Blossoming

I even missed seeing his stinky socks laying all over the house.

He was gone that long...exploring Washington, DC with his scout troop.

I swear he grew another inch while he was gone...and then his sister commented that it seems like he is taller too. Did he grow? Or is he walking a little straighter?

Just listening to his stories is almost better than seeing it myself. 

And his photography is my favorite, so I made sure I packed his camera prepped and ready to go. He has a perspective that always intrigues me. The places he went are oft photographed, so I have seen them before, but I couldn't wait to see his trip through his eyes.

Father's Day at the Vietnam Memorial

Arlington

Holocaust Museum

Capitol

I love our son and the way he looks at the world.

Doorbell

23 years together today.

Recently, we hung our wedding pictures on the wall in our bedroom again. 

Our children don't recall seeing them before, as many pictures have stayed tucked away safely in a box amidst all the moves. 

And all these years later, I gaze at the pictures, wondering where those young kids are?! 

In our hearts, of course.

In the early years, my sweet husband often bought me red roses on special occasions 

or even just because.

Amidst the chaos of raising our family, flowers arrived less frequently, but I really didn't notice.  Instead I noticed when he would take our little kids for a drive in the old truck in Montana. The kids would be grinning from ear to ear waving goodbye to me (almost too willingly) in anticipation of an adventure with daddy. 

I noticed as he taught the kids how to build a campfire and then helped them roast marshmallows, and he would reach over and give me a quick squeeze, eyes twinkling as we watched our kids together.

More recently, I love the boisterous banter around the table, as the kids chatter about whatever is on their mind. Their dad often teases them, but just as quickly offers love and encouragement, 

and often he meets my eyes and winks or smiles.

These moments always make my heart flutter. 

But so did the delivery this morning!

Growing together for the past 23 years...but young at heart. Always.

Cacophony.

Night brings a cacophony of sounds from the pond. 

Night is great for frog hunting, as my son is teaching his cousin!

Two toads and a frog came knocking on the door, anxious to meet my 7 year-old niece, so I consented to an introduction.

Now, as I have mentioned before, our yard is a catch and release refuge ONLY; however, I forgot to clarify that the release is outside, as tonight the bullfrog leaped across my kitchen~and you should have seen my leap! 

Apparently it was highly entertaining. 

Not.at.all.

Do not be swayed by the charismatic grins.

After my heart rate returned to normal, I heard a cautious tapping on my door...and I agreed once again to admire their frogs...OUTSIDE.

Due to my increased vigilance around the famous jumpers, I cannot recall what I was told about these two little fellows.

Mugshot.

In the event I need to identify any errant frogs.

Summer

"Mom, it finally feels like summer vacation now that Aunt Lisa and the rest of my cousins are here."

Nothing says summer like sliding down the slip and slide with your cousins...

in a cool mist of water on a hot afternoon!

Summer is a couple boys drifting in the pond~discovering where the turtles, snakes and crawdads live!

Summer is swimming in the pond with a "big" cousin!

Summer is family fun and dreams of it lasting forever!