a much needed update!!

Where do I even start?? It's been a looong while since I last posted.

Heath went to Vegas to visit his son, Kaiden and had a wonderful time. I think it was too short for him (and I don't blame him), but we're hoping he can go back in April and then we (me, Heath, Logan & Addi) are going to visit him in May and then drive to CA with all three kiddos and visit my family. That will be so much fun, I can't wait!!

Last week I photographed a wedding party. One of my brother's friends asked if I would take their pictures on the Temple grounds after the ceremony. They are a darling couple and sooo in love. I love it!!!

Me and Heath

Me and my brother, Curtiss

This past weekend, Heath's uncle Ted set up a family hike at the Superstition Springs Mountain Reserve. It was so much fun! The hike was hard too ... what a great work out!

Ted and two of his kiddos: Ashley and Blake

Ted taking pictures of Heath's mom, Debbie and aunt, Pam

Heath's mom (in black ... can't you tell??) and his Aunt Pam

Yesterday, Logan helped Heath clean out his cop car while Addi and I played on the play ground. Once Addi saw how many drivers licenses Heath had taken away, she started making a "Good" pile and a "Bad" pile .. :) Heath said they are all bad!

Logan measuring from the car to the playground

Addi's response when I told her I wanted to go take pictures of Logan
(this is her new thing)

It's soooo good to have the kiddos back from Spring Break!! We have a fun weekend planned ... pictures to come! :)

heath's birthday

On Friday night, Heath's family met at his house for a BBQ. It was fun, he has a nice family. It's a little akward still, but I'm sure it will get better.

Afterwards, we met up with some of our friends at a Dueling Piano Bar in Tempe. We had a blast!!!! Oh these guys were sooo talented. I can't wait to go again.

up on stage, dancing for Heath's birthday
Lora, me, Heath and two other guys who were celebrating their bday too

the gang eating at Hooters (upstairs from The Big Bang)
Lora, Ina, me, Heath, Chris & Anthony (also a DPS officer and celebrating his bday)

Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Heath!! I sure had fun celebrating with you!!

the perfect saturday

Heath and I had a wonderful Saturday. We went kayaking down "the river" - The Salt River. We actually didn't go very far. We started at the bottom and started kayaking up it, for a good work out. It was a little windy and harder than we thought it would be. It was super fun. I haven't been kayaking since we took my Mom to the Monterey Bay and went ocean kayaking way back in 1999.

Afterwards, we stopped by Jason and Shelly's. It's been forever since Shel and I have seen each other. They are a sweet family. I just adore Shel. Hope you feel better soon, sweetie!!!

Then we went to The Monastery for burgers. If you haven't been there, I TOTALLY suggest it. You get to grill your own burgers. They have sand volleyball courts as well. It's a fun atmosphere. For you locals, its up by Falcon Field.

For dinner we found a new sushi joint that we have dubbed our new hangout. It's a family owned sushi place that has been in the same location for 19 years. The owners were so kind.

It was such a nice and relaxing day. One of the best Saturday's I've had in a while!

Dear Addi,
You are such a delight lately. Not that you aren't a delight most of the time ... but you're on a sugary sweet kick lately and I am soaking up every minute of it!

You have skinned up knees and fall every time I turn around. It's now a joke!! Your poor knees look like little boy knees. You have been writing sweet notes to everyone; me, Heath, Kaiden, Logan and even your sweet little "boy friend", Owen.

One of my favorite things to watch you do is sing and dance. You are ALWAYS singing, dancing or making some noise - just to make noise. You've always done that - since you were a baby. Earlier this week, you were playing webkinz and listening to my playlist online. A song by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw came on called "I Need You". You knew every word. You had no idea I was watching you. You were laying on the couch, on your tummy, singing along and playing your games. You're so much fun and so carefree.

Thanks for being my daughter. I am excited for our journey together as mom and daughter. You're my favorite daughter ... and my favorite redhead. :)

Love,
Mom

happy birthday from us!!!!

Happy Birthday
Heath!!!!!

I feel beyond blessed to have Heath in mine and the kiddos' lives! He is such a wonderful man. he is so patient with me, Logan and Addi. We three ARE HOOKED!!! The kids call him Dad, despite me asking them not to. They just adore him ... and so do I!!

Heath - I think you're the most handsome man I know! I am so thankful for you and I hope you have THE happiest of birthdays!!! I am hoping to celebrate many more to come to with you!

tagged

I was tagged by my sweet friend Darby! Thanks Darby, I do love these tags!!

Where's what you do -
Go to your pictures and choose the 6th folder, then the 6th picture. Now tell us about it and tag 6 more friends!

I choose:
Sarah P
Sarah H
Jen W
Shelly C
Jeni N
Maria T

This was my 6th picture in my 6th folder - this picture is taken from Addi's first field trip in November. She was sooo excited. I was too. I wasn't too sure I'd ever see this day come. I actually posted this picture back in November ... here's what I posted about this field trip:

Dearest Addi,
It was about this time of year 4 years ago when me, Uma, Papa and Uncle Curtiss stood over your hospital bed. You were bloated beyond recognition and unconscious with a fever of 107. Tubes down your nose and out your back. You had several IV's. As the hospital was preparing for a helicopter to come pick you up, I asked the doctor if you would even make it through the helicopter ride to the Bay Area. A doctor, I've known since I was a little girl, looked at me with tears in her eyes and told me, "I can't give you false hope, Jenny."

Today you had TWO firsts!! Your first time on a school bus and your first field trip. You are so disappointed that I cannot come with you today. I am too. We would have fun together - we always do. You could hardly sleep last night, you were so excited for today; just like you are on Christmas Eve. As I watched you interact with the kids in your class, I was in awe of the friends you have made. A little girl in your class made you a book of why she likes you. You gave her a hug and thanked her, then read the book in front of her to show you how much you cared about her gift. Then I stood in the back of the classroom while I watched you place your hand over your heart as you said the Pledge of Allegiance. Gosh, you're so grown up now!

I am so thankful I got to share these firsts with you today, I never thought these days would come. I had tears in my eyes as I watched you take those steps onto that school bus ... without me. I am so thankful for you; the example you are to me of strength and pure happiness. You are my favorite red head and one of my best friends! I hope you have fun today. I can't wait to see you this afternoon and hear all about your first field trip and ride on a school bus!

Thanks for being my daughter, Additude!
notes on your lunch bag -- a little tradition we have -- when I was in school, Papa used to make my lunches - I'd always have a note to read at lunch you love your notes ... I'm glad you do.

Someday I know you'll ask me to stop writing them you have an awesome class! there you go ... YAY for you! Have fun!!

Love, Mom