A Day at the Beach

I'm so good about getting professional pictures done for my kids. I go to JC Penny's, and for Miranda--who loves to get her picture taken, and pose, and smile, and show some drama--it was perfect. Spent tons of money on their $3.99 portraits.

But for little Brad, it's a different story. His 12 month pictures, I bought two 8X10's, although I don't know why I did, because he's bawling in both. For 18 months, we tried it again. Even hauled a cool, vintage Red Flyer tricycle through the whole store, so he'd have a fun distraction during the portrait session and brought Grandma along for help.

Nope. Still bawling, clinging to me, whatever. Geesh--you'd think it was pure torture. So I scheduled family photos with a cute friend from my sorority days--Jen Tate--because we needed to document his cute smile in pictures! And here you go:As easy as that, I guess. Jen also got tons of smiles from her, of course! And lots of candids, my absolute favorites...Want to see more? Check out some of her other pictures and PLEASE leave a comment (we get a free print if we get 20 comments!)

Also, this was a fun, fun family activity! The kids were exhausted after playing in the sand/sun/water/salt :) for 2 1/2 hours! We are wondering if we can plan one more trip back while the weather is still nice before the bugs get too bad...If you go: take a change of clothes for the kids on the ride home, a couple gallons of water to wash all the dried up salt off your skin, lots of drinks in a cooler in the car, and a few buckets for the kids to play with in the sand.

I'm Pathetic

So, it's been a while since I've updated. No news flash, there.

But, we've been having a fun summer, jam-packed with fun:
playdates with new neighbors
playdates with family and old friends (the best kind)
re-landscaping the yard (mostly Jeremy and some hired help)
enjoying our new brick patio
my amazing sister helping me paint/glaze my huge hutch
studying for and teaching Relief Society
exploring local parks (my kids are at such a fun age!)
watching a few cars crash at two demolition derbies
seeing a few movies here and there
enjoying 'Wendys' for dinner in the mountains
hitting the library about once a week
working too much
getting family pictures taken

I realize I really need to post more details on some of these updates, but I haven't really been taking many pictures--sad to say.

BUT, we did need to get some updated family pictures! I have a friend from my sorority days in college who is such a talented photographer, and when I saw this post, I was completely sold. I **love** the beach theme.

So my little family went last week for our session.

Jen has posted a few 'previews' on her blog. If you feel like checking them out, please leave a comment! If we get 20 comments, we get a free print! You should also check out her other work--she's really great with kids and has great style!

I know. Pathetic. I haven't posted an update for almost two months, and here I am begging for a favor. But just think, now I'll owe you one...

P.S. If you're feeling really charitable, my twin and her family just got their family pictures a week earlier--same place, same photographer, same girl's outfit, same Red Flyer wagon (thanks mom!) Leave a comment for Holli--she only needs a handful more to get her free print! Then she'll owe you big too...