Golden

Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for our family.
Lyle and I are blessed with brothers and sisters that are our best friends. And lots of 'em!

Ryan and Crystal and their beautiful girls.
After looking through all the pics I'm quite certain I'm no longer on Ryan's list of friends.
It kinda reminds me of the groom who did everything short of cussing me out at the wedding I photographed.
No matter. I know he'll forgive me when he sees how happy I made his wife with these..

McKenna and Ava are such naturals.

Gretta is a hard one to crack.

(Where's Uncle Lyle when ya need him?)

But I kinda like this anyways.

It's just so "her".

I always love watching these two together...

She loves her Daddy!

These could have been better.

I'm sure Crystal can do something splendid with them.

Thanks, you guys, for letting me capture your beautiful family!
It was an honor!
Love ya!

Never look back!

I can't help myself.
Just one glimpse...

I miss those sunlit days of summer already.

Come home, Daddy!

We've been home all week, but it's just not "home" without Daddy.
He'll be home soon and I can't wait to see him!

My week was pretty uneventful.

Monday night I stepped out the door to chase a stray cat away from the garbage I had just set out and came nose-to-nose (well, nose-to-toes) with a skunk. Literally inches away, he looked up at me, as I ever so carefully retreated back inside, and then continued scarfing as if I wasn't even there. Man, are they ugly! So weaselly looking. I had the heebie-jeebies for the rest of the night! Tess and I tried everything we could to scare him away without getting perfumed and he completely ignored us! Arrogant little thing! And so vicious. You wouldn't believe the way he tore into that bag! Finally, after getting his fill, he left. As I grabbed the garbage to bring back inside (I had to! All the trash cans were full!) I couldn't help but think, what if he's inside of it still? Could you imagine having a skunk and four babies in the house?

Then there was my dentist appointment.
The worst one I've ever experienced.
Apparently I'm hard to numb.
Impossibly.
I was given so many shots I lost count and my jaw still hurts so badly that I can't get my mouth open far enough to stuff in anything substantial.
I've already lost four pounds.
Maybe I should visit the dentist more often.

Adah, who had been sleeping through the night for almost a month, decided to wake up twice every night, along with her sister.

The kids were so naughty they almost lost the priviledge of movie night.
But Mama had mercy on them.
We ate pizza and watched Snow White.
I think I enjoyed it more than they did.

And now?
Now I'm so exhausted I'm not even going to wait up for Daddy!
I'm tired of waiting anyways.
If I fall asleep then he'll wake me up after what seems like only moments...

The high flyin, main event of the year!

We had so much fun at Camden's party!

Thought I'd post a few pics for those of you who missed it.
(or forgot about it)
'Cause I know how completely awful you must be feeling (:

This years theme:
Vintage Carnival

The invites.
Yes. I do them. It's fun for the kids.
Usually I make them myself.
This year I ordered them on etsy.
Didn't she do a great job?

For the first time, Camden addressed his own invitations.
ALL.BY.HIMSELF.
The "r"s are my favorite...

And each child got their very own ticket to bring for a special prize. Again, just for fun. Not one kid actually remembered. They got a prize anyways.

Glow sticks. Caramel candies. Vintage mood fish. Cute vintage favor bags.

Once again; etsy.

The moment I saw these mustaches I knew I must make them.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment.

And because I knew Camden would LOVE them.
And he did.

He loves anything silly and fun because he loves to laugh.
And I love it when he laughs.
People stop me in the store just to tell me he has the best laugh they've ever heard.

Of coarse he picked the biggest, goofiest one for photos...

Caramel apples.

Aren't they pretty?

They were good too.

And very, very messy.

Camden decided he didn't like them.

They were too sweet and sticky.
Good, old fashioned soda.

And lots of it!

Aren't I a terrible Mama?

If you recall from a recent post, Camden doesn't like this either.

Notice the silly mustache...

What carnival party would be complete without Barnum's Animal Crackers?
Mustachios on a stick...

And popcorn!

In my defense,

Camden announced to me just days before the party that he's decided he no longer likes popcorn because,

"It makes a mess in my mouth."

Silly boy! He doesn't like anything that's not good for him! (;

I *LOVE* these vintage popcorn bags!

You guessed it; etsy!

I didn't get any pics of the actual party. Too much craziness!

We had face paints, (thank you, Aunt Heidi!) and a clown (thanks Kenna!) and lots of presents!

Thanks, everyone, for making Camden feel so loved on his special day!

a mother's love

My first born.

Through you I first glimpsed real love.

Pure. Unselfish.

I love you because you are.

I need no other reason.

Happy Birthday Camden!

On turning 5

Camden Asher

An in depth interview:

What's your favorite color?

Green. To match my eyes.

Favorite toy?

My batman costume. And my new gun from Grandma.

Favorite thing to do?

Play soldiers.

Favorite movie?

Batman!

Place you like to go best?

Wal-Mart. No! The restaurant.

Which restaurant?

The burger one. With milkshakes.

Favorite food?

Pizza, but I only like it sometimes.

(Meaning, not every kind.)

Favorite candy?

Chocolate chips, 'smarshmallows' and candy canes.

Do you like soda?

No. It's fizzy and tastes like sugar.

Who's your best friend?

Uncle Lance!

(Without missing a beat.)

I was so impressed with a picture he drew I asked if I could keep it.
"Sure! You can give it to Uncle Lance to hang on his fridge for me!"

What do you want for your birthday?

Buzz Lightyear. Or maybe...a Buzz Lightyear costume!

princesses don't wear pants!

These are "skinny" jeans.
You know. The kind that are supposed to be skin tight all the way to the ankle. Apparently she is too skinny for skinnies 'cause they fit her more like riding pants.

It makes sense.
Both of her parents were the same way.
Many years ago.

Either way, I love this on her.
The boots.
The pearls.
The attitude.

The only way I can get her to wear pants is by letting her wear her boots with them.
Just this morning she was so distraught over the prospect of a day spent in jeans that she screamed at me,
"Princesses don't wear pants!"
Then she sat in time-out until she decided otherwise.

Recent quotes from our saucy lil sassy-pants:

"Sassy is pretty...Yes. It is!"

"Can you fix my hair like Cinderella's? All twisted up...Like a cinnamon roll!"

"Yes, Sir!" To Mama. Whenever given an order.

"Of coarse I can!" About 40 times a day, in a syrupy-sweet voice. Seriously the cutest. Ever.

"I have such a cute little body." What am I gonna do with her?

"Guts." It's her new favorite word. She uses it as much as possible, anyway she can. My favorite yesterday was a little ditty she made up while playing with Jude,

"Stinky butt! I'll poke your gut!" Ugh.