Stroller Bandit

I was going through our vacation photos and I ran across these pictures. We were walking through Sea World and past a "show" where a bunch of strollers were parked. This little guy was literally hopping from stroller to stroller. He finally landed on this one and tore a hole right through the mesh in the pocket, through the baggie and was eating whatever it was that was in there. It was pretty funny. Here we were at "Sea World" and I'm taking photos of a squirrel!! Anyway thought it deserved some space on the blog!! So without further ado - The Stroller Bandit......

four and counting...

It hardly seems four years have past since we said "I Do". It has been a wonderful adventure and I couldn't have asked for a better companion to share it. This was one of my most favorite photos from that day. Between family, church, work and life in general quiet moments like these are rare. I love having this memory to remind me how special those moments are. Over these past four years we have gone from individuals to a couple and most importantly a family. I love you babe - happy anniversary!!!

But Why???

But why? I must get asked that question 45 times a day! Don't get me wrong - I love that the little guy is curious and I love that he wants to "know" everything but EVERYTHING???? We spent 45 minutes discussing why they have the little ledges on big trucks that go up and down automatically - every explanation I gave was followed by - "but why not just jump off the truck?" It's crazy and fun. He is also into everything and everyone has to have a name - I am constantly making up names for complete strangers because he is always asking - "what's his name?". We have been going non stop for most of August and the better part of September. I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Nauvoo which was just amazing. The temple there is so beautiful I can't hardly imagine how hard it was to leave behind. As you leave Nauvoo you can see it from far away - it sits up on a hill overlooking the river and I just kept thinking about the saints watching the temple getting smaller and smaller as they were leaving and thinking how heavy their hearts must have been. I had the chance to walk around the town that has been restored and Parley street--the street where the saints walked down to cross the river and leave Nauvoo. The feeling and spirit were so strong there I can't even describe it - it was very humbling and left me very grateful for their faithfulness and for the sacrifices they made to preserve this precious gospel we live and enjoy today. It was an experience I won't soon forget. I hope to return with my family and spend some more time there. Here are some photos from my short 36 hour stay there.....


Just one day after coming home from Nauvoo we boarded a plane for our first official family vacation. I don't think it was possible for us to have more fun than we did. We just played and played and 7 days and 700+ pictures later we came home. I think the kids favorite was Shamu but Micky ran a close second. The little guy finally got to meet the "real" Lightening McQueen and I have to admit it was pretty cool. Disney is indeed a "magical" place!! Thanks dad for a great trip!! We can't wait to do it again! So I couldn't pick just a few pics to share so if you really want to see pics from our trip check the bar at the right for all the fun stuff we did! Hope everyone is well and hopefully I'll stay back on track from now on!!

new found freedom....

That’s right. She has figured out that she is mobile and that she is in control. Crawling and pulling herself up all in a matter of days. Maybe that means she hold off on the walking for a while because she is a lot quicker than me right now – its good to have a pair of extra hands that don’t mind taking stuff away from her. He better watch out when she goes from four to two cause she just might be able to catch him…Speaking of catching, I think I should have named the little guy timex. We went for a walk the other night and I swear he fell 236 times. He just kept getting up and kept right on walking. He didn’t even slow down for a second. After being around only sisters, I am still getting used to living with a little boy – the dirt he collects is unreal. It has defiantly been a great adventure and I am loving every bit of it. Speaking of adventures I had one in parenting the other day. I had just got the little one to sleep (after a struggle) and I walk into the living room just as he is winding up to throw his cars at the window. I wasn’t quick enough. So I told him he had to sit on the couch. I found a binky and picked it up and LIGHTLY tossed it to him hitting him right in the forehead – he pipes up and this is exact – “that wasn’t very nice – that’s not how we do it. You come here right now and hand it to me nicely.” I deserved that after I had just put him on the couch for throwing, I started laughing and he started laughing and after we stopped I apologized to him and took that as an opportunity about everyone making mistakes and learning from them. Hopefully we both learned a little from that but it’s nice to know he hears me even when he doesn’t listen….good night!

prediction...

so since the little miss arrived we've been speculating eye color and such. Her eyes have changed so much and they've been a bit of everything. After going through these pictures I'm finally ready to make my absolute prediction on her future. I'm predicting green eyes and red hair. She may end up looking a bit like her aunt C!

fairytales....

n: I'm going to tell you a story.
me: ok what is it about?
n: me and mommy. are you ready?
me: yes
n: ponce a time me and mommy went to town.
me: then what happened?
n: we went shopping at walmart!
me: what were we shopping for?
n: a nemo toy!! Lets go mommy!!!

He's pretty quick - he also thinks there is no where else to shop except walmart - we should be in a commercial!!! Congrats CP welcome to blogging!! Visit her here: my chocloate frogs

Christmas....in July

So the whole “Christmas in July” saying – I know where that came from. It came from a mother not unlike myself. She ran into a great deal at disney.com in May and bought a bunch of stuff. When it arrived in June she promptly put it in the closet telling her husband for weeks she really needed to move the stuff she bought to a better hiding place. Well all June all she did was talk…then one day in July she was unsuspectingly changing the diaper of her little one when she heard ecstatic squeals of joy coming form the other room. Squeals much like you might hear on Christmas morning. She knew there could only be one reason for such excitement in the middle of July. Her little boy had just hit the jackpot. Quick thinking as she was she tried to explain that Santa sometimes drops toys off early so it makes his sleigh lighter and he can fly quicker and we should probably put them back so he doesn’t wonder where they are. He stared at her with a look on his face and she knew he wasn’t buying it. So she did what only a mother could do – she had Christmas in July.....