Knotts Berry Farm+ newly pregnant= not so fun

Jesse got a deal on Knott's Berry Farm tickets and really wanted to take the boys.  The last time I went to Knott's I was about 14 but I said ok.  I knew I wouldn't be riding the big rides but Jesse and I were free to get in and the boys were only $15 a piece.  Why not?  Here is the real question.... why?  Knott's is a big kid amusement park, it is not like Disneyland.  I was barely 2 1/2 months pregnant at the time.  Anywho, we (I) rallied and decided to go for it.
This trip was not fun for me and the hours seemed to drag by.  I was constantly eating snacks and not getting enough to eat at the same time.  Ollie wasn't tall enough to go on the things that Frank could go on and Frank wasn't tall enough for a lot of the rides he wanted to try.  It was frustrating to say the least that the map didn't have a height requirement posted at each ride.  We had to walk over to the ride to find out.  Even though it wasn't the day I hoped for the boys still had fun and I got some good pictures.

                                    Calico Train: These guys are just sooooo cute.

                                         Where ever we go we always find a fire truck!

                                                                Best ride at the Farm!

  I know this last kid is not my own but allow me to elaborate.  This ride is like the dumbo ride at Disneyland.  Very mellow.  The girl in front is in his sister.  The WHOLE ride this kid screamed and cried like he was in pain.  I was laying on a bench trying not to puke when I viewed this scene and got a fiendish delight from it.  So sue me.

Read more...

Smelly, smelly, smelly!

I am not one to complain but I have never been this sick with a pregnancy before.  I know some women are much worse but I am so tired and nauseous.  I have done the B-6 suppliments and that had helped some what but seriously, the smells are out of control.  Jesse opened a package of chicken about a week ago and I had to bolt upstairs to my room and shut the door until he was done cooking it.  I can eat it, just can't smell it.  I can't go shopping without holding my sleeve to my nose when I go buy meat.  My kids eat nothing but cold cereal and yogurt for breakfast when Jesse isn't around because the smell of eggs gets to me.  I walked into the house this morning and smelled burned toast and almost gagged.  Worst of all was Monday.
I took my dog to a park where I could take her off leash.  The off leash area was around a pond and weeds.  I was ok with the smell of pond water so I let her go.  Pepper took off like a shot and ran, and ran, and ran. I would whistle and she would come check in with me and then take off again.  When it was time to put her back on the leash I whistled.  She didn't come right away so I whistled again.  I still did not hear her crashing through the brush.  I started to walk and call her name when I heard her coming.  As Pepper came streaking for me at full speed I noticed she had gotten something on her back and neck.  Oh well, I thought.  But, as she came closer I smelled the horrible smell of human feces.  HOW THE HECK DID SHE GET IT ON HER BACK?!?!!  DID SOMEONE POOP ON A BRANCH FOR FUN?  I was so upset!  I got the leash around her neck, got her to the back of the car, and raced home with all the windows open.  Unfortunately, Jesse was at work.  I had to hose her down and wash her twice.  I am happy to say I did this without throwing up though there was plenty of gagging involved.  So if you think your day is going crappy remember this story, laugh, and realize it could be worse.

Read more...

The Happenings

I know that I have not been a very faithful blogger.  I haven't been journal writing either but a few things must be noted.
Jesse was called to be the Ward Mission Leader about a month ago.  What that means is we have the elders over more times than I can count within this last month!  I love the elders of the ward and all the work that they do.  Jesse, as always, is putting his heart and soul into this calling and loving every minute of it.  He has a ton of meetings to go to and is constantly going out with the missionaries.  I was called as a ward missionary as well so I get to participate in his calling much more than I have in others before.  I really am able to support him because I feel much more a part of what he is doing.
On top of being called to be a ward missionary I was called to be the primarty chorister as well.  I love this calling and am so excited to do both.  I love the kids in our primary.  Frankie is a very good participant even though mom is there.  The Lord has blessed us with another baby on the way and we are so excited to welcome #3 into our home.  I am only 9 weeks along so I am in the eww I am fat and sick stage.  Morning sickness is not too bad and my boys are really good about letting me take a nap when I need to "grow the baby."  We are all a pretty happy bunch here and can't wait for what life will continue to bring.  What that sounded a lot like a Christmas letter but it's not.  I'll write again before then.

Read more...

Happy Halloween!

Here are my two swash buckling pirates on the school carrrrnival night.  I did a photo booth for their school.  These are their best pirate faces.
Halloween weekend was fun.  We did the carnival Friday night, the ward Halloween party Saturday night, and passed out candy at my Mom's on Sunday.  I was a parrot to go with my two pirates.  Everyone else got a picture of it for me and I didn't get someone to take one with my own camera.  I made the costume out of a blue downey material and it turned out great.  I'll see if I can't track a pic down and put it up.  I hope all of your adventures were safe and fun!

Read more...

Another moment to remember

We had our Primary Program today at church.  Frankie was very excited to do his part.  "I get to give my testimony in the big one today," he told me when I reminded him about where he was going to sit and what he would be doing.  He already knew:)  All the kids sat up in the choir seats during sacrament and tried their best to not wiggle during the beginning.  I sat with my class at the top of the choir loft.  Frankie is in the 4-5 year old class.  There he sat, right at the front, staring out at everyone and turing back every once in a while to wave and smile at me.  It was fun to watch him during sacrament.  He was so well behaved.  There were a couple shy kids and a couple silly ones but over all the kids did really well.  While we sang the songs I could here his voice ringing out above the others when he knew the words.  When it was his turn to speak he did such a great job.  He spoke clearly, wasn't silly, and said exactly what his teacher told him to.  He ended up doing two parts since one of the children wasn't there.  Instead of insisting on just saying his part (which I wouldn't put it past him to do) he repeated what the teacher said without objection.  It may not sound like much but those of you who have sat through Primary Programs before know what a big deal that is for a 5 year old.  As I sat there looking at the back of his blond head with the curiously swirled cowelick, listening to him talk about getting the priesthood when he turns twelve and about Jesus Christ's true church I flashed forward.  There he was getting ready to go on a mission and giving his farewell talk in my mind's eye.  I almost started bawling.  

Read more...

Blah, blah, blah

I feel as though I don't write anymore about what is going on.  Perhaps it is because I feel compelled to add pictures.  I know I shouldn't but as a photographer I should.  It is a complicated mess.  I do like to keep my professional life and personal life separated some what.  So if you want to see pictures more often go to my photography blog.  So here are the haps in my world.  
          Erin had her baby.  Little baby Cash was born October 16th at about 8:30ish.  He was 7lbs 10oz and 21 inches long.  The doc literally had to pull her baby out because he was so long.  Cash is beautiful, of course, with a full head of BLACK hair.  I think it is black because all the spicy food she was eating burned it.  Hahahaha!
          Jessica and her boys survived a tornado in... wait for it... Bellmont, AZ.  Seriously?  I had no idea a tornado was even possible out there.
           Jesse is once again testing for other fire departments.  Barona Fire has served its purpose and now it is time to move on.  It is hard to move on when there are so many other guys looking to move on to better departments too.  He just went up to Santa Barbara to apply for Santa Barbara County Fire.  We would like to stay in San Diego but we have to exercise all options.  I am not a fan of moving so here is my problem.  If we get SB we have to move not once but twice.  Once to rent while he is on probation and again when we are ready to buy a house.  I vote for moving once.  Who is with me?  Sorry SB, you don't get my vote.  If only it were that easy.

Read more...

How do you look after 2 1/2 hours of sleep?

Yup, that is Jesse and me after waking up @ 2:30am driving till 6:30am and stopping for gas and breakfast.  Thank goodness the flash filled in the bags under my eyes.  As some of you know our family went on vacation this last week to Northern CA.  We went to Jesse's cousin's wedding at a place called Sea Ranch.  The house we rented for the weekend was fabulous!  We biked, went tide pooling, hiking, and just plain relaxed.  I think I have found a new vacation spot.  Though it is a long drive the place is beautiful.  I am going through all the pictures today and will post them soon.  For now I leave you with this little number and a thankful heart that we are home safe.  I may not have ruby slippers but by hour 8 of our trek back I had a very specific mantra "there's no place like home."  Being in a truck with two little boys who have to constantly make noise will do that to you.

Read more...