scenes from a birthday party

I loved every second of my niece's 4th birthday party.  Little girls in braids and buns, a pony, and I especially loved how every gift was just what she "always wanted."

documenting Disney

I could put a ton of pics up here of our disney world trip.  This is the smallest of samplings, but they are some of my favorite moments.    

Watching my son's face when Darth Vadar walked out of those doors behind him...I wished I had snapped that pic.  The over-the-top parades, the rollercoaster rides, and walking around with shirts that marked the occasion for what it was.  

We are still talking about disney around here.  I imagine that will be the case for awhile.     

summer 2012

Summer always slips through my fingers.  Impossible to hold on to.  Fall will be here before I know it.  Those days seem so much longer. 

A beach in Tampa with white sand that felt like you were walking on carpet.  No joke.

documenting

A good friend who, when I asked her how she was doing post delivery, said,

 "I'm in love."

I could tell you her pregnancy story, but that's hers to tell.  It suffices to say that this momma knows what it is to endure to the end.  From the looks of it, her end held the sweetest little prize.  Congrats friend.  You did it!

Made these with littlest C's preschool last week.  The best part was listening to the boys try to say TER-ARR-IUM.  The other best part was watching their little wheels turning, trying to decide if rollie pollie or worm would be the first to find a home inside their jar.    

      

This is a wall in my laundry room.  The last bits and pieces of it came together yesterday.  

I smile when I look at it.  And that's saying something because I rarely smile when I walk into my laundry room.

one line

The best kinds of songs have lyrics that float around in your head for days.

Heart That Falls Apart- Sarah Sample

documenting

For the little girl who never smiles for the camera and who manages to mangle every prop I give her in a matter of seconds. A little evidence that a pic doesn't have to be perfect to be....well, perfect.

(editing heavily influenced by the summer like weather we had this weekend.)

the moment right before this...he was mad at me because I told him no more Angry Birds.

the moment right after this...he walked through the mud in his brand new socks.

but this moment...it was darn near perfect.

most of my days are not so good moments, mixed with ok moments, with a few near to perfect moments thrown in here and there.

hightlights from the weekend:

an egg hunt with an unprecedented amount of hidden eggs (trust me)

easter baskets as hat wear

a Cranberries sing along that I may or may not have dreamed of performing since I was 16

(slightly off key, but with LOTS of heart I tell ya...lots of heart.)

easter bow ties

grandma T and papa J

the sweetest of sacrament meetings

a little happy easter gifting

and the ever familiar reminder that I am SO blessed.

close to home

spring break 2012

proof that spring break fun can happen close to home.

5 minutes up the road even.

our favorite frozen yogurt

a little grandma t

and the jordan family circus with a pony ride to boot.

(he had no desire to attempt the elephant ride. we tried. )

documenting

metal stamping for the women of my ward and a few lines to remind them of just how special they really are.

around her neck

around her neck, a child's arms.

she is the keeper of the love he thrives on.

his arms wrap her tight.

around her neck, apron strings.

her daily tasks beat the rythmn of the home.

they all move to the sound.

around her neck, a tear stained blouse.

one drop for the aches of her life.

a dozen more for the pains of others.

around her neck, the sweetest scent.

a perfume of good works and true compassion.

it lingers long after she has left the room.

around her neck a tiny reminder.

that she is of worth. His creation. His daughter.

this reminder, her fingers find often.

today is

Complete with a bit of Shel Silverstein (my beard grows to my toes... love it. always have.), some Billy Joel (love him. always have.), and the sounds of my little guy laughing himself to tears watching Tom and Jerry.

Yep...it's a good day.

documenting

So my husband says, "We should take the kids to go feed the ducks."

We ran out of bread before we ran out of ducks, geese, seagulls, and pigeons who were willing to eat it. I remember my Mom taking us to many a park to feed the ducks. This day reminded me of those days.

*as a side note: "here ducky, ducky." actually works as a duck call. Or at least Miss Em thinks it does.

so i don't forget

"photography remembers the little things, long after you have forgotten everything."

aaron siskind

littlest C. age 3. likes playdough and kung fu

I was reading a photography book this weekend and came across this quote. Within minutes I had my camera in my hands. I don't want to forget. I have already forgotten a lot.

documenting

a playground moment with a motivational message.

sort of like the one with the the kitten hanging from a tree limb that says, hang in there.

only better... because it's sans any kind of cat!

happy friday.

his

A little creative inspiration from the things that fill my days. No shortage of legos in this house.

(from this)

(to this)

Complete with candy Legos that actually stack! Not going to lie, I'm as excited about these as my boys are.

hers

This is fast becoming one of my most favorite creative projects...the Valentine.

Totally orginally and uniquely her own. We brainstormed this one out together and she helped me to assemble and paint.

(from this)

(to this)

Please know I have nothing against a good ole' store bought Valentine. We've passed out our fair share. However, this year her classmates will get a little of her and one less Justin Beber Be Mine Baby Valentine. We're thinking the world will be a better place for it. You?

one red balloon

pics with my SIL, her two little girls, and one big red balloon.

no girls allowed

Littlest C's preschool. It doesn't have a name, but if it did..NO GIRLS ALLOWED would work just fine. Six little boys for an hour and a half. Today it was homemade fudgecicles and the letter N for nest, with lots of little boy antics in between.

documenting

a kitchen turned photo studio. i'm addicted. who's next?

hot chocolate and snowsuits. the retro suit in the middle has my vote.

and turning one. rainbow cake style.

me...a rockstar

My daughter...she's upstairs with her two best friends working on a dance number for the school talent show. In her mind, she's dance floor magic. Given the right song she can entertain a cafeteria full of elemenary school kids with very little effort. After all, she's got the moves she's acquried from her Just Dance Kids Wii game. She's got nothing to fear.

Me...I'm downstairs playing my guitar. In my mind, I'm a rockstar. Hand me my 1/4 size, closer to Fisher Price than Gibson, guitar and I can go unplugged with the best of them.

The truth...both of us may be a bit delusional.

The other truth...it doesn't matter.

9 year olds get this "other truth." 35 year olds can too.

Today I'm a rockstar. Tomorrow I'm a...

the doll house

I had a Holly Hobby doll house when I was a little girl. I had forgotten all about it, until I started looking at these pics.

Thanks to my nieces for an afternoon at the doll house. It was perfect.