Photography challenge

So my friend Lisa is participating in a 30 day photo challenge (see her blog at fotozbylisa.blogspot.com) and the challenge today was "flight". So I had to post this picture, even though I'm not participating in the challenge. It is just too cool not to share. This is a tree outside of our bedroom window. There is always a Momma Bird that has a couple of chicks in that hole every year. I took this picture of her flying to the tree to feed her little ones. So cute!

The really amazing thing is that this picture was taken through the screen and window (which I am sure wasn't clean, because why would it be? I've never cleaned it!)

A lot has happened in the last year since I posted...

The biggest change in the last year is that I quit my job at Weber High and got a full time job working for Qwest in their call center in Logan. Most people are shocked that I drive to Logan everyday, but it's a beautiful drive and I've started carpooling (with an interesting fellow...that's all I'm going to say) to save on the gas. I actually prefer the quiet time driving by myself, but I got the job to help out our family financially, and I hated spending $100/week on gas. Anyway, I really like the job so far...It's a sales job, which has been a big stretch for me because I'm not one of those pushy sales people. And as far as all of the things and computer systems to know, it's the hardest job I've ever had. I used to think I was fairly smart til I got this job. Anyway, I like the management, the pay and we love the health insurance & paid vacation! Here's a picture of me at my desk. Another big thing that has happened lately is that we got another dog. Her name is Lizzie and she is a chihuahua/rat terrior mix. We didn't know she was in heat until I picked her up... that's why she's wearing a diaper! She is super gentle, loving and joyful, so she is a perfect match for our family. Now I'm thinking we should find her a boyfriend...Chico likes her, but he's not equipped to make puppies and he doesn't even seem to care. So if anyone knows of a little "stud" who likes strawberry blonde's with big ears, let me know. She'll be ready next week. Wink, wink!

Last fall (2010) we had a friend of the family take pictures of us at the Railroad bridge on 12th Street. We love how they turned out. (Shelby was scared to death that she was going to fall off the bridge into the river below...you can't tell by her gorgeous smile though!)

One of my other friends took these pictures of Sami and Shaylee. She usually takes Back to School pictures every year because I really don't enjoy paying for the ones that the school does. Same pose, same background, only one chance to hope your kids smile good and their hair isn't screwed up. So if anyone wants to look into Lisa taking pics of your kids or family, you can get ahold of her at www.fotozbylisa.blogspot.com.

Shelby & Shaylee's young women's leaders took the next few pictures of them. It's not hard to catch a good picture of our girls...just point and shoot. :)

Good bye, Expedition...we sold it so we are now down to 4 cars instead of 5! A friend of Chris's had his Audi A4 for sale for really cheap because it needed a bunch of work, so I sold a bunch of jewelry and paid cash for it. Chris got it all fixed up and I love it! It looks exactly the same as Chris's Audi S4 (his is the fast version, mine is plenty quick enough for me, but not like his :). I love that we have twinner cars! He is in the process of getting his back together again so I am looking forward to getting them both out this summer and taking some cute pictures together. :)

Last but not least, I found this picture of the girls when they were little...I think Shelby is 6 in this picture, which would have made Shaylee 3 and Sami 1. They've always been beautiful girls! We are so blessed!

And speaking of blessings, I am so grateful for my dear, sweet husband. We've been through a lot, and I'm so blessed to be able to say that through it all, we love eachother more than ever!

Our new dog & a trip to the "beach"

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted on this blog! It actually took me half an hour to get logged on since my email address has changed and I couldn't remember my password... sheesh...

On Father's Day, we took a drive out to Antelope Island and had buffalo burgers for dinner. It was a beautiful, warm day with a little wind, but the water was much warmer than we expected. The wind made our hair look silly, hense the reason for no pictures of me! But the wind was a blessing because there were biting gnats that showed up when the wind slowed down. I guess they like hair because all of our heads (except Chris) were itching & burning from them biting our heads. Needless to say, after the wind calmed down, we spent the rest of the time in the truck driving around the island.

Here is the one and only family portrait that includes all five of us:


(Well our feet, anyway)


Here is Sami with our new dog, Chico. We adopted him from a family that was being transferred in the military and couldn't take him with them. He is 7 years old and is very mild for a Chihauhau. The only time he barks is when we aren't home. (I think he thinks he can get away with it if nobody is watching!)


Sami made Chris a Father's Day bracelet to wear, which he wore all day. It says "Best Dad in the world"

Two pretty girls on the beach with Chico.

Shaylee drew this on the beach...

Shelby with Chico

Taking a walk on the beach...

The people of Walmart

The People Of…

Those shoes are not blue nor are they suede.

How am I supposed to slap a ho without an essential part of my balanced breakfast?

Nothing says sanitary like a parrot in the produce section…

“What are you wearing sexy?” -Cowboy boots. “Ya, that’s hot.” – Pink velour pants. “Ya I like that.” – a little green baby girl hoodie. “Oh damn, that sounds sexy.” – and I kinda look like Gallagher. “Oh ya…wait…what?”

Let’s run through my rock star list…. Mullet? – check; big sunglasses? – check; heart shaped tattoo? – u know I love my mom; Cut jean shorts? – are there any other type of shorts?; wife beater tied at the midriff – check;….. He is an official ROCK STAR!

I think I just sharted…

What the Heck???

Is that Rainbow Brite all grown up??

Is that a soccer ball? A map of the solar system? The structure of a sub-atomic particle?

I have absolutely no idea what to say…

Is that a gangster leotard?

Everyone loves the man in the yellow go-go boots!

Nice purse!

Do you see the flame shoes buddy? That means I will not think twice about karate chopping you Into the middle of next week!

AHH! I love the frozen food section… it tingles!

Umm… excuse me, sir…

At least the purse matches, right?

Rawr…

No, honey, it’s an ancient Egyptian symbol of prosperity, I swear!

I was wondering why you suddenly smelled better.

Every man has an NFL jersey AND pink short-shorts in their wardrobe, right?

I have the same outfit, only in red.

Just in case you had the urge…

Now all we need is Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem for a reunion tour.

Yes, you are seeing that correctly. Old man + large, supple breast implants. He looks like the Gorton's fisherman!

Holy Cow...I'm blogging up a storm!

Tonight we made a picnic and headed to Beus Pond. The girls shared their sandwiches and chips with the ducks, geese and seagulls. The geese were the coolest because they weren't afraid to come right up to us.

The weather was beautiful and the time we had was even better!