Come on!!!

I knew there was a reason that I am not usually a huge fan of swimming every year. Swimmer's Ear!! While rubbing my ear tonight, I have immediately went deaf to everything going on at the left side of my body.


I feel like a 92 year old woman having to answer with an "ayyyy" to every question answered, every statement made. I have tried everything!! Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol...I'm shocked I haven't drown just in the amount of liquid poured into that tiny hole on the side of my head!

I have tried to let gravity take effect. Still nothing.

Any suggestions? Make sure to type it out for me...I won't be able to hear your answer...Ayyyy????

A Real Steven Spielberg!

I have been watching my 13 year old son Cameron a lot over this past year. Any other time that I have looked at him in the past, I have to admit, I still saw that baby I lovingly adored after 37 hours of labor that February, the little guy who started walking at 9 months, that toddler who potty trained in 1 week at 22 months and who has followed suit by being an extremely independent person since. He had wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. Always helping out in the kitchen, skinning potatoes, whisking eggs, stirring pasta so it doesn't stick...



Putting together his own recipes that we freak out before we try not knowing how it will taste, but having enough faith that he knows what he is doing as he always has.

Just recently I took another look at my boy, his voice is changing, he's grown taller. Although you will still find him in the kitchen here and there, you will first see him in the yard, driveway, anywhere he can capture something special on his video camera. He asked for a one when was 10.

We thought it was another trend of his, take some shots, lay it down and go on to the next interest. He has really taken a liking to this. Sure, it took him some time to get the basics down; do not shoot too close to water being one of them (he has went through a few cameras because of this). Christmas of 2010 showed us how well he had gotten with movies, creating his own slideshow for the Grandparents as a gift. He is so talented! He knows exactly how to tape just the right moments, put them to music, slow things down, pause the shot....I have never seen someone so young amaze me this way! Lately, he has been filming sports clips in the yard and has even filmed a motocross video for his best friends. He found a tripod at a yard sale last weekend for only $3. This has just added greatness to his films.

I have come to realize that my baby is growing up...I know everyone says it, but I just finally got it as I was watching him film a soccer ball at a precise angle. This little boy could one day have his name in lights, sitting in a director's chair making magic...and I will be in the first row, dressed in my finest, cheering on my little boy like the best mother in the world does.

He caught me on film last week...stirring the pasta so it wouldn't stick.

Happy Summer!!

It's June 21...first day of summer!!! Time for...







Swimming!











Lightning Bugs!











Lemonade!










Sprinklers!










Bubbles!










Roasting Marshmallows!










Picnics!




Get out there and enjoy yourself!!!

Natural History is Fascinating!!

I am just now posting about my daughter's school field trip...boy, am I behind!

Kaplyn's 2nd grade class made a trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History this year. Although I have been there a few other times before, it never ceases to amaze me! Just thinking of all the wonderful things God has created on this great earth for others to one day discover.





Chair made entirely of twisted crystal-like glass!!








One of my favorite gemstones found in Colorado.







Don't forget what we came to the museum to see........dinosaurs!!!





This is a teenage dinosaur. It was found connected to this huge piece of rock. When they brought it to the museum, the dinosaur (and rock) were transported there, cleaned up and displayed. The way it was found is exactly the way it is displayed!







Do you suppose when the doors are locked at night, that these two continue their conversation?!







This paleontologist was very quickly sifting through teeny-tiny pieces of rock with tweezers looking for slivers of dinosaur bone. You can see a close-up on the tv screen. Amazing!!!






Do not trust this guy when he says he just wants a nibble of your ice cream cone...





It was a very educational day full of gorgeous things...we can't wait to go back!!

Reiner is 5!!!!

My 4th child (3rd son) Reiner turned 5 this year. Oh my, what can I say about this little boy. He is a sweetheart with a slight case of temper. He is the worst mess maker, but the best cleaner-upper. He has one heck of an imagination, but that can cause some trouble in his future as he does this by reusing things that I throw away...can anyone say "hoarders?!!!"

For his portrait this year, he really wanted to show everyone that he is more than just a player of trains & cars...he can be handy to have around as well. Check it out!!







With wood and tools on hand, he is ready to build anything you could possibly need!








Showing off his "real" screwdrivers! Looks so nice in black and white!



Now that he has all of his "publicity" shots...Handyman for hire!!

My Baby Girl is 1!!!

I never thought it would happen....well, actually I did because it happened with the first of my 5 kids...Matlyn is 1! She really turned 1 in May, but I just got her portraits back today and wanted to post them with the blog.



I borrowed the tutu from my good friend Tonya...could you just die?!!!!






Black and White is always classic...my little beauty!!!





Her finger beside the cheek....that wasn't even coached, already a natural!!!


There were so many smiles during this shoot :)

Poison Ivy!!!

Living in a house surrounded by woods + 4 kids old enough to help landscape = 4 kids with poison ivy!








All 7 of us in one room, 5 of us waiting to be treated...Greg went the week before.








Meet Walter...He was created by Genin to amuse the 2 younger ones who were lucky enough to not have to work in the yard...