Celebrating 12 Years

Today was our 12th wedding anniversary.  We spent part of the day on Bainbridge Island.  Nothing spectacular about the trip, but we enjoyed the drive (which did not include, "Are we there yet?" thanks to Granmom and Grampa Ellis who kept the girls for us today), ate some food, saw some art, and generally had a good time.  Here are a few photos from today:

Our dessert crepe...strawberries, bananas, and Nutella.  It was DELICIOUS.

Artist: Nikki McClure.  There were several of her papercuttings on display.
As a fellow papercutter, I can really appreciate her craft.

LOVED this painting.  Artist: Jeff Weekley

This is called "Frog Rock".  It's a local landmark, apparently,
but it's basically on the corner of an intersection outside of "town".

A couple of views from the bridge between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.

Here we are, 12 years in.  A little older, and perhaps tired looking.
But we're happy.

Wards Lake Park

On Saturday (yesterday), we took the girls to Wards Lake Park to play, and ended up walking the trails there, and had an impromptu fall photo session.  It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining, we could see the blue sky, and we made two new friends.  You'll meet them in the photos below.

First, here's some of the beautiful scenery:

Here's more beauty:

 And here are our new friends, who came out of the water, and walked right over by where we were.  We could have literally reached down to touch this first guy, he was so close.

There are very few things better than spending time outdoors in the middle of Autumn.  I love the colors, the crisp air, and just being together.

Amy's Baptism

October 18th was a special day for Amy.  She had been looking forward to this day ever since she turned 8 in September, and couldn't wait any longer.  She was baptized!  (Or "bathtized", as she pronounces it.)

It was a wonderful day, and will be a great memory forever.  One thing that makes it memorable is that the Bishop put some water from the Jordan and Susquehanna Rivers in with the water in the font.

After the baptism, we had a wonderful lunch--shredded pork and chicken, tortillas, cheese, salad, and pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

Enjoy the pictures.  I love how her sweetness shines through in each one.

Back to School!

After a summer full of fun and relaxation, we started our fall schedule at the end of August.  We kicked off the year with a delicious breakfast and pictures at Aunt Lexie's house.

Seriously good eats. I could start every week like this.

I have other photos of The Boy wearing a smile, but this is
such an authentic look for him that I just had to post it.

Me with our "pupils".

I love the pictures of my sister and her kids.  Aren't they a beautiful family?

Oh, say can you see?

2014 marks the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key.  He was a lawyer and amateur poet who wrote the poem that was set to music after seeing Fort McHenry bombarded by the British Navy during the War of 1812.  I had an idea of making a printable "flag" using the lyrics of our national anthem.  I'm not sure if I like it better with the star or without.

In this somewhat difficult time in our nation, where we are divided on almost every issue, my hope is that we will have a return to civility and compassion towards one another.  This is the land of the free, and the home of the brave.  We've got to remember that.