doing charlie things

This year hasn't really gone to plan for.... well, most of my friends or family. And probably not really for most of you either.

i firmly believe this is charlie's effort to pick a flower for me, and nothing you say will change my mind <3

But ya know, it's been another year, all the same. The passage of time is relentless and merciless, and we might as well mark it as we see fit, right?

we inspected a lot of machinery this year -- like this abandoned mountain bike

So for my birthday this year, I'm appreciating some of those quieter moments - from the softer side of Charlie.

and this 4-wheeler -- which apparently wasn't nearly as spooky as THAT OTHER ONE

Which.... Let's be real, haha. Every side of Charlie is soft. 

charlie has always loved tractors tho <3 <3 <3

So... lol, let's just focus on what I have hogging up space on ye olde camera phone. And thus in need of transference to this here internet photo album. 

Like alllllllll these pictures of Charlie being weirdly interested in mechanical objects, lol.

aww senior pictures <3 <3 <3

Or, maybe more nicely, these photos of Charlie stepping up as Senior Picture Model & Accomplice for his best friend and super groom this past summer. 

We took literally hundreds of pictures and they all turned out so so so beautifully, and I'm so grateful for this horse who makes friends wherever he goes <3

takes his job as pony ride extraordinaire so seriously tho

Because, really, there's something so gratifying about seeing this creature who gives me so much joy personally -- be able to spread that happiness with everyone else too. 

Like when he steps up to bat as pony ride mount <3! This intrepid youngster has actually had quite a few lessons... but was still a bit stunned into apprehension by Charlie's sheer mass and volume. 

the best at sharing with friends - esp the little ones!

Tho, obvi, Charlie is as patient as the day is long. And didn't move a muscle until said youngster was settled securely into place. Upon which moment she absolutely fell in love with this new heightened perspective of the world around her, and had to be coerced by pony kisses in order to get off and give mom a turn too LOL....

Which... Let's be real, is the absolute cutest. 

There might be a lot wrong with the world, and a lot about this year that didn't really go the way any of us expected. But there's something really really important to be said about having the right pieces and partners and friends with you along for the ride <3