hair today, gone tomorrow

I signed Adam up for Itty Bitty Ball--a four day program at our rec center that exposes kids to all kinds of sports involving balls. Yesterday focused on basketball. While eating lunch before Itty Bitty Ball we had this conversation:

Adam: I'm going to get hair under my arms.
Me: Why do you think that?
Adam: Whenever Austin comes home from basketball he has lots of hair under his arms.

Just don't grow up too fast!

homefun #2

All this spinning is making me dizzy. Our assignment this week was two photos: the first using a slow shutter speed and the second using a fast shutter speed.

Kendall was a good sport and spun 'round and 'round for me.

I was glad to be on the other end of the camera.

live at the grand ole opry

We were in Nashville last week. You know, Country Music City, USA. While there we met up with:

Yup. Mr. Garth Brooks. Who says real men

and cowboys don't wear pink?

We must not have "friends in low places" because we had front row seats.

We didn't leave with any "unanswered prayers."
He sang every one of them.

We were glad we "showed up in boots."
It was definitely not a black tie affair.

Thanks, Mr. Brooks, for playing long into the night...

and we "ain't goin' down 'til the sun comes up!"

homefun

Homework just doesn't seem like the right word...so...homefun. This is my first assignment for my photography class. One black and white photo showing contrast and texture; two shots using lighting before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

forty-one-derful

Just when the smoke from the birthday candles had cleared,

we lit them up again!

This time for Chad...Mr. Wonderful himself.

He is now on the other side of 40 which is kind of nice.

No pressure.

Here are ten things you might not know about Chad:

1. He speaks Trukese fluently.
2. Training for an Ironman Triathlon is his latest "hobby."
3. One of his legs is shorter than the other. He makes up for it in good looks!
4. Preston is his first name.
5. His graduation present from dental school was our sixth child.
6. Alaska is the only state he hasn't visited.
7. He has a police record for vandalizing a stop sign when he was a kid.
8. He has a blog. (Go visit and wish him Happy Birthday!)
9. He went to school for 27 years.
10. He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for.

Happy birthday, Chad! I love you as big as the planet.

back to school

Hesitant is an understatement. Adam was extremely unsure about attending preschool And if you think he was a little sad, you should have seen me. But, like anything else in life, with time it got better. Try two days. He now can't wait until the days he has preschool. He has the best teacher in the world. Besides me, of course.

I chose this picture because I will be starting school today. Well, not actually school. It's a class. A community ed class. The last time I actually paid to learn was in college about 15 years ago. I can't tell you how excited I am. The class is an Intermediate Photography class. Hopefully you can watch my progress. If not, maybe I can get my money back.

Do you think I should go buy a cute backpack to celebrate?

Or at least a purse?

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley,

passed away tonight. He was 97 years old.

“Now, my brethren and sisters, the time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike”

Gordon B. Hinckley 1995 April General Conference

His sweet wife was waiting for him on the other side. Can you imagine the joyful reunion? Of this picture of Sister Hinckley it was said, ""If people don't believe Mormons are Christians, just have them look at this picture of Sister Marjorie Hinckley."

Photos by Scot Facer Proctor

3, 2, 1...it's your birthday!

Kendall started her birthday countown a month ago. Her big day has finally arrived! Kendall turns nine years old today. Her birthday requests: crepes for breakfast, lasagna for dinner, and North Pole Toffee Cake...our family birthday favorite. Easy enough!

Can you guess what the first thing was that people noticed about Kendall when she was a baby?

This is my favorite picture of Kendall when she was a little girl. I'm not quite sure why...I've just always loved it.

I found a list of things that Kendall wrote about herself recently. I couldn't have described her any better myself. Introducing Kendall...in her own words:

1. Blue eyes


2. Brown hair


3. Long eyelashes


4. Happy smile


5. Cute person


6. Loves her dog Hazel


7. Has one sister


8. Has four brothers


9. Loves her family


10. Always chooses the right


11. Gets really good grades


12. Makes people happy


13. Has a kind heart


14. A good friend


15. Has good friends


16. Happy as can be


17. Loves her parents


18. Has a helping heart


19. Has people who love her


20. Finds everything happy

Kendall, you are a sweetheart. I hope you never ever change. Happy, happy birthday!