About Me

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I am a Christian. I am a loving wife to my Army-National-Guard-Recruiter-Husband of 15 years. I am a stay-at-home-mother to our four handsome sons. I am a photographer. My blog is about as erratic, eclectic and random as I am, painted with rainbows of photos and words that are hills and valleys you travel; so lovely sometimes that they hurt you. These are the stories of how far we've come in the last 15 years as Christians, as a family and as individuals.

Monday, August 29, 2011

First day(s) of School 2011

So, my eldest son is hitting a milestone this year, no more elementary school for this guy!  Encore Junior High School, get ready for this!

Tristen Bradley Logo
 Seth is in fifth grade this year, what a handsome boy!
 Garrett wasn't much for picture taking, he was just excited to get to school to see his fourth grade friends!
 Hayden is a big kindergartner now and begged me for a "big boy" haircut to go with his new "big boy" routine that includes being at school for a full day (9:10 - 3:30)! I obliged.
It's going to be a fantastic school year!

Friday, August 19, 2011

A Family Gathering in San Diego!!

I don't get to visit my local SoCal family very often, but we were invited to visit while my cousin, Ashley and her family were in town from Minesota.
It was so great to see everyone again!
Aunt Deb (thank you for hosting)                               Kelby, you're beautiful!
                 Alex, it was great meeting you            Krista, why wouldn't you let me take your picture?
 Jenna, you are like a fish!
 Marah, how cute are you?!
 Krista & Kelby having fun in the pool!                  Ashley & me making fun at the camera!
 Kelby is probably sick of hearing how much she looks like her mom!
Stacey & Ashley, Ashley steals a kiss, Stacey calls the third pose the "dinosaur head" and Ashley calls the fourth the "Facebook pose."

 Stacey - newly engaged!
To this guy - Charlie!
Krista - I got one!!!
 The guys were cracking Brad up!! 
 Seriously beautiful, Kelby!
 Another newly engaged cousin, Ryan.
 Ashley's husband, Eric - he's hilarious!
 Uncle Gene & Garrett keeping warm by the fire when the night chill rolled in (and lets not leave out their four legged companion).
 Stacey & Charlie (holding hands)
 Hayden sneeking a taste of a s'more that Ryan made for him.
 Seth & Marah know for sure they like s'mores!
 Uncle Gene & Ryan (father & son) roasting marshmellows & making s'mores for everyone.
 Just look at those faces, they must be related!  LOL!
 Eric tries to get the party started
 With a skit to include peeing in his pants!
 Charlie & Stacey - what a cute couple - Eric wants in on the action!
 Eric says, "Charlie, marry me instead!"  LOL!
 Brad, ever the hit with the kids, teaching Marah a hand game.
 We weren't able to visit for too long but we had a wonderful time seeing everyone again (and meeting some).  Thanks so much for including us!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Garrett Lasted the Summer!

Not two days home from our vacation and Garrett has to see the doctor about his arm.  We were expecting everything to be fine but you know there is always that possibility that it didn't heal correctly or completely, but as it was, Garrett did get to see his arm again!  He's not 100% yet but good enough that he doesn't need to sport the cast any longer and he couldn't be more thrilled.  However, he experienced anxiety over getting the cast removed.
 He was very nervous.
 He asked if Seth could go in for support... Seth is so good like that!
 No one expected the skin on his arm to look so... reptilicus.
 And now for the big question... did it heal?
 Praise God!  It did!
 The doctor said that due to his age and size, his arm will correct itself further upon growth.  Garrett's first question was, "when can I wash the dead skin off?"
After leaving the doctor's office, the boys and I went to visit an old friend of mine who's in town, Kerri Wike.
And Garrett made a new friend in Kerri's niece, Chandler.