Monday, October 6, 2008

No More Training Wheels!

This was a big weekend for Ethan! He is officially a big boy! No more Training Wheels!



Dad had him all geared up with knee pads & elbow pads. Needless to say, he survived!



After just a couple of minutes and only minor crashes, Ethan was being a daredevil on wheels.
We really didn't know what to think because all of his life - we speculated that he'd be the cautious, safe, mature one! We realized on Saturday that we have been way off! Ethan is just as much a crazy hooligan as his brothers! We're in for some serious trouble.




This is my precious baby boy who is amazing on a scooter. He's been watching Nate go down the driveways in the neighborhood & of course he has to do it too. All the while giving me panic attacks. He's only 1! He'd scooter all day & all night if we let him.




This would be Nate. He's going extremely fast, feet on his seat and laughing at my worried looking face. Oh, and he's in pajamas of course. (He really thinks he should be able to wear p.j.'s to school/stores/church. Not happening) So he is my eldest son, the leader of their wildness, their extreme sport role model. What's a mom to do?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The amazing Ruth Riley...

This week was great! (It otherwise would have STUNK!) John has been traveling all week... went to Texas without me :( then onto southern California. I cannot sleep when he is traveling because our house makes noises. Serious noises that keep a light sleeper up all night. We so need a dog. Anyhow, one night while not being able to sleep, I was working on business stuff & was sidetracked enough to create a facebook account. Within minutes I was back in touch with so many friends from all over. I guess I'm pretty far behind the times, I know! So I found out on Wednesday that Ruth Riley was going to be in town playing the Monarchs in a playoff game. So excited! Ruth & I both graduated from Notre Dame back in 2001 and I haven't seen her since! Man time flies. So we got together for dinner on Thursday (in between John's trips to the airport). John & I had so much fun catching up with her. Ruth is a super hero in every sense! Aside from all the amazing things she has accomplished on the court (which are a ton - check the stats!) She is a true hero in what she does off the court. In her offseason she is all over the place doing amazing things. I was trying to explain to my sons how she goes to Africa to actually save lives by working in the villages on a UN Foundation project called Nothing But Nets. They were so excited to meet her and of course, want to go with her to Nigeria now. Ruth is an incredible woman! So lucky to know her!



Then we went to cheer her on tonight. Ruth & the Silver Stars beat the Monarchs 85-78! We had a great time! My boys loved watching the game, holding up their signs & saying "we know number 00" to every one sitting around us. Thankfully we were sitting next to lots of friendly folks who didn't mind us cheering for the visiting team.



Go Silver Stars! We'll be watching as yall win the finals! Go Ruth! We love you!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Hurricane Ike

Now that the storm has settled, I feel calm enough to add a post. This was a very scary week. We were suppose to land Saturday morning in Houston to visit with my family, baptize some babies, and house hunt up in Dallas later in the week. With the hurricane coming in about the same time, we've rescheduled the trip for October. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate turning 30! In Texas, with my family, and really great Texas food! Can't wait!

My family was all so very lucky! All of my family and their homes are safe. After evacuating, and waiting the storm out, they headed home to find their 100 year old house still there! They are working to clean up branches and the mess that the hurricane left. My parents are grateful for all these branches down because they think the pine trees really blocked most of the wind from the house. My mom sent me some photos she took.




And I have to add this one...



This shot is just so perfect. Here is Ray, driving the golf cart while the kids are in the back picking up branches, throwing them in the trailer (attached to the golf cart), working. I love that Ray is laughing & little Ana's silly smile. I know that this week has been very hard, but the sight of them smiling during these hard time says so much of their character. They've definitely had their share of hard times. I love this shot - good job Mom!

We will continue to pray for all those affected by the hurricane. My heart breaks at the images I see from the news. Texas is a place I love: the people, the pride, and even the humidity! I wish I was there to help right now! Love to all my Texas Peeps! Miss you.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Sand Mountain

Our family had a blast a Sand Mountain. To be honest, I really did not know what to expect. But it was exactly that... a mountain of sand. It really looks like it belongs on another continent. Absolutely amazing and beautiful!


We met some of our dear friends out in the middle of Nowhere, Nevada for this little Labor Day trip. We had a blast. We got to try out our updated Teryx...

New roll cage, new back seat for the boys with 3 five-point harnesses (mom approved), new fancy ostrich upholstery. Thanks John! Love it! He's hoping to have the speakers & roof done by next trip. This talented young guy has been doing the work on it, so if anybody is interested in the Sacramento area, let me know & I'll give you his number. (He's working on a website so in the meantime, you'll just have to call him.) He's really done a great job & in a hurry for us too!

A "no look" shot. This cracks me up because I am buckled in so tight in the passenger seat that I can't always turn around to see the boys. So I would stick by camera off to the side & snap pics when we'd go down a hill. These are the funny faces I'd see when John would drive. Apparently my driving is not as exciting, or so my 3 year old says. He'd tell me that he wants Dad to drive because I drive "too slow." Check out those sand boogers on Ethan! So much fun. They love this thing as much as I do!


Here are some shots of our friend's sandrail when he was giving Nate a ride. This thing is a monster! It could climb that enormous mountain of sand in no time. This weekend was my first time to ever ride in one and definitely my favorite part of the trip (along with our nightly smores & campfire). I am probably the opposite of an "adrenaline junkie," but this was really fun. John couldn't believe I got in! I couldn't let our five year old show me up! Thanks for the ride, Kevin!


Thursday, August 28, 2008

Baking at my House...

This is what any cooking project looks like at my house. Ingredients and utensils spread through at least 3 rooms, barefooted babies on my countertops, sink full of dirty dishes,
and very hungry and impatient boys who do not understand cooking/cooling time. It really is so much fun any time we stir something up.


































Very excited about:
1. Getting my TERYX back tomorrow - all decked out, then leaving for Sand Mountain to get it all dirty again.
2. Going to Texas very soon for Wyatt and Kylies' baptisms & to check out some places to live in the McKinney area, visit with my family, play some Texas Hold 'Em with Ray.
3. School starting. Still excited about that!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

First Day of School...

Here's Nate on his first day of Kindergarten. He's so excited.















On our way to school...









How cute is our neighborhood!


Then, when we got to school...
The extremely big & ridiculously heavy backpack had started to wear on Nate.
He wasn't about to complain! He loves his backpack! Just thought this was funny looking...




















Really hoping today is going well for him! He's got so much energy & enthusiasm.
( Mom is very happy about school starting :) Woo Hoo! )

Thursday, August 21, 2008

New Logo...

New Logo. Worked way too long on this. It's always so much easier for me to come up with designs for other people. Why is that? I was going in way too many directions, but finally here it is! Let me know what you think...

Now I can move on to the more important (and fun) part of building this business just how I want. I'm loving this. You know, retirement. After teaching a whopping 3 years in public education. Retirement has been a dream come true so far :)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

More from Tahoe...

So here are some of my favorite photos, straight from the camera.

Nate & Brayden riding their 50's at dusk.















My husband. The biggest kid of all. Love him!














My TWO lunches from Dragonfly. Yum!














Kim & I after following the boys in the dirt all day. We were just a little dirty ourselves!














Great time! Good to be home to mountains of laundry.

Love This!

So here is my new toy...




This last trip was my favorite camping trip because I could follow John & the boys around & take all the photos my heart desired. Which was a lot! I'll post some later today. There are a bunch! Also wanted to show yall a before picture of my TERYX. John is having some modifications done to it this week. (I'd say it's being MOMified, but he'd be offended.) We're having a bench seat put in the back for the little guys, more lights put on top, new seats & more than I could ever ask for. I absolutely love it! We had a blast getting it all dirty & broken in.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Off to Tahoe...

We're off to Tahoe. John likes to spoil me. But not the usual gifts a husband would give his wife. Not flowers or even jewelry. But then again, I guess I'm not a typical wife in that sense either. John likes to surprise me with things that require gasoline & has fancy rims. I'll be sure to post some pictures of it when we get back from our trip. I love it! And I love you too, honey. You spoil me rotten!

And just so you know, I'll be at Dragonfly on Saturday with my TWO orders of lunch. Yum!
Good times to come...

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Never again...

I am never again drinking an energy drink! I felt a little low on blood sugar yesterday. We were at the dirtbike shop and I was desperate for something to help... I drink this mysterious-blue-labeled energy drink. (Not one I had seen before. I love Guava Rockstars, by the way). So I gulp down HALF of this drink & I'm feeling better. The rest of the day goes "normal" (as normal as can be for me). After everybody's in bed, I get to work on my photos, website stuff, marketing stuff, you name it... I look up & it's 2:00 in the morning. Oops. So I crawl in bed expecting to fall asleep immediately. Not happening. Finally around 3:00 I can't take it anymore, I get up & write down all my new ideas that just popped in my head from last hour, work a little more... I crawl back in bed around 4 as John's alarm clock is going off. (He & Brad have this new tradition of riding their dirt bikes really early, so us wives don't complain too much.) So John leaves around 4:30 and I finally fall asleep... until Nate crawls in bed with me around 6. What a night! Weird! I wonder what would have happened to me if I drank the whole can! And where were these things when I was in college?!? Needless to say, I got a lot done last night. All my prints/books ordered. Should be here this week! Hooray!


I shot this handsome little guy the day before I left for TX. He & his mom were so fun!












Then Monday, I shot this beautiful couple. There were a bunch from this session that I love. But I know I'm rambling, so here's just a few:







Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Airport to Reunion with 5 pictures left...

These just make me laugh. When John picked me up from the airport, we headed straight to his family reunion in SF. I didn't get a chance to empty my CF cards for my camera, so I only had 5 pictures after my week in Texas! F-I-V-E. Not fair.

So I really had it in my head that I wanted a shot of each of the boys with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Here's me, the paranoid mom: "Okay, be really careful! This hill is kind of steep. I'm only going to take one picture - so look handsome. Just be REALLY careful!" I laughed so hard when I got these home & up on my screen. I love how the word "careful" does not register in just one of my sons' vocabularies.























Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Back in SAC. Bummer.

I spent the most wonderful week in Texas.
***
A few days after his accident, I promised my brother-in-law, Ray, that I'd be there when he came home. After surviving a horrible motorcycle accident, a few weeks in a coma, several surgeries, and a mountain of other obstacles to overcome - Ray is home! After 13 weeks! He actually got to come home a little early. He'll be going back as his body is ready to handle more surgeries. He's one tough man! Ray suffered a traumatic brain injury & is still working to heal. I believe that pRAYers have gotten him this far. I have faith that he will walk again. He's amazing. He taught me how to play Texas Hold 'Em, good ol' fashion Dominoes, kept me laughing with his constant jokes, and was such a blessing to be around. Thanks Ray! I miss you.



I also had a blast with my nieces & nephews. I took a ton of pictures of them.
How could I resist barefeet & tutus? Impossible!




Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Where did last week go?

I lost a week somewhere! This summer is going way to fast. Kinda happy 'bout that. So we were up in Tahoe for 4th of July with some really great friends & their kiddos. It was a good time. The boys went dirt bike riding way too much. They were in heaven! I can't complain... Kim & I had an afternoon "off" mom duty - so went to old town Truckee & had a yummy meal at
Dragonfly. Funny thing happened there... I eat a lot. I love food. When our lunch came, it was amazing. I tried some of Kim's - amazing too! So the next time our waitress came around she asked how everything was & I said "great, I'd like to order one of those (Kim's mahi) too." I So was really hungry/tired of hot dogs and camping food. She laughed & walked away. She must have thought I was joking because she never came back with the rest of my lunch. Don't worry, I survived because she did bring out these Banana Wonton delicious things later. Next time we're up there, I will order TWO! One tempura fried Mahi & One Plantain and Panko Crusted Basa flatbread thing. So good! Lots of fun though. Here's a couple of shots...

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Done with the Laundry! Finally

This was the dirtiest trip ever! The boys were seriously covered in dirt each night. Covered. So laundry was quite fun. After 6 loads of laundry, folding, refolding after Wyatt thinks it's hilarious to mess up my neat piles of clothes, and putting clothes away, I'm DONE! As a sidenote, I love my washer & dryer. And yes, that is possible. I really do! So after we're all settled back in, we're off again tomorrow! For Tahoe this time. Should be fun. We're meeting some friends and then some friends are coming with us. Good times. Better get packin'.


Monday, June 30, 2008

Home Sweet Home

So needless to say, I'm happy to be back home! Yosemite was a blast, however our last night was a little too exciting...

We were sitting around the campfire & I was complaining how we didn't see any bears this year. (We saw/heard them every night last year & I chased a cub around for a good half hour taking pics of it last summer.) So we were all talking about it & I was truly saddened. John & I even joked about going around the campsite after everybody had gone to bed saying "Go away Bear!" (That's what the Rangers tell you to do while beating on pots & pans. Seriously!) However, we sobered up & decided that would be mean.

After we'd all gone to bed. We did have a visitor. Actually a mama bear & her two cubs. The mama bear woke up John's sister by trying to OPEN the door to their motorhome! When she couldn't do it (thankfully their door is broken & extremely tricky even for us humans to open) she started pushing & grunting & shaking the whole rig. Debbie woke up, looked out the window & saw a very large bear face to face. She saw two small cubs playing with her kids' toys at the picnic table too! After a few tries at getting in, the mama bear grunted to the babies & off they ran! Craziness! There are claw marks & scratches all over the door to their motorhome. Lasting Yosemite souveniers. John would probably had jumped out & beat the poor bear if she scratched his rig. Hee hee.

Other than that, our trip was very peaceful & beautiful. Except for the looming smoke from the wildfires. I have a ton more campfire stories to share & about 800 photos. Here's a few to wet your whistle:





Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Crazy Crazy Week

So this week has been FULL SPEED ahead. Family shoot on Monday, teaching a digital SLR class on Tuesday, and a new hair-do today. Finally! Then tomorrow, we're flying down to San Diego. Dropping off the monkeys at Grandma's. Having a fun weekend (except John has to sing in front of 1200 people. His very own version of Tom Petty's Free Falling.) It'll be as torturous as it sounds. Then we're flying home & meeting the monkeys & grandparents & cousins all in Yosemite. I think my favorite part of this whole arrangement will be the quiet drive from Roseville to Yosemite with just me & my husband. Wow! When does that happen? Should be fun & I'm sure I'll have a gazillion photos to post when we make it back. I'll try to throw one up of our trailer, packed to the gills. Very funny.

Here's a couple of shots from Monday's shoot. Amazing family!