad is closest too also didn't have any kids. So growing up it was just my sister and I and a lot of adults.

Good thing we got along.
Most of the time.

Some of the time.

Well...let's move on. We always talked/joked about having kids at the same time so they could be cousins. And well, as life would have it, we did. 

Ruby and Ridley are 10 months apart. They were actually supposed to share a birthday but Ridley was too excited and decided to join the party early (a little too early for all of our comforts but he's a fabulous healthy baby boy so all is well!)

This past weekend Lindsay and Ridley came up for their first visit to Seattle! And what fun was had!

An aquarium visit!

 Nothing beats a walk with snacks!

(I should show you the after pic. We walked to the store for some snacks for the grown ups and wine. The booze was in the wagon with the kiddos. We'll gladly share the trophy for Mother of the Year.)

 Boat ride & a trip up on the Great Wheel! Up high as Ruby kept saying!

 Playtime is the best time! Since Ridley rolled himself under Ruby's table, she thought she'd join him down there. I think the highlight for her was bath time with the baby. Every time we take a bath, she still asks where the baby is!

Can't wait for our next visit! We miss them so!

this moment 6.07.13

~
Over at SouleMama, she has a Friday ritual called this moment - a single photo, no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember.
~
If you have a this moment, please leave the link in a comment, I'd love to see it!

this moment

~
Over at SouleMama, she has a Friday ritual called this moment - a single photo, no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember.
~

Do you have a moment this week? If so, leave a link in the comments. I'd love to see it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's hoping your Mother's Day was filled with flowers & homemade cards.

 And a few adventures in parks with lots of smiles & giggles!

Ruby's painting

My grandmother Doris was an artist. She was a great artist, a fabulous painter. 

I'm lucking to have a few of her paintings that I treasure. Some are on the walls. Others are waiting to have new frames put on them. Others are waiting for me to find the perfect wall space.

My Aunt Julie, Doris' daughter is also an artist. She inherited her mom's wonderful artistic ability. And I'm also lucky enough to have a painting or two.

And now, so does Ruby.

She gave Ruby this sweet little bunny as part one of the gift during a visit last summer.

Then recently, part two of the gift arrived.

It's perfect! And it fits in beautifully with Ruby's room!

She loves it too! She likes to sit in her chair and turn around and point to her painting. She also loves her sweet little bunny! Thanks Aunt Julie!

Easter Fun

We had a lovely Easter. Just the three of us. 

There were eggs to find.

With lots of treats inside! 

Eggs in shoes! What a funny Easter Bunny!

The sunshine led to a walk.  A hike through the woods by our house. Just down to the beach. 

And some swings. A walk that ends with a trip to a park and swings is the best kind of walk ever!

(Note her knitted hat; it's the pumpkin hat I made her before she was born. She's out grown it but refuses to wear the one I made her this winter. She always grabs it when I say, get your hat. A lady today thought she looked really cute in her carrot hat. I went with it. Maybe next winter she'll wear the one I made her this year. You know, when it's clearly too small for her.)

I hope you had a lovely day too!

Happy Easter!

this moment

~
Over at SouleMama, she has a Friday ritual called this moment - a single photo, no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember.
~

I thought I'd start doing it as well.

Have a photo from your week you'd like to share? Leave it in the comments section, I'd love to see it.

My best F.O. (that's finished object for you non-knitters)

Here it is. Or rather, here she is:

Ruby Harper

Born Oct 7 (hence the long & much needed blogging break).

She's a bundle of joy, energy and laughter! She's brought so much love & happiness into our little family it's like we were just waiting for her.

Although, instead of a finished project, I'm thinking this is one that's still ongoing. And I don't mind at all.

Birthday Week!

At least that's what I keep telling Baby Girl - it's birthday week & everyone is ready/excited/dying to meet you so don't be late! Her due date is this coming Saturday, Oct. 8. Which also happens to be my sister's birthday. And as you can imagine, all she wants is a healthy new niece to share it with. However, I'm beginning to think she's going to be late. Hopefully Lindsay will like the necklace and bag I gave her instead.

So in honor of birthday week, and to help encourage her along her journey, I've decided to share pictures of the nursery! Since it's so cute - and I tell her this all the time - I thought you'd like to see them too!

This is a wall hanging my mom made. I picked out the pattern & fabric and totally love this!

This mobile is from a woman who sells them at the Portland Saturday Market. She also has an Etsy site (which for the life of me, I can't find right now.) I have to admit, it's one of my favorite things in this room!

A bookshelf that my dad made for the baby's room. As you can see, this was a family affair!