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.

Super Terrific Amazing Incredible Wonderful Week! x TWO

It's been a pretty great two weeks. Last week was the kids Spring Break. We stayed in Tucson and just hung out together. Jared took the week off and we hiked Sombrero Peak with some friends. I was so proud of Hannah and Noah, they are never afraid to try hard things. I love that they can look at the summit everyday and know they reached the top. We have had a couple really great FHE lessons lately about working hard and not squandering the gifts Heavenly Father has given us. We specifically were studying the parable of the talents. We have read it several times together, but this time it was different. Hannah and Noah really took to the lesson. When I asked for their thoughts Noah's really touched me. He said, "It's like the difference between having a job and being able to create jobs." I think I just may remind him of that inspiration when he wants to shirk from putting a 100% into his homework. :) We had a wonderful week together, and it was hard to let it go.

This past week Malea's children were on their Spring Break and they came to Tucson to share part of it with us. We had such a wonderful time having them. The highlight was when we took the kids to Sabino Canyon. When we arrived, I realized I forgot to pack the stroller and carrier. It was a really warm day. so we decided to treat ourselves to taking the tram. What a blessing!!! We ended up taking the tram all the way up and getting off on stop 9. Stop 9 is very special. Besides it ample opportunities for swimming and exploration, it's where Malea and I spent many youth outings together. The kids had an amazing time. James Malea's son who is between Hannah and Noah's age caught a Blackneck Garter Snake. They played with this snake for hours. Hiked with it, swam with it, and of course begged us to take it home. All was well until we spotted another one. A group of lets just say uppity women started screaming at our children to stop pulling on the snake-they were going to hurt it, and an animal was a living thing etc etc.... I replied they were not hurting the snake, and to stop yelling, everything is fine. Despite our annoying encounter, we continued to have a great time and ended the day at Monkey business where the kids played games, won tickets and bought handfuls of "squishy frogs" while Malea and I got to visit.

We also celebrated Bradeighs second birthday this week!!!!! We had family and friends over to help us celebrate. It was really fun to have so many people that we love be together in our home. I am so grateful for the people we have been so blessed to have in our lives. We ended the week with Jared's birthday. He and I went out after the morning session of conference and then later went swimming with the kids and out to dinner. Noah thoroughly enjoyed setting his Dad up to be sung to and ride the saddle at Texas Road House. It was just our little family together, hysterically laughing at the scene of Jared on the saddle and Bradeigh scooping up his birthday ice cream with her hands in between claps. I love being together as a family. I love those moments when I can pause life for just a moment and relish in the love we have for one another.

Sombrero Peak Hike

Hannah's Mosaic Class at Sonoran Art Glass Academy

Bradeigh's Bithday Party

Bradeigh's Two Year Old Photo Shoot

Sabino Canyon