Some fun birthday quotes on the eve of my big 3-0...

Everything I know I learned after I was thirty.
- Georges Clemenceau

Time and Tide wait for no man,
but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.
- Robert Frost

After 30, a body has a mind of its own.
- Bette Midler

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. - Lucille ball

The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune. English Proverb

Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. - Jack Benny

PLeas'd look forward, pleas'd to look behind,
And count each birthday with a grateful mind. - Alexander Pope

Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young. - Fred Astaire

Whatever with the past has gone,
The best is always yet to come. - Lucy Larcom

It takes a long time to grow young. - Pablo Picasso

It is better to wear out than to rust out. - Bishop Richard Cumberland

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age. - Robert Frost

Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs. - Anon

30???? Already??

I can't believe I will be 30 tommorrow!!! Ahhhhh....
What's a birthday without honoring the ones who brought you into this world? I love you guys so much (I know you can hear me up there, dad :), you've always been supportive in everything I've done, and loved me through it all- the good, the bad and the ugly, right? :) I can't believe its been 30 years, but you both have been an inspiration. Like the song says, "Let my love give you roots, to help you find your wings". Thats what you guys have done for me....Lots of love!!!!



...and I am so thankful to be where I am at today. Married to my best friend and taking care of our two amazing kids. Even though the past few years have brought some really hard times, I am so blessed and thank God for all he has done for me. I smile at so many memories, and can't wait for the next, what, 60 years or so?? :) Bring em on! Here are 3 people that bring a smile to my face....

The results of our garden

I realized that we never took any pictures of our garden in full bloom this year, but I do have a picture of what our freezer looks like now... We had a great year with our garden, and the kids had a lot of fun helping with the picking, tasting, and "monitoring" of the growth :) Now our freezer is jam-packed with corn on the cob, raspberries, tomatoes, zucchini, rhubarb, tomatillos (and tomatillo salsa), onion, blackberries (from my moms) and lots of raspberry and strawberry jam. We also got lots of lettuce, carrots, eggplant, and of course, pumpkins. Anyway, heres a few pictures of our hard work ..We already have big plans for next year...well, Dave does at least :)


Here's Emma and Benjamin with all the pumpkins they grew in the garden...

I can help, mom....

Christian Vote

Doodlebugs at the Pumpkin Patch

Ben was so happy he got to go with Big sister on her field trip!

Emma and her class on top of the pyramid

Benjamin looking for his pumpkin

Lincoln City with the Winters

We finally got a chance to go see the Winters new house on the beach! We had a fun couple days, even though the weather was pretty stormy.. you can tell these kids are true blue Pacific Northwesterners, cuz nothing was stopping them from playing in the water- not the wind, not the blowing sand, not the cold.. they still loved it. We got to go to the outlets and see JD's store, eat some great Pizza at Gallucci's, look at the shops in Depoe Bay,taste some good Chowder, and of course, got some Saltwater taffy. Thanks for letting us come crash at your house guys, we love it!

standing outside the taffy store

Austin, Emma, Jack and Ben braving the elements :)

The little sis and me (can't believe you're going to be the mom of THREE boys!)

Dave and JD

She's getting so grown-up!

Jackson and Emma