Easter Photo Shoot

I love taking pictures. I love my kids. I love Easter clothes. I love spring flowers. For all these reasons, I must take pictures of my cute kids, in their cute Easter clothes, in front of cute flowers. The question is, "Why is this so hard?"
Seriously, out of 160 pictures I snapped -in about 10-15 minutes- I got *10* pictures where all three were actually looking at the camera -looking, not smiling, or being cute.

I guess it is hard for kids when the following don't make the cut:

The yawn
The pirate face
The tongue
The crazy pose

The fake smile












not to mention the pushing, whining, yelling, scratching of crotches and closing of eyes that goes on.


But once in a while I get lucky...

and realize that photoshop can help...

and that sometimes kids don't have to be looking at the camera.

March Catchup

Ready for some catch-up? Here's what's been happening with us since we last tuned in...
The boys enjoyed their annual school jog-a-thon where they run to make some money for the school PTA. And oh, how we need it. With the terrible California economy, they have made all kinds of budget cuts. Increased class sizes, furlough days, cut programs...why don't the big people see the value of education? I should just be happy helping the government bail out those who bought homes they couldn't afford, or refinance their homes to get money to pay for other things they didn't need, and then decide that they don't want that house they bought after all, because, oh, they can't afford it. But the government can, right? Okay, I'll stop now.

The naughty leprechauns came to our house on St. Patrick's day and made a horrible mess, even riding our bikes in the house! They did leave some awesome candy behind.



However, I had to settle for my favorite flavor of SUGAR-FREE Orbit gum since I failed my routine glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. I had to take the dreaded three-hour glucose test! One nasty drink, four blood draws and three hours sitting in a busy waiting room was not fun, but I did it!! No gestational diabetes for me!! But I think I'd better slow down on the Cadbury Mini Eggs anyway.

At the end of March, I was released as Young Women President in my ward. I cried many tears, but know that it's right, too. I will miss participating in awesome activities with awesome youth, even CAMP(!), feeling the power of the Lord's love for the youth of our church, saying the YW theme every Sunday, having a perfectly good excuse to act like a teenager, working with an awesome bishopric and amazing YW leaders, being so involved in the lives of my dear, dear Young Women, who will be amazing mothers and leaders, and a force for good in the world!

St. George trip

We had an excuse to go on a short trip to St. George at the beginning of March...my sister Stefanie and her husband Adam blessed their little baby boy, Noah William, on March 7. He is darling and the blessing was beautiful.


Since St. George is halfway between Salt Lake City and Socal, it turned into an opportunity be to get together with my family...all of them! A rare occurrence indeed.
We went to this awesome park while we were there...my kids loved! It's called Cottonwood Cove Park, if you are ever in St. George. (This picture doesn't do it justice!)

We went on a hike the red cliffs right above St. George.

Muscly Men of M-----

Kate and my adorable baby sister Julie

Kate was mostly interested in the caterpillars

M----- Meerkats

Why I Love You

In honor of Valentine's Day, and because I am loving just hanging out with my kids, and because the craziness of a new baby is fast-approaching, I thought I'd share what I love about each of my kiddos right now.

Ian: thoughtful, obedient, honest, swimmer, ocean-lover

Jacob: funny, cuddly, silly, friendly, helpful, book-worm


Kate: girly, playful, creative, social, happy, fun, animal-lover

Oh, and I love that Ben, too. Something awful. Thanks for the flowers.

I LOVE YOU!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Kid quote

Setting: Sacrament meeting at church, during the sacrament
Characters: Ben, recently ordained to be a high priest, just because, and Jake, six-year-old funny kid #2

Jake: You're a high priest, dad?
Ben: Yeah.
Jake: Then how come you're not doing anything?

The Rain

We've had a week of rain. Not just drizzle or the occasional shower, but a torrential, week-long downpour. I have to say I enjoyed the change from our usual "warm and sunny" so-cal forecast, the opportunity to just lay low at home, and the urge to bake goodies. I even marveled at the amount of flooding that occured in our yard, creating a temporary wetlands, complete with various species of birds. Maybe I could have done without the three-inch puddle in the front yard that prevented anyone from using our front door, or the less-than-pleasant, stir-crazy children, or even the tornado warning and 5-hour power outage, but it all made for an exciting week! We've had two days of glorious sun, which I truly appreciate much more now.
It's supposed to rain again tomorrow and I actually look forward to an excuse to curl up in my bed and read a good book while the wind blows and the rain drops tap on my roof.

Happy 2010!

2010
Is it twenty-ten or two-thousand ten? Or maybe MMX? What's the consensus?
We celebrated the New Year in Utah and experienced some of the coldest temperatures I can remember--it got down to the teens during the day. Brrr. Living in California as turned us soft. My favorite part of the trip -seeing family and meeting new nieces, Lydia and Melia. My kids' favorite part of the trip--playing with cousins and playing in the snow!


Happy New Year!