My inspiration for this record of my days:

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” -Anna Quindlen

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New England

About two years ago Jeff and I planned ahead for our 15th wedding anniversary trip.  We got our airline tickets about a year ahead of time to make sure we could use our sky miles.  We planned a trip to New England in the fall, so we could be there for all the beautiful colors.  It’s a trip I have dreamed of taking forever.

A few months after we made the reservations, we found out that I was expecting another baby.  Due the exact week of our scheduled trip!  Needless to say, it was postponed.

One year later, which was a couple of weeks ago, we finally made it!  We left the kids with my mom and sisters, and celebrated our 15th anniversary in style.

The trip was all I hoped and dreamed!  We rented a car and spent our days just leisurely driving around, enjoying the beauty of nature. 

IMG_1281

Our first night we stayed in this charming old boarding school-turned hotel.

_MG_1291

We passed through Salem, and toured this “Witch House” that was built in the 1600s.

IMG_1295

_MG_1304

We drove up the coast of Maine, and of course had to stop at a lighthouse.  This was one of the few pictures Jeff took without me nudging him in the ribs and handing the camera to him.  He said he was there to spend time with his wife, not to be a photographer.  Apparently the two don’t mix.

_MG_1325

_MG_1333

We pulled over a couple of times to just walk around and enjoy the scenery.  I wished that I could bring home some of my treasures.

_MG_1334

We had tried to rent a Prius to save on gas, but there was a mix-up, and all they had left was this Camaro convertible. Darn!  We were determined to drive with the top down, even though it was freezing!

_MG_1340

In Vermont we stopped at the Ben & Jerry’s factory for a tour and some samples.

_MG_1380

My pictures don’t really do it justice, but I loved these trees!  The leaves were green in the middle, then a layer of yellow, and red on the tips.  So gorgeous!

_MG_1400

Can you believe some people drive by sights like this every day, and think that it’s normal?

_MG_1407

Our last day was spent in Boston.  This is Jeff looking studious at Harvard.

_MG_1420

One of my favorite stops along the Freedom Trail was the Old North Church, where Paul Revere had two lanterns hung at the beginning of the Revolutionary war.  I love the feeling of being in a place that is so old, and especially one with such significance.

_MG_1421

The book that I was reading on the plane on my way to Boston was about the founding of America.  It was perfect timing.  The day we spent in Boston got me feeling so patriotic and grateful for the amazing men who were the founders of our country.

_MG_1428

Some of these headstones dated back to the 1600s.

_MG_1423

The city reaching up into the clouds was so beautiful.  The locals kept complaining about the weather, but we loved it!  We carried umbrellas all day as we walked, and didn’t miss the sun one bit!

I can’t decide what was my favorite part of the trip. The weather, the maple trees, the leisurely pace, the history?  Actually, I do know.  It was the company!  I loved having Jeff all to myself for a few days, with nothing else to worry about.  I love being married to my best friend!

Now… where to go next?

Josh

Here are a couple of quick pics from Josh’s 10 yr. old birthday party.

IMG_0957

He is all sweaty after having a super fun air-soft war with his friends.  The girls have a hard time understanding why boys would like to celebrate by inviting people over to shoot each other.  I have stopped trying to relate, and decided to just embrace it!  As long as they don’t ever shoot at me!

IMG_0941

He has some great friends, and they seemed to have a really good time.  Even his cousin Alston got to be there!

Some things about Josh at age 10:

His smile lights up his whole face

He never walks anywhere!  He is always running, jumping, or sliding.  Consequently… he stubbs his toes all the time, poor guy.

He likes to give his mom hugs, and misses the days when he was little enough to curl up in my lap.

He LOVES basketball.  He is willing to practice hard, and it has really paid off!  He is a great player, and I love that he has a smile on his face all through every game.

He is thoughtful.  He is aware of others feelings, and tries to make sure everyone feels included.

He goes through books faster than I do, which is really saying something!

I sure love you Josh!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Thousands of words

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I’m going to save myself the trouble of writing and just post some pictures of what has been going on around here lately.

IMG_5939

Eli got a handsome haircut.  He officially looks like a Davis boy with a buzz cut.

IMG_5940

Jonah checking to see how much he has grown.

IMG_6188

Simon does “boy school” with 3 of his neighborhood friends:  Kade, Mazden and Tigger.  They rotate houses 3 days a week.  Not a lot of “school” happens, but it’s lots of fun!

IMG_6193

Simon likes to comb his hair up in the front every day, so it will look “cool like Caleb’s.”

 

Jeff and his brother Doug took 9 kids to the lake!  Now that is the definition of a real man (I guess I should say real men, plural)  in my book!

_MG_0976

Caleb and Connor Payne cooked the burgers, while Jonah waited anxiously.

_MG_0963

Playing with Audree and Olivia on the shore.  Good thing I insisted that Jeff let me pack a change of clothes for Simon “just in case his pants happen to get wet.”

_MG_1002

Cute 3 year old cousins Grant and Clark.

_MG_1117

Riding behind the boat.  Olivia, Audree and Jonah.

_MG_1192

Caleb and Josh.  I think Connor was in the middle there…  ?

IMG_1265

My cute little Eli.  Just because.