My girls

Almost 12 years ago, I was blessed with three of the most amazing girlfriends. Those beginning stories of how we met seem to change every year, but I know there was eye contact made from across a crowded room at the University of Idaho and that nothing would ever be the same.

Last weekend I released Henry into Jake's care- I like how formal that sounds- and headed to Salt Lake City for a weekend of non-stop fun with my girls. I won't make you jealous with all of the details, but our weekend consistend of eating and shopping non-stop.

12 years of friendship with many more to come. Thanks for such a fun weekend girls.

2013: Taking a break from eating to explore Temple Square. We were too full all weekend to  get a proper jumping photo.

2012: Someone had a newish baby and was moving to Wyoming so sadly no reunion. Lame!

2011: Showing off our mad jumping skills in Arizona. I've got a ten week little Henry in me belly.

2010: Living it up in Boise. We made the two pregnant girls jump at least 20 times before we got this photo. Shockingly no babies came early.

2009: What! You don't do this when you go on vacation? And no, we did not always all end up landing on the bed. And yes, my head if oh so very close to the ceiling. Seattle, you were so very good us.

2008: Celebrating, in CDA, the marriage of a favorite friend from college and plotting to get together every year for a girls weekend (obviously without the groom or sweet child).

2007: All together in Portland for the wedding of an exceptionally tall couple.

Girls, thankfully I am too lazy to scan in the pictures I have of us from college, some hair styles/make up techniques/glasses are best left in our fuzzy memories.

Can't wait to make San Diego happen!

And thanks to all the dads for keeping our kids safe and probably hopped up on sugar while we were away.

Forgotten Roots

It's almost as if he doesn't realize that he should be wearing tie dye shirts and hemp beanies...

To this boy, that lovely Eugene life is slipping away. Goodbye organic veggies and the occasional smelly hippie. Hello life full of cowboy hats, meat (okay, I'm still his mother so mainly black beans) and diesel trucks galore.

And there right beside my child was an animal carcass.

If you've never done a photo shoot with gunshots echoing in the not-so-far-away distance and never had  to make sure your toddler didn't pick up any of the nearby stray animal bones (or complete rib cage) then you've never done a photo shoot in Wyoming. Oh Wyoming.

I am 17 months old. I am a gem.

I am 17 months old. I am a rapscallion.

I am 17 months old. I am always on the move.

I am 17 months old. I am a dreamboat.

The one where Jake ruins all the photos.

So technically he didn't ruin all the pictures. Henry looks absolutely adorable. His Dadda, on the other hand, couldn't quite handle the bright light and was having some posture problems. I don't think these will be making the walls anytime soon.

"It's surprisingly bright out here."

"I don't know what to do with my eyes? Will people notice if I just close them?"

"How's this look?"

Ha, I love these boys.