Lemon Sharks

My absolute favorite thing to do in the whole world is to go fishing with my boys.   My perfect day is the one in these pictures.  Being outside with the boys.  Spending time together.  And, most importantly, catching big fish.

There is nothing like the excitement when their rod bends and they start reeling in a fish.  "Got one, Dad".  "It's a big one"  they always scream.  On this particular day, Gabe kept calling these trout "lemon sharks".   "Dad, I got another lemon shark", he would scream.  Bryan and I jump up and cheer them on.  "Reel it in, reel it in!"   I just love the excitement of the moment.

As we get the hook out of the fishes mouth the discussion always starts about whether to keep the fish or throw him back.   If it was up to Owen, we would have kept every single fish that we have ever caught.  Bryan and I always try to convince them to throw a few back.  But, most of the time, we just keep them.  I love to eat fish and am always glad to have a few in the freezer.

The fish always end up entertaining Gabe and Owen for hours.  There is just something about playing with a big fish that never gets old.  They put them in the net, put them on a stringer, throw them in the water and drag them around everywhere with them.  

Taking these pictures with their big catch is absolutely priceless.  These pictures tell the story of our family.  How much we love each other and how we can share this passion together as a family.  These days spent together is who we are and it brings me such joy! 

snow

The first snow of the year is always so much fun.  You wake up in the morning to a whole new world.  As you look out the window all you really want to do is go out there in all that snow.  To make tracks, throw snowballs, and make snow angels.   

Our yard turns into a whole new playground for the boys.  They spent hours out in all the snow.  And, only came inside because they were freezing and wet.  Here is a few snapshots of the afternoon.

Milk Blowing

Sometimes, kids just do the funniest things. 

As I was doing the dishes this morning, I could hear Owen blowing bubbles in his milk.  Without looking at him, I told him "Owen, please stop blowing in your milk". 

As I was working on the few last pots and pans, I continued to hear the sound of "milk blowing".  "Owen Robert Dahl, stop blowing in your milk", I yelled. 

Then, I turned to see what he was doing.  It made me stop in my tracks.    Then, I smiled.  Then, it made me laugh and I went and got my camera.  Then, I cheered him on just to see how high those bubbles would go.  Eli seemed to love it as well.  He kept saying, bubba, bubba, bubba. 

Kids just have a way of taking something ordinary and bringing joy into it.  Joy and laughter into an everyday milk blowing session.

A day picking vegtables

 Owen's preschool took us on a field trip to a farm.  We had so much fun picking fresh vegetables, digging in the dirt, and exploring the farm.  Owen's best friend, Jake, went with us.

A road trip

One of my favorite kind of days.  A road trip.  Where the destination is known but, the journey is wide open.  Leaving everything behind and just spending time together.  Together as a family, wherever that might take us.

By strapping ourselves into the car, I gain instant freedom.  Freedom from my daily life.  Freedom from the household chores, home cooked meals, and mounds of laundry.   Freedom to just enjoy the day without worrying about all that needs to be done.

It's pure joy as we pull away from the house and all three children are strapped into their car seats.  Safe, confined, and happy to be going on a trip.  As I settle into the passenger seat, every muscle in my body relaxes.  And, on most road trips it doesn't take very long for me to fall asleep (just ask Bryan).  I am so relaxed that I usually can't help myself.

On this particular road trip we were headed just outside of Laramie, Wyoming.  Just to spend time in the mountains and to get out of the city for awhile. 

On this day, beauty was all around us.

I noticed this tree and asked Bryan to stop the car so I could get a picture.  This tree that has been so violently shaped by it's environment but, is beautiful.  It is amazing.

These colors that only nature can replicate.  My favorite colors mixed so perfectly together.

And, this view.  Only God could create something so amazing.

My week off

My boys never cease to amaze me.  Their passion.  Their drive.  Their love for life.  Their passion for hunting is a perfect example.

All year they have been waiting for hunting season.  They talk about it, practice for it, and wait patiently for it ALL YEAR LONG.

Bryan was able to take off work a few days early and we headed to Buffalo.  You could feel the excitement in the car the entire way.  The boys talking nonstop about all things hunting and Gabriel checking with his dad every 5 minutes about the plan for in the morning.  Bryan kept promising Gabe that they would leave first thing in the morning and head over to Spearfish hunting.  Nobody slept in the car the entire way to Buffalo.

And, so begins my week off as mommy.  From that moment until we headed back to Thornton 6 days later....I didn't see the boys.  They would get up really early in the morning, get themselves ready, and go with their dad deer hunting.  Eli and I missed them tremendously but, I'm pretty sure that they did not miss me.  They loved doing whatever it is that hunters do.

On Friday, all their patience paid off and their dad shot "a big buck".

Holiday Cheer

A little Holiday Cheer from the Dahl house.  They boys helped us decorate (kindof).  In between putting ornaments on the tree there was their favorite game of cannon ball.  Cannon ball consists of lining up on the fireplace, yelling cannon ball, and jumping off.  Then you roll around on the floor laughing because cannon ball is so much fun. 

Most ornaments on our tree were handmade by Bryan's grandmother.  Each one is very special to us!

After all the decorating everyone was HUNGRY!  So, we warmed up some apple cider and had some choclate pudding!  Merry Christmas everyone.

8 years

8 years ago today.  We began as two separate people and walked out of the church as one.  Totally changed, not sure what it all meant for us.  Just knowing that we loved each other.  Trusting that it was the right thing to do.

These 8 years have brought us 3 little boys, 5 different homes, several job changes, and the loss of loved ones.  Through it all our love endures.   It has taught me that Bryan is not just my "husband", he is also my best friend, life partner, and my support.  We stand together no matter what challenges we face.

Anniversaries are a time to remember where you have come from and where you are going.  These two pictures speak volumes to my heart.  And, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.

Football

I tried to convince Gabriel that he should take soccer.  "No, mom, I want to take football".  Every so often over the summer, I would try and dissuade him by asking "Are you sure you want to do football, soccer would be so much fun".   He finally put his foot down and informed me that he was going to play football...NOT SOCCER and, I relented and signed him up.

He was pretty disappointed when he found out that his age group only played flag football.    But, he arose to the occasion and played with a lot of enthusiasm....Gabe syle.  Running, blocking, and passing the football.  It was fun to watch him.

During the last game of the season, Gabe was the featured half back.  He played his heart out and, he made a touch down.  It was so exciting to watch him run all the way down the field with the ball.  I screamed like a crazy mother "Go, Gabe Go"!

And at the end of a very exciting game, a trophy was awarded and two friends came to celebrate.  And, I decided that football may be better than soccer.  Just maybe.....

First day of school

A time of change.  Big change.  The first day of school.  The end of lazy summer mornings where we all get up and watch cartoons for an hour before we start our day.  The end of running outside in our pajamas with our hair sticking up because we can....and who really cares what we look like.  The end of staying up late and playing outside because we are having so much fun and we can.

We are ready to start our school time routine.  We are ready for a schedule.  To go and meet new teachers, new friends, and to learn new things. 

These pictures of my kiddos say so much about where they are...right now.  These moments that I don't ever want to forget.

This picture says so much about Gabe.  His intensity.  Gabe is intense.  He always has been.  You can see this on his face.  All that emotion comes so clearly through on this picture.  His focus, his worry, his concentration.

Little Eli.  Little Eli, who can't go anywhere without his "ubba dubba".    "Ubba dubba" is his garage door opener.  He takes it everywhere with him and his job is to open the garage door when we leave and arrive at home.  This simple task brings him so much joy.  Pushing that button and watching the door open always brings a huge smile to his face and he always screams "ubba dubba".  It's those simple things that I never want to forget.

All three boys ready and waiting for our first walk to Gabe's school.  Owen has to ride his bike and he is ready to go.  Eli with the "ubba dubba" and Gabe is finally ready...that smile shows me he is ready.

Owen started preschool this year.  Here he is on his big day.  He was so excited for his first day of school.  I think he was more excited about getting his very own backpack then to actually go to school.

Here is my Owen, who is ready for anything and so easy going.

Before we left the house to take Owen to school Gabe says he has to run into the house and change into his super hero costume.  He comes running outside in a long sleeve shirt, scarf, and no shoes (on hot day in August).  I start to scold him and send him back in the house to change.  At the last minute, I change my mind.  We embrace the moment and I let him go to Owen's school in this strange outfit....because who really cares.  If he wants to be a super hero...fine by me.   Here he is giving his brother some encouragement before we get into the car.