I cried today

I came home today from working in Coeur d'Alene Idaho for the week. Michael said on the phone that he had a surprise for me. When I got home he gave me a huge hug and promptly told me he was running to get me my "special surprise!" About a minute later he ran back in to the house and, while giggling, proceeded to spray me with water from a new squirty fish he got at the store. Man I love my son!!!!

Finlei was sleeping when I got home so Michael and I were able to play in the yard for about an hour before she woke up. When I heard her cry out in her room I walked in to say hello and get her up. Her immediate response was a huge smile. I cannot believe what it does to me when she smiles. I feel like my soul fills to overflowing with joy.

She sings!!! As I walked around and held her she opened her mouth and sang aaahhhhh, over and over. As she did, she looked at me with her eyebrows held up as if to say, "what do you think?" It may be one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Logan told me that she does it more when she is being sung to or while dancing with one of us. Logan turned on some music and I danced with Finlei. She began to sing and smile. As I spun around in slow circles with my beautiful blue eyed daughter I saw in my mind a vision of dancing with her at her wedding. No man will ever be worthy of what she is to me. Tears flooding my eyes I spun circles with my daughter and she sang and we both smiled.

My two favorite Boys!!!!

Michael and Crew, Crew is holding the only fish they caught after 4 hours of fishing.
You gotta love the fake 5 year old smile. It looks so genuine!!!

Mike and Jamie went fishing together for probably the first time. It was mainly just Jamie throwing the line out and Mike crying when he reeled the line in and there wasn't a fish. They did this for about 4 hours. Needless to say their first fishing trip will probably be their last.

Michael and Crew playing on the beach, Michael was able to swim a ton in McCall and had a blast

The adults organized a big scavenger hunt for the kids. Michael loved looking for clues, and at the end the dug up a big treasure filled with 4th of July activities.

These are all the Nelson cousin's with the exception of Ty and I.

Finlei 4th of July weekend I think she just looks so pretty in this picture.
She was in a pack n play and all of her older cousins were looking down on her making her smile and giggle. She absolutely loved all of the attention!!!

Finlei and Daddy by the camp fire
Finlei loved to watch the flames

I love CA

Top 10 reasons I love Carolann:
10-She is always kind

9-She listens, I mean really listens

8-She gives great hugs

7- She is wise

6- She is humble

5- She completely delights in Spencer, Kate, Michael, Rachel, Anna, Abbigail, Finlei, and Maci (grandkids)

4-She loves big, just ask anyone who knows her.

3- She gives Jamie someone to argue with, and really seems to enjoy their little "discussions" ( I really appreciate the break CA)

2- She is beautiful inside and out

1- She is Michaels joy!! ( that one really makes me tear up out of happiness, but it is so true, he really does adore every minute he gets with you Oma.

CA,
thankyou for all that you do for my family and I. I truly believe God blessed us all with you. I am honored to call you one of my best friends.
Love You

My Sweet Kids

Goofy Boy!!!!

Mike and Fin swinging

Finlei swinging in the back yard

Today the kids and I spent most the day with Amy, Maddie, and Avery Sacry. Amy is truly one of my favorite people to spend time with, she is honest, sincere, and kind. Finlei and Avery are almost the exact same age and its so fun to watch them meet mile stones together. Maddie and Michael are exactly a year apart so we frequently have them share family birthday party's and they really get along well. Amy is easy to discuss the frustrating parts of parenting, without judgement which is so nice. I admire for lots of things she is passionate about her kids, her husband, and her job. I am so thankful for her friendship.
This weekend we are all going camping Scott, Amy, their kids and her parents, and James and I our kids and Carolann and Terry and Kate. It should be lots of fun.

MMMMMMMM............... I love this little girl so much!!!
Finlei Josephine Reiff 6 months old

Kids

I just got back from Spokane today. When I am over in Spokane working I have a lot of time on my hands. A lot of time to miss my family, and a lot of time think. Most of what I think about (when not trying to persuade businesses to advertise) is how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. My job gives me the opportunity to meet many many people. Most are curteous and friendly, but many are not. I get to see how a wide variety of people interact with their friends, coworkers and families. I have come to realize that my family, both immediate and extended, is quite unique. My children, neices and nephews, cousins and second cousins, etc... are well raised, and taught the important things in life. We all find ways to screw up and most of us have gone through stages of our lives that we are not proud of. (well... not me but the rest of you have. I've seen it. :) Despite our screw ups, we all have a deep and abiding foundation of a love. I have seen, more often than I can state, unfailing compassion and generosity from everyone from the youngest to the oldest. I guess what inspired me to right this is that I am surrounded by so many wonderful people, that I didn't even realize how wonderful until having to deal with so many of those that are not. Thank you all for being wonderful!!!!