9 hours of driving, and never left the state...

So I was suppose to be un Utah right now getting ready to go see a play at the Hale Center Theater, which besides seeing family is my favorite part because they do a totally awesome job of entertaining me, but I'm not. My parents decide to drive to Utah and visit family, so I invited my kids and myself along to go see Nathan's parents and my aunt and uncle. It's a long drive for little kids (and me too) so we decided to leave in the evening so they could sleep in the car. We each listened to 3 seperate weather reports that said the Sierra would have very light snow. Well, they are all big fat liars! Are the weathermen(people) conspiring? At first there was light snow, but stopped traffic. We sat for a few hours, then a few ambulances sped by, as fast as you can speed in the snow anyway, and then the real storm hit. Lots of snow and no chance of traffic moving any time soon. So we turned around and drove all the way home, watching the waiting line of traffic 15 miles behind us. It really was a pleasant drive though. Besides a little fussing from M when she was super tired, the kids were happy and great to be in confined spaces with.

So this is what my vacation pictures look like...

Those are truckers pulled over putting on chains, and snow in J's hair as he hangs out the window watching.

Baby Joseph

Look at this chunky monkey cutie patutie! I got to visit this 1.5 week old last Saturday in his jungle room, which was completely adorable, by the way. I could just sit in there all day long looking at the cuteness, not to mention the little munchkin occupying it. Nikki (aka Mom) seems to be more on top of the decorating thing than me. But J is only going on four, so I'm not all that behind...right? You should hear this little man cry! It's the cutest little sound that just squeaks out of his tiny lungs. I love newborn cries.

Spring is in the air!

Don't you wish you lived in the country where your kids could run through fields of wild flowers?

Well, I don't live there, but I did find this awesome lot surrounded by 2 busy roads and sprawling suburbia.

The flowers were almost as tall as M and by the looks of it may have been calling her mean names...








J, on the other hand, had a gay old time...








But in the end, M over came her fear of giant name calling flowers...


Come on, lets go home...

Tie-Tie

This Sunday J realized that Dad doesn't wear a clip on tie to church, therefore, J didn't want to wear a clip on either. So N hooked him up with a man sized "tie-tie" and I had to steal a few pics.

No Mom, don't take my picture! -Actually it was just really sunny, which my whitey son could use a little of...

Happy Leap Day!

Isn't it awesome to have one whole extra day added to the year? You hear people say -If I only had more time- all the time, and now you've got it. So this morning was dedicated to housework. I have folded, picked up, wiped down, vacuumed and the whole nine yards. Then this afternoon will be play time! The kids decided they'd like to go to the park after M's nap which is great because they'll get out all that extra energy that I haven't figured out how to steal from them yet. Then tonight I'm joining the girls for "Girls Night Out", which will of course include ice cream.

Today we also got a fun surprise...a package in the mail from Uncle Peter filled with Mardi Gras beads. He lives right by New Orleans and said he had a bunch of beads and would mail us some of them. So this is just part of his parade booty.

Thanks Peter. The kids think the package was a treasure box!

Fresh out of the Oven

I got to photograph the cutest little baby in the whole wide world on Monday. He was less than one day old, still in the hospital and had that yummy baby smell! I walked into the baby area with a basket full of blankets and the department manager walked up to me and told me to stop carrying the basket like I had a baby in it because they are very serious about baby theft. I made some silly remark about a basket of "baby blankets" and she said, totally straight faced, "No, I'm serious".

Mommy had a c-section, but was doing great and was so happy to me a mom again after 23 (I think) years! Yes, that means her last baby is now in her 20's! Thanks for letting me invade your hospital room.

I love feet pictures!

The yawn...

Trevor is 4

The kids cousin Trevor (my cousin Kim's son) had his 4th birthday party at the bowling ally and they had the best time! Bowling allies contain everything kids like.

Pizza



Friends (family in this case)



Balloons



Balls



and Cake!



And here's the birthday boy!

Moonshine

Did you all get to see the lunar eclipse? I've had a thing for eclipses since I was little, so thank you Thomas for calling me and letting me know there was one. (I guess I need to watch the news more) I took a few pictures, but obviously the magical powers causing the moon to disappear also made me forget how to focus.

Kym's Baby Belly

Kym came over with Kristyn, Cindy and Nick to take some maternity pictures. I got to use my seamless paper and let me tell you, I'm in love with it! Kym was so relaxed and easy to photograph. I got all set up before they arrived and asked Jared to help me adjust my light. This was the result.

But then Kym got in front of the camera and things went a bit smoother.

And then Kristyn poked holes in my little girls ears!

She did a super good job and Madie cried just a litte, and mostly because she was mad. As soon as she was over her attitude, she discovered the little sparklies in her ears and LOVES them. Thanks Kristyn!

Happy 50th Birthday!

My cousin Kim and I took pictures at Debbie's fabulous 50th birthday party. Her hubbie said it was the first and last party he's ever planned. But even for a first he did a great job. Their house was beautiful and they had a great crowd of friends and family to celebrate. Here's me and Kim. (just ignore the mickey mouse ears)

Thanks for the help Kim!