A Favorite Memory

Last year, we were able to go to Colorado to see Aaron's brother Joe, his wife Penny and their new baby James. We had so much fun and enjoyed spending time together on the drive there and home.

It seems for us that whenever we venture out, the unexpected can always be counted upon to happen. We just purchased a new car (well, new to us) before the trip. We felt great that our Sequoia would get us through the mountains and to Colorado in one piece. The car was magnificent on the way there. While there, however, the transmission decided to go out. Of course, we were all of 112 miles over the warranty and in a pickle. We were stranded in Colorado without the means to leave since our car was in the shop receiving a new transmission (to the tune of $5000...yes, you heard right...GULP)!

Since we had time to wait for the car to be fixed, we decided to go to the mall and goof off. We window-shopped, played at an indoor golf place and bought the kids a couple of small souvenirs (yes, we are SUCKERS for those darling faces). It was eating out and just being together with no deadlines or demands on our time.

As we walked around together, we happened upon a man doing portraits in charcoal pencil. For everyone that knows me, I am OBSESSED with photos of my kids and thought this would be fun to see what he could do. As we sat the kids down to have this drawing done, passersby came over and commented on how well the kids were posing and how they were holding so still. They asked WHY and I enlightened them on the kids' background of ENDLESS photos with me behind the camera!!! Everyone was so gracious and so enraptured with the fact that kids sat for 30 minutes without moving, complaining or fighting. Yes, I believe that just might be a family record!!!

I just love this drawing. It is not EXACT, of course, but close enough for me. I love that the artist was able to do this so quickly (barely a half an hour) and that he shares his talent with the world. This drawing may not be as great a portrait, but to this Mother, it captures a HUGE piece of my heart. The only thing it is missing to make a complete picture of my WORLD is Aaron. Can you tell I am a proud Mother or what??? (Hey, bragging and being cheesy about your kids is the reward for not sending them to live with their Grandparents PERMANENTLY when they act up...right???)