Preschool, Already?

I know people say time seems to fly faster as we get older, and I never really grasped that idea until recently. Z is suddenly eight months old (need to do the photo shoot), Luke is a first grader, and Harry is starting his first year of preschool this fall.

A group of us are doing the co-op thing as moms and we needed to provide a picture, so here's the one I took of my little big man. He's grown up so much since Luke has been in school and I know in less than 16 short years we'll be taking his mission picture. Crazy.

Good Morning Sunshine

Baby Z is the happiest baby ever and we love him so so much. Morning is one of his happiest times of the day and his little fuzzy bedhead just makes me smile.

I Spy...

Been meaning to post this little gem for awhile. Jon sold my Nikon D40x to a friend of his and we upgraded to the awesome D90 - complete with HD video. Here's our very first video on the new camera. We play I spy all the time, but this was one of my faves. Also, free legwarmers to the first to identify the song in the background. We heart the 80's.

Routine - less

I thought that getting Super Luke in school would push us all toward a routine. Unfortunately all I can report four days into school is I am more tired, less organized, and more scattered than ever. Perhaps things will change when Harrison starts preschool and other fall activities begin.

I do keep waiting for that surge of energy to whip the house into shape, do a major weeding of the yard, and attack all those projects I have been putting off all summer - painting the garage, cleaning out the office, staining the front door, organizing the basement, among other countless things I keep meaning to get to. But sadly, that surge of energy is buried far beneath my exhausted exterior and good-intentioned attitude.

I do try to treat each day as a new beginning, however my list keeps growing and although I might check two or three things as done, I'm copying the same 43 things for each week that keep not getting attention. I had such a good routine - not perfect or even close - but a routine that worked for me with two kids. How did this sweet, giggly, happy, wonderful child completely annihilate that routine and I still have not recovered? Will it ever return or am I doomed to a never ending feeling of being buried deeper and deeper everyday?

Oh well, on to tomorrow. At least I can check off one thing done today - blog - check!

My FIRST Grader

Congratulations Graduate!

Grandma Kathy got her degree last week and we are all so proud. It's something she has always wanted to finish and it was fun to see her glow with the sense of accomplishment. As usual, lots more pictures to come, but I wanted to share this one quickly. It's my favorite from the day. Everyone looks so happy! Way to go Grandma! We love you!

I Just Love These Little Faces

Marathon Week

This week has been SO FUN - but I am exhausted! Here's a teeny tiny recap and a preview of many posts to come (if I ever get caught up):

Jon's Birthday - and Meri and Nate in town
Playdate with fun friends and a tiny little pooch
Karate
Zoo with Swog - wahoo!
Cute Hannah's Baptism pictures
Salt Lake Connect Pass Day 1 - Clark Planetarium, Lion House, Aquarium
Boating with Amy and Scott - and my first time wakeboarding
Salt Lake Connect Pass Day 2 - This is the Place, Discovery Gateway
Grandma F's BYU Graduation - and a tasty brunch
Ward activity - dinner hosted at our house
Relief Society Lesson - need to finish preparing
Jenny's garage sale next door - oops think I might have missed contributing my junk
BYU v. Dixie girls soccer game tomorrow night (Go Erin!)

I think that about sums it up. I'm going to bed.

Biz Cards

Just designed these for the little photog biz. I did a black with white version too, but I think I like the white more.

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!