Husband's 30th Western Birthday!

Husband's 30th birthday was a hit, and I'm so happy for the way that it turned out! 

I had many helping hands and I am sooooo grateful!

Invites via Chic Country Girl on Etsy

I added the insert on the right.

People need to know what's important...

My sis, Amber, made this CUTE banner!

And the party was the perfect excuse for my new hanging flower baskets,

and gorgeous hydrangeas.

There were denim tablecloths with bandannas for toppers,

and lanterns, antlers, mason jars and lasso adorning the table.

It rained off and on throughout the morning and afternoon,

so some of Husband's friends put up this makeshift tent.

Thanks for keeping it "rustic" guys and using tree trunks for poles!

Plywood silhouettes created by my brother-in-law.

See the resemblance?

He also made me these awesome wood cake stands...

I decided on red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

and choclate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. 

Two very good decisions!

The dessert table before the cake...

and balloons tied with twine.

Husband was a very happy and handsome cowboy.

And so was he.

There was ax throwing...

frog catching

and a surprise best friend who traveled all the way from Haiti!

There was golf,

plenty of cowboys

cowgirls,

even a baby cowgirl.

Then there was crazy Uncle Tim on the roof top, insisting he hold the pinata...

good thing he was wearing his hard hat...

there was candy for days...

and too many tootsie rolls eatin'.

There was a great bonfire in our new pit,

a s'more bar with whittled sticks found and made by my nephews,

live country music--

Rickey on the guitar,

impromtu sing-a-longs with the birthday boy,

and

plenty

of dancin'.

Collage by Melody

Husband you rock!  Thanks for being so wonderful.

I can't wait to see what your 30th year has in store!

P.S. Awesome BBQ and cake recipes coming up!

Alive & Well

Hey all,

I've been meaning to update you for days now

to tell you that all is well here on the home front!

My last post was a wee bit dramatic, but all has passed and I appreciate your thoughtful kind words of encouragement and reminders of the things that really matter...when you have fifty guests scheduled to arrive and your house is in shambles.  Thank you for that.

Our guests are in town, and there has been late nights and heapings of laughter. Plus, Husband's 30th birthday party on Saturday couldn't have gone any smoother thanks to the many helping hands. 

Be back soon with pictures and stories!

xx, Cassie

A Birthday Adventure

This last weekend, we celebrated Husband's 29th birthday!!

Because his birthday falls during the glorious heat of the summer, there is no other way that Husband would rather celebrate his turning one year older than with camping, fishing and family. In fact, these things are the essence of his manhood; the things that make him the wonderful man he is.  Not to mention, what a great time everyone has doing these things--with him. 

He's a true outdoorsman, and I just love this about him.

He's the life of the party, and the most generous person I know.

If anyone isn't having fun, he isn't having it.

He exudes happiness, fearlessness and adventure.

He is adventure.

And even though he married himself a newbie-outdoors-woman,

he still loves me. 

Even though this last weekend was my first encounter with a worm,

he still loves me,

and smiles at me a lot.

He laughs a little, too.

But he tells me I'm tough, and that I am the very best,

and that he loves me,

and it is all that matters.

He is a wonderful father and teacher.

His daughter finds safety in him,

and has no issue with worms.

His son wants to drive his truck,

and be just like him.

She has his energy, his kindness, and outgoing spirit.

He has his strength, sillyness, and loving affection.

All in all, our life is more than I could have hoped for.

I thank God every day for binding our family in love and faith.

I thank Husband for his unmeasurable love and support that

he gives to our family each day. 

Albert Philippi Park-John Day, Oregon

He is tireless.

He is ambitious.

He's an entrepreneur.

He's a force to be reckoned with.

He's a man of God.

I LOVE my outdoorsman.

Here's to another adventurous year!

xoxo

To read more about my wonderful man, read last year's birthday tribute.
I could never say enough good things about him.

July 17th~Husband is 28!!

Last weekend was quite the occasion. With adventuresome spirits we gathered the family (and our sis-in-law Stef, whose hubby is away in Iraq) and headed to Maupin, OR, where we camped along the deschutes in celebration of Nate's birthday. There is nothing that this boy would rather do then camp and fish. None of us was aware, though, that the allowed camping sites in Maupin, failed to include trees, or that we would feel like we were camping in death valley for the next three days. We did see a few camp sites that hugged the river, but with little ones, we opted for a treeless, grass-hopper/burnt-grass site. Oh, yeah, with no campfire allowed. But who really cared? It was a 100 degrees the first two days. Regardless, camping+family+the friends who met up with us on the second day+river+dance parties amounted to total fun.

With my husband on my heart, and another year of his to celebrate, I leave you with some of my thoughts on this camping trip and his kind soul...

HUSBAND

Tired, hungry, and heat exhausted, he would still offer you a hot dog first.

When you realize that you actually have no tent in that "tent-bag" he'd invite you to take his tent and sleep in his truck bed under the stars.

Even though you got that huge ticket due to irresponsibility, he'd offer to pay for part of it so your trip wasn't ruined.

Even bright and early on his birthday morning, he'd bring coffee to all of those who hadn't yet moved.

He invites strangers to join the lantern-light, listen to the music, and hear a few of his stories.

He'd make you a clearing in the brush, under the trees, at the waters edge so you could cool off.

On his way out to go fishing, he'd hand you one of his drinks when he realized you didn't bring one.

He'd even make you a place in the rocks to keep your drink cool and so it wouldn't get carried off by the current.

How'd a girl like me get so lucky to call this one my hubby?

I love you, Nate! Happy Birthday!

Rickey taught Brooklynn how to cooler-drum

One hot baby

The first family picture in a long while


Imagine that same hotdog in the dirt and picked up again a few times

One stoked girl to be camping...a natural