Just recording a cute Clara moment

Clara, what does a doggie say?

Voof, voof!

What does a cow say?

Vvvvvvvvvvoooooooooooooof!

What does a monkey say?

AH AH VOOF!

What does a kitty say?

*blank stare*

and this picture has nothing to do with that but I love it.

PS...I turned 30.

I feel like my age has finally caught up to my life. I mean, who has 4 kids, a minivan and a mortgage in their 20's anymore? Yeah...me.

All my old friends ;) say people take you more seriously once you hit your 30's. I'll let you know if they're right. So far...30 and 3 weeks, doesn't feel much different than 29 did.

Dave did good this year. He's finally understanding that I hate surprises so he talks to me about his plans. :) (and really, it's kinda like an ultrasound. I'm still surprised...just a little earlier than the actual event). So he called me from the store and told me what he was trying to decide between for a gift (a flip video camera and the new iphone). Well, considering the price difference was minor and the iphone could do exactly what the flip does plus about a billion other things, I voted iphone and he agreed. And the anticipation once I knew was really fun.

He also took me out to PF Changs. I LOVE PF Changs but we don't go often so it was a real treat. I was sad to find out that they changed their desserts and I couldn't get the crazy eights dessert, but the ones I got were super yummy. We got the meal for two that came with a shot glass dessert for each of us and since it was my birthday, I got a second one for free. I went with the strawberry cheesecake and the chocolate cake. mmmm....

We ended with our fortunes which were surprisingly accurate to us. Can you guess whose is whose?

(taken with my iphone...I was playing with it all through our date)



and my empty dessert glass...

Did you know? Audiobooks are magic.

It's true. I've been sick for almost a week. I don't know what I had but it was bad enough that I almost went to the doctor, but then it finally took a turn for the better. So I haven't really left the house in days but as long as I took tylonol or motrin I could function okay.

So I had a lot of time on my hands since I wasn't going anywhere and I was getting awfully bored.

Enter Audiobooks.

I've listened to them before, but usually only when I'm driving or exercising. So I didn't completely understand them yet. Their true function is to distract you so you can actually get things done!

You see, I'm the sort that can't fold laundry unless I'm watching TV at the same time. I hate to do mundane chores with only myself for company. Being entertained makes all the difference.

So, I turned on Eclipse and started doing things. Now, my room is clean, organized, and rearranged in a very zen manner. My kitchen is clean and has stayed that way. The playroom, kids rooms, bathrooms, etc are all clean. I'm caught up on laundry. I revamped our budget. I organized all my baby girl clothes to sell on Craigslist and listed them. I actually made a real dinner. I proofed 4 photoshoots which means I'm completely caught up with those.

See? Magic!

After 3 years

I finally went and took pictures of the Spokane Temple. I couldn't have picked a better day. The clouds were perfect. (I hate totally blue skies. They're boring...lol...same goes for a full cloud cover).

I'm really hoping the local church bookstore owner will carry these for me.

I really havn't seen many pictures of the Spokane temple that I love. The most common one I've seen is one taken at night. It's pretty, but kinda typical.

So I decided I had to get something interesting. I spoke to the bookstore owner and she requested a straight on shot, so I did that too. Anyway...wanna see?

This one is my personal favorite.


And the others.

Baptism Day!

My baby was baptized today. I'm having a hard time coming up with the words to say. Maybe there aren't any.

It was....momentous.

Apparently the water was cold but right after they got out Nathan said he felt warm already.

I just love that kid so much. He has this quiet strength that radiates from him.

But at the same time, he's delightfully goofy.

I'll just get to the pictures. I communicate better with those anyway.

Nathan and Dave.




Then it was my turn and he starts rolling his eyes. lol




Our area does stake baptisms, so there were 4 kids from 4 different wards getting baptized today. A very cool thing was that Nathan and Aria's good friend Jackie was getting baptized today too. I couldn't believe I didn't get a picture of her and Nathan together. (Kristi, did you?) We got permission to have our two wards go into the baptismal area together instead of separately like they usually do. It was awesome to be able to share the day with such close friends!

Nathan's Grandpa and Great Grandpa were his witnesses. They, along with Nathan's primary teacher and my cousin's husband and the Bishop from our old ward stood in the circle while Dave confirmed him.




The family that came.


We had a BBQ following the baptism. Check out Dave's stylin' threads...

because everybody likes to play at abandoned buildings...

It was time to do an actual shoot of my kids again so I can replace my wall photos. I've been wanting to take them to this site since a client told me about it (thanks, Rachel!) and the opportunity presented itself when a friend asked if I would show her some photography things.

I said...well...why don't we take our kids to this old feed store some morning and play? And that's exactly what we did. We also invited another friend. So, 3 moms with cameras and 9 kids took off for some fun.

The results were a.mazing. I must do more pictures there!

Also, this is a very good example of why sitting and smiling is not always the best option for pictures. ;)

Because sometimes...they can't hold still so you have to tell them to hold each other down.


and sometimes...they'd rather glare at you than smile.






and sometimes...they get very, very dirty.


and sometimes...you're better off just locking them up.


but then...the heavens align and the magic shots begin.


because you catch her for the split second that her eyes drift by the camera.


in fact it happens twice!


and you find the best letters and signage...which you happen to adore...


sing it with me now....go, go, go, go for G!


and then your kids come walking up to you with a couple of random letters that were lying around and they're absolutely perfect. I wish I could have kept them!




and then you turn around and see your friends kids and it's just the cutest thing ever so you have to take a picture.


Amy and Hilary, I want to see your pictures, too!