updates

i posted new tutu stuff on my projects blog - go see "I Make Stuff" over on the left side bar. Cute stuff, I promise.

i, like Megan, am trying out the new followers widget mostly for my own curiosity. All i ask is that you add yourself to the list and don't make yourself anonymous because what would the point be then? i don't even care if i really know you in real life, i am curious to find out who actually reads the craziness i am putting out there.

i miss my friends today. well, i miss them all the time, but especially this week.

i need something new in my life because apparently whatever i'm doing now is causing me stress and pain. even when i make a conscious effort to alleviate stress in my life it doesn't seem to be helping me physically. i've been super productive creatively speaking as well as trying some new recipes and keeping my room relatively clean and organized AND, most importantly, i've been taking on fewer responsibilities and commitments. i'm trying to say no to things when i really feel i should and not guilt myself into an overly hectic schedule. i'm trying to work really hard on this physical therapy thing and it is helping in a lot of ways - maybe it has to get worse to get better? all i know is that my sleeping is all thrown off and i am a person who needs a lot of sleep. also i have a sore throat and i hat that.

today is my daddy's birthday. happy birthday to him. i love him and i hope he has an awesome day. i also hope he likes the card i bought him and his present which is very random...but he likes random.

this is taking a lot of energy and i still have to work till 5 (now you know why i've been posting such short photo posts).

Happy Birthday K

Caleb turned 8 last Saturday. He was born right after I moved to Utah for my freshman year of college. He has the most beautiful eyes and amazing curls. He loved Blues Clues for the longest time - I knew all the songs from the show because it made him happy that I would sit and play Blues Clues with him and sing all the songs. He had a thinking chair, a shirt that looked like Steve's and more note books than any one child could possibly have.

He's a collector. He picks something to like and then sticks with it for a long time. Blues Clues, Batman/Superheros, Pokemon and now Webkins. If all else fails, buy him a superhero toy and the kid is in heaven. He is silly and loves to dress up. He has a great imagination.

K loves to hold his baby cousins. When Bug is around, K is usually waiting for his turn to hold him. He will sit and just look at Bug. He doesn't fidget or get bored. I think he will have a connection with Bug the way Noah and Monkey have a connection. I can see so many similarities in them.

Finally, photos. These are some of my favorites from the last 8 years.

Happy Birthday to Hayley

This post is for Hayley. Today is her birthday and she's been having a not so fun week. If I had the time and the money, I would do spectacular things for her because I whole heartedly believe that every one should have a fantastic birthday every year. So today is Hayley's day and I hope it is a good one.

So here's a list of wonderful things I love about Hayley.

1. She is sincere.
2. She has a beautiful smile.
3. Her hair is gorgeous and shiny.
4. She is loyal.
5. She is always working hard; at her job, as a wife, as a mother.
6. She's tough. Like she could totally kick some butt.
7. She has an adorable daughter who looks just like her.
8. She is the only reason I passed American Heritage at BYU.
9. She is funny. She can always make me laugh.
10. She was willing to be my friend when I randomly approached her and said hello at BYU. There aren't very many people who will so happily except spending time with an acquaintance from high school, especially when they thought that acquaintance was a snob. (winky face)

So there you have it. Hayley's top 10 Birthday list. Happy Birthday, Hayley!!

Happy Birthday to The Queen

This post is dedicated to my favoritest Sissie on her 00th birthday. Those were the numbers on her "cake" so that's what I'm sticking with.

I love photos, as you all know, so this is a photo post about our Lauren. I did my best to maintain some chronological order, but remember I wasn't alive for her first ten years so educated guesses will have to do.

I hope you all like this little look back on Lauren's life. I think we can all agree that she is a pretty amazing and fantastic person. Happy Birthday, Sissie.

Look at that kickin' stach. Wow. That's Dad holding Lauren and Donut (I believe). Lauren is a daddy's girl.

Little Lauren riding a scooter.

I didn't scan it, but when Mom went to get Lauren's 6 month photo done, the place really liked it and wanted to use it in their advertising so Mom got a huge copy of it. Of course then she had to pay to have the rest of us photographed the same. Those have been hanging in our house forever. I just like her smile in this one.

This photo makes me feel better. I wasn't the only one who had to wear the pigtails or the crocheted "ribbons." Of course, I had those awesome bangs.

I love how serious she looks. Reminds me of JBug.

She's always been so photogenic. It's that smile!

Early documentation of her love for bags? Look how happy she is to have that!

It's good to know the stach was gone by the time Gordy was born. Lauren is 4 years old here.

I love this picture. Don't know why. It's just cute. Plus, look what a good big sister she is!

Not quite sure of age here...although Gordy looks to be about 2 or 3 so let's say she is about 6 or 7?

We had the best costumes. I am pretty sure I wore all of those as well. We weren't really concerned with matching gender to costume.

This is such a Lauren pose. Love it. Love her.

Yeah. They had girl names as well. Apparently we all really liked to dress up - I'm sure this is all due to Lauren's influence.

School photo.

Christmas at Grandmother and Grandad's. That's Grandad in the background. I like this picture because it kind of looks like me - I can understand why people say we look so much alike when I look at this photo.

10 year old Lauren holding baby me. I wasn't very happy apparently. Lauren hasn't stopped taking care of me since.

Lauren, me and our cousin Kim. It's hard to see her face, but I like that it's the three of us.

Lauren, Mom and me. I'm guessing she's 11 ish. Look at all that feathered hair!

Daddy and his baby doll.

Yeah. I basically put this photo in here because that Santa looks creepy. Blech.

Lauren, Mom and me. 4ish years later (I'm guessing).

Look at those shorts! Tsk Tsk. haha. Lauren, Gram and Kim.

At my Aunt's house in Massachusetts.

Best. Picture. Ever. That is my sister with her Tiki necklace and Billy Idol shirt. And that hair is amazing. I believe they were going to Commander Salamander.

This was labeled "West Side Story Dance Off." Amazing. I'm guessing late middle school/early high school?
They are buying toilet paper to go TP someone's house. This used to happen a lot around here - back when there were not a lot of people in the neighborhoods to call the cops on you. Notice how fancy they all look. I'm guessing the black was for stealth purposes.
Lauren served a mission for the LDS church to Brazil. This looks like the MTC.

One of Lauren's birthday celebrations - 28 or 29 maybe? This is when we fell in love with The Melting Pot.

And here Lauren is a blonde. She still owns that shirt. It's super cute. Like all the clothes she has. This is us on Nantucket.

Heidi's wedding. AWESOME. We took pictures with all the statues.

I love this picture. I love how cute she is and I love how Mommy is looking at her. This was at her bridal party.
The day she got married to Wil. We are both glad he stopped parting his hair like that. ;)

The morning after her wedding. We were getting in our last cuddles before Wil took her off to Texas.

Lauren and Monkey. She's an AMAZING mom.

And beautiful even after a whole day in the hospital. With little Bug.

At her birthday party last Saturday. I love you Sissie. I hope you have a fantastic day.
Hug Kiss.




Some of these photos are courtesy of your bestest pally, Shea. Thank her for the awesomeness that is basically a history of your amazing hair styles. :)