A little break...

This petri dish full of bacteria represents the growing list of blog posts that I have neglected this summer. It also serves as yet another teaser for a fun-filled activity in that ever-growing que of non-posted happenings in our lives.

There will come a time when I catch up on all this, but with "Camp Grandma" raging and only having Z at home with me, I am getting SO MUCH DONE around the house, that I can't justify the online time right now. I will return with a vengeance. Soon. Like in a week or two at most. Today - I attack the playroom. TTFN.

Happy Fourth - Preview

Just a little peek into our Fourth of July this year. I just love these faces!

Pipe Cleaner Guys

GLITTER toes!

My friend Emily has a little salon called Tangles and Toes - I love the name and it probably goes without saying she specializes in hair and pedicures. I had a ball getting to know her better while I got treated to a pedicure and glitter toes! I love how they sparkle all the time and I am officially addicted! Next time - MANGO!

I designed her a business card and marketing postcard for my little treat.

If you want to sparkle too, give her a call and tell her I sent you!

Happy 18 Months!

My little man is 18 months old and I never really believed time would fly like it has since we had kids. I think it goes faster and faster with each one. I'm trying to spend as much time as I can enjoying these little faces. That being said, if you come to my house and the sink is full of dishes, and my room has a mountain of laundry, you know why!

Z is blossoming into such a fun, silly, and headstrung little man. He is a fabulous sleeper - our first - and I've learned that has its tradeoffs. He isn't very verbal but he has the LOUDEST screams and he gets frustrated and grunts at me. A woman in Walmart (yep - like I have said before, it all happens at that dreaded store) heard him throwing a fit and declared just loud enough for me to hear, "I raised three kids of my own and I NEVER let them carry on like that!"

Yes, he may be an amazing sleeper for our little family, but he is a screamer and he'll let you know if he isn't happy about something. Although he is a little bit of a grumpigus, he loves following his big brothers around and he would be outside 12 straight hours if I let him. I love this little guy and I can't imagine our family without his blooming and booming personality. Happy 18 months Baby Z!

My Little Muse

I'm out scouting locations for a shoot I have tomorrow, and I tell the boys, "Stay in the car while mommy looks around." Sure enough, the middle child I love so dearly jumps right out of the car and follows me, stopping to pose at each location I peek through my camera. I do love this kid. Now how do I get my kids to mind me?

Another New Family Member

My brother-in-law's allergies got the best of him, so have a new puppy. "Isn't he a schnauzer?" you may be asking, and yes, he is a "hypoallergenic" breed. However, there is technically no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. We're glad we could take him in so my sister and the girls can still enjoy him, rather than them selling the cutie. He's such a sweet little guy and he fits in well here. He and Tiera are having a ball so far and I think she is happier with a friend around.

GIVEAWAY!

Not me, but HERE. Go enter!

It's a VERY cool piece of art by my talented cousin Cassie.

Good luck!

I Needed This Today

And maybe someone who reads my blog does too...

I'm FEATURED!

Check it out...

http://www.thefamilytrifecta.com/2010/06/10/wow-those-are-great-business-cards/

A New Family Member

Welcome to the family, sweet baby Jordan Troy. He was born last Thursday to Emily and Troy, weighing in at 6 lbs 11oz and 19 inches long. He is so sweet and we love him. Lots and lots of pictures to come!

It's Nice Having Him Around

I may joke about summer being long with the Lukester home from school, but it really is nice having the big guy around.

Baby Blessing

Our dear friends Amy and Aaron blessed their baby girl Amelia today, and we were blessed to share her special day. After two boys, they figured out the trick to having a baby girl, unlike us. Amy let me do a mini photo shoot with them and their little bundle of sugar and spice and everything nice.

Someone...

Baby Z has had by far the most nicknames of any of my three boys, but one of my favorites is "someone." And Someone is looking a lot less like a baby and more like a big boy.

Emerson Said Cool Things

I used this for a lesson with my girls a couple weeks ago.

Posters...

Jon's been very busy starting a new company so I busied myself with making the office space look nice. My brother originally had the idea to make cool posters with his photos from their trip around the world, and I added a picture Amy took in Austria - which coincidentally is where Jon served his LDS mission, so the first one means a little extra something to Jon. I also designed a pretty cool logo - and I will post that later.

Things are going well with us...just busy busy busy, and I really need to make the blog a priority again and catch everything up. Add that to the summer list of things to do!

Horrible Blogger/Cute Grandkids

I have so much to catch up on and there is no end in sight to my other 97 current projects, so here's a peek at all the grandkids on Jon's side of the fam - the first time they were all together. The boys LOVED meeting little Scarlett, unfortunately they all can't seem to make a pleasant face simultaneously. Lots more to come....eventually.

Sneak Peek

I shot my first wedding this weekend....here's a little sneak peek.

A Little Croquet

We had dinner with my folks one Sunday not too long ago and the boys had some fun with croquet out in the yard. I can't wait for summer!

HAPPY MOM'S DAY!

From One Artist to Another

Here's a conversation that went down in our house today:

Harry: (looking at one of my many paintings by my uncle, James Christensen) Mom that is a fish just like the one in the Jonah and the Whale movie.

Me: Yep, it's the same artist. Uncle Jim.

Harry: Uncle Jim did that?

Me: Yep, almost all the pictures on our wall were painted by him.

Harry: Wow, Mom, he is a really good painter!

Pals

We're so blessed to have fun next door neighbors, Luke and Joseph were hanging out while I was preparing for a photoshoot today, and Luke actually cooperated for a second. Glad I could document this little friendship!

I also love that Joe is wearing an apron - doesn't he look a little like a hope depot employee?