Back with the Boys

Hooray, Daddy's home! We are so happy and relieved. We went to the airport last night to pick him up. As we waited for him in the park-n-wait area we were nearly giddy, we were so excited he was almost home. When we pulled up to the curb where he was waiting, Kekoa jumped out of his car seat and jumped into Kyle's arms with the loudest squeal you ever heard. I would have done the same if there weren't 30 people watching. Anyway, we are so happy our home has Daddy back in it. Life is just better with him around.

Conditioning

This morning I was setting up my studio for a session that was coming. Sepa, my little shadow, was there just checking things out. He saw that the closet door was slightly open and went inside to explore. He gave the sound he makes when he wants something (I wish I could record it for this blog). I realized he remembered the bag of M&Ms I gave him the last time as a bribe to sit still while as I took some pictures. I gave him a couple pieces and he took them in his hand and went and sat down in front of my lights. It made me laugh to think he thought if he got the candy he had to take a picture. Not wanting to waste an opportunity I grabbed my camera, turned on my lights and snapped away. Not bad for a last second shoot. And if you love the styling product it is called Y-O-G-U-R-T. You can get it in the dairy isle. I hear it is great for the scalp.

Meeting Baby TinkerBell

Yesterday, I took my boys out to Mapleton to see a baby pony my brother's horse fathered. It was only a week old. The boys had lots of fun seeing and petting the baby and sitting on the mommy horse. Kekoa actually used to really love horses. He had a horse-themed birthday party when he turned two. But somewhere along the way Superman and other action heroes stole his heart. Maybe it is all for the better because on our way home I made a quick stop to the post office and saw this. . .

The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I told Kyle I had a Hitch (the movie) moment when I saw him - I needed Benadryl fast. Poor thing. Koa is officially allergic to horse hair (it happened once before). So, I guess we'll just stick with superheroes and plastic horses. At least on the daily-basis level.

One More Sleep

Kyle has been out of town since Tuesday for a work conference in San Diego. He comes home tomorrow : ) The boys and I can hardly wait to have Daddy home again. Life is just better with Daddy around. Kekoa's sense of time is figured in the number of times he sleeps. So this morning when he woke up, the first thing he said was, "Daddy's almost home. One more sleep." We love and miss you Daddy. And with the blessing of Ikaika's sweet prayers that you'll be safe we can't wait to have you home.

Have you had yours today ?

Sepa loves a bottle of milk when he wakes up in the morning and after his daily nap. I sat him on the counter as I poured him some the other day. He looked so cute there I just had to take a picture. I think he'd make a great poster-baby for whole milk. He makes it look good : )

Any Excuse for Good Food

Tomorrow I am getting my bottom wisdom teeth pulled. It is something I have been meaning to do for a while. Well, the dreaded day is almost here. So, tonight I had a little fun creating a delicious dinner for the final meal for my wisdom teeth. We made homemade steak fajitas. We went all the way with steak cooked on the grill, three colors of peppers, fresh guacamole, and homemade spanish rice and tortillas. It made quite the mess in the kitchen and took a couple hours to prepare, but it sure was tasty. Then we ended with strawberry shortcake. I think my wisdom teeth will go out happy. And maybe if I am lucky one of them will be my sweet tooth and I'll be able to cut back on the sugars in the future.

Simple Joys

We were in the house most of the day, but the boys needed a little break so we spent time outside while dinner was cooking. Thankfully, there was some wind and heavy clouds to cool us down. Then came some sprinkles of rain. All three boys had a blast running around on the driveway as the rain came down. I wanted so bad to take a picture to remember how cute they were. So I covered my new baby (my camera) with a jacket and played paparazzi and snapped away without looking through the view finder. When the rained stopped I took a few more.
Sepa was so cute. He loved the rain. I love watching my three boys enjoy the simple things in life.

Happy Birthday Auntie Celeste

We love Auntie Celeste! Celeste is my lifesaver. I think I have made it through motherhood thus far because of her. In the Navajo language the translation for aunt, literally means "little mother." I am so thankful for how she helps me with my boys and loves them and cares for them. I owe her big time whenever she has children of her own. We love Auntie Celeste.
Happy Birthday!

camera

So after an inspiring workshop with Nicole Van, my photography wishlist grew a foot in wants/needs and a mile in expenses. There are so many fun things I want to do, but am lacking in equipment. But little by little I'll get there. I am so excited to see where I'll be a year from now. I received so much valuable information, but I know it is next to meaningless unless I put it into practice and work at it. Good thing I love it so much.
Anyway, one of the things on my wishlist was to finally leave the commercial/amateur camera of my faithful Rebel and actually get a professional grade camera. Well, last week I found a used 5D for several hundred dollras less than anything I found online. After much thought and debate I got my new camera. So, today I played a little. Now they always say that just because you have a great camera doesn't necessarily mean you'll get amazing pictures. So case-and-point, not the greatest pictures, but just wait. I'll get there soon.

Mommy's Day

(above: Sepa was being a stinker, so he did not make it in the picture).

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. It was sweet with the thoughtfulness of Kyle and the boys. I had meals prepared, cute cards, a darling home video I'll treasure for always, pink roses, and lots of " I-love-yous." I also had a chance to think about a few things. I thought about those who make Mother's Day so meaningful to me.

First and foremost is my own mom. I am so grateful for her love, sacrifice and great example to me. It is true that you never really realize all your mom has done for you until you become a parent yourself.

I also thought of my wonderful husband. I could not be the mother I want to be without him. His support, love and faith buoy me up in my efforts to be the best mom I can be. I love you, Sweetheart.

I thought about my sweet boys and the privilege of being their mother. I love them each so dearly. It is so fun to watch them grow and see the part they play in being a part of our family.

And last, but absolutely not least, I thought about the Savior as I partook of the sacrament today. I thought of how limited and meaningless my role as a mother would be if it were not for His atonement and gift of the resurrection. The doctrine of eternal families was especially meaningful to me today.

I love being a Mother.

PS. Funny way to end the day . . . Kekoa asked, "Mom, when is Happy Kid's Day?"
Everyday, Honey, everyday.

Here are the pictures the boys gave to me:

Mother's Day Came Early

I just had the time of my life on a little photography workshop/retreat with Nicole Van. It was something I've been planning on attending for about 6 months. It was a 2.5 day-jam-packed-workshop covering so many different aspects of professional photography. I met some great gals and learned so much my head is still spinning. It felt good that nothing was over my head, and everything helped me understand how to improve my skills. It truly was the greatest experience of my life in relation to photography. I am so thankful that Kyle supports me in my photography endeavors. And though I missed the boys it was nice to have a break and give Kyle some time with the boys. Now the only problem is figuring out how I am going to afford all the new things that have been added to my wishlist.

PS. Here is what Kekoa came home with from Joy School on Thursday.

letter time capsule

Dear Michele,

I thought that 20-40 years from now you'd wonder if you could remember what an ordinary day was like back in 2009 with three boys ages 4, 2, and 1. So just for fun I'll record the events of today.

•fed the boys scrambled eggs for breakfast (Sepa loved it).

•cleaned up the kitchen; started loads of endless laundry.

•went on a walk to the duck pond (they boys rode their bikes while you pushed Sepa in the stroller).

•ate Popsicles

• told Ikaika to just leave Sepa alone by saying,"Kaika, just get away from Sepa." Kekoa then said, " Kaika, flee!"
(That comes from Monday's FHE where we had a lesson on Joseph of Egypt and Potiphar's wife).

• had tuna sandwiches for lunch.

• worked on your rug while Kaika and Sepa napped.

• had Kekoa fold the wash clothes for the first time. He did a great job.

• played "using your imagination" with Kekoa. You went on adventure underwater, rescued some dolphins, fought off sharks, found a treasure, bought magical things, & drained the ocean. You actually were busy on the computer, but Kekoa coaxed you off to join him.

• explained to Kekoa why you have a big scar on your leg and then received a sweet kiss from him.

• discovered that Sepa drew on the refrigerator with crayon and wondered if either of the other boys began that type of creative outlet at such a young age.

• made dinner while trying to keep an eye on the boys who were desperate to go outside.

• recieved two dandlions from Kekoa and one from Ikaika.

• ate Taco salad for dinner as a family. Kekoa mainly ate cheese and guacamole. Ikaika actually ate some meat, cheese and guacamole. Sepa just screamed for everything from his high chair.

• went to the chapel for church business (me for RS and Kyle for bishopric).

• came home and rocked Sepa to sleep. Gave Kaika milk and then rocked Sepa some more.

• By some miarcle all the boys were asleep by 8:30. That never happens.

Enjoy each day. It only happens once.

Sincerely,
Michele

Prom '09

This past weekend Kyle and I drove down to my hometown to attend Prom at my old high school. Well, actually it was to take pictures. It wasn't the most glamorous job and none of the pictures will ever be a part of my portfolio, but I made some money to put toward some new equipment. My mom watched the boys and I was so thankful Kyle came along as my "assistant." Don't we look dashing together? : )

Grad Time

It was a big weekend for our family with two of my brothers graduating from UVU (including my twin brother, Uwe). It is always fun to have all my family in town. There is always fun with the kids and lots of good food. The boys gave us an excuse to have a delicious steak dinner.
We are so proud of each of them and look forward to seeing them continue to progress in life.

Kekoa was excited to have his cousins come into town as part of the celebration. One of his best friend friends is his cousin Kono. They share a love for Batman and Superman and always go on adventures together. It is so cute to watch them play together. I love this cute picture of the three boys together.