The day of her third birthday Kiya ventured to the zoo and the salon with her daddy. Much fun was found, and though we didn’t make it to the toy store as planned all were happy with the outcome. Being a Dad is Rad!

Kiya loves her Elephants!

and jumping with her boots.

Riding a carousel with friend zebra.

To the salon for some primping.

Shampoo was never so much fun!

and though no hair was cut, we certainly found style.

One bonus to archiving your photos is the gift of rediscovery. I just came across this little gem taken on a flight to Santa Rosa to visit Steph’s Aunt and Uncle. The image I think needs no words. Enjoy!

Last year we caught wind of the Mayfair Easter Egg hunt less than 12 hours before the whistle blew. Still road wary from our move to Denver we made it just in time to miss it. Two minutes late is far too long when dealing with energetic and focused kiddos. We vowed not to let it happen again.

This year we were early…and Kiya was jazzed. Steph had to hold her shirt to keep her from jumping the gun. At one point she slipped. Like a dog who hears its leash come undone, Kiya was off!

Steph holds the reigns of a wild beast.

Though Steph is fast, she was of no match. At least in the face of one as unbridled as Kiya. A chain reaction was started and within moments the starting line was overrun, the Easter Bunny himself trampled under the hooves of candy-eyed children.

Steph tries in vain to catch Kiya.

The hunt was over in less than 3 minutes. All eggs were swept clean of the park as hungry kids ramped up their sugar levels like jackals to feed. The coolest part for me is this: last year a child/mom was kind enough to give Kiya an egg when they overheard us talking to her about waiting for this year to come around. This year in the same playground she got to pay it forward to another kiddo who was late and without egg.

Kiya shares one of her eggs with a boy who came late to the Easter Egg hunt.

It is a great joy to witness your children learning, growing and stretching into fuller versions of themselves. She is such a bright star and has always (well, most of the time) exhibited a desire to share. Even at a very young age. Truly wonderful to witness this between kids in the face of blown sugar and milk chocolate. A gift of Easter I suppose. Whatever the source I am grateful.

La Joie

Life is a river. A never ending flow of surprise and reflection. Some surprises come wrapped in challenge and static. When an old and dear friend-the kind in which months and even years can pass with no contact for when at last you reunite it is as if no time has passed-drops in for a surprise visit, it is only pure simple joy that can follow.

A very dear friend, Brandon Hill, made his visit recently. Bringing with him the lovely mountain girl named Ty, we took our short time to the park at Kiya’s request. For it was Kiya’s introduction to the charm of “Brando,” and the two together quickly combined their powers. The day was hot, almost unbearably so. However it was of little concern as memories of yesterday and plans of tomorrow blossomed in the heat, beads of gratitude dripping from our chins.

A recent camping expedition challenged us with an interesting dilemma, “what do we do with a 2-year-old that wants to hike long and hard?” The answer of course is let her hike. Kiya was not to be stopped, not until roughly 13,000 ft. stood beneath her little feet. There were no waterfalls on this hike, but a dip in a cold stream sufficed.

Most impressive was her tenacity in the venture. Her enthusiasm only waned as hunger took over. Were it not for her tummy, she may have struck summit. Of special note is the fact that small erosion barriers, only a step for adults, were nearly full body climbs for her. And still she would not stop. Simply amazing.

Kiya, after battling her 1st 14′er, warily surveys the mountain she conquered at 2 years old.
Firmly held in hand, nature’s own power plant, Peanut Butter.