A year is a blessing

It's crazy to think it's been almost TEN YEARS since Brad and I got married, SEVEN YEARS since we became parents to our first sweet baby girl Abigail, TWO YEARS since we moved to Spokane, and almost ONE YEAR since our little surprise angel Cate joined the party. A year is a blessing. Cate has changed so much in one year, from a little baby blob into an adorable toddler. A year takes FOREVER and speeds by SO FAST I want a do-over. A year of kids outgrowing clothes, shoes, and styles.  A year of homework, sports, bedtime stories, goodnight kisses, and freshly bathed smell. A year of watching them sleep, grow, and change (and praying for a pause button). Every year is a gift. 

Next week we will be celebrating another year of sweet miss Abi!

Cater gater is walking like crazy! #noteven11months #crazy

We had a fun fourth of July weekend at the lake. I never say this but it was too hot, especially for the kids and baby. The thermometer outside the trailer read 115. Probably not accurate being in the direct sun but it was probably between 105-107 with a scorching hot breeze in the afternoon. It felt like being inside a blow dryer. You could jump in the water to get cooled off and be completely dry in about 3 minutes.    

Papa got to watch Ben play tee ball before we left for the lake.

Daddy and Cate

We got a new couch for the kids to ride on, they loved it! Tears when the ride was over.

Trying to stay cool

After dinner swim

Fireworks in Chelan. They were great, we'll definitely go back again.

Family selfie

Love this

Cate finally thought the sand was ok.

Happy 4th of July!

Swim little fish

Abi is learning the back stroke at swim lessons. She is a strong swimmer!

Ben is learning to dump water on his head with a fire hat. Right up his alley! He is getting more comfortable going under water and swimming. 

The little pump that could

Thank you little pump that could. You have always been there for me and you have never failed me. You have pumped milk for all three of my kids and I even borrowed you out to my sister for her daughter. You were worth every penny and the milk you helped me collect more precious than gold. I have three healthy thriving kiddos thanks to you. But the time has come to say goodbye. I can't say I'll miss you but I'll always remember the times we spent together hiding out in a pumping room scarfing down my dinner with one hand, pumping with the other, and surfing the internet on my phone (I am very talented). I hope you can help some other mommy someday. So long little pump that could.

Me and Cate swimming and Cate at the library. She just wants to be a big girl, I'm having a hard time with it. Make her stop growing.......

Life is made up of moments. The best moments turn into our favorite memories. None of us have a perfect life but we all have perfect moments.

Exploring the Spokane River by boat with Coronas on a chill 105 degree day

#sohotyouneverhavetopee

Paint nite at Arbor Crest winery
#whatthehellarewepainting #notintopaintinganimals

But the wine and the sunset = perfection