wedding

So, a couple weeks ago I got asked to photograph a wedding.

I'm not a professional photographer, and don't consider myself one...

In fact, I'd told myself even if I ever tried being one, I'd NEVER do weddings. In case I totally messed up.

But guess what I found myself doing yesterday?

Yes, taking pictures at the wedding of an aquaintance. I even made a little money.

I was soooooooooooooooooooo nervous leading up to this, not so sure I could actually pull it off. But the bride assured me she loved my pictures, and had complete confidance in me. And to consider them my guinea pigs.

So, I did it. I think I did well. I'm in the process of editing. It'll take awhile.

So, I'll keep you posted on if the bride and groom like them. I sent them a sneak peak and they seemed happy with those.

favorite things

Here are some of my current favorites things...

1. Apple Dumplings found on PioneerWoman. I've made these more often than I should have. You've GOT to try them.

2. Vampire Diaries- loving this show. I read the first book, didn't love it enough to get any others yet. But the show has sucked me in. Watch it!

3. Fall- the colors I'm seeing everywhere! Loving it!

4. Kleenax with Lotion~ I'm so sick right now. I feel horrible! Kids are too, but they sure have more energy than me. I'd much rather not be sick, but since I am. I'm so grateful for tissues with lotion softness.

5. My Mentha Lip Shine from Bath and Body Works. I LOVE it. Especially since I'm sick, and my lips are chapped from mouth breathing for three nights.

But I loved it before that too!

One of my online friends, Jeni, sent it to me probaly two years ago now, and I've loved it ever since. .

**and a favorite for the men Mentha Body Buffer . Ryan loves this stuff. It works great on his rough hands.

preschool decisions

Ugh!
So, back in August I applied for Lucas to attend ECEAP. The low-income preschool at the public school. A couple friends had gone there and liked it.
But we were over income and below income gets in first.

Soooo...We went ahead and started him at his old preschool. The same one he'd gone to the since he was 2.5. We love the school. It was tehe $150 a month that we are having a hard time swallowing.
But atleast we love the school ,and know he'll learn what he needs for kindergarten plus some.
But, it's also about 15-20 minutes from our home. More gas to attend there as well.
But we were happy with him being there, and had decided it's only 8 more months and he'll be done. We'd get by.
And just the other day the teacher mentioned that Lucas talked all day long..to other kids...and to the teachers. This was big for Lucas, because he's soo shy around other people.

So, today there's a message from ECEAP. Looks like theres room for him afterall.

Now I'm left decided what to do. ECEAP is free, btw. And he could ride the bus there everyday, I would just pick him up.

I'm soooo torn!

camping

We went camping last weekend. It was the 1st, and most likely only camping trip this year.

But we had fun!

We went to Lake Chelan, which most of us had never been to before.

My mom came with us and we met up with more family there. My dad and step-mom and two youngest brothers. My little brother and his wife and my sister and her new boyfriend (whom we all met for the first time). It was a good time, and we hope to do it again next year.

I also want to try to squeeze in a couple weekend trip over the next month or so. I want to go take a drive up Mt. Baker highway, we use to go alot when my sister lived in Bellingham, Wa. It's beautiful up there.

I also want to get out to Spokane again, to my sisters. And hopefully hit up an orchard or something while out there.

Pre-K

" I wish when Jesus made us, he'd gave us the force"~Lucas
(think Star Wars).
I thought this was so cute when he said it to me in the car today...

Lucas started Pre-K this year.

It's the same preschool he's been attending for 2.5 years already. And the same one Kilynn went too. But still, he was not so happy when I dropped him off. He gripped my shirt with all he had. Crazy boy! I guess my kids just like spending time with me sooo much. LOL.

really though, I knew he'd be fine.

And he was happy and content when I picked him up.

He also started soccer Monday, and is doing wonderfully. Lucas is shy, super shy around people he doesn't know. So I was very proud to see him get out there and not hide with me. He's having lots of fun with it, and was excited to go again tonight.

Spike

Lucas decided that he needed a new pet with his birthday money.

I was leaning towards a veggie/cricket eating lizard, but my children and husband had something else in mind....

Meet Spike...or Spikey as Lucas named him.

I wanted to name him Fluffy. ;0) Or Tupac.

I was picturing Lucas at school, sharing about his pet snake, Tupac...or Fluffly.

But he was having nothing of that.

Spike is a Ball Python. We researched the best reptile suggestions for beginngers/kids.

This was one of them, though he will get bigger. 3-5 feet long, and quite round.

He could live 20-50 years. To think, Lucas' children may be meeting Spike someday.

So, Lucas is super excited. As is Kilynn and daddy.

Lucas

Lucas is 5 now.

I'm amazed. Has it really been five years since my last baby was born?

It has.

It's funny though, because I think Lucas has always seemed older then he is, maybe because he's always played with older kids. I'm not sure. But he's 5 now, that's a big number. He's a big boy.

He's a crazy crazy boy. He will literally drive you crazy, but then he'll turn around and make you smile. Or give you the best hug ever!

He's funny and sensitive, and obsessive-compulsive. He's my boy!

He had a blast at his party. We ended up with 20 kids, and 14 or so adults. I planned for a *small* party. That was really our closest friends and family. But, alot of of our friends have 2+ kids, some 3 and 4 kids. So the kid count adds up fast. ;0)

A friend commented "you know the kids having a great birthday party when he doesn't even ask to open his presents"..which is soo true. His presents weren't his concern, he was just having a blast with his friends!

He had a Super Mario theme this year. I made his cake to look like a DS game screen. And he also requested a blackberry pie(which are growing wildly here right now). We made salmon (which somehow got over-looked..we ended up with tons left), hamburgers and hotdogs.

He did love his gifts, some highlights were his football, trampoline, new scooter, and wooden train set (which he decided he's into again).

Overall, a great 5th birthday for my lil' man!

here are a some other from the party

beach days...

they are almost over....we will miss em'.

Ohhhh Mandy.....

Look what Ryan brought home tonight....

more salmon......;0)

Road Trip 2009

Sooo..

Our road trip started on June 19th..the last day of school. I picked Kilynn up, headed for the ferry, met my sister and we were on our way.

We'd already decided we'd take the *scenic* route down, take our time. We took the boring ol' I-5 through Washington and Oregon. Then cut over close to the California border. We stopped and checked out some sites along the way. The coastline in Crescent City, the redwoods and Avenue of Giants near Eureka....through a small part of Wine Country, and into San Francisco.

From there, we decided after two days, and lots of gas we'd cut back over to the 5 and be on our way to our final destination, in SoCal. We had a very nice road trip though..the kids loved seeing the new places (I think the favorite was the redwoods trees, and golden gate bridge) and of course, they loved the hotel stays...so all were happy!

Here are some more photos of the road trip...

http://taksonyphotos.shutterfly.com/