That's bloggable

(Christie and I have a new phrase for funny things we should blog.)

I heard Talia come in my room, but I hadn't heard Wyatt. Somehow he was already in my bed, and Lincoln was gone.

Natalia walked over to the side of the bed, peeked over and saw her brother.

Talia- "I love you Wyatt."

Wyatt, opening his eyes- "I love you too, Tai."

Talia (after climbing on the bed)- "I love you much all the world."

Wyatt- "Wow,That's a lot. I love you as much as all the eyes in the whole world."

Talia- "THAT'S A LOT. I love you as much as the Eli's in the world." (Eli is Natalia's little friend.)

Wyatt- "I bet there are a lot of Eli's in the world."

I didn't move a muscle or even open my eyes. I love listening to my children tell each other how much they love each other. =) They continued for a few more minutes. I can't remember all that was mentioned, except for DIRT. Someone always says "I love you as much as all the dirt in the world." Silly kids.

End of sappy story. =) Don't hold your breath though, I have another one.

I have a few silly games that I play with my kids. Our favorite is called "gross sandwich." We play this one while we wait at restaurants. We stack our hands on top of each others, and each time you add your hand to the pile, you add something disgusting (or delicious) to the sandwich. My kids are seriously so creative...it makes me laugh. The game always starts ...I'm the bread. Then they know what to do. We can make 5 huge gross sandwiches before our food arrives. We always taste each one...at least one bite.

Here is an example of some things I have heard in the past.....for my own memories sake. =)

bread
tomato
marshmallow creme
spider legs
pickles
rotten lime
dirt
spicy peppers (but only on your half Mom)
strawberry jam
one worm
pasta...no...pesto pasta
chicken leg
crab
chocolate sauce
rotten eggs
lettuce
peanut butter
snails
yogurt
crunchy noodles
garbanzo beans
pepperoni
I'm the bread

We have a new game. It's called the perfect day. I played it with Wyatt. We each did two perfect days. I loved hearing what his perfect day would be! I will post one of mine and Wyatt's. (I invite my blogging friends to join in on our game....but post your kids perfect days too.)

Me-
Wake up, but only after getting to sleep in.
Cuddle with my kids for a minute. (I forgot about Lincoln...no wait, he is busy down stairs mopping the floor!) =) I said PERFECT day.
Go and have fractured prune donuts for breakfast.
Drive to the beach, and take lots of picture of my kids.
Eat a yummy BBQ, that Daddy will make. (and clean up.)
Take a nap in the shade, or just be lazy (now cuddling with Lincoln) with a big smile on my face.
Eat a big, fancy salad for dinner when we get home.
Kiss my kids, and put them in bed.
Watch my favorite show (sytycd) and go to bed, but not before looking at the pictures I took at the beach. =)

Wyatt-
Wake up eat "breakfixed."
Go to the gym.
Eat a healthy lunch.
Then Talia will take her nap, and I can play xbox.
When she wakes up we can go to the park.
Go to the Crab Deck for dinner, and I will have my own HUGE crab.
Watch a family movie.
Bed.

I will add Lincoln's and Talia's later.

I hope everyone is having a perfect day.

The aftermath of a day off....

It is 7:30 in the morning. Talia woke up at 5:45. I am still not feeling well, and am so tired.

Wyatt and Talia were in the kitchen eating raisin bran.

"MOM, I have some bad news," Wyatt yelled to me. I was in the front room. "You have so much dishes to do in here."

He walked in to look at me and said, "Don't worry, I will help you." He paused, "You clean them, and I will put them in the right spots."

I guess waking up early isn't that bad, when you have sweet children.

Our week...

Well we made it through a week with out Daddy. It was a pretty good week.

Monday. I cleaned and we went to the park.

Tuesday. I went to water aerobics, and then the kids played in the pool at the Walls.

Wednesday. I went to water aerobics, and then we went to waterfront in Columbia for the lunchtime concerts. I packed tuna pitas, pears, Frito's, and oreos for our lunch. It was fun concert, and the kids played very well. Natalia has to pet all dogs, and there is one dog that is always at the concerts. This dog is sweet, and I feel okay about letting her pet it. Enter dog #2, as soon as Talia walks over to it, I yell at her to stop. Of course she doesn't listen, and keeps walking towards the dog. The owner of dog #2, proceeds to pull out a muzzle and put it on the dog. I am glad the dog has the muzzle, but I am so angry that she doesn't listen to me when I yell at her to stop.
Still Wednesday..we went over to the mall, and while we were in the Disney store Talia needed to go potty. I left Wyatt with Christie, and ran across the hall. Talia had swallowed a penny a few days earlier. How do I know this? I gave her the penny, and said "go put this in the pig." I guess she thinks SHE is the pig, because a few minutes later she came to me with tears in her eyes, and a red face. She said "I choke on the money," gasping and coughing. Swallowed penny. Back to the mall....Talia had GREEN poop. (TMI) My mind thought of a story of a little girl who swallowed a penny that stayed in her belly, and the coin corroded....it made her very sick. I was so worried the penny Talia swallowed was doing the same thing. I walked back over to the Disney store, to see Tori (Christie's little girl) in Christie's arms. When Tori saw me, she started to cry. I asked what happened to her. Christie, with the cell phone on her ear, turned to me and said "She fell, and then she passed out." I was in shock. Suddenly, sharing my story of green poop didn't seem very relevant. Tori seemed to be okay, and Christie finally got a hold of Brent on the phone. We were walking back to the car, and Tori was so out of it. Her eyes were blinking really fast, and she looked as if she was going to fall out of the stroller. I was so worried, I didn't think I was going to be able to hold it together. Luckily, she is just fine. We all went out for pizza, where she was her normal self.

Thursday. Christie and I went to the gym. After dropping our kids off in the Childcare center, we went and had massages. It was my first massage, and it was wonderful. Worth every penny. It was nice to relax after having the kids by myself all week. Then I drove to Severna Park to deliver an order. The kids were good, and stayed in the car and listened to a book on tape while I went into my clients home. Then we went to a little private beach in my clients neighborhood. It was a lovely little park, and since my kids didn't have their suits we just played in the sand. That was the plan anyway. When I loaded them in the car, they both had wet pants. =)

Friday. We stayed home and cleaned. I washed sheets and clothes, did dishes, picked up clutter, sorted toys and threw away many, and made beds. I had an order ready to be picked up, and I had to get ready for my date with Lincoln. His flight was going to come in at about 5:30, so we went out as soon as he got home. We were celebrating the day we met. That was eleven years ago. What a happy day. We went out for Thai food, and to a movie. We saw the Sliver Surfer, which was totally for Lincoln. I got to run through H&M and buy some cute clothes before the show started, so I was happy.

Saturday. I had a session, it was actually a follow up session for the little boy that got sick. It was a good session. Then we took the kids out for ice cream, and went to a park in Ellicott City. It was the park I used to take Wyatt to when we first moved here. It made me remember how little he was, and how afraid he used to be of the slides. He was only 2 and half. My, how time flies. I was pregnant then. This time he went down a very steep slide, and said he was finished with that slide forever. Talia went down it, got her feet on the ground, looked back at us, pointed sharply at the slide and exclaimed "THAT'S BIG!" Lincoln and I laughed. I started to feel a little sick, so we went home and I took a nap. I woke up to and empty house, and Wyatt asleep next to me. (great...that means he'll be up until 10) Lincoln had taken Talia to blockbuster, and got Chipotle for dinner. Thank goodness!

It is Sunday now. Lincoln is at church with Wyatt, Talia is asleep upstairs, and I am blogging. I feel like I just was sick, and now I am again. I just have a head cold, cough, and body aches. That is the worst part, I am so sore. Hopefully, I can rest today and get over it soon. I have to pack and get ready for our trip this coming week. I am excited to see my family, and take pictures of them. They must think of me coming and cringe! I only see them once a year, and I have to update the pictures right? =)

I have some pictures...I'll add them later. =)

Father's Day 2007

We had a nice Father's day here in Maryland. We'll I was told it was the "best Father's day ever." I have to agree. I have failed at making Father's day wonderful too many times to count. Lots of IOU's and such, that never end up happening. Not this year. I did everything right....if I do say so myself.

We gave Lincoln his presents on Saturday. Natalia gave him a harmonica and lesson CD, Wyatt have him a golfing gift certificate, and I gave him a smoker. He actually asked for the smoker, but I picked it out. Christie and I carried it up the stairs and hid it in Wyatt's closet. He had no clue that I bought it, and was probably expecting to be let down. We had to give the gifts on Saturday, because I knew he would want to buy some meat to smoke. We took him to Qudoba's for lunch, and then I had a photo session that evening.

Sunday morning we brought him breakfast in bed. He had requested chorizo and eggs. I also brought him the worlds biggest glass of oj, and made a hashbrown and put a big red ketchup heart on it. Then he slept in some more.

We went to church, then we had the Walls and the Hansens over to help us eat a giant smoked brisket. Lincoln was worried it wouldn't turn out, because he is a smoker-newbie. It was absolutely wonderful. It was a nice dinner, and it was fun to share it with friends.

The next morning Lincoln had to leave for Vegas. He will be gone for a week. You think I would be used to him leaving, and be prepared for that icky feeling. We refer to that feeling as "doom and gloom" in our house. We usually start to feel it the day before he leaves,-- we being Lincoln and I. I am sure the kids feel it too, but they don't verbalize it....they just act out when he is gone. =)

Monday we went to the park. I made a nice picnic. By nice I mean out of the ordinary. I don't know what it is, but I try my hardest not to pack sandwiches. This picnic did have sandwiches though....peanut butter banana sandwiches on raisin bread. The special treat was fresh pineapple, raspberry, and strawberry shortcake. I brought the whole can of whipped cream in the cooler bag. It was so yummy. Wyatt said "I think I will just have the fruit only, I am sure it is more healthy that way." Whatever...I will have my cake, and eat his too!

I brought my camera for a little "my husband is gone therapy." On the way out the door Wyatt said,"Here's the deal, I will only go if you don't bring your camera." I told him if I didn't take my camera we weren't going to go, so there was no deal. He is starting to sound like Lincoln.

See that shirt...he used to be afraid of it. It was only $2.50, so I got it for him. A robot shirt...I thought he would love it. It took more than 8 months for him to put it on. It's says Doctor Galaktro.

(Wyatt is yelling for me to come and push him. =)

There once was a girl with a curl,

right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good,

she was very very good.

And when she was bad,

she was horrid.

I finally got over to push him. =)

Speaking of therapy........My session on Saturday ROCKED! It was such a change of pace for me, as my subjects didn't run away from me. It was so nice to be able to meter the light be so creative without chasing anyone. It was a family of five, and the youngest child was 8..(I believe.) We went to Savage Mill. I used the water, and some of the ruins for the backgrounds. The light was glorious, and I was giddy. I think they must have thought I was crazy, but I KNEW I was getting amazing stuff. Here is a little sample of my favorites...so far. (These aren't the traditional portraits, but we took these shots when we were done with the family images.)

the polka dot dress

My Mom made this dress for Natalia. I had to get some pictures of her in it. She wasn't very corporative though. She also made her a yellow dress with butterflies on it. I wanted to take some pictures of her wearing it also. I found the perfect spot, a field of yellow flowers (probably weeds) with hundreds of white butterflies flying about. Natalia was spent, so we'll have to go back another day.

Chicken Parmigiana

I made this for dinner last night. Everyone loved it, and it was so easy. My favorite part was the sauce. I did add several of the herbs from my garden to it though. (basil, thyme, oregano, and Italian flat leaf parsley) Homemade Chicken Parmigiana

Submitted by: Jules203 Rated: 5 out of 5 by 9 members

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ready In: 50 Minutes Yields: 3 servings

"Show the love with these breaded chicken breasts and homemade creamy tomato sauce. It really is easier than it looks, and no one's going to turn away chicken with two melted cheeses!"

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/3 cup minced onion 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup heavy cream salt and pepper to taste 1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs 2 tablespoons freshly grated

Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons milk 3 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 3 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 2 minutes. Pour in diced tomatoes and sugar. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the sauce has simmered, stir in the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Lower heat and keep sauce warm
2.	Stir together bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, and dried oregano; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 2 tablespoons milk until blended. Dip chicken breasts into the egg, then press into breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides, shaking off excess.
3.	Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook on both sides until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), and the bread crumb crust is golden brown, about 10 minutes.
4.	To serve, spoon sauce over chicken and top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Let stand a few minutes until the cheese has melted from the heat of the sauce.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 6/14

A nice visit

Lincoln's Grandmother, Grandma Eaton, came to stay with us for a two weeks. We had such a wonderful time. She is always so nice to have as company, because she just joins in on our busy lives. The first day she was here we got to go to Wyatt's preschool graduation. He attended East Columbia Preschool this year, and that school has done wonders for him. He has really grown up a lot this year. He had wonderful teachers, and I am sad he has to move on. I struggle with him growing up anyway.....when he was getting ready for bed a few nights ago, he complained that his tooth hurt. I stopped in my tracks, and asked which one. Of course, it was the bottom right tooth, and it was wiggly! I got teary eyed immediately, and tired to hide it and act super excited for him.
A wiggly tooth is sure sign of a big kid.



Anyway, Graduation was wonderful! They did a little questionnaire with each child, here are Wyatt's answers.

What is your favorite thing about preschool? When we start playtime because I like to play with Bristle Blocks.

In Preschool I learned.......about dinosaurs. Some dionosaurs ate plants while other dinosaurs ate meat. All dinosaurs are extinct.

The teachers do a little Prophecy about what think each child will be when they grow up. They said, "Wyatt would be an FBI agent, because he is the rule enforcer." I had to smile, because if he knows a rule he enforces it! Then they read something nice about each child. "Wyatt, You are very good at noticing details and using what you know to create and play!" from Miss Kelly, Miss LouAnn, and Miss Sue.

The next day his entire school went to Pump it up. It is a warehouse filled with those inflatable jumpy slide things. Both of the kids loved it, and ask to go back frequently.

We had a really busy week, I made a list...

*Preschool Graduation
*Took a meal to a friend that had a new baby.
*Pump it up party
*Watched Christie's kids
*Had a girls night out with Christie and Grandma. It was co-op night. Lincoln was out of town, and Christie's husband was at work. So the girls went to get a pedicure, and to Chevy's. I could live on Chevy's flautas! They are heavenly...especially with extra sauce for dipping! Yum.
*I had a wonderful session. A great client of mine adopted a little girl. She is the cutest little thing! Here is a cute picture of her.


*Two birthday parties.
*New blinds installed.
*Got a full size mattress from a friend in Catonsville. Lincoln put it on top of the pathfinder. I was so worried about it flying off. Lincoln called me later, and I asked him how it was going. He said " I was going 75 on the freeway, and it flew off like a piece of bread." He was joking, but I believed him, until the bread part. =) This is going to be Natalia's BIG, HUMONGOUS girl bed. A great place for guests to sleep. *hint hint*
*A luau! Yes I said LUAU. My friend Kortney, who is also a photographer, threw the most organized and beautiful luau. We all dressed very Hawaiian,.I wore an orange floral knee length skirt with a white top, Lincoln wore leafy print shorts with a white linen shirt (he looked so handsome), and Grandma wore her black and white floral mu mu. We looked fantastic! They had a hula hoop contest....and can you guess who one. (If you guessed Lincoln you should be punched! =) It was ME!!!! I won a $15 itunes gift card for doing so. =) The food was very authentic (but what do I know....I've never been to Hawaii!) and Kortney had witty labels for everything. It was a beautiful night, and I am so glad we were able to go.
*We had a BBQ with the Wall family over here after church one Sunday. Lincoln made ribs and they were out of this world delicious. He also made some killer baked beans. What did I make??? I can't even remember, so it must not have been as good as what he made. We went on a walk after dinner, and a storm rolled in while we were out. I thought it was wonderful and laughed in the unbelievably strong wind. Wyatt thought we were going to die. =)
*We went to took Christie's water aerobics class, and went swimming with the kids at Lifetime.
*We went to Larriland Farms for Strawberry picking, and a picnic. This was my favorite day. It was such a gorgeous day. We packed a wonderful picnic, that included black bean salad, and had a lazy time in the shade.


*Another photo session. (No permission to share yet.)
*We went to Gunpowder State park. Lincoln grilled hot dogs, and we played in the sand and the water. Natalia is getting a little too brave for my liking. I need to buy life jackets.




*We went to Port Discovery. We had never been there before. The kids are the perfect age for that place now. They climbed, played giant drums, squished clay, sorted shapes, and climbed some more.
*We introduced Grandma to these donuts! They are our favorite thing. I think my favorite one has to be the black forest! If you live in Columbia you need to go try them.(...just look up their hours before you go.)

A busy two weeks. I am sorry I did it in list form, there was just too much to write about.

I have had two more wonderful sessions in the past week. I will have to share when I am done proofing. I love my job!

I had an epiphany the other day. My friend from high school emailed me, and in my reply to her I said, "We live in Maryland, we love it here." After I wrote that I was shocked, but then realized I really feel that way. I do love it here. Hate humidity, love it here.

I will...

try to do a catch up blog, but not today. I am so far behind in everything.

3 sessions to proof.
House to clean.
Watching all the co-op kids tonight.
Vacation plans to solidify.
Need to wash towels. (Since swimming season is here, and the hot tub is fixed.....every single Towel needs to be washed.)
Clients to call.
3 orders need to be submitted. (One for Father's day....the Grandpa/Granddaughter swing images!)

We did manage to go to a Moon Bounce party today. That was so fun. Wyatt jumped until he got sick....literally. We left! I didn't want him to throw up there. Natalia had a good time too.


Here are a few pictures for fun.

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.

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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!