Last Weekend Of Summer Break

This is the last weekend of our summer for the year. Matt starts school next week and from that point forward, every waking moment will be consumed with responsibility for things outside of our home.

Most of you know how stressful and consuming Matt's job can be, so when I say that I'm seriously grieving the loss of summer, you may understand. Things change, and having experienced this transition for nearly ten years, I know how challenging it will be.

That being said, it's been a great summer in our new home, new town (Muncie still leaves a lot to be desired) and with new friends. To be honest, it's my nature to think of all the things I wished for and haven't accomplished: camping, kayaking, fishing, hiking, exploring and such; but when I focus on what we gained this past summer, I couldn't be more thankful.

The past month has been full of naps, snacks, impromptu projects (we almost have the whole interior of our house painted!), sleeping late, thrift shopping (our favorite), eating lots of good foods, hanging with friends, gardening, and long talks of schemes and plans (my favorite!). I feel it's in these times of relaxation when our family is most whole. We don't really need "activities"... we just need togetherness.

So here we go! On to a new year of making income, creating programs, shaping young adults lives and careers, learning new things and most of all, hanging in there! Every school year is yet another opportunity to learn how to truly be partners and a family unit in the midst of life.

Memorial Day Weekend in Ohio

Lucas and I had a great time with "family" in Ohio this past weekend. My sister's husband, Eric... his family lives nearby, which enabled Lucas and I to have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend of relaxation, play, sunshine and friendship.

Lucas and Audrina were in the water all weekend long.

They did take a few breaks to "Jeep" around the yard.

Boating with Pops and Liam... Grams helped load in the Critters. 

Trailer rides may have been the highlight of the weekend.

Halloween 2013

Halloween (or Harvest) is an incredibly fun time for kids. As Matt and I reminisced these times in our own childhood, I quickly and easily remembered being happy and excited. Dressing up is a fond activity for littles, as they experiment with the idea of being something different than themselves... or maybe what they'll be when they grow up! It's a time when adults can pretend to be kids too... dressing up, eating candy and spending quality time with their littles over festive activities like pumpkin carving.

Some of my sweetest memories are over the Halloween holiday.

This year, we did all the traditional things. Cookie decorating, pumpkin carving, seed roasting, costumes, parties,  and a little trick-or-treating!

This year, Lucas was Peter Pan. And a pretty cute one, at that.

One aspect that was different... Muncie switched trick-or-treating from Thursday night to Friday night due to heavy storms. Truth be told, I was thankful... because holy heck! The storm we had Thursday night was ugly. That being said, we found it humorous that Muncie is small enough to change an entire holiday to a different day.

As a family we went to Matt's boss' house to enjoy candy, and festive beverages. The company was fun and jovial as we all sat on the front porch to greet kiddos with candy and witty remarks. As a family and with new friends, it was a very fun holiday.

Matt was feeling particularly dangerous as he carved his pumpkin.

After initial gross-out, Lucas thought the pumpkin guts were particularly hilarious.

Lucas' school party... he's here with Mrs. Candace, his teacher.

Even dressed as Peter Pan, Lucas does a fairly intimidating Frankenstein.

Ready to Trick-Or-Treat

Even from afar, Brooklynn was an adorable Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Miss that girl!

Fun Memories

Per usual, I took a number of photos in Portland and for the sake of memories, I'd like to post them.

Aunt Julie teaching Lucas the art of self-portraits.

We made valentines.

Lots of time in the backyard.

Spent some quality time with these two! <3 br="">

Wrestling with Papa.

Snow Days

Quick Christmas Recap

Christmas is long over, but I need to post a few pics that bring me joy when I look back on our time with loved ones.

It was a blessed time for both our families, as it's been a couple years since we have all been together! It was such a treat to be at home!

As usual, my mother in law looked lovely on Christmas Eve.

Matt with Beth and Andrew... probably the first time the three of them have been together since Beth's wedding. Aren't they cute!? I think Matt needs a pair of glasses to match the family.

As usual, this one stole all our hearts. Corinne is just precious!

Christmas Eve at Gran's was as delightful as usual. Lucas is taking his place between two of his favorites; Daddy and Uncle Andrew!

 As tradition would have it, we spent a few days before Christmas with Matt's family. On Christmas Eve, we made the short trip back to Portland to spend the remainder of the holiday with my family. Christmas morning was splendid!

Love this girl... can't imagine a good Christmas without my sister.

This would be a traditional looking Cates family tree. Toys and ornaments aplenty. The bike and dog are Lucas'... which frankly are probably the coolest gifts "Santa" could have ever brought!

Love my family.

Giving Lucas a family-filled Christmas is so meaningful and I'm excited to imagine the positive memories he will have with each year following. I have a warm heart when it comes to Christmas, and I only hope he will too!

Sunday Snow Day

We had a total of three days worth of snow fall and frankly, it was divine. Any excuse to stay home, snack on comfort food and take naps... I'll take it. This morning brought a ton of snow and in spite of venturing out to church, we quickly realized we'd better stay home and make a day of it. Matt turned the car around and we played outside, drank hot cider and took naps.

Great day.

These two... so cute.

Lucas loved the snow falling out of the trees... so Matt would grab a branch and shake it.

Throwing our child into the snow...lovely. This, my friends, is the mark of excellent parenting. Ahem.

Evidently, this guy loves being in the snow! Boy after my own heart.

I don't want to jinx it, but it appears as if we're headed into a "heavy snow winter" for Salt Lake City. The first year we were in town, we experienced a big snow in November... and the remainder of the winter was snowy. It was lovely. But last year... it was fairly dry and somewhat warm... resulting in small snow pack. I'm hoping this winter is a bit like our first. Traditionally snowy, cold and fun!

Cute Cousins

Okay... for the sake of memories, I need to post these pics. My sister in law's baby girl (Corinne) is adorbs!

Love the drool face... and those gorgeous brown eyes!

Then there is Lucas... acting like a moron. Still love him, though.

And this was the best I could do... it's totally weird that my child (MY CHILD!) is a talker. Who won't stop talking.

Now... to get Trip in with these two!

Grandparent Love

While In Oregon we spent a weekend with Dan and Lisa. As always, it's a time filled with good food, enriching conversation and good sleep! I don't know why, but Lucas sleeps like a rock at Grandpa Dan and Grandma Lisa's house!

 Dan bought Lucas his first T-Ball set, which is huge! It's such a special memory to have and Lucas was thrilled! These are the type of things that make family so meaningful... not the gifts, but the heart behind the gift. It's definitely one of Lucas' top favorite things to do... swing a bat!

Lots of time was spent outside... and thankfully the weather was divine! Dan was soooo patient with Lucas. He would graciously put Lucas' shoes back on, after being in the house only ten or fifteen minutes. Along with swinging a bat and playing T-Ball... Lucas blew bubbles with Thomas the Train! This was not only a bubble maker, but a train whistle... and just darling!

Our time with Grandpa and Grandma was precious... and I found myself wishing we could spend weekends in Salem more frequently. To see Lucas lavished in love and to feel supported in parenting was a heavy burden lifted off my chest... even if it was just a few days! I am a very fortunate daughter-in-law to feel so loved by my Father and Mother in law... and to have a little boy who is loved so well by his grandparents too.

Engagement

MY SISTER IS ENGAGED!

And I'm just dying from excitement. Eric and Julie are a great fit for each other and it warms my heart to envision them sharing life together.

Congrats, you two. There is so much to look forward to!

Eric and Julie. Engaged 10.27.12

Brooklynn Turns Five!!!

I cannot believe it, but our little Boo turned five last week!

Five years ago she entered this world, beautiful, strong and bald as ever! I loved her from the start and given everything she and her Mama have been through, my love is even deeper.

I am so grateful to have been able to celebrate Brooklynn's fifth birthday here with her...and talk about how amazing of a little girl she's becoming! She is smart, cunning, and incredibly lovable.

What a lucky Aunt I am to have a little Boo like her! I cannot imagine life without her!

Papa's Funtastic Fort

Lucas has spent a lot of his time playing on the fort Papa built.

Basically, it's a big hit.

The kids run, slide, hide and imagine stories while playing in the fort, and this warms my heart! It's a delight to see them be free to do these things and fill their days with good ol' fashioned fun!

Sitting Sweet

Couldn't pass this up...it's just too sweet of a moment.

Being "Home"

A few things I love about being "home" with my family:

• There is always cheese. And not just good ol' chedder... smoked gouda, brie... the good stuff. I have my sister to thank for that.
• There is always wine. Thanks to my sis for that too!
• My mom always turns the heater on the morning. Us Cates girls are total pansies when it comes to the cold and the hum of the heater brings back childhood warmth and memory that comforts and eases my senses.
• Lucas and Brooklynn... playing... together. It's the first time they've been able to play together, without fighting. I love eavesdropping on their conversations and overhearing their imaginary scenarios. 
• Coffee. And "bad" creamer... like the flavored stuff with a bunch of chemicals. It's like crack. Can't get enough of that stuff.
• Taking naps. Which I love anywhere, but again... there is nothing quite like taking a nap at "home" that brings comfort and rest to a person's soul.
• Cookies. My dad's cookies, to be specific. The man can whip out a batch in nothing flat, and their always creative, delicious and plentiful.

I'm noticing how much of this stuff is related to food... you'd think I have a problem.

• Toys. My parents (and Brooklynn) have a ton of fun, noisy toys. Lucas doesn't sit down for even a second, because there is a bountiful amount of toys!
• There is time to read... because the kiddo is playing, the house is quiet during the day and it's not my home to maintain... so I can sit down and enjoy a good book.
• There is someone to hang out with Lucas while I shower...which is a treat, for real!
• Someone else plans and makes dinner (although I like to take a night or two to help out!).
• And... there is always someone to talk to. My parents... do you know them?...they love to talk! And when both of them are home (my Dad normally works from home), they're always up for a chat. I love it!

Anyway... most of us can't imagine living with our parents again, but when we come home to visit, there is a comfort. As I've settled in the past twenty-four hours, I've come to realize there are a few things that are constant in this home... a few things that I've grown to appreciate now that I'm an adult.

Things like cheese...

Distance Really Makes The Heart Fonder

We had the pleasure of a short visit from Matt's folks this last weekend. They're weren't in town even 24 hours, but it was so fun to have them in spite of the fact that we missed them immediately after letting them go. 

 As Lucas ages I am beginning to see his love for family blossom and it's both touching and challenging. Touching... because he wanted to show Grandpa and Grandma his room, his toys... he was so excited to have them in his space! He talked and played and tickled! The joy in his heart was radiant and evident throughout the evening and morning we spent with Dan and Lisa... the child could not contain his happiness.

On the flip side, Lucas is becoming aware of the distance we have between those we love in Oregon and here...where we live. Immediately after Grandpa and Grandma left, Lucas continued to ask when we would see them again. He would ask questions like: "See Grandpa tonight?" And when I say, "No... we'll see Grandpa soon... but a few sleeps need to happen first."... his disappointment was evident; even emotional.

Before now, we've always visited our loved ones in their homes... and now that we've had them in our home, it's unlocked a new concept with our little man. The concept of "taking a trip" to see our family has been the thing that enables a visit... so when Grandpa and Grandma made the trip... Lucas couldn't quite put the pieces together. He's thrilled... and still talking about the visit... but the vacancy Grandma and Grandpa left behind is big and a little painful.

Even still, it opens opportunity for conversation about the way we feel regarding the people we love and when we love someone we talk to them on the phone, or send emails or video chat! It provides opportunity to talk about how excited we are to see them again in "real life"... And it gives us sweet memories to hold onto until that next time we get to be together.

Thank you Grandpa Dan and Grandma Lisa for taking the long drive from Boise to see us! We love you and cannot wait to see you again in just a few weeks!

Cuties

Rashelle and I took a midday trip to see the Tulip Festival with the kiddos (again, this was while we were in Portland). We couldn't have asked for a prettier day!