Puddle me this

It's been raining so much here that I've seriously considered naming each droplet and welcoming them into the family. They would receive all of the {rejected} names that Brynner may have had if Brad got his way....Atticus......Vannes (Pronounced Van)......Jett.......Oden.....I think I blocked out the rest. My point is Brynner and I had been cooped up for days and enough was enough! It was pouring outside so we put on a sweatshirt and stood on the porch. It may not sound great to you, but it really was the beez kneez! I couldn't remember the last time I went outside to watch such a crazy rain storm. Sheets of rain ricocheted off the sidewalk as it came shooting down. I caught some serious deep breaths which is exactly what I needed. Brynner got what he needed too...something new to see (it hailed a few times) and splashing in the puddles on the porch didn't hurt either. I run back in to get my camera and as soon as I opened the front door, heavy air insulted my nose. I couldn't wait to get back out! Next time it rains poke your head out for a bit. The body is optional, but highly recommended!

Gorgeous Bride!

So. I did my first 'official' Bridal shoot. It was sooo much fun! Becky was so easy to photograph and was such a good sport doing whatever I asked of her. Check out her gorgeous dress...that her Mom made for her! Love it. Love it. I can't wait for the wedding this week!!

Disneyland!

We gathered lots of stories on our trip to Disneyland.

There was the story of The Plane Ride Over. It began and ended the same-just take a guess. Brynner had us knee deep in apologizes which I gave out to anyone that dared walk by. I think I laughed out loud when the flight attendant said, "See, it wasn't that bad!"

There was the story of The Ticket Counter which explains, at least in part, The Plane Ride Over. I'll skip past the two hour wait at the ticket counter, through Brynner melting like the Wicked Witch of the West (I swear I saw the smoke and all), and straight to the nail biting end. We missed our flight and had to purchase another ticket for me. Expedia sucks. End of story.

Never fear, once we got to our hotel and Brynner had gotten his wiggles out with his Daddy, we were good to go.

Brynner slept on the drive to Newport to meet up with my friend Tillery. Bless that nap. He happily chewed on his corn dog and fries while the adults had a sophisticated dinner and conversation. It was so good to catch up with Till! Love that girl.

Over the next two days we introduced Brynner to the concepts of long lines, huge stuffed animals, and over sized sprinklers. It was magical!!

Look closely and you can see Brynner crying. Classic.

ohhh look at those chubby hands!

Hey! There's a picture of me....I knew I came on this trip! :)

I should have know a slide would have been his favorite 'ride'

Brynner did NOT like riding Dumbo. He made grunting noises as it moved up and down.

Right after this picture Brynner kissed Mickey right on the nose.

Ummmm....I think it goes the other way Brynner.

Yay for Teacups!

Brad entertaining Brynner while in another line.

Mickey's house!

Orange You!

Can I please just tell you how delicious this tangelo was? The ratio of sweetness to tart-y-ness was superb...and orange-y at the same time. I could feel the vitamin C burn my throat. Plus I peeled it in one piece without even trying. What a cool tangelo.

Sorry honey, Brynner and I devoured the last one. Maybe you could stop and get some on your way home?! It'll be fun {wink}!

Picnic by the lake

A few days ago I dug my toes in some sand. It has been far too long. There is something so therapeutic about it's gritty cold self against my skin. I was at a small lake a few blocks from my house enjoying an absolutely perfect afternoon. There was sunshine, turkey sandwiches (with cheese!), and my two boy's laughter. Heaven I tell ya. While Brad and I watched Brynner run down grassy slopes in a fit of giggles I couldn't help but notice two brothers down on the beach. They were building a sand castle. All was well until the older brother threw their bucket in the water and demanded his brother to get it. I watched them argue about who would retrieve it as it slowly drifted away. Silence washed over them as they caught sight of the bucket bobbing up and down out of their grasp. I assumed they thought it was a lost cause and were each saying a silent good-bye. Three children playing near by, asked if they needed help. Ideas were exchanged and suddenly the busy bunch ran down the dock. They were going to catch the bucket as the wind persuaded it North. They barely missed it on dock number one, the second dock they missed it again, but by the third dock it was found. You've never seen five children more proud about finding a bucket. It got me thinking. We've all got something in our lives. At least I do from time to time. As I contemplated the something in my life, I decided to be proud of the bucket I've found. Excited even! And speaking of excited, check out Brynner running down those grassy slopes. I wish you could of heard his shrills and squeals. Precious.

Bob and Randy Harmon care

I was asked to bring dinner to a family in our ward. I was excited to do it! I love to cook/bake and so off to the store I went at three o'clock to get the items I was lacking. That would give me three hours to make and deliver upon my word. I bought all the groceries and started to load them in my car when I realized that Brynner was still holding the bottle of yeast and I had shoplifted. Not only had I shoplifted but I killed two plastic bottles by not taking in my "go green" green bags and I had to use two "for shame" bags. I whipped the cart around to head inside. I was very careful to not make eye contact with anyone I saw...they'd know I had shoplifted! I apologized to the boy carrying in the cart, the cashier, and the bag boy ( I really did). They didn't seem to care. I'm also telling you. Do you care? Well I bet Bob and Randy Harmon would have cared that I shoplifted a six dollar and eighty-nine cent bottle of yeast. I bet he would have cared that I felt really bad about it. What's next?! Batteries? (Just so you know, that was the edgiest thing I could think of) Sins aside, I finally made it home at four o'clock! How did it get that late?! I guess shoplifting and killing plastic bottles took more time then I thought it would. Two hours to go. Brynner ran off to his room and I started to fly around the kitchen. I went to check on Brynner when I saw something fall from the top of the fridge. It was my new vase from the flowers Brad brought home a few weeks before (It would be appropriate to applaud this gesture next time you see him). And I use past tense because it broke into four thousand seven hundred and fifty two pieces. It took me approximately twenty-eight minutes to clean up. I won't even go into the fit Brynner was throwing because he was restricted to one room. He was watching Little Einstein's, which is a treat for him for heavens sake. I thought he'd be cool, he was very uncool. Sins and glass and throwing fits aside, I did manage to finish the meal. I was 10 min. late and nobody was home when I took it over.....but at least I delivered upon my word. You care right? I bet Bob and Randy Harmon would.

The Red Chair

Let's ignore the fact that my son is obsessed with carrying around his red Ikea chair and focus on him being an American Hero [slash] genius [slash] really good thinker. Ask yourself this: How would you like access to a chair at any given moment during your day? Picture yourself standing in a line, pumping gas, or turning off a light switch. Now picture doing all of those tasks sitting down! Almost feels like you should be paying someone!

Don't be surprised if I start to carry around one of these handy red Ikea chairs. Plus! They’re only $3.99. Plus! I can squeeze my butt to fit in it. Worst case scenario is that I can only squeeze one cheek comfortably. I would still have to vote 'Pro' carrying it around.

Here's my second thought. I might have to limit myself to carrying around just the chair-no purse, no Brynner, no cell phone. Other wise I may start to look like Navin R Johnson. Wouldn't want that.......or do I???? The paddle game would come in handy in a boring meeting and the thermos could store some lovely hot chocolate! He really is onto something.