Outside Dogs

We always seem to relocate during the most extreme weather a new community has to offer. I moved to Tahoe in February, we moved to Duluth, MN in the beginning of January, and we moved here to Orlando in the heat of the end of May.

I don't know, we are weird like that. Go-with-the-flowy.

Also? It makes "status quo" seem "really awesome".

All that said? It is finally September. There is a break in the torturous heat. The kids can actually play outside for usable hours of the day now.

(Insert sigh of contented relief right here.)

We set up the pool, a beach umbrella, a tent, and fun toys.

They can play on the swingset without worrying about a hot HOT slide.

And I? I am up to my eyeballs in things to do, things to get done, and things to add to those lists. Sometimes I get all wonky because I am not the most focused individual, so lately, I have a list, I get Mr. Piggles the time-out timer, and I set it for 20 minutes.

The other day I spent 20 minutes weeding and cleaning out the organic garden to get ready for some fall planting.

As I was sitting there tending to this little patch of land, the kids came up and started pulling and digging and "helping" me.

And although at first I was all, "DUDE! You guys are harshing my mellow by touching all this stuff I am touching!"

I stopped.

I took a few deep breaths.

I realized that I am right where I always pictured myself. I am right where I want to be. I always pictured myself sitting in a garden with my little ones, learning how to grow things together.
It is such a nice feeling to finally have my reality match up with my fantasy. Mr Piggles began to ring and I still sat there, hands in dirt, telling the girls about the plants and dirt and what we would be doing in the coming weeks.

Also? When you turn your focus to 2 toddlers? They begin to ignore you. It's ironic, really. They want your attention so bad and get into everything you are doing until it drives you crazy and then you stop and turn your attention to them and showing them how to do what you are doing and they are SO over it by that time.

And they waddle off in their diaper and leave you to do what you were originally doing. And even though it was a little annoying when they interrupted, it is also sad to see them go wander off and find something else to be interested in.

::sigh::

We are learning about the letter "G" this week.
garden
grow
green
girls
good
grapes
gentle
go go go

And the best part about a lush back yard is bringing it inside to enjoy as well. Do you have a fall garden? What are you planting?

We aren't even sure where to start!

UH-OH! Spaghettios!

Perhaps you wonder what it is I do all day?

Well, there is a WHOLE LOTTA wiping going on in this house!

And a whole lotta playing.

My goofy girl.

Every day she is more than the day before.

This is her favorite face.


Mine too.

Little dirty mouthed angel. Don't get too close - she will EAT YOU UP!

Still catching up

I have SO MANY pictures to get through still, and I have already been on the playground drumming up new business for 2 1/2 hours today.

I need a nap.

Like a 3 day nap.

But I would miss too much, so I will settle for a Diet Dr. Pepper.

And this picture of the airport.

Because it is movement forward.

Wordless Wednesday - Wedding

Check out more of them HERE!

Quick note

GOOD LAWD.

It is just one of those mornings that the little life-suckers are winning. Last night was Boom Boom's birthday and we went downtown to watch football on 30 screens and eat yet another plate of nachos.

The kids have been whining since 4:30 and they didn't get enough sleep. They couldn't have possibly gotten enough sleep, because *I* didn't get enough sleep.

Madee has started this thing where when she doesn't get what she wants she starts SCREAMING/CRYING like that is going to get her results.

It gets her sent to her room. This morning she was SCREAMING/CRYING because I didn't roll out of bed fast enough (or something) and let me tell you, it is LIFE SUCKING.

Eden has some KING KING molars or grinders or whatever kind of evil teeth are coming in, so at least I can rationalize the screamy noises emitting from her angry little person. Whoever invented Ora-gel? BRILLIANT.

If only they made some for my ears/brain/ears again.

The fat old ornery lawn guy is here wacking the lawn and taking no names, and I have been following my screamers around trying to get some good video before I take the rentals back. Madee should be a director. She is constantly telling me what to do with the camera and who to take a picture of. LIKE I DON'T KNOW.

Anyway, I keep telling her I don't know what I am doing most of the time, but that is part of my charm and stop trying to stifle me!

Also? I just got an email asking me if I would recommend DELTA airlines to my friends. I don't fee like filling out the survey, but let me tell YOU friends, I certainly would!

A Happy Birthday shout out to Boom Boom who is so hot and still running circles around younger dudes in the the circles he runs in. You are the love of my life and God couldn't have created any person so perfect for me.

Really. You are the BOMB BOMB.

mwah.

And now for what I KNOW you came here for. More wedding pictures...




Isn't she lovely?

Whirlwind

OHMAHGAH you guys this weekend is quite a blur.

If you don't know, the big wedding-slash-girl's weekend was this past Friday through Sunday and I am so tired and overwhelmed with stuff to do that I will have to keep this brief.

I have WAY TOO MANY photos to go through.
(Between Lake Weekend (weehaw!) and practice sessions and the squirrels and the girls? GAH!)
And then of course there's about 3000 weddings pictures and video to hone up on, so I have a busy week.

This weekend I have another wedding and a family session to gear up for.

I am so super tired and could sleep for 10 days.

Charlie is a super awesome Stay-At-Home Dad and with a few more bookings and my website debut coming in the near future, I would love for him to have his dream of staying home with the
kids come true! (BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. ha. tee hee.)

I have a new nephew! There is a new Van Derven in town, and you have got to check him out!

Isn't he a doll?

GAH! SOMEBODY got more hair than all the girls put together!
Welcome to the family Nickel Joe!

I brought a 2nd shooter (very smart idea, BTW) to the wedding. It is my great friend Jayde and we had so much fun tromping around clicking shutters in Duluth, MN. (With no husbands or kids!)

We are totally making this a YEARLY thing.

Remember when you were little and had sleepovers and spend the night parties and always always ALWAYS you got in a fight with another girl and it just kept happening even in college (on road trips or as roommates)?

Well we just spent 3 days and 2 glorious nights and we didn't even get the least bit annoyed.

Sigh.

When this all blows over I think we should get an apartment together!

The clocktower in Duluth.

Wedding Photographer


And that is going to have to be it, folks, because I know I have at least 2700 pictures to go! But in case you are wondering how the wedding shoot went?

Here are a couple of teasers so you can see why I am loving going through these photos right now...

More on these guys later.

Guest Post - Icy Fists of Fury

I have a pretty vivid dreamscape. In fact? If I could take a pill to make the dreams STOP? I probably would. It's rather annoying.

Last night I had dreams of a zombie apocalypse and let me just tell you those guys are like roaches and can sneak into anywhere.

Did you know you have to actually cut their heads off to get them to leave you alone? GEESH. Junk punches? Totally ineffective.

Anyhoo, do you ever try to punch stuff in your dreams?

read more....

I'd LOVE to tell you more about mine! Today I am guest posting (1st GUEST POST EVAR!) over at Chill Mama Chill so if you want to know the good stuff? You'll have to visit me there to read more...

Oh, and PLEASE poke around her blog a little to see her and her adorable munchkin. OH! and PLEASE leave her (me) a comment or two over there so I can prove to her how loved I am. Only YOU can make my dreams come true!

Love you guys!
Thanks!
You are gonna LOVE Brandee and Ev!