Christmas in France 2015

We lit a candle for Lizzy.  She is always with us in thoughts and spirit.  

Strausborg, France town center-  Christmas Market

Strausborg, France

Church in Paris

Brandon the elf followed us to France! Keepin an eye on everyone.

Selestai, France-  Home to the first Christmas tree in 1521

Christmas Market, Strausborg

Highspeed train to Paris-  Wow that was FAST.

Christmas Tree Dance

Strausborg  Christmas Market,
Christmas Eve 2015
France

The night is still
Darkness in France.
Yet love is present
At this Christmas tree dance

Traditions rich,
Christmas bells ring.
The village honors
the birth of a King.

Our family celebrates
Christmas this year
Thinking of Lizzy
Oh how I miss her still.

Darkness runs deep
These midwinter nights
Yet the sun still reaches us
With each morning light.

A Savior is born,
To teach Peace to the world
Reminding us of our baby Girl.

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to men.
May the year ahead
Be filled with Light and Zen.
HLC

 —

Mona Lisa, The Louvre

The kids LOVED the Louvre.....
okay, by "loved" I mean Elias played with slinkys, and
Ruby Catherine ran around saying "Mom, I see pornography"!
Can you see the fun and excitement over Mona Lisa?

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci that has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world". 

This was our view from the walk back to the hotel.  The kids really did love Eiffel Tower.
RubyCatherine learned to Ice Skate- in the rink on level 2- 
Don't tell anyone she is from Minnesota where we have rinks year round on every corner.

Holiday Greetings

Ugly Sweaters and Left Over Pie

Ugly Sweaters and Pie 2015
Sister Missionaries are awesome.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Heidi Lamb-Castle and Jon Kabat-Zinn

Lizzy,
I caught a vision of you in meditation today.
You walked with joy and you called my name.

"Mama", you smiled as your eyes met mine.
Your face was bright, your light still Shines.

A good days work in yoga, meditation with this guy- Thank you so much Jon Kabat-Zinn

Honk 40 Heidi

What does a 40 year old understand about life?

I have much to learn… of this I am sure.
I know love, I know pain
And often, I find…
They are the same.

Loving deeply, the greatest joy of life
Loving deeply, my greatest hurt.
With out one I would not know the other
Living life never tasting dessert.

Today I enjoy the sweetness of life's dessert.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! Thanks for the honking horns at my house! Fun times. Thanks Eric for being my best friend and partner in life.

 heart emoticon

Halloween 2015 Eric's Chester Costume- only thing lacking is a big van with no windows

 This door to door salesman tricked Gramy Lamby and Grandpa Cory.  They were willing to buy his magazines, but only out of pity.

Yoga Girls~

Some of my Yoga Ladies!  Enjoying visiting and eating.  

RubyCatherine

5 year old RubyCatherine
She loves Kindergarten.
Becoming a great reader.
Cuddly and kind.
Here she is wearing the dress Grandma Wendy made her.
Oh how I love this girl!

Pottery

Elias and I have been enjoying some pottery time together.  I love his creative mind and his outgoing friendly heart.  He makes lots of friends where ever he goes.

Camping Lake Bemidji

We love Lake Bemidji
We had a FANTASTIC General Conference weekend.

Storybook Trails are one of our favorites at Lake Bemidji.

My best girlfriend.  I love her more than words can describe.  

Autumn

Autumn fun with these kids is my joy.  They keep things real. And they keep me laughing.  Our cute neighbor Grace is a delightful addition to the neighborhood.

Yoga Teacher

Tammy is one of the most amazing yoga teachers I have encountered.  She has skills, wisdom and she cares.

Kindergarten- Look out World... Here She Comes!

First Day of School

Time moves swiftly.  I just try to enjoy the moments as they pass.  This is one that will stay in my heart for many moons.

Hair Week

It has been Hair Week.  RubyCat has been pretty patient for a 5 year old.  She is one of the happiest people I know.  I am so thankful for that-

Like Father Like Son Elias

Elias and Katelyn Settling things in Catan.  They watch their dads play games regularly.  

Banjo

My Best Friend

Happy Anniversery Eric.

I am so thankful for Eric.  My life partner, best friend, therapist, and lover.  We have been through much together the last 15 years, Joy and Sorrow.  What would I have done with out him?  When my heart shattered into a million pieces he was at my side holding my hand.  There is a comfort in being near him.  He makes my dreams come true.

Crookston, Minnesota

The kids are ready for snow.   They had fun sledding down the hill today.  Be patient for a couple more weeks, it is almost September.  

Back in Minnesota...  unloading and cleaning.

Junior Rangers

These two have been hikers, garbage collectors, land lovers and respectors this summer.  We visited national parks in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakora, and Minnesota.

Big Horn Crags

This was a impromptu and very fun jam session in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.