*> <*

"Mom, the music was too loud. That is why I put cocoa puffs in my ears."

Simone 9 months.

Simone is 9 months old. I can not believe it. How have nine months passed? She is a darling little baby, and so much fun to have in our home.

Sitting on her own, until she fell forward onto her face. =(

Two little teeth. (and you can see her top teeth are trying to come.)

I love this picture of Wyatt. It was snowing lightly outside and I drug him out there. He has snowflakes on his eyelashes!


We went to a Christmas Party last night. My friend in Gaithersburg always throws a big Christmas bash. Lincoln takes great pride in his white elephant gifts, and this years gift was hilarious. When they play the gift game they don't unwrap the gifts until the END of the game. You can still steal a gift on your turn, but you are stealing a wrapped gift. Lincoln bought a giant light up Santa and spent 40 minutes wrapping it. It was beautiful wrapping job! The party guests nick named it "BIG BLUE". It was the only gift that was stolen in the game. Lincoln was so proud! =) The gift we ended up with--- incredible hulk hands. You know, the padded ones with hulk sounds. Wyatt loves them.

I have been really busy. Crazy busy. I am glad to say I am almost done. A few more orders, and it is a big break for me.
Other than photography, I got to--
*throw a surprise party for Christie at her house on her birthday. That was so fun. She caught us though. She was taking her garbage out and saw someone pull into her drive way. She then ran in the house (a little frightened) and looked out the peek hole to see balloons. It was a fun night, and a fun party.
*I had to take Simone to the doctor with my older kids in tow one evening. Lincoln was out of town. Then she ended up having an ear infection, so we all went to fill the prescription at Target. Wyatt and Talia were so good. I am so grateful for them.
*I got to make two pans of enchiladas and a big southwest salad for the Primary teacher appreciation dinner. Then Lincoln was stuck in traffic so all three kids got to come with me. Fun. Lincoln came to the church and ate enchiladas with us, and stayed to help clean up. =)
*Christie hosted the FOURTH annual Christmas Tea. I made some yummy meatballs and the worst caramel apples ever. I bought a fancy caramel apple kit, and when I cam home from the party (wondering what the problem was with the apples) I discovered the kit had expired in August....I bought it in October. Lose/lose situation. It was a fun party and Simone slept almost the entire time. I was able to eat and talk and eat with our interruption. The food this year was the best yet!
*Got my new computer set up! It is amazing. It is so big and so bright that it makes my eye twitch....okay that may be because I have been staying up WAY too late working. I will give you a link to check it out.....HP
*I had to deliver and mail massive amounts of orders.
*Did you know I photographed a Baltimore Raven and his family? I think that is so cool. They are LDS, and have been such fun clients to work with. You should see the Christmas cards I designed for them...I am jealous of them, and wish those cards were mine! =)
*I did Sharing time today. It was so fun. I acted like a news reporter and I interviewed prophets of old that foretold the birth of the Savior. The best part was my camera and microphone. Lincoln and I made the camera out of a black box, teddy graham container, tissue tube, spray paint, and lots of black tape. It looked so good, and the kids loved it.

sickies

Well this week started out bad, and is ending worse. Stomach flu, coughs, runny noses, and fevers are being passed around. No one is sleeping.

I finally got to eat something last night. I never knew a fruit cup could taste so good! I wish I had another. =)

Wyatt is a math whiz!
Natalia is my sick buddy! (She brought me a bowl in the middle of the night and said, "I am done with this Mom. You can have it now.")
Simone says "Da Da."
My new computer arrived today! AHHHHHH! I am screaming! =)
Lincoln is so sick now, and found out he has to have a root canal. Boo.
Ya, we are supposed to help clean the church tomorrow....and I have a photo shoot.

That's all for right now.

A sweet song.

I bought a new album that has been playing non-stop for a few weeks. I love the song called "Me", because it captures exactly how is feels to be a mother of a new little one....or bigger one for that matter. The entire album is full of songs about motherhood, because the artist is a new mother herself. I love it! (Plumb: the album is called Blink)

My children love this song, but it may be the mention of candy. I always kiss who ever is closest on the head when it mentions "kiss."

Wyatt said, "This song----just makes me feel like you love me."

Here are the lyrics to "Me".

I haven't had
A chance to sleep
And when I wake
I wake with your dreams
I guess my pillow
Holds some kind of key
To your peace
Your peace

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

I haven't showered
And I tried to eat
But all your tears
Oh they needed me
I need some time, some time to think
But when I hear you
And what you need is...

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

I wash your face
To make room for
All the kisses
Of tomorrow
And every day
That I get to
Be here with you
Is sweet

Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

Oh don't be afraid
Cause what you'll have is....
Me


(I know, cheesy picture at the end. I thought it fit. =)

Pretty..

I just don't have time to blog. We are good. Simone is army crawling now...and I forgot to mention she has two teeth!

The kids made Christmas lists, and we put them in a metal tube (it says "Letters to Santa" on it) and put it outside on the front porch. I had them yell out, "Santa, our letters are ready!" into the night air. A dog howled off in the distance, and their eyes got really wide. They stared at each other. "A WOLF?"

Wyatt was practical and picked 5 things. Natalia choose everything in the catalog. Really. EVERYTHING.

I hear Simone calling....=)

Good night.

Clean....

proppy

I am not a prop photographer, but I had to do it! I had to! Lincoln bought Simone this "Little Darlin" onesie in Nashville and I found this hat on sale.

Here she is, our Little Darlin.

Simone is 8 months old now. She is rolling all over the place. She loves rice cereal now, and squash and sweet potato are favorites. She is really just a happy baby now. I am so glad. Two days ago SHE CUDDLED WITH ME! My other two would not cuddle as babies. Simone would lay her head on my shoulder, then lift it to look me in the face, pat my cheek, and then lay her head down again! I loved every second of it, and it even made me cry. Then I heard Natalia scream, "MOMMY....I'M DONE!", and the bliss was over. Talia was in the shower. =) What a good day to remember.

Darling Baby

I have a giant to do list. This time of year is so crazy! I have 3 sessions this week, two orders to deliver, one order to package, FOUR huge orders to send to the lab, and two sessions to proof. The primary program is Sunday, and we practice on Saturday. I have MY family pictures on Saturday...I did a trade with another photographer about a year ago, and now it is my turn. Getting the clothes together is the craziest part! Now I know how my clients feel! We are going to wear teal, brown, cream, and dark denim....I THINK!

Even with a huge to do list --I still found time to take a quick snap of Simone! Hello Darling Baby! She was busy spinning around like the hands on a clock.

Halloween

Natalia has worn this Snow White costume for three weeks. I didn't get a picture of her in it by the pumpkins, but this one has to be shown. Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a prince to wake her up.

Wyatt at the costume parade at school.

A little chick.

Visit

My Parents came to visit a few weeks ago, and we had them here for 7 whole days! It was wonderful! We were getting the siding on our house replaced so we stayed close to home the first few days. (Our house looks so good btw.) We also were taking it easy because I passed another kidney stone the day before they came. It was BY FAR the worst one yet. I was so sick and hurting. Funny thing though....my Dad passed one a few days before me, so we both need a little rest. Rest is not what he did though! He always says, "make a list for me." He loves to do little odd jobs to help me out. I have new shelves in several places in my house now, in the closets, bathroom, and the laundry room. The list of things he did is so long, and the mountain of laundry my Mom did was so big. I was so embarrassed! I had hoped to get it done before they arrived, but my body had other plans. She said "I love to be here to catch you up!" I loved it too!

We got to go to my favorite u-pick farm. We picked pumpkins, beets, and apples and had such a wonderful time doing so. The weather was perfect! The sky was so blue, and it wasn't cold....it was a gorgeous autumn day.








We spent the day at the inner harbor in Baltimore. We got to go on board the USS Constellation
and the USCGC Taney. Lincoln and the kids went on the submarine. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, and then drove out to Sandy Point to see the Chesapeake Bay. After driving over the bay bridge we went our all time favorite crab restaurant...The Crab Deck. We went the Crab Deck our first few days in Maryland, a second time with four day old baby Natalia, and a few other times though out the last 4 years. This was Simone's first visit there.

While on the Constellation Lincoln and my Dad got to help fire off a gun. If it is on a ship they call it a gun, if it is on the ground it is called a cannon. (just a bit of trivia.)

See the Crab Deck is RIGHT on the water.

I stepped outside to take a picture of the sunset. On my way back into the restaurant I saw six people I love dearly sitting at a table...I had to take a picture. =)


We went to Fort McHenry. Another gorgeous fall day. We had a picnic on a table RIGHT on the water. Talia threw a piece of a big pickle at a seagull. He carried it, dropped it, and then flew to the water so he could rinse out his mouth. Silly bird.

Then we went in to watch a short film, and watch the American Flag wave from the top of the fort as a choir sang the Star Spangled Banner. It was a very memorable and beautiful experience, and a special thank you goes to Simone for sleeping through it.

View of the Chesapeake Bay from the Fort.

Look at those lashes!
Simone was such a good baby the whole day!

A good place for a conversation.

Me and Simone.

I told her to HOLD STILL for a second! She did! =)

My children in jail!

We ate like kings while they were here. I made lots of yummy breakfasts, and delicious salads for lunch. Lincoln smoked a brisket that was perfect! We ate at a few of our favorite restaurants too. We watched a few good movies (Indians Jones, and Son of Rambow) and drank quite a few Fruitistas.

The best part of the visit was when we picked them up from the airport. We were walking toward my Mom and Dad. We were quite far off when Wyatt started to run to them. My Mom set her purse and jacket on the ground as Wyatt was getting near her. He got about 4 feet away and decided to close that gap quick....he jumped to her and she caught him! Then they proceeded to hug and give a big kiss on the cheek. Then we all caught up to them and hugged for a long time. I handed Simone to my Mom and we walked to the car with big smiles on our faces.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa! We loved having you here, and we hope you enjoyed your visit to Maryland as much as we did!

8 Things Tag

I have got to post SOMETHING! I am working on a lengthy post full of pictures and happiness from my parents visit, but this will do until I am finished with that.


8 TV shows I love to watch:
1. The Office
2. So You Think You Can Dance
3. Heroes
4. Barefoot Contessa
5. Everyday Italian
6. Divine Design
7. Lost
8. Barbie and the 12 dancing princesses. =) I really do love this. It makes me cry. Talia watches the Barbie movies all the time....so that means...so do I.

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Panera Bread
2. The Crab Deck
3. Cheesecake Factory
4. Chevy's
5. Jimmy Johns
6. La Ferme (Near the Temple, and such a special place.)
7. Cosi
8. The Melting Pot

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. Woke up at 8:04 and still got Wyatt on the bus by 8:15
2. I came home from bus stop to two girls still sleeping...I was able to sneak in a 1/2 hr. nap
3. Went to the grocery store.
4. Drove the carpool for pre-school.
5. Went shopping at Home Goods. I bought a much needed skillet, a new toothbrush holder for Lincoln and I, and two white picture frames with pink polkadotty mats. CUTE!
6. Went back to the preschool to help put away the class room, drove the kids home. Picked up Simone and Wyatt from Christie's. (thank you sweetie!)
7. Took Talia to Ballet.
8.Got gas from Costco....made Spaghetti and meatballs....proofed pictures....crawled into bed.

8 Things I'm looking forward to
1. Thursday @ midnight!
2. Spring/Cherry Blossoms
3. Christmas Vacation
4. Making sugar cookies with Natalia, and using our new rolling pins that my Dad made for us.
5. A day with no TO DO list.
6. Organizing the toy room. I started tonight...I can't wait until I am done.
7. My Maid comes tomorrow!
8. Eating my Mom's homemade salsa, canned peaches, Dad's homemade bread, and some pineapple pie! (Yes, that last one was a request Mom!...I think it has been 12 years or so!)

8 Things on my wish list
1. A new rug.
2. A home with bigger bedrooms for the kids, and a walk in closet...and a fabulous backyard...and an office with French doors. =)
3. EOS 5d Mark II
4. A organized and beautiful workspace.
5. These lovely red/white serving dishes I saw yesterday. Food would taste so delicious coming from them.
6. Kidney stones that magically disappear.
7. Simone sleeping through the night....or even a four hour stretch would be nice.
8. More time to hug my kids, and read them unlimited stories.

I am now supposed to tag 8 people. I tag you.

smile

I should be proofing. NO, I should be sleeping.


Today I was driving to Costco, and Talia from the back of my van said, "I REALLY REALLY want Jesus to come to our house."

I simply said, "Why?".

"Because I never get to see him," was her sad reply.

I was a little teary, and then my wise six year old said, " We can have his spirit in our home when we choose the right."

SO true. Smmooooches on both their little heads.



Little cherub on my bed. She boycotted her binky for about 3 weeks. It has not been a good thing. She is loud.

Tagged

4th Folder and then the forth picture---and then TALK about it!

Wow. This was a long time ago. 7/7/06 Wyatt and Talia were watching Lincoln work on his impala. Geez...she is in a diaper and BALD that seems like ages ago. Wyatt looks so short here. Good memories. I remember this day, but I always use photographs as a springboard for memories. I remember what Lincoln was wearing, even though you can't see all of him. I remember the clothes I put on Talia. I remember her almost stepping in the can of touch up paint on the ground. I will say it....I HAVE A BAD MEMORY. That is why I love photography so much, with out it I don't know if I would be able to remember the little things.

I don't think I ever told the story of Lincoln's impala on here. He bought it to work on, and he was so excited. A 1965 Impala Super Sport. Well, as he registered and started to order parts we found out he had purchased a car with stolen vin tags. It was a NIGHTMARE to get this problem fixed. We both developed a hatred for this car, okay it was more me. It think it took a full year to resolve the problem.

Luckily I can say that this story has a happy ending. The car was purchased for a woman as a gift for her 60th birthday. Her husband proposed to her in a blue 1965 impala, and she always regretted the day they had to sell it. Sweet story, happy ending to the yucky car situation.

i'll tag kayelynn, kaylynn, christie, and penny for my four.

Happy Birthday Natalia

This time of year is so busy, it is so busy I never made a birthday post for Talia's birthday last year.

This year was a make up for all the birthday flops we have given Natalia. Her first birthday- Lincoln was in England. My Mom was here visiting and we made Talia a cake and gave her a baby doll. Her second birthday- We gave her a play kitchen and took Lincoln to the airport. Her third birthday I took her to build a bear by myself. I knew I needed to kick it up a notch for this birthday.

(No her hair didn't catch fire, but it was CLOSE.)

Her birthday was Wednesday, and Lincoln was going to be in Virgina all day and late into the evening so we celebrated early. Tuesday was the family party! We had BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and baked beans. Talia helped me make cupcakes,

(This is how Talia does sprinkles.)

and she blew out her candles FOUR times! Then she got her presents. Yes, "got"....I didn't wrap them. She picked them all out, so there were no surprises. She got a lovely Snow White dress, a baby doll that swims, a princess tea set, and a crown. That evening she was lying on the couch in her Snow White dress eating an apple when she began to dose off. Snow White- apple- asleep...... it was funny, but no picture...this one will have to do.



I got to be the co-op parent at school on her birthday. We brought birthday cookies for the class. I held the tray and Talia would say, "Would you like one?" in a proper little voice.

(Talia watching for Daddy to come home.)

Then Lincoln's work plans changed and he got to be home on Wednesday! =) We went to Chuck E Cheese. We get crazy amounts of tickets, because Lincoln goes around and wins and the jackpots of all the games. He is just like another kid! We had over 1700 tickets to spend on prizes. I love taking my kids there because I sit and hold the tokens, and they just keep running back to me for more. I hadn't seen Talia in a while and I was straining my neck to see over a large monster truck ride when I saw her. She was scared to death and running in my direction. She would glance back in the direction she came, and then back at me over and over. She blurted out, "HE'S coming out! He is coming out!". She pulled my hand to come and see, when she saw HIM again. She let go of my hand and hid under the table. It was Chuck E Cheese, you know the guy dressed up in a costume. She was terrified. She thought is was one of the robots from the music stage gone haywire. She stayed under the table for a long time, and later told me that she hated "Chuck E Cheese.......you know, the mouse". I love her so much, she is a hoot!

Saturday was the friend party! A Princess Party. For lunch we served all of Talia's favorites; peanut butter and jelly tea sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and chicken nuggets, pink party lemonade, and fruit. The little princesses were so happy, because every one loved SOMETHING on the table. We played rescue the princess, with the boys at the party as our knights in shinning armor. We made princess necklaces, and ate cake. I made goody bags with sunglasses, lip gloss, ring pops, and tiaras (or a sword), and bubble gum, (Another favorite of Tai's)....oh and I made the most adorable cupcake name tags for the bags!

So cute. I decorated three tables with table cloths, wrapping paper runners, pink roses, and pink polka dot ribbon. I found a5 foot castle and stuck that on the wall, and it made a great place for the princesses to gather and take pictures by.

I was waiting for Talia to tell me it was wonderful, but all she could say was that one guest didn't come. Finally, as I was tucking her in bed, she said "My party was FANTASTIC!". I am so glad she loved it! She requested another one, and thinks a year is too long to wait! =)

Natalia you are such a bright spot in our lives!

You are sweet, and silly. Your laugh is one of the happiest sounds on this earth.

I love your blonde bob, and I know you want to grow it long-but I think you are absolutely adorable with short hair.

I love how observant you are, if I lose something I usually ask you...or if Daddy loses something I say, "Ask Natalia if she knows where it is." You usually do!

You are my greatest helper!

You are the best big sister to Simone and she adores you!

You whine all the time.

I still love you when you whine, but I hope you stop.

You love play dates and ask for them constantly.

I still love you when you constantly ask for play dates.

Natalia your eyes are simply gorgeous, and I love to look into them. You lucky blue eyed girl!

You love your ballet class, and I love to watch you while you dance. (Please listen to your teacher and no more somersaults!)

You love preschool and your teacher.
You love kitties, puppies, and horses.
You're REALLY good at jigsaw puzzles.
Sunday is one of your favorite days, you love to go to church and to Sunbeams. You asks you wear your red dress every time.
You MUST give Dad a hug before he leaves for work, or anywhere for that matter. If you don't hug him, you cry. Dad LOVES these hugs, so he reminds you most of the time!
Every time you pray you begin by saying, "Dear Heavenly Father, Bless us when we be so good."
I can't believe you are four.
I am so happy I get to be your Mom!
WE LOVE YOU!

Simone fix

I love this dress. I had to take picture of her in it, and then I had to post them. I couldn't pick just one image, so here are two. That's all.

Seventeen...

Well, I was called "a kidney stone makin' machine" today by my urologist.

I have my ct scans. I can count 17 stones in one image. SEVENTEEN STONES! Some of them are HUGE. I have to get an xray done to get the final count on the stones, but there will most likely be more than the 17 I counted today.

A bit of bliss:

I was giving Simone a bath, and my little shadow (the blond one) was helping. Natalia is my greatest helper. She gets the washcloth from the drawer, lays the towel out, and washes Simone's belly during all her baths. Today Talia was dumping water on my arm and then it would spill on to Simone. Both of my girls got the giggles. It was so funny. We all kept laughing, until I had tears in my eyes and my cheeks hurt from smiling. The little giggles from Simone kept us all in stitches for a long time. Gasping for breath Talia said, "I guess I got the giggles out." Oh, bliss at its best!

6 months

Simone is six months old. She weighs 12 pounds 12 ounces, and is longer. I can't remember her length! =) Good thing I have it written down in her baby book.


She is such a noisy thing, especially during priesthood when Daddy is trying to listen. I took the kids to Back to School Night and someone said, "I can't hear!" behind me. Simone was just talking and screaming happily. Oops sorry. Who complains about a happy baby anyway? =)

She loves to chew on her hands, and her toys.
She hates rice cereal. I don't remember my other two gagging so hard on rice cereal. I hope it stops.
She loves the bath.
If I pin her legs down in the tub she does sit ups. (She lays on a foamy incline.) It is the funniest thing.
She loves the sound of my shutter on my camera. She would laugh every time I pushed the shutter on the pictures below. I just keep pushing, she was being so cute!

Wyatt and Simone. He loves her so much. We all do.

Rainbow

Simone thinks I am so silly.

The light was absolutely glowing outside, so I asked Lincoln if he would come out and hold up Simone so I could take her picture. A big storm had just passed, and we looked up to see a beautiful rainbow. It was so big, and so bright. I ran inside to get my wide angle lens, and by the time I came back out it was starting to rain and get very dark...so I didn't get much. I haven't seen a rainbow in a long time.



We are healthy. I am still feeling a bit sleep deprived, and Simone is not sleeping well at night anymore. We are happy though, and my house is CLEAN! What more could you ask for- health, happiness, and a clean house....we are set.

Natalia had her first day of preschool today, and her first day of ballet class. I don't have ballet pictures yet. I got her pink tights, a pink leotard, a black leotard, pink ballet slippers, and she picked out a cute dance bag. Her clothes cost as much as half of the entire class! =) It is so worth it! =) You should have seen her! I was impressed with her teacher, she had so much "fluff". They stretched with flowers in their hands, got to put big stickers on the floor to stand on, wore fairy wings and tutus, and had a ballet story. (Excuse me, I am paying you to READ to her? Just kidding.) I loved watching her, and I get to go back and photograph ALL the classes in a few weeks! I am so excited!

Oh, back to preschool. Natalia has two really good friends in her preschool class. She loved her class today, and keeps talking about it. She is fun to talk to about it, because she remembers everything that happens- UNLIKE her older brother. Wyatt doesn't tell me anything unless I ask a very specific question.


Here she is with her duck bag. I spent way to long working on this silly bag. My sewing machine went crazy when I was half done. I don't know what is wrong with it, but it probably something so simple that I would be embarrassed to pay someone to fix it. "Miss, This is on backwards. That will be $80."


Yes, Hello Kitty is holding a camera. Yes, I picked out this shirt. YES, she wanted to wear it! =)