What I've Been Up To

Earlier this week, I got the opportunity to take pictures for one of Jon's friends who just had their first baby. Little Isabelle was WIDE awake the whole shoot and is already a cute little fiery redhead! She seemed so teeny tiny next to my 20 lbs of chunkiness Z. It's such a blessing to get to help people preserve memories.

Me and My Big Brother

I have ever so many posts to catch up for the summer....it was so much fun having my brother, Tom, and his family here for July. Tom and I have always been close, even though we're almost eight years apart in age. He's who got me into team sports when I was 12 and my parents were in London and I was forced to quit gymnastics for a month - thanks to mono.

With the lack of five hours of daily gym, I was bored stiff and Tom was in charge of us, so he found me a softball team to play on for the summer. The only one he could find said they needed a pitcher, so Tom said, "Great! That's exactly what position my little sister plays!" and he raced home that night to teach me how to pitch!

In high school, he worked hard to beat my dad's record of ten varsity letters, and earned 11. Seven years later, I bettered them with my 12! We've always had fun with sports and anything we could go do together and have a lot in common. Growing up, people would always tell me Tom and I were the male and female version of the same person. What do you think? Do we still look alike?

Don't Tell Him He Can't Sit

We've been working on our sitting since he's kinda moved passed it and wants to crawl. He's staring me down in this picture...just before he dove down and rolled over - a rare non-smile moment from the little Z.

New Thought for the Blog Header

I like to change the little quote under the title on the blog every once in a while and I saw this thought on my cousin, Sari's blog. It's from the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and it's one of those thoughts that embodies an attitude I try to have about life in general.

"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."

One of my volleyball coaches used to always say, "Better the ball," meaning make the play that leaves you better than how it came to you. If the serve is hard, make the pass great, if the pass isn't super, make the set great - if the set isn't wonderful, make the hit great. I've always tried to take that same instruction for life. Better whatever comes to you and make it great for the next person.

Thanks for the thought today, Sari. It got me thinking in a good direction!

Cute Brothers and My Tomato Lover

Handout for RS Lesson Last Week

I meant to post this last week - it's the handout for my lesson last week. Enjoy!

Proud of Our Heritage

Just for Fun

The International School of Color and Design offers this quiz to help you find your interior decorating style. I found it on a blog today and I thought mine was right on. Kinda fun.

Seven Months Old Today

Nicole's Shower Part II

Our first neice on Jon's side will be born in hopefully less than 10 weeks and we can't wait! Because our house is central to the Utah County-ers and the Salt Lake County-ers, we had the opportunity to host the shower for my sister-in-law, Nicole. As you saw in my last post, I had way too much fun with the pink decor. My mom made all the fabulous crepe paper flowers, I made some applique onsies with flowers and hearts for the clothesline, and the diaper cake just had to be a part of it all.

Jon's mom and sisters all helped out so much the morning of and I couldn't have done it without them. It was kinda fun all working together like a little army, cooking and cleaning and getting ready for the event. The food was delish and I ate way too much. Lots of family and Nic's Utah friends came with great gifts - mostly pink! for her little bundle of joy.

We were so glad Rob and Nicole fit us into their busy schedule and came here from California for the weekend. They were in a little fender bender on their way and handled it with grace and just rolled with everything all weekend. Not so sure I have the same patience while I am 29 weeks prego! We can't wait to meet their sweet little girl and we were so glad to get to be a part of the new baby festivites. If only they lived a llittle closer....

PINK Teaser

Here's a little taste of the fabulous pink shower we threw for my sis-in-law, Nicole, on Saturday. Clearly, I had too much fun with a girly shower!

We Love to See the Temple

My Relief Society lesson is about the temple today and Luke is giving a talk in primary about strengthening his family - and he's mentioning the temple. How blessed are we to have had the opportunity to take the kids to two temple open houses within the last six months. I remember going through the Jordan River open house as a kid and then worked as a missionary at the Timpanogos open house. I love that as you drive the I-15 corridor, the landscape is becoming more populated with temples. So much so, that the kids always seem to be saying "I spy with my little eye something that is white." I love the temple. I hope my boys love it too.

Happy Birthday MOM!

July is a busy month for our family with my folks' anniversary on the 1st, dad's birthday on the 10th, mom's on the 15th, not to mention the party of all parties on the Fourth - and some cousins' kiddos' b-days, and cousins-in laws also mingled throughout the month.

One of my favorite parts of July is my brother and his family come for an extended visit. While they're here, Grandma spearheads most of the fun for the month. She plans canyon trips, hikes, swimming days, movies, ballroom dancing - post to follow soon - and "camp Grandma" in general. Today for her birthday, we had fun at the pool, and enjoyed some Dippidee carrot cake in between dance and karate lessons for the kids. A few of the night owls also went to Harry Potter for a late show.

I hope you had a fun day today, Mom. We love you and appreciate all the time you have spent making fun days for us kids and your grandchildren. We love you and appreciate all you do! Happy birthday!

Lulla's Baptism

My oldest cousin had her youngest's baptism on Saturday and it was a really nice day. I kept thinking that I am only a year and a half away from Luke's big day and that makes me feel a little old. Why is it that time accelerates as we get older and have kids?

I clearly remember my own special day, November 5th, 1983 - at the same church as Talulla's service. In fact, all of us cousins have been baptized at the old white stake center. It was fun to share her day and to hang with the family for the day. Congratulations Lulla, we are all proud of you.

Happy Birthday to My Dad

I have this awesome post all composed in my head with pictures of my pops through all the years and stories of all the support, coaching, teaching, comforting, etc...he gave me growing up. Hopefully before his next birthday, I will actually get to that post, but for now, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! Love you and thanks for all you do!

Behind as Always...

At what point do you say about an event you've been meaning to blog, "Wow, it's really been awhile, I guess I'll just scrap it." I have this continually-growing folder of things to blog and I often wonder if I'll ever be able to tackle it all. Maybe in the fall when Luke's in school all day, maybe in the wee hours of the night when I can't sleep, maybe in the winter while we're in the freezing tundra that is our area, maybe when my kids are all grown and married? Who knows?

Happy Fourth!

Eight Years Down, Eternity to Go

Eight years ago today, Jon and I tied the knot in the Salt Lake Temple. It's been an awesome trip so far and I am grateful I get to spend eternity with such an amazing person. Thanks for making me happy these eight years, here's to eternity!

My Mom Makes the Prettiest Flower Arrangements

She made this for my sister's Gospel Doctrine class yesterday and then she brought it up to my Relief Society lesson. All the flowers are from her yard. What an awesome mom I have. Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Mom!

A Little Gratitude Walk...

I was walking around the house and yard with my camera just thinking and snapping at things that make me happy.

1. My dried apples. mmm...
2. Looking out my front window to see the quakies growing.
3. My awesome Pottery Barn bench from mom, and my favorite blue pillows.
4. My bamboo ladder from Tom and Anne and the Lithuanian linens I hang on it.
5. My circle chair...you've seen it in lots of pictures, no doubt.
6. My happy little plants I potted. Let's see if they stay alive!
7. Same goes for the big pot with the cool palm.
8. My teeny tiny little peaches. I have three on my tree.
9. Zinnias make me happy.
10. My daisies are starting to bloom!
11. The corn is actually growing in rows. Ignore the weeds, I do!
12. My hydrangea made it through the winter and just might bloom this year!
13. Coreopsis make me happy too.
14. How cool are ginko trees? Love it.
15. More happy little pots full of zinnias.
16. I do love this red pot, especially if it helps my little plants be happy!
17. The trellis I finally built. Someday this will be a nice photospot.
18. I love being barefoot in the grass!
19. Tiera and her little white patch below her mouth.
20. My new smaller-size jeans.

Happy 6 Months!

Six Things I Love About My Little Six Month Old...
1. He slept through the night three nights out of the last six. Is this really MY kid?
2. He is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS willing to flash a smile your way.
3. He sucks on his little toes.
4. He's so smooshy and cuddly.
5. He smiles with his entire face.
6. He brings a special spirit into our home; he is still so close to his Heavenly Father.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful guy who:

...works long hours and a funky schedule, but always has time to wrestle with the boys and put them to bed when he gets home.

...wakes up with the older boys when they have nightmares, need to go potty, have leg aches, or need a blessing.

...honors his priesthood and leads our family with faith.

...loves and respects my family as well as his own.

...puts up with a camera-happy, yard obsessed, dieting-crazed wife.

...never complains that the dishes aren't done and the laundry is all over our room.

...sends me off to Smith's alone for a little getaway when I've had it with the boys.

...let's me win a backyard game of HORSE.

...doesn't mind if I fall asleep watching a movie or tv show.

...has put up with me during three pregnancies.

...is willing to drop anything if the boys need or want his attention.

...is a super dad and is very very loved by all of us!

Utah Food Bank Designer Denim Sale

I know it's late notice, but if you have the chance to check this out, I think it is definitely worth it. Charity Denim is putting on a tent sale to benefit the Utah Food Bank today from 10am - 8pm across the street from the target in Sandy - 102 S State. If you bring two cans of food, you get five bucks off your jeans. I went last night and found a great pair of Blue Cult jeans for $25!

Storage at Last!

I have so many wonderful pictures I want to download and start sorting, however, my laptop is way out of space - I can't save another megabyte to it! So with the new little photog biz, I decided it was time to invest in some storage. Presenting my solution.... the Iomega Prestige 1 TB external hard drive!

I ordered it this week and should be getting it any day! I can back-up all our family photos, all my photo jobs, clear all my scrapbooking off the harddrive, and my little laptop will rock and roll again. I can't imagine how wonderful it will feel to not have to find something to do while my levels are processing in PhotoShop, and let's not even talk about if I decide to run some actions! Storage, at last!

Peas Please

The other day I decided to try peas for my little big man. He fussed and made silly grumpy faces the whole time I fed him. So I ran and grabbed my camera to document how much he didn't like peas. As soon as he saw the camera, this is what I got:

So much for the grumpy faces, I guess!

Visit with an old Friend

More than ten years ago two crazy, hardworking sister missionaries were sick and homebound in Riga and in their delerium decided to stuff their dresses with pillows to see what they would look like pregnant. One wrote "5-year projection" on the back of the photo (yeah I was on my mission when cameras still used FILM!) and sent it home. Sure enough, both young ladies were pregnant with their first kids five years later.

I have come across that photo many times since and set it aside so I wouldn't lose it. Unfortunately, I can't find it. I do, however, have the negatives and may just have to get another one printed.

It's been way too long since Megan and I have seen each other and we had a fantastic visit a few weeks ago. She made a fabulous lunch and I failed to tell her in advance that Jon had just started a very strict diet/detox and I watched her enjoy a yummy-looking chicken, artichoke, and quinoa salad. We both now have three little kiddos at home - one of her dear twins returned to heaven after being born at 28 weeks. The kids played marvelously and we spent the day catching up.

Of course, I snapped just a few casual shots of sweet little Crew - who is technically six weeks older than my little Z, and weighs all of 10 pounds. The last time I saw him was in the hospital at a whopping two pounds, so he looked so huge and healthy to me. Thanks, mana masa for the visit. We need to do it again soon!

My 18-pound hunk with his little buddy, Crew. I love the look on Crew's face!

Megan and her little miracle

Sweet, baby Crew.

Typical Day or The First of lots more Posts....

This is a typical day for my little guys....just hanging on the grass at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We love summer!

Bad Blogger

Every now and then, I just need a post like this to recommit myself to my original "journal writing goal of three times a week" that has become my blog. I have so many pictures and several posts already composed in my head. I promise (to myself mostly) that this week I will work on getting caught up. We've got a trip to St. George I barely touched on, a bunch of fun pictures of the silly three boys I wrestle with daily, an award I recently received, our 18th car in 8 years of marriage, and a reorganized LDS ward that took me out of my favorite calling of all time. Stay tuned....

We'll Miss Hans

Last night, my sister-in-law Jenny and her husband Mike had to let their little dog Hans go. Earlier in the week, he had been acting lethargic and they took him to the vet to find out he had a type of anemia where his blood cells attack themselves. After a transfusion he wasn't doing better and following a lot of prayers, they decided to put him down.

When we told Luke, he said, "I will miss Hans, he was my best pal." Then he sobbed with his head in his hands for a really long time. He still tears up whenever he thinks of his little friend. We will all miss the sweet miniature schnauzer that was the first to bless the Fuller side of the family. Here are some pictures I found of him as a puppy with baby Luke.

We love and miss you little buddy!

All Over the Place

I haven't been as good of a blogger as I should lately. Summer came up and bit me by surprise and suddenly, yard work, kids activities, baby, dog, laundry, dishes, cleaning, and dieting are making me feel a little scattered. We have an enormous pile of "pooh dirt" on the street that I have been attacking for the last couple days, weeds are choking me and everything in the yard, the garden needs some attention, Jon and I are attacking the weight loss issue, and don't even talk to me about dishes or laundry!

I wouldn't give up anything on my plate; I guess I just need to find a better balance. I find myself looking for the daily little victories, like making the kitchen look good or losing a pound or two, or looking to the little things that make me so happy. Tuesday I visited a friend and our kids had a marvelous marathon play date. It was a great day! My sister and I got together a couple nights this week, which doesn't happen nearly as often as it should. And yesterday another good friend came by to visit with her little girl. Seeing people I care about really brings me joy.

I have a full list today with some photo-editing from a shoot a few days ago, grocery shopping, yard work, laundry, laundry, and more laundry. I just might drop all of it and go see a friend.

Summer Charts

I feel like I haven't been doing the best job as a parent teaching my children the value of work. Lately I have been trying to figure out how to help them have a better understanding of the house and all the jobs that need to get done around here. The free ride ends today!

I've made daily schedules and haven't been very good at sticking with them, so I thought, this first Monday out of school, I would try something a little different. I made these job charts for each boy and everyday, they are simply expected to do their jobs before they can play with friends, play video games, etc...

I also want to put together some "extra" jobs that they can earn rewards, cash, or toys, but I'll need a trial period with these before I get anything else started.

Anyone have anything that works great for their under-motivated little workers?

(Papers, and the little star and paint elements are from Weeds and Wildflowers Seeing Stars and Juicy Fruit kits. I just made the little stars out of the fun papers.)