Halloween rules

These goodies from Halloween were far too awesome to not end up on the blog. Enjoy!

Seamus's 7th Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Barbara!

So I've been behind on keeping the blog updated - I promise I do have first day pictures from the start of school - but I couldn't miss the opportunity to mark Barbara's birthday.

Kids, I go back and forth between thinking that you alone appreciate grandma for who she is and thinking you can't possibly know how lucky you are for having a woman like this in your life.

This weekend we were talking about Seamus's upcoming birthday - we're going up to the cabin to close up the family property - and I was asking what he wanted to do celebrate.

Finn suggested a quick trip to New Jersey, and that was the end of it, no matter what we do for Seamus's birthday it will not be as "awesome" as getting to see Grandma Barbara. When I asked about what you wanted to do in New Jersey, you all agreed, you just wanted to see Grandma. One thing I admire and love about Grandma is that her Love is felt across three thousand miles and nothing is more precious for you than getting to spend time with her. There really is no better present than love like that.

I want to tell you something that you might not know about Grandma, but I think your intuition and awareness is pretty spot on. Grandma is fun (no one loves a good party more), generous with her time and treasure (it is no secret that there would be no cabin without her), but more than anything she is just so filled with such a huge capacity to love you all. But she's so much more than just your grandma.

She's worked hard her whole life, as a student, as a mother, as a teacher, as a counselor, as a wife, as a friend, as a sibling and as a daughter. She put herself through college (not to mention a few other people as well). When Katie, Tom and dad were little she stayed home as a full time caregiver and then as they got into school she went back to work. Grandpa Tom was gone a lot with the Secret Service as their kids were growing up and so Grandma carried well more than 50% in those years. She earned a master's degree while parenting and working full time. She's mentored and supported so many people through the years that you probably couldn't even name them all (myself very gratefully included).

You don't get to see all of those sides of her - but you should know that she's earned her retirement this year 1000 times over. In a few months, she'll wrap-up at school and she'll have more time to travel and reinvent herself. And I already know that while she's closing a book on her career, so much of her life is just getting started. I think we're all going to enjoy Grandma's foray into leisure time. God knows she deserves it.

Not every grandma loves being a grandma like yours does. And truly, I know that not all kids feel as connected to and supported by their grandmas as you do. You are so lucky to have Grandma Barbara in your lives - and I know she feels the same about you.

Blessings on Grandma this year.

Happy Birthday, Barbara, we love you.

Summer Fun 2010

The neighbor up at the lake works for the Park Rapids Enterprise, so she's been photographing our kids occasionally and, SURPRISE!, featuring them when there is space available in the newspaper.

While this is super fun, I have wondered if this might someday lead to an article about me with an incriminating photo. "Lake area man does not understand the importance of window coverings while changing his clothes." Let's hope she sticks to pictures of the kids. Then again, she does take good photos....

The kids are not allowed to have fun at the cabin.

Sometimes these kids just don't listen.

Finn Birthday

Our little man is 5. He had numerous birthday celebrations - this is just the Winsor version held at the lake. As you can tell by his smile - he really liked this one.

Pod racing at the lake

Talk about recycling....this machine was created entirely from garbage, I mean, TREASURES found on the new lake property. Who knows what they'll create from the old satellite dish?

They Say It's Your Birthday

Morning, Love.

Today you are 34 years old (now you don't have to call me from work to ask how old you are when you're registering for athletic events). It has been a big, wonderful year for you (and us). Kids are in a pretty uncomplicated stage, healthy, happy and changing all the time. Seamus is reading, Finn is racing and MJ is talking (and talking and talking and talking).





You've started to step into the father as coach roll with swimming and soccer - you're not only good with the kids but I think you're really enjoying it all too. Swim team was a big milestone for you as a father - watching Seamus receive the "Fun" award and knowing that part of the fun for him was getting to spend this special time with his dad, was a pretty precious moment. You are doing such good work with the kids. They are so excited to celebrate you today. Wait until to you see the ax...








Race Day for Finny

This year your ran your first marathon and qualified for Boston (I'm so excited to cheer you on in April). You truly are in the best shape of your life - even better than the army years in college. It's fun to see you aging so well (you're awfully good looking - boy did I luck out). Exercise has played a big roll in our lives this year and I can see that reflected in so many good ways through out the family. Everyone wants to get in on the action because you make it all look so fun. I also have to admit that its been so good for our marriage - I'll never forget crossing the finish line and crying together in Sacramento. It was so cool to have done this together (ok, maybe not together, since I cannot run yet at a scorching pace). But you know what I mean.

This was the year I started The Big Picture Project and you'll win husband of the year for all your support. I know that at times this has been a challenging transition, but I cannot express how grateful I am for you help making everything work. I couldn't be doing this if you weren't 100% on board - you've picked up all of the slack that I've been dropping (and I know that it hasn't always been easy). But because of all this hard work, we're making a real impact for families who are struggling with Dementia. You are doing such a good job your doing teaching our boys how to be good husbands and partners.

(The Real Estate Photos)

And the most recent milestone, of course, is the cabin. What an adventure we've undertaken! I have a hard time finding the words to express my joy and gratitude in this whole process. We've already seen the rewards - a place to escape and enjoy our little family. Working and learning skills together (I never knew that docks could offer such a bonding experience).




(Putting in an offer we never thought would be accepted)













Your willingness to jump in and be a part of my crazy family space means so much to more than just me. My siblings and parents truly stand in awe of your ability to jump right into the action (and have fun). The cabin has always had special place in my heart and I feel so fortunate that you've made space for it in our lives.

I've been proud of us many times in our marriage, but never in quite the same way as I was the day we put the offer on Lind's. Something about being hopeful and fearless, feeling so committed to each other and to the future for our kids, it filled me with a new kind of peace. I remember thinking that eventually we'd get the place (and praying that I'd be OK letting it go if we couldn't), but never in a million years did I think we'd get it on the first crazy try. I loved that we got the phone call from Issy while we were with Carla - seemed to be such a wonderful circle in our lives. I love that we're able to share this experience with Goughs - I love that your natural tendency is to share - you set such a perfect tone for how we want to see the lake.

As long as I live (and I hope it is a long time) I'll never forget sitting together on the rickety old dock, watching the kids play under the setting sun. My hands hurt, my feet hurt, I was covered in cuts and bug bites and I've never been so happy. Thank you for sharing this life with me - thank you for your continued faith in me and us. I know it sounds trite, but it couldn't be more true, thank you for making all my dreams really come true.

Happy birthday, Love. Here's to making every year good, every year matter and every year a bit more grateful. We're going to have a great weekend!



































The Doughertys Moved In

Happy Birthday MJ!

It's been a long time since I've sat down to blog, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell you how grateful we are that God gave you to us to share!

This last year we've seen you change and grow so much, I suppose every year feels that way to a parent, but I cannot help feel sentimental about this last year, you started it as a baby in my eyes, and now you are such the little girl. No more diapers. Lots of language. You are more "you" every day and it is wonderful to watch unfold. Bright. Sunshiny. Vocal. Loving. Loud. Affectionate. Confident.

You tried to tell us when we went on a little vacation this year that you loved us, but that you wouldn't miss us. No matter how many times we jokingly asked, you said "Nope, not miss you at all." I started to feel a little bad about raising a daughter who hardly liked us (you're not a teenager yet, you know), but then I realized that you were so excited about having special girl time with aunt Katie, that you never doubted we'd come back home and that you don't worry too much about anything. Really, that was a wonderful way to leave for vacation, knowing that you feel good about yourself.

You and Finn have become different kind of friends this year. Sometimes you bicker, but mostly you play together like best friends. I love how much you love each other.

Next year you'll be off to preschool - I can't even fathom the possibility that you're growing up at this pace - but alas - I am so happy to be here to watch all these wonderful milestones. I can hear you waking up. I'm going to get my good morning vitamins from you. I hope you remember how much you loved cuddling in the morning. I treasure that time always. We love you so. More later...