September Fun

Our friend Luis turned 40 (yikes!) and had a "wiggin' out" party!

We got a sitter, put on our wigs, and met up with great friends and neighbors for a fun night. Ever since that night, I've been having thoughts of going dark again! hmmm...

But mark my word - Jim will never have a mullet - again I repeat - never!

The following weekend, we had tickets for the Zak Brown Band concert.

My sister (Leslie) and her fiance, came up for the weekend, and we had a really good time. Jim's brother and girlfriend joined us, along with our awesome friends Michelle and James. We had a few drinks, crammed into the truck together, and partied like we were in college again. Fun for the moment, but not fun when you still have to wake up with your kids at 615am!

My baby doll was with me (well, my whole family was with me) while taking pictures of Madeleine. Madeleine needed a nursing break, so I popped Baby S up on the table to check the lighting. She was laughing and having a good ol' time for her whole 1-minute on the table :)

Madeleine

My dear friend Kristy, whom I've known since 7th grade, married my good friend Dan whom I met at Fresno State...

long story short...

here is their beautiful baby girl, Madeleine, only 16 days-old.

My first taste of food!

I was getting sick of rice cereal!

Would you want to eat that stuff?

So tonight was the big night, drumroll please...

I got to try green beans!

My first taste of "real" food ever! And I liked it :)

My mom was trying to hold out until I was 6 months old,

but she gave in at 5 1/2 months.

Lucky for me!

Hello Little Roly Poly

Miss S found it quite amazing that the little roly poly would roll into a ball when she touched it. I like that she's not afraid to touch little critters like this. Reminds me of me when I was little.

Playing frisby at the park.

*NEWS ALERT*

My new lens has arrived!!!!!

Yippee! Hooray! Oh yeah, I'm so excited!!

I almost feel like I have a new baby.

I'm having SO much fun with it :)

So get ready to see lots of new pictures - I can't stop playing!

Mckinley

Age: 2 months

I finally got to meet this precious 4th of July baby!

My best friend, Jamie, and husband Nick came down to visit and literally just hang out. In the past, we would have been out shopping, having lunch etc., but it's amazing how our lives have changed for our children. All worth it! (but I do miss my shopping)...

A truly beautiful family!

Of course, since I'm trying to improve my photography skills, out came the camera and snap-snap this is what we got.

Just a doll! And such a lucky girl, to have such great parents!

xo

5 months already!

My sweet angel.

5 months old already!?!

15 pounds.

Adorable as heck!

Rolls over from back to belly, but rarely belly to back.

Loves watching her big sister.

Still nurses once in the middle of the night.

Started eating rice cereal.

Good sleeper!

Happy girl!

This is my baby doll! Almost 5 months old - wow! I love her and love her and love her.
Last night I was wandering around on different photography websites, and I came across a lady my age with 4 little boys - one of whom just went to heaven. The tears started rolling...
She is an amazing photographer in Hawaii, and had just had her fourth little boy. They went on vacation, and he contracted Whooping Cough. Long story short - he did not make it.
I went to Baby S' crib last night, gave her a kiss while she was sleeping, and let my tears drip down on her. I can't even begin to imagine.....
There is nothing like the love you have for your children. They are not suppose to go before you. As a parent, all you want to do is protect them...from everything! Sometimes God has a bigger plan, and there is no other explanation other than that.....
Here's a link to her website if you would like to read more (www.natalienortonphoto.com) She currently has a contest to win a 1-hour photo consultation/q&a with her...I want to win!
Rest in Peace Gavin Norton...

***

I had to play dress-up and try on the dress Baby S will be wearing to Leslie's wedding.

I just had to jot this down...
I'm working in the office.
Miss S walks in.
She asks me for pretzels.
I ask her for a hug.

She gives me a big tight hug, happy that she knows she can now have pretzels.

She starts to walk away.

I say, "are you all done hugging your mother"?

She says, "you can hug yourself mom"!!!

I just laugh out loud!!! She kills me :)

Yippee!! I've got it figured out - you can now enjoy larger blog pictures.

You'd think this was a miracle...seriously...I've been trying to figure this out forever, and finally all the puzzle pieces came together.

Here is my self-dressed, mind of her own, 3-year old,

red, white and blue girl.

Dressed like it's Independence Day to represent what an "Independent" girl she is!