September Happenings

 

We enjoyed a lovely day out on the sailboat, just the two of us

Took Julian and his friend, Liam, out for some fun the day before school started

First day of 8th grade for this handsome boy!

Hyrum took the boys for an overnight sailboat adventure.  They went all around Sauvie Island in 2 days.

Dinner and camping on Sand Island

I went for a hike up to the Pittock Mansion with some friends.  It's always so nice once school starts and people have free time to get out and explore while kids are at school:)

Julian started fencing lessons.  He isn't super excited or in love with it, but he also doesn't hate it so I think that's a win for now!

Bike ride with friends to Vernonia

Hyrum spent a weekend in Utah with his siblings for his moms birthday.  It made her very happy to have most of her kids home for the weekend.

I went for a walk in the Fernhill wetlands with a friend and we just happened up on a giant pelican migration.  I went back 2 days later and these big birds were all gone.  It was crazy how many birds there were and we were super lucky to see them.

Our friends, Jody and Jared Dean, came to Portland to run in the marathon so we got to see them for a few hours.

Sometimes you just need to slap an old man 😝

Twins are off to college!

OK, not really sure I was ready for this step.  For 18 years you have your child close, holding them in your arms for the first few months of life, then by the hand for the next few years, then holding out hope they will give you a little hug now and then...but always they are close.  It was very hard to take these two to college and then drive away.  Hyrum and I kept looking at each other as we were driving away saying, "Are you sure we can just leave them?"  "Is this allowed?  Is this what parents do?" It was bizarre and unnerving.  BUT at the same time also exciting and so amazing to see them take this step toward independence.  Very strange times indeed and a milestone as a parent.  The good news is they only live 2 hours away and we can pop down to see them whenever we like.  The bad news is they are 2 hours away and I won't be there if they are sick or hurt or worried about something.  I love these two and I'm so proud of them and know they will do great in college.  I really can't wait to see what they decide to accomplish in life...but I still just see them as tiny little babies!!

Where did the time go?  I was so lucky to have these two precious boys in my life and I know they will grow to be even more amazing and wonderful than they are today.

Took this photo the night before we left for college...Emerson had his belongings all packed and ready to go:)

Two boys heading to college at once meant we had a very full van of belongings ready to transport!

Their check in time was 8 AM so we left home around 6AM.  Everyone was excited but nervous.

Figuring out how to lock up their bikes outside the dorm

Unlocking the door to their new home

6 hours of setting up computers, making beds, unpacking clothes and they are generally settled in!

Their college home for the year

It was hard for Julian to say goodbye to his brothers but they all got in close for a big group hug that made my mom heart happy.

Leaving our boys at their dorm.  So many emotions competing in my brain at once but mostly I am proud of them and send all my love to them 💟

 

Lake Tanwax Tradition

Every year our very good friends, the Christensen's, invite us to their lake house for Labor Day weekend.  This year we were missing some kids because our twins had to work and their oldest, Maggie, was already at college.  What a wonderful weekend at the lake!

Jonah is such a crazy kid!

So many ways to get out and enjoy the lake

Hyrum tried wave boarding

It was a bit cool and cloudy but we didn't let that stop us from having fun

We always love our time at the lake house and the weekend is over too quickly.  It's so fun to have an excuse to hang out with old friends every year:)