Cache La Poudre

Growing up, my family would spend many a summer days picnicking along the Cache la Poudre River. Its name is French for "hide the powder". When French trappers were caught in a snowstorm, they were forced to bury their gunpowder along the banks of the river. (just brushing up on my 4th grade Colorado history ;)

Just a short drive from town and you're suddenly high in the mountains amongst the whispering pine trees. As we drove through the canyon you could see the burn scars from last year's fires and damage from the floods we had last fall...the Poudre can be a terribly strong and powerful force. It's amazing though, how fast mother nature takes over regrowing what was lost. 

We decided spontaneously to drive up last week on one of Martin's days off from work. We only hiked a short time before our little tot needed time to just explore. We headed down to the river and Everdeen made herself comfortable in the dirt, while my very strong husband found fallen trees to dead lift and squat --there's never a dull moment around those two :) 

Always wanting to be just like her daddy!  She found a tiny stick and started doing squats with it :)

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"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Everdeen Kate: A mini mountain climber  

 Linking up with Jodi :)

Everdeen Turns Two {A Little Video}

Happy Birthday little one!

Last year's video :)

to my sweet girl on her second birthday

To my sweet Everdeen on her second birthday,

Before I had you, I didn't know that such a tiny person could teach me to be a better person everyday. Sometimes as adults we act as, well, adults.  We lose our sense of wonder and our free spirit. I look around me at other parents of young children...the life drained from them.  But you put life into us...seeing the world through your curious and loving heart makes me excited to wake up every morning. You are the most tender of souls, so full of life and happiness.  Your unsolicited hugs and kisses, the way you bring the cats their bowl of food so they can have a snack while you eat yours, the way you move to music, the way you make everyone around you feel special makes our hearts ache from so much sweetness. You have no inhibitions, no callouses...all you know is to love.  

I watch you in amazement everyday and still can't comprehend that you are a part of me. It is the most incredible feeling to watch someone grow in front of you...watch them become the person you pray for them to be.  You are a part of me and I am a part of you. What an incredible bond we share.  

You are our everything and your daddy and I love you more than anything in this world. How lucky and blessed we are to experience this life with you. 

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet girl! Love you love you love you

Love,

Mama

a celebration of two years!

Oh! My little Everdeen is turning two tomorrow!  I don't think I will ever look at birthdays quite the same after having my own baby.  I told Martin that maybe birthdays should coincide with Mother's Day...after all we played a very large role during that special day...no? ;)

Last weekend we held a little party for our sweet girl. We started the celebration at the swimming pool...it was ten o'clock and already way too hot outside.  Everdeen just finished another round of swimming lessons and boy does that girl LOVE to be in the water! That afternoon we had our closest family over for a small get together at my parents' home.  Hotdogs, hamburgers, gold balloons, and an amazing polk-a-dot cake (thank you Nana!)...everything a two year old could want :) 

That would be my husband's cup...although he doesn't need to tell me how awesome he is 

A new table and chair set for her new big girl room!

Parents of a two year old...eek! We could hardly snatch a picture of Everdeen.  Apparently when you are two, you are much too busy to be bothered to have your picture taken...

joy

a counter

I just found this post I wrote three years ago.  It's funny, I haven't even thought about that post until this moment when I realized I had an entire folder of pictures titled 'Everdeen on the counter' :) She is so content just sitting and watching. Getting nibbles of breakfast, lunch, or dinner as we prepare it. Helping...learning. I can't think of a better and more simple way to 'be' as a family. 

When I was growing up we ate at the kitchen table as a family every night (except for the occasional Sunday night when we would watch Star Trek and eat apples and popcorn for dinner...we are big nerds and we don't care). It was a place of comfort and familiarity.  It's where big family decisions were made, where we shared about our school day...when we were younger my mom would even read a couple chapters from a book out loud. I can still remember the moment when my parents said we could get a kitten. The three of us sisters, sitting anxiously at the dinner table, waiting for the answer after b e g g i n g for months. Being told that taking care of a cat was a lot of responsibility..."We know! We know! We'll scoop the liter and feed it and play with it! PROMISE!" haha Why does any parent believe those words? :)

Martin and I make it a point to eat at the table as a family every night too (except when I need a rerun boost from Everybody Loves Raymond). There are some evenings when there isn't much talking after a long day of work or Everdeen refuses to eat her dinner because she would rather be playing musical chairs, "I need dat one!" There is something so sacred about family time...it is the bond that keeps us strong, helps us focus on each other. We learn how important it is to put others first and to care and love for each other unconditionally. 

Sometimes I worry that Everdeen and I don't do enough things during the day. But I have to remind myself that being by my side and watching and helping me is important quality time too. She is my mini-me, my tiniest little helper. I wouldn't trade those moments of singing and conversations, while she sits contentedly on the counter, for anything. 

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"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Everdeen Kate: Lately, you are loving telling your own rendition of your favorite stories...even if you're the only one who can understand what you're saying, I love hearing you 'read'.  It makes my former kindergarten teacher heart proud :)   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

the lovers, the dreamers and me | la da da di da da dum

Just as we were putting Everdeen to bed we spotted a rainbow out the window. The two of them stood and watched it for a long time as the curtains danced and whipped around them. Just as the last of the colors faded away it was time to put our little tot down for bed...I think I know what she'll be dreaming of tonight.

curls

My husband decided we should go for a walk to search for rainbows after another afternoon of thunderstorms.  Everdeen reminds me of a little puppy.  Whenever we say the word "walk" she squeals with delight and runs to get her shoes by the door.  Sometimes we can even get her to bring us our shoes.  She's especially helpful when jamming them on the wrong feet. 

We didn't find a rainbow, but we did take lots of pictures of Everdeen and her curly hair. Oh that hair! I love every curl! She was bound to end up with curly hair. Martin, my older sister and dad all have beautiful curly hair...well *ahem* one of them used to. My twin sister and I have hair that won't make up its mind...Today I feel curly! Oh wait, nope...just frizzy. 

I'm a lion hear me roar!

I hope I can teach her to love her mess of curls.  I'm sure when she's a teenager she'll insist I buy her a straightener.  But for now, the more wild the more beautiful it is :)