Happy Birthday Maryn!

Maryn turned 11 on Friday! I can't believe my baby, my firstborn is 11. Eleven seems to be a big birthday for her, and me, only because I remember when I turned 11. That seems to be the age where my memory really kicks in and I remember so much more. I remember being in Mr. Rockwell's 5th grade class and having tons of friends. I remember moving to Utah and being the "new kid" in Ms. Clauson's class at Grandview. I remember my self-awareness, self-esteem and insecurities beginning to kick in during this time...my body changing...my life changing and feelings of growing up coming on. Anyway, because of all of this I can't believe that Maryn is 11. I am aware more than ever how quickly she is growing up, closer to being a teenager and closer to all the big things teenagers do. It's scarey for me and exciting at the same time. She has always wanted to be older than she really is...already ready for the next birthday soon after she has one. She is a great girl...so talented and so helpful. She brings so much energy and happiness in our home.

It's been a while since we did something super fun as a family...just us...not at home. We spent Maryn's birthday at the Cascade Ridge Science Fair. She had a project in it as well as a million other kids. So we had to devote our night to that. Saturday became our family party day. We went to the Snoqualmie mountain pass, about 40 minutes away and went tubing. The fun part of this experience was that after you sled down one of the 15 groomed lanes on a super slick tube you could ride the rope tow back to the top. Ah, that's the way not to exhaust yourself. We did realize that although it was much faster to just hike the hill yourself it was much more restful to take the ride back up. Kaden cracked us up the whole 2 hours. We imagined chasing him all over the place or him not wanting to tube down the hill, but, as you see him in the above picture is how he stayed the whole 2 hours. He stayed in that tube and either Jeff or I layed across the top of it as we slid down. He hardly made a peep but was wide-eyed watching everyone and probably scared to death as we screamed down the hill.

Adyson and Emmy were nervous at first to go down the hill. They wouldn't go by themselves and they sat for a while deciding whether or not they would go together. But, just as is typical with the 2 of them, once they break out of their fear and do it they love it and you can't stop them. They became partners going up and down by themselves and were so sad when our session ended. Of course none of us could keep up with Maryn. She ran ahead of us as soon as we got out of the car. She rarely waited for us to all go down together. She had to get as many runs in as she could. She got running starts on her tube so she could ride faster and further and she ran right back up the hill to start over. So typcial of all of their personalities.

We could not believe the huge amounts of snow that was up there. Just driving down the road we saw lodges nearly covered in snow or gas stations with huge walls of snow letting you into the pump. It was amazing !

It was a great day for all of us. The sun was shinning to brighten our spirits even more. And as is typical with family outings the parents always wonder if it's worth it because of the struggle and stress to get out the door. But, it was worth it! It felt great to laugh and scream and tackle the kids in the snow and see all of their smiles. I know that Maryn had a great birthday weekend turning 11. We love you Maryn!!!