A happy dozen

We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this month. It seems like such a short amount of time, really.

In honor of the occasion we drove up to the Shenandoah National Forest and ate at the Big Meadows Lodge, which was one of the first places we visited when we came up in 2009 to see if we wanted to live here. And we did. And we still do.

 A lovely fruit and cheese platter. (Don't worry; I'm not going to become a food blogger, but I had to try out the camera!)

 Handsome hunk (guess the focus was on the fruit still, though! Still figuring out the camera, obviously).

So glad that Michael wanted to marry me.

 Gotta hold hands.

The signature blackberry ice cream pie was awesome. Check out that meringue.

Afterwards we went on a hike and planned to see the sunset, but we weren't sure we were going the right way and then it got too dark before we reached the summit. Just gives us something to look forward to for another visit.

I am so grateful for the temple and for the promise of an eternal marriage if we are worthy.

Camera fun

The office got a new camera, which I can use except for when the office needs it and will also be using it to get some shots for the practice website, etc. I love love it so much. I don't know the first thing about using the manual functions but am very excited to learn. A few of the pics I've posted already (like Clara's school pics) were taken with it.

Fun already.

The serious ninja warrior.

Back to school

Clara is entering fourth grade this year. I am excited for the routine again, and I think she does better with routine as well. I have feelings of apprehension about the social aspects and the academic load, but I know we'll just take one day at a time. She received a beautiful father's blessing on Sunday and she is excited (at least, she was when she left this morning). She was also pretty nervous, but so was I on every first day, even through college.

 

Our little ode to a new year. I love apples and school-y things.

 Walking out to the bus--Michael waited to go into work so he could see Clara off on the bus.

 Cute even when she's not looking at the camera.

Off she goes! I haven't taken "first day pictures" in a few years, but I am glad I did this time. I am trying to be more consistent about traditions that I value.

I know she'll learn a lot and I continue to hope and pray for kindness from other students, compassion and patience from teachers, and persistence on her part. It's going to be the best year yet. 

Life these days

It has been really hard for me to blog without my camera! The phone is just a pain to hook up to my computer. Oh well. Here are a few from the past few weeks:

 One of the many things I love about the Shenandoah Valley is the wildlife. We live in the suburbs, but a few minutes outside of town and it's not unusual to see deer (or dead skunks or raccoons, but I prefer to dwell on the positive). This was taken on our way to Clara's piano lesson a few weeks ago.

 We enjoyed a jaunt down to Staunton (pronounced Stan-ton) one Saturday and played at Gypsy Hill Park, an older park that reminded me of Augusta, GA where we used to live.

 One of the highlights was a ride on the small train they have there. Robbie and Clara even got to honk the horn, which thrilled them both.

 Clara wanted me to curl her hair, so I tried out rag curlers for the first time. She looked so cute! It has been really special lately that she's let me play with her hair more. When she was little I would do whatever I wanted with it and put in bows, etc. Then for a couple of years it was basically ponytail only. This summer she has let me braid it more. She's been growing it out and is learning to take care of it (brush it, wash it with help from me, etc.). Lots of hair is a blessing but also a challenge!

 I finally got our dear dear Betsy Ross Lester spinet piano tuned. It is my parents' piano, from my grandmother, and they've lent it to me for the past 10+ years. This piano tuner was impressed with how good of shape it was in (good job, Mom!). I have been so grateful for it and it holds a special place in my heart. We'll probably be replacing it soon and then they can have it back.

 I had never seen a piano being tuned and thought it was absolutely fascinating.

One day I took the kids to Wildwood park and they fished for algae with long sticks. Even though they quarrel quite a bit, Clara and Robbie really do enjoy each other's company, for which I am very grateful.

I have more summer pics to show but will have to do so when my phone and computer will cooperate.

Superbabe Reunion

When I was a sophomore at BYU, I roomed with three awesome girls: Joy, Karisa, and Chelsey. Back in the day, we called ourselves the "Superbabes," although I confess I couldn't remember why until Karisa reposted a pic and explained the reason (because if we could combine all of our best traits we would be one amazing Superbabe). These three ladies were close friends from their youth and included me in their lovely friendship. Amazingly, we now all live within about four hours of each other after having been all around the country over the past decade.

Here we are in fall 2001, I believe.

 Here we are back in 2005 at Karisa's wedding; for some reason I don't have a picture of us with Karisa.

 In early July, Karisa and John, their kids, and Karisa's parents dropped by for dinner on their way to their vacation. It was great to see them. (I totally stole this pic, Karisa---thank you :-))

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to drive down to Richmond to meet all together again. We've all married pretty stellar guys, I have to say.

 We arrived the night before and went to Carytown in Richmond with Joy and Ted. We enjoyed some delicious Thai food, fabulous cupcakes, and great conversation.

 Chelsey, her husband Kevin, and their cutie pie, Lucy.

 The dads were awesome in the pool with the kids, no surprise there.

 Joy and baby Annie!

 2014.

I don't know about everyone else, but this visit gave me some food for thought. I thought about how being around such great people can either make you feel inferior and inadequate or inspired and uplifted. And although there are always times that I wish I said things differently or had such-and-such a quality when I'm around others, being around great girls like these does make me feel inspired: inspired by their goodness, faith, intelligence, humor, and kindness.

Looking forward to the next time!

Dunford family reunion . . . Pigeon Forge, baby

This past week we enjoyed a wonderful Dunford family reunion down in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Organized by my sister, Heather, and my brother, Bryan (thanks again to both of you!!), all of my siblings were there with their families.

We all stayed in a large cabin that had 11+ bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a large kitchen, movie and game room, hot tubs, etc. It was a really large facility but pretty darn perfect for our size group (38 people). The weather was unseasonably nice and no one got sick while we were there--miraculous! Definitely a good time.

 Here cousin Clay is reading to Robbie. Robbie loves all the big boys, saying to them, "Hi boy!" or "Hi cousin!" Clay and Duncan were especially sweet to Robbie.

 We went go-karting; Clara was excited to go and Bapa took her since I don't enjoy that kind of thing. She informed me that she was screaming most of the time, which Bapa confirmed :-).

 Coming around the track.

 Michael took Robbie as well . . . not sure how he felt about it though.

 The second time around, Clara wasn't interested in going again, and so I went with my niece Ali. I just kind of hugged the right rail and tried not to get rear-ended. Not interested in being a speed demon, I still enjoyed being with Ali and was glad I could go with her.

Michael and Clara in the background; Wendi and Ali in the foreground.

 I took cousin Pete on these water cars, and he enjoyed pressing both the water gun and the turning button at the same time, causing us to go round and round in a circle. It was fun and refreshing on a hot day.

 Robbie and cousin Will loved hanging out in the toy car.

 I was proud of Clara taking a ride on these little swings . . . she yelled a lot but I think she enjoyed herself.

 Taking a trip on the train. Clara says, "I liked ringing the bell."

 Robbie was super excited about riding in these airplanes.

 In this shot it looks like he's a little nervous, but he really seemed to love it the whole time.

 Nana went on the carousel with Clara. My kids sure love their grandparents.

 Clara and Ali were bunk buddies in the cousin room and hung out quite a bit. I think they both enjoyed each other's company.

 My brothers and two nephews playing "Space Team," some bizarre cell phone game that is very funny to listen to being played.

 My sister Heather prepared some Minute to Win It games for an evening. It was hilarious; this game was particularly fun. You had to wear a pair of panty hose on your head with a tennis ball in each foot, swinging it around to knock over the water bottles.

 Hanging out with Catherine.

 It was a lot harder than it looked! Matt and Heather (my oldest two siblings) competed, and they both finished at the same time.

 Cousin Catherine was so kind to Clara, always saying hi to her and paying attention to her, even though Clara rebuffed her attempts at first. Catherine was persistent and Clara soon chose her above everyone else. I am so thankful for these types of people who have a special heart for others.

We also enjoyed some putt-putting in the rain, visiting Gatlinburg and enjoying ice cream at Kilwin's, and tubing down the river. The best times were the times we got to talk and play together. I am so thankful for my family and for Michael's acceptance of them and them of him; I am grateful for our temple covenants that bind us together. I am particularly thankful for my parents and for their sacrifice on all of our behalf. A beautiful and strong posterity is truly an irreplaceable gift.

Robbie's 2nd birthday

Robbie's birthday wasn't too exciting, but he enjoyed the day as he does every new day, with the confidence and enthusiasm that he carries naturally within him.

Before his birthday dinner, Robbie went outside. I discovered him in the baby pool, having filled it up with the hose more than it already was, wearing all his clothes. He was very pleased with himself.

Hence the shirtless birthday pictures--he was dry from the pool but I figured he'd get messy again from dinner. He enjoyed the macaroni and cheese but wasn't as crazy about the corn on the cob as I thought he would be.

 He loved blowing out the candles and especially enjoyed being sung to. In the days preceding his birthday, I sang the birthday song to him and he requested it many times in a row. He enjoyed the ice cream more than his cookie cake.

For his birthday presents, he got Cars and Trucks and Things that Go from Nana and Bapa, a big yellow Tonka truck that a child can sit in or push around, and a little toy garage.

Happy birthday to you, Robbie!