Sheer Bliss

I live for moments that I refer to as "sheer bliss." Saturday was a sheer bliss day. I had a photo session in the morning. It was the same baby that I got to photograph in the hospital 3 weeks ago. It was a good session and I got the most gorgeous mother and baby image ever. Every so often, I click the shutter, and then cheer out loud! The clients always look at me like I am crazy....sweet, but crazy. This was one of those cheering shots. (I love it in black and white more, but I thought I would show the color.) I titled it "Sunshine for the soul."

Here is another favorite:

The rest of Saturday was spent out on our deck. We emptied the hot tub, and then I climbed in and scrubbed it clean. Lincoln put together Wyatt's sand box, and I tried to help where I could. The kids ran in the yard. Natalia chased birds, and one poor bunny. Wyatt chased Natalia, trying to get her not to run. He wanted to sneak up on the birds, she kept scaring them off. It was so peaceful and the weather was perfect. I am dreading the humidity. I hope it never comes!!! (ha ha) The day ended with a trip to Baskin Robins. My favorite flavor is chocolate peanut butter...I haven't had a scoop of that for probably a year. It was just as good as I remembered. Yum.

I let the kids go splash in the puddles on Thursday. We walked around our neighborhood searching for the best puddles. They got so muddy, and had a great time. It was nice to get out of the house. Of course it wasn't for them, it was for me. The light was so pretty.

Ramble

Saturday I had a session in Arlington. It started off wonderfully, but ended badly because the little guy had a fever. I may have to go back.

I went shopping with Christie for my Mother's day. I really enjoyed the time off. Lincoln was such an amazing Dad that day. When I got home I saw that he had let the kids paint with watercolors. It made me so happy, I took a picture of the mess. He took them to Chick fil'a for lunch, and Thai food for dinner. Wyatt calls the Thai restaurant the "place with lots of flavor." Funny. The kids both love the pad thai, and eat tons of it. Lincoln had to take Talia to the potty, and motioned for the waitress to keep a eye on Wyatt. (The people know Lincoln so well at this restaurant...they don't even let him order a drink anymore. They just bring it to him after he sits down at "his" table.) When Lincoln came back the waitress was feeding Wyatt rice with a spoon. =)

Sunday was nice. Natalia woke up at 6:30, and Lincoln got up with her. As they were leaving the room, Wyatt came in and told me he would keep me company. Lincoln and the kids brought me breakfast in bed. Talia and Wyatt kept sneaking my blackberries. I told Lincoln that I didn't mind sharing with them. (If my brothers and sisters had sampled my Mother's breakfast in bed....there wouldn't have been any left for her. =) Lincoln brought in a big present. It was wrapped in the paper Lincoln had use to protect the table from the watercoloring the day before. He got me a Bose Sounddock for my ipod. I am so happy, we have never danced so much in this house! The best present I got for mother's day.....my kids fell asleep for the entire sacrament meeting. I got to hear everything, and hold them at the same time. Wonderful. Lincoln had to fly out to Texas, and will be gone until Friday. (I am slow posting this so I only have one day left.)

This week has been a hard one. There is so much going on, and I am always two steps behind. I also have a toddler that is always about 20 steps ahead of me, and she will not willingly come back! She bit me today. Right on the back on my thigh. We had just finished a story about a crocodile, and she was acting like one. I screamed, and then calmly got the Tabasco out. I don't think it even phased her. She cried for 2 seconds, and told me that goes on my food. I am glad her first bite was me and not some other child. I hope there isn't a second bite.

(How do elephants kiss?)

I didn't get to go to recipe swap this month. (Like usual.) I was particularly sad this time, because it was "sensational salads." My favorite!

Here are a few salad recipes that I love:

Western Salad
2 15 oz cans ranch style Texas beans (drain one)
1 purple onion sliced
1 C Cheddar Cheese
1 can whole olives
4 tomatoes, cut chunky
4-5 avocados , cut chunky
1 10 oz. regular sized Fritoz

Dressing:
1/2 cup oil
1/8 cup Ketchup
1/2 t. grated onion
1/2 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 C vinegar
1/4 C sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. celery seed
pinch of garlic powder

The night before, marinate the beans, olives, and onions in the dressing.

Right before serving add all of the remaining ingredients.


Italian Bread Salad

1-2 French bread loaves, or baguettes
olive oil
Italian dressing (I like Newman's Own)
Parmesan Cheese

Toppings can include:
Roma tomatoes
Spinach
olives
artichoke hearts
onions
sun dried tomatoes
pepperoni
fresh basil
mozzarella cubes
peppers
(anything Italian!)

Slice bread, and brush with olive oil. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Toast bread at 400 degrees to a golden brown.
When bread is cool, cut into bite sized cubes.
Add your toppings, dressing, and cheese. Toss and serve immediately.

Oriental Chicken Salad

Chicken breasts
1/2 bag of Salad
1/2 bag of shredded cabbage
1/2 package of won ton wrappers
2 packages of Chicken Top Ramen (save seasoning for the dressing)
1/2 cup almonds
green onions
mandarin oranges
sesame seeds

Dressing:
2 packages chicken top ramen seasoning
3 tablespoons white sugar
4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
Add 1 T. hot water, and whisk dressing.
Then add 1 cup veg. oil

Cook chicken (season to liking), and cut into bite size pieces.
Heat oil in a sauce pan for won tons. You can fry the whole won ton and crumble when cool, or cut into strips with pizza cutter and fry.
Crush the ramen noodles while they are still in the bag. (I never use all the noodles.)

Mix everything in a big bowl. Pour dressing on individual salads.

Pear pecan salad

1 bag of Spring Salad mix
1 cup of pecans
2-3 T. sugar
1 pear sliced
crazins
Blue cheese or fresh Parmesan (use the slicing side of your cheese grater, and go for super thin slices.)

Dressing:
Whatever you have on hand that is light.
Or I make a dressing in the food processor with a little syrup from can of pears, 1 half of a canned pear, balsamic vinegar, and a little oil.

In a small pan, heat sugar and nuts over a med-low heat. Keep a close eye and stir constantly when the sugar starts to melt. When all the nuts are coated, transfer nuts to a plate and cool.

Everything on a plate...dressing...yum.

Cucumber Beet Salad

Put a layer of canned beets on a plate
then a layer of peeled and sliced cucumbers
crumble on some blue cheese
drizzle the plate with balsamic vinegar
slat and pepper.

(Lincoln and I ate this Salad at a restaurant in Oregon on our 4th anniversary. Simple and delicious.)

A quick Flashback Friday from me.

A few of my blogging friends have started to do something called a flashback Friday. I am going to start doing it as well....because it is a great way to get all my most prized memories in one spot. I just hope to have pictures to go along with those memories.

We lived in Oregon for 3.5 years. We spent 3 of those 3.5 years at the coast. Just kidding. I wish we would have. I love the Oregon coast, it makes me so happy.

I love
the tide pools
the rocks
the tall grasses in Seaside
the smell
the clamming
the sand dollars
the clam chowder at Moe's
the wind
the fact that you have to wear a jacket most days on the beach
the Fourth of July fireworks
the crazy seagulls that flew over our heads, wanting to eat our sandwiches (their poop was like rain!)
the sound of the waves
the time I made (my Mom was a big help too) a sandcake for Lincoln's 22nd birthday...with a feather for the candle. We were at hug point.
the starfish
the time Lincoln and Spencer (his little bro) made two big crabs fight...and I watched in horror as they pinched off each others limbs.
the whippet (Cyrus) running in the sand
the long walks on the beach
the first time we went to the coast was in February. I wore capris and just about froze. =)
the breakfasts at Pig n' Pancake
the kites
the beach in Gearhart.....you can drive on it.
the 4 passenger bike rentals in Seaside....don't rent for two hours, there is no way you can peddle those things for that long.
the people who went with us....my Mom and Dad, Spencer, Rebekah and Maxximus, Logan, Kayelynn and Travis, and the Kerrs.
the girls night. I was newly pregnant with Talia. Someone asked who was pregnant, and I remember being so giddy, but keeping my mouth shut!
the sunsets
most of all.......the pictures!



These pictures are from one of my happiest/saddest days. We went to the beach with some wonderful friends. It was our last visit to the coast, before we moved to Maryland.

I've always wanted a little boy named James.

We went to Chuck e cheese on Monday night with the Wall family. Lincoln was flying out to Florida, and Christie's husband was on call.....so we had to get out with our kids. We had a good time. Our pizza was stone cold, and they had to remake it for us. Natalia and Wyatt would go spend their token(s) and come running back for more. Instant babysitting. Except once Natalia came running back with a bulb syringe! Gross.

At this Chuck E Cheese there is a play structure that has tunnels attached to the ceiling. There was a woman that told her little boy it was time to go, and he immediately climbed up into the tunnels. She could not get him to come down. If she was Christie Wall she would have just climbed up there and got him. (She wasn't shaped like Christie, so that may have been why she didn't.) Once she acted like she was leaving without him, he slowly came out to see if she had left him. She ran to grab him, but he was much to quick and made it back in the tunnels. I started to feel sorry for her. She was so embarrassed. She was yelling, and hiding, and everyone there was quite entertained watching her. He came out and went back in two more times. I walked over and said, "Let me help you get him out." I asked her is name, and she told me it was James. She acted like she was leaving. I yelled up to James, and said "James, you better run to get your Mommy. If she leaves I will be your new Mommy.....and I am not a nice Mommy, James....I am a mean Mommy," in my meanest voice. =) He began to climb down. When he was out I said, "Do you want your Mom, or do you want *ME* to be your Mommy?" Again with a mean voice. He said "You," and grabbed my hand. Talk about backfire!

I walked (actually I had to drag) him over to his mother.

James is my maiden name. I have always wanted to use it for a little boy of mine. =) Little did I know I'd get him at Chuck E Cheese.

Sunset

Soar
Golden
Spring Sprint
Nail biter.

FIVE

Wyatt had his fifth birthday on Tuesday. It has gone by too quickly! He woke up on Tuesday with a smile on his face. We cuddled for a minute, and I told him about the day he was born..... (five year old version!)

You were born on a beautiful spring day. Right before you came, Grandma and Grandpa James came into the hospital room. They had been driving all day from Utah to Oregon, and showed up just 35 minutes before you came. When you came into the world, the first thing you did was pee all over the doctor and your Mom. (Wyatt always giggles at that part!) Grandma called you "little squirt!" Then they cleaned you up, and wrapped you in a blanket. They put you on my chest, and I hugged you so tight. Then Daddy came a gave me a big kiss. Grandpa wanted to hold you, so he took you over by the window and sang, "Sweetly sings the donkey on his way to hay. Somebody must go with him or he'll run away. He haw He haw, hehaw hehaw hehaw."

Then we took a long nap, because we were both so tired. It was a wonderful day.

--------------------------------------------

On Tuesday night we went to go eat crab. Wyatt peeled and ate so much crab. Talia fell and hit her lip on her chair, so I took her outside. I grabbed a sugar packet, on my way out. The blood got all over her shirt, but as soon as I put a little sugar in her mouth the bleeding STOPPED. As in no more blood. That is the best trick in the world. (Sara M. taught me that!) We had such a nice time, after the fall anyway. We had blueberry and strawberry shortcake when we got home. Delicious!

I got Wyatt a Rescue Heroes base, and 10 guys at the nearly new sale. All of that was only $40. =) He is so happy and hasn't stopped playing with it. He (I should say *I*, because it is for my sanity) got a sandbox, and tubers and zots. Grandma James sent a Stars Wars ship, and show. The Tidwell family sent you a fun game and some cool cars. What a birthday!

Tonight we are going to Medieval Times! You are taking your best friend Alex. Woohoo! What a fun night.



You are such a smart boy. You are sweet, you always help your Mom, play games with Dad, and look out for you little sister. You tell funny jokes, and build the most amazing things out of legos. You hate enchiladas and lasagna. You always like your peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich cut into a house shape. You say, "bless Mom, bless Dad," at the beginning of every prayer...but never Natalia. You love when Daddy catches squirrels, and when he leaves to let them go you say, "the squirrels are going to a better place." You want to be a worker in demolition when you grow up. You always have a stick in your hand. You always tell us you love us! We LOVE you so much! You are such a blessing in our lives, and we are happy you are part of our family.


Happy Birthday Wyatt!


Family picture, August 2002.

Your first photo session! =) Four months old.

Blessing day, at Grandma's house......You are two months old here.

Babies, Babies, Babies!

Out of the last five sessions, FOUR of them have been babies! I thought I would share a few of my favorite images from them. The pictures sure make my arms ache..........I can't wait to hold one of my own. For now, this makes me feel so happy.

I love being a photographer!!! I can believe how much it has changed my life. I could go on and on about it, but I will just post the images! =)



I did this session with Christie as a photography lesson. This is one of my favorite images!!! I love his expression, and his little hands. He was a dream to work with, but not very sleepy! =)



This was the session I posted about with the birds chirping while I worked! Isn't he adorable!


I always wish client would have me come to the hospital. These pictures make me want to cry, they bring back so many tender memories of my newborns. I gave a good friend a gift certificate for a baby shower gift, and I am so happy she wanted me to come to the hospital. This little boy is about 18 hours old. Simply sweet.




My session Saturday was this little ball of fire, and his new baby sister. She was just 2.5 weeks old. Very fun session!




(Don't you want to hold a baby now? !!!! )

Cherry blossoms and bees

Lincoln called me from Oregon tonight, and asked me how my day was. I said, "Wonderful!"

I don't think it was an extraordinary day, but wonderful anyway. I started my day off at Christie's water aerobics class, a trip to the steam room, and 15 whole minutes to get ready for the day. Then I drug Christie and her kids to Kohl's in search of a dress they didn't have. We ate lunch at McDonald's, and the kids played for a long time. We came home, Natalia napped, and I took pictures of our cherry blossoms. Wyatt and I sat on our deck for a long time. The weather is absolutely gorgeous. I watered my new herb garden, and noticed that the basil didn't make it! I will have to replace it, because I use basil quite a bit.



I was thinking about our blissful time on the deck, and remembered that it wasn't so blissful getting out there. Wyatt is so afraid of bees. Two years ago he was stung on his cheek. He talks about it as though it happened yesterday. He refers to spring as "bee season." We have about 20 of the biggest bees flying around our side fence at all times. I have told him that "these" bees do not sting, but he is still very afraid. I believe they are carpenter bees...but I don't know for sure.

Christie brought her kids over for dinner, and so I could watch them for an hour. She needed a little time to get ready for a get together at her home. We all had a good time dancing in the kitchen. =)

Storytime, then bedtime, and then blogtime.

A good day!

Buggle gum

Natalia is driving me nuts. If she is out of my sight she is into something. Here is a list of what she got into yesterday.

*Hot pink glitter from Halloween. Wyatt came and told me she was trying to put sparkles on his nose. When I got to her, it was all over the carpet.
*Wyatt said "Natalia has something that she shouldn't have. It looks kind of like lotion." It was Balmex. (Diaper rash cream) Her hands were covered in it, and she was happily rubbing them together. It took quite a bit of Dawn to get it all off.
*I walked down the stairs to find a lick-a-maid dumped all over my leather couch. She didn't just leave it there, she licked it. The powder was blue, and the wet spots were big green smears. Horrible.
*Her new thing is filling up a cup with water, and dumping it in the potty. The floor gets most of the water. I found her doing this twice today. Cyrus was the latest victim.
*She walked in the room with a big block of cheese. As soon as I saw her and said NO, she took a big bite.
*I took pictures of the kids with huge suckers last summer. I didn't want them to actually EAT the whole sucker, so I put them on the very top shelf of the cabinet. I have since forgotten about them, but Natalia did not. She has been plotting for 9 months. She must have been waiting to grow a few inches or something. I seriously don't know HOW she got it down, but she did.
*This happened on Sunday......I was doing my hair, and I heard her say "Looka me!" I shouldn't have looked. She was jumping on my bed, with no clothes on, WITH A BINKY IN HER MOUTH! It was Wyatt's old binky. I had it hidden away in my jewelry box. I told her there was no way we were doing that again, and had to chase her to get it.
*She keeps unbuckling the top part of seatbelt while I am driving.
*She gets my lip glosses and puts it on. The other day I caught her "painting" her toes with my favorite MAC lip gloss!
*Another one not from today. She announces to the world that she has to go poop while we are in a restaurant or at church. Then she sits on the potty for two seconds, and says "it doesn't work", and hops off. As soon as we get back to our table she says that she has to go again. She never does.
*Unrolled three spools of ribbon.
*Got a spoon and helped herself to some peanut butter.
*Got all the hair clips and bows and dumped them out. They are now all over the place, and I keep finding them in strange places or in her mouth.
*I was wiping the table and left the room to grab the phone. She came after me with the cleaner I was using and said "Looka me!", pointed it at me and pulled the trigger.
*She gets a two dollar bill from Great Grandma James every Christmas. She found hers and ripped one of them in half!!! (Don't tell Grandma Mom!)

I think that is it. I am sure there was more, but I can't remember ALL of them. I will mention that I love her to pieces, and not just when she is asleep! =)

She is such a sweet girl. I opened a package of cookies, handed one to her, and then reached back in the bag to get a cookie for Tori. I watched Natalia pass her cookie to Tori, and then wait for hers. She does things like this all the time. She is always worried about others. (I had to add something good to this post!)

(She asks for buggle gum all the time. Which is why I never by it, if I said no....she would just go find it herself. =)

Getting to know me..

For hours and hours I could...
Sleep (anywhere)
Dance
Clean my house with my ipod on

I feel best about myself...
When my house is clean, and a beautiful meal in on the table.
I took my kids some where fun during the day.

I absolutely cannot stand...
The stomach flu....when the entire family has it.
Maple syrup

I am afraid of...
Moths
Big dogs
Something terrible happening during the night when Lincoln is out of town.

I love to splurge by...
one word....JEANS =)
Camera equipment
good makeup

I save by...
Shopping at the end of the season for next years clothes.
Not buying a new house.

I am trying to work on...
my kids.
Not losing my mind while raising my kids.
Organizing my kids playroom, and my photography business space.

In high school...
I was more worried about fashion than grades. (I did get good grades, most of the time!)
I danced 5th hour, ran track after school, went to Ballet class in Brigham, and then drove 30 minutes for 2 hours of dance at Tuellerettes. (I loved it!)


In college...
I was still more worried about fashion.
I took more dance classes than anything else.

I feel I'm a good mom when...
I let my kids get messy! (Paint, mud, glitter glue, suckers, sand, and the foam machine)
Healthy meals
Read to them

I regret...
Not doing pointe in high school.
Not calling my friends that live far away more often.
Not raising my photography prices sooner.

I could never have too many...
eye shadows
lip glosses
camera lenses



What about you?

50 mm

We forgot to color our Easter eggs. The three of us were drinking hot chocolate at 8:00 on Saturday night, when I remembered all those eggs sitting the fridge. Lincoln and I decided we would color them in the morning....and the Easter Bunny could hide only the plastic eggs this year. =)

Lincoln got all the egg dye ready. I was so impressed, but wondered why he only made three different colors. I got Natalia a princess egg kit, and Wyatt a Star Wars egg kit. I bought the kits 3 weeks ago, and Lincoln didn't know they were in the cupboard. He made the egg dye with the food coloring, so we had red, blue, and green. A little boring compared to hot pink, bright orange, sky blue, and lime green...but colored eggs just the same.

On Tuesday I went to water aerobics. I am sore now. I am so out of shape! I haven't been to the gym in so long it is like starting over. Christie was the teacher. She is so good, and loud! =) (If you have a Lifetime membership you need to take her class!)

I bought myself some ridiculously expensive jeans!! There are a present to me, because if I were still pregnant right now I wouldn't be able to fit in them. When I am bummed, I will just go put on those jeans. =) I hope they will be too small in a few more months!! They are so cute.

Anyway.
Monday, Christie and I went to Chick fil'a for a photography lesson. Sounds funny I know. We sat in the play area with our cameras, while the kids played. We practiced on her little one, because she doesn't run away yet. There was a mean little boy that punched Wyatt in the face and stomach. I hugged Wyatt, and told him to avoid the boy. Christie climbed up in the tunnels and got right in his face! She was very stern with him, and told him that these were nice kids and to play with them instead of hurt them. I love her! I wish I was brave like that! I was so worried about the boys' Mom yelling at me, that I didn't do anything. I need to stick up for my kid. I am thankful I could witness someone doing it, so next time I will!



On the way to my photography "class", I grabbed my small camera bag but it was UNZIPPED! My camera came toppling out, and headed to the floor. I caught it between my shins, but the lens hit the edge of a stair and it broke into two pieces. (CONFESSION: I wanted to upgrade that lens, but with it still in working order I couldn't do it. I was not so sad when it broke.) I HAVE to have a 50 mm lens for a session on Saturday, so I ordered a new one! WOOHOO! It came today, so I didn't get much done around the house. I took some cool pictures though! =)




(Not angry....just acting for me!) I LOVE this one...I see this face very often!

Thursday already??

(Click on the pictures...they look better large.)

Wyatt asked what tomorrow was and I said "Wednesday.......no.........it's Thursday....no, no.....tomorrow is Friday!" I can't believe I was that far off.

On Monday we were "kicked out" of the house at 9 am. Lincoln had a call and needed the house quiet. The kids and I walked to the lake. We found lots of turtles, and watched the geese fly over the water. I took tons of pictures. I have been in a photography rut. Winter does it to me every year, and then then spring comes and gets me right out of it. I had so much fun! I brought two pears and used them to get the kids to hold still. I told them if they stood up, I would eat their pear. =)



We walked around the lake to the playground, and later to McDonalds. We took our own sweet time going home. While we were standing on a bridge, Wyatt dropped a "crucial" part of his ninja turtle happy meal toy into the water. It was truly an accident, and he was very concerned. He looked at me in anguish after I told him we would have to leave it. He was very grown up about the whole situation. A year ago I think he might of died, but not until after cursing the bridge, the river, and the ninja turtle. We started to leave....then I decided to try to get it out. I waited for it to move....it was floating right in the center of the water. SLOWLY it moved closer to the side. I found a large stick, and tried to move it closer to the edge. As soon as the stick touched it....it sank. It looked like I could reach it, so climbed I down under the bridge. (After I buckled Talia in the stroller!!!!!!) I had to balance on my knees on a very wobbly rock, but I got it. Yesterday we passed that bridge, and I asked Wyatt if it looked familiar. He said, "That is were I dropped my toy, and you sat on a wobbly rock to get it. I was worried you were going to fall in. Next time why don't you wear your swimming suit."

On Tuesday, Lincoln had to be on the same call. I met my friend Karen (who is also a photographer in this area) and her two children at Elioak Farm. It's a petting zoo. We had such a fun time together. It is fun to hang out with someone that hates full sun for the same reason that I do. Horrible shadows. We had a great time photographing our kids anyway. Then we went to lunch at Eggspectations. Talia was a little restless, but we had a nice time.




Wednesday, Lincoln had to be on the same call. (GRRRR!) It was pouring rain outside, and he didn't have the heart to make us leave. I wish we would have. It so hard to keep them quiet. We went into the basement, we watched movies, and had a picnic in the family room. I didn't accomplish a thing that day, because I was constantly trying to keep them quiet, and Natalia is just noisy by nature.

Shhhhh! Shhhhh! Remember Daddy's on the phone. If you are quiet, we will go to Chuck E Cheese.

We did go to Chuck E Cheese. They had a wonderful time!

Deck

We spend a lot of time on our deck. I have so many pictures of the kids on it from last year.
Here are two I liked, there are a few more on flickr.

For all my blogging friends

What are your plans with your blog???

I started my blog last year in June, so this coming June and I am going have my blog printed in a soft cover book!!! It's that exciting.

Here is the company I plan to use.

blurb

Have you ever hugged a Sea Turtle?

Lincoln got to go SCUBA diving at the National Aquarium in Baltimore on Saturday. They first dove in the coral tank. Lincoln is such a ham, and took advantage of the dry audience by making "sand angels", copying people, and signing to three old women that he wanted their phone numbers.

(For those of you that remember when Lincoln and I were Cub Scout leaders.....Do you remember the Smokey the Bear costume?! If not please ask Lincoln about it. It's a funny story! It is the first thing I thought about when I heard about how silly he was at the aquarium. My dad even said, "sounds like a guy that would do the same kind of thing, in a Smokey the Bear costume!")

Anyway.

Next they dove in a the large tank with the Manta Rays. There is also a few small Nerf Sharks, and one big Sea Turtle with a missing arm....errr a...flipper. (??) Lincoln said this Sea Turtle was like a big cuddly dog. The turtle forced Lincoln to hug and pet it for 15 minutes and then followed him around the tank for the rest of the dive. (I can't stop laughing!!!!) Lincoln enjoyed himself so much, he even lied to a guy in the parking lot and told him he dives there all the time. When the guy asked him if he got to go in with the sharks, Lincoln said YES! LIAR! They don't let people in with the big sharks! (Still laughing!!)

I didn't have such an exciting day. I listened to conference, and went to Costco! Woohoo. I saw a lady with her beautiful granddaughter. We talked in line for a moment. I wanted to give her my business card so bad, she looked like a "perfect" client. I couldn't do it! I need to get over that fear.

I loved Conference. The kids were pretty good, so I got to hear more than I have in the last five years! I took notes. I am not a good note taker, but I am pleased with how I did! We listened over the internet, and it was hard to know who was speaking. Lincoln and I kept guessing, and then would re-guess. I can't wait for the ensign to read the talks, and to "know" who was speaking.

Spring session

I had a photo shoot on Tuesday. It was my most favorite session to date. It was for a 2 month old baby boy, and I was so worried that he would be hard to position. He wasn't hard at all, he was as easy as a newborn...just not as curled up.

He wore a 100 yr old gown that his Great Grandfather was christened in, for part of the session. He was blessed in the gown a few weeks ago.

I photographed him next to an OPEN sliding glass door, and I worked to the sound of birds chirping. I was in heaven! It was a gorgeous day.

I want to post a favorite from the session, but I need to get permission before I do. =)

The Return of the Squirrels..........

Yes, this must be the sequel to our squirrel saga.....

Yesterday we were on our way to church, and Lincoln noticed that ALL the warning lights were on in the Pathfinder. He got out, checked under the hood, and then looked at me and nodded with an angry look on his face. They did it again. The squirrels chewed through the electrical tape to get to the main wiring harness, and then munched completely through one wire. (Thankfully it was only one wire this time.) Then they had a delicious lunch of red, black, and green wire that disabled the left headlight, brights, and blinker.

Lincoln spent a long time, and was able to splice everything back together.

Now he is on a squirrel catching mission. I believe there will be another blog about squirrels very soon.

While Lincoln was outside, I made mango salsa for our fish tacos. Lincoln came in and grilled the Talapia, and it was the tasty fish EVER. It was a perfect Sunday dinner. The kids ate so much fish. We are lucky to have little fish lovers, because Lincoln and I enjoy it so much.

I got my hair cut on Saturday. I did another trade with Holly. I love her, she does such a good job. I told her to do whatever she wanted, and I got a really cute, short, and flippy, hairstyle with chunky blonde highlights. I TRIED to take a picture of myself to show my hair. I got some fabulous pictures of Holly's little girl! She is six months old, and such a cute baby. It was raining and I took some really cute picture of Holly and her husband under an umbrella! Lincoln even said, I wish we pictures like that of us!

This is a picture of her on their kitchen table! See how clever I am! =) It looks like a wood floor.


Lincoln and I were watching a commercial with a very old man and his wife. The old woman sat down in front of some flowers so the man could take her picture. I said "Awww, that's gonna be us."

Then Lincoln said, "Except your going to take your own picture."

Tornado and Leprechaun

Today was "I am going to get TONS of housework done" day! I did get a lot of things done. Not a huge list, because most of it was spent doing laundry. I have to admit that since the miscarriage I have done about 2 or 3 loads of wash. SINCE MARCH 3rd! My kids were starting to sport very strange outfits, and I was wearing clothes I hadn't worn in years. I washed and folded all day long, I even put most of it away!

I made two REAL meals today, three if you count the frozen pancakes I made on Saturday. I never seem to cook when Lincoln is gone. Why make something for them to complain about....when they will eat chicken nuggets and pasta without a peep. Those are the days I hardly eat a thing.

Anyway...While I folded and washed, cooked, cleaned, swept, and carried baskets up and down stairs...............Natalia broke one of my canisters, dumped salt all over the stove, covered the kitchen floor with moon sand, brought me ants, carried a bowl of cereal with MILK all over the house, and put bodywash on her cheeks and hair. She also has a runny nose, so every time I saw her she had snot spread from her nose to her ear.
Now I know why I never get anything done unless she is asleep. If I don't keep an eye on her, she finds something messy to do. It gives me MORE work to do.

Wyatt was an angel to day. If you don't count making Talia scream.

I was reminded of a funny story when I was folding clothes. This happened a few weeks ago.

About an hour after the kids were in bed, I went in my room to put something away. Wyatt was sitting in my bed, and tried to hide. I asked him what he was doing.

"I was too hot in those firetruck pajamas," he said.

"What did you put on?" I asked, knowing that there were NO other clean alternatives.

"The leprechaun ones." he said.

He doesn't own leprechaun pajamas!!!!!

"Show me," I said.

He stood up in the middle of the bed. He was wearing size 24 months....dark green....with the footies cut off....pajama bottoms. He did look like a leprechaun.

I still don't know where he found them. =)

398 photos

I have 398 photos uploaded to my flickr account!

Woohoo! Right now the only people that can see them is my friend Corinne and my Mom! =) It is a bit of a process to see them....but so fun once you do!

If you decide to create an account add me as a contact, then I will add you as one. My flickr name is just.jeri.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/just-jeri/
Click on this and you will see one photo...the rest are set private.

Flickr is a great place to store your photos. If you reach your free limit, it is only 25 dollars a year and there is no storage limit!! You can even keep full size images there. =) It is good to have your photos stored somewhere other than inside your home.

From a snow day in February

Snow angel. You can tell by the grass that the snow was about an inch deep. =)

Talia was happy....for approximately 10 more seconds after the picture. Then she was crying and walking toward the door. Too cold for her.



Hot chocolate after playing in the snow. Yum.