What came to my mind NOW.

- We have cloud cover today and it makes me feel all warm and tingly.

- I'm so happy to have NOTHING official on my schedule today besides preschool pick-up. It's been a busy week.

- Something happened to me after kids where I cry-- a little bit-- all the time. If ever it seems I should say something out loud, but instead, I'm quiet, pretend to be clearing my throat or something, I'm really choking down a cry. It happens at the most ridiculous times... and I'm not talking like Zales or EPT commercials... those are givens. No. no,no. More like children's books, ALL hymns at church, and lessons from zee on noggin. I'm talking like me on the elliptical at the gym with ANY book that has any KIND of a powerful moment (happy, sad, exciting, ANYTHING but boring... me - on elliptical- sobbing quietly--- it gets even harder to control it when my body's exhausted at the same time- if ever you catch me running outside with my kids- a rare occasion-- there's a good chance my mind has wandered to something to make me cry. Don't be alarmed.) Or me in my car with Mylie Cyrus' new "party in the usa" song on the radio. I know right? Are you scratching your head? Because it's not sad-- and I can't even stand her. But apparently she just speaks to me with all of the nodding and the hip-moving ... it must be hard to be a prematurely-rich, arrogant, country-girl in LA with butterflies. Or at least my hormones think so.

- NO I'm not pregnant. The crying has been a problem since I had Sophia. I think my hormones are permanently altered. Altered to make me look weak and vulnerable-- I'm still trying to figure out why that would be part of the plan.

- Is it "legal" to listen to Christmas music yet? Because we are. And again... with the warm and tingly. Oh I love this time of year.

- Thanksgiving is at my house this year with my fam-- too bad I haven't had any time to get my house ready. So many plans and dreams!

- Ooh but I did paint Sophia's lamp bases turquoise the other day and I'm LOVING them. One of the many before/afters I plan on blogging eventually.

- Lacy and Joe come in ONE WEEK--- and all the fun starts at Disney Land! It happens to be on Mila's b-day, so I can't decide if that's the celebration, or if I still want cupcakes and presents.... hmmm....

- This Saturday I'm photographing a big Jewish Baby-Naming in San Diego. I'm nervous. Sometimes I hate that I have to pretend I'm not nervous or SUPER self-critical on this blog for fear that clients will see it. And then I'm embarrassed to even use the word "clients" on this blog for fear my friends will see it and think I'm taking myself too seriously. And then I keep thinking about how my mom told me she stopped caring what people thought by the time she was 30... and I figure I've got a longer ways to go than I'd like in this next year and a half.

- Should I grow my hair long or keep it short? Any opinions -- (refer to bullet above-- still cut my hair for the approval of others)?

- Was any of this worth writing... not sure... but no time to reconsider...

PUBLISH.

Just a link to my newest set of blonde beauties...

Check 'em out here.

I need to record more of this stuff:

Yesterday I sat on the bench outside during Mila's nap reading Catching Fire while Sophia jumped on the trampoline. She came to the edge and sat with her legs dangling through the springs staring at me.

"Mom, Heavenly Father gave me to you--- you SUuuuuuuuuuuuuRE are lucky."

She's one smart cookie.

Halloween

So Ross' sister Brooke and her family came out to spend Halloween with us, which was SO fun. It made the whole weekend feel like a party. We started with carving pumpkins... (or at least A pumpkin - thanks to tradition-keeper-Ross) and then did chili and cornbread before launching the mayhem that was huge-group-trick-or-treating-in-a-neighborhood-with-no-streetlights-or sidewalks. We were joined by the Smiths, Lamms, Terry's, and both Homecs, we hit our stride, made a loop, got tons of loot, and ended with dessert at our house. Somehow the stars aligned and all of the kids were so occupied by their candy and the trampoline in the dark, that we actually got MINUTES on end of grown up time. It's the little things, you know?

Funny how I think I'd written off Halloween at like 14. But then I had kids and it was reborn. There's just something pretty special about seeing the joy on their faces with every drop in their candy bucket. They have this way you know? They make everything a little harder, but a lot sweeter. Overall, I'm thinking it's a good deal.

Oh and because I think I want to be done with Halloween blogging... (well unless I get the pictures back from kodi's camera and there are any good ones of my girls in costume since I couldn't manage to snap a photo before the sun went down and I have no pop-up flash)... here are the ones from preschool on the day of the carnival.

Mila dressed up as Belle just to wear something easy, but if you haven't been able to figure it out, both of my girls were peacocks, also know as colorful birds. It was the only thing Sophia would tell me she wanted to be every time I asked (a colorful bird that is)... so I went with it. We tried to mimic the PB one-- but secretly, I thought mine would be way cuter. I forgot that I'm not really crafty and that the felt feathers I made would have to be secured to the tutu. When the fabric glue didn't work, I resorted to staples... which... resulted in random feathers decorating the streets. Oh well. At least I got a really great photo first so all my hard work wasn't for nothing. Oh wait....

lame.

happy halloween

Winter in the Desert

The news said today's high was 68. My car this morning, said it was 78. I think it was wrong... but either way, I saw a dad walking his son in a stroller, both with beanies and hoods. Kids flooded into preschool wearing JEANS... like all the way to their ankles. (Except my daughter, of course, whose mother put her in a mini jean-skirt in spite of the weather report she saw on the news.) I went to Souplantation for lunch for a bon-voyage to a friend and ate enough to pack a little extra warmth on for the winter. And I can practically hear pots of homemade soup being made for dinner all across the valley....

It's here. Well at least 'till Saturday. When the weather guy said it'd be 89.

ps. the winds were so bad yesterday, I had to cancel my shoot with this cute little family that's been trying to book it for months. She texted me later to let me know three guys had been arrested like a BLOCK away from where we were going to meet, 30 minutes after we were meeting there, for firing rifles and handguns. Freaky right?

Live Oak Pumpkin Patch

Tis the season for pumpkin patching! I love it. It marks the beginning of it all.

But it looks like I forgot to send Mila the memo. Look at that furrow.

Just a random worker. Check him out. I think he wants you to.

Did I mention how grateful I am that they both got Ross' blue eyes?? And this is a random, cute baby. Is that legal? To put them on my blog when they didn't know I was taking the picture?

We went with Brooke, Tyson, and Sawyer... hope you don't mind the bottom shot, Brooke! Sophia had to squat and pee in the pumpkins... so Sawyer figured it was potty time and came over to join..... I had to get a shot.

hhhhhhhhhhh (that's a sigh...) until next year.

A Halloween Party for the chillens...

Just another day.

The 85 mm doesn't really do it justice... but I was too lazy to put a wide angle on and get the whole room in the shot. But trust me, it was impressive. Tanner and Kate were over and all of the kids were "playing" so well in the toy room--

we soaked it up.

Sophia came out once to tell me they were coloring, but that they weren't done yet. "but don't come in yet, NOT yet, we're not done yet."

She wasn't going to MAKE me come admire? I could stay on my bottom looking at the west elm catalogue with Lizzie ... we soaked it up.

Once the novelty of their mystery fun wore off and the normal, occasional brawling began, we went to put out a fire and found the lovely sight above. An entire roll of butcher paper from the ikea easel, ripped up, and decorating the floor. The entire thing. I know it could have been way worse--- permanant, like the highlighter all over my couch cushions--- not complaining... just documenting... and sighing. Realizing... .what am I doing blogging about a pile of paper when I should be in bed?? It's 12:30 and Ross is passed out next to me on the couch. Every night at like 10:30 I think it's nearing time for bed, and then I blink my eyes and 2-3 hours has passed. what?

gnight.

Holiday Sessions

(One from my most recent shoot--- Linc's birthday party!)

Just because most people I know check this blog and not my photo blog--- I interrupt what is supposed to be the stuff-other-than-photo blog with this message:

If you're still hoping to get a session in before the holidays, contact me soon! The dates are filling up fast and the holidays are suddenly seeming right around the corner. Our winter grass is growing in, there's a hint of chill in the morning (on the shady side of my house, which is unfortunatly the one with few windows), and I may have moved my bedside fan a few inches farther from my face. What a wonderful time of year!

Happenings

Update in the Biesinger home:

- Two sick girls starting last week. I didn't think it was bad, just a cough---- but I HAVE to assume they were feeling pretty crappy because they were both MONSTERS. Seriously, like possessed. Two seconds together and they were brawling. Mila would break in to fits at the most random and unprovoked moments. I was beginning to forget they could ever be sweet, until Sophia came home from school yesterday--- instead of her evil twin. All of the little things were easier, she would laugh at my jokes again, instead of screaming at me that she was "not a dude, she was Sophia! Or a PRINCESS!". She would form actual words with her mouth like a four year old when she needed help, instead of groaning and squealing and pointing like some kind of animal that makes you want to pull out all of your hair. She was back to her usual declarations of love "mommy, I love you--- mommy, I'll always love you--- but mommy, sometimes I DON'T love you"... all was right in the world. (that's right, she gives me that three-part monologue several times a day in her sweetest voice.)

- I didn't want to focus too long on them being awful last week, so I went for bullets. That was a long bullet wasn't it?

- I picked up the craziest, bright yellow, leather chair from the thrift store today. I can't decide if it's going to work in my house yet, but I think I'm in love anyway.

- Turns out a lot of people want pictures before the holidays :)--- guess I should have known that. I'm SOO grateful.... But I'm beginning to wonder when I'm going to find the time for anything else with all the photos I have to edit! Maybe I'll learn to be more efficient??

-We went as Medusa and Zeus to a grown-up Halloween party at Lizzie's this past weekend. Every year we wish we had a real excuse to dress up, and we finally had it! Unfortunately, I had a shoot right before, so I had to parade around as a photographer with a head of french braids and snakes. I wasn't so much embarrassed by the snakes, but trying to braid this shorter head of hair I'm sporting left me with some serious flat-head. Amazing what a little volume (or lack there of) can do for a profile. yikes.

-What's in style right now? I need help. Maybe an intervention. I'm pretty sure I spend 99.9 % of my life in work-out clothes or pajamas. NO exaggeration. If my shower comes before like 4:30 and I can't justify sweats, I'm at a complete loss. Help!

- I rented the amazing 50mm f/1.2 last week because I just couldn't decide if it could possibly be worth the extra $$$ compared to the 1.4. I'm not totally convinced. Anybody with a strong opinion???

- I skipped my 10 year reunion last week. I'm thinking most of the people I really wanted to see weren't going-- but I still think it's a little sad. There's just something about reconnecting with those people that knew you when you had caterpillars for eyebrows.

- Mila's been taking like 3 hour naps and sleeping in until 8:30+ .... besides last week, I'm in one of those phases where I constantly feel SO blessed. Really. So lucky to be home with my girls and calling the shots on what happens in my day. And being able to get away with a life of jammies and spandex. Life is really good.

Have you met Millie yet?

More, of course, over on my photo blog.

This is why I love my neighborhood... even if it is out in the boonies...

Off to Sunday dinners with friends.
And can you tell by the fact that we're outside without our swim suits on, that our weather is... cha-cha-cha-CHANGING!!! My windows are open right now. Well one at least. My blinds are drawn before 11 (well that's just because we happen to have clouds today)... but it's coming. And you might have to hear it often... because I LOVE this time of year... and when my body-temp is cool... I want to shout it from the roof tops. But I won't quote Zee every time. Even though I want to.

p.s. Sophia is the Star Student this week in her class. So she got to take Steve (monkey photographed above) home for the weekend to take on her adventures. I loved it, but had a little taste of what it might be like to have kids with homework.... trying to get her to help me fill out her poster, write in Steve's journal, and print up photos of him on our normal old printer. I think Ross thought I was ridiculous spending so much time and energy thinking about where we should take him all weekend so we'd have good stuff to write... but it was so fun! Like she's in real school doing this fun project---I think it was way more fun for me than her.

It used to TERRIFY me that my kids would be in school some day. But I think I'm into it. Phew.

It's Here!

Cool mornings and nights, decent days, the backyard is even back on our radar. I made SOUP lastnight... granted I was sweaty after I ate it. But it was worth it.

"I feel like I'm falling for fall..... " (noggin anyone?)

Nie Nie

Was I the last to know?

Just in case I wasn't. Nie Nie was on Oprah today, which means the re-run is on tonight at 11--- just in case someone checks this in the next 40 minutes. There's still a chance to DVR it. I was grateful for my 10pm call from Brooke.... thought I'd pass it on.

After an hour and a half wait for the locksmith, me and the girls got into our house a couple of hours ago to finally wash off the grime and exhaustion of our little spontaneous trip to DISNEYLAND! Lizzie called yesterday morning and said she'd booked a hotel for the night to do a two-dayer. I'm not the spontaneous type. I've just sort of come to terms with that. I'd say I'm easy-going, but not spontaneous. But we loaded up, went, slept in one room with our four kids... ate the greasiest, nastiest corn-dog of my life, but the most delicious sundae.... we had a ball. Every time I'm there I remember what it was like as a kid... how AMAZING it was as a kid, and what it must be like for mine. I just hope they're feeling half of that magic I remember. It makes the crowds and the blisters and the midnight growing-pain-scream-fests-in-a-tiny-crowded-hotel-room SOOOOO much more than worth it.

Here's a cell phone pic for proof.

Oh and don't ask me why I don't have a key to my house (I'm still blaming Ross and he's still blaming me) so that when Ross locks the garage door and leaves to San Diego while I'm gone to Disney, and I get home with filthy, tired, and hungry girls and no key in town, we're stuck on the streets. Ok maybe at Brooke's flawless home around the corner, but still----

A teensie bit of potty-talk catch-up.

Sometimes when I have a funny thought I want to remember etc... I put it in my phone and mean to pull it out later. Then I forget, and it gets lost in the sea of grocery and to-do lists I make on my phone. So the other day, I was looking for something, and found a memo entitled "Sophia". When I opened it up, all I had down was this:

Sophia- washing hands in bath tub.

"I'm just washing my hands."
"why? Are they dirty?"
"yeah because I was just touching my bottom but I'm sorry because I thought there was pooh pooh coming out but there wasn't. I'm sorry."

You could argue that this isn't blog worthy. I disagree. Maybe it's because I can hear her intonation in my head. But it makes me laugh every time I re-read it. Thank goodness for technology. I have enough garbage in my purse. I don't have room for sticky-note-memories.


I used to sit down to the computer and start writing... when I was done, I hit publish. Honestly. I didn't even realize there was a spellcheck for the longest time. I didn't ever think of the events I hadn't blogged yet or the backlogged thoughts and stories in my mind. It was like therapy for me to write my thoughts... often daily. And when you write that often, you know you've got it all covered. Where has all my free time gone? I like having all of those random thoughts recorded. Even if they make me want bury my head in the sand in embarrassment later (like my old journals do now.) But I can't seem to get around to it these days. And it's just SO much harder to play catch up on all the little things.

Pooh-pooh story? Check.


One down. Lots to go.


Oooh.. one more... Sophia and Mia's Pump-it-up birthday party... yeah the one I mentioned in a post like a week + ago, --- well a few photos at least: check.

So I think I've got a new goal. Back to my blogging roots. I'm going to write a little... every--- well maybe not every day, maybe every couple of days. Well maybe a few times a week anyway. Forget it, I don't really like commitment. But I'm just warning you... it's a possibility. Maybe.

Oooh-- there's a new baby on the block. I mean blog. Check him out.

Posted this rate-change on my photo-blog last night, but then figured it wouldn't hurt to have it here too...

Dear anyone-who-cares,

Last time I changed my prices, I'd convinced myself there was no need to explain it or announce it. I thought maybe it wasn't professional to do so. But then I was always a little nervous that people who knew me and knew my original prices wouldn't check out the new ones, and I'd be faced with an awkward situation. So maybe it's not totally professional, but um.... A: have you met me? Maybe I should lose that dream. And B: what the hey-- it's a blog. A medium through which you share more than anyone would EVER really want to hear, right? .... So here I am to explain another little rate change.

I LOVE photography. When I first started, my goal was to charge a little bit of money and get some good experience and some good images to build my portfolio. I was having so much fun. When I found myself having a little less fun and feeling a little more aware of the time my new hobby was taking me away from my family, I thought maybe it was time to raise my prices a bit, you know, so I'd still feel that excitement before a shoot. I had decided it was OK if that meant less business. I just needed to feel like the shoot, and all the hours spent editing photos were worth my time. It's so precious as a mommy, right? Also, I'd made some significant upgrades to my equipment. I debated between a simple sitting-fee raise, and charging for digital negatives. It seemed like a nice stepping stone to my goal of eventually charging for the prints. But after getting some feedback from some honest friends-slash-clients (I guess I could just use the slash but then I'm not sure you'll actually say it right in your head), I decided to switch it up. So check out my new session fees already will ya? Just so we're all on the same page. :) (They include a CD... hooray!)

Thank you to all of you that have supported me in this new venture! And if you're considering a shoot in time for Christmas cards, contact me soon-- it's a busy time!

This whole month belonged to her.

Dear Sophia-- sia, phia, sophie, sophie-bug, sister-soph, and princess, (not punkin, or dude--- you get furious when I call you either of those right now. Princess is definitely preferred.)

The second day of this month marked your 4th birthday. We did donuts for breakfast, cupcakes in class, and Chuckee Cheese's at night as a family (I think that was our first and last time as a family-- mom's not a fan.) You had fun, but you kept asking me when we were having a birthday party with all of your friends. We saw a bunch of boys in the street skateboarding on the way home... "are those my friends coming to my house for my party!?" It broke my heart to disappoint you even a little.

We got you a dollhouse, but mommy picked it up the night before and left no time for Dad to set it up. So really you just looked at the box longingly. When will I think ahead like a grown-up?? I hope you don't inherit my flaky side.

The very next day, Dad swept you and Mila off to Utah for a fun vacation with Nana and Grandpa B. while Daddy and I went to Hawaii. The month was full, and on the 22nd, a few weeks later, we finally celebrated with all of your friends at Pump It Up! It was a fun party-- and watching you run and jump and slide and laugh with your friends, like such a big girl-- made me realize that I'd better put in writing some of the details of this precious phase. Four.



You are thoroughly a big sister- you love Mila. You watch out for her. You hate when she's asleep and can't play with you, and lately it takes all of your willpower to not go in and wake her up. The wrath of the mean-mommy usually deters you. :) You miss her while you're at school. You show her off to all your friends, and lots of strangers too. "This is my baby sister, Mila"-- you announce it proudly to every friendly face in Costco.

You can still throw a pretty gnarly fit if she takes your toy without your approval, but when you have time to decide all on your own, you are as generous as the desert sun.

You are smarter every day. And you are always coming up with things that surprise me. You love the temple and the idea of getting married there some day. You tell me you want to marry Tanner there in a purple dress--- I’ve stopped explaining why it needs to be white, because that just makes you furious-- you want yours PURPLE! So I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I tell you that you're too little to marry Tanner, and that you guys should just be great friends, and that only grown-ups like mommy and daddy get married. Now, you come out of your room early in the morning occasionally and ask me, "mom, am I bigger yet? Can I marry Tanner now?" He's a lucky kid, our sweet friend Tanner. You are quite the catch.

-Your body is strong and coordinated. I love watching you run and climb… jump on the tramp and swim--- you are athletic—powerful and deliberate in your movements. I cannot wait to watch you utilize those talents in whatever ways you choose as you grow older.

-You sing like an angel. All of the time. Your songs of choice are "I know you" from Sleeping Beauty and the "Let me be your wings" one from Thumbelina-- you know most the words. Well at least your version. You might belt out what sounds like "let me be your horny love!" in place of "let me be your only love!" but it's pretty close.

- You've been in speech therapy and your speech has improved a ton this past year. You're still working hard on your s-blends. So star is "tar" and smile becomes "pile" (I guess it's hard to go from the front of the mouth to the nose like that) but instead of getting frustrated like you used to, you listen closely as I repeat it correctly and you smile, focus, and repeat it back until you get it. You are so proud of yourself when you say it right----------- but not as proud as me.

- Lately, before daddy leaves for work, you say, "wait dad! and ONE. More. Thing. I forgot to blow you kiss.... (it sounds a lot cuter in person, with your morning voice.)

- You love your friends and are socially, as brave as the tiger in Quick as a Cricket. You are outgoing and friendly and never look back at me when I drop you at school...... Well maybe after I fight for your attention, and beg you to blow me a kiss... and you just want me to get out already.

- You still give me a run for my money. You are sassy and emotional. All girl. You get frustrated and impatient and even at four, you throw some fierce fits. I'm constantly reminding you right now to stop growling (uh huh) and screaming, when your mad and just tell me what's wrong. You usually mellow out and speak calmly once I remind you-- and the dimples from that oops-I-did-it-again guilty smile bring my mile-high blood pressure right back down as quickly as it went up. I wonder where you get your extreme emotions. I wonder.

- Your grouchy is really grouchy. But your sweet---oh your sweet is SOO sweet. You climb in our bed at about six every morning and snuggle in to me as close as you can, pulling at and draping my arms, trying to figure out the best way to wrap them around you. I can't lie, I don't always love this hyper-extending rag-doll, experience at 6 am. But I love that you are snugly--- and I love that you love your family. And I love that Heavenly Father sent you to us. I'm the luckiest mom in the world.

I love every single, tiny thing about you. Growling and screaming included.

You are four-- and absolutely exquisite.

Fall Television.... it's here!

Mercy: don't do it. NBC's attempt at a New York, nurse's Grey's Anatomy. In those first five minutes when she pinched the woman's nose between her knuckles to get her to shut up like she was one of the three stooges--- well I guess I should have caught on then and not wasted my time.

Cougar Town: Holy Cow. So bad. On so many levels. Really obnoxious characters, really awful message-- made me sort of ashamed to be a woman. If that were a show about men trying to seduce younger women it would be outwardly offensive--- why is Hollywood so determined to create such a double standard? Yuck. I liked my Monica neurotic and quirky, not trashy and desperate. Ashamed we even tivo'd it. But I feel this overwhelming need to support my old friends on their new ventures, you know? oh-- which reminds me...

Love Happens: A movie-- so it doesn't really fit in my new-fall-tv-show-review. But lame, nonetheless. I expected so-so, because while I can't resist a movie with Jennifer Aniston just so I can stare at her hair and hope I feel the FRIENDS nostalgia, I'm usually disappointed. But this was disappointing for other reasons. It wasn't about love at all. Really, I felt like I was attending a grieving seminar or some big group/ broadcasted therapy session. Depressing. Blah. But her hair was lovely as ever.

Biggest Loser: It is what it always is. And if only it were an hour instead of two, and Jillian didn't always have her face scrunched in that "I'm gonna kill someone" ridiculous expression, we'd be loyal viewers for the whole season. But this first episode made me bawl like a 4-year-old who's block-village just got knocked over by her baby sister. Sad.

Modern Family: Hhhhhhhhh (that's a sigh)-- The thought of willingly watching a show with the guy who played Al Bundy was NOT enticing to me. But Ross insisted it would be a winner. And it did NOT disappoint. Did you watch it? Tivo it next week--- it was really funny-- and I actually liked several of the characters. Usually I feel like that can take a few weeks. This is a keeper. Ross and I died over the "cool-dad".... because.. well we're pretty sure it's Ross... in like 10 years. Yikes. Funny.

Community: on the other hand... not so funny. Bummer, because who doesn't like the soup guy? He was good--- the pretty girl was fine, but every other character made me watch mostly out of my left eye. (That's what happens when the acting is really annoying and my face starts to turn away like the tv stinks.)

SYTYCD- is it really on again? This show has always been at the top of my list--- but last season, something just wasn't right to me. Maybe I'm just soured from losing my Fantasy SYTYCD, but I didn't LOVE anyone. Especially the boys. None of them were quite enough boy for me. I think that was the problem. That and, I think there's a limit on how many seasons you can let your senses of sight and sound be offended by Mary Murphy.

Let's hope for more winners soon--

I love Fall. Even if it is still well over 100 degrees.

Amanda and Michael.... in luuuuuv

I've finally gotten through all the photos of this bride and groom shoot. I did it two days before I took off for Hawaii... and have been so anxious to edit them all---

What? One's not enough? Well it's your lucky day because I went so much farther than overboard over here on the photo blog. I know I always say it, but I keep thinking time and experience will make me better at narrowing down... but I'm not a good narrower... consider yourself warned. But go anyway-- even if it's just to see her perfect a-line.

Rachelle got me hooked on a girls trip a while back, but I've finally figured out they're ALmost as good at home.

I wish I'd taken a picture. But even without, I still feel the need to share. Meet my new favorite lunch:

toasted everything bagel
smeared with cream cheese on BOTH sides (I paid attention last time I was at Einsteins)
sliced cucumber
tomato (salted-- I can't wait 'till the end, not the same)
sprouts
lettuce
banana peppers
fresh jalapenos (I just spelled that with an "h" and stared at it confused for like 15 seconds)
red onions

If you know me and my foods--- this is a big leap-- a meal with no real protein. (I just can't count cream cheese, Lizzie... I can't do it)... but I'm feeling ok about it these days... I figure somehow all the veggies cancel out the 320 calorie bagel and i-don't-even-want-to-add-it-up cream cheese.

Remember, a generous smear on BOTH sides. Key.

P.S. Did a couple of shoots RIGHT before my Hawaii trip, just posted one on my photo-blog. Check out the brown-eyed beauty here.

Part 3

I know you're waiting in anticipation. Here goes.

Day 5: Lamm's went hang gliding.... we explored Waimea and scoped out the Shrimp Station that Shad and Lizzie had read about...


Upon picking up the Lamms, we quickly returned to indulge. Pretty sure this was everyone's favorite meal of the trip. An 11 dollar plate FULL of coconut shrimp and sweet chili dipping sauce goodness.... yum.




I don't think I knew how big my mouth was. Not sure how I feel about that, but it's already in the collage...

Everyone full-- to the brim, but we'd seen Lappert's icecream on the drive in, and I remembered them having my favorite Mint and Chip ever from like 10 years ago. So we had to make a stop. I thought "I'll just get one little scoop." ... she talked me out of that normal little cone into this big waffle cone, and believe it or not, this is the 'single scoop'. We were all sick. In sort of a wonderful, chubby, Hawaiian way.

Heading to the East Side for our luau that night, we stopped at Kipu Falls. This is one of those places I thought was a hidden spot for locals that some friends showed me when I nannied over there. Turns out it's in the Kauai book that Lizzie found on Amazon for the trip. The same book we later saw at Costco. (This explained why every tourist seemed to be on our heels the whole time-- but seriously greatest tourist-book ever. As long as we had it with us we could get anywhere on a moments notice. It's the blue one if you go looking??)

Anyway... here we are on the little "hike" into Kipu Falls. I was seriously closing my eyes and ploughing through.... the grass was so high and thick. Amazing.

We found it. We assessed.

Did you think that was four of the same photo? Look again. I told them to be boys... I thought it was too funny that Ross didn't move an inch. I don't think he took a breath even. But seriously, look at those muskulls. Mission accomplished babe.

Shad and Lizzie... ok so it's mostly Lizzie, but really have you seen a cuter pregnant girl?

Killing time before the luau, Shad was determined to crack open a coconut to drink the milk. I don't think it's what he expected...

Uhhh... some straggler pictures I guess...

That evening... luau... luckily we got out of the food portion when we were still stuffed from shrimp and ice cream, and realized we'd be paying 75 bucks for other people's drinks at the open bar. So we just saw the show that night at Smith's Luau... eh--- not my favorite. But we sat next to some really entertaining drunk people.

Day 6: Mission: Relax. Sleep in, walk to Starbucks for egg sandwiches, head over to the other Marriott beach so the boys can surf. And the girls can lay.

I feel like I should confess that Lizzie and I managed to squeeze a lot of this in. A vacation isn't a vacation to me if there isn't a lot of laying in the sun. It's my mom's fault... she was raised in Hawaii and you can still see her soul warming in some good fresh air and sunshine. And of course the air and sunshine is SO much better in the islands. I can smell it just blogging about it.

Did I mention that this was our rental car? Fun right?

All blog-puffery aside, it was heavenly.


Back to diapers and carpools, and photo-walls and upholstered chairs. The things of this world.


Ok but the snuggles and dimples and i-love-you's and midnight giggles from a very sleepy Mila when she squinted her eyes open for a moment and saw me after 12 days (I just counted that for the first time--- HOLY COW! )---- those are SOOO out of this world. Even the heavenly polynesian one.

Happy to be home.

The End.

Hawaii!! Part 2

(For My Record)

Day 1: Loaded up on Chocolate Mac nuts and other essentials at Costco- then relaxed... then ate burgers at Bubbas... didn't pull out the camera just yet...

Day 2: Shad and Lizzie did the boat tour of the Na Pali Coast, Ross and I hiked to the first beach on the Na Pali coast. Pictures on previous post. I think I'll go make a piece of toast. what? (got carried away with the rhyming...)... when we reached the beach and planted our resting spot, we didn't wonder why no-one else was really lounging on the sand... until the water shocked my resting eyelids and completely submerged my camera. Yup. It was the old one-- the d40. And it seems to be alright... but honestly, if I had time for blog catch-up, you'd hear another story and wonder how I can justify spending money on cameras I can't seem to take care of. yikes.
Cleaned up--- went to Roys. yum.



Day 3: Off to a new beach.

I love him. Can you tell? We're planning to move to Hawaii. Anyone want to buy our houses for what they were worth before we were buried under miles of water?

Day 4: Lamm's go on a helicopter ride that we were too cheap for, while we slept in and swam in the ocean... afternoon, we borrowed kayaks from the Allens (the family I nannied for summer 2002) and kayaked up the Wailua River... then jumped out and hiked as fast as we could to the falls.... Ross was in charge of keeping time so we wouldn't be hiking back down in the dark... we pushed it a little.

As it turns out, starting late was the best move we made all week. We saw nobody as the river narrowed and the trees closed in... It felt like a quiet dream... our hike, a treasure hunt-- like we were the first people to discover this beautiful, cascading, MAGnificent waterfall. We didn't think we had enough time... but figured five more minutes to jump in and swim under the falls would be worth it. It was SOOO worth it. A unanimous highlight of the trip. Our only regret is not having more time to soak it in, and not having a camera to capture it! We couldn't risk it getting wet (uh... again in my case), or getting stolen out of the car (what? all the tourist books warn of it, and I'm thinking bright yellow jeep might whisper "tourist"...)

We planned to have sushi on the way home. Lizzie didn't plan on her clothes getting wet. Poor thing almost bought a t-shirt with a picture of a chubby, half-naked polynesian surfer-girl to get through dinner. This accompanying my too-big running-shorts. Shad couldn't stomach buying such an awful shirt, so he took Ross' over sized, half-damp t, so Lizzie could wear his. We were quite a sight. And by "we" I mean you, Liz. Just kidding. :)

I just looked at the clock... WHY does this always take SOOO much longer than I think it will? I'm husband and kid-free. and NOT loving it. We flew in to LA yesterday, drove to SD, slept over. Ross flew out of SD to Utah this morning to pick up the girls (Thankyou nana and Grandpa B!!! and everyone who helped!) ... and they drive home tomorrow. If I can ever get myself upstairs in my bed and ASLEEP.... I'll be dreaming all night of snuggling those precious girls. This is the longest it's ever been. And it's a little too long.

Guess there will be a part 3. SO MANY PICTURES. Sorry for those that prefer words. Or just a little less of our faces! I told myself I'd just to a link to my flickr.... but then I got going and forgot... and then it wouldn't be in my blurb book... anyway--- I'm warning you... more tomorrow.

Guess where we are...

Kauai to be precise. wow. I'd almost forgotten. I think after nearly 7 years in the dusty desert, my memory could not even begin to paint the color of this place. I've never been somewhere more beautiful.

Del Mar With the Biesingers