i couldn't resist

a sunny bathing suit
and charcoal rain boots
golden ringlets
and rosy cheeks


i couldn't let the moment slip away


the beauty of her makes my heart ache
to look at her and see her daddy and I
melded so seamlessly together in her perfect features
our love forever manifested in her being
it takes my breath away


I love you, my gorgeous girl...

Cheez-It

How do they pack that big, cheesy taste into every bite?
I couldn't tell you.
Though I'm fairly certain she must know the secret.

photo overload

Thank you, God, for this child.

For giving me the courage to step out in faith.

For showing me the countless reasons why I needed her

instead of all the reasons I thought I didn't.

For her quiet spirit.

Her tender heart.

Her delicate beauty.

Her fragile soul.

For all the joy she brings us.

For all the loveliness that is her.

Thank you.

it sure is a good thing....

that Daddy loves crab apples so much,
'cause he's in no short supply!

Daddy is her very favorite, too,

but you didn't hear it from me! (;

s'more

Between VBS projects and work schedules we had about 10 minutes of light to shoot in.
Here are some of my favorites.

My brother lives here.
This is literally the back yard.
Isn't the setting just gorgeous?

They were so much fun...
Naturals in front of the camera and willing to try anything!

Thanks guys!

I had so much fun, which is just what I needed after a day where everything else went wrong. (;

engaged

We've been having so much fun making wedding plans!
Last week we got to go dress shopping.
After 5 hours and 17 tries, she found the dress.
She was absolutley glowing.
Can't wait to see my brother's face when he sees her!
The engagement photos are taken.
The invites are getting printed this week.
The bridesmaid dresses are ordered.
So are the shoes.
As well as the flower girl dresses.
And hairpieces.
Now to pick a date for her shower.
And that's just my list!
I am so glad you only get one wedding...
and that mine is 10 years passed! LOL!

Love you guys!
Can't wait for the big day...
Me thinks I may have some gorgeous brown eyed babes to photograph in the distant future!

-ten-

1. Last night the kids and I took Daddy to Toy Story 3 for his birthday. I have decided that you have not truly experienced the movie theatre until you have watched Toy Story 3 with Camden. He got every joke and his gut-busting chuckle had the whole room rolling more than once. (You know the one.) Add to that the fact that he narrated the entire thing as we went...I wish we could have captured it on video. It was hysterical! I ADORE his passion for laughing and all things funny. What a clown.

2. Jude got a little scared during parts of the movie, so he crawled into my lap and cuddled in while Camden and Gwyneth held on to either of my hands. One of those perfect Mama moments that you never forget.

3. Adah stayed with Grami. She was a dream. Went to bed perfectly. Then we woke her up to take her home. And awake she stayed until 1:00am. She was ready to party.

4. My brother is getting married!!! We couldn't love you more, Serina! The big day is set for August 12th, a Thursday. And I am so excited to have the honor of being a bridesmaid.

5. Speaking of, she surprised each of us bridesmaids with an entire month of tanning for the special day. Silly girl. We're supposed to be spoiling her! Told you she's awesome...

6. Gwyneth has been asked to be the flower girl. You have no idea what this means to her. Weddings are among the most magical of events in her book. She's convinced it's her wedding. And even asked if she can still live with us when it's over...

7. FYI; Mondays are "kids eat free" night at Pizza Hut. I think the deal is, you get 2 free personal pans for every large you order. We fed the whole family for like $12...(a fraction of what the movie cost!) and had the 2 personal pans as leftovers.

8. We're booked every day/night this week! Tonight; dinner at Amber and Levi's to get some stuff prepped for VBS. Tomorrow morning is the VBS workday at the church. Tomorrow afternoon I'm at my mom's. We're getting together with Serina and her mom to get this wedding under way! Lyle will be at music practice. Thursday is dinner with my grandparents for Lyle's birthday. We haven't been up there in over a month! Friday may actually be free...this week! And Saturday I have 2 showers to choose between.

9. Next week is VBS! My kids are beyond excited! This will be Jude and Gwyneth's first year going. I get to get up early every day, get Adah ready, and head off to Holly's Day Care to pick up a carload of munchkins. That means Lyle gets to get all the kids ready by himself. We're in charge of crafts and will have Adah with us. Pray that it works out! She'll be missing all her morning naps, which could be disastrous. Then, I cart all the munchkins back to Day Care. It's gonna be some long days for me, but that's nothing compared to what others are going to be putting into this. I am so grateful that there are those who are so committed to sharing God with my kids!

10. Lyle and I are planning a trip to the Oregon coast with the kids for our anniversary. YaY! Hopefully it works out. We have a lot of other things to spend $$$ on this summer, we may not have any left by then. We thought about leaving the kids behind, but it just seems so wrong. They're a part of us, afterall, and they would love it so much! We only have so much time with them as it is. It'll be our first vacation since having a family!