Who has the better job

The boy who gets to hold grown up scissors...

Or the girl who gets to hold the bowl of strawberries....

Doesn't really matter as long as everyone gets to enjoy the sweet, juicy, goodness that is collected.

The finished project

The sun is shining, it may even be pushing 70 in hmb today, but my girl is toasty in her new sweater.

I can't wait to figure out what I will make next.

She wore it all morning, to the store, the daycare at the gym, and the park.

All the other kids were running around the park in shorts and tank tops, Kate spent her time in this outfit....

I love where we live

I don't mind the foggy, colder, drippy days.

I really don't.

In fact I draw energy from the cold. And love puddle jumping.

And because for every foggy day, there is a gorgeous day (like today) right around the corner. And we live near amazing beaches, enchanted forests, rolling hills sprinkled with cute yellow flowers, magnificent redwoods and refreshing creeks.

Spending five years in Davis (an amazing five years, I must add) I learned many things about myself, one being I don't do well in heat, and I am happiest when I can see, hear, feel, and taste the ocean close by.

And I love the families I am building lasting friendships with. I love watching C play with B and I and all his little nursery school friends. Their imaginations soaring, the hilarious discussions that I overhear, the sweet sharing of toys and cool findings. And I love that the mothers of these little friends understand me, support me, inspire me, and make me laugh.

I love that everyday my children can roam around nature stopping to observe a bunny, a bug, a hawk. I love watching my kids race along a path, a beach, a trail.

And I love that I get to share in all this wonder with my family and friends.

Dear Dad,

Happy Father's Day. Truly wonderful fathers are hard to come by it seems. The dads that make dinner, pick the kids up from school, come on school field trips, take the time to wrestle on the floor, make plans to take the kids to ballgames, and stop at nothing to make sure everyone is well cared for. Those types of dads are come to by, I think.

And not a day goes by where I don't think about how lucky I was to have you as my father growing up, and how lucky I continue to be to have the friendship, and father-daughter relationship we share as adults.

You set a standard so high as far as parenting in a loving, devoted, and playful way. Throughout college and after college while dating various boys I compared them to you. Growing up in a loving, safe, and close family set guidelines for me. I wanted to find a man who worked hard, played hard, found joy and peace in most everything, and above all put family first. When I got back in touch with Adam and began dating him, I quickly found that he shared the same passion for life and family that you did. And I remember coming home after a walk on the beach with him. You were standing in the kitchen probably making your famous spaghetti sauce or burning some chicken for mom and you saw the glow on my face. After spending a few minutes telling you about this boy named Adam, you stopped what you were doing and said, "Well, Sarah I really hope this one works out for you"

And now years and years later we can all see that it did work out for me. Hands-down Adam has been one of the best choices I have made in my life, and I want to thank you for showing me what an involved, patient, loving, fun, and thoughtful father is supposed to look like.

And I want to thank you for loving him as if he was one of your own. I get so much joy over-hearing you talk to him about tennis, politics, gardening...even if in the moment I shush you both up because the kids just fell asleep.

You have done such an amazing job providing for our family. And I don't just mean financially, although we can all learn from you as far as budgets, misc. spending, spreadsheets, and how to save money. But you have also provided us with a safe community to grow up in (even if your crazy over-protectiveness would lead most people to think we lived in some crime-ridden ghetto), numerous fun family trips, hours of entertainment at basketball games, baseball games, and wrestling matches.

And what an amazing grandpa you are as well. The way you walk upstairs every morning and make it a point to come up to each child and say good morning. The way you come to the kids' swim lessons, read books to them, sit with them while they eat their snacks as to ensure no one falls or chokes.

The way you told me just last night that you plan to cut down our beloved tree after watching Charlie climb so high. And the way you laugh at each funny kid story I share with you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a great dad, for teaching me what to look for in a partner, and for being a very involved grandfather to our kids.

Because spending time with the people you love is how you show them you care, right?

Lately....

I haven't been blogging. I am just too busy exercising, playing, baking, dancing, painting, tutoring, biking, and visiting with family and friends.

Some of you have asked for some posts, and I really appreciate you going out of your way to let me know that you read and enjoy stories and pics from my life. But honestly, it is hard. I don't have the time to just sit down and write anymore. Life is just moving much too quickly.

And know that a lull in blogging usually means I am using those few moments of downtime to knit, hang out with Adam, or clean up the house.

These past few weeks I have been spending a lot of my time really appreciating where I live, how I live, the people I live with, and the family and friends around me.

Just this past weekend I had my three best friends call and visit and I felt so incredibly lucky to be able to hike with Ellie, play settlers with Jackie and Rob, and enjoy an afternoon beer in the sunny backyard with Amy.

And as always I am so in love with our town. I have more friends that I have time, and I love watching our kids grow up together. I have a solid group of strong, open-minded, caring women that I am proud to call my "mom friends". I have my brother and sister who are doing amazing things like biking from SF to LA to raise money for AIDS and running half marathons along our breath-taking coast.

We have our garden that adam cares for everyday. The kids are eating potatoes, strawberries, peas (well 1 so far, but you catch my drift) from the garden. And I enjoy watching things sprout from the ground and grow everyday.

We are camping at least once a month and enjoying every second of our trips.

We are watching K and C become best friends and feeling like our method of parenting is really paying off.

We are going to beaches, parks, hiking spots, and deep, dark forests.

We are living each day to its fullest.

Some pics from the past few weeks...

We got to spend a few days visiting with C and K's cousins, which is always fun.

Have I mentioned how inseparable these kids are....

This little girl melts our hearts everyday with her complete happiness, adorable songs, the way she has memorized complete books, her faces, dances, sense of humor. She is a true gift to everyone who crosses her path.

And Charlie is so smart, creative, sweet (unless he is tired or hungry, then stay clear), and athletic. He spends his days outside, looking for bugs to care for, worms to save from puddles....and sometimes ants to smoosh....sigh

Want to see Adam's great smile? Catch him in his garden, hiking with his kids, or on the tennis courts and you will see one happy dad.

and as always our hikes end like this...

Where else can you get ready to watch Uncle Josh run by at 8:30 in the morning and have this as your backdrop...

This pic sums up our girl, come here and you will find her either naked or dressed up, but you will always find her in dirt, mud, sand, or grass.

Who doesn't like some yoga first thing in the morning on the beach. Downward Dog...

And you will find our son trying to look his coolest, and always running....he is one strong dude...

We are busy from the moment we wake up to the moment we collapse in exhaustion, but we are happy.

Friends...

is there anything sweeter...