Elephant Juice

Strike!!!

2009-12-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

We took Barrett bowling for the first time, a couple weeks ago. His cousin Kylie turned 11 on November 18th, and we had dinner at their house and opened presents. Then later that week, she decided she wanted to go out for dinner and bowling.

Barrett hadn't been feeling well that week, and we had stayed home from school that morning, because he was running a fever. So I wasn't sure what he would be up for. By that evening he was acting fine and was excited to go see his Mimi, Kylie and Emmy! We went out for Mexican with Todd, Kim, and the girls, and Grandma Sandy. Barrett might possibly be part Mexican, because he just loves sharing enchiladas, rice and beans with me. He ate and ate...and did a lot of chip dipping! Any toddler's favorite part!

After dinner we headed to the bowling alley. It was packed for a Friday night, so we had to wait a few minutes to get two lanes side-by-side. I could not believe they had bowling shoes little enough to fit Mr. B! They were the cutest things, and he was so excited to put them on. He had his shoes off before we even left the counter, and was wanting us to help him put on the new shoes. I was obviously excited about them too! I couldn't get enough pictures of them...

Everyone had a blast bowling. Daddy helped Barrett roll his ball down the lane, and he liked to watch it knock down the pins. He did pretty good for 22-month old. I was glad I took a bunch of pictures as soon as we got there. They were having league bowling, and apparently it was distracting them, so they ask us not to take pictures. Bah-humbug! I just wanted to document my baby boy's first time bowling. I didn't realize bowling took so much concentration. It was a Friday night with tons of families and loud kids everywhere, for pete's sake!

After bowling, Justin and I went down to the casino with his mom. We all have free money on Friday night, so we figured we'd try it out! Not much luck that night. Barrett rode back with Uncle Todd, Mimi and the girls. He cuddled up and watched movies with the girls until we came to pick him up. He didn't get to spend the night that night, but he'd stayed all night with them a few weeks back. I don't have any pictures of his first official slumber party at Mimi's, but I hear he got to watch movies in Mimi's bed, play in the bathtub and eat lots of snacks. I think he gave them an early wake-up call too! He loves hanging out with his cousins, and I'm sure they'll be many more slumber parties to come!

Still here...

2009-12-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

It's driving me crazy that I haven't been posting much lately. I don't like to leave you all with nothing new to read/look at...and I don't like that I'm missing lots of events that belong here, in our family scrapbook!

I'm working like one of Santa's little elves, trying to finish up a big wedding invite order. I'm also trying to keep up with photo editing and client orders. I'm glad to have a little break from sessions so I can keep my head above water. My last session was Sunday, and my next is an engagement session on Saturday. Then I also have a family session on Sunday and a senior on Monday!

Since I don't have time to post much here lately, you can go visit my photo blog. I've been updating it a lot with client {sneak peeks}. I am having so much fun with my sessions, and have several recent favorites!!

******

Coming soon...I have lots to post about! Barrett's first and second time bowling, Thanksgiving and my 30th birthday! I'm also expecting my Blurb Blog Book TOMORROW!! I thought it was coming today and ran to the door every time I heard the littlest noise outside. Hoping it was the FedEx man! I am so anxious, and really hope it lives up to my excitement!

On the mend

2009-11-24T23:28:00.001-08:00

Barrett's been feeling icky for about a week now. It started with a runny nose, then a little cough and fevers off and on. He just hasn't been himself for a few days. I hate to see him sick, but I do love all the extra cuddle time he is requiring.

I took these pictures Monday night. I was cleaning up dishes in the kitchen and told Justin to take him in and get his bath ready. Once I realized he wasn't doing what I'd asked (he usually doesn't on the first request anyway), I peeked around the corner and saw this. Justin told me, "I can't make him get up, when he's laying here so sweet like this." He was pretty sweet, but you can tell even through the pictures, that he's just not feeling well. We had our usual Monday night pizza, and he hardly ate any.

I think he seems to be on the mend now. Our doctor started him on an antibiotic Monday, that he'll take for 3 days. I want him to be feeling well for Thanksgiving!

22 months

2009-11-23T20:50:00.001-08:00

Nope, I didn't forget about taking your monthly monkey pictures! We took them on the 18th, just before bed time. You'd had your bath, you were in your jammies, and we were drinking milk and reading stories...then we called Kylie to wish her a Happy 11th Birthday, and she was really wanting to come see her Mr. B! Even though we had the toys picked up, the family room lights out, and we were snuggling on the couch reading, we invited them over to see YOU! I told Kylie it was only because it was her birthday! Mimi, Kylie and Emily all came over to love on you!! You drug ALL the toys back out, you wrestled with the girls, and you laughed and laughed. They were here about 30 minutes, and were worried they'd gotten you all riled up and disrupted your bedtime. But after they left, we read one more story, and you went right to bed. You're so easy!

What a great way to celebrate 22 months!

On another note....
I FINISHED my {2008 Blog Book} tonight! 24 hours before the special ended!
Ahh...it feels so great!

(some screen shots of my book preview)

I ordered the 8x10 hardcover book, with the ImageWrap. My book was around 220 pages, and I told Justin that the 2009 book will probably be MUCH bigger. Yikes! I can't wait to get my book in the mail. It's supposed to ship on or before December 3rd. Happy Birthday to ME!!

Which Housewife are you?

2009-11-19T20:50:00.000-08:00

So...it's 11 p.m., and I've been working on wedding invites all night long. I watched tonight's episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, while I was working. Thought it would be fun to take a little break and find out which Housewife I am...since they have an online quiz for it, and all!

I'm a little confused...

It tells me that I am "Alexis" (The newest housewife)

But the picture is of Lynne?!?!?

I agree that I'm a perfectionist, and I put my whole heart into whatever I do :)

If you're an O.C. drama-lover like me, OR just need a break too...
Go take the personality test HERE and find out who you are!

Letters to my Little Bear~20th Edition

2009-11-18T11:51:00.001-08:00

Happy 22 months, Little Bear!!!

I've probably said this before, but I really, really mean it now...you are at the most fun age yet!! I am amazed by you every single day. Doing things I had no idea you could do (putting both boots on by yourself, and on the right feet). Saying words I didn't know you even knew! The other night while I was in the kitchen making super, you and Daddy were playing on the floor in the family room. You were coloring, and I heard him ask you "what color is this, Barrett"? Without missing a beat, you answered "purple." I immediately popped my head around the corner to ask Daddy, "was that right"? Sure enough, it was. I told him, I didn't even know that you knew that color/word!

Some new words this month:
snack (this means fruit snacks), teacher, children, rag, pizza, guy, bunny, trash

You're saying so many {new} words every day, I can't even keep up with them! I need to carry a notebook around in my back pocket to write them all down!

You're still not the greatest eater in the world, but I think that's pretty typical for a toddler. I'll just keep putting meals in front of you, and hopefully one of these days you'll start eating a little more of them. There are a few things that you'll clean off your plate: macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and pizza. You LOVE pizza! We've been enjoying the Monday night "Beat the Clock" special at Gambino's Pizza. You can't beat a $6.00 large pizza! But even better, you can't beat the excitement of your squeals when we bring it home and put it on the table!!

Just last night, Daddy and I were on the couch watching tv and you spilled a little water from your sippy cup on the carpet. You looked at us and said what we thought was "snack." We just looked at you in confusion, and said "it's okay honey, it's just water." Next thing we knew you headed down the hall, and we heard drawers opening and closing. I looked to Daddy and said, what in the world is he doing? Before long, you were headed back in with one of your washcloths from the bathroom drawer. You bent down and cleaned up the water. You had been telling us "rag," not "snack." What a good little boy...every tiny little thing you do makes us proud!

You are a total BOY, and getting more and more independent every day. You love playing with cars and throwing the football. The day I took these, you were playing on the floor with a car that Grandma and Papa got you. I love watching the 'wheels turn' while you're deep in concentration, and playing on your own. As you can see, you love to wear hats too! You put them on yourself, and I love that you were wearing this one backwards on this day :) You've always got one on...even just playing around the house. Either this one, your blue baseball helmet, your cowboy hat, your brown stocking cap, or one of Daddy's ball caps.

What you've been up to:

*You're still going to school (Kid's Day In) at our church every Friday from 9am-1pm, and you're still crying every time I leave you there. It breaks my heart, but I know you only cry for a little while, and then you get to playing. All of the teachers are so sweet, and they let you sit in their lap, and they read to you until you stop crying. I know this, because I watch through the window for a few minutes. I can't leave until I know my baby is okay. I know you love it there, because you talk about "school" all the time. You love to carry around the pictures you've made at school. Last Friday they gave us a picture magnet of all the kids and teachers from Halloween. You carry that thing with you everywhere, pointing out and saying Jackson, Lydia, Addison, Miss Molly, Miss Ellen, etc. Last week, they had to call me because you were extra sad, and they were worried about you. You weren't crying, but they just said you weren't yourself. I came to pick up you early that day. This week, I get to stay and help in your class...so that means you'll be extra ornery!

*On Tuesday mornings (and sometime Thursday mornings), we go to playgroup.

*On Wednesday mornings, we go to story-time at the Library with Mrs. Jo. We read one of your favorite books, "Brown Bear." It melts my heart a little, each time I hear you mumble "brown bear, brown bear, what do you see"...I might be the only one that understand what you're saying, but it's still adorable! This book is where you learned the words teacher and children. Mimi just loves to hear you say children.

*Today, you had your H1N1 vaccination, and you were such a good boy! We were in and out of there in about 5 minutes. We'll go back next month for your second dose.

We are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday next week. Your Uncle Bobby and Aunt Jenn will be coming home on Wednesday night, and your Uncle Jeff will also be home for the holiday! You haven't seen any of them in a long time. They will be so surprised and what a little man you are! Mommy also celebrates a birthday next week (shh...don't tell anyone that I'm going to be 30)!

We love you more than anything, Little Bear! I can't even imagine our lives without you. You bring us so much joy and laughter. My favorite times are spent cuddling with you, listening to your belly laughs as Daddy tickles you, and your squeals of excitement as we chase you around the house. The other day while Daddy was home for lunch, you were so tired, you fell asleep in my arms on the couch. You haven't really done that since you were a baby. I loved every second of holding you there in the crook of my arm, watching you breathe. I could have held you there for the whole three hours of your afternoon nap, but I put you in your bed when Daddy went back to work! It makes me sad that you're not a baby anymore...but I love watching the little man that you're becoming.

Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy and Daddy

{my family}

2009-11-14T14:41:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we had Kim take our family pictures for us. I'd had it on the calendar for awhile, and was really looking forward to it. I had Justin haul my big brown chair out to the country. He wasn't too happy about that, and of course getting a toddler to hold still and look at the camera is quite the job. I guess I felt a little like most of my clients, worrying that we weren't getting any "keepers." Justin was grumpy, Barrett was distracted and ornery, and I was stressed. It added to my frustration that the weather and evening sunlight were perfect, and Barrett didn't want to sit still long enough to take advantage of it. But, Kim did a great job, and I am really excited with what we were able to get....even if Barrett is eating fruit snacks in 90% of the pictures! Can you tell?!?!

After we were done with the family pictures, I tried to get a few of Barrett in his new hat. I bought it from the sweetest lady on Etsy, and got a great deal. I'd been looking at several of these, and they were all around $30. I got this one for $16...I told her what colors I wanted, and she made it made it fast and shipped it for free! She was great to work with, and even told me if I sent her a picture to use in her listings, that she'd give me 30% off my next purchase!

So, there they are...our 2009 family pictures! I'm sharing my favorites with you here, because I'm not even sure I'll get around to doing Christmas cards this year. I'm too busy doing them for everyone else :)

Thanks again, Kim!!

Dress-up

2009-11-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, I've been a horrible blogger lately! I hate that I haven't been posting very often...for my loyal readers, and for the sake of our memories! Things are just so crazy right now with my business, and I hardly have time to even breathe! I am still loving every minute of it, but with portrait sessions, editing, assembling wedding invites, and my duties as a wife and mother...I could really use a few more hours in the day! I am looking forward to next month, when things will slow down and I can enjoy the holidays!

Of course I'm also forcing myself to work on my Blurb book every chance I get!! I have decided in 2010, I will slurp my posts and pictures into Blurb at the end of each month. That way I'm not doing a whole year's worth and then trying to tweak the layout. I am WAY too anal for that business! Plus, I'm finding that it's telling me some of my images are low resolution and may not print well?!?! I don't understand it. Anyone that's done a book know about this? It doesn't make sense...I will have three images in a post (example: 4th of July) that were all taken the same day, with the same camera, uploaded the same way, etc. AND it's telling me that two of them are fine, but one has the little low-resolution "warning" symbol over it? Anyone? It's only frustrating to me because all of my pictures from my 2008 blog are on the PC in our office. I only use that computer if I'm printing invites or envelopes for clients, and I don't have the Booksmart software downloaded on it. I'm not sure what's the easiest way to get these pictures replaced. I don't want to have to leave them out of the book!

AND...what's a post without a few pictures!?!
(A few pictures that might be fun to share with Barrett's first girlfriend)

Barrett loves to dress-up in our clothes, hats and shoes. Every morning while I'm in the bathroom getting ready, he's sitting on the floor of our closet putting on our shoes. He loves Daddy's work boots, cowboy boot and tennis shoes. He likes my flip flops and high heels. He also loves to wear Daddy's hats around. And yes, he's also still sporting the Christmas capri jammies. They're all the rage, people!

By the way...If you were praying for Stellan, but haven't heard the AMAZING news, you'll want to go check it out!
The game is over...and God, Stellan's doctors and Stellan all hit a HOME RUN! Wow!

praying for Stellan

2009-11-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

He needs your prayers today...sweet baby Stellan does

In April, we wore orange and prayed for Stellan, as he battled SVT.
Today we're praying for him still, as he undergoes heart surgery in Boston.
I've been reading Mckmama's updates all day.

I've never met this family. I only know them through their blog.
But today, their battle is weighing heavy on my heart. Please join me, and say a little prayer for Stellan, his family, and the doctors that are operating on him.

I'm laying it out there...

2009-11-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

Laying it out there...so that you all can help hold me accountable!

You hear me talk (all the time) about how I make updating this blog so important, because it is our family scrapbook. Where I document all of our family memories with pictures and journaling. AND how I plan to print a blog book each year of all my posts, so that we will have an actual scrapbook to hold in our hands. I started my blog in April of 2008, and at the end of 2008, I started working on our blog book for all of my 2008 posts and pictures. I "slurped" all into a book at Blurb. Well, I didn't really know what I was doing at the time, and it was all a little overwhelming to me! Plus I'm way too much of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this.

NOW...it's November 2009!
Almost another year of posting has gone by, and I still haven't printed my 2008 book! Eek!

Here what my book looks like now...in the designing stages of the software:

So, I got just the {push} I needed the other day to FINISH the stinkin' 2008 book and get it printed before the end of the year! An email from Blurb with THIS OFFER! 20% off a book AND free shipping!! If you're interested in making a blog book, I think anyone can use this offer and code. You just have to create an account, download the slurping software (Booksmart), and get started! Don't be a slacker like me though, and take a whole year to print your book :)

Here is a sample of one of the blog books a Blurb user has made....

You can flip through the book HERE

It's easy to see I'm sooo excited about this...so WHY is it taking me forever and a day to get it finished and printed?!?! Not sure, but that's why I'm telling you, my friends! The above offer is good through November 24th, so that is my deadline! I hope to be able to share pictures of my finished book with you sometime in December!

Wish me luck! Happy book-making to you, if you decide to give it a whirl!

Halloween '09: Part II

2009-11-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

We have a tradition with our friends (Brent & Megan and Audra & Kane) to get together and carve pumpkins every year. I think we've been doing it for about four years, but I'm not quite sure. Megan, is that right? (*Not right...see end of post!! Time flies!)

The evenings festivities have changed a bit over the years. When we first started, it was just the couples...we engaged in adult conversation, enjoyed adult beverages and were all able to leisurely carve pumpkins. In 2007, Megan, Audra and I were ALL pregnant...so we engaged in adult conversation, skipped the adult beverages, and leisurely carved pumpkins. This year, the kids are all between the ages of 20 months and 23 months...we engage in kiddie talk, and discuss if we should get the H1N1 vaccination for our children, continuously pick up food and toys from the floor, and one spouse from each couple carves a pumpkin, while the others watch the children.

It's a bit different, but every bit as FUN! Thanks to Megan and Brent for hosting! They have the perfect front porch for our annual group picture.

Just for fun...here are some pictures from previous years:

2008...
We didn't carve pumpkins this year, the kids were little and it would have been crazy!
We were happy to have Hadley (and her mommy & daddy) with us though!

2007...babies in the bellies
The night we got together was our 5th Anniversary, so they made a special treat for us!

2006...can't find this year's pictures.

2005....had to dig back in my shutterfly account and copy these pictures!
So, sorry the quality is horrible and they're little.

2004...can't find this year's either

2003...REALLY, we started it this long ago?!?!
That's what the file on my Shutterfly account said! Probably right, we all look so young!

What a great tradition! Looking forward to many more years of it!
Next year we'll have the newest (7 month-old) Hittle baby with us. Whoa, that's crazy to think!

Halloween '09: Part I

2009-11-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

A few pictures of our little cowboy...

Barrett's Mimi helped me make the leather chaps and vest. I found the wranglers and boots at a consignment sale,
and the hat was borrowed from his cousin Emily.

I made Barrett this little bucket on Friday. It was a little last minute, but that was when I realized he didn't have anything to carry for his candy. Kim and I had made lots of these decorated paint buckets, several years ago. I remember making one for my niece Emma's 2nd or 3rd Halloween. I even have a black, white and orange one I use every year to put our candy in for trick-or-treaters. All the ones I've made before are frilly and have lots of ribbons around the handle. So I decided to use twine for the handle of Barrett's, and I found some stickers at Walmart. It was the ONLY sheet of cowboy stickers they had, but they were perfect! Barrett loved carrying it around, and every time we'd stop somewhere he would empty all the candy out, and then slowly put it all back in. Now that Halloween is over, I'm going to empty out the candy and hide the bucket. I'm planning a cowboy theme for this 2nd birthday, so it will be used again for that!

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!
Halloween '09: Part II (the annual pumpkin carving party)...coming soon

Halloween Week

2009-10-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

This week has been full of Halloween festivities, and lots of chances for Barrett to wear his Halloween costume. THANKS to my sister-in-law, Kim, who helped me make the chaps and vest for his cowboy costume. The Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots came from the big consignment sale I go to every Fall and Spring with my girlfriends. The boots were brand new when I got them, and they fit him perfectly!

The kids were invited to wear their costumes to our PAFT playgroup on Tuesday morning. Funny...Barrett, Lydia and Norah Kate were the only ones in costume. We tried to get a few pictures of them together after playgroup was over. Easier said than done!

Tuesday evening was the annual Spooks Parade down Main Street. It's always a bit chaotic, but there were some super cute costumes! It's so fun to see all of the creative ideas. Barrett did NOT want to leave my hip the whole night. He's usually a momma's boy, but not to this extreme. He wouldn't even go to Mimi, Gigi, Grandma or Daddy! I was worn out by the end of the night, and not able to get many pictures. I had to hold him while we waited for the parade to start, and then carried him for 2 blocks (I think) in the parade. Lydia was out of sorts too, and wanted to be carried. I think Norah Kate was the only one that wanted to walk. After the parade, they awarded prizes to all the age groups and gave out goody bags. I love that our little town has such great events for kids and families. Hopefully Barrett will walk next year!!

Tomorrow, Barrett gets to wear his costume to KDI (Kids Day In)/school. That reminds me, it's almost 11, and I need to pack his lunch! Goodnight, friends!

I hope to get some better pictures of him in his costume on Saturday when we set out to trick-or-treat! Happy Halloween!!!

About me

2006-08-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

just for {FUN}

2009-10-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

October and November are my BUSY months for portrait sessions. I have sessions booked every weekend through the first of December, and several during the weekday evenings. I LOVE all of the fun families and children I'm meeting...but it's a LOT of work!! I spend all of my nights and Barrett's nap times editing images and corresponding with clients. I keep reassuring Justin that this is my busy season, and as the weather gets cold, things will slow down...or I just won't book myself so solid :)

I've been working on updating/polishing my photography blog & website in the midst of all the sessions and editing...so, if you haven't been to visit them lately, let me know what you think! Are they easy to navigate, information clear, not too cluttered, anything you want to know that you can't find, etc. I would love your feedback. Especially on the new menu bar at the top of my photoblog. You can leave comments here, there or email me: elephantjuicedesigns@gmail.com

AND now...just for {FUN}
a sprinkling of my current favorite things!

And you would know you have my heart...

2009-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

All of my life
I have dreamed
that somehow love would find me
now I can't believe you're standing here

If beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
wish you could see
the love for you that lives in me

And you would know you have my heart
If you could see, what I see
that a treasure's what you are
if you could see, what I see
Created to be
the only one for me
If you could see, what I see

I know there are days
when you feel
so much less than ideal
wondering what I see in you

It's all of the light
and the grace
your belief in me drives me to say
that I promise you
a faithful love, forever true

if you could see
then you'd understand
why I fall down to my knees
and I pray my love
will be worthy of
the one who gave His life
so our love could be

You're created to be
The perfect one for me
If you could see
What I see

if beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
am beholding...
true beauty

Seven years ago today, Justin and I were married in front of our friends and family. This beautiful Geoff Moore song played as we lit our unity candle. I wanted to do something special for this part of the cermony, so each of our guests was given their own candle when they came into the church. During the song, our candle-lighters lit the candles at the back of each side of the sanctuary. The guests passed the light, up and down the rows, until it reached our moms at the very front. It was so amazing for us to stand up there and watch the glow of the candles take over the sanctuary. And it was so symbolic to have the light that traveled through all our friends and family, be the light that we used for our unity candle.

Our usual anniversary tradition is to take a little weekend trip together. We've done it every year since we were married (1st-Oklahoma City, 2nd-Branson, 3rd-Tulsa, 4th-Manhattan, 5th-Branson, 6th-Branson). BUT, with my photography business booming this time of year, I WAY overbooked myself for the month. Next year I'll be sure to leave a weekend open for our trip! I did have Saturday night free though, so we celebrated with dinner out together. My mom was out of town visiting Mamo, so Papa (my dad) kept Barrett for us. Tonight, we'll probably pick up some $6 Gambino's 'beat the clock' pizza, and snuggle on the couch to watch Monday Night Football.

Happy Anniversary, Babe! It's hard to believe this all started at the mini-golf during the summer of 1995...now here we are 14 years later. We've been through so much together, and I love you more every single day. You are my best friend. Seeing you as a father, when our baby boy was born, made me fall in love with you all over again. Having our Little Bear has been the sweetest chapter yet! Thank you for always being so kind-hearted, encouraging, funny and supportive. You have my heart...I love you!

THIS is my man...

...created to be, the only one for me.

(and he will probably not like that I'm posting this picture...but I love it)

Pumpkins!!

2009-10-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was our 4th (is that right, Kim?) Annual McPherson Fall family day. We have a fun little tradition to spend a day together every October. We usually visit the pumpkin patch, have dinner and hang around by the campfire. The pumpkin patch was pretty soggy this year, so we didn't get to spend too much time out there.

The only family picture we got at the patch...Barrett was not interested in sitting still or looking at the camera.

After the pumpkin patch, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's for soups, cider, breads and dessert around the campfire. Barrett rode the four-wheeler with Mimi and Kylie, and roasted his first hot dog over the campfire. After it got dark, he snuggled in a blanket on my lap and we shared some cider. Ahhh...he's so sweet!

****

On Thursday morning, we took another cold and soggy trip to the pumpkin patch. Our PAFT (Parents as First Teachers) playgroup met there, and all of the kids got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. We wanted a picture of Barrett, Norah Kate and Lydia together...but they were way too busy for that! Maybe next year?!?

THIS is the adorable little pumpkin that Barrett picked out!

He was so proud of it, and had to show Daddy as soon as we got home. I keep it on a little bench by the front door, and he carries it around everyday. He even kissed it goodnight the other evening! I think our pumpkin adventures for 2009 are over. Next week will be busy with our community Spooks Parade, and Barrett gets to wear his costume to playgroup and school.

For Mamo...

2009-10-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm excited I could win this one, in honor of my Mamo!
My entry placed third this week at I ♥ Faces
(out of 369 wonderful entries)

Thank you to Rebekah Hood, this weeks guest photographer judge.
Head over to I ♥ Faces to check out all of this weeks' winners!

Happy BIRTHDAY, Jones!

2009-10-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

My first nephew was born on October 8th!! I know...I'm a little behind announcing his birth. I have been (patiently) waiting for some pictures to go along with my post. I wasn't able to go out to South Carolina for his birth, so I sent my extra camera with my parents. Mom stayed out there for awhile after he was born, so I just got my camera back, and the pictures downloaded last night! The new mommy and daddy must be busy, because I haven't gotten any new pictures from them yet. hint, hint!!

Announcing... Jones Carl
baby boy to my older brother, Brian, and sister-in-law, Sarah
little brother to Emma and Lauren

Namesake: Carl Eugene Bush, Bapo
(my mom's dad)

I think he looks like my brother! I can't wait to meet him at Christmas, and love all over him!

At his first soccer game :) Looks like he was enjoying it!

I'm so glad my mom took pictures of the nursery! I {LOVE} baby rooms!
Brian and Sarah did a great job with this one.

I love you already, sweet baby Jones! I can't wait to meet you.

I am happy to announce your birth today. Even though I'm a little late...
today is Bapo's birthday! We miss him so much, and we are all thinking about him today.
You can be proud of your name, and I know one day, your daddy will tell you all about Bapo!

****

This is the only picture I have on my computer of Bapo and I.
It's not great, but we were doing one of the things he loved best...

I can assure you that right before this picture was snapped, he had taken
that fish off the hook for me :) I can also assure you that he's not looking at the camera, because he's looking up to the front of the boat where one of my girlfriends (either Megan, Audra, Amber, Christie or Bethany) has their line tangled, or is needing a fish taken off their hook too!

Happy Birthday, Bapo. We miss you everyday...
I'm sure you've spent your day golfing or fishing, or both!
AND I'm sure the courses and lakes in Heaven are amazing!

SuRpriSE!!

2009-10-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

I had been looking forward to yesterday for a couple weeks! Christie, one of my best friends, celebrated a birthday yesterday. In the next year, all of my best friends {the bfe's} will be turning 30!! Audra, Megan and I planned to drive up to Manhattan to SURPRISE Christie, and take her out to dinner for her birthday.

Everything went just as planned...and it's so much FUN to surprise someone!

We left the kiddos with family, and headed to Manhattan around 1pm. Audra had done a little detective work ahead of time, so we knew that Christie was going to be at the salon from 2:30-4:30. We rolled into town around 3:30, and headed to DQ to pick-up some birthday dessert for after dinner. We dropped Audra off at Christie's door (convienient that Audra has a key to Christie's house for football season), and Megan and I parked/hid the car down the street. Megan made fun of me all the way back to the house, because I was so nervous Christie was going to come driving around the corner and see us! But that didn't happen...we had plenty of time to get inside, and we hung out on the couch until she got home.

Christie's mom called us at 4:30 to let us know that she was on her way.
We got our cameras ready to capture the {look} on her face...
and it was priceless!!

Christie got these flowers for her birthday. They smelled soooo good!!

Christie's Aunt Peggy came by to drop off a card for her, so we had her take our picture.

Then we headed out to dinner at Christie's favorite place...Coco Bolos!

After dinner, we drove around the K-State campus. It was such a beautiful, Fall evening. Made us miss our college days...but our 30th year is going to ROCK! Then we went back to Christie's for our DQ birthday cupcakes :)

We rolled back into Winfield around 11pm.

It was the perfect evening with my favorite girls (we wished Amber could have been there).

Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Christie!

21 months

2009-10-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

On October 18th, he was 21 months...

that's 1.75 years!

Oh my gracious, my baby boy is getting closer to TWO!

*Yes, he's wearing Christmas jammies! I bought them at a consignment sale in August thinking they'd fit in December. Decided to start using them now, because they will be SHORTS come December :) Right now, they're just capris! HA!

Some of your new words:
apple, football, tower, school, cup, block, down, bop (sucker)

You love... playing with cars on the back driveway, talking on the phone with Kylie and Emmy, watching football with Daddy, going to visit Gigi & Papa and Gma & Gpa, carrying around the pictures you make at school, throwing balls/playing catch, eating pizza, taking baths, sitting in Mommy's closet trying on all of her shoes, watching Elmo, coloring with crayons, asking for a cookie-cracker when you get up from your nap, and giving kisses

Happy 21 months, Little Bear!

Mommy & Daddy love you VERY, VERY much...
and so do many, many other people! You are so lucky!

I ♥ Faces "Pink Week"

2009-10-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

It is {PINK} week at I ♥ Faces:honoring breast cancer awareness month.

Although I would love to have a face in my photo entry...this week, it was not a requirement.

I took this photo last week on the 9th Street bridge in Winfield.

According to the Winfield Daily Courier, USDA members hung the bras a couple weeks ago as part of a Bridging Awareness with 'Bras for the Cause' event. Over 600 bras from all over Kansas were donated and hung on the bridge by a local breast cancer survivor and her friends.

I am dedicating this weeks photo to my Grandma Patsy (Mamo). She is currently fighting breast cancer for the second time in her life. Mamo is a beautiful, spunky and strong woman, with a lot of courage. Please say a little prayer for her, and everyone who suffers from this horrible disease.

To learn more, or make a donation in honor/memory of someone you love...
visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure

just braggin'

2009-10-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Braggin' on my adorable Little Bear! I just went over to I ♥ Faces to check out the winners for the {Week 40 "Excited!"} photo contest. He wasn't one of the top 10 winners chosen by this weeks' judge, but I was EXCITED to see that Barrett's pictures was chosen as one of Angie & Amy's "picks."

Each week Angie & Amy (the I ♥ Faces Co-Founders) showcase a few photos that caught their eye!
THANKS!! We'll keep entering :)

It's a PARADE!

2009-10-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

Last Friday evening we met up with Mimi, Kylie & Emily, to watch the high school homecoming parade. It was a little bit chilly, but really a beautiful evening. I have some great (and hilarious) memories from homecoming parades with my girlfriends when I was in high school, so I think it's fun to be able to take Barrett to watch them. I look forward to going to watch when he's in it...walking with his elementary school, as a football player, band member, homecoming candidate, or whatever it might be. I love our little town, and the traditions that we have! Although the parade is pretty short and sweet {don't blink, or you might miss it}, it was still FUN! Barrett brought home a big 'ol handful of suckers too!

After the parade we went home to eat supper and get on our warm clothes. Once it got dark, it was COLD!! We met Kim and the girls at the game, and snuggled into our spot. Our brother-in-law, Todd, is an offensive coordinator (I hope that's right) for the team, so that makes it even more fun to watch. I'm not sure if it was the band right next to us, the football game on the field in front of us, the hundreds of people constantly walking by, or the cold...but Barrett Russell was sooo sweet at that game! He sat cuddled up under a blanket on our laps the whole time. He would go back and forth from my lap to Justin's, and to visit Mimi a couple times, but he NEVER once wanted to get down. Not like our little "on the go" toddler at all. We were lovin' it though. He was such a warm little cuddle bug! Daddy says "he was just watchin' the game." He does like his football...one of his newest words. He loves to throw the "fooball," and kick the "fooball," and is always asking "mama, fooball"?

It was a great game, and the Vikings had a BIG homecoming win!! I felt sorry for the poor homecoming queen candidates. They were all so pretty in their dresses and heels, but they must have been FREEZING! The girl that won queen {Hannah-also pictured above in the red car} used to live next door to my parents. She is so sweet, and I could not get over the fact that she was a senior and that tall!! Her sister, Amanda was in town for the game and cermony, so I got to say a quick hello to her.! I think I heard them say during the halftime ceremony that Hannah's going to K-State...wahoo, Hannah!!

Had to throw in these pictures from the homecoming parade and football game last year...
B is so little!!!

(at the parade with Norah Kate)

(getting ready to go to the game with Uncle Bobby)

(watching the game with Uncle Bobby...where we always sit, right by the band)

Hopefully we can make a few more games before the season is over :)

wordless wednesday: 10/14/09

2009-10-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

::PART ONE::

::PART TWO::