Cotton Candy, Farm Animals, and Rides

Always fun to end the summer... where else can you pet baby calves and see and smell prize winning pigs and sheep and witness a demolition derby?

 

Yes, truly the rural event of the summer, the County Fair.

Avila broke out of her shell and rode rides by herself and pet a baby calf.

Camping in the Rocky Mountains

We loaded up cars and camping gear for 20....

It was an adventure in every essence.

We explored in clear running streams, fished, hiked, picked wild flowers (apparently illegally) and looked out over mountain peaks that took our breath away.

How could this face of Isaac not take your breath away?! 



That was the romantic side to our adventure. On the reality side...well it wasn't too bad, a few minor meltdowns daily from her royal highness you know who, but no broken bones or bears.





My Top 10 Best Highlights of the trip...

1. Bacon and Eggs over the campfire in the morning.

There was a very spoken rule among the men that in order to be cook at the campfire you had to take your shirt off...and then it sort of stuck around the whole weekend.

2. Being able to take in the magnificence of the mountains beside my best friend and husband. They are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. 



3. Drinking coffee in the early morning with dad and sisters, on the front porch of the cabin. 

4. Watching them as they watched and wondered.

5. Spending time with siblings who live very far far away....camping brought out our pseudo survival sides to say the least.

 

 7. Getting to see my Mom and Dad and camping with my Mom and Dad!

8. Witnessing the making of best buddies as Aunt and Nephew

9. Hiking around Bear Lake 

10. Sitting with all my family members around the campfire, the front porch of the cabin drinking coffee, and the dinner table feeling fully blessed and getting a glimpse of Heaven. 

The 7th Year

On Monday, Andrew and I celebrated 7 years of marriage.

As our anniversary date drew closer, I wondered how we would celebrate it.

Years ago, my city girl upbringing would have assumed dinner at a fancy restaurant and a symphony to follow.

My parent's marriage showed me simply to be happy in each other's company alone on a date. I remember them coming home with sparkles in their eyes after many an anniversary date.

And time together and seven years of marriage, I simply wanted a date where we could just be together. And maybe if it worked out, do something we normally wouldn't have time for.

Little did I know, Andrew planned to surprise me with just that.....

He notified me not to make dinner. (first cause of joy, no cooking!) When I asked him what I should wear...."like a dress or mosquito repellent?"

He said, "Mosquito repellent."

I assumed we would go fishing or something of that nature.

No, he was way more romantic and creative, although I would have loved fishing just as much.

He took me to dinner and after dinner, we pulled up to a shed where one of these:

I (not sure why) have always LOVED four wheel riding!

Taped to the seat was a white envelope and a hand written note that started something like this,

"My Maria, In the Bible, 7 is the perfect number, it is the number of completion...." and went on to say more wonderful things that made my heart soar.

He then pulled out blankets, dessert and drinks and strapped them to the front and we rode out into the country.

We pulled up to a spot like this: 

We laid out the blankets and took in the evening.

 Sometimes quiet, or sometimes talking about our marriage, we sat together looking out into the sea of land and sky.

The country has its own music, rustling trees, grass blowing over, and the sweet sound of silence.

I thought about one of my favorite quotes on love, "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but looking outward, together, in the same direction."  - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

So I got my dinner and symphony you could say, but a version that my heart appreciated so much more.

 Maybe because we have been married 7 years, maybe because I've grown to love the wide open spaces, or maybe because spending time alone with him on an adventure is my love language, but it turned out to be one of the best and romantic dates Andrew could have given me. (Second to surprise tickets to Phantom of the Opera in Atlanta after getting engaged ;)  



Truly, the more years we spend together, the closer our hearts learn to understand and love the other, the more I pray to God I can fulfill my promise to help get him to Heaven. THANK YOU GOD, thank you a million lifetimes for Andrew!

NoVeMbEr

 I've stepped back from many commitments. It's allowed for long deep slow breathing...and taking up things like pie baking and crocheting. Am I 60?

 Oh well. I love the living part of not being crazy busy...I notice more, I am more present to my husband and children, and to God.

A few highlights of November in between restful peacefull days of fall....

Pie Baking Class in Iowa at the American Gothic House. What an adventure and life long skill learned. ;)

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Andrew's sister Kristin moved to Beloit, Yay to cousins!! Warm day fall picnic :)

Dad Time

Floral Arrangement Class


My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: The Veteran's Day Parade 

We invited friends over for Pre-Parade Tailgate since the big bands warm up in front of our house! Hot Apple Cider and Apple Cider Doughnut Holes were shared ;)

                                      Good Grief Time goes by fast! Vet's Day 2008!

wouldj fodus fa d

 

VET'S DAY 2010

 

Vet's Day 2012