You only turn 8 once!

of course we all know that you only ever turn each age once, but Trinity being the oldest keeps hitting milestones first so it always makes me nostalgic. Also being my only girl I mourn every little girly thing she is just beginning to grow out of. I'm not ready!! anyway one girly thing that she embraced this year was getting her ears pierced. She was pretty determined and wore her dad down over the past few weeks until he had no argument left. =) She is doing very well with them so far -except that she takes an hour to get dressed because she literally stands there admiring herself in the mirror that long. yes, I think a monster has been created. If she was vain before. . . . One of the highlights from this past year for me was serving with her at Eastside Baby Corner. Watching her be so excited to help sort the clothes for the children in need really motivated me to get our family more involved in volunteer work like that. She raved about it and wanted to go back immediately. I love her giving spirit. This year has seen its share of struggle as well. A new school has created a challenging social situation which was further frustrated by her academic issues. She soldiered through it though and seemed to be a little more even keeled by the end of the year.  We topped the year off with a great backyard party and a new bunny! okay so the bunny is mostly mine but I needed all the excuses I could get to get Jeremy to go for it. lol. Nibbles was the hit of the party. Or maybe the candy was. Of course I insanely went pinterest happy again. The cupcakes I copied totally turned out though we used marshmallows for the clouds instead of frosting. She had a rainbow theme and I let her go to town on the windows with window markers instead of buying very many decorations.The punch box was super fun as well. That took me all day just like blake's pinata. the things I get myself into. Trinity really enjoyed having her moment in the sun with all of her girlfriends and thanks everyone for the wonderful presents. I guess she is old enough for thank yous huh? do people still do that?

gosh she's so pretty, can I cry now??

Laura and Eric's Wedding

Saturday was an epic day for me. Well, actually for my friend Laura. Laura the girl I've been friends with since kindergarten and who the kids call "auntie". Not many friends go back that far but we do and to see her get hitched to such a great guy was tops on my list of favorite days. Sunny ceremony in a park on the sound, followed by a marina reception for the captain and doctor. =) Good times seeing old friends and meeting the motley crew that supported the bride and groom on their big day was just plain fun. (that seems like a poorly written sentence but oh well).  They did a sing-along at the reception that went particularly well and filled us in on some of the more quirky parts of their courtship. Then the morning after we all  gathered for breakfast and continued just enjoying the love. Great weekend, and a truly great friend. She is the bunt to my pitch, the snow to my snowman, the car to my road-trip, okay this is getting weird (only laura will understand those) but mostly is just means that Laura, I love you and I couldn't be happier for you and yes "I do" pledge to rock with you at the old folks home in our old age and "remember when". Cheers!

Art Camp

Trinity's present for her birthday this year was art camp. Grandma Nee Nee' and Trudy both helped with the costs and trinity spent five days in art/farm bliss. She did an oil cat eye that I am really impressed with. Of course her highlight was not just the art but the pool time and frizzy the puff-ball chicken. I only got a few pics but here they are.

 milk the duck and quackers the goose

 camp director and SES art teacher Michelle

 Rover the rescue dog