Summer preview!

I go a couple of weeks between blog posts and suddenly I have a ton of stuff going on! Guess it's just the busy spring creeping out of the sleepy winter! But we sure have been enjoying the sunshine lately. It's been a bit cold still, but chilly is still better than snowing anyday!

So as the weather has warmed up, our grass was finally starting to grow, and it was quite long in places!! So Carissa decided that she needed to "mow" if for her dad. Hey, with a "mower" like this, maybe we don't need a big mower!!


And I have a feeling we'll be seeing a ton of this in the coming days! She's starting to get fancy on her scooter, and it just cracks me up! Check out her leg in the back. Very fancy!


Hope everyone is having a great spring. I'm sure it's gonna turn to summer before we know it. And I'm looking forward to it. Now if Carissa and I can get over the colds we picked up....I'd be lovin' spring a bit more!

SEVENTEEN?????

How did this happen??? How has 17 years gone by already??? I always have a hard time when it comes to Donavan's birthday, since I know it makes me older too! By way of the calendar year, Nikelle's comes first, and I can handle hers just fine. But when it comes to Donavan's, it just doesn't seem right that he should be THIS old! (which in turn makes ME THAT old!!!) So I always try and "forget" that his birthday is coming up! (well that's MY story:) So because of his work schedule, we had to throw together a little pary for him a few days late. I left Andrew in charge of the cake. I told him that Donavan would prefer chocolate. He came home with WHITE. (Yes, I realize I could have just made a chocolate cake, but that would have been admitting to the before mentioned denial!!) The cake also had fun little graduation tid-bits on the top of the cake, which he insisted on removing!
So here is the official "birthday" picture!

And just because I am nice, I will put up a picture that actually shows his face! He wanted to go to the train tracks to get some pictures for a project for school (which reminds me, I need to print one out for him...yikes!) and it was SO dang cold up there, that we only made it about 15 minutes!


Donavan makes me laugh ever day, and he always is so witty! Sometimes I've even had to get out the dictionary to understand him! But he is really a joy in my life and I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming! (Now he just needs a haircut!!!)

*Edited* I must add that this "fine young man" just got his first speeding ticket today. As dissapointed as I am, it really was unfair. Let's just say, construction zone+motorcycle cop=Speed trap! I always hate this time of year when the motorcycle cops emerge and hide in the most unsuspecting places! So fair warning, down 10400 S.....be careful!

My model Nikelle!

I had the priveledge to take Nikelle on a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago! She had so much fun, but getting good faces for me was a bit more tricky! She gave Jen all her "good" looks and I got the leftovers! Typical huh? But we did manage to find some great places to photograph! Now I get to take Donavan next!
We had some glorious backlighting for this one!

This was her "sassy" face!!!

I really can't believe my girl is 15!!!

Then we went and found this AMAZING red phone booth! It was all rusty and had graffiti all over it. I love getting a shot when she is just 'playing' around, and it turns out to be our favorite shot of the entire shoot!!!!

This next series just cracks me up! Again, she was just playing around, but the action in this series really shows her personalitly. Enjoy!!!




And this one is either her "sad" face.....or it's "mom.....enough"! I can't tell which!

Early Birthday present....for the next 10 years!!!

Andrew knows what a HUGE "Wicked" fan I've become! Even so much that I had Carissa singing the songs with me when she was just 2 years old!!! So when we found out that they were coming here, we just KNEW we'd be getting tickets. Weeelllllll......that didn't go quite as smoothly as we'd have liked. We found out AFTER they had already sold out for the entire run, so we missed that chance. I had pretty much written it off, and thought I'd have to go to NYC to see it. But he being the wise one, knew that it might be possible to find some, somewhere! So he went off searching.

And it would have been a HUGE surprise, but I somehow managed to find out (in my defense, he hadn't mentioned to NOT open the mail, and when an envelope came from "ticketmaster" I thought that it had something to do with the Rascal Flatts tickets...so of course I opened it!) Little did I know that he had been planning a really nice surprise to present them to me. So once again my snooping from growing up, ruined yet another surprise. At first I was sorry that I had ruined all his plans, and then the reality hit that I would be GOING to the show!!!

So the long awaited day finally arrived! We met downtown, went to our new FAVORITE restaurant, TaiPhoon (yummO!) Then went over to the theatre.

With the warm weather (really the PERFECT weather, there was quite a crowd outside, so we enjoyed a few minutes outside until it was ready to head in.
Once inside, I realize that the "good" seats that Andrew promised, were really GREAT seats! We were 6 rows back from the orchestra pit, and every once in awhile, we could see the conductors arm come up! I REALLY wanted to get pictures of the stage, but soon realized that there were ushers that would make you delete your pictures or would confiscate your camera.

So I managed ONE picture of the Time Dragon that sits above the stage. It was the COOLEST thing EVER! I blew smoke, was completely robotic and the eyes glowed red! It was really awesome! It KILLED me that I couldn't take any pictures, but after a while I was completely engrossed in the story and music that it didn't matter....that much!

After the show (the one I cried from the minute Glinda appeared in her "bubble" to the very end!!!) when it was over, we headed out to the alley to await the appearance of the cast members.

We met several of the ensemble, and talked with a few guys from "the pit"! (We had them convinced that we came to the show because we "worship the pit"!! Even though they were VERY good!! Hey it's good to stroke their ego too!!!) Then the "girls" started coming out.

Here I am with Nessarose. That is Elpahba's sister. She was super nice, and even had a cute little puppy with her!

Then Glinda came out, and she was happy to pose for a picture too!

I got a kick out of this....she brought her OWN pen....and a PINK sharpie! Isn't that the cutest????

Then the last one out was Elphaba. I guess it must take her a bit to get all the green off! She was delightful, and was so cute!! Hard to imagine someone so nice looking could really be the green witch!

Now I just want to find a way to see it again....and again....and again!!!!
The story is absolutely amazing, and the sets are incredible!! Definitely a must see if ever the chance comes! And anyone who is wondering, it really is a family friendly show!

So thanks Andrew, for the bestest (almost) surprise of all time! And now I better be good for birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc....for about 10 years.....unless they come back!!

Birthday Fun + Easter weekend!

We managed to make it through a fun week! Nikelle's birthday was Thursday, and that girl wanted to party all week! She had friends over last weekend, and watched movies all night then we had crepes in the morning. Yummy! Then of course she's been out of school for "spring break", and therefore feels that because it's her "birthday" she shouldn't have to do any chores! She managed to use that one until today, when it all piled up on her, and she had to do it anyway! But she did manage to talk a friend into taking her and her friend Jasmine to see the Hannah Montana movie (which I WAS not going to go see....nope! So thanks Lindsey!). So now the birthday celebrating is officially over! But she did manage to have her favorite ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery (which she's insisted on having for the past 3 years!), called Cake Batter Confetti! And I have to admit, I LOVE it too! Which explains why I've allowed her to have it for 3 years in a row! (Which is WAY easier than making one!!)


I can't believe my girl is FIFTEEN! Just doesn't even seem like that much time has gone by! But we were asked the other day if we were TWINS (like we look anything alike!!)!! I was flattered, but Nikelle said she wasn't sure if she should be insulted!

On Saturday we ventured over to Wheeler Farm, to check out the festivities there. Parking was a nightmare, but then found a business that was closed on Saturdays, so we parked in their lot and walked in. There were alot of vendors there, and we tried to walk through them, but she was impatient, because she knew there were bounce-y things there. So we tried walking through the animals, which she got impatient with too!

So we finally resigned to do what she wanted to do. We went over to the bouncy things, stood in line for almost 30 minutes. Got her inside, she bounced for all of 2 minutes, and wanted OUT! Poor little thing was being bounced around like crazy by the bigger kids in there!

So after determining that we didn't want to wait in line forever to have a repeat performance, we opted to head to lunch. But on the way out to the car, we passed a pasture with the cutest little donkeys in it. I was kneeling down to take a picture of one, when this gal stepped right into the frame and stood there until I snapped her picture! I love that they still have their winter coat!

After watching Shrek about a trillion times, it's hard to think of a donkey as a girl, but this one was, and she was so sweet! (Mom, this last one is for you!! Thought you would enjoy it!)

But this was the highlight of the farm...the pony ride! Didn't matter the amount of crying and whining, or the long line for a turn on the 2 ponies, she was SO happy on that pony! She even "allowed" me to take a picture. Usually I have to sneak them, but she actually asked for one this time!


Easter this year was pretty kick back for us. I have a thing about hard boiled eggs and vinegar, so I haven't dyed eggs in over 10 years! And I'm not starting now, so that is just not one of our traditions. I do support the plastic egg industry however, so we normally have an egg hunt. But Andrew had just applied some weed and feed the night before, so we couldn't do it outside, and I just didn't have the energy to do an indoor hunt. I know I'm a party pooper! But Carissa was so distracted by her basket of stuff, that she never even noticed the lack of eggs!



Amazing what a little wind up bunny can do! Carissa was entertained forever with this thing! And the cat gets really freaked out when it's bouncing around the floor! Cracks me up! I never could capture a picture of the cat watching it! She's such a colossal fraidy-cat!

We've been so happy to have a couple of days of warmer weather, and enjoy spending time outside again! Carissa's favorite thing to do these days is to scooter! She would much rather scooter on our walks than to ride in a stroller!

I shot these yesterday while she was dancing to the end credit song on Bolt (her new FAVORITE movie!) In fact the first thing I heard this morning as soon as she opened her eyes was, "WOOF, Woof, woof......aaaaa-hooooooooo!" Crazy girl! Yesterday she wanted Donavan to call her "Bolt" all day long! I hope she won't start insisting on eating her food on the floor! I don't know what I'll do if she starts taking it that far!


(How do you like her tag in front? She picked her own clothes, and got dressed all by herself!! I didn't stress about it cause I knew we weren't going anywhere!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I love the reminder of new life and the message of the resurrection. I really think spring is my favorite season! I just wish it would warm up so I can plant something without it dying! I worked in the garden yesterday, and hopefully I'll have it ready to plant in the next couple of weeks.

Idol performance cut off

So I normally don't post video links off of Youtube, but after only getting half of Adam's performance last night, I thought I hadn't recorded it long enough. Turns out I recorded 5 minutes over and had NO idea that the show ran even longer than that, so his performance was cut short. I've decided to post a link to the video just in case others want to see the amazing performance! Hopefully it will work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVWxxMDtMfg
Adam Lambert: "Mad World" - Performances - American Idol


I put up 2 links just in case the youtube one doesn't work.

Adam is by far the favorite in our house this season. He has so much vision and originality! Every week I can't wait to see what he'll come up with! Go ADAM!
Now if we can somehow get Scott out of there, it will be a fun season!

Wizard Of Oz...performed by my nieces..and others!

Last week, I had the priviledge to go and watch my nieces perform in "The Wizard Of Oz". They attend a charter school with students from K-9th grade. The entire cast was from the school! And my cute little niece Camille (who is 12) was cast as "Dorothy" for 2 performances. Hannah got to play multiple parts and had lots of fun with all her costumes!

Sorry for the long post, but wanted to get some pictures for my mom & dad that were unable to attend.

Her first costume was a munchkinland girl. The costumes were extremely colorful and "fluffy" with tons of netting. I shot this shot of her skirt while laying on the floor.

She was laughing so hard, and I got tons of interesting looks as I was shooting up her dress!

All the munchkinland girls had these cute curly-q's! Isn't that just cute!

Before the show started I wanted a shot of Camille holding little "Toto"! This was the absolute perfect little dog. she never barked and was drug around the entire stage, and Camille was really cute with her!

Carissa absolutely adores her cousins. She was waiting outside in line for the doors to open, but got impatient, so I brought her inside. She gave Camille this sweet hug, and wanted to play on the set just like her. Let's just say it was a tough 2 hours trying to keep her from going on the stage!

Here's "Dorothy" telling "Toto" that she won't let anyone take him away, and singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

After surviving the tornado (which they pulled off by swinging a set house above the stage) she arrived in Munckinland (just in case some of you have forgotten the story). This was the first scene that the girls were in together.

After meeting her traveling buddies. They all set off to "see the wizard"

Along the way, they meet the "jitterbugs". The costumes on these girls were so cute. It was hard to get a good shot of them all, since they were all "jitterbuggin" quickly around the stage!

Here is "Dorothy" meeting the witch. Check out the cute little monkey on the floor. I'm telling you, I've NEVER seen a production, at the elementary level, where the costumes were professional level costumes! Every little prop was perfect. And my sweet sister knows how hard some of the props were to find! (such as those cute little shoes!)

"I'm Melting....I'm melting!" They had a trap door in the stage, that the witch "melted" into! So creative!

They did a really interesting thing, and made the wizard a girl. She had THE cutest green striped skirt on, but the lighting was REALLY dark, and the color just didn't show up. Just use your imagination! So this is when she gave the Lion "courage".

And of course, after asking to go home, Dorothy finds out that she had the power all along to find her way back. "There's no place like home"!

These are my favorite shots. The curtain call. They were both smiling from ear to ear. They both did such an amazing job. Hannah is 9, and did an amazing job in all three of her characters!

I had to keep reminding myself that she was only TWELVE! And she carried the entire show!

So here are my cute nieces after the show! So proud of them, and so glad I took the time to go down for it!