New Movie made with love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM5SXy3IJqU

It's going to be a RAGER!

Ty is having a birthday party tomorrow and I'm not going to lie, it has consumed most of my week preparing for it.   18 kiddos invited and Ruby and I set out to make capes and masks for all of them.

 But that's not the busy part.  It's the actual activities that have consumed my every thought this week.  How do I keep 18+ kids moving and entertained.  I've got a great staff working for me (my kids and Paul) and fortunately Dr. Crazy is coming back as our villain.  I have a feeling it's going to be a GOOD time.

Which one?

It's time to put Hazel's first head shot up on the wall with the rest of the kids and I can't decide which one.  I love when she's looking at the camera but I also love when she's smiling.  Which one grabs you?  Let me know in the comments and help lighten my load.  Thanks

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Summer "One Direction" Style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-2Db6mX82A

It was a big project but when the kids viewed it at our "Awards Assembly" it was worth all the effort.
(The Awards Assembly was a hit too.  It will definitely be a new tradition.  Unfortunately I didn't take any photos because I was over the AV and holding Hazel - I can only do so much.)

just a few more of Hazel

Soooo, back in April my all purpose and favorite lens just wasn't performing as well.  I knew I needed to take it in to the shop but I kept putting it off.  It got to the point where I just haven't wanted to use it for fear of making it worse.  This has led me to not taking as many photos this summer or even pulling out my camera that much.  I've been using my 70-200 which is a rockin' lens but not all purpose.  And don't worry, I have documented our summer in a different way - stay tuned.

But that's not the point, I just don't have many photos.  Yesterday I made myself have a little shoot with Hazel using my cheapy 50 mm lens before she grew any more.  She didn't even pee during this one.  Perfect baby!  

And in case you're wondering, I did bring my lens to the shop on Sat. and I'm waiting for further information as to what needs to be done to fix it.  So more photos are in the future.  I also walked around the store for a while and picked the guys brain about all sorts of lenses and the newer 5Ds.  I'm still pretty happy with all my equipment but if I had some money burning a hole in my pocket I would buy an L series fisheye lens.  Not practical at all and would probably rarely use it but it would be dang cool to have.

Enjoy these photos of our perfect babe! (I don't claim to be a baby photographer so don't judge - it's not my thing.)

And thanks to Ruby for holding up the backdrop during this one.  What a champ!

for mi madre

 She has the cutest dimple on her knee.

We are sooo diggin' Miss Hazel.  She fits famously into the family and we can't even imagine life without her.  Of course my house looks horrible because all I want to do is hold her all day.She's a dream. 

 And she already gets my sense of humor.  This is going to work out just fine.

 And in other news:  we took the kids paddle boarding in the park after the big rainstorm...

 and Paul was on the news and he forgot to put his shirt on.  So I put one on him for my blog.  A definite treat for all the Fox10 News viewers Saturday night.

WE ARE SOOO IN LOVE

Introducing our sweetest little girl,

Hazel

June 28, 2012

6 lbs 3 ounces

18 1/2 inches

Absolutely beautiful!!

We are the luckiest  family in the world.  She is absolutely perfect in every way!  Can you even stand her most perfect lips?  Charlie keeps saying that if she were stronger he "would squeeze her soooo hard" because he loves her that much.  AMEN Charlie!  She's divine!!  And worth the wait!

Growing up

It makes me sad that Ty is growing up.  I miss my cute little chunky monkey.  Don't get me wrong, I love who he's becoming but I just miss having a baby in the house.  I, officially, have a house full of KIDS.  There are no babies here and it makes me sad.  Probably more sad than normal because I'm waiting to be told that there will be a baby but there's not.  

 We all still treat Ty like a baby and I do believe we're creating a monster.  I'm embarrassed to admit but I still carry him around when he asks.  I don't expect him to make his bed in the mornings and he's free to walk around the house while the rest of us are eating dinner at the table.  

He gets away with MOORDUUR!  

I am fully aware that this has got to change.  But it's just so darn easy to give in to Ty.  I think a baby sister would do all of us some good.

 But then a few years down the road I'll be creating another monster.  There will always be the baby of the family.  So many people  to cater to their every need.  

But look at this face.  So yummy yet so not a baby anymore.  

 It's time to crack down and teach this boy some responsibility. 

 I'll start once the summer is over, maybe.

I'm not trying to make you jealous...

Let it begin...

Our summer started off with a trip to St. George, UT for the annual Grandpa/Grandma campout.  This was Eli's first year to be able to go as they take all children that have graduated from kindergarten and up.  HE LOVED IT!!  From what I was told he was all smiles the whole time and very well behaved.  

Ty got to hang out with Paul and I while all the kiddos were camping and he seemed to be just fine.  He did spend some time with his cousins while Paul and I spent a little time together in the St. George Temple.  

 We decided to take our family to another church and expose them to another way to believe and worship.  This is something I've always wanted to do since spending a year and half as a missionary in the Bible Belt.  I loved learning about other religions and seeing such strong Christian beliefs outside of the Mormon faith.  There are so many amazing people who truly want to do what's right and they don't necessarily have need to be LDS.  I want my kids to know this and be comfortable with it.  Ruby was going a little nuts as my "straight arrow/letter of the law" child.  As I was standing up and singing a long with the rest of the congregation I told Ruby that it would be a blast to play the piano in a church like this and she started to panic as if I was telling her that I've lost my testimony.  The people there were very kind and we felt VERY welcomed.  We also had a great discussion on the way home about what they noticed was similar and what was different from our way of worshipping and believing.   

In case you're wondering this guy and I are hitting 16 blissful years of marriage tomorrow.  I scored a GREAT man and am so grateful he wanted to marry me even though I wore Doc Martens with my dresses to church.  He overlooked my quirkiness and chose me.  

And it has been said that I may not have been the best looking girl he had dated but I sure make him the happiest.  He must have dated some serious lookers because I was a catch back in my day.  But now the skin seems to be loosening and those smile lines seem to be becoming permanent so it's a good thing I make him so happy. 

 And on another note, paddle boarding rocks!!  I knew it was going to be a good time but I think it may be even better than I thought it was going to be.  I just loved getting Paul away from his cell phone for an hour and a half and have him all to myself.  The skies were blue, the winds were calm (on this particular day) and the kids were still sleeping back at Grandma's.  Why is it that I feel I can breathe so much better in nature?  

Now we are back at home and I have introduced

SUMMER 2012

(said in a deep announcer-type voice)

to my kiddos and so far it's going over quite well. 

It's definitely going to be a great summer!  I feel it in my bones . . . or that could be my muscles aching from paddle boarding this morning. 

Cutest Ball Player!!

This kid knows how to work hard and play hard.  When he is focused there is no stopping him but when he's goofin' off there's no gettin' him back on track.  You can see the two sides of him just in one baseball game.  

I love how he is "keeping his eye on the ball".  One of these photos might be another FATHEAD in his room.  Though he doesn't like his face expression in a lot of the intense photos.  I love every single one.  He's just so...Charlie!