flying by

time is just flying by....sometimes i feel like i'm stuck in a whirlwind trying to catch my breath.  this year has just flown.  i'm not going to apologize for what i haven't recorded because sometimes there is just not time to sit and download everything and write all your thoughts although i truly wish i could bottle up and save so many of these moments.  my children are growing.  they are changing. they are moving in and out of phases....some of which i will miss and some i am ready to never take on again.

the year is wrapping up quickly.  we just got back from a trip to idaho and spend thanksgiving with eric's folks.  i hate that at this time of year, i don't bring out my camera very much because of how burned out i am with all the sessions i have been doing.  makes me sad for what i am missing but there are still moments here and there that make it onto my memory cards.  unfortunately, thanksgiving didn't make it on this year.  it was a a nice a quiet one.  the food was good as was the company and sometimes, a simple, quiet holiday is just what the doctor ordered.

my favorite thing about idaho trips is the kids enjoying the farm.  i love maryn and grace, sander and caleb, bundled up in the cold but they wonder around for hours finding things to do and never having to kick them out the door.  i love when kids come home just STARVING and ready to cuddle up because they are a little chilled.

we also got to go on a a quick adventure to get a christmas tree in the woods.  i love this activity and i love going to the same spots that eric went as a child to get them.  i love when the memories of my children can somehow mimic our childhood memories too.   we bundled up onto atv's and trudged around in the snow for an hour or so before settling on a tree that was right next to where we first parked and came in.  i suppose we had to walk through the forest just to make sure it was the very best one.  it is nice and tall and fragrant and the kids are JUST ACHING to decorate it. that is our plan for tonight with hot chocolate and christmas music.

 eric, josh and i rode up behind mary who had all the girls and baby adam in the back...my heart was so happy watching maryn sing christmas songs at the top of her lungs all the way up despite the fact that nobody was singing with her:)  the others weren't feeling great...but it made me happy that she sang anyway:)

chopping down trees is real manly...

...and handsome...

***i'm not going to mention the fact that we almost got about $2000 worth of fines for being off road in four wheelers in a spot where we weren't allowed to be (who knew?....so much for the future of eric's childhood memories....and for having like a bajillion kids without helmets on...oops!  luckily, the officer was very nice and let us off with a warning. would have been the most expensive christmas trees EVER!!!