The way we celebrated

For our anniversary we ran away for a night. We went hiking in the Gorge and then stayed the night at Skamania Lodge. LOVED IT!!!!!!

Here are a few pictures to remind me of the sweet and memorable time we had.

ten years ago

Ten years ago we were surrounded by the best people on earth! Our best friends and all our family came to support us on our journey together. I knew we would get to ten years.... and I can't wait to see twenty, thirty... fifty...

We look a little different, but one thing remains the same. I love this man! I guess my heart spoke to me clearly when my maturity couldn't even understand the gravity of what I was about to venture into.

My heart is full of gratitude and love and I suppose that is just what I am supposed to feel on an anniversary.

Rollin on the river

boat trip time lapse from Raina on Vimeo.

Baking

I love to bake!
I have never been a big fan of cooking, but baking takes on a whole different experience. It is usually done with joy, and less out of necessity. I love that baking gives me a sense of accomplishment. I get to start something and see it finished all the way through. I also love to see other people find joy in what I serve. When someone smiles and says they like it... it validates me in a way that I crave during my daily clean-up of trains, messy plates, spills, and bed making. I cannot bake often or else it would ruin my kitchen and my work-out routines effectiveness. But, the bonus in baking is that I get to sleuth into blogs, books, and recipe boxes to find something that excites me. Once I have the urge, it is hard to stop me... and a friend of mine started a blog that completely inspires me to bake cupcakes! Lizzy is doing fantastic with her blog, and she told me to try out her Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes with Almond Buttercream. WOWIE! I may not be able to take the pictures that she does of her works of art, but I had to take a photo of it because I think I LOVE it!

I am trying to pass along my joy of baking to my kids, so we made some Father's Day cookies and I let them decorate them (most of them) and I think they were really enjoying it. I forgot to take pictures as they decorated, but here are their masterpieces.

Birthday boy

Emile's birthday was this last week and I had so much fun celebrating him. He's a little quirky, and kinda immature at times, but during his 32 years... I have had the pleasure of spending 13 with him. 13 birthdays where I have seen him grow into a better man, a gifted father, and a devoted husband. I am certain these have been the best years of my life! It is not about me though, it is about him. Celebrating his life and how it has intertwined with mine makes me kind of sentimental and proud of all that we have accomplished together. He is capable of so much, and he makes me more secure in who I am and what I can become.

Happy Birthday!

Oh yeah.. and I made cupcakes. See... I think they were cute.

Learn to ride a bike

Here is our fool proof method for learning to ride a bike.

1. Own a bike.
2. Secure a really good helmet!
3. Put your running shoes on.
4. Go to a track with people so they can cheer you one (me for running, him for crashing and riding)
5. Bring a wrench. You will be adjusting the seat and the pedals.
6. Wear a back brace. (I wish I had figured this one out before hand)

Run, push, run, hold, run run run... scream with joy!
Trenton got it in NO time! We are SO excited for yet another milestone in his life!

Mother's Day

I love being a Mother!

Talent Show

I may regret posting the above photo, but these are the amazing women that worked together to create a Talent Show. It showcased some of the best people in our ward!
We started off the event with a Jazzercise routine with my alter ego making an appearance. (Check me out with neon hair above)

I couldn't include all the photos, but these are just a few from the night.

There was a Maori Haka with singing and dancing! (Amazing Bonita... really!!)

Hawaiian Shell Blowing

A solo that would make you proud! Especially when fear almost took over and her CD didn't work. She stood alone and blew us away!

Juggling... My kids now want to learn.. and I think he might be their new teacher. :D

Magic Shows

Lots of piano and singing (I wish I could post pictures of them all!)

Dancing

Family Acts

Guitar solos

The house was PACKED!

We even brought in special guests... Steven Tyler, Darth Vader, and the Dogg!

Group Dances were a show stopper!

Unicyclists...

And there were display tables to show off so much more.
I am proud to know such talented people! Thank you to all who participated and who worked hard to make it all come together!
Till next year!

SImon on the plane yesterday

We were cracking up at this! You've got to see Simon bonk his head on the plane while he swears he isn't tired!!!

Just this afternoon

There are so many more photos to come!!

These pictures show just SOME of the fun we had this afternoon. Need I say that it was 97 degrees, the water was a steamy 78 degrees, and the winds brought the dry air?

Trenton is a PRO! He manages to debate whether surfing or wiping-out is more fun. At least it is non-stop fun for him. Someone else might just think that surfing is the only fun part.

We love it here, so much so that Trenton asked if it was

OK to cry when he realized we have to leave.

We'll be back soon... more surf, more sandcastles,

and more time with Uncle Lee and Aunt Sarah await us.

To be continued...

Sand castles

I have a double dog dare for y'all... Can you make a sandcastle as cool as ours?


Corpus Beach Pano from lee bonfiglio on Vimeo.


Watch this a few times and watch our superhero moving around.
Thanks Lee... Your video skills are pretty, ok.

The greatest day of the year

ok.. maybe not for everyone else, but it was MY birthday!
Here I am with my stash of birthday goodies...

After all the cake, ice cream, gifts and cards... we went to Hood River. We flew kites, saw the blossom festival, played in the gorge, and even stopped by the Bonneville Dam.

I love birthdays and I'm glad people love me on my special day.

Our happenings

Just in case you frequent this blog and have noticed my absence, it is because I was waiting to post pictures with sunshine in them. Since that isn't going to happen, this is what else we've been doing.

Bowling...

Teaching Trenton how to skateboard...

Eating delicious Sushi..

Sleeping out a the local mall to get the latest and greatest iPad! We were crazy.. and it was COLD, but so much fun!!! (yes.. that's me. We got their at 8pm and were still 16th in line for the following morning!!!)

Dressing up in Oregon outfits...

and crafting...

Maybe next time you'll see more sunshine, but for now we'll keep on playing inside and under cover.