Talk about a bear hug!

Over the Hill(s)

This milestone birthday has not just taken me over the proverbial hill, but over actual ones, also.

The celebrating began a week early with a relaxing, cherished day of pampering, terrarium-creating, and fine dining with my amazing sis Amy. With half a dozen(!!) kids between us, the chance to spend a day focused on the needs of only ourselves was remarkable-- and to spend that time together was icing on the cake. The following morning, my parents hosted a birthday brunch complete with Grandma Thoma rolls and a delicious fruit tart. I was able to wish upon my candles surrounded by five grinning children (my sweet boy was napping upstairs).

While we were cleaning up from brunch, who should appear at my parents' front door but my dear pal Robyn. She announced that she was taking me away for a surprise adventure. After one of the most gorgeous drives through the Columbia River Gorge, we crossed over the Bridge of the Gods to Washington and entered the grounds of Skamania Lodge. Inside the stunning lodge were four more dear friends, waiting with a suite of beautiful rooms, wine and treats. Save for a short walk around dusk, we spent the night gabbing and enjoying time without the usual interruption from our gaggle of wonderful but often distracting children. And as I told all of them, at a stage in our full lives when it can be difficult to steal away for a glass of wine down the street, it meant the world that they all took an entire 24 hours to celebrate with me.

On my actual birthday, my friend Sarah offered to buy me a coffee, and when I arrived at the shop, she surprised me with not only a latte, but Judy! And who is Judy, you may ask? Judy was my mentor mom in a local mom & preschooler group. Her own children are my age, and she offers her time to help lead the mothers' group. She is wise, generous and supportive, and near and dear to my heart. Having a morning to visit with her was one of the best presents imaginable.

 Later in the day, my own amazing and very brave parents arrived at our house and asked me if my bags were packed. Moments later, Curtis came home from work early, sans the beard he had been sporting that morning. Apparently, when you turn 40, your husband feels so sorry for you, he even shaves the beard he knows you don't prefer.

After hugs and kisses to the kids and good luck wishes to my parents (who were tasked with two different basketball games on opposite sides of town the following day), Curtis and I were off to a fabulous dinner, and then a drive over the coastal mountain range to my magic beach. We arrived after dark to a balmy coastline where every star in the heavens seemed to be a miniature flashlight for our stroll along the sand. I've never seen so many stars at the beach. While we walked, I craned my neck to the sky and was rewarded with not one, or even two, but three shooting stars. The next morning, we woke to the sight of ocean waves and Haystack Rock in the shining sun.

We jogged down the beach for a leisurely coffee and pastry in town, amazed at the unseasonably warm weather that graced the trip.

After the fuel, we decided to embark on a hike along the coastal hills. We were rewarded with incredible vantage points. 

Each view seemed more spectacular than the last. After several hours of ascending and descending, we came to an overlook where other hikers claimed to hear rumors of whale sightings. Curtis opened his pack to reveal a lunch of wine, baguette, and cheese. And then, as we sipped our wine and peered out at the lighthouse a mile offshore, Curtis spied whales spouting below us. At first, we saw just one, and then another, and another. It was my first time seeing whales on the Oregon coastline, despite so many visits in my 40 years. What good fortune.

We hiked back to the cabin just in time to toast the sunset with a glass of wine, before heading out for clam chowder and more star gazing.

Returning home on Sunday, we found that the kids seemed a bit disappointed that we had come home so swiftly. They loved the special time with their grandparents. What a fabulous getaway!

And if two adventures weren't enough, our annual trek across the biggest hills (aka the Cascades) to central Oregon was the following weekend. We enjoyed the company of dear friends, delicious food, soaks in the hot tub (especially Ryan, the youngest fan!) and endless hours of play together.

Trekking over the proverbial hill of life forces one to be a bit more reflective than usual: to be grateful for the gift of health (wasn't Great Aunt Rose so very right!), to soak up the smiles of those you love (especially those whose smiles are better revealed once the beard comes off), and to measure success in adventures instead of belongings. How lucky I am to be given so many opportunities to relish in these truths.

Albi Angel

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is that it's rooted in tradition-- not only the overarching ritual of celebrating a new birth and joy for the world, but also the smaller traditions. The gingerbread men with piped white frosting, the glee as favorite ornaments are unwrapped and hung on the tree, the holiday songs we hum through the season.

When I was a child, we had a book called Albi Angel about an angel that was chosen to be the star over Bethlehem on that fateful night. It's a beautiful story that captures the true meaning of Christmas. When Mary was born, we decided to read this story to our child (or children, as time would tell) every Christmas Eve.

We missed a few years (perhaps this has something to do with Lucy's dislike for sitting still?), but I just love this series of photos.

2004- Mary's first Christmas.

2005- Mary listened attentively the whole way through the story. 

2006- The chair is definitely crowded. Lucy joins the tradition. 

2013. Next year, we may have to move to the sofa! 

How is it already the middle of January?

It's hard to believe we are already well acquainted with 2014.

The holiday season- from another memorable Thanksgiving in Bend all the way through to a Loeb family New Year's Party-- was filled with magical moments and celebrations big and small. Here are just a few of them. 

Merry Christmas 2013! 

Grandma and Papa Loeb with the kiddos after a fabulous gift-opening bonanza! 

The view on a bike ride to my parent's house. Majestic Mt. Hood-- one of the best things about Oregon. 

Zoo Lights with the fabulous cousins. 

Ryan and Liesl in the deluxe Radio Flyer. So cozy.

Melting just like their melting snowman cookies at a cousin sleepover.

The park swing is way more fun with Chiara!

New girls for our girls.

Hanging stockings (no coal in sight). 

And the week after Christmas-- sweetest Irish boy in town with his Irish Nan on her birthday. 

Volleyball Adventures

Another season of volleyball has come to a close, and with it, Mary's team has worked incredibly hard and become hugely successful. They only had one loss all season long-- and received third place in the final tournament of the year. 

It's amazing to watch this girl play -- she can volley like a champ, is quick with her feet, and so consistent with her serves. She's been a strong member of her team, and they've grown and improved together over the season. Best of all, Mary loves this sport. As a child who tends to be reserved and a bit timid in most areas of her life, Mary shows remarkable grit and poise on the court. I just LOVE to watch her play. 

Our Bucket is Brimming...with pride!

Lucy received the Bucket Filler of the Week award from school, and was knighted by the principal with a fancy tie that she can continue to wear all year. Bucket fillers are people who offer help to others and show kindness in their actions (as opposed to "bucket dippers" who tend to take away from others with less-than-kind gestures). Each week, the principal selects a handful of students who have shown exemplary effort in this area. We are so proud of Lucy for her optimism and kindness.

And that's a wrap... and an App!

Our neighbor is a graphic designer and photographer. She is currently helping UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science to create education apps based on scientific experiments. She asked if Mary and Lucy were interested in participating in a shoot on Sun Science. They eagerly agreed, and our kitchen was transformed into a studio for the afternoon. With the help of an expert astronomer from the Lawrence Hall of Science, Mary and Lucy built a solar oven out of a pizza box that actually made gooey s'mores in the mild 60-degree sunshine. Next, they decorated cookies to mimic the properties of the sun, complete with m&m sun-spots and licorice solar-flares. A great learning experience for them, not to mention the fun of getting to say, "I'm in an APP!" 

The official app will be free in the iTunes store within the next few months. We'll be sure to share the info when it is released. Until then, here's a preview.