Photo Story Friday: Project 365, Week 30

Hosted by Chris

Hosted by Cecily and Caitlin

Day 203, July 23

This picture is terrible.  But these two insisted that I take a picture of them jumping off the stairs. 

Annie yells, "CANNONBALL!"

Cooper yells, "CANDONBAULDER!!"

Day 204, July 24

I followed Chris around all day while he shot Bridals in Salt Lake.  I mostly just stayed out of the way, but every now and then I would have some sort of bright idea  (it doesn't happen often).  This is my accessory shot.

Day 205, July 25

My mom and I took the kids to Snowbasin today to ride the Gondola to the top, and hike around a bit.  Snowbasin is beautiful year round, so I was ecstatic to take pictures as we rode to the top and hiked around. 

That feeling quickly went away when I was half-way up the mountain and realized that my  memory card was still in the car... at the bottom of the mountain.

So we used my mom's point-and-shoot up top, and once I got back down I took a trip to the car, got the memory card, and took this shot. 

I do love me some motorcycles.

Day 206, July 26

I delayed taking a picture all day today.  So at 10-something p.m., this is what I shot.   I was in the middle of a conversation with Chris, telling him that I was taking a picture of my cool Dr. Pepper can, so he did the same thing with a Sprite can.

His is much better than mine.  Go see it.

Day 207, July 27

I again spent the day with my friend Mandie, and of course, took more pictures of her new baby, Jordan.  But since I have posted so many of her already, I decided to post her new shoes. 

Her skinny little feet are almost too long for them already.

Day 208, July 28

Noah insisted on going to sleep in my bed.  And I was tired of fighting him on the subject.

Later on, Cooper joined him, after waking up around 9:30 p.m. (on this night he skipped dinner again and went to bed at 6 p.m.).

I almost left them there all night, and put myself to bed on the couch.

That thought didn't stay in my mind very long.

Day 209, July 29

It was lunch time, and all three kids were arguing over who got to sit on the two bar stools at the counter. 

My solution: to make a bench, so they had to share.

See what a brilliant mother I am?

And then I go and take a picture of their bums......

A Few Pictures From My Soldier

Inside Pete's tent, in front of some of the art work the kids have sent him.

A very appreciative patient bought him this gift. The others in the tent enjoyed it for him.

It's hot. Very hot.

Putting Camo netting on top of the tent.

Notice all the "moondust" on his pants.

This is where he currently lives.

Project 365, Week 29

Hosted by Chris

Somewhere along the line, I goofed up on all my dates. I didn't realize this until I looked at Chris' blog and saw that he hit day 200, and I didn't. So, I fixed this week, hopefully I will figure out where I went wrong...

Day 196, July 16

Two brothers riding on a train. What could be better?

This train ride was free, thanks to the friends who own it.

That makes it tons better.

Day 197, July 17

We hosted this Zumbathon on Saturday to raise money for our Relay For Life Team. We earned a good chunk of change, and shook some major bootie, too.

We had a blast.

Day 198, July 18

I know all of you Chris fans think he is amazing.

I won't disagree.

However, he also thinks he's a Rock Star.

Day 199, July 19

More of Baby Jordan. She belongs to my friend Mandie, and today we were celebrating her older sisters 6th birthday.

I was content sitting on the lawn with a brand new baby on my lap.

Who wouldn't be with this cute face?

Day 200, July 20

Day 200, and I take a picture of Gene Simmons on T.V.?

Why, you ask?

Well, first... I didn't realize it was day 200.

Second... I took this at 11:30 p.m.

I didn't have many options that late.

Day 201, July 21

My Uncle Mark passed away this week, and his children asked me to take some pictures during the viewing and funeral. I did the same when their mother, my Aunt Diane, passed away two years ago.

My uncle was an avid hunter, and the displays at the viewing showed just that.

His gun, a few pictures of his kills, and many deer and elk trophies greeted us as we walked in the door. It was actually quite amazing.

Day 202, July 22

This was the day of the funeral. However, on this day I chose not to post a picture of the funeral (mostly because I haven't edited them yet).

Today, at the funeral I chose to honor my Aunt Diane, who passed away 2 years ago, by wearing shoes that only she would love. I placed them on top of her car, a baby blue Thunderbird.

She bought this car a few years before she died, when the T-Birds were once again produced.

She would have been proud of my shoes.

I *heart* Being Home

I have been "home" for about three weeks now, and I have loved every minute of it. I always love coming home and seeing family and friends, and filling my days up, so that they don't end until 10 p.m., and then starting over again the next day.

Yesterday was one of those days, and it made me realize just how ready I am to be "home."

I was able to spend the day with three amazing women, all at different times, and at the end of the day, I felt totally compete.

I started the day off eating lunch with a friend. She is actually my hair stylist here in the states, and a cousin to one of my closest friends, but over the years we have become great friends. It was nice to be able to catch up, and I hope we get to do it again soon.

I then spent the afternoon with my sister-in-law. This isn't just any sister-in-law; she is like Wonder Woman. She battled cancer last year, and has fought to become a stronger person since. I admire her with everything I have. I love her dearly. We mostly sat around while the kids played and watched movies, but I feel comfortable enough with her that we don't need to talk non-stop to be interacting. Just being around her makes me want to be a better person.

And then I went to the house of one of my very best friends, Mandie, to celebrate her oldest daughters birthday. Her whole family was there, and most of them I already know, and again, it was good to catch up. Mandie and I can go months without seeing each other, and then the minute we get back together, it's like we never were apart. I couldn't survive without her, and I explained that to her mom last night as well. It's a good thing we both moved to Milwaukee, or we would have never met.

These are all women who I can't wait to spend more time with this summer, and they make me miss being "home." I realize that I have 'family' in Germany; my ward and the other Army families, but nothing beats what you grew up with, or what you call "home." Home will always be Utah for me. It will always be my family, and Pete's family, and the friends that I can't live without.

Project 365, Week 28

Hosted by Chris

Day 180, July 9

Annie at her finest. I know I have said before that she is beautiful... this look does not prove that (although I still think she's beautiful).

Day 181, July 10

I took a whole lot of nothing today, photographically speaking. So you get Annie... again.

Day 182, July 11

If you have never met my oldest son, Noah, you have never met a

true climber.

This boy was born to climb, and he does it well. Here he is in my in-law's tree. But this is nothing.

Noah was born with completely flat feet, which makes it very easy for him to wrap his feet in all sorts of wierd ways. Most of the time he takes his shoes off, wraps those feet around a pole or a tree, and climbs up, literally, like a monkey. His upper body strength is insane for his little size, and he absolutely zero fears.

Day 183, July 12

Sitting at a park, just waiting.

Waited long enough to get this.

I was happy.

Day 184, July 13

My mom and I were in the car, and I saw this and just laughed.

Day 185, July 14

I needed a Twix Fix today, and was completely disappointed when I came home and realized that I had purchased a Java flavored Twix. When did they start making these?

Yes, I took a bite... just to see.

If you like to eat coffee, this candy is for you.

Day 186, July 15

We took the kids to the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, UT. None of us had ever been there, but my kids are all into sea creatures and creepy things. This isn't a great shot, but everything looks cool through a big, glass bubble, right?

More Of My Cute Kids

I took the kids out for pictures today. I got a few worthy of hanging on the wall.

Noah is at that stage where he doesn't really smile, although he thinks he is.

There are way more of Annie, because she actually likes having her picture taken.

And Cooper mostly made faces the whole time.

Project 365, Week 27 and PSF

Hosted by Chris

Hosted by Cecily and Serious Krystyn

Day 173, July 2

Anyone up for a game of Dora Dominoes?

Day 174, July 3

This is the day we celebrate the 4th of July in Utah, whenever the actual 4th falls on a Sunday. The fireworks were a blast, and all of my kids were in awe, like they had never seen fireworks before.

It made me smile.

Day 175, July 4

One of the most exciting things we pick from the garden: peas.

No, we're not boring people. We just really likie to pick the peas and eat them immediately.

My kids all ate so many that they were sick to their stomachs.

Now thats summer.

Day 176, July 5

Baby Jordan.

I got to do a mini-shoot with her today, and loved every minute of it. I love baby smells (I mean the good kind, not the ones that come from the diaper).

There's more pictures if you scroll down.


Day 177, July 6

Oh, how I love thee.

Let me count the ways...


Day 178, July 7

It's a birdfeeder.

I swear.


Day 179, July 8

I took the kids for their hang-on-the-wall photos today.

It was hot, and they were tired.

Annie's relaxing moment actually turned into a cute picture.