Mother's Day 2020

 

Mother's Day began with a return to a lovely tradition that has gone by the wayside a few years.  Long ago, Chris began a tradition of a waterfall hike for Mother's Day.  This year that tradition lived on.  

A waterfall hike nearby was located and it was really a very lovely little journey.  

I never tire of the immense beauty of God's creation

I heart bridges.  

I've always loved them.  

But they hold an even more special place in my heart because Chris and I used to find bridges together the semester we met in Austria.  He knew how excited I'd get to cross one and look over the edge and see if there were fish, ducks, interesting wildlife...all manner of wondrous things, and of course the beautiful flowing water that was usually found as well. 

Life is a bit different now.  

Current times hold so much hardship and suffering, but God's beauty and reminders of love are still to be found if you simply look around you and remember his goodness. 

                 

Another sweet little bridge being crossed by my sweet little Ava. 

We found the waterfall!!

I love these sweet little babies that made me a Mama. 

And we found a second little water fall!!

It was a beautiful hike filled with so much beauty.  

Our children. The gift of motherhood. 

AND the glorious gift of creation all around us. 

Chris made incredible food all day and the kids made me some really special cards.  

I am truly a blessed and grateful Mommy.  

Mother's Day 2019

The day before Mother's Day we took a family hike with Uncle Nick to Waterton Canyon which is, incidentally, one of Nick's favorite little hiking spots.  

We spotted lilacs and stopped to enjoy their lovely scent before continuing on.  

 

There was also a herd of big-horn sheep along the side of the trail which was pretty neat!

This boy and his hands in his pockets.  

I *heart* him so much.  

It's been a past tradition (we haven't pursued it in the past few years as regularly, but it's a beautiful tradition Chris started my first Mother's Day when Kayla was just 11 months old) to find a waterfall for Mother's Day.  We came across several and the girls were so excited.  "Look, Mom!  A waterfall!  And it's Mother's Day tomorrow!  It's a waterfall for you!"

I played a lively game of croquet with Kayla and Ava and Sophie in the backyard while Chris worked tirelessly to make yummy food.  

I love these people so so much.  

I'm beyond blessed to be mama to these five little sweeties that God has gifted us. 

I was bombarded with beautiful letters, pictures, and cards.  Some of it is the product of the girls' homeschool charter school, but most of it was just my sweet girls pouring out their love in the form of pictures and color. 

 

I don't actually remember what he was sad about, but he's a boy--constantly running, constantly falling, and constantly coming to Mama for hugs and kisses before running off again.  

In the afternoon, I took all my girls on an adventure while Kolbe had his nap.  

We explored our close park and the creek that runs through it. 

          

Aren't they just the best?

We waded in the creek. 

       

 

We explored new trails and climbed trees.  

Yep, I climbed up too.  One for all and all for one!

Kayla was all the way up to that point closer to the top of the tree where it splits into like three branches when we took that picture.  

Guess what?  

We found another little WATERFALL?

The response was basically the same as the previous day except even more thrilled and excited!

We invited our wonderful friends, Dan and Sarah, over for dinner as well, and of course, Nick was there for the day.  

Chris outdid himself with delicious food beginning with a tasty brunch, afternoon cheese and crackers and wine, a delectable dinner, and he made petit fours which the girls had suggested would be just perfect for me for Mother's Day.  

Thank you, Babe, for all your hard work to make it such a special Mother's Day, and thank you kids for your love and adventurous spirits.  I couldn't have asked for a more lovely day.