Our Honeymoon

Did you know in spanish it really is luna de miel which means moon of honey. Buck planned the entire honeymoon and I didn't know where we were going until our wedding night- thanks to the Woolines for setting the stage so when we walked it, not to sound too silly, but it really was magical. Off to Kauai we went for 7 fabuous days. It is known as the garden island and knowing how much I love hiking, he picked the perfect spot for us. One of the many beautiful waterfalls we hiked to
The views we saw by hiking put all the helicopter tours to shame- this was on a hike over the highest points on the island- where of all things, there is a swamp!

Off to the swamp lands and the hike of a thousand stairs!

Outside one of the hotels we stayed in- you are treated so well when you are on your honeymoon.

On our first hike on our first day. We hiked ten miles on the Napali Coast- I thought it was going to be 5 or 6 miles, at the most- we were a little surprised to see how far we had gone- but it is so beautiful, we have talked about going back and hiking the entire Coast.

December 2007

Putting the finishing touches after work before heading over- somewhere I have pictures of the twins enjoying the cake- so when I find those, I will post them!

These are the cakes I made for my twin nieces first birthdy- the white one was the "smash-me" cake and the other we enjoyed ourselves.

Christmas 2007

Nothing like that beautiful Christmas morning look- why does someone always have a camera?

However- next to the beauty of my magnet board/craft table- who even notices me?

This was my gift from Buck. He had already built me a craft table and I loved it. I had mentioned in passing how neat I thought it would be to have a bigger craft table but that could somehow fold up into the wall to save space when it wasn't in use. MY incredibly talented husband created it. He kept the entire project a surprise- which was easy partly because he was making magnet boards for other gifts and so I didn't key in on the larger than needed amount of supplies. The only thing that lifted my curiosity was Christmas Eve when he said he needed to go help Mark lift something. Our friend Marc once lifted a refrigerator by himself- he is the strongest person I know- and I couldn't think of anything that existed in nature that he would need help lifting. The truth was storing the table there and had to go get it. Oh well, it's a blessing he is not a good liar!

My mom was in town for Christmas- a last minute delight! I cherish the time I get to spend with her- when you have to divide your time between teaching, 4 children and now 6 grandchildren, you stay busy. She brings such joy and light into my life!



The man with his creation

One last look at the amazing craft table/magnet board- the best present!

Christmas 2007

Our cutest fan!
Walking toward the greenbelt to play Bocci- a Cotter family tradition. For this Christmas it was we decided to make everyone- babies included- pajama pants. Bill liked his so much he put them on after opening them and wore them all day- even to the park.

The Cotter Boys- they are missing Chad who was in Tuscon with his new baby girl.

A New Arrival

Charles and new baby Brooke in January 2008
Charles and Brielle- the happy new big sister!

January 2008

A natural with children!
Such patience to let her feed herself- what a big girl she is now!

Liam waiting for the best part of Mary Poppins

Miss Ella- my first niece and such a joy!

Both my sisters came in January of 2008 and we had a wonderful visit- maybe some day we will all live closer- but for now I certainly enjoy the visits!

And just today baby #3 arrived to this sweet family!

Easter 2008 with the Watts Family

The Watts were kind and invited us over for this Easter-yummy food and pleasant company

Archery 2008

Robin Hood you have met your match! I think this is the funnest part of girls camp, personally.

Well, maybe the most fun is being with cute girls like these two, and then archery!

The Nutcracker 2007

Yes- I really am this far behind. If I can just get the rest of these pictures off the broken camera and document the last 2 years- then I can start with fresh new posts. This is my great friend Jena and I at the Nutcracker. It has become our holiday tradition- except for last year due to the presence of a certain new addition in her life- but I am hopeful we will see it again this year. Buck had not seen The Nutcracker ever and while he tolerated it fairly well- he let me know that this was one tradition he would not be participating in- I think it was all the men in tights!