Come what may...

THIS FRI AND SAT ONLY!!!

2011-08-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

We have had such gorgeous weather lately I decided to run a special before the Holidays hit and things get REALLY crazy! Here are the details:

This Friday and Saturday only- September 2nd and 3rd 2011
Mini Session Special $100.00 (that is 1/2 off!)
- up to 1 hour at the location of your choice
- your best 5 photos on a high res disc with print release for you to print where you choose, when you choose.
Now is the time to take advantage of the weather and price to get family/Christmas card photos!
Only 6 slots available so call early to book!
360-914-6046

Dog fishing…

2011-08-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

It’s all the rage these days. You’ve never heard of this phenomenon? You are missing out my friend because it is hours and hours of side splitting fun. Just ask my kids. ahem.

This picture KILLS me! Don’t worry, Gunner was loving it!

The garden

2011-08-09T14:43:00.001-07:00

We harvested carrots the other day and had an awesome salad with plenty to save for later too! Danny has done such a great job with the garden this year and I’m really proud of him (even if I do refer to it as his girlfriend). He could spend hours out there! The kids LOVE gardening and are super excited that we now get to start eating what we’ve been growing. Excuse Brin’s homelessness, this is her “Dad woke me up so I could help pick carrots” look.

One of my favorite things right now

2011-08-08T11:44:00.001-07:00

Seriously.

Blythe “folding arms” for prayer. The kids LOVE to say “time for prayer” because she immediately goes to this position. It. Is. Adorable.

Canning, Canning, Canning!

2011-07-23T19:31:00.001-07:00

Tayberry Raspberry Lemon Jam

If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would be a big “canner” I would have told you probably not! But I cannot get enough of it! I started a few years ago and I just fell in love. I remember my Mom canning when I was younger but I never really got into it then. There is something so calming in the process. And lets face it people. The calmer the better around here! I guess there are worse things I could be addicted to. And I certainly don’t hear complaints from friends and family while enjoying the spoils!

Spiced strawberry butter.

I can’t believe it.

2011-07-23T00:58:00.001-07:00

I truly cannot believe that 10 years has gone by since I married the best guy ever. 10 years!!! I realized the other day that with the exception of a quick snapshot at Christmas time last year, we have not had a family picture taken since Brinlee was a baby…ahem. So I begged Marge to stop acting like she was SO busy with running a household, taking care of the girls and bringing home a preemie and just take my family picture already!!! Can’t tell you how glad I am that she did it! Thanks marge, we love your guts.

It's been a while.

2011-07-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

We've been a little busy for the last...couple of years! I am DETERMINED to begin anew...

Jumping back in. Again.

2011-04-14T17:33:00.001-07:00

I realized the other night that it has been...over a YEAR since I posted! What can I say, things have been busy! But Then I also noticed that blogging really was the best journaling I've ever done so...I think I may try to jump back in. Here goes nothing.

Its been too long!

2010-10-04T16:16:00.001-07:00

I don’t even know where to start! I guess I will be playing a lot of catch up. What else is new? For now, we are here…and alive. And here is the proof! And after this little project I remembered why I hardly ever take portraits of my own kids! Thank heavens for Ciera who was there to help and keep me from having a nervous breakdown and throwing them all in the lake! Ciera also took the photos of the girls and I…which I’m not gonna lie… I absolutely adore! Thanks Marge!

Fathers Day 2010

2010-06-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

This picture is SO our life right now!

And SO why I love this guy!

Adventures in oatmeal land

2010-06-26T23:28:00.001-07:00

I’m pretty sure this sweet girl ate more than any baby I’ve ever seen at this age. Unbelievable! Maybe I will actually get a chunky baby yet!

I think she may have been as shocked as I was!

um...

2010-06-07T09:31:00.001-07:00

Anyone else think this might be a problem??? Oh boy!

Results of your
Attention Deficit Disorder Quiz

You scored a total of 100

It is highly likely that you are presently suffering from adult attention deficit disorder, according to your responses on this self-report questionnaire. You should not take this as a diagnosis of any sort, or a recommendation for treatment. However, it would be advisable and likely beneficial for you to seek further diagnosis from a trained mental health professional immediately.

Serious ADHD Likely!

Love her.

2010-05-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

(and yes her paci is upside down…and yes it says “punk princess”!)

A few more that I forgot!

2010-05-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

I had fun catching some moments of Brinlee and Rylin while she was staying with us. Things got a little crazy afterward and I didn’t get a chance to post these ones! I was getting them ready for the day and they just looked so stinkin cute that I couldn’t resist!

and of course there was a little dancing to Parkers jams! These kids really do crack me up!

The Man

2010-05-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

Blythe is smiling a lot more now (thank heavens!) She will smile and coo at Danny and I when she is happiest, which is usually right after she has eaten and been changed (girls got priorities!)

But Parker is still the best at getting her to smile -

(this picture melts my heart)

I’ve been watching and I’ve noticed he has a system! He tugs on her chubby little cheek and says

“are you gonna smile at me?” and just like that…she does.

Normally this wouldn’t be such an amazing feet, but for this sweet girl who has basically screamed for 3 months straight…it’s incredible! Sometimes if she is getting grouchy and the cheek tug won’t work, he has to pull out the big guns and clap her tiny hands together…works every time!

What do you do…

2010-05-13T00:28:00.001-07:00

When it’s 11am and you have a tornado of a house, a ton of dishes, children to bathe/dress, a lunch to pack, a baby to feed and a kid to get off to school?

Jump on the trampoline…in your jammies…eating chocolate chip pancakes with your hands.

duh.

a little teeter-totter action!

Oh well, there is always tomorrow to be efficient right?

The Princess and the Frog

2010-05-05T19:32:00.001-07:00

Its amazing what you can come up with to get kids out of the tub. Brinlee and Rylin were having such a great time playing with ponies in the tub that I let them – until they started to prune beyond recognition and it was time to get Parker off to school. I decided it was time to pull them out. They disagreed. Boy am I glad I decided to get these cute towels for the kids for Easter! They love the new disney movie Princess and the Frog of course and this fit the bill perfectly! Phew…that was a close one!

Blythe

2010-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that we are getting more smiles now and less screaming. I guess there is something to be said for champagne formula and reflux meds huh? who loves ya baby?

Really?

2010-05-03T23:07:00.001-07:00

This week is going to be fun. The kids are so excited (especially Brinlee) because Ry came on Saturday and she is spending the night for 4 nights!!!! They have been having so much fun – minus the whole ‘stomach flu Ry throwing up this morning’ situation! The girls have had so much fun and when I busted out the camera this evening while they were playing hoping to get a sweet picture for them to treasure for life…this is what I got. Good thing they still have that “cute” factor going for them huh?

a hard days night.

2010-04-25T00:38:00.001-07:00

So things have been a little rough around here lately (I love you Blythe, I really do) what with the whole “screaming baby” situation. I find myself thinking “if you would just smile at me….I would be able to handle this.” I’m not asking for a laugh or giggle or heaven forbid a grin…just a tiny little smile and my heart would sing. And it has happened a few times (fleeting moments, most of which were probably gas).

I try so hard to get you to smile. I talk to you, coo at you, make silly faces and sing silly songs heck-I’d stand on my head if need be. But apparently your heart (and smiles) are reserved for just one…

Not that I blame you…he is pretty cute!

I finally stopped

2010-04-24T00:39:00.001-07:00

This morning as the breakfast dishes sat on the counter crusting away and one child was crying because she did NOT want to take a bath, and two boys were tying blankets and belts to dresser drawers to make a tent and one baby was crying and I had not even begun to get ready for the day I finally did it.

I stopped. I looked around. I looked past the messy house and the piled up laundry and the enormous sized clothing I just bought so as to squeeze my ridiculously oversized post partum body into something other than sweats and my husbands t-shirts…

and I saw the most adorable kids on the planet! And then I thanked my Heavenly Father for sending them to me.

a rare shot where Blythe is NOT screaming!!!

That’s more like it!

How we roll

2010-04-04T00:51:00.001-07:00

I’m not going to get on my soap box and say that topless egg-dying is for everyone, but for us (ok pretty much just for my sanity because I’m the one who has to do the laundry) its the only way to go!

Memories :)

On a less scandalous note, the other morning we were watching cartoons in the family room and I was my regular zombie like self (that’s the norm these days) and I woke up enough to take a long look at my monsters – I mean blessings – I mean children!

My heart almost exploded with gratefulness! How truly blessed I am to have these four beautiful, healthy kiddos. Each one is unique, with their own talents and personalities. They drive me crazy and crack me up at the same time. Every. Single. Day! They are exhausting and sweet and I love them more than life itself and on any given day, there is no place I’d rather be than curled up on the couch with them. Seriously.

This one is nutso and if this photo were in color you would see her freshly polished pink toe nails…which she talks about….NON STOP!

My family will appreciate this stolen moment. This is how the KooKoo bird watches TV. ALL the time. Looks uncomfortable no? Oh kaden!

This one could very possibly send me to an early grave…good thing he’s cute!

Do I really even have to say anything about #4? She melts my heart and she can’t talk back yet….we LOVE her!

Excuse the repeat photo (how embarrassing) but I have not been taking a ton what with the incessant screaming! I figure we’ve got about another month or so of this….pray for us!

I can’t get no…

2010-04-04T00:32:00.001-07:00

I’m pretty sure Danny and I have not slept in like…a million years or something. At least that’s what it feels like. We heart colic. Actually we don’t. Are ya pickin’ up on the sarcasm there, cuz I’m layin’ it on pretty thick! We do heart Blythe though.

And her swing.

While I was sleeping

2010-04-01T00:47:00.001-07:00

I’m slowly coming out of the fog of the last 6 months! And as I go through things on my desk and computer, I keep running across cute pictures that Danny took of the kids during my “down time”

It makes me smile and helps to heal the guilt I felt over not being able to be there for them for 3 whole months! Danny is amazing, what more can I say.

Here are some of the kids messing around with cousins at Grandma and Grandpa’s. They look so miserable don’t they? I guess the world wouldn’t stop turning if I wasn’t controlling it all (or at least trying to) and that is a good thing to know :)

A plague on all our houses!

2010-03-13T15:25:00.001-08:00

So after bringing home our sweet baby, we were hit with a little bout of fifths disease (so fun). We were on the mend and having family come in for my niece’s baptism and the blessing of both babies (my sisters daughter Winter, and Blythe) and were enjoying getting used to having four kids with Dad back to work.

With Danny being gone pretty much all week it was nice that Blythe was doing this a lot:

(and yes that is a bow glued to my daughters head…what of it?)

It was the calm before the storm I guess. The baptism/blessing weekend was a little nuts but it was so fun to see everyone and right after the party, it hit. And we haven’t been the same since! Not sure if it was just a really bad flu that we all shared, but pretty much everyone that came got it! And so excuse my absence from the blog, I’ve been drowning in vomit. I thought we were over it because Danny, myself, Mary(Danny’s Mom), Kaden, Brinlee and Blythe had all gotten better. Then Parker decided it was finally his turn yesterday! I really feel like dipping my entire house in bleach! Memories!

I finally gave up and laid a huge blanket down for the sickies. One can only scrub so many rugs…

Poor Kaden woke up at 4 one morning puking his sad little guts up. I felt so bad for him.

Then it became a family affair.

So this is what we’ve been up to! Sorry for the gruesome photos but hey, incase you haven’t heard…we share EVERYTHING around here!!!

Sisters

2010-02-26T21:42:00.001-08:00

I have said since the moment Blythe was born that she looked so much like Kaden. But tonight we were going through photos of the kids as babies and I realized that she and Brin could have been twins!

Brinlee as a sweet baby girl.

Iphone shot of Blythe

She is so excited to have a baby sister. And she is actually a big help! She loves to give her her paci and talk to her to keep her happy.

I was surprised at how much alike they looked! I guess if I could look three and a half years into the future it may look like this:

I’m OK with that! I feel so blessed to have two crazy boys and two crazy girls! I’m so glad that Brinlee and Blythe have each other – can’t imagine life without my sister!

This is my life…

2010-02-26T15:00:00.001-08:00

who could ask for anything more!

'Nuff said!

2010-02-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

"You were not created to be the same as men. Your natural attributes, affections, and personalities are entirely different from these of a man. They consist of faithfulness, benevolence, kindness, and charity. They also balance the more aggressive and competitive nature of man. The business world is competitive and sometimes ruthless. We do not doubt that women have both the brain power and the skills to compete with men. But by competing they must of necessity, become aggressive and competitive. Thus their godly attributes are diminished and they acquire a quality of sameness with man. The conventional wisdom of the day would have you be equal with men. We say, we would not have you descend to that level."
-President Ezra Taft Benson

Oh Baby

2010-02-16T16:44:00.001-08:00

She is here. She is lovely. We are Happy.

And exhausted!

The final piece to our puzzle, Blythe Emerson Weibling born Wed Feb. 3rd at 1:17 pm. She weighed 5 lbs 11.9 oz (much to her Dad’s dismay who had guessed her sisters weight of 5lbs 12oz!)

Sorry, but I love it!

2009-11-23T18:46:00.001-08:00

found this while surfing around of course and I just love it! You can check out the entire project here.

Happy Birthday KooKoo Bird!

2009-11-14T12:34:00.001-08:00

I cannot believe that you are 5. It truly seems like last week that we were bringing you home. what a long story! And now you ask me all of the time to tell you about when you were a baby and you “lived in a box”

We were so excited for you to join our family. Your big brother was a whopping 7 months old when we found out you were on your way!

Here we are at 7 months or so.

The week before you were born I was hanging out with halle and Parker “bed resting”

Grandma took parker to her house for a while and then called and said “I just feel like I need to come to your house tonight".” She got to our house that evening and the next morning you were on your way…5 weeks early. We called Daddy (who was at work) and Aunt Tammie and told them this show was on the road!

I will never forget that day. When I think back, all of these memories come to mind – mostly of the family dropping everything and driving (most of them 4.5 hours) to get to the hospital when they heard you were coming so early. And before we knew it, you were here.

I held you for about 2 seconds and then they took you away. You were not breathing very well and had to go down to the NICU. For being 5 weeks early you were a heavy weight at 6 lbs 1 oz!

you love this picture because if shows you wearing a “horse head” just like Daddy has!

Aunt Crystal held your little arms and legs so you would feel safe and snuggled.

Parker gave you a stuffed alligator and you were wrapped in your Grandma Barrett blanket. You were the most decked out kiddo in the NICU.

You spent two weeks there and I was there with you, holding you and feeding you every couple of hours, watching you sleep and wishing we could take you home.

Thank heavens for Grandma who stayed at our house with Parker and took care of everything so that I could zombie my way around and only have you to worry about. Grandma brought your big brother to meet you and he was so excited! He held your hand, but was so not going to share his paci!

We finally got to bring you home!

Right after we got you home and were getting used to doing your breathing treatments and getting settled, Daddy got pneumonia! Needless to say we were all REALLY tired!

At Christmas time you were 6 weeks old and still so tiny – you fit perfectly into the doll stroller and pack n play we got Halle for Christmas, and even into Moms stocking!

You were such a happy baby! Always so funny. Daddy would stick his tongue out at you and you would do it back!

You fit right in with the “guys”

The doctor was so happy when you chunked up so good, weighing in at 14 pounds at 4 months! Not bad for a preemie!

Grandma loved to talk to you because you would laugh and laugh!

You got your nickname Kookoo bird because of all of your funny faces and hilarious little personality.

You are such a good big brother and were always sweet to your new baby sister.

Now you are 5, and you love dressing up in superhero costumes. Everyday its something new and you still have us laughing. You are the sweetest, smartest, craziest, most talkative and funny little guy in the world and we love you so much. We are so glad that you came to our family Kaden. Happy Birthday KooKoo Bird!

These are your “power shooters” also known as Brinlee’s beauty and the beast high heels.

Too many things…

2009-11-12T09:04:00.001-08:00

So much has happened in the last couple of months – I don’t even think I could play catch-up! So here are a few of last months highlights.

First there was this:

Which started with a “goofing around on the top bunk while we were supposed to be sleeping” scenario. Entailed an entire night of sleeping with mom and crying and Tylenol – a morning visit to the doctor with xrays and the diagnosis of a fractured arm. They sent us home to wait for the swelling to go down before they put the cast on, but thank heavens when we went back in, they rechecked the xray and decided that it wasn’t a break, just a really badly bruised bone! Happiness all around!

Then there was this:

I totally gave in and did what I swore I would never do and got the boys those sick tight transformers costumes! They were beyond excited, and I created a costume for Brin – a little devil of course!

I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this boy stuff…plus the tightness….oh the tightness…

Our very own Bumblebee.

The devil herself! I just love it.

Brin showing me her tail – sorry I just thought this was too funny because Kaden is totally putting out the vibe in the background!

As you can imagine it was a little difficult to keep Brins horns on.

Danny has never been home for Halloween, and boy did he have his tap dance shoes on!

2009-10-21T17:49:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Way behind as usual :)

2009-10-07T08:32:00.001-07:00

I did however manage to finally get out and get some pictures of miss Brinlee (she is the big 3 years old now you know!)

She is getting so big, and soooooo funny! She still melts my heart – we are so lucky to have her in our family.

I love this naughty smile!

The name game

2009-09-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

Thanks everyone so much for your thoughts and wishes! I have to say I’m a little nervous about having a girl – strange I know because Brin has been a cinch compared to my boys so far. But I guess it is just hard to picture a second daughter. I am very excited though and it was so fun to see her moving all around yesterday on the screen! Of course now that we know we are having a girl, the questions have begun. So to answer the biggest and most prevalent, here are my favorite names so far. As many of you know I am a big fan of Family names and so a few of these are names from either of our Families.

Hattie – LOVE this name as it is not common for sure and because I have heard stories about my great Aunt Hattie who was apparently hilarious!

Charlotte – This is Danny’s Great Grandmother, Grandmother, and his mothers twins name as well!

Claire – Just one that I have always loved!

There you have it folks…my working list!

Drum roll please…

2009-09-23T17:14:00.001-07:00

And the bedroom situation has been solved! We are expecting a little GIRL to our family! Good guessing everyone. We are very excited and I can relax a little more now since I saw that healthy heartbeat again!

Tomorrow is the day

2009-09-22T09:08:00.001-07:00

We are taking the kids with us to our big ultrasound! This should be interesting! Parker and Kaden and Danny are thinking blue (big surprise there) Brinlee thinks pink and I have no idea! Anybody else want to guess?

Back in Aug.

2009-09-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

So I am still in back blogging mode! But I couldn’t resist this video because it cracks me up. Pictures of the event will be on the next post! I cannot believe that she is 3…

Are you loving the bed head?

School has FINALLY started!

2009-09-11T12:23:00.001-07:00

And there were no tears…from the kids or the Mom! It was time! Parker was so excited to start first grade and Kaden had his first day of preschool and he was so ready, until the morning of when he told me the Parker told him about the “suck you up” machine at preschool that when you walk under it – sucks you up and sends you to Candy Land. Hmmmmm. So Parker and I had a little talk. What a goober. I finally convinced Kaden that there is no such thing ( but let me tell you if there were I would be the first in line) and he was good to go!

It is strange having Parker gone all day, but the level of fighting has gone down considerably with them having a little space :)

Here’s to another great year!

showing off the backpacks baby. Brin was a little confused by this pose!

So Back in July…

2009-09-05T09:51:00.001-07:00

Parker boy turned the big 6! He was BEYOND excited. Now he tells people that he is 6 and next he’s going to be 7 – just incase they were wondering!

We of course went out to Mom and Dads so that we could gather everyone together and so that we had room for the fireworks! Because he was born on July 2nd this kiddo always gets fireworks and sparklers for his party!

We sure love him and are excited to watch him grow. He starts first grade next week and I think it might kill us both if it doesn’t get here quickly!

He had to fight off the crowds to blow out his candle!

I truly think Legos are going to be the death of me. I don’t get it – “hey lets give these kids some toys with a million tiny pieces – in a “kit” no less that they will never be able to put back together and watch their Mothers go nuts!”

Aunt Crystal and Danny getting everyone set up with sparklers.

And then we hit the drive in! We have so much fun taking the kids there, it has become a tradition during the summer – mattress in the truck bed and all!

Don’t mind us singing along to the music on the loud speaker…we never could resist a good oldie! Uncle Dustin and Aunt Marge tried to take the boys on the go carts but it was too dark by the time they got up there!

All in all a pretty smashing Birthday for a pretty smashing kid! Now if we can make it to the next one…

Just in case you’ve been wondering

2009-09-05T00:21:00.001-07:00

This is what Skip has been up to the last few weeks. We’ve never seen him happier!

Meet the newest members of the family…there are nine of them – and yes, they all have names.

Mom teasing him about his obsession with the “girls”

We heart you skip!

We’ve been doing a lot of this lately…

2009-09-04T19:42:00.001-07:00

Ok - not so much “we” as ….well me, but yesterday I caught Brin catching some zzzz’s on the couch as well!

Don't you go dyin on me...

2009-09-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

I know the shock is unbelievable but I actually posted some new photos from a shoot about a MONTH ago on the photo blog Let me know what you think!

Jumping back in!

2009-08-20T13:06:00.001-07:00

Okay so I am officially going to start blogging again. I don’t know what happened. I just couldn’t do it!

So be ready for a catch up on all of our summer fun and also check HERE for news in the photo department!

wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles…

2009-07-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

Okay so forgive me, I just watched fiddler on the roof a couple of nights ago and that song is stuck in my head but…

Today I got to see a healthy little bean baby and hear a healthy little heartbeat!!!!! I am sure that I am still going to be nervous but it was the sweetest sound I have heard in a really long time!

Dr says that everything looks great and I am due Feb 24th! Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers!

fun at the watering hole.

2009-07-20T17:31:00.001-07:00

despite all of the stresses, we have managed to sneak some fun in :) Marge and I have been trying to get the kids out as much as we can and last week we spent all afternoon at the local watering hole! aka the little pool at city beach park! The kids had a blast and it was so nice to just sit back and let them play.

excuse my barfiness…like I said – feeling pretty pukey!

we are still not sure how he remains this scrawny…

Kaden and Parker had a blast pulling each other around the pool in Rylins lovely pink pool accessories!

Marge helping Kendal J take a dip to cool off!

oh the drama – the girls making sure that all things are fair and they each have three of Ry’s pool rings.

I know….I know

2009-07-20T15:35:00.001-07:00

I guess it’s time to do some explaining! I didn’t notice how long it had been and if I didn’t feel so guilty for not keeping up on my little family history here, and also if I didn’t need an outlet for my stress I probably would have stayed MIA a little longer.

So here is the scoop: as many of you know, last year we had a few rough patches and had two miscarriages. I never understood how hard that was until experiencing it myself (although I always felt terrible for those who were going through it). In the middle of June, we found out we were expecting again and of course there have been some complications. We have neglected to announce the news because we are obviously gun shy and because we are unsure (because of these complications) what the outcome will be. After having three babies no problem I never dreamed that we would be going through all of this and at the same time I know it is nothing compared to what many face.

I have been pretty barfy – even with the drugs but am powering through and am scheduled for an ultrasound on Wed. I will be 9 weeks. Today, on our 8th anniversary (love you bug) Danny is away for the week on a scout trip and I figured, after some nervous emails from sweet friends, that no matter what the outcome will be, people will most likely know anyway so I might as well share the news and hopefully have some powerful prayers sent our way!

The kids and Danny have been fabulous and we have spent a lot of time snuggling and watching TV on Mom’s bed! What good sports! I feel so blessed with the family I have been given and I know that it is all in the Lords hands and he knows what is best for our family. Still it would be nice to know what is going to happen so that I could stop giving myself and ulcer worrying about it!

Thank you for all of the prayers and phone calls and support! I will keep you all posted as things roll along!

How disturbing is this?

2009-06-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Every Fathers day Danny requests a lovely dinner of “beer in the rear chicken.” Gross right? It’s actually really good but this year I had to take some pictures because it really is upsetting to look at! Don’t worry – the alcohol never actually touches the meat…it just gets shoved up it’s backside…still in the can….ok now I’m done.

oh and the huge gouge out of the side is from me tearing at it with a fork because of my crazy fear of undercooked chicken….or really any kind of meat for that matter :)

Oh yeah…

2009-06-30T08:39:00.001-07:00

With all of this catching up to do I forgot to post the pictures of Parker boy’s Kindergarten graduation! I had to be home, so Danny took Brin and Kaden to go watch big brother. Danny did a good job with the pictures too! Parker was so cute and we sure do love Mrs. Williams. Now Parker tells me all the time “mom your first grader will take the garbage out.” “Mom y0ur first grader will help clean up” Sure glad I have a first grader around here!

Excuse the snacks all over the front of him! Boys will be boys I guess!

Grandma Great

2009-06-29T20:45:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun visiting with Gramma Great last week! We don’t get to see her as often as we would like so it’s always nice to have her here for a while. I got a chance to sit and chat with her about some genealogy stories and the kids really enjoyed asking her to “watch” everything they did!

We also went out to Dugualla Bay Farms the other day and picked LOTS and LOTS of strawberries and I jumped into my very first adventure in canning! We now have strawberry jam and strawberry syrup – much to my husbands delight!

Now I am all irritated that the fruit from the east side isn’t ready until Sept…. don’t they know I will be WAY too busy with kids and school stuff then to can? ARGH!

Marge and Me

2009-06-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

I know that is not correct English but I like the way it sounds! Ciera asked me if I would come along on one of her shoots the other day and be her second (you know like in grease on thunder road??) anyway – She was shooting for the Fire Dept and asked me if I would get some candid shots while she was doing the posed ones. We had so much fun! She was strapped to a harness and hoisted in the air in a bucket while I was safely on the ground. The weather was great and it was fun to visit with everyone.

Please excuse my adorable outfit and hair – I had been working outside all day!

Puttin’ out the vibe of course

And giving skip a little bum squish!

at the park with Connor Cash

2009-06-26T22:40:00.001-07:00

One of my besties Annie and he cutie boy Connor took a walk on the wild side and joined the kids +ry and I at the park a couple of weeks ago. It was so fun to watch them all play and I had brought snacks so that they would be nice and happy for a while! Brinlee was so excited for Connor to come that the whole night before she kept asking me “Mom, to the park with Connor Cash?” I think she just really likes to say his whole name!

I think a little spark of love was lit…

And then she caught on…

We had so much fun. It was so nice to get a visit for a while!

These two.

2009-06-26T22:26:00.001-07:00

They kill me. They really do. This particular night they stopped by on their way out to show us the new toys! I almost died laughing when I saw the chin sucking helmets. Then they busted out the hot bike moves and it was so game over! Love you guys!

I don't even know where to begin!

2009-06-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

oh man...it's been way too long! What a terrible blogger I have become. To be fair (to myself) life got a little nuts there for a minute. I will fill you all in later. But for now I will do some serious back blogging! Hold on to your screen!

Major back-blogging to be done!

2009-06-20T17:24:00.001-07:00

I am aware of it.
It will get done.
possibly tonight...
we'll see.

Parents of the year…again.

2009-06-12T01:36:00.001-07:00

My Mom says its not the last time this will happen. I hope it is. I am officially the worst Mother on the planet! June 9th…Parker’s first and ONLY Kindergarten music program. I put it on my calendar in my phone. I stuck the flyer to my fridge with a magnet. I reminded myself daily for a week and a half. And then I forgot. I got home late Sunday night after being gone all weekend, Danny left early Monday morning for work and got home at 11:30 on Tuesday morning – just in time to drop Parker off at school at 11:55. I got Started cleaning up the kitchen and simultaneously working on my website. Fed the younger two lunch, put a load of laundry in, more website, washed the younger two off, put younger two in bed for naps, more website, Danny ran to home depot to get some stuff for the garden, I moved the laundry over, took the dog outside to run off some energy, cleaned up after lunch, went on a (Danny) guided tour of our garden, and just as the younger two were waking up from what were supposed to be at least hour rests, I reminded Danny that it was almost time to go and get parker….just in time to walk past the fridge and see the flyer…and envision my sweet Parker boy, singing his heart out and looking for us in the audience…and then I cried.

How could I have forgotten that? SERIOUSLY??? I felt so terrible, Danny was already on his way to get Parker so I called him, all kinds of hysterical, and told him what had happened. He ran in to catch the last 5 min of the “tea” party they were having. I’m still crying at home… I call Danny’s cell again and he tells me Parker is fine, puts parker on the phone (who by the way sounds less than traumatized) “Buddy I am sooooooooo sorry” to which my cutie boy responded “it’s alright Mom!”

Needless to say parker and I went on a special date to go see UP right afterward. Danny stayed home with Kaden and Brin (cartoons are not really his thing). Parker and I(and every retired person on the island) hit up the 3:45 matinee and even got some snacks (so I was making up for being a rotten parent – don’t judge).

Long story kinda short: If you have not seen this movie – you MUST. Parker and I loved Dug (or doug…not sure) and I bawled. like a baby. I have never cried in a Disney movie before. It was a little embarrassing. It didn’t help that Parker kept repeating – in a very loud voice so that all of the retirees I’m sure had to turn down the bell tones- “Mom…Why are you crying?” And the retirees laughed. and I cried some more.

Just as I was trying to figure out when I became my Mom, and wondering if at some time (in the very near future) I would need a tissue before the ending of Teen Wolfe, I read some reviews and realized I am not the only one! This movie was so cute and really very touching – even for Disney. Definitely two thumbs up from the Weibling fam.

And the world is right again.

Until tomorrow.

oh boy...

2009-06-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

Found this on another blog and had to post it. This was something we talked about at the workshop as well. Something I think most photographers struggle with. Seattle sistas...read up!

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?
February 27th, 2008 by admin
Professional child photographer

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print - as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME
Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:
session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)

one hour travel time TO session

15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home

90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject

one hour travel time FROM session

30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer

30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images

2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images

1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering

2-3 hours time with client for ordering images

1 hour sorting through and checking order

30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery

30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped

any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours - dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:
Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

****

Snagged this off of Tiffany's blog. Thanks Tiff I think it sheds light on the subject perfectly. I must say that I am lucky to have clients that appreciate the value of photography. So THANK YOU to all of you! I mainly posted this because the people that I see struggle most with the value of photography are photographers! I hope that photographers can carefully consider how much time and money REALLY goes into running a photography business and try to price themselves accordingly. Place a high value on your art! Don't give out the high-res discs so easily for such a low price. Help bring up the industry!!

so many things!

2009-06-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

I know I am way behind on blogging so I figured I will start to catch up. I will try to cover a couple of days here :) So last Friday I left for the workshop and we had a meet and greet that evening at Me Ra and Brian's house. It was so much fun! We had delicious thai food and sat out on in their fabulous back yard. They were so warm and inviting and I swear I have not laughed that hard in a really long time. It was so cool to meet all of these other women and hear their stories. I cannot believe that I have no pictures of all of this - go figure!
The next day we started bright and early I left Jen's at 8 AM and the workshop began at 9. Breakfast and Lunch were catered and we learned all about the basics of our cameras and basics of composition and how to make people look their best. We also learned a little about each of the ladies in the group. We were all at different levels and if was fun to see where everyone was at in their journey. After lunch we split into groups of 5 and met our first victims! We had 4 mom and baby models to shoot and before we got started, Me Ra asked them to tell a little about themselves. Most were former workshop attendees and photographers - talk about intimidating! When she introduced the Mom that my group would be shooting, she told us about how special baby Finley was and why. Marianne (Finely's Mom) had been through a miscarriage last year while expecting her first baby. She and her husband were devastated and sad. But now they have sweet Finley and he is their little miracle baby. I think from that point I was just way too sidetracked.
Having gone through that I wanted to make sure that I got some amazing shots for her and really wanted her photos to be special. Knowing what I would want, I knew they had to be perfect.
Needless to say, we were shooting in a hotel (a fabulous hotel by the way) and with all of us around it was quite crowded. It just turned out that my entire group (all 5 of us) were shooting with a 50 mm lens and so things were tricky from the start. We didn't know each other that well yet and we had trouble working as a team so we were all trying to get our own shots and with a 50 mm lens you have to be constantly moving to be at the right distance so there were other peoples feet in all of my shots (and mine in theirs I would imagine.) I was SO FRUSTRATED. I left the first day feeling really irritated and just knowing that I didn't get anything that this mom would like. And that I totally sucked as a photographer.

That night Me Ra and Brian took us all out to dinner at this awesome Thai (total coincidence) restaurant. I had never really tried a lot of Thai before so it was so fun to taste new things. At dinner I sat across from one of the other girls from the workshop that I hadn't really gotten to know that day and we started talking. I asked her if I was the only one that felt like a total loser after todays shoot and she said that she was SOOOOOO feeling the same way. Total frustration. As we got to talking we realized that both of us had been through miscarriages recently and it was hard to concentrate after hearing Marianne's story. After a while we were sitting there talking and bawling our eyes out as we talked about our experiences. She is amazing and I had so much fun with her. Then we were able to say "we are not talking about this anymore" and just relax and have a fabulous and fun dinner.
On the way back to Jen's that night I was feeling better and realized how many great friends I was making.
The next morning we started at 8:30 and Me Ra had us open with a writing excersize about how we were processing everything so far. Afterward we shared what we had written and as I started talking - I started crying....in the middle of a photography workshop...in front of all of these people I just met. If you know me you know that I am not a big fan of the "public cry". I can usually hold it together pretty well. But I realized that my frustration from the day before was not about everyone else being in the way or the wrong lighting. It was about me and how close I felt to this womans story and frustrated I was because of this crazy expectation. To my surprise, all of my new "seattle sistas" were crying as well! It was all hormonal up in there! They shared how they were frustrated as well and what they had learned about themselves during the first day. It was so great to not feel alone.
The second day was amazing and our shoot was fantastic. We met another former workshop attendee and her family (so cute) and my group worked on their shoot. I got to shoot Ty and his Dad and it was a total blast. This family has been on the Oprah show! After hearing about how they took in their three nieces, Nate Berkus remodeled their home!!! You have probably saw it....they now have a fabulous house with a separate building/playroom that she can see from the kitchen window because it rains so much that you can't often play outside!!!!!
Anyways, that day we learned a ton about metering (which is what I really needed to work on) and it is so easy! I was so sad to leave all my new best friends, and it has been a little rough getting back to real life.
I was so surprised to see that I actually did get some shots of Marianne and Finley and I hope she likes them. Here are some of the photos I captured during the workshop.
I hope that was a good description. Feel free to shoot any questions my way and I will pass along all that I learned to whomever would like to know! Don't want to get too technical on this post!

Exciting week!

2009-06-10T12:46:00.001-07:00

So this week has been a total whirlwind for me! Danny was so great and stayed home with the kids so that I could attend THIS workshop! I truly had the best time. It was just what I needed and I want to thank you all again for your nominations! A big thank you to cousin Jen for letting me stay with her and her family. I got home late Sunday night and it’s been back to the grindstone ever since! I do however have some fun news – I FINALLY got my website up and running and you can check it out at sarahephotos.com I am totally pumped about this, I can’t believe it is all finally coming together!

In light of all of these exciting happenings, I am offering a little incentive to my clients. Refer a friend and get 25% off your next session the they book theirs.

I have tons of back blogging to do now – so stay tuned!

Don’t you love it?

2009-06-05T13:35:00.001-07:00

Here is just a snippet (ok one photo that I happen to love) of what we have been up to the last couple of days!

Now I am off to the much awaited workshop. Be prepared for lots of info and tidbits when I return!

It’s like Christmas!

2009-06-03T01:45:00.001-07:00

So what a day!!! Not only did I find out I get to attend THIS amazing workshop, but Billy my highly talented cousin-in-law sent me my new pretty logo! I am so excited! Thanks Billy!

I love it!

FREAKING OUT!!!!!

2009-06-02T17:25:00.001-07:00

You guys…..I got the spot!!!! I am sorry for all of the exclamation points but for reals I am just spinning! Thank you sounds so wrong for what I want to say to you. You have given me an INCREDIBLE blessing! And think of how amazing your pictures will be now!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart friends. I am off to Seattle this weekend! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Friends

2009-05-31T18:59:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to begin! I feel incredibly blessed. I couldn't believe it when I saw how many of you took time out of your day (and you are all crazy busy) to write in and nominate me for the workshop. I was in tears when I read your entries and I just want you to know that you are the best girlfriends ever! Thank you. I seriously hope that I live up to the descriptions you gave. Whatever happens - I truly know that I have amazing support and I cannot thank you all enough! Now for the waiting! And by the way....seriously....THANK YOU!!!

Help please!

2009-05-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

Okay so normally I would not ask for this kind of thing from all of my friends and the clients I have worked with, however this is huge! I have been studying a lot lately and came upon this blog a couple of months ago, and it’s amazing. This couple has a great story and they are a team that do mostly weddings and their work is insanely gorgeous. I have some of their DVDs as well and it has totally changed the way I take pictures. They are doing a workshop in Seattle, and I have read so much about these things. They basically teach you everything they know. It could really make a huge difference for my work!

There is no way that I can afford the tuition for this workshop (it’s 1000.00 to attend…) But every workshop they do a “running on empty” contest where people can go to the blog here and nominate someone they feel deserves to go for free!!!!! I would just DIE … seriously.

So this once I am asking a huge favor of you all. If you have time, and you liked the photos I have taken for you, or you just like me :) you can nominate me in the comment section of merakohblog.com. The nominations close tomorrow so it would have to be soon, Thanks everyone so much for all of your support and love. I truly am so blessed to have the best friends and family in the whole world!

Sarah

For Grandpa

2009-05-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

The Chevy driving Weiblings wanted to know…

Not pictured but in total agreeance: Kaden chevy riding Weibling (who was in the bath)

Sorry about the intimidation…couldn’t be helped!

End of Day

2009-05-26T13:42:00.001-07:00

Wow…I have turned this into a crazy long day! This was just too funny to leave out though. Kaden is so cute. So cute – and so talkative (we have NO idea where he gets that from…) Every night when it’s time for bed he is the one with all of the excuses. “But Mom I need-a-teeeeyw-you-thomphine (something)” Kaden holds out all of his words as long as he can, while looking out of the corner of his eye – a trait that my Father LOVES to tease us about. This particular night Kaden was going to bed without parker because he wasn’t home yet. This is not his favorite thing, so he was stalling big time. When I was throwing out my suggestions for his bedtime song, he was vetoing every single one. Then out of the blue he says “hey mom I got –aideeeeeeeaa” “I got a great th-ooong fow uth” (hope you can keep up with the translation here, I’m going my best) So I reply “Ok Kaden what would you like to sing then?” He puts his finger to his mouth for a second to think really really hard and then as serious as can be looks at me and says “ Baby I can’t fight thith feewing anymowe” “yeah Mom thath a weely weely good one”. Classic. I had to leave his room and head for the bathroom to avoid wetting my pants from laughing so hard! I love this kid.

Middle of the day…

2009-05-24T13:51:00.001-07:00

So I lied yesterday. Not intentionally mind you, but still, a lie. The rest of the fun happened on Saturday – not Friday. I had a visiting teaching activity that I was helping with in the morning and Danny got a late call and didn’t get off of work on time so the kiddos came with me and actually did pretty well and were impressively patient while I directed traffic for a visiting teaching interview/car washing event in a bright orange vest.

finally Danny got there and took the kiddos for lunch. parker and Danny went to the Mariners game with Parkers friends family, and so we thought we better have some fun before they left. With the weather we’ve been having….what else would we do but run through the sprinkler?

Danny and Gunner kept watch while the kiddos played.

Brinlee has permanent band aids on her knees. Oh well, embarrassing scars might just be another reason to dress modestly huh? As she runs around in her tankini! Sorry – with a freakishly skinny AND freakishly tall kid like this, one pieces spell wedgie disaster. And that can definitely ruin your day at the beach…or sprinkler.

Partners in crime! ps…why are these two soooo stinkin’ skinny?

I found some new sunscreen (Neutrogena for kids spray stuff) it’s totally water and sweat proof and we tested it out. It was kinda creepy how it just turned them into ducks with beads of water running off of them!

Gunner would occasionally join in the fun – he hearts the water!

But he mostly just kept his post as a faithful guard dog, you know incase someone was vitally injured …while running through the sprinkler.

The kids had so much fun and the weather was awesome! They put theirs cars and bike in the water and got every thing all clean too! I am so loving this spring/summer so far ;)

The beginning

2009-05-23T22:52:00.001-07:00

I was thinking I should probably start at the beginning of this crazy weekend and go through the events! Nothing extreme, just the usual busyness and funnyness (pretty sure that is not actually a word). So here we got with Friday AM.

Our usual routine (it varies depending on if Danny is home or not) … (because when Danny is home I sleep in. there. I said it. And I am NOT ashamed!)

Our kiddos are early risers, you know the type – they wake at 6:30 regardless of what time their tiny little noggins hit the pillow. So we are up early and finished with breakfast usually before 7:30. Then the fun begins. Baths/showers/coloring and cutting out tiny pieces of paper that I will pick up later…over and over and over again – but I am getting sidetracked here. Which by the way also happens repeatedly in the morning as well. I was cleaning up after breakfast and breaking up the 734th fight of the morning. The boys decided to do a little studying along with the coloring and cutting. Book of choice? Paramedic Care: Principles and Practices VOL 1.

Apparently intriguing stuff. 8:30 AM: I am beginning to understand where their newest obsession with car accidents and trauma victims is coming from. All of the studying leads them to a short practical in BSI and some homemade “Body Substance Isolation” gear – ie: gloves

And yes, that is glued – not taped- to Kaden’s hand.

From there we moved into the “can we go outside and play” portion of the day where three breakfast encrusted children wearing pajamas and paper scraps, beg me for freedom. Which is actually good because informing them that they most certainly may go outside and play, as soon as they are dressed – is the fastest way to get them dressed ;)

Inevitably Parker is dressed first and heads outside much to kaden’s whiney dismay, and subsequent episodes of leaning out of our front – unscreened – window. In his pajamas. I know, I’m Mother of the year.

He is so blasted upset because Parker is outside and not only that, but he has taken the coveted ukulele with him! Aunt Crystal, we love the gift, but please, please, please…next time – bring them both rocks from the beach to chuck at their mothers head and knock her out while they fight over the darn thing! Kaden goes to get dressed , meanwhile…

Can be a little tricky to tune…but nothing a pro can’t handle!

Oh look, Kaden is still not dressed. But he IS outside. How this kid manages to ignore EVERY word I say is beyond me. And not to worry, because this sweet little boy has discovered the PERFECT rival instrument to battle his arch nemesis. The singing valentines card. Just looking at this picture is sending migraine waves through my brain. I’m not sure which is worse, the constant sounds of my kids fighting, or 5 second clips of Demi Levato singing “this is me” for 2 days straight. Well played Kaden. Well played.

We couldn’t consider ourselves good neighbors if we didn’t share the joy that comes from those clips with the entire neighborhood at 9am either. He really gets into it!

And finally success. Older Brother is officially irritated that you found a new toy, which he now wants by the way and will bargain like nobody’s business until he has it in his hot little hands. The world is right again… Until a faint sound comes from the kitchen where a tiny little girl has found a great treasure…as the boys knock each other over running inside, the sounds of REO Speedwagon become clearer and clearer. Why do I buy these cards? And after I buy them and give them to the person for whom they were intended, why do we keep them? My ears, or nerves for that matter will never be the same.

So there is our Friday morning. Stay tuned for the rest of Friday. It only gets better, but I’m sure you could probably guess that right? good times!

sixth folder

2009-05-18T22:43:00.001-07:00

My sixth folder, sixth picture:
I pretty much had tears running down my face when I saw this! Was she ever that small? She is such a big girl now I cannot believe it! I tag, cryst, manda, marge, Linda, Chelsea, and Tara.

How excited am I?

2009-05-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am Soooo excited! Because the lovely lady over at "one cute blog" makes these Temple blinkies for blogs and there wasn't one of the Seattle Temple (there never is) So I sent her one of my pictures and check...it...out!

If you would like on, email me at weiblingfam@gmail.com and I will email you the code.

Sorry

2009-05-15T10:54:00.001-07:00

Okay so to view the photo sequence below you just click on it and then you can see the turn of events! But for those of you who are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO busy that you do not have a moment to spare, here are my favs.

I think she looks so much like Ry in this picture!

At first when she was mad (but really just tired) he was a little bit nervous, but then she found her thumb and started to get so sleepy and he was so proud of himself! Course my big giant hand there at the end was just to help him hold a little tighter so she would zonk, which he didn’t need and informed me so…” Mom, I got it” – what a big boy!

Baby Tenall

2009-05-15T10:39:00.001-07:00

Last week, or was it two weeks ago… I can’t remember but a while ago I watched the girls while ciera was out and I had to post these pictures because she is just so cute and I thought I would die watching Parker with her. Kendall is 6 months now and with her slight bipolarness, she is a total crack up. Brinlee calls her baby Tenall – and like so many other nicknames in this family, it stuck!

View Full Album

Look what I found!

2009-05-14T16:13:00.001-07:00

Okay so a little shout out to Calley - aka Cal cakes - aka calley sue, because once again I have something I have been searching years for from a link on your blog! Okay not so much a link as a comment that I clicked on and found this persons blog…oh c’mon you know you do it too! Anyway, I have been looking for cute ties for my boys forever. I am so over the clip in the back situation I want a real “big boy” tie for my little boys. And Calley’s friend (we actually knew each other at Ricks) has started her own company and she has the cutest stuff! Check these out! You can order the products themselves or order the patterns. When I spoke with her earlier, she said that the tie patterns will be available for purchase by the end of the month! Think of the endless fabric possibility my friends! And if you think this is silly it’s because you either a)don’t have a son who’s church wardrobe you are so tired of but want him to wear a white shirt and tie, or b) are unlike myself not convinced of the adorableness of a little guy in a nice white shirt with a super cute “real” tie. I’m thinkin’ it’s gotta be A because for reals….just look!

are you even kidding me with these? Too blasted cute.

Okay sorry but I am dying over how cute this stuff is. So you can check them out on Megan’s company website littlelondyn.blogspot.com

Aloha

2009-05-11T22:18:00.001-07:00

So Uncle Mike and Aunt Crystal brought back some killer gifts for us from Hawaii and gave them to the kiddos today. Craziness ensued. Would you expect any thing else? Kaden got to play the ukulele first, followed by Parker, who then returned it (albeit reluctantly) to kaden. All of this going on of course while I am dressing my two year old in a grass skirt and coconut bra. Kaden played while Brinlee danced…

She danced…while trying to take the aforementioned ukulele from Kaden. She of course ignored my “helpful” hints about how a distracted dancer does not a peaceful hula make.

Her darn hibiscus kept falling out as well. Then she finally snagged the instrument from Kaden – who was of course upset, until I told him he could “trade” her and wear the hula outfit. . . DEAL!

So I did what any loving, nurturing mother would do. I tied my sons coconut bra and taught him the hula. Yes I know one, no I will not teach it at the next relief society enrichment night. Ahem. So Brinlee played while Kaden danced – and danced well I might add.

Meanwhile Parker was doing this:

because it is incredibly hard to wait your turn around here. Now before you think I am a horrible parent, all of this took place in a matter of minutes of course, Parker whining all the while. Then he yelled…and got sent to his room. Where he slammed the door. And screamed at his mother. And the dancing continued.

After we were through with our hula I made my way (camera in hand) back to talk with my sweet son about his “unacceptable” behavior. He took one look at the camera and hid under his bed. I told him that if he was going to throw a fit, I was going to document it so that I could make a poster and take it to Mrs. Williams kindergarten class and hang it on the wall. He climbed out from under the bed, but the fit continued. Until I started showing him the photos of his crazy self and then he couldn’t help but laugh, a little. I believe I have found at least a tiny incentive for him to stop the fits. I hope I never have to follow through with that threat!

Danny was gifted a fancy aloha shirt, and my sister made good on her promise to pick me up a new BYUH sweatshirt and t shirt to replaced the deceased…

She then presented me with her favorite gift. A muumuu. which apparently I will be wearing…to church…next Sunday. This is the deal that was struck in order to get my sweatshirt and t shirt. More on that later.

A few more.

2009-05-09T10:15:00.001-07:00

Here are a few more of the Temple. I had so much fun taking these, just being there is so calming and uplifting. Maybe I could campout on the grounds or something and soak it all in everyday???

I have to put my two cents in. I LOVED the idea of matching up the flag pole with the steeple. Lately there have been so many negative comments about the church and it’s patriotism. I have to say, I LOVE the gospel and I LOVE this Country. And so does my church. I cannot think of a place where my entire being can be more free than in a Temple of the Lord – on US soil. The older I get the more grateful I am for the freedoms I have been blessed with and the Men and Women who fight for them. I don’t care who was voted for as President, because as Nephi said “I know in whom I have trusted.” My Heavenly Father and his Son, my Savior Jesus Christ are in command of this land, and I know that if we follow their examples and work hard to serve as they would have us, we will be protected – come what may…and love it!

DEALS

2009-05-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

Check out my Mothers Day photo special here.

Another favorite

2009-05-07T20:27:00.001-07:00

Can’t decide how I like this one best…

What I’m working on

2009-05-07T19:58:00.001-07:00

For the last month or so I have been been able to hitch a ride with my Mom and her fellow Temple workers (at 3:45 am) up to Seattle to attend the Temple. My mom volunteers there every Thursday and I finally realized…hey – if Danny is home I could probably go along! Danny has been so great – every Thursday that he is home he tells me to go and he spends some quality time with the kids. This has been such a huge blessing I cannot even tell you! This morning I actually remembered to bring my camera! I was able to hang out during the sunrise and take some photos for my home. I am so excited because I love the idea of having not only a picture of the Temple in our home, but one that I took myself makes it so personal. I may end up with one of every angle! Here is a sneak peak at my first one.

Lots more to come! I am having some computer “issues” – hopefully things will be resolved soon so I can get back to this!

This is the way we…

2009-05-05T14:29:00.001-07:00

Pick up parker from school. Last week the weather was so nice that we walked pretty much all week. I would load up Brin and kaden and the lunch I packed for them into the double jogger and Parker straps on his big boy backpack and walks with me. We drop him off and then I take the other two on a run (hence the food, if there is nothing to feed him, Kaden will talk to me the entire time-which would normally be ok, just not when I’m hoofing my huge behind up a hill pushing 55 pounds of toddler in a big jogging stroller!)

When we get home I put them down for a “rest”( we don’t use the word nap in this house), and I get a few things done until its time to go get Parker. Because he is in Kindergarten, I have to be waiting outside his classroom and the teacher has to have eye contact with me before she will release him. So the kiddos and I wait, and this is what it looks like!

Kaden picks me lots of dandelions and brings me big bouquets of them! Then we blow the “wishers” all over. I’m sure the grounds keeper appreciates us.

Then he stares longingly into the classroom window…

Poor November born child!

Meanwhile Brinlee does this:

Until Kaden joins her

Then we bombard him when he comes out with comments like

“we got a sucker after our rest and we got a postcard from Halle.” you know so that he is nice and frustrated from the moment he gets home!

Then parker points us out to his teacher and after she locates me under a pile of toddlers, she releases him! then we head home and get ready to do it all again the next day!

Even though it gets a little nuts, I am so grateful to be home with these monsters. To share in all of the little things that make them happy through out the day- swinging or running or helping me with laundry. I am so happy that I get to watch them grow. And I don’t want to forget any of it.

The postcard

2009-05-05T14:07:00.001-07:00

The kids were So excited to get a postcard from Halle while she was in Hawaii. It was so cute. We checked the mail last Friday before picking Parker up from school and there it was. Kaden would not put it down and had to make sure he had possession of it before we picked up the “oldest” of course. I think you can read it from the picture. I was laughing so hard I had to call Crystal and she informed me that Halle had written it all by herself. Too cute!

Meanwhile…

2009-05-01T14:19:00.001-07:00

So while Parker was trying on girl jeans, this is what the other two were up to. In between asking for snacks of course.

Kaden LOVES to color these days and he also LOVES to watch “special agent OSO” which would explain this dilemma.

So I guess I have to give him credit for doing half of what I asked ie getting dressed. Just wasn’t able to finish the job what with all of the distractions and such. And really who am I to judge I mean it’s not like I haven’t found myself in my underwear and favorite pj shirt sprawled out on the couch with my eyes glued to the television and my hands clutching a marker and coloring book….wait…

Then Brin and I went a couple of rounds this morning because she REFUSES to take herself to the bathroom! She knows how to do it and I come in and help her with the “finishing work” if you will. But she just likes to argue with me and say “no – you take me potty” This morning I was done. I told her she could take herself, and after 15 min of arguing. She did. And emerged like this

Course there was that darn TV – calling her attention – beckoning her to forget that she has her shirt tucked into her snow white underwear and her pants around her ankles.

So again, we had a good laugh.

and watched a little more TV

And finally decided that if Mom was just going to sit there and take pictures than we had better get comfortable. This kid…

Sorry for the explicit nature of these photos. My blog is not private – which worries me at times, but I refuse to leave these moments of life undocumented (I use this as a scrapbook) just because there are sickos out there. But if you are a sicko looking at this, all I have to say is…I would think twice … because if you are still alive after I am done with you, I have a husband, Father, and three brothers all within a mile of me…seriously…I doubt anyone would miss you.

the end.

oh my

2009-05-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

So this morning (a post to follow about how that went…) after the millionth time the boys asked me if they could go outside to ride bikes I told them (for the millionth time) that if they got dressed – by all means, PLEASE got outside and ride bikes. So Parker went off to get dressed and returned like this:

After taking on short glance at the boy I noticed his pants were particularly slim through the thighs…hmmm. “yeah – those are not your pants Parker”

P: “well they were in my drawer”

M: “can you hold on for a second… I gotta get some pictures”

cute little flowers on the pockets right?

Then he got a little embarrassed and hid behind a book

But then we had a good laugh. Apparently I had a pile of clothes to go back to Aunt Crystals house that I washed when the kids stayed here…. Haven left her jeans…the other day while I was having everyone help me put clean laundry away, they ended up in his drawer! YIKES! What is it with boys and not noticing how something fits – classic answer: It was in my drawer…hope he never gets a dress in there accidentally - his Dad would DIE

Times are a changin’

2009-04-30T13:31:00.001-07:00

Today as we walked Parker to school (side note: don’t know what I’m going to do next year when he has to be at school in the early morning!) we were having our usual banter and discussing the trees and flowers and things that Brinlee saw in the sky (which are not really there but – if the girl wants to see a pony in the clouds, who am I to judge?) and parker starts talking about smoking. “ Who smokes Mom? Mom I think Uncle Kyle smokes. (this was particularly funny because he said it as we walked passed Uncle Kyle’s house and saw a cigarette on the ground). Mom I saw a big boy at school on the movie who smoked and he gave it to the girl and she runned away really fast!”

So we had our little talk about how Heavenly Father gave us our bodies and we need to take care of them. Smoking hurts our bodies and can even kill us. But then as we walked passed some high school students he started talking about how those people were smoking and I had to launch into the whole “ smoking is bad for us and we don’t ever want to do it, but everyone gets to make their own choices.” Then I got “but that’s a bad choice Mom.” Oh dear. “Yep bud that is a bad choice, but every one is still allowed to make their own choices and it’s not our job to tell them weather a choice is good or bad.” I’m envisioning many horrific trips in public where my child teaches the population that smoking is a bad choice.

We talked about how smoking and other drugs are bad for us. He said he saw a movie about drugs. HELLO! While I am glad that he is being taught that drugs are bad in school, I am in his class every wed and had no idea they had this lesson or that he even knew what the word “drugs” meant. Yikes, maybe I am really behind the times but he’s FIVE! And he’s my BABY! Seems like this week everything is coming up all at once which is good because it has given us a chance to talk- but I am totally taken aback.

Oh yeah – and if that wasn’t shocking enough he announced as we were almost to school (after stopping to “rest his legs because they were SOOOOOO tired) that he wants to be a tow truck man when he grows up instead of a rock star now. I told him that’s great and asked him why and he said “because my dream didn’t come true Mom”.

Oh geez – I feel the “perseverance and enduring to the end” talk coming on… I’m not sure I’m qualified to give these lessons as I am still desperately trying to learn them myself.

All in all I am glad that we are where we are now. They are little and I can protect them right now – at least a little more than I know I will be able to in the near and frightening future. And they still think I know everything and for the most part listen to what I say. Which I know is going to last for about another second so i am relishing in it!

Parker Allen aka Tow Truck Man. Not to be confused with the artist formerly known as Rock Star.

Brinlee Elizabeth, aka Brinlee cat. Lover of all things horse and pony right now. To quote “yeah mom they’re horsies and they go, like, neeehhhhh neeehhhhh.”

Kaden Henry, aka the Kookoo Brid. Loves to talk…and talk, and talk – I don’t know where he gets it from! ;).

PS not to toot my own horn or anything but I am getting better! These are not edited at all and were taken in MANUAL!!! yay.

I love these boys.

View Full Album

I love these babies!

Why Tuesday rocked

2009-04-30T08:50:00.001-07:00

He did it! He was so proud of himself – and I was so proud of him. I cannot believe how big my monsters are getting…

WARNING!!! The Darndest things...

2009-04-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

WARNING: If you get squeamish or uncomfortable talking or reading about "private part talks with kids" then leave this post now....seriously! Although I will say we thought it was pretty hilarious. You have been warned.

My little kookoo bird Kaden (who is 4) piped up during one of our family conversations the other night sending Danny and I into one of those "one of us has to face him and it better be you because I can't keep a straight face" situations. Here is the rundown. Recently I hitched a ride to the temple early in the morning with my Mom and was able to do a little shopping afterward. My sister asked me to pick up a book at deseret book if they had it. After teasing her endlessly I found the little nugget of info titled "How to talk to your kids about sex". After laughing about how we cannot believe that we are approaching the time where this book is necessary, I flipped through it reading some of my favorite excerpts for Danny - I know REAL mature, but it is what it is!
ANYWAY
We decided that as goofy as some of the points were, the main idea is that we need to start having some "age appropriate" sex/body parts/behavior conversations. ugh. So as I am getting everyone in PJs the other night and Danny is looking for a bedtime story to read, I mention that we should probably have a quick little "private parts" talk with the kiddos just to get the ball rolling. Husband (looking like he would rather shove bamboo shoots under his toenails, agrees.
So we read our bedtime story and then I (of course it was me do you really think he was gonna go there?) nonchallantly ask the kids if they can name some body parts for me. They said awms, wegs, eye baws, etc. I then - very cooly I might add - mention that some of our body parts are private and asked if they knew which ones. They did of course and I asked them what WE in our house call those parts. Now, let me explain - I realize that I have a weird family and you will soon understand why I was seriously confused about all of this stuff until I was in the fifth grade. Everyone that knows my family knows we can sometimes seem to have our own language and so it was with this topic. Boys had a hooter (don't ask questions...there really is no understanding it...even for me suffice to say I have crazy parents and crazy uncles and aunts who like to hear kids say funny things, and also hate when 2 year olds announce issues they are having with said body parts in very public places using correct terminology. Don't judge I cringe as well and do not use the correct terms to this day - besides how often do you need a word for that anyway - but I digress...) wow this post is taking a ridiculously long time! Sorry. Anyways the boys tell me they have a hooter, to which I reply "there is actually a real name for it do you know what it is?" neither did (I know mother of the year) So I explained the correct term (which I will not type...I pretty much just refuse because I don't care who you are it's a disgusting word)
Moving on - I tell them to correct term and Parker seems fine with it and Kaden looks confused. We wait....and the he asks "Mom what's my hooters name?"
wow
My husband has now become very fascinated with something out the window which is conveniently located in the opposite direction of the questioning child. Keeping as straight a face as I could at this point I explained they are all called the same thing and quickly ended the conversation!
Later Danny and I were laughing about our little "Kaden moment" and he said he knew I would hurt him so he stopped himself from telling kaden that he doesn't get to name it until he's 21.
And you wonder why these conversations are avoided!
certainly one for the books!

Catching up

2009-04-28T12:19:00.001-07:00

I always hate when I have to start with that title! Things have just been a little nuts around here. I had a great time doing my spring special photos. Overscheduled myself a little perhaps….what of it? Starting this business is a total learning experience! I had Crystal and Mike’s kiddos for the weekend a while back and it was really fun. Everyone survived amid the loosing of teeth, scraping of knees and force feeding of of what I now know is not Halle’s favorite – taco soup.

View Full Album

One morning after baths (bathing 6 kids under 7…you should try it some time it’s quite an adventure) we decided to put “jello” (gel) in the Ya’s hair and spike it up….later I noticed this little Dennis the menace thing he had going on and had to capture it!

Not to mention that he had this shirt on…

We had a little drama with this:

Because Aunt Sar has never had a kid loose a tooth and it was a little bit of a nervous situation! But after 2 days I finally grabbed her tooth and yanked it out – we make a pretty good team!

The beat goes on…

2009-04-28T09:17:00.001-07:00

So here are a few things we have been doing in this gorgeous weather.

View Full Album

There really is nothing like playing in the dog’s kennel on a beautiful spring day.

View Full Album

They did this for quite a while. I think the trick to making it fun is you have to be pretending that you are Skippyjon Jones and screaming “itchy gitchy gumba, Dinos do the Rumba” at the top of your lungs. I might try it some time because they seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

We did a little gardening. Ok…Danny did a little gardening!

View Full Album

And of course Kaden did a little sampling….Oh Kaden…

View Full Album

There is a complicated grid system involved. Laugh if you will Dust, it works!

View Full Album

We truly heart wearing our old busted rain boots – that mom has thrown away – twice – with no socks- and shorts!

Hope you have been having as much fun as we have!

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good Bad Week…

2009-04-17T22:03:00.001-07:00

Just call me Alexander or something! This has truly been a ridiculous week and I don’t even know where to start. So I’ll start – with the end. Because I don’t have the energy or the intestinal fortitude to replay it all again, I think the fact that this was the LAST and certainly not the worst thing that happened this week says it all.

Ahem….the end.

Easter fun

2009-04-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

I am way behind and before I can explain why I have to get these pictures up or I know it will never get done and I want to remember. Whew how was that for a run on sentence? We had so much fun over the Easter weekend. On Fri Parker had an Easter egg hunt at school. Sat we were over at the annual Fowler Easter egg hunt – totally a tradition for our family now. The kids look forward to it every year. The actual hunting takes about 10 seconds, then they take the loot and sit on the retaining wall with their friends eating candy and waiting for Bishop Fowler to bring out his Easter cookies! The kids are getting so big I had to keep myself from getting all emo about their self sufficiency! It was so fun to watch them. Danny’s Mom sent us the new gospel art kit and it is amazing. All of the old 70’s pictures have been updated and they added new art from Simon Dewey and my Favorite Liz Lemon Swindle. I don’t know how I ever did Scripture study with the kids without it. I was amazed at how much they knew and what they could tell me from just looking at the pictures. We started talking about the Atonement a couple of weeks before Easter because I really wanted them to understand that there is a reason for the holiday and it’s not a bunny with candy( as much as we love him!) I was rewarded with some pretty adorable conversations and a sweet spirit in my home that I CANNOT live without! Thanks Nana! The boys received their very own scriptures(book of Mormon) from the Easter bunny and I am pretty sure they told every person at church that would listen! They were so excited and Kaden announced it was the BEST Easter ever!

There is no Easter morning picture of Parker because he wouldn’t sit still long enough to get a non blurry one!

come back...

2009-04-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Mr sun, sun, mr golden sun - please shine down on me! There is something about a beautiful sunny day in Oak town that makes me sing Raffi songs at the top of my lungs! Baby beluga in the deep blue sea...ok I'll stop now. We had two - count em' TWO gorgeous days of sunshine and I literally woke up and ran to the kitchen where my awe struck children were eating their breakfast and promptly taught them the words to zippyde-doo-dah while trying to make my husband dance with me! That is what 6 months of cloud cover will do you a person! We spent the entire day outside - two parks in one day I tell you. It was so fabulous. And just now as I was finishing typing this my cute little daughter "sassy" (name has been changed to protect the guilty) just vomited all over me. She woke up not feeling well and acting really strange. Don't worry I cleaned us both up before I finished this! Looks like I've got a few fun days ahead of me. Good thing Danny left for work this morning, he would have LOST IT if he saw that - a paramedic who can't stand vomit, go figure.

um…yeah

2009-04-07T07:57:00.001-07:00

So I kinda fell off the face of the earth there for a minute! I have been super busy with pictures and spring break and I am glad to report that it was fab! We had such a great time with the kids and everyone was pleasant. Makes me excited for the summer! We took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium and they had a blast. (for Danny and I it was pretty much the 7th circle of Hell… It was $1 admission and the entire universe was there…with their children…and their neighbors… small hallways – can’t breathe…you get the idea!) But I was glad that we went because it was a fun time as a family.

Amazing.

2009-03-20T13:22:00.001-07:00

I'm sure many of you have seen this already but it is truly amazing! I have been in love with this project for a while, but I hadn't looked too much into the story behind it. when I first saw one of the photos in the book store, I was a little surprised and didn't know what to think. The more I looked at it the more I wanted to take it home! I have definitely found something that I will be collecting and displaying in my home. You can read all about it and see many of the photos HERE The gallery looks incredible and the music is so beautiful. Spend some time on this site and read about how it came to be. Click on "Multimedia" and then "book", and then "look inside" and you can read the photographers story of how he came to do the project. It makes me cry every time!

Speckled frogs, waddling ducks, and Aunt Crystal spanked my bottom!

2009-03-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

I think in the last few days I have sung more songs about "five little" things than ever before in my life! My kids love when the Daddy duck says QUACK QUACK QUACK that five little ducks come waddling back! And Brinlee has taken to storytelling these days. She loves to say that she has "owies" when she doesn't and that she got spanked when she didn't! It is really pretty funny! Note how her facial expressions change when I play along...oh we are in trouble with this one! But are you really surprised?

And of course my kids pick up everything that their Grandpa and Uncles say, so now when people come to the door, or Danny is leaving in the moring he'll say "bye Brin" and she will say "bye" and then you hear "knucle samich" (sandwich) - thanks guys.

What I believe.

2009-03-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

Theres been quite a bit of media lately (or maybe I'm just getting older and noticing more) about the LDS (or Mormon) Church. The older I get the more I hear. It ranges from silly to bizarre to outragous and insulting. Just in case you want to know, This is what we believe. I have never understood why there are so many people with such strong opinions about what I believe, but I would hope that my true friends, and also those that may not know me well, can tell from my actions, words, and countenance weather or not what they have heard is true. I love this video and am so happy that it is available.

Pudding

2009-03-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a pretty good night! Minus the whole kids throwing fits at bedtime- but hey that happens pretty much nightly so ... whatever! Sometimes I feel like I am the mean parent and Danny is the fun one. I am home 24/7 enforcing rules, and on his days off he gets to do all of the fun stuff ie: wrestling around before nap time, watching spongebob (I know we're all about the educational TV around here) and making them treats after dinner. So today I was trying to have each of them help me with a job. Parker helped unload the dishwasher. Kaden set the table, and Brinlee picked up toys. We had a relaxed dinner and then I made pudding for desert! I was in the laundry room preparing to transfer yet another gargantuous load of clothes when I turned and saw this:

My heart was all melty and sentimental looking at my monsters tallest to shortest enjoying a special treat from Mom, so I grabbed my camera and tried to get some shots and of course....this is what I got:

Why is it that "let me take a picture of you" translates into "hey roll your eyes and smash pudding everywhere"?????

Oh I guess they are still pretty cute. Good thing too, because otherwise this would be way less funny!

children

2009-03-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I think that I might loose my mind.
...
yep that's pretty much it, I was trying to think of something poignant to say but that's all I got...
Parker is having Kindergarten issues and we just realized that he is totally playing us. All of us. His parents, his teachers - you name it. We have been really kicking it up a notch with his studying (which in my opinion is absolutely asinine) because he is lagging behind on the things they require for first grade. I have been so frustrated, beating my head against a wall because we will do all of his homework together and work on his numbers and spelling word flash cards that we made, and he knows every one of them. Then he goes to school and "can't remember." I finally told him this week that if he doesn't try his best in school then he will not be allowed to participate in the fun things they do. Is it just me or does this seem insane for kindergarten? Finally after doing his reading time, and working on flash cards, and finishing homework, and making his leprechaun trap, I just snuggled with my five year old on the couch and talked about his favorite things. Here is what I got:
Me: Hey bud, what is your favorite thing about the winter time?
Parker: Playing the soccer game with Uncle Dustin at the Cabin.
Me: you mean Foosball?
Parker: No, the soccer game - you know where you twist the guys and kick the ball...
Me: oh- yeah. Are you really good at it?
Parker: Yeah, and here's the good news mom...I totally beat him!

I love it! When did my 5 year old learn the phrase "and here's the good news" ???
That kid is a kick in the pants!

Kaden has decided that he wants to grow up and turn into Spiderman. He has never seen the show or cartoon but he sees things on commercials and at the store. Today while we were picking Parker up from school he is talking a mile a minute while I drag him across the school yard and because he has no other volume than LOUD he says at the top of his little (and once underdeveloped-hard to believe) lungs:
"Mom when I gwow up and tuwn into Thpidewman you know whath gonna go in my pack pack? My Thpidewman dweth! (dress).
All of the sudden neighboring waiting parents are checking out the mom of the cross dressing toddler.
I have tried and tried to explain to Kaden that what he is refering to is called "clothes" and only girls wear dresses, but there seems to be some confusion with the phrases "go get dressed" and the definition of an actual "dress"
oy.
Brin is 30 all of the sudden.
The other day I called for her from my bedroom and I heard her little footsteps come down the hall and then a tiny voice said: "what Mom, what do you need to talk to me about?"
Seriously?
What would I do without the entertainment?

runny noses, dog haircuts and volunteering.

2009-03-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

I have not died - although sometimes that sounds so peaceful! No, I am just running around like a nut case. I don't have time to post pictures of Gunners one "fancy haircut" as parker says, but after we get done with the days events (dropping kids off at sisters and volunteering in Parkers class, pick up kids, playtime, dinner, bath, bed...) then I will post some pictures! It's pretty funny. I thought it would solve the shedding problem that I swear is going to send me to the place with the padded room, but alas....no such luck - does anyone know how long this goes on? Seriously.

Spring Photos Info

2009-03-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I have posted the detailed info including time slots available and the number to call on my photography blog. Thanks so much for all of your comments and encouragement- I have the best friends! I am working on a price list post for photos as well so that everything is concrete! I will be continuing to add photos to the site as well so make sure and check it out and let me know what you think!

Fun Day

2009-03-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today I did a photo shoot for the sweetest chubbiest baby girl in the world! Baby Edith was a total trooper and stayed happy the entire time! Here is just a peek at what we did! To see more check out my Photo Blog here.

Then we went over to Crystal and Mike's for a little Birthday Celebration for Mike and Halle complete with 3 different birthday cakes of course (that's my sister) presents of course, and a major dance party with the kids to what else? SPECTACULAR! All in all a pretty fun day!

my newest project

2009-03-02T23:47:00.000-08:00

Since Parker's birthday falls in the summer he probably won't be inviting his school class to a party or anything and that always makes me feel bad (silly I know the kid probably won't even care). But I am always on the lookout for little things I can do to make birthdays special for all of my kiddos. And since Parker is totally OBSESSED with Brad Paisley (don't know where he gets it!) and the guitar, and anything having to do with being a rock star in general, I have an idea! Today after we picked Parker up from school I asked the kids if they wanted to go look at the ocean and of course they said yes. So I grabbed Parker's guitar and my camera and away we went. I took them out to the beach and also to my fabulous friend "miss Heather's" house and took some pictures of him with his one instrument of choice. I have been playing around with some of them tonight and I am going to make him a CD of all of his favorite songs (guitar instrumentals included) and then make a CD cover featuring him as the star! He will go nuts!

these are from the beach the ones from Heathers are coming!