The pictures will be $6 per sheet or I’ll burn you a CD of all the pictures (not just yours, but everyone’s) for $50 and you can print them wherever and whenever you want. On the CD I’m also including a second set of all the pictures that have been sized smaller so you can email them or use them online (just don’t try and print those or they will look awful).

A sheet of photos =

1 8×10 or

2 5×7’s or

4 4×5’s or

1 5×7 and 2 3.5×5’s or

9 wallets

Make sure when ordering you include the photo number so I print them correctly.

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If you have any questions let me know. I can take a credit card if that helps.

Today I got to go take pictures of my cute niece and nephews. My sister-in-law is going to hang these up in black and white, but I really like how the color ones turned out so I’m posting them both ways.

Sorry about the crazy sizing, it was the only way I could get them to show up.

After these fun shots we got to do something a little warmer. Sadie and a friend went with me Mykin and Ben’s to take Christmas pictures of their cute family. It’s really easy to take pictures when the kids are this cute.

I am still editing them, but here is a sneak peak. Oh and by the way, if you get caught taking pictures down at the graffiti train its a $12,000 fine. We’ve been warned.

I will admit that I have a huge tendency to bite off way more than I can chew, but I am just delusional enough to think that I can do it all. This time I out did myself with the craziness. In all fairness most of the commitments were not my doing. The school forgets that most of us have more than one child so therefore you can’t fill the last two weeks of school with a dozen different events.

Now that the craziness is over I managed to get Sadie and her cousins off to EFY and Ash off to a conference in Seattle. I’m sitting around wondering where all these extra hours were when I really needed them.

Here is photographic proof of the awesomeness of Sadie’s party. This is her and her friends playing water balloon dodge ball.

Sadie and her friend

Here is Cole ready to rumble with the big boys (and loose miserably).

On a very funny side note one kid was told by his mother that he couldn’t come to the party because she thought it was going to be a s*x party (I don’t want creepy new followers). Obviously she has never met me, but seriously what would make you jump to that conclusion? What part of a BBQ in the park sounds like a s*x party to you?

No worries his dad let him come.

I love being a wife and mother more than anything else in this world. It’s all I have ever really wanted to be. I love every single dirty minute of it.

That being said Mother’s Day is a hard day for me. I love that there is a day set aside to stop and recognize all that we do as mothers but at the same time the attention is a little embarrassing for me. So instead of talking about Mother’s Day I want to talk about what makes me the luckiest mom in the world, my family.

First things first, my hubby. This man is the most amazing man I have ever met. He isn’t just a great husband he is an amazing husband. I often wonder how I got so lucky. He knows me well enough to pick out awesome clothes for me for Mother’s Day and get all the sizes perfect. No returning necessary, that is a real talent especially with my ever growingshrinkinggrowing waist line.

Then there are my kids. I really don’t know how I got lucky enough to have three really great well behaved children. I keep waiting for one of them to start rebelling (since I have 1 and 1/2 teenagers) and give me a run for my money but so far so good. They are helpful, kind, GREAT kids.

I am honored to be a wife and mother to this great bunch!

My son and I were goofing around the other day and calling each other silly names. I called him turkey butt which is a pretty common thing around here.

He promptly told me that at his friends house I would get my mouth washed out with soap because that’s a bad word.

So there you go one more reason I will never be mother of the year, I have a potty mouth.

Ash thinks this photo makes him look chubby so next time you see him make sure and tell him how slim he looks. He’ll love it.

My newest theory is that it is genetically impossible for little boys to aim properly. I truly am coming to the belief that its part of their DNA to completely loose all sense of direction while urinating. What other explanation can there be for the places that I find urine in the bathroom?

Last night while explaining my theory to my wonderful husband he knobbly tried to defend his two young sons by explaining to me that “it’s not as easy as it looks.” Really? That’s your story and your sticking to it, really?

So lets give them the benefit of the doubt that it really is more difficult than it looks that doesn’t explain me finding urine on the door opposite the toilet. I mean seriously HOW DO THEY MANAGE THAT ONE?

So tell me what interesting theories about life do you have, I would love to hear them (it helps me feel a little less crazy).

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Last year I decided to give something up for Lent, I was so successful I have decided to give it another try.

I have thought long and hard about what to give up this year. I decided I would like to give up the extra 10lbs I am caring around, but something tells me that’s not how this works. So plan B) give up something that is causing the extra 10lbs. Last year it was soda, particularly caffeinated soda. It worked out wonderfully and I can now honestly say I don’t need soda in my life.

Unfortunately the only other thing I can think to give up is sugar, and I am really not excited about that prospect. Sugar isn’t a huge problem for me, but I can’t think of anything else and I do really enjoy something sweet now and then.

So I guess sugar it is, wish me luck.

I learned so much my head is swimming. I brought my friend Jen with my, and I’m not sure she knew what she was getting herself into. She described it as “taking a drink from a fire hose.” I would have to agree, but it was so worth it.

Thanks Richard for all your hard work putting it together!

I admit that I usually help my kids make their Valentine’s, but not this year. They begged and pleaded for the cool store bought generic ones and well I gave in. It was cheap, fast, and easy I love it.

Ash had a 3 day weekend that he turned into a 4 day weekend using some vacation time. We decided to spend the weekend with the kids having fun. Some much needed and long overdue family bonding time. So on Valentine’s day we headed to Salt Lake for the Monster truck rally because we are white trash fun like that. For Ash something like this is a novelty, for me it’s just like every other white trash event my dad ever took me to as a kid. I tried to get out of it, but it was no use.

The up side is the kids loved it.

Giving up mine and Ash’s Valentine’s weekend was totally worth it, but I still think Ash owes me a hot Valentine’s date. I’ll let him make it up to me this weekend.

This month we met at Temple Square to take pictures of the Christmas lights. I have always wanted to go up to Salt Lake with my camera and take the time to get really great pictures of the lights, but around Christmas there never seems to be enough time. This year I made the time and it was worth it.

Here are a few shots from that night.

For more information on Photowalking Utah events you can visit their website.

This year I feel the need for a change. After a long six month pity party I feel some drastic changes are in order.

I have decided that some specific/non-specific resolutions are the way to go (got the idea from igottab). Make sense? Not really, but I’ll try to explain.

This year I resolve to be:

• that kind of wife
• that kind of mother
• that kind of friend

In short, I am going to try and be the kind of wife Ash needs me to be. The kind of mother my kids need me to be, and the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend. I figure that any improvement in these areas will equal success.

On a more personal note, my backside has been hanging on for dear life to the last 7lbs that I need to loose.  I resolve this year to finally shed my body of the remaining excess, even if it kills me. I will try and learn how to finally eat right. I have been using Weight Watchers with much success, but I tend to manipulate the system to still eat the crap food and loose weight instead of eating healthy and loosing the weight.

So what are you working on for the new year?

Now in all fairness 2008 wasn’t all bad, some really great things happened. I guess 2008 just had really high highs and very low lows. Lets just focus on the positive shall we?

My wonderful mother-in-law won her battle with cancer and is enjoying renewed health and happiness. Miracles happen and prayers are answered. With her new found health they decided to embark on an adventure of a life time and accepted a call to serve a two year mission. Not only is this great for them, but it is such an awesome example for my kids especially my boys.

Ash got a new job, and is loving every minute of it. I have never seen him this happy and fulfilled. He works with great people and looks forward to going to work everyday. More importantly he is finally getting the recognition for being the genius that I always knew he was. He is enjoying the success he deserves.

The kids and I had an awesome carefree summer and hated to see it end. We played and had lots of fun adventures. We enjoyed visits from cousins and explored fun places in Utah.

In September our baby started kindergarten and this was very bitter sweet. For me more bitter than sweet. Cole is loving every minute of it, but sometimes thinks he should get to choose which days he goes and what days he stays home and hangs out with mom. He doesn’t quit get the idea that school isn’t a choice.

Ash in his wisdom knew that I wouldn’t handle this as well as I thought I would and encouraged me to pick up an old hobby I had long forgotten about. So for my birthday I got a new camera and have been filling my time with picture taking.

The very best thing about 2008 is the family time we have spent together. We as a family are better than we have ever been. We have really learned this year how wonderful our friends are and are grateful for everyone of you. We really have the greatest family and friends and are truly blessed, and that is what I am going to take away from 2008. The rest… good riddance!

Last year we started a new family tradition. We go down to Manti for the pageant. Last year was our first time, and it was so much fun I decided we need to do this every year. One of these times we need to get daddy to come along. He is conveniently busy every time we plan to go. This year Sadie was off at girls camp so she missed the fun to.

Last year we went with some good friends of ours, but this year they are on a fun family trip to Costa Rica so we are on our own. We packed a picnic lunch and blankets for when the sun went down and we headed out around 4:00. Cole quickly fell asleep and we had a peaceful ride all the way down to Nephi where we decided to stop for a potty break. I went around to get Cole out and realized that he wasn’t wearing any shoes. For those of you who know him this won’t be surprising. He rarely has shoes on and when he does they are quickly discarded. I usually keep an extra pair in the car just in case. I’ve learned my lesson after having to stop and buy him a new pair of shoes multiple times. I should have know to check for shoes but I was in a hurry and didn’t.

After a brief stop to potty (caring Cole so he doesn’t touch the gross floor) and get treats we continued on our trip. We got there, found parking, reserved our seats and then sat down for a picnic dinner. The kids would have preferred that we buy corn dogs and pizza but with gas prices through the roof I decided to we would picnic it. We looked around some of the booths and then got a treat before the pageant started.

Dallin and Cole took off for the bathroom and I didn’t remember that he had bare feet until I saw him hobbling back on the gravel road. He got to ride in the stroller the rest of the night.

We had about an hour to kill until it was dark enough for the pageant to start. The protesters were out in full force and were really interrupting. They are usually there every year, but never interrupt that much. This year they were more vocal and would shout things during the performance whenever there was a quit moment. The police were there to keep them in check, but it didn’t seem to be working.

The kids took turns taking pictures while we waited for the performance to begin, and some of them turned out really cute. The show was great as always. Cole made it about 3/4 the way through before passing out from exhaustion, and Gavin was out before the show began.

We left about 11:30 and didn’t make it home until almost 2 am. I am totally wiped out today, but it was worth it.

So instead of a real blog post, here are some cute pictures I’ve taken of my kids lately. I was going for a real contrasty look, what do you think?

Sadie and Dallin tend to fall in the super model category and poor Cole rotates between the fetal position and goofy faces. Needless to say getting decent family pictures for our Christmas cards is no small feat.

We ventured up the canyon this weekend to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and attempt some decent shots of the kids. As soon as we got up there I realized that it was much MUCH colder than I thought it was going to be so we had to make it really quick.

Considering all the obstacles I think they turned out pretty decent.

And one really goofy one just for the fun of it.

Then just for fun a goofy one.

Intelligence is really sexy on him!

Here are a few pictures from that night.

This is what happens when your teenage daughter gets a hold of your camera.

Dear Prince Charming

This morning while snuggled up in our bed I wished to myself then outloud that we could just stay like that all day. I was inturupted by the sound of the alarm demanding that the day begin. I sent you on your way this morning breakfast in hand, and children in tow, wishing that we could spend the whole day together.

That reminds me I love that you get up 30 minutes before you need to so I can stay home while you take the kids to school.

I love that you open the window at night when it’s raining because you know how much I love to listen to the rain.

I love that you know just what I need even when sometimes I don’t even know myself.

I love the cute look on your face when you are suprising me with something, and you just can’t wait another second to tell me.

I love that you feel it is just as important as I do that I spend these years while the kids are young at home with them, and that you work so hard to make that happen.

I love that you encourage me and sometimes push me to go after my dreams. I need a little nudge every once and awhile.

But most of all I just love you

Happy 14th anniversary baby! It just keeps getting better!

I’m sick.

This never NEVER happens. The up side is my sweet darling hubby is taking very good care of me. He is spoiling me with juice and medicine and plenty of sleep. If he keeps this up I may just decide to be sick forever.

From the back seat

Cole: “Mom drop me off at the corner so I can walk home all by myself.”

Me: “Why”

Cole: “Because I’m a big boy, and I can do it.”

Me: “OK, but not out by the main road. You can walk home from the bottom of the hill.”

Cole: (As he is getting out of the car) “Don’t worry mom I’ll make sure no one snatches me.”