DoobieRoo

I’m thankful for merry-go-rounds. I loved them as a kid. My girls love them even more. We have had lots of happy times riding merry-go-rounds wherever we find them. I adore fast rides, but there is something so simple and sweet about going around in a circle while you go up and down, up and down.

Seriously the best kind of fun around...

I am thankful that I am a stay-at-home mom. It’s still a pretty new role for me since I worked either full or part-time up until about a year ago. I have to say it’s truly the hardest job I’ve ever had, but definitely the most rewarding. I’m not so good at the housewife part (cleaning is my least favorite thing to do in the universe). However, spending this much time with my kids makes me so happy I can’t even describe it.

Best job in the world!

I am thankful for Santa Claus. How many wonderful memories do I have of Santa? I remember trying so hard to stay up late to say hi, putting out cookies and milk with love, and painstakingly composing my annual Santa letter. I remember my parents threatening me with having to be good because Santa was watching. And now I see my kids going through it all themselves.

And it’s still magic!

Santa on the Polar Express

I’m thankful for my Grandma Bev. She’s the most generous person I know. I can’t imagine my childhood without trips to her house. She made everything special. Her funny sense of humor, her smile, the way she smells, her hair – I love everything about her. Plus she can cook a mean turkey! I’m so grateful that my kids get to know her too. Thanks Grandma for being in my life!

Isn't she cute?

I’m thankful for books. How many hours have I spent reading in my life? I don’t know how you even function without books. I realize e-readers are the new big thing, but I still love the old-fashioned book. The weight in your hand, the smell of the paper, the ability to take it anywhere and not worry about the battery life – you can’t get much better than that. Yeah for books! May they never go away.

Books are the best.

I’m thankful for Rock Lake. I’ve only been there twice in my life, but both times were a blast. Alan’s family has been there zillions of times and the memories they all share of it are something so special. Next summer, Alan is planning to take Moira for her first time (it’s a pretty challenging hike for the really small ones so we opted to wait until she was a bit older). I can’t wait to see what kinds of memories she’ll build there. And when all the kiddos are big enough – we’ll go as a family. It’ll be epic.

Gorgeous eh?

I’m thankful for chocolate chip cookies. They are fun to bake, fun to eat, and quite frankly – they can make it all better. Chocolate chip cookies are the bomb.

Nothing says awesome like chocolate chip cookies.

I’m thankful for thunderstorms in AZ. The rain was a bit much for me in Seattle, but the rain here…oh! It’s something else. Everything new and clean and the thunder and lightning. Fabulous!!

Rainbows and Dark Skies

I’m thankful for coffee. There have been many times in my life that coffee has played an important role – helping me stay awake, part of a lovely morning routine, a great way to socialize with friends on coffee “dates”. It’s just such a nice drink – here’s to coffee!!

Seriously the best drink ever

I’m thankful for my dog Maia. Her puppy energy and millions of kisses totally changed the doggie dynamic in our house. I love watching how a puppy interacts with kids versus two older established dogs who merely tolerate the kiddos. I love how she barks at dogs on TV and can’t seem to learn how to give five. And I love how she likes to snuggle every once in a while. Love you Monster Dog!

Sweet Puppy Face