Practice run...

We took the girls camping a few weeks ago but neglected to take our camera! A few weeks before that DuVall taught the girls how to put up the tent and then they slept in the tent that night in the backyard. I was nice and cozy in my bed, inside. They did pretty great until about 2am when it got just too cold to handle. I was having a hard time sleeping without my man and baby chicks inside so when they came creeping up the stairs at 2am I was happy.

The camping trip a few weeks later was so much fun. They had electricity and we brought a space heater! We all slept great! And now the girls know how to put up a tent, thanks to the coolest Dad ever!

Here are some pics from the "practice run"...

My Cousin's Salt Lake Wedding...

Congrats to Kat and Nick! Thank you for making us a part of your special day!

We took a very QUICK trip to Utah for my cousin's wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and so wonderful to be with family. And Temple Square in springtime is GLORIOUS, even in the rain!

(I am so sorry I didn't have time to visit with more family and friends!)

32, not 33!

Happy Birthday to the man who thought he was turning 33 when really he's turning 32!

You are my world, my best friend, hero to your daughters, and still the man of my dreams.

Oh how we love you!

Happy 32nd Birthday DuVall!

No blog title necessary...

We live in California where taxes are so high we can't afford toothpaste.

Four Years Ago Today...

The Master Gardener from Heaven above

Planted a seed in the garden of love

And from it there grew a rosebud small

That never had time to open at all,

For God in His perfect and all-wise way

Chose this rose for His Heavenly bouquet

And great was the joy of this tiny rose

To be the one our Father chose

To leave earth's garden for one on high

Where roses bloom and never die.

So, while you can't see your precious rose bloom,

You know the great Gardener from the upper room

Is watching and tending this wee rose with care,

Tenderly touching each petal so fair.

So think of your darling with the Angels above

Secure and contented and surrounded by love,

And remember God blessed and enriched your lives, too,

For in dying your darling brought heaven closer to you!

~Helen Steiner Rice~

This poem sits by my bed. I read it often. I think about the once close, but always dear, friend that gave it to me and pray for her.

And I think about my Emma, our own tiny rose.

I miss you. I love you. My arms still ache for you. But I know where you are and I know who you're with. And I know that one day you will be ours forever.

All my love, forever and ever.

To the top we go...

Today was a great day. DuVall and I took the girls to the Palm Springs Aerial TramWay, about and hour and a half from our house. We started at 2500 feet and ended up at 8600 feet. The view was amazing, the tram ride, although slightly terrifying, was awesome, and I finally proved to Olivia that it does snow in California! We ate lunch at the top of the mountain, did a little hiking, and just enjoyed being together.

Tram

See, SNOW!!!

Don't look down...

mountain top

One lucky dad, two very lucky girls...

Favorite shots of the day...

Thank you family for a wonderful day and a wonderful birthday.

I'm truly blessed.