Captured Moments

In no particular order... some of the pictures that put a smile on my face from the end of December to the beginning of February

"Every baby needs a white blanket for his blessing," is what my friend, Kristin said when she brought over this beautiful blanket that she made for Luke. Thank you so much for all of the time spent. I love it.

Completely content in my friend Leah's arms

. This kid is all boy. His 3 favorite things right now are his Superman shirt and hat and of course...his sword. Always tucked safely in his shirt-ready to use at a moments notice.

Throw in his Buzz Lightyear gun and he is in heaven!

One of the many notes Kate taped up for Luke on his cradle. She ADORES him.

On our way home from Target after purchasing the helmet...it was tough to get the thing off without him waking up!

Bag Ladies... At least they have an imagination, right?? They came up with this one on their own. Can you tell I like Target??

Luke at 1 1/2 months old

First pair of jeans a few weeks later

I think he likes them!

QT

Luke will always have a fan

Berryhills in the Treetops

Every 2 years, the Berryhill family gets together for a reunion. It's usually the original family-- mom and dad+ 9 kids+ spouses and all of the children that go with it :) Well, this year was my year to plan it. While on vacation a few years ago, I met a lady who happened to mention this great "treesort" that her family stayed at 10 years prior and her kids were still talking about it--they loved it so much. So I did a little research and discovered "Out 'n' About Treehouses" up in Cave Junction, Oregon. I knew that this is was the place. I couldn't help but sing, "In the Leafy Treetops" the entire time I planned this thing. Maybe it's the primary chorister in me, but it just seemed perfect.
The pictures are in no particular order, but everyone got to pick out their own treehouses to live in and we spent a long weekend having a GREAT time together. We did family skits, we swam, we made smores around the campfire, we tie dyed t-shirts, we ziplined and then even braved the giant tarzan swing, we stayed up way too late playing BUNCO, and I'm sure there is more, but really just enjoyed being together.

Yes, that's my Kate ziplining--there is a huge smile on her face, even though she claimed she didn't want to do it!!!

The three brave, young, souls who attempted and completed the course!

Joe was thrilled his little girl decided to join him.

The Adventurists

Our very first tie tying experience

Jake still asks where his tie dye shirt is if he can't find it in his drawer and cries when I tell him it's in the wash. He says so clearly, "It (pause) Has (pause) Spirals!" And then gives me a huge grin.

The two who started it all

Thanks everyone for making the drive and taking the time to enjoy being together. We loved it and love you! Looking forward to next time!!!!

Wish I had my camera set to a quicker speed-- Ethan and Hugh were giving their cousins such a thrill ride on the swings that the kids faces are blurry... But I love this shot because you can almost hear their laughter. So blessed to have such great cousins.

We had all just come from "How to Train Your Dragon" and ended up back at our house talking and laughing for what turned out to be a few wonderful hours (side note-- first movie Jake has sat through and not gotten fidgety)-- when we looked at the time and suddenly realized no one had had dinner (we ate A LOT of popcorn and candy at the movies)...we hit the least healthiest place in our freezer and celebrated being together with corndogs. Yes, corndogs... don't worry, if you are ever invited over, that

will not be on the menu. Thanks for such a WONDERFUL Saturday afternoon Woodruffs! We love you.

Wheels + Sunshine = Happiness

Last Saturday was one of the first that I didn't have to work AND we weren't sick AND it wasn't raining! Since we had all three things going for us, we decided to get out and do a little bicycling. We headed to Coyote Hills Regional Park right along the Bay and got all geared up. That is a task within itself! We have plenty of wheels to get ready... Jake's carriage and Kate's "Trail-A-Bike," plus all of the toys and snacks to keep everyone occupied and smiling! What a perfect way to spend our morning-- with all of the gear needed, we failed to bring Kate's helmet, so we gave her Joe's and tightened it up as small as it would go. Thank goodness she has a nice size head, otherwise it wouldn't have worked ;)

Side Note: don't get blinded by that neon skin of mine-- I was just trying to give it a little fresh air-- it hadn't seen the sun in a very long time...

Jake discovering a California poppy for the first time



We decided the trail-a-bike was a good purchase because we could go as fast as we wanted and Kate could still feel like she was riding a bike and being a part of everything! I know Jake LOVED having the carriage to himself. We stopped to read about all of the birds we were seeing and Kate discovered that leopard sharks were swimming not too far from her. Always a nice thought...
Fresh air is so good for the soul.
Thank you, family! Looking forward to next time...

Grab Your Aprons...

Cammie's Turning FIVE!!There's no better way to celebrate than with a little flour, a little plastic and lotsa smiles!Cammie blazed the trail for her cousins by showing them how to make beautifully sculptured fruit kabobs...The fruit of someone I know didn't quite seem to want to make it to the sticks...they kept getting lost in her mouth! Next came pouring and mixing and a little more eating...

I think squishing the pizza dough between their hands was a definite highlight! The finished product turned out delicious!I think we officially have three chefs in the family to carry on Nana's legacy... Thanks Cammie and Lynne for hosting such a FUN Saturday together! We LOVED every second of it! Kate's hat and apron are in plain view in our kitchen so she can grab them at a seconds notice--she feels she now has the experience necessary to help me out with every meal :)