Birthday Season

It starts with Dylan on July 28th, then Tyson on August 13th, then Trevor on the 29th and Colter on September 5th. Very busy, very happy and a little bittersweet. In our family birthdays are a time to celebrate love, life and blessings, and also a time to remember and heal. Four years ago yesterday Tyson's short visit on earth forever changed our lives. I still wish we had him here and maybe some more pictures, time, memories and all that goes along with living life.  "Guilt is the emotion felt when trying to place today's knowledge and solutions on yesterday's problems."  This is a quote that I read during those first few months of grief and it has stuck with me through all the times that I have tried to beat myself up over the "what ifs" and "we should have's". I love it becausse it reminds me that we did the best we could given our abilities at the time and we can't change events from the past no matter how "smart" we are now!  Each year that passes gives us more knowledge, awareness and life experience to help integrate all that we have felt and learned into our beings and heal our spirits and hearts. Our life is truly blessed and we are thankful for everything that God has planned for us. We also love that Tyson's short life on earth coincided with the peak of the Persiad Meteor Showers. It is one of the brightest shows each year in our region of the world and is a great way to spend time during the bought of insomnia that visits this time of year. In many ways I'm glad that we are constantly reminded of Tyson and think of him often, I would have even more sadness if he was forgotten or his memory lost. We love our community of family and friends, your support and love is truly a gift.  We spent this past week doing alot of the things we love, including hiking, camping and playing outside. The weather was beautiful, the rainbows were the brightest we've seen all year and the love was felt by all.
Peace and Love to all,

Dylan is the "Birthday Boy"

Oh how we love summer!!! The boys and I went down with Modee to spend a few days on the front range with Nana and spent some quality time poolside. Both boys were so brave, going off the diving board and slide and swimming to the side by themselves. Dylan, the 2 yr old!!!!!, surprised us by climbing right up there the second day and following Colter right off the board. I wasn't even in the water. It was so much fun and makes me miss the water even more.

Nana's 80th birthday weekend was beautiful. I love my Nana and was so happy to spend some time with her. Almost all of our huge family made it for a BBQ at Sharon and Gary's house and we had fun watching the next generation chase each other around. Our parents thought it was busy with six of us, HA! Now that we have 10 under the age of 7 and an 11 yr old, watch out!!!!   The is a picture of Nana with all grandkids and spouses, but it is on Bryan's camera. Yeah, I know my sunglasses are cool, even if I am the only ones wearing them---still a cute picture. This pic with Nana and 10 of her 11 great-grandkids is hilarious and was quite the circus to set up. The series leading up to this photo could be it's own blog post.

Next up was a fun few days in Breckenridge with some of Trevor's family. Uncle Bill, Annt Linda, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Chuck, Aunt DeDe, Jason, Grandma and Mac-Mac were all there to celebrate Dylan's big birthday. We had a great time running and riding around and visiting with everyone.  Dylan wanted a motorcycle birthday this year and was not disappointed.  We found this little battery operated 4 wheeler that can go about 5 MPH, some cute little dirtbike pants and he is set. He spent most of the week saying "I am the birthday boy!".

The boys got the idea to make recycled boats and float them down the river. It was a great project that involved plastic bottles, duct tape, plastic silverware and plastic bags. All the boys, big and small had a great time racing the boats down the river.  Daddy took one for the team and had a major adventure catching the boats. It all ended with flying flip flops (which were recovered) and some sore feet. Still smiling, even soaking wet, and sitting on a rock before heading back to get warm. Birthday party take two. We had another cake and play with the Riebels and cousin Tim. Dylan wanted a motorcycle cake and picked out the happy face cake (yeah, on our grocery run--no hand made this year) and added the motorcycle puzzle pieces and number 3 sparklers. Of course all the motorized toys in the neighborhood were racing around and the kids were trying to see how many could fit on each one. This pic has Dylan, Colter, Jasmine and Roman on ours and not pictured is Rocky and Josh on theirs. So fun to see these kids growing up together. I can't believe how fast time is going by. Happy 3rd Birthday Big Boy Dylan!   WE LOVE YOU!!