Time to shoot!

Tracy and I shoot in natural light, so after a long winter in Utah the very first opportunity to get outside and shoot you grab the first person willing and to drive till you find that perfect spot. Ok, so the weather was not the best that day, and basically it was a major dust storm and the sky was a beautiful shade of dingy, but Courtney was beautiful and that was all that mattered.

After making her all up we drove to SLC and were on the hunt for a location, Court sat in the back seat not saying a word. Tracy and I were worried that she hated her make up and hair and that she was a little worried about the experience. WE WERE SO WRONG!

Once she got into the moment she had a blast, and the cars driving by and honking and whistling didn't hurt either.

When we got home that night she asked me if she slept real still if her make up would stay on, so she could wear it to school the next day. LOL! And she did too!

Alexis was the next sucker on one of our outings, she invited along two of her friends. Nicole and Missy.

This is what it is like for me to be around Tracy when she is shooting and the light is low enough that I am no longer any help. This is what I see....

This is what Tracy sees... Nice hu! Shooting these girls was the best, you can make them do just about anything.. like laugh on demand.. as seen here.

You know that Alexis is a cute kid... I love how this captures her.

Next on the list is Brittany... then maybe we will try to get those boys to hold still.

More April... Spring Break

I took off some time from work and hung out with a bunch of animals.. no really I did.

The first day we went to the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. It is full of a bunch of dead and stuffed animals. See this collection of species found in Africa.. Cameron successfully launched his Binky over the glass wall upstairs and it landed next to that baboon... think he was testing them to see if they would move?
After we had our fill of stuffed creatures from around the world we headed over to the BYU creamery for ice cream. Oh so yummy.
Apparently Kyle was not in a sharing mood.
The following day was beautiful outside. Perfect for the Zoo, so we were off to see living animals. Did you know that when your a single mom who has given birth to a small village you get a major discount when you purchase the "Single Parent Family Pass"...it's true! Score!
I have a feeling you will be seeing a lot more pictures of the zoo this year.
Cameron is almost 18 months old now, I LOVE this age, it is my vary favorite. The whole world is new and amazing at this age. I loved watching Cameron's reaction to all the different animals, and seeing how excited he was with each one. Maybe it was because these moved and made noises.. they weren't stuffed. Even this little bunny was super cool to Cam.
We did the stuffed animals, living animals.. so we were off to see the prehistoric animals at Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum. Again, Cameron's reaction was a blast to watch. He let out a "rarrrr" a few times when he made the assumption that what he was looking at had to be monster. One of the kids favorite parts is the area where you can play in the sand and water with the plastic dinosaurs. Cam thought it was cool too.. but that the sand didn't taste as good as it looked. I had a great time with the kids. I miss not getting to hang out with them and do fun stuff like this more often. I sure to appreciate moments like this. I never thought I would be the stay at home type.. but weeks like this one make me wish that I could spend more time with my kids. -Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and I am SOoooo thankful I have one! But I think you know what I mean.

Catching up on April STILL... Easter.

On Saturday the 3rd we painted eggs.. helping out the Easter Bunny, doing our part.
Beautiful! The Easter Bunny was so proud!

Easter Sunday everyone was so surprised to find that the Easter Bunny had paid a visit and had planted clues all around the house.

I like cheese, I like rice, you make one of these with this device. (Rice Cooker)

A letter for you, a chocolate rabbit for me! You don't need a stamp on this delivery. (Mail Box)

Roses are red, and so am I, used for hiding a tool to the movies that make you sigh. (Red Vase)

My name is like a big dog's bark. I'm all bass and make an excellent place to hide a clue for the things you love to taste. (Sub Woofer)

If you're a little piggy and eat all the Candy you will get a tummy ache and go Wii wii wii all the way home! (Wii ottoman)

Your hunt for sweets begins here, don't sweat, don't cry.the clue is located in the place clothes go to dry. (Dryer)

I am a place the dishes go to shower. (Dishwasher)

When you want a drink you head to me before the fridge or sink. (Kitchen cabinet -where the cups are)

Winter time all the year round, usually full of ice cream, but this is where a clue can be found. (Freezer)

I am the place visitors sit. (Living room couch)

Full of cans and a sister too. Find the next clue before it gets "stored" and rolls away. (Food storage flow rack, in "Alex's " room)

A hammer, a wrench, and a screwdriver to. This is where you find your next clue. (Tool bag)

When your brother smells bad you put him on me to change his dirty hiney. (Changing table)

You tickle me until I laugh and giggle with glee. I'm covered in red fur and a sight to see. (Elmo)

After a long day, the boys are all smelly. In here they go to swim on their bellies. (Master bath tub)

I serve no purpose, other than to look good. I look like Petunia, but I am certain that I am only a... (Curtain, that look like the red chair)

Fishy, fishy, wave your magic wand... you don't live in a house you live in a.... (Pond)

I drive you to and fro. To school , to dinner, anywhere you want to go. Look in the back and you will find a clue where you buckle in your little behind. (Tahoe)

Your journey will come to an end at last, go to the place where we keep the thing thing that mows the grass. (Shed)

Corney I know.. but it was fun to watch them run from location to location, and then have Kyle find clues out of order, like Elmo's little tiny egg and my bath tub that was filled with eggs.

Cameron just ran around saying "ball...ball..." and chucking plastic eggs everywhere.

In the end they were happy to find their baskets.

The Easter Bunny must really like those two boys, when they found the basket it was in the back of a brand new John Deer battery powered truck!
The only thing stopping Kyle from taking off was that fresh coat of Easter snow we got the night before.

The Easter Bunny brought extra Peeps, can't wait to roast these little guys over an open flame in the fire pit! mmm....

Where the heck did April go??

I was half way through the month before I knew what hit me, now it is the 28th, seriously! It has gone by so fast! I am sure that some of this is due to the fact that I took off some time from work during spring break and we have been busier at work than normal, but still almost a whole month has gone by!

My “little” family and I have had so much fun this month that I am just going to have to start from the beginning and work my way through the month.

April 1st: My parents anniversary, ya, ya I know.. my mom has said the same jokes for years.

April 2nd: I got my little Canon G11 back from repairs, I know I have the big one, but this little guy is that great go to camera for candid’s and video’s. I had to test it out and I am happy with it again.

I just love close ups of flowers.

Look at the detail in the boogers and dirty kid face on Cameron.

I even captured my Tasmanian devil, Kyle.

April 3rd: We had our emergency preparedness drill like we do every Conference weekend. Our neighborhood has done this for a few years, I think it is cool. We all meet at our designated spot with our 72 hour kits and determined who made it out alive and how prepared we are. Typically we are in PJ’s and claim we are dead, but we even broke out the 4 wheeler this year. I did not mention that our 72 hour kits are a wee bit outdated.

Look, Brittany is happy to make it to the emergency drill and be counted as alive this year.

Now THAT is will power!

Recently, my sister, her friend Diana, and I all started a diet. Its pretty harsh but we've done it with good results before. This time, however, none of us our doing all that well as is illustrated by the following IM between my sister and I today:

Lore: I am in one heck of a funk... it sucks.. Hey I am cheating today for lunch. Work is buying Olive Garden.

Me: Ok. I am cheating today for dinner... going to Red Rock Brewery before the concert. But I'm having a salad.

Lore: If you're gonna cheat tonight so can I. I'll have a salad.. with pasta on the side and maybe a breadstick

Me: Get some protein

Lore: I don't think they are ordering any of that.

Me: ... Bad you.

Lore: I know... (head hanging down)

Me: Can't say anything tho. I have been super bad the last two days. Think I gained two pounds

Lore: Me too. Only 1 though

Me: (head hanging lower) Too much fruit... extra crap... just bad.

Lore: I broke all the rules and had Bajio. I was pissed at the world.

Me: LOL...Yeah? Well Diana and I split a ten piece chicken nugget.

Lore: lol, Protein! Did you dip?

Me: Yeah! Protein! That's what we said anyway. Yes. We dipped. ::sigh::

Lore: LOL negative protein! I had chips and queso.

Me: Ha!! I had ice cream bon bons.

Lore: I told you I took out my frustration out on my diet and ...you had WHAT! That is way off the chart!!

Me: I had these little Dove bon bons... two a day. I should just go and kill myself.

Lore: I am going to eat a Girl Scout cookie right now just to be even!

Me: FINE... I had three nut clusters from Costco already!

Lore: Shut up! I have not had a single drop of water today! Other than when I brushed my teeth anyway.

Me: ME EITHER!!

Lore: GREAT. We are such good unmotivational partners. We should be on our own poster.

Me: Amen Sister.

(**Actual conversation. No food was harmed during this IM conversation. This Blog was stolen straight from my sister)

My Wee Boy

I have been so proud of Kyle and his transition from diapers to being a “Big Boy” and using a toilet.

The turning point apparently was when the boys in his daycare class started to share what character was on their underwear; superheroes being the most popular. Kyle insisted on getting two sets of underwear, one with batman and friends and the other with Mickey Mouse and his friends (interesting combination, but hey he is only 3.)

Other than the occasional issue of “forgetting to go pee” when he was having way to much fun playing, or that week of blatant rebellion when I returned after a week of being gone on the cruise, he has for the most part mastered the art of using the restroom as needed. That is until recently.

Not having the conveniences of a boy, I do not know this first hand, but it appears that the weather impacts WHERE you go pee. With the warmer weather and Kyle spending more time outside I have noticed this little trend.

This “issue” started a few weeks ago when Kyle arched a perfect little stream from my front steps into the grass. With his pants and underwear around his ankles, perfect balance, he was very proud in the moment. I on the other hand was completely in shock and embarrassed, partly because it was my company that noticed him first.

We had a brief and stern talk about how this was NOT APPROPRIATE and that the ONLY time you can pee outside is when you are camping! In which he replied “but mom... when are we going camping??!!” Is peeing outside THAT much fun?? Well, apparently it is, because that very afternoon while playing in the family room Kyle got up, walked past a bathroom and headed outside to the very spot he had stood earlier in the day to once again do his business. Umm.. maybe “APPROPRIATE “ was too big of a word.

Once again we have our little talk. This time I told him when he is camping he can pee on any bush or tree he wants to, but not in Mommy’s yard! So far, Kyle has returned to using indoor facilities and is asking for permission to pee outside whenever possible. Like this past weekend when he killed a bug in the back yard, placed a rock on top of the bug and then stood up, hands on his hips and said “Can I pee on it to make sure it’s dead!” ..Again, no Kyle not in Mom’s yard!

What am I shocked about, this has obviously been an issue for hundreds of years! The statue Manneken Pi’s is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a little boy urinating into a basin in Brussels that became a landmark around 1619. Think his mom told him it wasn’t appropriate?

If You Ask A Mease To Prom

Tucker and Alexis have been joking about the book "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" and the other books like it all weekend long. I am not sure, but it could have started several weeks ago when Alexis was teasing me that she is going to write a book and call it "If You Give Your Mom Cleaning Supplies."

Earlier this evening Alexis received a text that told her to check the front door. This basket was sitting waiting for her.

In the basket , along with the "If You Give A Moose A Muffin" muffins, and "If You Give A Pig A Pancake" pancake mix, and the "If You Take A Mouse To The Movies" movie popcorn, was this little book...

I really like Tucker. He is a cute kid, and he make Alexis happy. Now she needs to find a perfect way to reply.. she is thinking something with Ninjas... any suggestions?