A night out.

Owen and Liv enjoying the night at Wheeler Farm! I had pictures there tonight so I had Chris stay with the kids until I was done, and then we went on the hayride after. So fun!

Were still alive.

So I got this idea from my brother in law's sister, she posts a picture everyday on her blog. I really want to do this, I want to push myself to be more creative and try new things with my photography. So every day there will be a new picture on my blog, some might be great and others not so much. Today I really wanted to focus on a low aperture and lots of bokeh.




And as for my little ones. Liv has been spending a lot of time in her naughty chair, for me this works she knows that she can not get out of it until she is ready to be nice. Owen is loving his 4 wallets, we have conversations about how many cards he has probably every 30 minutes. He LOVES his wallets they are his babies, and if you see him around with them a nice comment like, "Wow Owen, those wallets are so cool. How many cards do you have?" it will make his day and you will be his best friend. I love being their mommy! Owen told me today that today is a good day. I have tried to spend a little more quality time with them, and I promise you they notice. So today is a good day, and what better way to top it off then to go on a scary date with Chris, my parents, Jill, Jade, and their husbands. Jamie you will be there in spirit and we will talk nicely about you the whole time, Love you.
Picture taken today, they really are the best of friends!

Boy am I grateful for you..

Owen you have been my pal this week. I hope I tell you enough that I love you! With Liv's accident this week and her personality being a little demanding at times, it makes me realize how grateful I am for you. You really are the best brother. It amazes me how much you have to put up with. You don't mind when Liv puts her breakfast down your shirt, or when she bites you, or when she takes your toys and tells you that they're hers. You hardly ever fight back, which helps me out a lot. I love you so much, I love your little freckles on your nose. I love how you bring your wallet everywhere, thinking everyone is checking you out, and wondering "Wow look at that little boy's wallet, man he is so cool!" I love going to your soccer games, and seeing how much fun you have out there. You are my best bud, and you have helped me keep a little sane this week, so thank you.

Luck is just not on our side...

So unfortunately we had another accident last night. Yikes. I was getting Liv a snack and I guess she was climbing in her stroller and fell in the garage. I seriously still can't believe it. My heart sunk when I heard her cry, I ran to her so quick to find her in a puddle of blood. I yelled at Owens friends to go get their Mom, my really good friend Lindsay, who literally saved me. I tried so hard to be strong I kept it together until Lindsay got there and then I lost it. Lindsay really thanks so much when I think back about it I still cry. She helped me clean off Liv and was really calm which helped me calm down. So off to the doctors again. This time she added another big owie biting through almost her entire lip, and then busted two out of the five stitches. The doctor was worried about restitching it because of infection, so he just taped it. I couldn't sleep last night because her falling again just kept replaying in my mind. How did I let that happen? Why would I let her leave my sight? I am so sick about it. What if it was worse? I know I can't think about stuff like that, but I do. I don't think this is the end of it either. Her stitches look a little infected, and her lip looks like it kills. Might be making another trip to the doctor.

Liv is off the market..

Really how could I sell my little Liv after her little incident today. Chris just got home from work and the kids went to go play in the basement. All of the sudden we hear her cry pretty loud, which to me I wasn't that alarmed because really she does cry a lot. But this time it was a little different I could tell she was in pain. Chris brought her up and told me she needed stitches. No way, so I made Chris call his buddy Dr. Colby just to verify (thanks Colbs). So off we went to the doctors and I'll let the pictures tell the rest.
Is it silly that it takes an accident like this to occur to make you realize how great your love is for your children. I would've done anything to have me strapped down instead of her. I couldn't wait to scoop her in my arms after they were done. I love you Olivia you are my princess, my angel, my baby. You are mine forever and ever, I promise I won't ever put you up for sale again.

Up for sale..

Don't let this picture fool you.
Yes, I'm thinking about putting Liv up for sale, any takers???? I think she has fallen out of love with me. I'm no longer her favorite person. I'm now her punching and pinching bag. She has only one word for me and that is NO. She makes me sweat, cry and pray like no other. Please please let this be just a stage, is it? or did I create a monster. Now she does have her sweet moments, and I melt when I get those with her, but I want more of those moments with her. I think I just needed to vent after going to the grocery store with her today. You think it would be easier just taking one because Owen was at school, Nope. I would rather take 5 Owens to the grocery store and have Liv be at school. I'll look back at this and laugh right?

Test shots.

Wow there is so much more important things I could be doing right now then blogging, but lucky for me my kids were a little more camera friendly today. I was getting set up for a newborn shoot, and they were my little test shots. Oh I love them so much! Liv tuned two and still haven't had time to blog about it. Geez how do people keep up?

Escaping it all.

I think the best place to escape the world and all the stress in life is the mountains. It is peaceful, quiet, and so so pretty. I don't know what has gotten into me lately, but that is all that I want to do. I am by no means the camping type or like to rough it out in the wild. But lately I have developed a new sense of really enjoying it. We hiked up to Silver Lake this last weekend with our kids, and yes it was hard with two little ones, but it was so rewarding. Owen pretty much complained the entire time so we had to divert his attention a lot, but in the end it really was worth it. We got to the top and swam in the lake and just enjoyed the scenery. Olivia loved just being in the backpack, even taking a little nap on the way down.
Sometimes I struggle being a mom of two children. I get discouraged and often wonder if I am doing a good job. Sappy as it sounds this hike really helped me grow closer to my children. I loved seeing them get excited to see the bugs or the fish in the lake. I loved being able to push Owen in telling him that he could make it to the top. I appreciated the beautiful surroundings and Chris for carrying Liv in the backpack the whole time. I was humbled by this experience and it really was so nice to be removed even if it was just a little from the world. And a big bonus, is that it was FREE.
These pictures were taken this last Sunday, our Church doesn't start until one. So we had some free time and went up AF canyon. As you can tell from the pictures my kids love it. Owen loves jumping off the rocks and looking for Lizards. And Liv just likes to copy anything Owen does, and loves seeing any type of bug.

Blueberry Muffins.

So nothing feels better than to cook a yummy meal and goodies for your family, and actually do a good job! I was not meant to be in a kitchen, usually everything I try turns out just the opposite as what it should have. But a small part of me (really small) enjoys cooking, and baking that is when I do a good job. Yesterday was a good day, and I felt proud enough to share it. I made my first home made blueberry muffins, and guess what they turned out. And then I made sausage pepper pasta from my friend Lindsay's blog (by the way her and her husband are AMAZING cooks, and they cook like that on a daily basis) and that turned out so yummy. So maybe, just maybe this housewife, cooking thing might work out for me. If not at least I can gloat on yesterday's accomplishments.

For the recipe I used go Here.

A no kid weekend.

I looked forward to this like I use to look forward to Christmas when I was younger. My parents were so nice to take Owen and Olivia this last weekend, while me and Chris remembered what it was like to be dating. Its amazing what you can get done, and how clean your house stays for two whole days. We went to a movie, hiking, Park City, and looked for golf balls at the golf course. I was excited for my kids to come back home, but I'm already thinking about where they could go this weekend, ha!

A rough couple of days.

I'm worried about my little Liv, and I'm just not sure how to handle her. She can be the sweetest little thing in the world, and then just turn on you. I knew I had to write some of the things that has happened in the last couple of days, or I would forget them. Yesterday we went to Ross and as we were walking out, Liv pushed open the fire alarm door (yea where was I oh just checking out the scarves). I was so embarrassed, mad, and just wanted to run out of there. I think all of the employees were just grateful I was leaving. And then today while changing her poopy bum, she grabbed the diaper and swung it up causing her poop to land right on her face. She screamed so loud in fright I hope she learned her lesson today.
I use to always look at the mom with her misbehaving children, and think to myself man can't you just get them under control. Whoa I was way out of line for thinking that. I'm now one of those moms, who sometimes just can't get my children to behave. So maybe we can just all give each other a break, I mean we are all trying to do the best we can. I know one day Liv and I will look back at this and laugh. And we will be best friends just like I am with my mom.
I love this picture I took today I can just see the mischief in Livs face!

4th of July

The 4th has come and gone. We had so much fun. Our neighborhood put together a great little party. There were snow cone machines, cotton candy machines, bounce house, pie eating contest, a dunk tank, fishing for toys and goodies, and laser tag. So to say the least my kids were in heaven. I'm just glad we have the 24th now to look forward too.



I know that this little guy is probably dibbed for other little girls in the neighborhood, but look how cute him and liv are!
a

Finding peace in solitude.

My title was quoted by Will Ferrell in the episode of "Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls" Oh it was hilarious! Anyways our family has been enjoying lots of relaxing time in good ol' Kamas. I feel like every time I go up there I escape part of the world. It is peaceful, quiet and so beautiful! We bike, eat, play outside with the animals and watch movies. Owen becomes a cowboy with his cousin Kayden when we go up there. He is a big animal lover, and could spend all day outside with the alpacas. Liv is adapting to the animals she is a bit more scared, but eventually warms up.

Dang Mosquitos...

This picture doesn't even do it justice. We get so many mosquitoes where we live and the other night Liv was eaten alive. The next morning when she woke up her eye was so swollen. What is the purpose for mosquitoes? Andy you might know.

Back to real life...

Coming home from vacation is the pits. I feel like I need another vacation one without the kids, and maybe without Chris (I do feel bad that you got strep throat, but it did damper my plans a bit.) Besides that, it was great! Beaches were beautiful, and Disneyland was way fun, a bit chaotic, but Owen loved every bit of it. It was hard to keep up with Jamie and my Dad, man you guys are die hards with making sure we rode all the rides.
To top the trip off, David Archuleta sat a couple seats ahead of me in the plane, I was a bit shy to ask for his autograph, But I could tell he was one class act. More pictures to come..

Week of firsts.

Last weeks was busy, a little too busy for me. Owen finished school and had his program. I thought he wasn't going to participate in any of it, but he did! He sang his songs and said all of his parts, we were very proud and relieved. As for my "Week of first" title, Owen has learned to swim and ride a bike with no training wheels. He was very hesitant at first to swim without his life jacket, but after a couple of tantrums and scenes at the pool, he gave in. So I think Owen is officially a big boy now, no training wheels, and swimming on his own. Good job Owen!



Owen's sweet preschool teacher Ms. Tecia.

Sick day.

I guess the perks of having one of your kids sick is that you get to stay home all day. Therefore leaving you plenty of time to catch up on things. Blogging being one of them.
I'm officially a soccer mom! Driving a white suburban with the kids in tow. Owen has such a talent for sports, and I love watching him play. He counts all of his goals and then tells his Grandpa Jim how much he owes him ($1 each goal). He has so much fun playing with his buddies, sometimes too much. At last nights game Owen, Kolbyn, and Cannon were getting a little distracted with one another. And had to be told more than enough times to get their butts out on the field.
Meanwhile Liv is on the sidelines, not much a cheerleader, but more of a pain. At least she has me wrapped around her finger with her beautiful blue eyes and soft kisses and loves to me. I'm a proud momma of my two kids!



I don't know if Owen has been looking through some of my old photos, but this kissy face is starting to takeover all his photos. I think I like his big cheesy smile better.

I finally started to edit some more pictures of Kayden. I think this one is my favorite!

This is how we roll..

Lately, well for the past 6 months, Owen has had a bit of an obsession with big shirts and they have to be Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, etc. shirts. This is his routine for the most part; wake up around 8:30 eat a waffle and chocolate milk go to preschool get home eat lunch, and then this is when he strips down and changes in his big shirt for the rest of the day, unless I interfere. So please don't judge when you see this kid with no pants and a big bright shirt. This is what makes this little guy happy! Owen you make me laugh.

And as for Liv I have been a little more successful in making her smile. You are so much more approachable with that big smile of yours.

I guess not that successful, yet!

Two weeks in review.

Wow time flies I guess when your having fun! April just came and went by so fast. Easter Eve my parents took me and my sisters to Wicked, which I personally think was one of the best plays I have been too. Jade almost got us into a brawl with the girl in front of us, oh that was just too funny, ask Jade if you want to know the whole story, he he. Easter was wonderful, we celebrated with my family the Sunday of, and then the next weekend with the Burtons in Beautiful Kamas. Liv was in heaven with all the chocolate, have you ever seen my Liv eat M&Ms? Too cute.

And now we have just returned home to 50 degree weather, when after soaking up the warm weather in sunny St. George. I could live there, in fact I want to move there, maybe one day. Sadly I didn't get any pictures of St. George or Easter. I have a hard time lugging my big camera around. I need to be better about that. Now I'm just counting down the days for Newport, can't wait.