family fun

so after who knows how many years of NOT getting together, we finally had a swainson family reunion at my mom and dad's house this last weekend. talk about FUN!! beautiful weather, great set up, TONS of kids, and good company made for a fabulous time. it was so great visiting with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles - reliving memories, telling goofy stories, and watching all the little ones running around.

as a second "generation-er," it warmed my heart to see my kids playing with all the other little kids - reminding me of all the great times i had roaring around with my cousins growing up. what great memories i have of being on "the farm," making forts, plaing kick the can in the dark, sleepovers at gramps and nana's house, weiner roasts, softball games, tile rummy with nana, gramps playing pool downstairs, and all the food it took to feed all those people!!!!!

what a wonderful weekend it was!! and i, for one, have decided that we HAVE to do it again next year!

for a picture representation of some of the fun we had at the reunion, click here, here, and here.

i think i managed to snap a picture of almost everyone....and that is saying a lot as there are a lot of people is this family!!!

and i really love this family.

validation

sitting on the back deck at mom and dad's house tonight, a beautiful evening, my dad told burton that burton is his hero....dad has a huge soft spot for burton. then he asked burton who his hero is. burton thought for a moment, then said, "my mom."

wow.

amazing how two little words in answer to a random question made me feel so appreciated, validated, and loved.

does it get much better than this?

favorite subjects

i love taking pictures of all kinds of things....flowers, trees, and other nature.

but i always find that my favorite pictures always include my favorite subjects....

evan

burton and

jensen.

always my favorites.

we have been enjoying the warmer weather here in the MOUNTAINS and just returned from a week spent in spokane with brent's family. the boys had fun with their cousins and we all enjoyed the visit, of course! i have posted pictures of our spokane trip for your viewing pleasure. just click here.

and for all those who are interested in brent's bike trip, click here.

TTFN!

my one and only

my brent - i only hope our boys grow up to be the kind of man, husband, and father you are. that would be their greatest achievement, to be like you.

happy father's day my love.

his very own

burton is his own person. only knows one speed - fast. go. go. go. up, down, right, left, in, out, forwards, backwards. big, blue eyes. scattered freckles. smiling dimples. all make my burty-burt. but there is another side to burton - morning snuggles, whispered "i love you's," self conscious moments, need for a quick hug, a word of encouragement, approval. as rough and tough and pure boy that he is, burton still needs his momma.

what a soft spot i have for that kid.

just like dad

look at this picture - those eyes! big, brown, and beautiful. like liquid amber. and they both have them. jensen looks so much like his dad....lucky boy!

things i love about my oldest son:

-his laugh when he is really laughing.

-how he shares his ideas and you can almost see the wheels turning in his mind.

-that he always loves me, even when i am rotten.

-his compassion and sensitivity to others.

-he looks out for his little brothers, especially evan.

-he likes to help me and will often help without being asked.

-he is kind and considerate.

-he is inquisitive and curious.

he is jensen - my jensen.

right here

just one more before i go to bed. evan is still my baby. i often ask him if he is a big boy and he always says, "no big boy. me evan." i ask him if he is my baby and he says, "yes. mommy's baby." he makes me feel good, so good. evan frequently will enter a room that i am in and come running with arms outstretched just for me, saying, "here i am mommy. i'm here." always so happy to see me.

and i am always here, evan, with arms outstretched just for you.

my baby boy.