Happy Birthday, Rybear!!!!

My little girl is 6 years old today. I never would have thought she would grow up so fast. It seems like we cherish so many moments with the kids hoping to make them last forever but then before you know it, they are growing up so much faster than you ever want them to.

When I think of my dear Riley I think of a beautiful, independent, sassy, kind hearted, people loving, giggling, life loving little girl. She spreads joy every where she goes and always finds happiness in everything she does. I have never known someone to enjoy the life she has, at 6 years old, like she does. She could be helping me with the dishes or picking up her toys and make it fun and giggle the whole time doing it. Now don't get me wrong, she can be very moody, can sass back, and throw a few punches and kicks at her brothers, but when it is all said and done, she is quick to forgive and forget and she is right back giggling again. I just want her to know that I love her to the depths of my heart and am so grateful to have such a precious little girl in my life. In all our lives.

August 2009 (her shirt is so true)

September 2009 (LOVES school)

October 2009 (Playing in the leaves)

November2009 (Getting her ears pierced)

December 2009 (One of her favorite pastime, drawing)

January 2010 (All bundled up and cute)

February 2010 (loved playing in the snow)

March 2010 (Father Daughter dance)

April 2010 (playing her favorite sport, soccer)

May 2010 (All ready for her dance recital)

June 2010 (on vacation by Lake Superior)

July 2010 (Little Miss Calhoun Contest)

August 2010 (Love you Riley)

Last of the Vacation Photos

Now that I have drawn these vacation photos out for about 5 weeks now, this is finally the last of them. And I am just now finally getting them printed out at Snapfish so I can scrap them.

These final photos are from our last day in Silver Bay. It was the best day weather wise of them all. And you could tell because there was a lot of people everywhere we went. We were lucky to get shots with no one else in the pictures it was that busy.

The kids at Tettegouche State Park. We went hiking here and saw this waterfall, Two Step Falls. So pretty. I could never get sick of the waterfalls and now Riley shares my love of them as well.

Jordan and Zach at Palisade Head. This is a 350 foot tall cliff off Lake Superior. There were rock climbers here when we got here. It made me realize how crazy they really are.

Riley and Gavin on one of our many hikes. They were actually this lovey dovey most of the trip. Like I said before, we couldn't have asked for better kids on our vacation.

The kids again. So happy they were in the mood for lots of pictures.

Gooseberry Falls State Park. This was by far the most popular state park we visited while we were here. And by the beauty of it, we could see why.

Jordan loved that he could walk right up to the falls. The mists of water from the falls were quite refreshing.

Curt went a little further. I wouldn't let Jordan go this far for fear he would slip on the wet rocks. But couldn't stop Curt from going right to the waterfall.

Me by the same waterfall. Can you tell we loved this place?

Riley taking a breather while we wait for other people to cross our trail.

My favorite shot of Zachy on this trip. He is always up for a photo op.

Gavin on the trail that lead around Gooseberry falls. It was very pretty.

Our only family shot. Just happy we were able to get one.

Curt and the boys. Another one of my favorite photos.

The kids at Fifth Falls, also in Gooseberry State Park. Not quite as exciting as the rest of our waterfalls, but a fun hike none the less.

This concludes our trip to Minnesota. Highly recommend going here and it only takes about 7 hours by car, so worth it. Makes you really appreciate how beautiful God created this wonderful country we live in.