Happy Birthday Olivia!

Olivia went to a birthday party a few weeks back where there were pony rides and bounce houses. Ever since she always tells me "I luf ponees and jumpeen Mommy!". So we couldn't resist having a pony for her 3rd birthday. The owner of the pony is awesome! She dresses the pony up to fit the theme of the party. Olivia's was a princess pony party. This princess pony is named Marigold and even smiled a few times for the camera. Marigold's mane and tail were painted rainbow colors and she even had glitter painted hooves. We had lots of friends to share in the fun! We had a bubble station, tons of food, and a pink pony pinata. Everyone had a blast! After everyone left, Olivia was either wearing or carrying as many presents as humanly possible. One of Olivia's favorite presents was a pair of Barbie roller skates and a magic wand that lit up and made sounds. She took her nap in those skates and really hasn't taken them off since. Our little stinker even tried to wear them to church. Thanks to all of our friends that attended and made her day so special!

Happy Feet

For Olivia's birthday present, my mom took Olivia to the nail salon we frequent for a princess pedicure. I was skeptical of taking an almost three year old to have her nails done, but this was my mom's scheme. Olivia wasn't too sure what to think at first either. She and I shared a spa chair and she ended up LOVING it! She put her feet in with mine and stayed put the entire time. She picked the color "poopul" (translation-purple) with sparkles to go with her new shoes Grammy got her. I thought she'd have a hard time with her being stubborn and all. Boy, was I wrong! She sat very still for the manicurist while she painted her twinkle toes "poopul". Once her toes were done, she sat with Grammy to have "sunshine" (UV light) on her nails to help them dry faster. Other clients there were oohhing and awwing over her. One lady started to talk to her and Olivia turned to her and said "Shhhh! Be quiet!". At first I was mortified and I asked Liv to apologize. She looked at me and said "Baby seeping (doesn't quite have /l/ blends yet), you funny Mama!" So those in earshot were giggling. She continued to tell everyone to be quiet because now it was cute (in her mind at least). I, of course, took my camera. I didn't quite have the camera set right, but the shots are still cute. I still have to be fast when taking her pictures as she is not the most willing subject, but today her toes were more than willing to say "cheese!".

Happy Mother's Day!

A big shout out to all you Moms! Hope your day was as wonderful as mine! I got my Mother's Day present a little early from Damian. I asked him Saturday night if he was planning to get me anything, his response, "Not yet?". I told him not to bother since Peppermint Creative (digital scrapbooking supplies) is having a month long sale. I spent Saturday night downloading my gift. I woke up this morning to breakfast in bed. Damian and the kids made chocolate chip pancakes and bacon (yummo!). We got dressed and ready for church. After Sacrament, the Bishopric and young women gave the mother's carnations. Olivia hijacked mine and destroyed it before the end of church. In Relief Society, we were surprised with lunch. It was awesome! Damian gave me the rest of the day to scrapbook and hide out in my hole (the office). I finished a couple of layouts and Olivia's birthday party invitation. I may from time to time be placing a watermark on some of my creations to prevent improper use of my images. The worst part about today is getting ready for the "W" word (you know, work). Catch ya later!

Plan B Engagement Session

Kim and I shot an engagement session yesterday for Brooke and Fernando. They are super sweet and we had a blast with them. We look forward to shooting their wedding on May 17th. If you are interested in having Kim and I take pictures for you, contact Angela at the boutique 588-1984.

My Book Arrived!!!!!

I was having a pretty crappy day the day before my birthday. While on my lunch break, I blog hopped over to Lisa Bearnson's blog and discovered I won an autographed copy of her newest book. It so made my day!! When we got home today, there it was on my doorstep! YEAH!!!!!! I feel like I've won the lotto, WOOHOO!

Too Cute for Words!

Jack is 8 months old. I can hardly believe it! He has grown so fast. Where has all the time gone?

Layout to Share

I just finished Jessica Sprague's Digi In Deep class. I had an amazing time and learned so much! If you are interested in learning digi scrapbooking, I highly recommend checking out her site at here. I can't sing her praises enough! This was our final assignment for her class. I just picked this printed 12x12 layout at Costco for $2.99 a page. I really need to sit down and do the math on the cost of a digi page vs. the traditional scrapbook page, not that cost would stop me. I am just curious.

Need a Photographer?

Can't afford Stephanie of Inky Dinky Do Photography? There is always Plan B. Steph's assistants are now for hire! I thought I'd again share my newest adventure with Stephanie. The shots below are taken by Kim, Madi, and I. If you know a bride to be who has a limited budget, have them call Angela at the Boutique (588-1984).

I Know! Long Time, No Post

This is the time of year where life gets crazy. Open House and end of the year festivities are fast approaching at school. I make a memory book for each student in my class and I am so far behind on them! Along with the normal craziness has been some abnormal craziness. I must sound like a train wreck to everyone!

Last Monday, Petey the Puppy (Nick's toddler alter ego) made a return to our family. For those of you who are going "huh?", when Nick was a toddler he would pretend he was a dog and crawl around on all fours barking and licking people. We thought he grew out of it, WRONG! So on Monday, he and a little friend were pretending to be dogs in my room after school. They were hiking up their legs pretending to pee in my room. Nick, I mean Petey, decides he should mark my Mrs. Wishy Washy tub. I am teaching a farm unit and it is an actual metal can once used on a farm. I use it as a prop to act out a story in class. Well Petey discovered it has a sharp edge so as his leg came down after peeing, he sliced his shin open. He ended up needing six stitches and is out of baseball for the next three games.

My dad has been dealing with Chron's disease and after effects of several surgeries. He is going in for yet another surgery on Monday so we're a little stressed out about that.

Damian had the opportunity to go through a trial run of the physical test for the fire department on Thursday. He passed with almost a minute to spare. We are confident he'll make the list to get into the academy, but where he ranks on that list we're unsure of. We're hoping he'll make it in for the academy starting August-ish. He has a few people mentoring him and has set up to do a few ride alongs with the station down the street. Damian is continuing to heal after his eye surgery and is loving life without glasses.

I've made a few more layouts in my Digi in Deep scrapbooking class with Jessica Sprague. Her classes are addicting! Life has been so busy that I haven't had the chance to do some of the midweek assignments. I am hoping to catch up, but will probably have to do without sleep in order to do so. I am so loving it when I do have the time to spend on it. Here are more layouts to share.

What a Week!

Well, we started off the week with Jack getting a mystery virus Sunday morning. So because of it and Damian continuing to recuperate from his eye surgery, we we home and I became Dr. Mom. Poor little Jack is just now feeling better. He was throwing up and had a fever for four days. He was left with a nasty cough and congestion. I thought he was throwing up because he was hating the Tylenol, but realized Thursday night as Olivia began throwing up on my mom in her bed that the barfies are part of the package. I took Wednesday off due to no sleep. Damian couldn't help me due to part of his recovery involves lots of sleep. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't catch this one! I call this illness a mystery as I don't know where he got the cooties from since we haven't been anywhere and Jack was the first to get it.

Damian is recovering better than we had hoped. He is 20/25 in one eye and 20/30 in the other as of last Thursday. He goes back to work on Monday and returns to the Dr. on Wednesday to check his progress and healing. He couldn't be happier with the results. We are anticipating perfect vision, or close to it. Now Damian's next hurdle in the firefighter process is the physical apptitude test. A lot of guys get cut at this point. I am a little nervous for him. He has been training hard. After it, I have every confidence that the road for my husband will be one he is very capable of!

As you can see in the picture posted, Nick got his glasses. It changes his whole look to me. He doesn't have to wear them all the time like Jared does. Just for school and when he watches TV. Nick had a game yesterday. He's quite the little fielder and still shows a love and talent for catcher. His swing is still a little rusty, but I am sure he'll be back in the groove soon.

Jared made Honor Roll again and received an award at the awards assembly yesterday. Nick received all A's this quarter and also was number one in A.R. for his grade level. We let the boys choose a reward for good report cards. Nick announced since he had all A's, he'd like an iPod Nano. We negotiated him down to an iPod Shuffle. Jared chose to get a new video game. We are very proud of them!

Today I am shooting a wedding as the primary photographer. I am a little nervous for several reasons. Stephanie wants me to shoot with a camera I haven't used before. I picked it up from her last night to familiarize myself to the manual settings. This is also my first time as the main shooter. I am glad I am doing this as it is helping me to learn my camera and to be the best mommarazzi I can be!

I finished my first week of Jessica Sprague's Digi: In Deep class. It is very challenging, but I am loving every minute of it. Kiahna is taking it with me. The two layouts posted were made for her class. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! Have a great weekend!