BIRTHDAY (part 2)

I always get a kick out of my mom's gifts to the grandchildren.  She wastes not.  It's a good quality to have, especially in today's 'throw-a-way' world.  We opened up presents after her dad arrived home.

  This was the bag from Mimi.

Inside the bag was a NEW lunchbox in her favorite color.  She was VERY excited. 

 (especially since she's had her old one for five years, it was time for retirement)

And inside the lunch box was a new white dress shirt (not shown) and THESE.  A pair of random underwear.  Here she is trying to process the fact that her grandmother just gave her a pair of underwear.  

WAIT FOR IT....

AND....there it is.

Underwear is always good for a giggle at your birthday party.

Later that night we had her cake.  She requests the SAME cake every year.  Ice cream cake.  Her favorite is mint cookies crushed with mint chocolate cookie ice cream.  This year she added a spin and wanted black rasberry truffle as well. 

 (interesting combination)

The traditional 'Hutchins' Bite'.

Even though I was skeptical about meshing the two random flavors, I thought it came out really yummy.

She wasn't feeling well that night so she only asked for a small piece. (very unusual for Kayla)

I'm guessing it's because her mother took her hiking after her morning beach workout.  I'm just sayin'.

I had left the room for a moment only to come back and find her like this.  She couldn't even finish the small piece that I gave her.  Guess we won't be combining any more hikes with pre-season workouts.

Poor girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON TOP OF MT MAJOR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 15 year old!

She was up and out the door at 5:40am for her field hockey beach workout and so when she arrived home I surprised her with donuts for breakfast.  Nothing like working out for a hard hour and having your mother tell you that you're hiking a mountain today.  Good times.  She's an animal.

This was our first time hiking Mt. Major.  I've hiked 6 mountains this summer and this one is my favorite so far.  It started off like a beautiful walk through the forest, made me think of Joseph Smith and the reverence that can be found in nature.

Things started going up hill quite fast and so we gave the birthday girl a quick break before conquering the rock climbing part.

This is real hiking to me.  The kind where you have to use your hands to get up the mountain.  The pictures don't do it justice, but this was looking straight up at Kaleb.  Getting down was the hard part.  We were half way there at this point.

The views were incredible the  closer we got to the summit.  I mentioned in my last post that we live in the Lakes Region, you can see why behind me.  That lake is Winnipesaukee.  

Here's another shot of Kaleb having to use his hands to get up and over this giant boulder.

Here is another lookout spot as you get closer to the top.  Kayla was less than energized at this point but I cheered her on.

Stevie (in yellow) and I climbing over another face.  It was so much fun.

At the top.  It took us about 45 minutes to reach the summit.

The whole gang.  What a gorgeous view from the top.

The kids looking out over the lake.

See what I mean?  Beautiful!

Carried little Benny with us to the top.  He'll be making lots of trips with us so keep your eyes out for him.

THE LAKES REGION

That's where we live.  And I LOVE it!  I could spend every waking moment of the summer at the lake.  Thank goodness for sharing friends.  Today we spent the afternoon on Lake Winnisquam at a private beach.  It was a beautiful day.  I thank my Heavenly Father EVERY.DAY for the beauty that surrounds me up here in New Hampshire.  Our summer is quickly coming to an end and I am trying to soak up every minute that I can out on the water.  (and yes mom...I went swimming)

B-BALL!

I love playing ball.

I'll play with most anyone just to lace up my sneakers.

Most of the time it ends up being with the men.

Love them....but don't love the sweat or the stink.

(and they have a LOT of both)

We played for two and half hours last night.

And it was GOOD!

MAINE

Day trips to Maine are therapeutic.

Especially when you are accompanied by great women.

Tour guide EP led the way and we followed.

We saw lighthouses,

lots of antique shops,

plenty of outlet shopping,

good Maine food,

taffy making,

Ronald Regan,

the Bush compound,

fudge samples with surprises,

new brides,

street names with personal meaning,

and lots and lots of other fun and memorable things.

Thanks for an unforgettable day.

JOY

(I read this quote today and it made me think of this picture.  Someone once asked me how I could possibly smile at the burial service of my son.  I wish I had this quote at the time because THIS answers it perfectly.)

'Joy is not the absence of pain, it is the presence of God'.

NEW DO

My hair actually isn't that much different.  My hairdresser knows me too well, knows that I'm not big for change.  It scares me.  Besides, I heart my long hair.  I'm not ready to part with it at this point in my life.  So instead she took some off the length, THINNED it beyond belief (did you SEE that pile?) and gave me some nice layers.  It's light, lovely and I totally dig it.

IT IS DONE

And I LOVE it!

IT'S TIME!

I don't often get my hair cut.  It's just not a priority for me.  I'm a pretty low maintenance type of girl.  Mostly I like to throw it up.  But I'm thinking I need a fun new haircut.  Wondering if I should go short or keep the long.  Layers?  No layers?  Bangs?  Color?  Curls?  Would LOVE to hear your opinion.  I might just go with majority rules! (but I'm not promising anything)  What say ye? :)