Headless.

My little Owen can say some pretty funny things, but this one caught me a little off guard. I didn't know whether to laugh or seek some professional help. The other morning after breakfast I told him and Liv that they needed to get in the bath, and off course Owen started to whine saying "You always do this to me, why do I always need to get in the bath?" As I proceeded to answer him he cut me off and told me, "I am going to tell Dad to kick your head off." When I asked him to repeat what he just said he mumbled, "I am going to tell Dad your rude." I was completely stunned by this, and even found it a little funny. Where do kids get this? He doesn't play violent video games or watch violent shows, so where would he pick this up? Anyways I hope he learned his lesson not to talk to his Mom or in anyone for that matter like that.

On to another subject. I am completely, and utterly sad that Christmas is now over. No more excuses to eat yummy and unhealthy treats (like Jade's delicious cake balls). No more cozy Christmas tree in my living room. And no more talk about what Santa is going to bring us. But I am excited for what this New Year will bring!
We had such a wonderful Christmas and New Years, and I am sad that it passed so fast. Owen has become a little daredevil, which makes me a little scared at times. During the Holiday break Owen has jumped off the high dive (several times) and sledded down a big hill by himself on his belly going over jumps. Doesn't he know that his Dad has broken almost every bone in his body, and that he could follow in his footsteps? I really hope and pray that that isn't the case...

(picture below) Chris on low dive and little Owen on the big one.

Christmas day.

Owen was so excited for Santa to come! On Christmas Eve he kept telling me that he couldn't stop talking about it, he just couldn't wait until he came. We told Owen that he couldn't come into our room until it was light outside so about 7:30 in the morning he came running into our room yelling that Santa had come. He said he saw his boots going up the chimney, dang it we just missed him! So we went and woke up Liv (as you can tell Owen likes to dress her in soccer gear for pajamas, and Liv is always so willing). It was so fun to see their eyes light up at what Santa had brought for them. We had a great Christmas and were so lucky to share it with both our families. I was a little lame and only took pictures of Christmas morning at our house. Just now wishing I had more from that day.










Owen spreading out some food for Santa's reindeers on Christmas Eve.

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Loved this post my sister wrote about my sweet parents!

Playing a little dressup.

I can't believe me and my best friend go back 20 years. And now look at our two little girls playing dress up together. We always said when we were little that we would marry brothers or best friends, live next door to eachother with white picket fences, and have kids the same age so that they could be best friends like we were.
I couldn't help but pull my camera out when I saw them playing in Liv's room. I kind of got a little teary eyed. They both resemble us alot and it brought back a lot of memories with Erin. I love you my sweet friend. I am so glad I have you in my life!

Owen meets Santa.

After an unsuccessful try to sit on Santa's lap this last Saturday at Chris's work party (his nerves got the best of him). Owen had another chance at the Conger Christmas party. He was so excited to tell him what he wanted for Christmas, because if he didn't let him know what he wanted then he could possibly get a girl toy, yikes! (thanks Chris for implanting that in his mind) So he sat bravely on his lap, and exclaimed that this year he wanted a snow globe. Yea he did it and he couldn't have been more proud of himself. As for Liv she was just comfortable watching all the kids do it, although she did give him a nice wave goodbye.
I love family parties! Thanks to my Aunt Penny for putting it together, it was so good to see everyone! Love you all.

Just one reason I'm excited for my little break this month..

is that I can take oodles and oodles of pictures of these two....

Owen and the big 5

His birthday was on the 1st, so this is a little late. I can't believe he is 5 years old, can't the time just slow down a bit. I have to say birthdays sure do get more fun with age. Owen has been counting down for months, so he was so excited when the day finally arrived. Me and Chris took him to "A Christmas Carol" in 3D, and then we had a friend birthday party at night. Wow that was a lot of work, but Owen was so glad to share his birthday with his buddies! Love you bud!

Happy Halloween, just a little late.

Well Halloween has come and gone and the holidays and cold weather are vastly approaching. Because I forgot to take pictures on Halloween I had to have my kids reenact it. We got some looks our way, and also heard a kid ask his Dad where the heck we were going in our costumes, did we not know Halloween was over. Um yes I did, I just think I might be losing my mind a little bit, some of my friends can I agree with that. So if you have any words of advice on how to balance or make things a little less chaotic, please do tell.
Anyways Liv was Snow White, and Owen was the black spider man. They both had a grand ole time, and Liv was in heaven with all the candy, and Owen was just excited to run around the neighborhood with his best buddy, Cannon. Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

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.