{Campin' Out}

We did a little camping last weekend (Hello?!? I know, a little late on the post, but the pictures are too cute not to share, even if I'm slower than cold molasses...) We went out with my parents and Laura & Adam, the self-proclaimed "Partysons." Believe me, good times were had by all!




Good food (as always!) This is Louis begging for more, more, more!



Canoe rides, in the water.



Canoe rides, out of the water (equally entertaining)!



Three / Four-wheeling




What's camping without the s'mores! Honestly, if this was the only thing we did, it would make all the work worth it! Of course, that could be because my family are mello toasting experts! Yummo! Check this action out, I'm such a proud mama.

It looks like my girls are entering the posing phase of life...

Louis is just happy to have food!

{10 Years Later...}

It's our tenth wedding anniversary today... I can't believe it! Ten years. Ten years of loving, ten years of tears, ten years of ups and downs -- and a few 'round and 'rounds! Everything I want to say sounds so cliche, but marrying Todd was the best thing I've ever done. I'm still so crazy in love with him! I love him more now that I've seen him as a father, as a provider for our family, as we've really learned who we are, together. I love him more as we've faced challenges and received blessings without number. Thank you babe, for ten wonderful years. I love you!

{Paaarrr-taaayyy!}

Today was a day full of parties! I wish I was half as popular as we managed to be today in just a normal week!

We started the day out strong with Caroline's preschool graduation. That's right-y, it seems like I was having my major Mama-trauma just a few weeks ago when she started preschool, and it's already over. Do you know what that means?!? Next comes KINDERGARTEN!!! Ack! I can't breathe... somebody get me a paper bag...

Here she is with her teacher, Carol Broadhead. She is the sweetest lady ever! We both just love her!

Caroline and Elyse have become the best of buddies -- they have missed each other so much since we moved out... aren't they just the cutest girlies ever?

Is there any doubt where Caroline got her beautiful blue eyes? She just loves her Nana!

On to Party numero 2, the Mission 24 get together! I have been so excited about this! I had so much fun seeing old pals again and putting names together with real people that I hadn't met before. We ate and talked and laughed and took pictures (what else are we supposed to do? It's a photography blog!) Everyone else had their fancy schmancy cameras. I was just drooling at every "click-a click-a" they made. ... Someday... someday... Rachel said she got some good pictures of me -- I'll have to post them when she gets them done. Apparently April's flash makes me look amazing. I think I want one to hang over my head like mistletoe all the time!

This is pretty much what the second half of the party looked like (the first half we were too busy eating...) Here's Katy and Rachel with the a fore mentioned fancy schmancies:


Poor baby Grace must have felt like she was being mobbed by the Paparazzi!

Last, but not least, it was time to go celebrate a birthday with my favorite brother-in-law and yours, "Fun Adam"! Do you need proof? Why not take the kiddos out on an impromptu ride on the dingy? They couldn't have been happier!

While they were out on the river, I took the opportunity to take a few random shots. Isn't my mom the coolest? How many other grandmas do you know that still jump on the trampoline?

I could take pictures of Maren's sweet face all day long...

The apple trees are in blossom! Finally, spring has come to Idaho!

I was playing with sun flare here (thanks for the inspiration Candace!) I love how these came out!

To end off the day I got this shot of the door knob on my neighbor's shed for a "Vintage" challenge for M24. I'm lovin' the colors! I wish every day could be this fun and rewarding!

{The Many Faces of Lou}

Louis was being a ham-ball for the camera last night, so we had a blast getting him to make every face we could think of! What a poser! He's such a happy kid, and still so busy! I'm not sure what we did without him! I can't believe that he will be two next month! His favorite new things are his "spikeys" -- he makes me do his hair every morning. He still loves brushing his teeth, playing outside (I have make sure the doors are locked all the time, or he will escape!), baths, chocolate milk ("chalk-alk!"), and shouting contests -- his favorite word is "NOOO!!!" He's starting to sing all the time, his songs usually start with "Tee-koo, Tee-Kooooooo" for 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' then it turns into gibberish from there. It's so cute! Everything you do turns into a little game for him. What a goober! Love you buddy!

I feel like I should explain what he's doing in all these... it makes them so funnier!

#1 Sticking out my tongue

#2 Just bein' sweet

#3 My new sad face

#4 Throwing my sippy cup -- what a fun game! It makes mommy crazy every time!

#5 Eww! There's a booger on my finger!

#6 "No!"

#7 What a grin!

#8 Kissy lips! Pucker up butter cup!

#9 "NOOO!!!"

#10 "La, la, la!"

{I Am Mother}

Today I know I am a mom because I'm so tired and so happy. I woke up to the sound of giggles from my kids, even though my wonderful hubby hopped out of bed early to try to keep them quiet just a little bit longer for me. They had a pile of homemade presents for me -- a traced footprint with silk flowers hot glued to it, a sweet letter saying how beautiful my daughter thinks I am (this just after I examined my over-tired puffy eyes in the mirror and grimaced). She also says she loves the way I sing, and I've often wondered if I can carry a tune in a bucket anymore. These are the gifts I will tuck away and treasure.

My day was filled with hugs and smiles, super stinky poopy diapers (record breaking stinky!) and time spent with my family. My heart melted as I watched my children playing with the bubbles from the dishes in the sink with my mom and daddy, laughing and playing, making bubble beards and messes and timeless memories.

The day was ending, and I was tired and ready to be done. My girls were supposed to be putting on their pajamas. Instead I sit and smile and listen as I hear peals of laughter coming from their bedroom. I am so happy they are best little friends. Finally they are all in bed, warm and content knowing that they are safe and loved... because I do love them, and I can't imagine my life without them.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you other tired, happy moms out there. Thank you to all of the women who have touched my life, and the lives of my family, helping to make us who we are! We love you!

{Elizabeth's Baptism}

Elizabeth was baptized last Saturday, May 2nd. (In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that little children are innocent and cannot sin. Children are baptized at the age of eight, when they are old enough to be accountable for the choices they make. We also believe in baptism by immersion.) We are so proud of her for making this choice and covenant with her Heavenly Father. We could all feel His presence so strongly that day as her daddy baptized her, and she was absolutely glowing. She is such a beautiful girl and is trying so hard to do as her Heavenly Father wants her to. We love her so much and are so grateful she is a part of our family!

Elizabeth with her Nana and Papa - my parents.

My mom, Elizabeth, my dad, and his mother -- Elizabeth's Great-Grandma Moss.

Our family with Todd's parents.

Grandma was telling Elizabeth how proud she was of her -- what a special moment!