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, October 31, 2011

October - Logo Style

You may already be well aware, but each year we visit Frazier's U-Pick Pumpkin Patch  as we enter the holiday season.  Please forgive my abruptness for shoving all of October into one post as I am playing catch-up and am mostly trying to get the photos on here.  If a particular photo needs a story to go with it to explain why it was taken, never-you-fear, a story you will hear!
*Brad says Tristen looks like a stressed out Baseball coach in these next two*
 Seth really loves photography, maybe I'll get him his own camera for Christmas or something!
Just to have proof he was there (as always he hated having his picture taken)
 ^^Seth took that one next to Brad - that's why he's not in it!^^
 Now, how come the lighting in this one is so much better?  LOL!  Taken only seconds later (and from further away)
Halloween - Discovery and HDC
I do believe these speak for themselves - just some shots of our evenings out "Trunk-or-Treating"
 The principal & my God-Daughter, Alaura
Violet with Hayden & Hayden with his best friend, Dylan from his class.
Me & My bestie, Fotima Hall - she's no fun, she didn't dress up!
 Will, Tristen's friend from school & church (on the left)
Brad, Tristen & Seth entered a pie-eating contest at HDC - they did not win, unless you count the slobber-filled pie!  LOL! (GROSS)
Make that a hair-filled pie! 
Happy October all!



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Grand Time at Scandia {and other fine places}

As a surprise Mom & Jim flew out to California for a weekend to celebrate one of Jim's closest friend's retirement.  While only here for a weekend, they did manage to spend quite a bit of time with us (although they stayed with Lauren & Nathan at their new place).  We met for breakfast at Coco's, spent time at Lauren's one evening (but I wasn't feeling 100% so we left early) and we spent Monday (no school, yay!) paroozing the Ontario Mills Mall, riding rides at Scandia and enjoying delicious Cold Stone Ice Cream!

Hayden kept us all entertained while we waited for our food to be served (this is his "giant fly face") HAHA!
 He and Tristen rubbed our silverware together to create magnets (something he learned at school)!
Jim cuddled up with his grandson.
 Mom took the photos!! (see in the mirror behind us?)
 Seth nad Ryan had a blast playing peek-a-boo! (Seth is SO good with children - a great father-in-the-making!)
 Later... At Nathan & Lauren's house... Tristen played with Ryan...
 And Nana, Hayd & Tristen played Tumblin' Monkeys...
 Everyone enjoyed Phase 10 Twist...
 Ryan got fed...
 Isn't she lovely?
 Brad helps Garrett stragegize with Phase 10

 Pumpkin pie, Hayden?
Funny how Mom can come to visit for a month or longer and doesn't find time to get together with Roz but when here for 3 days (Jim in tow) Roz comes over!  LOL!
 SCANDIA!!!!
Hayden & Garrett took straight to the rides... a train!
 Tristen (far back row, left side of picture), Jim & Seth dared the big roller coaster!
 Up, up, up we go!!
 I'm laughing so hard at how scared Tristen looks!!!
 Then Mom & I had to show them how it's done!!
What fun!!!
 Hayden & Brad opted for the little roller coaster.
He's ready, ecited even... he has no idea what to expect.
 The look on his face seems to say he over estimated the "fun" and underestimated the "danger."
 But his daddy kept him safe and he began to enjoy the ride.
 As they pulled to a stop he showed me just how scary it was!
 From then on he only wanted to ride rides with his daddy.
He showed a bit of nervousness as they went up, up, up... but he knew he was safe with Dad's arms around him!
 Seth talked Hayden into riding with him, I truly don't think anyone else would've been able to pull that off!
 Garrett made Papaw stuff into the flying contrapment with him!
 Now we're heading to the other side of the park to race cars and get soaked on the bumper boats!
 While the boys are on the bumper boats I snuck some pics of Mom & Jim being sweet to each other!!
Water Wars!!!
 Hayden was too small to get in the bumper boats and while he waited for their turn to end, he looked so pathetic and adorable!
 His mood brightened pretty quick when he got in the race car though!
Boys NEVER grow up!!  I loved seeing them having so much fun!
 Candid shot of my young man.  So serious, So handsome.
 But he bounces!
 I quite like this shot of me... not sure if Mom took it or Seth, he did have my camera quite a bit!
 My assistant!
Now that the tickets have been spent and much fun has been had... we head home, but not before stopping for some of the best mixtures of ice cream shakes, ice cream and toppings I've had in my entire life at Cold Stone!
What a wonderful (although short) visit - proof that it's quality NOT quanity time that means the most!
I love you all!