Distracted by pictures - as usual!

As usual lately, my time has been working on pictures for other people. Check out the latest at my photo blog.

But have no fear, I've started transferring over pictures from this weekend's family fun, so I'll have plenty of Big Boy and Boopy shots to share soon. We were given tickets to the local Grizzlies baseball game and dinner Friday night. While we didn't watch much of the game, it was Ag night so Big Boy was in heaven with the plethora of tractors and big trucks to climb on. So, stay tuned, I promise to post before the kids and I leave for Vegas this weekend. My wonderful sister showed off the pictures I recently took of her and her husband and landed me some clients! So off we go for Fourth of July fun that should pay for itself!

Father's Day

Yes, I know I still have other stuff to catch up on but I figured I'd try to get current by posting some pictures from today. We didn't originally make big plans for Father's Day since Papa was going to be at all day motorcycle safety course for work. The course, however, ended up only being held on Saturday so we went ahead and took up the offer to head up to Shaver Lake to my friend Michelle's parents cabin. We had needed to get up there at some point anyway to take pictures for them to update the ones on their website that Papa made for them. So, just like last year we spent the day in Shaver. This time, however, it was just a relaxing half day not a full weekend. We did enjoy some great company and a lovely BBQ. Check their cabin website in the next week or so and Papa will probably have the new pictures up on it. By the way, if you're looking for a great place to spend some good family time in the mountains, it'd be a terrific place to rent!

The kids and I walked around a bit in the front yard and had the pleasure of this large, gorgeous butterfly hanging around us.

When we weren't sitting back relaxing and enjoying conversations, the kids and I played on the deck while Papa took pictures of the interior of the cabin. Boopy ALWAYS enjoys a game of Ring-around-the-rosy, even if its just by herself!

I have decided that Big Boy is indeed part frog.

We played a bit of peek-a-boo as I chased them with my camera - yes quite literally!

I love how the sunlight lights up Boopy's hair in this picture, just wish you could see a bit more of her sweet face.

Ahhhh!!!! There it is!

(Not sure which I like better, color or black & white, what do you think?)

Great Friends. Good Food. What more do you need?

Friday night we hosted a potluck dinner for my oldest and dearest friends! While we were still missing a few that weren't able to make it, it was still fabulous to finally get us all together. And while I have seen most of these ladies at various times in the past year or more, we haven't all been together under one roof in a very long time. And even though there doesn't have to be a special event for us to plan a dinner, we did get the pleasure of having Anita and her kids in town make the dinner invite that much harder to resist!

What kind of host would I be if I didn't torture everyone with a little bit of picture taking?

We started out trying to get a picture of all the kids.

Cody (will be 5 in July), Boopy (2), Big Boy (4), Ryan (2 months), Lynae (7), and hey, where's Mikayla (2)?

Ah! There she is - not to pleased to have to stop playing, but we did get them all in one picture! I honestly think Ryan was the toughest one, I mean really, sleeping through a picture, what kind of easy kid does that?

Just the girls and the kiddos. (Front: Me & my two, Ryan, Anita & Lynae Back: Diana, Karen (Mom to Ryan), Michelle & Mikayla, Jenn)

We tried one with just us girls but notice my leach behind me, clinging to my leg. Believe it or not but we've all known each other since 7th grade! And some of us even longer, going on 25 years! Wow, that makes me sound old!

The entire gang - husbands, kids you name it. (Tim, we missed you!) I loved how Cody and Big Boy posed. These two were fast friends!

And what's a dinner without a little Auntie Jenn and Uncle Chris spoiling? I sure do hope that Boopy does okay as their flower girl this October! Wish them luck!

Summer Fun

While I finish up with Boopy's birthday party pictures, which I'm sure you are all anxiously awaiting, here are some summer fun pictures from one night last week. We took a family bike ride and then the kids helped Papa wash his motorcycle. Big Boy was so sweet and decided it was only fair that they also washed Mama's car. What a sweet boy! I can only hope he keeps that attitude as the years go on!

Big Boy all ready to go.

Boopy getting secured as my passenger. We let her think she's the navigator.

Oh! We have a family of sparrows that have made a nest in our eaves. We found them the night of the bike ride and the kids have had a ball watching them peek out and teach the babies to fly. I'm not sure if Mama was too impressed with having her picture taken!

It's serious stuff helping to wash Papa's motorcycle.

Getting to use the hose on Mama's car!

Little Miss wanted a turn with the hose. Thankfully she found that the sponge could be fun too. I'm not so convinced that I wouldn't have gotten soaked if she had the hose!

After getting herself rather wet, Boopy decided that she can't handle having wet clothes on and proceeded to strip in the front yard. Since it looked like so much fun Big Boy tried to join her. We convinced him that it was probably best he keep his pants on rather than run around in his underwear in the front yard. Hopefully Boopy will agree with that statement as she gets older....one can hope, right?

Mother's Day Catch-up

So since Papa Vaughn had to work both Saturday and Sunday this week we adjusted our Mother's Day plans accordingly. He didn't have to work Saturday until 6 and at 2 on Sunday so we went out to spend family time like I wanted on Saturday. The kids were great and let both Papa and I sleep in and lay around until about 10 am!!! Yeah! In actuality, we did wake up numerous times, getting them cereal, putting on a movie and diffusing the few disagreements that arose. Regardless it was really nice to just be bums! Once we finally got moving for the day we had a quick lunch at Taco Bell (yes, not very exciting) and then I went to go spend my birthday gift card at Kohl's while Papa and the kids went to wash my car. Unfortunately the car wash was closed but I still got plenty of shopping time.

The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the zoo. Papa Vaughn and Boopy had never gotten to feed the giraffes before and Papa hadn't seen the stingray exhibit which has returned for the summer. We had so much fun just taking our time to enjoy the stuff we wanted to see. To add a bit more fun to the day after the zoo and since we got in free to the park (for our military pass) and the zoo (with our membership) we went across the street to Playland to ride the train. The kids really enjoyed it, especially Big Boy, although Boopy was thrilled with getting to see lots and lots of ducks. After our train ride we were given free tickets by people that were leaving the park for the day so we took a quick spin on the carousel horses.

Overall, a fun, fun family day! Just what I wanted! Stay tuned for more catch-up posts!

Reading time with Elmo!

So, Monday I had a day off from nearly everything. Off of jury duty (for only a week - we should hopefully finish up next week) and off of work. What I wasn't off duty for was my Mom duties, which I don't mind at all! :) I had scheduled a dentist appointment for Big Boy and Boopy's 2 year check-up with the doctor. While the appointment's went fine, fairly routine and not much to report although there was a bit of fun worth sharing while we were waiting.

When Big Boy was back with the dentist, Boopy and I waited out front. The waiting area is so nicely set up for kids. They have a play bus, big books, magnetic letters and large stuffed animals (Elmo, Tigger & Pooh) to play with. I found a magazine to browse and Boopy latched on to the books. With a Dora book in hand, she spotted Elmo and marched right over to him. She grabbed Elmo's head that was flopped over, looked at him and said, "Elmo, wake up! Elmo, wake up!". She climbed up on the seat and set herself up to read "Dora" to Elmo. Too cute! After a fast read, Elmo got to learn letters. Boopy brought the bucket of magnetic letters over to me to help her tell Elmo about them. I would tell Boopy the name of the letter and she would repeat it to Elmo. The funny thing was that Elmo kept flopping over. Booy wasn't impressed by this and would grab him by the eyes, stare in his face and say sternly, "Elmo, look at me! Look at me Elmo!". Not sure where she picks up this stuff....can't imagine where at all....nope...not a clue! ;)

The doctors visit wasn't quite as entertaining, although the kids did have fun jumping on the colored floor tiles. I was told by the first nurse that Boopy was one of the best/easiest two years olds ever. This was after I left her with the nurse for a moment while I took Big Boy to the bathroom. I'm not sure the nurse saw the right child because the Boopy I know tests my patience every step of the way! Seriously though it is nice to know that Boopy is so good for other adults. She did very well for the doctor too. The picture below is of the kids sitting patiently for me to share their goldfish crackers with them. I love that bribery for good behavior comes so cheaply now, I hope it stays that way!

Oh, by the way, for those of you interested, Boopy is 27 1/4 lbs and 34 inches tall. She scores just right about 50% on her height and 55% on her weight. All around healthy kid.