Carrousel ~

Who can walk by a carrousel without taking a ride?

Not our kids ...

Ultrasound #2 ~

Carl went with me this morning for another ultrasound. This time there was a heartbeat and everything looks good so far. This ultrasound said the due date is July 29th, not August 13th. Doc said the next ultrasound will be alot more accurate. I personally think the August 13th is correct. I know for me at least, seeing the good heartbeat brought me peace.

Christmas Day ~

Christmas Day was fun. We spent the morning opening gifts with Peyton, had breakfast and games at my mom's house, hung out with Tawnya for a bit, and then spent the afternoon at home. We are excited that next Christmas all the kids will be together ... this is especially cool, because it will be the baby's first Christmas.

Christmas Eve ~

Christmas Eve was loads of fun. We went to Carl's mom's, had Frito Burritos for dinner, way too many sweets, played games, and hung out. My favorite part was when Aunt Tari told the story "The Night Before Christmas" using her animated voices. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have Curtis, Kasey and Alanna with us.

Love His Smile ~

This is a pic Peyton took of himself ... I LoVe his smile!

Breakfast in Bed ~

It was so sweet to wake up this morning to Peyton's sincere service. "Mom, wake up. We made you pancakes you can eat in bed. Wait, dad is bringing the syrup" 

It was a weekend that it was just Carl, Peyton and I. Carl and Peyton had woken up and Carl decided he was going to teach Peyton how to make chocolate chip pancakes. This is Peyton's new favorite (Thanks to Mimi's Cafe). Peyton talked all day about how dad let him scoop and measure the mix and be the "stirrer" too. 

This was the first time that I have EVER been served breakfast in bed. I could get used to this .... at least a couple times a year. 

Thanks Carl & Peyton ... you both are so genuinely thoughtful!

Performance Well Done ~

Before: 

Alanna did an awesome job at her dance (tap) recital today. She loves dance and is really excited to advance to the next level in January. She taps all around the house and it is wonderful to see her doing something she loves. 

 

Thank you mom for bringing her flowers ~ she loved them. Thank you Dad & Toresa for also coming and supporting her at something she worked really hard at. She was grateful to have you all there. 

After:

Christmas Candy ~

Today some of my sisters, my mom, and two of my fabulous brother-in-laws came over and we made Christmas candy. Divinity, Fudge, White & Milk Chocolate covered Pretzels, Muddy Buddies, Carmel Popcorn Balls, and Reese Peanut Butter Cups. It was an all day event and was a blast. We still somehow have snow in our backyard and the kids LoVeD throwing snowballs at each other and just playing in the fresh air. I love this time of year. Thank you mom for providing most of the ingredients ... thank you everyone else for bringing stuff and making today such a memorable day!

So Far So Good ~

I had a doctor appointment today. So far so good ~ but we still have a few weeks before we are out of the woods. I am grateful for technology and modern medicine. Having blood drawn every 48 hours makes me even more grateful for these blessings and comforts. If all goes well, hopefully we'll have a healthy baby boy or girl in August 2009. 

Please keep us in your prayers. 

White Christmas ~

Today we had a ton of fun playing in the snow. Yep, it snowed in Vegas and actually stuck. When Toresa left tonight we had to scrape the snow off of her windows so she could drive, and we had to be really careful walking on the snow covered walkway. I know ... those of you who live where it snows often say "no big deal". For us Vegans who are used to the sun and every so often rain shower, it was. The kids were amazed and excited. The school district is contemplating actually canceling school tomorrow. I don't think that has ever happened in Vegas (I could be wrong though).

Here are a few pics from our day:

Worth the Wait ~

Yes, I had to take TwO, just to make sure. You don't want to know how many of these things I have taken over the last year and a half while we have been trying to get pregnant. 

Thank you Dr. Boyd for realizing I needed surgery to clean up my endometriosis again, 

flushing my clogged tubes, and removing the cyst from my ovary. 

Less than 3 months after surgery we are expecting another baby! (due August 2009)

In retrospect, Heavenly Father was watching out for us and knew what was in our best interest. This year I closed my cleaning business and no longer HaVe to babysit anymore. I get to now enjoy this pregnancy (sorry to those who get sick ... I don't); I love being pregnant. I get to also continue to love photography, spending time with our kids, and enjoy an awesome family. I acknowledge and am grateful to have the PeRfEcT husband for me!!! 

Thank You Carl!!!

FYI ... Might be cheesy, but I would love to buy gently used maternity clothes. This being our last kid; I don't really see a need to buy a whole new maternity wardrobe. If you have any you want to part with let me know. 

Thankful He is Handy ~

I am so grateful for my hard working yet handy husband. He did the best job replacing all four of our brakes; meanwhile saved us a TON of money. He was also wonderful for handling the headache of chasing parts to replace the caliper bracket that someone stripped during the last brake job (before we owned the van). Of course you couldn't buy just the bracket, it was the entire caliper that had to be purchased, special order none the less. Then there was trying to find the replacement bolt for the one that was stripped. My mom was wonderful and let me borrow her car while Carl was out of town and we were waiting for the parts to come in. 

Thanks Carl, you are awesome! 

Thanks Mom, you always are there to help us!

Gratitude ~

I have so many things to be grateful for. We have healthy and happy children, a very nice home that is fully furnished (a little too much ~ Thank You Toresa for helping me with my de-clutter projects!), an awesome husband who works his tail off so I can stay at home, the ability to do photography which I passionately love, wonderful family and in-laws, great friends and life. We can all breathe on our own, we can walk and talk and love ... all without assistance. And most importantly we have the gospel in our lives. When it boils down to it, this is ALL that matters in life right?

That being said, with the help of my Heavenly Father, Wonderful Husband, family and friends I have stayed sane even though some days are harder than others.  I try not to let the constant pain in my wrists and shoulder (which I try to ignore because life still needs to go on) get too overwhelming. In the last 6 months I have had doctor appointments at least 3 to 5 times a week, been through testing, mri's, and dealing with the van which just doesn't seem to get fixed correctly. Life would be so much easier without the consequences of a car accident that wasn't my fault. But couldn't life always be easier, just IF?

I needed to take moment, take a deep breath and remember all that I am so grateful for. There are so many, many things to be grateful for; and I truly am!!!! I have so much gratitude that I (and more importantly the kids) didn't get hurt worse. Things could always be worse and trials always be harder than what they are. I am a very blessed and grateful women!

THANK YOU EVERYONE ~ You know who you are!

Santa ~

At our ward Christmas party we had a special guest ... SANTA. 

Peyton was so excited, and yet still a little apprehensive to sit on his lap. When asked what he told santa he wanted for Christmas ... his response was, "I told him it was a surprise and he could be in my club."

Thanks Tye and Tom for going with us. Our ward activities committee put a lot of time and energy into this activity. The food was amazing.

P.S. I need to get Lauren's recipe for her yummy potatoes.

Priceless ~

As a photographer, even our kids don't always cooperate.

It started with Peyton not cooperating, but as daddy made him smile Curtis started making funny faces ... so this is the priceless photograph we chose.

Thanksgiving ~

I didn't get out our camera while we spent the Thanksgiving morning with my family. (Mom, I need to get the pics I took on your camera PlEaSe). I'll post them soon.

We spend the Thanksgiving evening with Carl's family and had a blast. The close up pics on our slideshow are ones that Peyton took. He loves to take pictures; something he gets from his mommy. 

There are so many things to be grateful for. We have healthy children, a happy marriage, a nice home, transportation, food, clothes, great family, awesome friends, and the wonderful gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We are a very blessed family. 

Wonderful Girls ~

Today the girls were acknowledged at an award ceremony at their school. Alanna for perfect attendance and straight A's and Kasey for perfect attendance. They are both so awesome and I am grateful to be their mom (step-mom). Thank you mom for coming and showing them support ~ we are grateful for all you do!

Love you girls!!!

Today's Pic ~

This is a vintage look ... what do you think?

Like or Dislike? Please give your opinion.

Today's Pic ~

This was such a fun shoot.

Walking into "happily ever after"

Today's Pic ~

She was so fun to photograph and definitely not camera shy.

Today's Pic ~

I really enjoy photographing couples. It is fun to see the diverse personalities; some come so willing and wanting pictures ... yet others merely do it for the spouse they love so dear. 

Today's Pic ~

If you don't already know. I have a thing for photographing feet, especially those of infants and children. They are so unique and always changing. 

Today's Pic ~

Who wouldn't just LoVe those beautiful blue eyes?

Today's Pic ~

I loved photographing this princess. She is so darn cute.

Skymania ~

Tina and I met up and spent the day together. We got Austin's Court of Honor pics taken and then headed off to Sky-mania. This of course after stopping by In N Out. I hadn't ever been, but some of the kids had. It was a blast and worth how expensive it was. We had a lengthy negotiation period of who was going to spend the night where ... Tina ended up with Ashley, Austin and Curtis. I ended up with Kasey, Alanna, Peyton, Haleigh, and Cody. How did that happen?

I was glad it did. When we got home we made chocolate chip cookies, ate a lot of dough, then a lot of cookies; the kids played until it was very late. I am so excited for the kids and love every opportunity we get to give them time with their cousins. I remember the MANY trips we took to Utah and Arizona and treasure the memories we had with our cousins.  I try hard (although it doesn't happen often enough) to get the cousins together.

Love you guys TONS!!!

Today's Pic ~

Today was an amazing day. I want to thank Erin for taking the time to teach me new tricks and techniques. I will cherish these photos forever!

Picture Tag ~

I was tagged by my lil' sister Tara to go to my fourth folder and pick my fourth picture. Being a photographer, I am a little obsessed with my picture files. Each day and each photo shoot has it's very own file. This one happens to be from a photo shoot I did yesterday morning. I have done three in two days ... and I absolutely love it. 

Today's Pic ~

Check out my photography blog for more ...

www.huntsmanphotography.blogspot.com

Today's Pic ~

He was so fun and full of personality. If all my subjects were this relaxed and fun ... being a photographer would be a piece of cake.

Trunk R Treat ~

Our ward Trunk R Treat was last night ... and was so fun. There was a variety of chili's, one that I loved, but don't know who made it. Peyton really enjoyed playing with his friends; and Carl & I enjoyed socializing. It sucked not having all the kids, but that is just part of our normal.