Mother's Day and Hiking

For Mother's Day, we went hiking. The kids made me proud, with Colton hiking the whole way (which was a good 2 miles) by himself, and Ayla making it part way. Clifford and Mr. Lemur did awesome too with only minor complaints! The kids loved bringing their "babies" and having them climb trees and such. I think Mr. Lemur really helped Colton hike, crazy as that sounds! So cute though. Earlier that day, they (the kids and Tyler) brought me breakfast in bed... it was a great mother's day.... one of my favorites!

I have been doing a lot of hiking. Three days a week, some friends and I meet at 7pm and hike together -- without kids (well, sometimes Kellen comes) It is fantastic! I am feeling the muscles get stronger throughout, and having good conversation with good friends is beyond priceless.

I have a couple new goals and what not:

for every 20 lbs. I loose, I get to purchase a new outfit
(I am not talking Target either... I mean an outfit that I have always wanted, but haven't gotten because it is too expensive)

make more of the kids clothes.... they are always cuter!
(I need a good pattern for the basics....or just cut up old clothes and figure it out...
any ideas?)

"Do you need to be shot?"

Colton and Ayla love to play together. One of their favorite things to do is "fix" each other (play doctor). My parents had gotten them a great dr.'s kit last year with stethoscope, syringe, thermometer, bandages and pager. It gets a lot of play!
Last night, we could hear them playing in the hall upstairs, and Tyler snuck up with the camera. This is the approximate conversation:

Colton: (as he gets out of tub) I'm not hurt anymore.
Ayla: (getting into the tub) I'm hurt now.
Colton: Do you need to be shot?

KIDS!?

I have been pretty lucky...

Besides the obvious reasons (adorable kids and amazing husband, among them!) I have been incredibly lucky! Here in blogland, I have been fortunate enough to win many different wonderful items, by simply reading certain blogs, commenting when there is a giveaway (or if I really like the blog entry!).

Here are some of them:

Over at Clean, I entered to win multiple different baby carriers, and I happened to win the Wrapsody Water Wrap! I have only worn it twice, but I love it! It is so light and easy to use! Can't wait to use it this summer!
At Camille Creates, I won a great little mini banner! So cute! It arrived today in a beautifully wrapped package from the lovely Camille! I will put pictures up later!

AND... from Resweater, Kris had a BabyLegs giveaway... and I won!!

I have been extremely lucky in lot of things as of late, and I couldn't be more grateful!

This Moment

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND!

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. ~Amanda Soule

Happy Birthday, My Love

Today is Tyler's 28th birthday! He says he doesn't feel older yet. He is the best husband I could have ever imagined. He is thoughtful, kind, funny, witty, handsome, honest, athletic, caring, smart (really smart!), and everything else between!
We met while stationed in Misawa, Japan. We both arrived in 2002, met at the end of the year, introduced by a mutual friend at a bar. Since we were both originally from Oregon, it was easy to converse and we were fast friends. We both dated other people, and then....
My friend Heather and I signed up for a trip to climb Mt. Fuji, in July 2004. At first, the trip was full, but 3 weeks before it was scheduled, two people canceled. So Heather and I were officially signed up.
On the first rest break from the tour bus down to Tokyo, I walked past a group of guys, not really paying attention to there frat like attitudes; and then I heard "Hey, that's Brooke" So I realized I must know at least one of these guys! Turns out I knew a couple! Tyler was one of them! How awesome to be on the trip with a fellow Oregonian! And a cute one, at that! (Plus, I was single!)
The next day was the hike up Mt. Fuji. Heather and I were in awesome shape at the time, so we actually were the first ones to make it to the top. Tyler was in the smoker group. His buddies had a tough time! So I convinced Heather to take a nap at the top (!) hoping we would meet up with Tyler's group. However... even after an hour cat nap, they hadn't reached the top! So Heather and I headed down to the village we were to meet at, and waited! A couple hours after, Tyler's group made it! Tyler had taken a fall, and had cuts on his arm, and I just happened to have a first aid kit! So I fixed him up.
I ended up going out with him and his group into Tokyo that night. We had a GREAT time, didn't sleep at all that night, went swimming at the hotels pool in the morning and had our first kiss!
I only had 2 months left in Japan, but we spent ALOT of that time together. I was being stationed in Maryland in late September 2004, and he was being stationed in North Carolina in late October 2004. We decided to try the long distance thing... I knew we were meant to be together.
Long distance relationships are hard. We took turns driving to each other every other weekend! And that drive was awful! The rest is history! I separated from the Navy in October 2005.

And we were married on October 22, 2005.

Colton was born in July of 2006.

Ayla in September of 2007.

And Kellen in March of 2010.

I couldn't be happier.

He still looks, and gets mistaken for 19. And he still makes me smile and laugh on a daily basis.

And he still has my heart.

I love you Tyler!

:: Oh! And check out some awesome pictures of Kellen here! ::

A couple things I have been working on

Yeah, I was working on him for a good long time! How cute is he?

This outfit is one of my favorites now.
I just love the goldfish fabric!
And this isn't the only project with them!
(I actually messed up on these pants and used a buttoned
pant to trace the fabric, but in the end it worked out)

How cute is that little butt?

Here is a taggie blanket I made out of a used
receiving blanket, some batting, some froggie fabric,
and LOTS of ribbon!

what beautiful eyes you have little boy! Today, we got his pictures
taken by a local photographer, Alicia Brown. Her blog is here. I am so excited to
see the final shots and see my little one in black and white!

New necklace

Tyler took my advice and ordered me an awesome Happy Kellen/Happy Mother's Day necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs. I absolutely love it! (So does Ayla). But could it be any more perfect? We are almost positive that we are a perfect family of 5, with no intentions of having more kids right now. And I just loved the family tree design!


What a great husband, right?!

And this is a part of the fabric I just ordered! I am in love with the fish one! And actually all of it! Projects pictures to come soon!