The Crew! Thankful for all these people coming out to help us pack, make great memories, and share in our sorrow. Ace and I are truly blessed with great families and combining the two was one of the best things we have ever done.
A stroll through wonderful Sapsucker Woods. This is basically in our backyard here in Ithaca and it is definitely one of my very favorite places to run. We found this woodpecker, first by ear and then by sight. He was just pecking away and Garret was SO excited because right now Woody Woodpecker is one of his all time favorite shows...Ace isn't quite sure why.
Training for the Sumo life.
Just a little pizza dinner in NYC.
My first trip to NYC was with Shay and we got to do our second trip together as well. He is kind of the best!
Austin.....Good thing Reid and Garret already decided this picture was going to be a bust or else we might be annoyed at the photobombing.
We did some hunting for Stryker ancestors during this trip and here the boys are feeling like royalty sitting in a church their ancestors help build.
Even in the Concrete Jungle Garret will find a tree to climb.
A church in Brooklyn built by our Stryker ancestors in the 1650s. Garret was pretty excited to see the Garret Stryker window
Garret Stryker
The 9/11 memorial is completely incredible. It is something that I will never forget and something I feel is a great legacy to such a heartbreaking and tragic event. It is beautifully done and I felt extremely grateful to have found that out of such tragedy could arise such love and beauty.
Two of my very favorite fellas. Even if the picture is blurry.
Enjoying a little kid time at a park on Liberty Island.
This couple. So sweet, so fun and so incredibly supportive of each other. They are pretty different with different ideas of fun and lots of different talents spread between the two, but they give each others interests and goals so much attention. I often who is interested in what; it just starts to blend.
Garret did this every time we unpacked at night and packed back up in the morning. This kid LOVES to climb.
One of my favorite parts of the road trip out west was seeing her. Ashley has been one of my closest friends the very longest. It did my heart and soul some good to share my stories with her and somehow find that we still get through everything by laughing until our sides hurt. Friends like this make the journey a joy.
After Arkansas, we stopped for a few days in Texas with the Burchams. None of us, including Shay, had met Ava yet. We were all excited to love on the newest member of the clan.
Reunited!!! We are all still obsessed with this guy. Sully is still talked about and holds space in all of our hearts. Being thousands of miles apart hasn't changed much for us and this lab.
Garret is master creator and master crafter. He does not get this from his mother.
Mayrann was so great with this sensitive blonde haired boy. Reid doesn't really love change so it took him a little while to not feel emotional about all the recent changes in his life. He definitely gets this from his mother.
Cousins!! Just missing the Burcham kiddos. Love all these sweet faces.
This is what a 2 hour time difference looks like to a boy who never stops moving.
When I wonder what makes me special and what makes my life unique, I just need to look at this picture. My whole life and purpose wrapped up in my arms.
On the road again! After spending a few days in Colorado. The boys and I head with Grammy and Papa to Utah to see Afton get baptized.
Finally it starts to feel like summer!
And they called the thing a Rodeo (meant to be sang in your best Garth Brooks voice)
Another favorite picture. A great shot of great ending to a great day.
So grateful to see Afton get baptized. I love that my two boys have so many wonderful family members they can look up to and follow their example. We love you so much Afton Ann.
One last evening goofing around before we make our last leg of the journey to California. Headed on a plan the next morning to finally be reunited with Dad. What a journey.