1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.
4. Tour all 50 states in an RV.
5. Visit Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.
6. Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.
7. Travel to a far away destination by boat.
8. To be exceedingly generous to my family and friends.
9. Write a book.

These are Misty’s true colors coming out…begging/clawing/meowing for attention. P is usually her best bet. These two are made for each other.

So cute.

The wild flowers in my front yard weren’t cutting it, and therefore had to be cut. They provided me with this sweet bouquet before getting the final yank.

Waiting in line to sit in mama’s lap.

It’s become clear to me through this list that my upbringing has had an large impact on the things I wish to accomplish in my life. For that I must give thanks to my parents for providing us with so many opportunities to learn, but mostly for just being themselves. They aimed high when it came to making sure Steve and I knew that the world was our oyster, and I’m want to affirm that success to them.

As much effort as they put into showing us the world and all it has to offer, I think I’ve learned the most from their interests and how they have led by example in pursuing them. My mom’s love of art, Asian culture, alternative healing, good advice and good listening. Dad’s love of plants, design, beautiful things, loud and emotional music, and cooking. Both of them love to travel, embrace optimism, and are exceedingly generous. Generous to me and my family, but also to my friends. If you know my parents, you probably know what I’m talking about. So thanks mom and dad, for being you and being great parents. #8 is inspired by you.

Tonight Luke and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. I asked him what he would put on his bucket list, and it was a good one. I’ve been toying around with the same idea. #7 is dedicated to him.

6/7/8 Kathryn Albertson Park, Boise

It’s only been 4 years of wedded bliss, but the last 12 years have been filled with love and tenderness that will last a lifetime.

1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.
4. Tour all 50 states in an RV.
5. Visit Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.
6. Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.
7. Travel to a far away destination by boat.

 

Dance has always been a part of my life that brings me joy and happiness. My brother and I took traditional ballet/tap/jazz classes growing up, and as adults we took salsa classes. We also got to watch our mom’s BFF, Louise, do competitive ballroom dancing. In 5th grade I got a pair of gold and diamond dancing heels. So mature and so cool. Paired with the amazing dresses and Vaseline smiles, it calls to my inner Barbie.

Memories of ballroom dancing competitions, so tender.

Dance has made me coordinated and comfortable in my body. I’m sure that’s why I’m so confident trying new sports and physical activities, except snowboarding. I also learned that in pairs dancing I’m a terrible follower. During salsa dances I’ve had partners stop dancing and tell me to “stop leading.” I’m sure it helped me be a better kindergarten teacher, but not a dance partner. I don’t know if Luke would be willing to help me with #6, but I’m pretty sure my brother would be into it. Or I may just have to put myself out there and accept whoever is willing to try and break me of my bad leading habit. As long as I’m dancing, I’ll be happy.

1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.
4. Tour all 50 states in an RV.
5. Visit Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.
6. Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.

He’s an outdoor enthusiast already.

Interpreting the trail.

He was so good at following me because I was the keeper of the crackers. Or maybe he’s just really into hiking?

My mom was an Art Docent in our local elementary schools and enjoys water color painting. My dad was an Interior Landscape Designer and is an avid gardener. It is only fitting that my favorite artist growing up was Claude Monet, famous for his Water Lillies.

One of my favorite books is Linnea In Monet’s Garden. It’s a kid’s book, but one of my top 5 favorites of all time. If you have a child, get them this book! Or buy it for yourself and enjoy the beautiful art, photos, cartoons and awesome art education.

Monet painted flowers, family, and the lush gardens at his home in Giverny, France. I got to see some of his originals at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. For me, seeing original Monet pieces was akin to seeing a celebrity, only better. This is me next to an original of his water lillies and the bridge in his garden. When I saw people taking pictures throughout the museum I thought they were totally corny, until I saw this and then succumbed to the corniness within.

I kick myself for being a short train ride from Monet’s Gardens on our French Honeymoon and not going to see them because, according to books, it’s too commercial. Tour guides be damned! It’s my #5.

1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.
4. Tour all 50 states in an RV.
5. Visit Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.

“Shh shh” aka brushing teeth

He’s got big shoes to fill.

1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.
4. Tour all 50 states in an RV.

He’s become quite a good hugger, and nothing feels better than his little arms holding me close. This is the one armed hold, because heaven forbid he should let go of my water bottle. Somehow it’s water tastes so much better than the H2O from his own water bottle.

Mmmm, this water is heavenly.

Tender (open mouthed) kisses.

My mother once told me she believed that a child who sings is a happy child. She told me this when I was 5 or 6 years old and she found me sitting in the backyard, making daisy chains and singing to myself. There was a feeling of embarrassment at being caught singing to myself, but thankfully I was assured that I was still normal. Occasionally I would go to church with my godfather Brian. I would sit quietly, drawing on the collection cards, until it was time to sing. Opening the hymnal (and figuring out how to read it) was a wonderful feeling. Listening to Brian’s lovely voice, the one lady who always sang louder than anyone and to the entire congregation in song was a truly heart opening experience. When I was older I took a singing class, which was an unfortunate turn in my enjoyment of singing. My voice is naturally low and the teacher never instructed me on how to use it correctly. It was embarrassing when I sang a final solo in front of the class in what I’m sure is an octave or two above my natural range. That experience didn’t discourage my love of singing, and since then I have continued to do so.

I sing along with musicals, the radio, other people, I sing a lot. When I don’t know the words, I hum. One of the biggest perks of working at Challenger, as a teacher, was their very thorough use of songs as teaching tools. It was a dream, I got to sing every single day and with other people. Usually it was with a bunch of kids, but occasionally the teachers would sing together too. I often got goose bumps when that happened. It was so nice to feel the human connection that comes with singing in a chorus and to listen to children burst into song in the middle of an activity. They all knew the  words and it was the closest I’ve ever come to living in a musical.

It got to the point where I was singing so many school songs at home every night that Luke asked me to please stop singing Challenger songs. Luckily, country songs are nice and easy to belt out, and living in Idaho there is an abundance of country music. As much as I love singing with Porter, in the car, doing yard work, cleaning the house and in general I would love to have some more formal experience singing, and that is number 3 on my bucket list.

1. Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
2. Spend time practicing yoga at an ashram in India, with my brother.
3. Join a choral group and sing with them regularly.

Collecting sticks

“Mama, you don’t have any sticks! Let me give you one, or maybe three, of mine. Really, it’s no problem.”

Descendant from monkeys, the natural desire to climb.

Hurray! Acrobatic skill level unlocked.