This just in!

A few weekends ago, we got our family pictures taken by an awesome photographer and friend, Stacie.

This is part of our sneak peak!

Check out her blog: Stacie Eldredge Photography for some more cuteness!

Just wanted to thank Stacie for a wonderful photography session! You are such a sweetheart!! (Especially for getting rid of my double chins Ü)

A plethora of random pictures....found.

So, I take random pictures a lot...it's in my blood {ahem}...but I like it, because I'm capturing life...real life! So here are a few from the last few weeks....

When I was helping at the craft fair last weekend, I picked up some things {how could I not!}. One of which was a cute, crocheted hair piece for Bella {and me}. Isn't she just a doll?? She got SO many ooo's and aaahhh's at church that day! This was made by Julie...she has an etsy shop and blogs over at Coco1981.

Best. Rolls. Ever. I think they are Rhodes Rolls? {Not 100% on that, cause....they're in my freezer...over there....and I'm here....in a chair?? duh} I had them for the first time at Jenny's house in Houston...and oh my, got a bag right away....the only downside is that the "speedy method" takes an hour and a half, which honestly is hard for me...cause I'm not thinking about dinner until like 10 minutes before I'm supposed to start it! lol...maybe that's the problem...

These kids are awesome...all four of them...the two in the middle are our friends kids...they are a bit older than mine, but I just love them to death because they are such nice kids. I absolutely love that they are NICE to my girls. A lot of times, kids their age aren't very nice to them....and then older kids just tend to ignore them. But not these kids...they like to sit and play....of course, it IS a Wii game...but that's the only thing my girls want to do now-a-days anyhow!

Learning to read....ain't it grand? She's catching on real quick in Kinder...she loves those sight words! We're trying hard to 'remember' to read to her EVERY day....it's harder than it sounds! I used to read to her daily...but for some reason, throw 'having' to read to her into the equation and everything and anything gets in the way....

It's fall! Well...not quite, but I can hope! It's still in the 90s....still....but it does get cooler at night, so I've been sticking the little dude in footsie jammies instead of just plain ole onesies. I don't have very many because he's growing FAST...geez, louise. But we did have one 3-6 month-er that he was able to wear once...and he looked so stinkin' cute in it, that I left him in it for over 24 hours. lol.

And then, I found this eye chart one at Target...HAD to buy it...I just HAD to. Cause it's hilarious.

It's rained a TON lately...which is nice...but only when you have an umbrella. Which I didn't....when it was POURING down at just the time I needed to pick up Bella...needless to say, we were soaked. I finally bought us an umbrella this week...finally...after 4 years here! Up next...galoshes.

You don't know these gals....but the girl on the right is a friend from Church and I was priveleged to throw her a shower this past Saturday. It was fun to put together, a tad bit stressful, but totally worth it.

I was helping her other friend throw it...and this girl is so rad...she FLEW Lisa's mom in just for the shower as a surprise. Lisa walked in and saw her mom sitting there and we all started bawling.

Lisa's mom lives in Idaho....and being so far away, she doesnt get to see her a lot {sound familiar??}.

What a nice gift, yes?? I would have DIED if someone had flown my mother in for my shower....just died.

There is nothing like having your mother around, supporting and comforting you, especially when you are bringing a new spirit into the world!

I just love this picture!

There you go...pictures of the past week-ish. What random things have you been up to lately?

Pictures in the Bluebonnets

This past Saturday, we went with our friends, the Bells, and took pictures in the bluebonnets. It's been 2 years since we've taken the time for this Texas tradition. But I'm so glad we did...we really needed a FULL family picture, with our new little addition!

Now...it's not the easiest thing to get these pictures! Basically...you find a patch of bluebonnets, which are usually on the side of the road and VERY thick, and hope that someone had been there before you to mash down the weeds a bit, so there would be somewhere to sit!

This year, I brought a blanket with us...to save our bums from the dirt and bugs!

Bella is a bit of a poser...silly girl. But I love this picture. Looking thru the ones that were taken, I would go back to the ones of the THREE of them and just marvel that there are THREE of them! I'm a mom to three lovely kids. When did this happen?! lol.

Bella couldn't be a bigger helper to me. There are days she doesn't want to do a thing...but the good days out-weigh the bad ones. I'm so excited for her to start school this next year...I'll miss her, though, being gone to all-day school :(.

This girl...all that really can be said:

Sugar....

....and Spice. That about sums it up (tell us how you REALLY feel, Aube).

The little stud in his white shirt. Don't you just want to squeeze him?!

He could only hold it together for so long!

And again...THANKS to the Bells for helping us take the pictures! We had a blast Ü.

Backyard Photo Session...

This weekend was Jax's baby blessing....and my dad flew in for the weekend to participate in the blessing and meet his new grandson. One of the things I wanted to take advantage of while Daddy-O was in town (other than his charming smile and quick wit Ü) were his awesome camera skills. And I love taking a turn with his super-nice camera!

Here's a little action shot...

Jaxson was really well behaved for this shoot...he was nice and alert the whole time, letting us snap away!!

I bought this teddy bear hat from my friend Julie with the intention of using it at a photo shoot just like this! It's a little over-sized, but he looks so cute in it!

This picture will probably become his birth announcement as well....but I had to make sure and get a picture with him all snugglie in his blessing blanket, made just for him by his Great Grandma (Grandma Carols).

Thank you Dad!!! Ü

We shall call this post: Grammy and her babies...

One thing I would love to have is a camera that takes several frames of pictures at one time. So you get a TON of goofy pictures of a person doing one action. You know...like a dog catching a frisbee or Bella picking her nose.
But instead...we just take the same picture over and over again...but it yields the same result. Lots of goofy pictures! Well...cute goofy. Not goofy, goofy.
Everyone get's settled....what a CUTE picture this will make...famous last words....

5 kids vs 1 Grammy...the odds don't look good!

We'll just have to call this one: "Why is everyone looking at the camera and smiling but BELLA?" But in her defense, she is getting slightly mauled by Rylee, who just can't get enough of her Bella.

This one documents Bella's classic "cheese" face. You can totally see her saying, can't you? And Kaleb's slightly confused "Why is my mommy over there, not holding me?" face. Which was seen quite frequently thru out the weekend ;).

Grammy thinks to herself "Im soooo stealing all these babies, surely the airline will let me on the plane with them all in my carry-on." The kids are clueless....laughing at Uncle Josh.

And this one: "Kaleb wonders why the heck they have to take so many pictures (and WHY did they take my binky??) and Bella sympathizes 'just go with the flow, dude'". And don't think we don't see you Rylee, sticking out your tongue, sweetcheeks.

Last but not least: The infamous "2 camera" photo. Grammy is looking at her camera and the kiddos are looking at Aunt Saha. Mwhahahhaha...my evil plan worked! Kaleb and Bella smile!! But not at the right camera!

So there you have it...lots of goofy, tons of cute...and a wish for photoshop to switch out some faces!

And yes, I made the girls all Valentines day shirts...of course, I procrastinated it (who moi?!), so they didnt get to wear them till Monday...and did I get a picture of them together in their shirts...umm no, cause that would have been cute and SMART. Ü

A drawing of my day.

I didn't think that Bella (or mommy) had been acting sad lately. But she's been busting out drawings of rainclouds and sad faces :(. Which is just kinda sad.....but very appropriate for my day. Ok...so it's not so bad. Well..I still have all my limbs, right? That has to count for something. It's all in perspective. And really, it's more of a we-got-our-hopes-up-and-it-didn't-work-out-the-way-we-wanted-but-what-ever-does-right?-kinda thing. *Sigh*
*Lifting myself out of the depths of despair*
So dramatic today...geez.

(Forced) Car shopping is just not a pleasant thing. Hoping its over SOON! But not going to count on it!

But there are a lot of GOOD things happening and I even get to give a talk tomorrow in church! My first one in this ward...and we've been in the ward for 2 years! It's about time. Ü

Impromtu

I love dressing my little girls up for church (well, everyday...since skirts aren't just for Sundays at this house....they are for everyday). I especially love it when they match...so I try and match them as much as possible. These are the fantastic dresses Aunt Lisa bought for the Court of Honor and 4th of July. You can bet that they'll be wearing these dresses lots...I love them so.

My best bet for good pictures of my girlies is Sunday morning...Bella's hair is tamed, Aube's face is clean ;). This past Sunday was no exception....so I took the opportunity to snap a few. We were a bit late to church and had to sit on the front row, but it was worth it. I love these pics....my camera lost a few more of them, unfortunately....which is absolutely annoying. And it's too bad you can tell Bella is saying "CHHHHHEEEESSSEEE" in each one. But I was so happy, because they both sat, they both were willing to actually SAY cheese...and just be their cute selves.

They were being so cooperative, it was amazing. I said "Ok, don't say cheese, just smile pretty like this...." and this is what I got:

I was expecting them to start whining at any minute, like they always do when I want to take pictures. But they were saving that for Sacrament meeting, it turned out ;). Bella fell asleep towards the end, and for a moment I got to hold her while she slept. This overwhelming feeling overcame me...pure happiness for that moment of holding my baby, who is so not a baby anymore. I had a thought that was more than a thought, more than a feeling...of more spirits we will welcome into our family. And that moment of happiness was expanded into my soul. It may be now, it may be later, I do not know since I am not in charge (I have to remember that). Here's me crossing fingers, though.

Pictures!

A few short weeks ago, Missy took our family pictures. I picked them up from her yesterday and have been so excited to post them!
Missy had asked me to make sure I tell her which one was my favorite....and I'd have to say it is this one:Can you guess why?
And this would be my favorite family picture:The look captured on Aube's face is just so HER!

The only way to get the girls to smile!!

I'm so speechless! I can't wait to get these babies up on my wall! Ü

Our sneak peek!!

Why don't you wander on over to Missy's Photo blog and scroll down just a bit and see the cutest little girls ever (and James & I don't look to shabby, either!). I am so excited!! I knew they would be fabulous, cause Missy does fantastic work...but I am still just in awe!!!
Thank you SO much Missy!!

Pictures from Twilight

Thank you to Bonnie for taking pictures!! It's always grand when someone remembers their camera!
These group of girls were so much fun! We were in shock that they didn't have a ginormous Twilight poster up somewhere for us to pose in front of!! Totally lame....It's always fantastic to see Bonnie (and Julie, though I didnt get a picture with her!)! Thank goodness for blogs, right? At least we can catch up with each other that way.

And of course Jenni...aka Bonnie's sis, Ashley's college friend ;), and Derek-the-picture-ruiner. hehe.

Good stuff, I can't wait to go and see it again!