A letter

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunt Barbara and Aunt Mary,

Remember when we were little and we would visit Grandma's house? We would always haveour dinner out on Grandma's porch on the big red picnic table and aunt Barbara would always make her peach jello. That jello was sooo good.

Remember how all us kids would eat while we were wearing our swimsuits? We were all so anxious to get in Grandma's pool. But we thought you guys were dumb. Why in the world would you make us wait 30 minutes before we got into grandma's pool after we ate? All 7 of us grandkids would sit around on the porch in Grandpa's Disney director chairs and play with Bridget and Misty while we waited until you said we could dive in.

When we got bored with the dogs we would wander out to the side of the pool. Many times we would slowly make our way down the steps. We figured getting in up to our ankles wasn't going to hurt. Then our calves, then our knees, and then our thighs. Then we would hear you guys yelling from the porch, "Not yet!! You guys still have 10 minutes!!"

To tell you the truth, I never really believed in the wait 30 minutes rule. How bad could it really be to go swimming right after eating?

You see, I am a parent now and our kids love to swim. I have never been as harsh as you all were and made our kids wait to get in the pool.

Steve didn't really believe in the rule either. He says his mom did the same thing, too. (must have been a generational thing)

Well, we now come to you all and say - "You were right." We finally saw the disgusting effects of swimming too close to eating. Unfortunately, Steve saw the effects up close and actually got to feel the effects come spewing out of Clara's mouth. Maybe she threw-up because the rice and beans didn't settle too well? Maybe she tossed her cookies because she was being thrown around like a little rag doll. Or maybe she threw up because we let her in the pool before 30 minutes had passed. Whatever the reason was, as a couple, Steve and I have decided to take stock in your advice and not allow our children to swim anymore until the food in their stomach has been digested. We should have followed your lead in the first place.

Thank you for the life lesson. We love you all.

Love,

Steve and Amy

California, Part deux

When we first decided to take a little vacation we had a place that we wanted to visit in mind.

I'm sure you are thinking Disneyland. Why wouldn't we go there if we were in So. California?

But you would be SOOOO wrong.

We went to the Reagan Library, silly!

Believe it or not, this place is really cool. The kids had no idea who Ronald Reagan was, but we think we were able to teach Thomas a little about him. We blasted through the museum section to get to the main attraction we were going to see.

Was it the podium?

or the trivia game about proper dining etiquette?

No...

We went to see Air Force One.

Which was too big to get a picture of with my camera. I left my camera bag hidden in the car and only brought my camera with my 35mm on it. You can kind of see in in the background of this picture that Clara took. (she's getting good - not bad for a 3 year old!)

Steve heard the airplane was a new exhibit and thought Thomas would enjoy seeing it. We actually all enjoyed it.

and after 3 hours it did this to our kids....

California

Last weekend we called a TIME OUT! We had been so busy with "stuff" and felt like our family time was suffering. We made the decision to lock up a messy house and drive down to California. The kids were so excited to go and couldn't wait to get in the car.

Luckily we were blessed with 2 children who travel very well - as long as we have plenty of junk food, games, and DVD's to watch. I traveled very well because I had my laptop on the trip and was able to do some editing on the drive down.

Once we arrived at out hotel room the kids and Steve jumped into their swimsuit.

The kids had a great time in the pool - even if it was WAY too cold.

I decided to pull the plug when they started turning purple and words couldn't be formed because they were shivering so bad. They kept telling up they were fine and not cold at all.

I kept telling them they were a bunch of liars.

more to come.

Steve's Birthday

In an attempt to return to the blogging world, I must update. There are lots of things to update about, but If I try to post each one I'll never get around to it.

The biggest event we had during the month of May was Steve's birthday. He turned the big 41. I planned a nice BBQ with rib-eyes. Unfortunately I didn't plan changing the gas tank and ended up with Little Caesars $5 pizza.

Guess how many times we had to light the candles before he was able to blow them out himself?

Easter Sunday

As late as Easter was this year, it seemed to sneak up on us. It was a fun day.

I am constantly amazed at how much these two love each other. It's not that I don't love my brothers, but we never would just walk across a room and hug each other. They had a system while hunting eggs. It wasn't even planned. If Clara found a green, blue or other "boy" color egg she would run over and give it to Thomas. Thomas did the same thing with the pink and purple eggs.

Breakfast was Strawberry French Toast - very good. I even cut the bread thin for my husband.

Clara did her own hair - you couldn't tell, could you? Luckily I was able to eventually get the headband off.

My handsome boy. He is getting so grown up.

This was our failed attempt at a family picture with the remote. Next time Steve says, " Is the tree in the way, I'll listen."

Springs Preserve

On Friday I took the kids to the Springs Preserve. This is a large park / nature sanctuary / allergy nightmare right in the middle of Las Vegas. The kids had a great time, except for the part when I walked into the bat cave.

Don't worry. I made it out alive, which is a good thing because I was then able to enjoy...

Thomas practicing his Pope wave,

a little crack in the sand

and my daughters ingenuity.

life.

I can't believe how long it has been since I REALLY updated this blog. Truth is, I have been busy.

A good busy.

The weather has been beautiful and I am taking advantage of taking the kids to the park and playing in the sunshine before it turns into an unbearable heat. We've enjoyed the parks, walks, and hanging out with the doors and windows open.

The kids are growing like weeds.

Thomas is becoming a little man. As much as it pains me to see the changes in him, it is fun to see the growth he is making. His face is changing, it's not looking so little anymore. He is reading like a champ and is one of the top students in his class. He LOVES to read - books, magazines, comics - just about whatever he can find.

Clara is full of it. What is it? Anything and Everything! She loves to talk and sing. She is constantly asking me to listen to the "new song she just made up." I can not believe how long her legs are getting. The pants we bought for her in the fall are now barely covering her calves! It has been so much fun watching her grow and learn. I love the 3 hours a day that we have to be alone together while Thomas is in kindergarten. She shops with me, loves to help me with cleaning and laundry, and also loves to sit on my lap and help me edit photos. She is a joy.

Steve has been working hard and has recently started back up on his bike now that the weather is nice. He loves coming home from work and playing with the kids. He is an incredible dad and very supportive husband - I love him.

(courtesy of Steve. I am teaching him to be my second)

I have been busy with the kids and with my photography. I decided to start taking it seriously and try to start up a business. It's funny, as soon as I decided to take the plunge the jobs started coming. I have had constant work since the beginning of February and am enjoying the people I am working with and the things I am learning. A few weeks ago I applied to be a volunteer photographer for The F.I.L.M Project. This is a non-profit organization that provides family portraits to families who are about to lose a loved one to cancer. The organization is just starting up and will not go public until this summer, so I have not had a chance to volunteer yet, but am honored at that chance to do this for people. I had to submit test photos and my website for review so I was a very nervous about getting critiqued, but was thrilled to learn I had passed the review board.

That about sums life up right now. I am sad that I haven't kept up with blogging because I enjoy doing it, but hopefully I will get back in the swing of things and start updating it more regularly.

Clara's Eyebrows

Since having children I have become a pro at trying to keep cool when things like this happen.

life is wonderful...just busy.