Today is a special day

Here we are, the two of us after 14 years of marriage.  In those 14 years, there have been countless adventures, 3 beautiful children, 1 dog and 4 chickens.  Life has thrown us a few curve balls,  but together we have helped each other through.  I love you Pauly, thanks for being my hubby, my partner, my sweetheart, and a fantastic father of my children.  I miss you today.

Now.... about those adventures!  Here is some photos of the last Newty fambly adventure.  We took the kids for a Desolation Overnight.  It was wonderful.

 Yeah Grandma Nancy, she was rolling in the sand....

 So very proud of Noah who duckied his first time on this trip.  He did AWESOME!

 Completely content on Grandpas knee with a cookie

 After he paddled through a big rapid!

 "There is nothing--absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" --the wind in the willows

Is it true? Is SUMMER almost over??

 Well, I hate to admit this to myself, but SUMMER is coming to a close.  School starts on Tuesday!!  I will admit that I am ready to get back on a schedule of some sort.  I will also admit that I long for the cooler nights that fall brings and the smells that accompany it.  What is it about fall that makes me want to cook?   There are several things that I love about fall.
1. I love that I can smell the sweet concord grapes as I pass the grapevine that is down the street when I'm headed home from a run.
2. I love the smell of the leaves that are starting to turn and fall to the ground.
3. I love the smell of the frost on the grass in the early morning.
4. I love having to wear a jacket when the evening comes.
5. I love watching the kids go down the street on their bikes with their backpacks strapped on headed to school. 
6. I love reaping the harvest from the garden.
7. I love taking the boys to go pick raspberries to make jam to enjoy on fresh bread throughout the coming winter.
I love fall, and I think I'm ready for it.

But before we move on, there are several things that we've done this summer that need to be recorded here.  First, Noah and SWIMMING.  He did so well this year.  He was swimming across the length of the pool.  Maybe he will be the next olympic swimmer? 

 Max and Kaya were so patient while Noah had his lessons.

 Check out that stroke!

 Coming up for some air

 Noah is learning the back stroke

 He is really getting so BIG! 

 Noah's diving attempt.....at least he didn't belly flop!

 NEXT  Climbing..

 
We also took the boys climbing up rock canyon.  They did so well.  Both of them were up to the top of the climb in seconds.  They loved it.
 
 Noah's repel back down
 
 Moosie's second ascent.
 

 Next we celebrated KAYA'S 2nd BIRTHDAY!! It was a wonderful evening in the back yard.  Family colored on the paper cover on the table, drawing pitures and leaving sweet little notes to miss peanut. 

 The birthday girl even scribbled some lines in a blue that matches her eyes!

 I love the look on her face in this picture, she's so excited we are all singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

 Family!  Love you guys.

 Max and Sophia loving the tire swing.

 Since Raspberries are one of her favorites we went with that!  Raspberry Lemonade, raspberry sherbet, Lemon Raspberry cake with Lemon butter cream frosting, and Raspberry Cream Cheese cake with Raspberry sauce.  mmmmmm

 Grandpa Rick and the Birthday Girl

 Opening her presents, she had lots of help:)

 Those beautiful sparkling sapphire eyes, my sweetheart, my princess, my baby girl.

 Grandpa Great Murdock and the princess

Grandma Nancy swinging with the Birthday Girl

 Awww! Look at the smile on Grandpa Greats face!!

 Great picture of my parents

 Now we come to Max's Swimming lessons!  He also did so well this year.  He was jumping off the diving board turning on his back and swimming over to the side all by himself!  Way to go Moose!!

 The kid loves the diving board

 My favorite shot of the swimming lessons photos.  What a face!

 I did it! I ran another half marathon.  It was a great race!  I felt super throughout the whole race.  Paul and the kids met me about mile 10 bringing me the 'IT band' brace (thank heavens Pauly you saved me!)  Then they cheered me through the finish line.  Thanks my little family for your support throughout all the training this summer.  Peanut you have been such a good girl to ride in the jogger almost every day.  Pauly thanks for running with me on several runs and pushing me to go further and faster.  The run felt so good!  I even PR'd!!  Wahoo!!

 So my watch, er I mean Paul's garmin showed a time of 2:04... guess we will see the official time on the website when they finally post it. 

I talked Wendy into running this race, her first half, and she did AWESOME!! She and I ran the first 8 1/2 miles together.  She works full time, and has 4 boys.  She trained when she could and ran such an amazing race. She is an amazing person and friend!  Love ya Wendy:)

I guess this completes the summer?  Wow that went by really fast!  Here is to a great fall with many more great memories.  Sorry about the super long post...I need to keep up on this a little better!