I was cleaning out my already full again hard drive (sigh) and I came across this picture taken a few weeks ago. This is my oldest daughter Camryn. I am so proud of this girl. She is one of the most capable, thoughtful, giving, helpful and sweet girls that I know. She is 9 going on 14 but has always been a little beyond her age. When she was born she was perfect in every way. I know every mom thinks that but after having 3 more after her I realize I how lucky I was with her. She never had a terrible two. I only had to ask her to do things once and she always obliged easily. When she was just 3 or 4 she wanted to learn how to write so she would get out books and just copy letters. She would fill up whole sheets of just copying pages. As soon as she could write she has always left me little notes and told me how much she loves me. A couple weeks ago the kids got in trouble before bed... don't even remember why but when I when I went to bed that night Ryan and I both had sweet little notes with apologizes in them on our pillow. Camryn has also loved to draw. Since she was little I always created art projects for her. She caught my gene. She loves to create and paint and draw and also do "graphic design" just like me. She has countless notebooks filled up with outfits she drew, logos she created, pictures of everything and she even has her wedding all planned out (sans the man :). She spends hours on the stool next to my computer watching me edit photos and helps me narrow down photos from a shoot. She always wanted to be afashion designer when she grew up but the other day she decided she wants to be a photographer and graphic designer like me. She is already a huge help on photoshoots. She will also spend hours setting up new arrangements and backdrops with my props in my studio all to be disappointed when her brother and sisters don't oblige and pose like she wants them to. At least once a week she will come in and ask me to take her picture. I never have to beg this one for a shot. Camryn is far from perfect but she has not idea how proud I am of her and how much I love her... actually I think she does, I hope she does.

My Kiddos

Just went in Katie's backyard and took a few pictures. Addie jumped in a few too. We are having fun in CA but I am already getting a little anxious to get back home.  I drove out here with the kids last Friday and we will return to NM next Wed. I am doing about 25 photoshoots while I am here and I am loving meeting so many cool families. The kids are enjoying no homework and seeing their friends and cousins. Life is good. :) .... Just miss Ryan :(

Fun times with the Skinners

It has been so nice having the Skinners here in Albuquerque. We hadn't hung out in a long time before moving here but we have managed to go out or do dinner in with a round of Settlers every weekend since we have arrived. After a fun night Tommy and Maddy spent the night and in the morning she and Daryn wanted their picture taken so I snapped one real quick in the studio. Then Tommy and Addy saw so they wanted theirs. So cute... Jess - Don't show Haily, she might get jealous :)

 Thank you to the Skinners for making this move easier. It has been fun knowing that by the time the weekend rolls around we will have good times with good laughs .

It's about time

It has been months since I have posted and alot of changes but in the end - alot of good and alot for us to be thankful for. For those who do not know we now live in New Mexico. Ryan is once again working for Pulte (thanks Landon for telling him about the position) and we have gotten settled and really like it here. The kids have loved the random snow storm and luckily we have great neighbors and an awesome ward with some of the most friendly girls I have ever met. I will post more details later but here are a few pics and I will most more soon. 

Most Perfect Night!

I had the most perfect night last night. My Mom and Sisters planned a surprise 30th birthday for me and it was so much fun. All my favorite people were there and it was so fun to be surrounded by people that love me and to be thrown such a great party. The house was decorated so cute in a Hawaii theme. Balloons, streamers, decoration, coconut bra and skirt for me and an awesome hawaiin chick pinata made it so much fun. One of my favorite dinners, hawaiin haystacks and two awesome chocolate and coconut cakes were served. The kids and lots of adults had fun swimming and it was great to spend the evening laughing and just having a great time. Thanks so much Anna, Megan, Jess, Karen and Holly and your families for coming down and Katie, Becky and Mom for making me feel so special. Yeah! I am excited to be 30 and for this chapter of my life. Thanks too babe for cleaning up the backyard and making it all look so nice. I can not believe that you have helped me celebrate 11 birthdays! Love you! THANKS EVERYONE!

4th of July Bar-b-que

My sister-in-law Megan organized a great bar-b-que-, swim, fireworks party with a bunch of our Riverbank friends and family and my Mom's house. It was a perfect afternoon and everyone had so much fun.
My handsome boy never gets enough swimming and laways wants to get thrown "higher".


Camie and Daryn organized a nail polishing station and hair station. They love to plan little things like that.

The guys enjoyed a little horseshoe.

4th of July Parade

Instead of the normal tradition that we have of going to the downtown Modesto parade, we opted for the smaller Turlock parade. That turned out to be a mistake we won;t make again. It iwas so short and all the Spanish music on independence day got to me pretty quickly. Oh well, the kids still had fun.
Camie is so cute... she loves to lay out their clothes. For most any holiday or special even, I am sure to see a little pile like this of each kids clothes layed out nicely in the family room.