Newport Beach Photos

This is so fun!!! Run Bradeigh the waves are going to get your toes.... After the waves swept her away... I did not capture that moment.

There's lots more pictures, but blogger is not upload freindly. I takes forever to upload three at a time... So all for now. :)

Stinky Hot Summer

I hate being negative. So I'm going to NOT dwell on the fact that our summer pretty much stunk this year. Dare I say come hell or high water I will not be spending all summer long in Tucson again. Okay...that is a little dramatic, but I really hope we can manage to leave Tucson longer than a couple days next summer. What a GREAT two days those were though!

I had a terrific time catching up with Malea. We drove to Crystal Cove and checked out the vintage bungalows then had dinner at the Shake Shack over looking the coast and closed the place down talking for hours. I am so grateful for that time. I miss my sister, and wish we could hang out more often.

The next day we went to Newport Beach and got thoroughly burned. Well Noah, Hannah and I got burned. Bradeigh didn't even get a tan and Jared fared pretty well. We didn't feel it until the end of the day, so the process of roasting ourselves was very enjoyable. I love Newport Beach. If it had tide pools and a 1/3 of the people it would be a great substitute for Las Conchas. I would love to get a beach house and stay for a week. I kept thinking about Judy the whole time. I know she would love it and the water was WARM....well not freezing. I did not document Noah's burn as to not be implicated in child neglect. I keep telling myself it was a lesson in natural consequences-next time when I say apply sunscreen he will listen. Somehow that's not relieving my guilt. I also learned hats are not a fashion statement-but a necessity even in 70 degree weather with overcast skies. My lips were so burned they swelled triple the size for three days. We really enjoyed the families that went, and are so grateful for their friendship.

The memory that will outlast them all is the food fight between the three of our moving vehicles on the coastal highway. The kids can't stop talking about when Sister Hamilton told dad to roll down his window and emptied her water bottle in his face. Yes...good times.

Other tid bits, we had our first OB appointment and heard a strong heartbeat! I had spotted in the beginning of July and had some cramping. A few weeks after that I woke up feeling amazing, full of energy and a regular appetite. We were a little concerned that the pregnancy wasn't viable anymore. So the appointment was an awesome relief. Ultrasound on Monday!

Jared is still working at Center for Neurosciences but is now in interventional pain management with Dr. Richard Chase. No, he will not be a glorified drug dealer. They actually shy away from the "candy" as some put it and do cortizone and botox injections to relieve pain from nerve damage and such. Lots of procedures so Jared is very excited about that. Dr. Chase is young and would like he and Jared to build the business and retire together. They get along great, and Jared is very excited for the opportunity. This also means no more Safford, YAY, and early Fridays double YAY. Still no call, YAY YAY YAY. Jared won't be continuing with surgery though and most likely will stop Urgent Care all together. He's wanted to keep those options open knowing the Footes retirement plans, but is happy to settle into a specialty for the long haul. I love that he is always prepared. I love that he is a hard worker. I love that he follows the promptings of the Spirit. We felt so blessed with such a great position right out of school and are equally grateful that it led to this opportunity.

So it wasn't really a stinky summer...just a hot one. We missed making memories with extended family, but are grateful for the time we spent with them over winter and spring. I think next time we will stay local during those months and opt to make those memories when the Old Pueblo turns into it's version of hell during the summer.

Vocabulary

While looking up the word stymie Noah found stupid, stupefy and stupendous...Hey mom! I'm stupendous at stupefying people that are stupid. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Both he and Hannah were hysterical...

Mom what does imbed mean? So I gave him a sentence...The BB's were imbedded in the target. Cactus was imbedded in my skin. Noah- An arrow imbedded my butt! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Little boy humor...

Sweet Baby Baby!!!

Summer's Here!!!!

HELLO SUMMER!!!!!!!! Summer is a wonderful season in our household. I try and pack in as much as I possibly can. In fact I'd have to say I probably go a little overboard in this area. I just can't help myself. So many memories to make, activities we just don't have time for during the school year, and of course my opportunity to make sure my kiddos are up to speed where I feel the school years academics may have been lacking. So we kicked off the summer with an early Memorial Day BBQ at the Weber's, Cub Camp, Swim Meet, Saxon 7/6 and 8/7, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Hatchet, Number The Stars, US Geography, two sleep overs, and a pizza party. Within this time frame our oven caught on fire, (faulty heating element which Jared in his handiness ordered a part and fixed.) I was also called to be the Bear leader- I love getting to work with Noah and all his friends. Side note....I really miss my Primary class and said goodbye today to all my wonderful 4 year olds. I did not cry as I gave each of them a hug and explained they would have a new teacher, and needed to be very good for her. I was pretty proud of myself for not tearing up seeing as how my emotions have been all over the place. Which brings me to my next exciting summer event. We are expecting! Yep! If you are one of the few that read this blog you are the first to know (with your fellow readers) that I am pregnant. We are only a few weeks along but are excited for the news and think February is a wonderful time to bring a new little one into our home.

Swim Team! I always enjoy it so much more the morning after 5-7 hour meets are brutal. Which is why 1 I got a babysitter for this one because Jared was working and 2 we only go to two of them. One down one more to go :)

Noah at Cub Camp! I was so happy I got to spend the day with him there. Cubs are so cute! Their little boy conversations are very entertaining-their songs.....not so much.

My beautiful girl after her patient wait for a summer haircut. She was hoping her hair would be long enough to donate again to Locks of Love-and it was :)

Bradeigh playing pictionary! "Yes, it's a circle!"

Dave cooking up some of his AMAZING chicken! Baby Dave with his beautiful blue eyes :)

So that's our start to what I anticipate to be an amazing summer.

A few of my favorite pics....

I have literally taken thousands of pictures in the past month. These are a few of my favorite images. It's probably time I just started a separate blog devoted to photography...but you know what...I don't have time for that, and I don't really want to.

It's been a very fun month. We had so much fun in Utah visiting family, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to photograph my nieces wedding. It was so fun! Thank you for trusting me with your special day Lexi :)

April and May were VERY BUSY picture taking months. So much so, that I want to throw the computer out the window and maybe let my camera collect a little dust. Notice how few pictures I have of my own family...Time to take a step back and thoroughly enjoy my kids this summer. Speaking of which ONE MORE DAY UNTIL SUMMER BREAK!!!!!!!WOOOO HOOOOOO! I was just called as Bear leader. I'm pretty excited to get to be so active in cubs with Noah. Not sure if he shares the sentiment...Jared was called to be Deacon advisor and he is loving it.

Jared just returned home from a week in Wisconsin. I surprised him with a fun stay at Starr Pass. We thought about getting the kids in the morning to swim, but soon decided relaxing by the pool listening to a Hopi flute player mixed with the sound of morning doves was a moment that probably wouldn't be duplicated anytime soon. Speaking of pools... I would really like one.

So, Happy Summer everyone!
Thank you Belli's for opening your home to us! We love you!!

I love this girl! I shot her engagement, wedding, baby, Christmas, and now maternity pictures. She got up at the crack of dawn with toddler in tow...and it was cold outside.

What's not to love about Mariachi's?

I had a alot more images from this wedding shoot-but these are my favorites.

This kid is amazing. Full ride scholarship, and was just baptized. I wished the shot with the train cart advertisement saying Building America in the background would have come out. This young man represents so many amazing youth that make our country so strong.

My Dad. I love watching him play with the grand kids.

Bradeigh and Grace....So cute.

Noah, surprised with a pair of hamsters from his sister right after getting home from Father and Son camp out.

Maddie and Kat...Almost all grown up...

Lexi...

This is probably my favorite picture from her bridals. I love the movement of her dress.