Once upon a time......

Once upon a time there was a happy little family of 7.

A new baby was upon the knee of mama as 4 other little ones ran and played and daddy went to MBA school.

One day, when baby boy was 2 months old, mama said to daddy, "I think there is a little girl waiting to come to our happy family."

Daddy said, "Are you crazy? I think we're done."

Mama just smiled and knowingly tucked her knowledge away in her heart.

Baby boy grew, older children grew, the little family moved to Washington and Mama and Daddy pretended that their family was complete.

When people would ask (they always do) if their little family was complete, Mama and Daddy would look at each other quizzically and say, "Yes?"

But one night Mama had a dream that a little girl was on her way. She didn't tell Daddy. The idea of 6 little ones was scary and frightening to both of them. But especially Daddy.

And then it happened. Mama found out that a little tiny person was growing and becoming in her tummy.

Mama found out at 2 in the morning when she couldn't sleep. She just happened to have a magic wand in the bathroom that told her so!

So Mama woke Daddy up. "Guess what?" she said. "We're going to have a baby!"

Mama and Daddy were nervous. Would they be good enough parents to 6 children. Was their house big enough? NO! And then Mama felt peace wash over her and she knew that HER father in Heaven trusted her to be the Mama to all of these children. He sent her one more because he knew they could do it, even if they were unsure.

And that feeling stayed and grew and apprehension became excitement and joy.

The beautiful day came and brought a little pink bundle. A bundle that the whole family came to love and spoil and bend over backwards for.

And guess what? That little bundle turned 4! And she is still adored, and loved and immensely spoiled by everyone.

So much so that she got two cakes! Well, mostly cuz her and Mama are gluten free now and Mama couldn't resist two different kinds!



However, when it came time to blow those candles out, her little 4 year old lungs just couldn't seem to do it on their own.

1

2

3

4

5

6 times, and some help from siblings, is a charm!

Nora also has proven to be amazingly fun to give presents to. She gets excited about everything!






Happy Birthday Nora Jane! We're so happy to came to our family, it wouldn't be the same without you!

Oh, and Henry I'm sorry, but someday you will think this picture of yourself is really funny!

Beauty is all around us. You just have to drive an hour and then hike six miles:)

Where have I been? Oh, here, there, ALASKA!

Yup. I went to Alaska with my sister Maile, my other sister(in-law) Amy, my aunt and my mom.

It was pretty much the most beautiful trip I've ever been on. Hands down.

But I will blog about that next week.

Today I'm blogging about something equally gorgeous, but a little closer to home.

On Tuesday, I got to go on a hike with my Julia and a bunch of other 12 and 13 year old girls.

They were all getting certified for girls' camp. One of the requirements is a 5 mile hike.

We went with this awesome lady who has climbed Mt. Rainier 3 times!! So she knows her stuff.

Just that should have been a clue as to what we were in for. What's easy to someone who has climbed a mountain, is not the same as easy to the rest of us.

And the fact that I was still recovering from my trip added a little to it. But over all, it was sooo amazing. And the girls really should have been proud of their accomplishment.

I exaggerate not when I say that the first three miles was mostly at a lovely, glute strengthening incline. And the 3 miles back down was equally as wonderful for calf sculpting.

It wasn't until we were done that Alyson let us know we had really hiked 6 miles instead of 5.

And yes! That extra mile does make a difference.

On the way up we stopped at an overlook to see one of God's most beautiful creations.




I was talking about Julia. But Mt. Rainier is nice too:)



Part of what increased the length of our hike was an on purpose detour that let the girls and leaders take a gander at this:



I don't remember what these falls are called.

I was in a de-oxygenated state, okay?


And I only had my cell phone to take pictures with. Cuz as much as it would have been nice to have my good camera, lugging that thing around seemed, well, stupid.


When we got to the top, we sat to eat our lunch. And we found ourselves to be surrounded by Canadian Jays.


No, unfortunately that is not a really good looking Canadian hockey team. They are birds. And they are not afraid of people. 


So all the girls sat with their hands out, with a little food perched on top. And the birds would land quickly and then take off with their plunder.



They did actually land on Julia's hand, but my phone is not quick enough, aaannnddd to be honest, I got a little bored waiting for one to come back. So did Julia. We're too easily distracted. By what you ask?

Oh I don't know. Maybe by the view from our lunch spot.

I give you Mt. Rainier. But you can't keep it.



Yup. This is what I saw as I sat and ate my turkey sandwich on gluten free bread.

I could have sat there forever if my seat had not been Engagement Rock. My bum started to hurt. But it was so beautiful and I tried to imagine what it would be like to sit and listen to the mountain without the surround sound of 15 girls.

Oh side note. I gave the rock I was sitting on the name of Engagement Rock. Because as we walked to the lunch spot, there was a couple sitting there that had just got, gotten?, engaged! And I'm sure they were glad to share it with 20 teenage girls and women. *ahem*

Actually, it added to the memorable experience I'm sure. Nothing like the love of your life saying yes to your hand in marriage, only to then be descended upon by a large group of people.

Hence, Engagement Rock.

It was fun, beautiful and totally worth the copious amounts of sweat that we all produced. Except for me of course. I'm in such top shape that I............I can't even finish such a lie.

Lets just say that it took me an hour to fully dry out.

Next week I'll show you the pictures from Alaska. Sadly, the pictures are sad because I decided to forgo the good camera because I thought it would be too bulky, and only take Julia's little point and shoot. Oh how I rue that decision!!!!!

Til next week.