river weekend {saturday}

so now that we have purchased our river raft

it's safe to say we have found our "vacation home"

 this is the Caveman Bridge in our home town

sort of the "introduction" to the river.

these ladies are a few miles down the river.

the boys just wave and say hi!



the view of this boy on the river is never going to get old.

 we took emmett's friend with us this trip

and the boys had a blast.

 this view is never going to get old either.

 or this view...

Sy and Jeff were trying to teach the boys what to do if they ever fell off the boat

teaching them how to sit in a chair and float the rapids

then swim through the current to the shore. 

 these boys have to be pepared for any situation.

 here's jeff...

proving that life is rough for us grants pass river rats.

 and at the end of our 5 hour river float,

we were treated to this gorgous creature.

yup...

life is tough,

on the rogue river...

until tomorrow.

Happiness{is}

getting a surprise package in the mail from your momma

that looks like this.....

she.is.amazing.

Love you, Momma!!

july{fourth}

 we headed out to the in-laws for a bbq, day of swimming, celebration.

we played follow the leader...

 we played a mean game of horseshoes

{at least i think that's what we're doing}

 we became obsessed with monster trucks.

 we looked like this, because duh....

that's how we roll!

{check out the sweet dinosaur hair}

 we poked our head out of the pool every now and then.

 we cooked and ate delicious food

{yup....that's me on the ol' bloggdini}

 we took time out for an epic photo session

because again...that's how we roll.

 we hung out with family...

 we got this one out of the pool long enough to eat something

{and get stung by a bee}

 buzz lightyear paid us a superhero visit.

 we spent the day with friends...

 and in the end...we got individual snuggle time with this guy

and a "best 4th of july ever!"

and that's why we do it ♥

thank you's to:

Papa and Mom

Mike and Shelly

Dustin, Erica, and Alden

and briefly Willie and Chloe

for a great 4th of July!!!

Casa{de la}Clark

recently we had the opportunity to make a quick trip up to vancouver

to visit our favorite Clark Family!

Sy and Brad had a bachelor campout to attend,

so Sarah and I hung out with the kids for a lazy energy filled couple of days.

we did a little movie time with Ice Age.

 our "100% chance of rain" weekend turned out beautiful and sunny

so we got as much outdoor time as possible.

we were even able to have dinner outside.

 with an adorable unexpected dinner guest.

 and it was warm enough to finish the evening

with ice cream cones.

there was also a game upstairs the boys called "bus babies"

it consisted of running a giant tonka truck full of claire's babies down the hall and into the wall.

{it was less than stellar after a while}

we played with the doll house, and by we...i mean me...

and then claire joined in.

sarah and i watched movies

and then 1992 called....

and we had a hilarious session of making friendship bracelets.

always a blast at Casa de la Clark.

we can't wait to do it again in just a couple weeks! 

spring{end}

ummm....

i know i'm the mother of these 2,

but can you say handsome?

seriously.

{last day of third and first grade}

 there are honest to lord

absolutely no words to describe how proud we are of this one

and how he did with baseball this year.

it.was.priceless.

 and just for fun...

these 2.

such handsome boys i am surrounded by.

♥ lucky me ♥

{three}

on father's day

monkey turned 3.

{can you believe it....THREE years old!}

it was a beautiful day outside.

his cousins came to celebrate the afternoon.

 mr. "i love being center of attention at all times" decided that today he did not.

and perched himself up on the toybox for a good portion of the day.

 we love having our cousins around.

they're just as silly as we are.

and isn't that what family is all about?

 the kids swam in the new pool

and us adults sat in the shade for hours.

perfect.

 snacks. and swimming.

and snacks.

and a bit more swimming.

{jack was still perched up on the toybox}

another year older.

another year of baby shed.

another year of new adventure for our little monkey.

for{him}

{father's day, june 2012}

for him...

it calms him down.

for him...

it clears his mind.

 for him...

it's like a giant reset button

 for him...

time stands still and life starts to happen.

for him...

it's quality time just sitting and saying nothing

but meaning everything.

 for him...

it's the way he was raised,

and it's the way he wants his boys to be.

for him...

it's the best kind of work. 

for him...

it's the best vacation.

{in our own backyard no less}

 for him...

it's the only place he wants to be.

 for him...

we enjoy it just as much.

 for him...

we all found a hobby we enjoy together.

and we can't wait to go again.

and again.

and again.



and on a side note...

while floating, we came across this little beauty and i thought...

...for me?

happy father's day to the bestest daddy in the whole world!