Long Drive

On the Friday before Christmas we started our journey for the Holidays to Michigan! I always look forward to going to Michigan but I do get sick of the car very easily. Really, I am no better than our dear children. At one point in Illinois we stopped for gas and I whined about wanting a slusshy because I had heard too much whining in the backseat. Dakota got us the yummy treat but I don't know what I was dreaming about thinking that we wouldn't have to share it with our backseat passengers. The whining quickly turned to screaming and to appease the jealous cries I handed over the slushy. As you can see moods quickly changed - as did the state of cleanliness! But hey, for a good hour of happiness it was well worth it!

Welcome Home Molly!

She's back! Luckily a dear lady found our little dog in the street a few days after she ran away. She said that Molly was sitting in the street shivering in the cold so she took her home. I got a call from the police the next day asking me if we'd found our dog and when I said no the gentleman connected me to this sweet lady who had found Molly! I am so grateful that even though Molly didn't have any tags on - such a nice person would take the time to find it's owner. We are so glad to have her back!

All I Want for Christmas . . .

I have wanted a pet since - well forever. As a little girl we always had cats. There was Apple Cider, then Zorro, and none of us will forget Sally - good old Sally who brought us litter after litter of kittens. From the day Dakota and I got married I thought it would be just great to get a pet - preferably a dog. But we decided to wait until we were out of the apartment phase. And what a gerat suprise and blessing it was when we were able to buy our own home this year. And you guessed it . . . the whole wanting a dog thing came into full force. Then on Wednesday Dakota spotted an ad for a cockapoo (my drem dog) in the paper. We went to go look at it that very night and were sold instantly when we realized Keira (who usually isn't that fond of animals) LOVED little Molly. We brought her home as an early Christmas present for me and cuddled her and played with her and made her a little bed. The next day we were even more excited to walk her, and play with her, and feed her. Then somehow she got out and ran away. What a short lived fairytale. We spent all day yesterday combing through the neighborhood looking for her and calling for her. Now our neighborhood is plasterd with Lost Dog signs. We love you Molly and hope you come home ~ soon.

P.S. As I was going out to hang more "Lost Dog" signs today, I got a flat tire as I was about to stop and hang the very first of 30 more signs. YIKES!!! I finally felt like smiling again when I watched how excited Keira and Bently were to help Dakota change the tire. They love and emmulate everything he does. My heart just melts to watch them learn and grow - and especially when they admire the wonderful things their dad does.

Circus Fun

A few weeks ago we took the kids to a small circus that came into town and had a great time! As you can see they were totally transfixed with the elephants!! And what trip to the circus would be complete with out peanuts and popcorn? Keira and Bently really didn't talk much or point to anything - they were completely in awe at everything that was going on around them. They just stared at the center stage with big wide eyes. With the trapeze, dog tricks, elephants, jugglers, and motorcycle cages it may have even beeb a bit too much for them! But hey, we had a great time and we all slept great thet night!

7 Random Thoughts for Annie

Annie, this is for you and anyone else who may be interested. 1. I really love rap music. However, I really don't want my children to listen to it. So when we moved to North Carolina, and I was so sad to be leaving one of our dearest friends - Ben Pike, I decided that in honor of him I was going to start listening to country. He once told me that he started to like country music while living in North Carolina. So as we drove across the country to our new home in January 2005 . . . I began the transition. Now I too like country - and think of Ben every time the radio is on. Although, I also listen to many other types of music as well. Thanks Ben! 2. I have a passion for furniture. While most little girls spent their childhood dreaming about what their wedding would be like - I was pouring over my mother's Ethan Allen catalog. Dreaming about what baby furniture to pick out, which buffet looks best with which table, which bedroom set looks most elegant and what color comforter should I have someday? Anyway, I also love to refinish old pieces of quality furniture. A few years ago Dakota helped me turn a headboard and footboard into a really beautiful bench. It was so fun and every time we work on projects together I realize that he is truly my soulmate in every way. I love the balance his personality offers to mine. 3. I want to compete in a golf tournament someday . . . maybe in my forties. 4. I begin to miss my little babies about 30 minutes after they fall asleep. In the morning while I have my "Charlotte" time, my heart aches for them to wake up so that we can play again. 5. I would love to turn our garage into a photo studio and zillions of photos of people. I probably need to follow Jen's advice and take a photography class first. 6. I could eat chocolate chip cookies 24 hours a day. I could also swim 24 hours a day (but only if the temperature is right). I long to go camping and hiking again with my most loved boy and our friend Ben and anyone else who would like to join us. I love to play little tricks on Dakota and tickle him until he falls out of bed. I always have to watch a movie at least twice - once to sleep through it and again to actually watch it. 7. I feel like I need a vacation about every six weeks. I have no endurance to just go on with life. I love to take little brakes and forget that there are things that need to get done, places to be, and other people around watching me and my silly family. On the other hand, I thive off of a routine and schedule. I need structure and a clean house. Don't forget that chocolate chip cookie that I need either!

My Favorite Girls

Here is one more of my favorite pictures, of my two favorite women in the world (sorry it's slightly blurry). But who can't keep from being filled with cheer and smiles when looking at these two beautiful girls. I love them both very much. I am very lucky!

Tribute to Charlotte

There have been many observations that there are not enough pictures of Charlotte on this website. I absolutely agree, and I take full responsibility for such a gross let down. I personally think I need to document more what an amazing companion and mother Charlotte is in our home. She is the crowning jewel in our family. Our lives are happy and blessed because of our fortune to be under the wings of such a deeply caring and devoted woman. There is none better in my eyes. Sadly, Charlotte is the primary photographer from 8:00 - 6:00 each day and there aren't many great shots with her in it. I am resolved to pick up the camera more and focus more on the center piece of our family. Until then, here are a few shots I could rumage up. Even Chorlotte took half of these. See how amazing she is!!

My Sweet Little Boy

Happy Birthday Bently!!

My sweet little Bently, I can't tell you what a pleasure it has been for me to watch you grow. I can't believe it has been 3 years! You are getting so big!

You have grown into a boy who loves all things truck, train, boat, and plane. You also love balls, especially basketballs. There are some boys in our neighborhood who play basketball and when we walk by you want out of the wagon so that you can join the fun. You are getting very good at throwing . . . everything!

You love your dad and he loves you too! He is a great person for you to look up to and I am very thankful for that.

. Bently we love you! These have been the best three years of my life and I thank you and Keira for every moment that we've had together! I look forward to our wonderful journey together! Happy Birthday!!

Hot Summer

This summer was hot. And when I say hot I really mean HOT - and I enjoy hot. But we are talking hot as in every single day during the month of July and August were over 100 degrees! That is simply too much for samity. And so sometimes we had to take little breaks . . . and this is what we chose to do! Absolutely Delicious!

What the Rain Brought In

Earlier this spring we had a day of really hard rain all day long. While I was cooking dinner I looked out the window and saw this turtle walking across our deck - so I grabbed him and stuck him in the bathtub so we could have a little adventure after dinner . . . and boy did we ever have an adventure! It looks like Bently has found a new friend - sort of. This is after about 45 minutes of talking about the turtle and having me hold the turtle. Bently finally decided he was brave enough to touch. Keira on the other hand, gave the turtle a swift salp across the back and decided that she was definately done. There was no getting her even into the same room as the turtle. Our poor little friend was terrified I am sure! He decided to take refuge in one of Bently's toys. Shortly after this we took the turtle back outside and let him go - all parties were very grateful the event was over! This video is after about 15 minutes of seeing the turtle. Still very unsure!

Oh, Oregon

In August we made the trip to Oregon and Washington to visit our family. Despite the fact that I do love to tease Dakota about the weather up there . . I will readily admit that I love the place. How can I not - the sweetest family is there, beautiful landscapes, amazing parents, blackberries, fine music, good friends and lots of fun to be had by all. I love paddle boating - especially when I can have my niece Peyton come along!

Wow, Dakota!

Really, I can't hold up to the incredible musical talent found in this family. But I've decided to give it a try!

And the best part of the trip . . .family.

Nauvoo Reunion

This is the handcart we pushed for three miles.

In June we had a family reunion in Nauvoo, Illinois with my mom's side of the familly. It had been two years since I had seen most of them so I was SO greatful that they made the sacrifice to drive all the way to Ilolinois for our family reunion. I cherished the week that we had all together - for they never happen often enough. Mostly there is nothing at all in Nauvoo except for a lot of historic Mormon church sites. We all camped together and had a wonderful time during the week. At the end of the week, we gave up the primitive life and headed to a nice hotel 30 miles away. The hotel, appropriately named "Fun City", was amazing! There was a full indoor and outdoor water park, laser tag, bowling, go carts, an arcade, restaurants, and so much more. From here on out no trip to Nauvoo will ever be complete without stopping at Fun City! This is most of the Stucki clan! I sure do love you guys!! The most handsome man in the world with his little girl. Here are my little prarie kids walking, and walking, and walking . . . just kidding! We took a little trek with handcarts while we were in Nauvoo which was an incredible experience! It was much harder than I anticipated but well worth the time and effort. However, unlike most pioneer children who had to walk across the plains, mine only took about 10 steps and then decided that this activity was not for them. Nor did they ride in the handcart that we had to push/pull. They were carried by loving grandparents, aunts, and unlces.