Our summer garden....

I am so behind on posting.... Since I have been practicing a little photography, I find that it is all getting pretty backed up.  There are way to many pictures.  

Here are a few of our summer garden we planted as a family, several weeks back.  These pictures were taken 5 weeks ago.  Things are looking much different now.  In the past we have only tried growing tomatoes and strawberries.  So, this year we decided to plant a variety of different things.   Here is what we have growing.... jalapenos, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, squash, zucchini, carrots, pole beans, lettuce, spinach, onions and a few different herbs.  We will see how it all goes.  So far, so good!  The boys seem to be the ones who have taken the responsibility to give our garden the TLC it needs.  Thanks Austin and Cooper.  

This picture below is the first ripe strawberry.... ready to pick.  It has been so fun to watch things grow day to day.

  

Isn't it so cute?  Strawberries are my favorite.

I think this is butter lettuce and I am pretty sure it is ready to eat as of now. 

The beginning of our carrots.  They are much bigger now and I don't know when it is time to pick them.  Anyone know?

Pole beans

Here are just some random pictures that I took this same day.   

Cannon with his sidekick... Hunter

I am still learning photo shop.  It is fun to put different actions on each picture and get a totally different look.

Our little cutie pie....

Happy Mother's Day

Thanks to my wonderful husband and thoughtful children for making my day extra special and relaxing! I was pampered like a Queen.  I was showered with homemade cards, poems, coupon books, balloons and flowers.  My favorite were so many "I love you's - your the best", randomly through out the day.  My mom came to church with me today and even helped me with my young women lesson. She was awesome.

I love being a mother and am grateful that I have been entrusted with their lives.  They have taught me patience, sacrifice and a glimpse of what the pure love of Christ is all about.  I still have a whole lot to learn. I am realizing that this is not an event, this is a process!  A long one. Lifelong.  There is nothing harder but yet, nothing more rewarding.  I love my job and am thankful for a very forgiving husband and children.

  I owe so much to my own mom for the unconditional love she has given to me through out my life.  She is a great example of one who always serves and would give the shirt off her back if needed.  I am grateful for her acceptance and love she has for me and my children.  I don't know a person who is as accepting as her.  

 

I love you MOM and Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you!

Elsie Rose

I am seriously in LOVE with my niece.... how could I not be?  She is the sweetest baby with the best disposition.  She almost makes me want another one.  just kidding. really. i am.

 I hauled my camera over to my sister's house today and we lucked out with some great shots of little Miss Elle!  She is such a pretty baby. She has skin that is literally transparent, with piercing blue eyes and beautiful red hair. 

 She reminds me of my Madame Alexander doll.... 

All I know is, is that my sister better have a year supply of  sunblock for this babies porcelain skin!

favorite flower

Our favorite place to hang out in the spring is here in our secret garden.  It is our heaven on earth, i call it.  We have enjoyed it so much.  Scott spends his early mornings all by himself, making friends with all the humming birds that have continued to revisit our garden.  He told me the other day, he thinks he might know each one of them by now.  I laughed.

  Since the 100 degree weather has hit, it is about time to say good bye to all the beautiful annual flowers in our yard.  They were looking pretty sad and wilty today.  Luckily, the roses can stand the heat a little longer.

  

Here are some pictures I took a few weeks ago, when things were looking happy and beautiful.

 

Roses are my favorite flower - they seriously make me happy!

Miss Sophie loves to climb this tree in the garden - I had to post this because she seems to love this garden as much as Scott and I do.  She has spent many mornings hanging out with me, while I lay on the hammock and she climbs this tree.  Sometimes I wish I were young and care free again, she relentlessly asks me to please come up with her! 

Maybe when that branch gets a little stronger Soph!

Is anyone else getting grumpy - knowing that the dreaded heat is right around the corner?!?

UGH!

pretty lips & toes

This girl L o V e S to make herself pretty..... every morning seems to turn into an event about what will be worn that day or if she can have some lip or if she can p. L. e. A. s. E curl her own hair and the list goes on and on.  I have been practicing taking my "picture a day" and Sophie seems to always be the child who is my object.  It also makes my job easier only because she loves getting her picture taken and is very cooperative.  So it works for both of us.  

I am still learning photoshop and how to use my camera - it can be quite addicting and so much fun.

Putting on her "lip" is a daily ritual  

I know.... probably a little young but, this started at 2 yrs old

She loves to have her toesies painted... and if she is really lucky she gets to do it all herself.

I love the concentration

she actually does a pretty decent job for a 5 1/2 year old

and we can't forget about the nails

She is to much!

These are the moments that happen so often and you don't even realize how much you will miss them.  I am trying to cherish each of my kids in their different stages.  I just know that in a blink of an eye...... they will be grown and gone.

 This is a memory of Sophie that I will always hold onto - I have loved our mornings together this year!

BFF's

This past weekend a few of my dearest high school friends and I had the privilege of going up north to an amazing cabin.  It was awesome.   It was so fun to reminisce  back to the good ole' days and to catch up with each others life, as it is today.  This was a much needed get away for me and it felt nice to just turn over all responsibilities to my husband.  The entire weekend consisted of a whole lot of..... sleeping ~ eating ~  crying ~ laughing ~ more crying ~ spiritual talks and more crying!.   I love each one of my BFF's in a different way.  They individually have their own specialness about them and there is so much I have learned and continue to learn from each one of them.  I feel so blessed to still have such a strong bond with my high school girl friends. 

 They are all so amazing.

I am really sad that I did not get a picture of our friend Nicole,  unfortunately she had to leave early.

 Princess Jodi

Jen  Heather  Jodi

aren't they cute - straight out of bed in the morning?

Majority of the laughs came from Jen

Thanks Jodi for being an amazing hostess and for providing us with this fabulous place to stay.

I love you guys!

Easter 2009

I have always loved Easter Sunday.... when I was a little girl, I always looked forward to the new Easter dress with the matching hat, gloves & purse.  Let me tell you, we were decked to the hilt!  It has been so fun to dress up little girls and boys in their Sunday BEST!  I will be so sad when they are all grown and gone.  But, most importantly I hope that we got the message across to our kids (I am mainly talking about the little ones) that this holiday is not about the Easter bunny and hunting eggs.  It is about someone much more important.... 

Our Savior and the fact that I know HE LIVES!

It was a beautiful and relaxing day

I have been taking a photoshop class and I learned how to make my own brush or stamp - with my name on it.  NO.... I don't think I am a photographer!  I am just learning all the different things I can do with this program.  So we were practicing with this stamp on some of my pictures.  I have not decided if I will be using it on a regular basis?!  I have heard some crazy stories of people having their pictures stolen.  Anyone have any suggestions on this subject?

Let me know.

Miss Sophie looking for the money in her eggs - she was bummed when she realized her brother found the "golden egg"

 The "golden egg" winner

Austin decided to sit out for the Easter egg hunt this year....I guess he thinks he is to old!

 I have been experimenting with my pictures and learning how to use photoshop cs4 - it is quite overwhelming and addicting!

I have a long ways to go....

My sweet little niece "Elsie" was over on Easter and she absolutely loves this old toy in our back yard.  Her expressions were priceless.

I couldn't resist

She is such a doll!