water dog

Have you ever heard of a Water Dog?  If not ... check out this link.  Ugh ... creeeepy!  I'm NOT a lover of fish in the first place, then you combine a fish with a lizard?  No thank you!  Our neighbor has Water Dogs and brought one over this weekend.  Of course everyone was lovin' it ... but me!  In fact, it "jumped" out of Logan's hands and flopped around like a dead fish and I screamed! 

Sarge is licking his lips!

challenges

I looove challenges!  I found this website with a 30 Day Photog Challenge!  I'll post my daily challenges!

...wish me luck!

sky turns 2

This past weekend, Jim & Lindsey had Skylar's second birthday party.  It was a little early because Lindsey is due any day now.  She was sooo darn cute with her "princess face" and stuffing the cupcake in her face, like it was the last on earth! 

After pizza, presents and pinata ... we went swimming and got some much needed relaxing by the pool. 

Happy Birthday, Sky!  We love you!

a school project and some lunch box notes

So, I pick up the munchkins from school last week and Addi says, "Mom, I have a project due tomorrow for my HEAT Reading class and since you're a photograpgher, I waited to come to your house so you can do it and I can have the best project in the class!"  {HEAT Reading is the advanced reading class she attends each day}

We started on the project AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME since the sun was going down quickly and it was an overcast day.

[the project]
To depict (with some sort of images; drawing, photographs) that represent a character in the book, 'Steward Little'.  The kids have a box, with a slit in the top and the images are to be glued around the box.  Each student will go around and write down which character they think the images represents.

[the character and his characteristics]
half eaten cracker - doesn't finish things he starts
raking yard - helps his parents
snuggling with sarge - loving
logan drowning - gets distracted easily
holding weight - strong
running shoes - keeps busy
ring - helps his mom get her ring from the drain

For the life of me, I can't remember which character this is.  Addi was told to "think outside of the box" and I think she succeded!  I love this lil girl.  She's so creative and smart! I'm so flattered she asked me to do this project with her.

[disclaimer]
excuse the horrible outfit ... her step mom isn't the most fashionable person!

I found an awesome website with templates for lunch box notes.  I tweaked 'em a little so they match the kids' personalities.  They loved getting a surprise note in their lunch/daily binder.  I had fun doing them, too!

digi scrapping

Not sure what my latest ... not sure what to call it ... obsession maybe ... what it is all about.  I am all over trying to find FREE digi scrapbooking paper, embelleshments, etc.  I have spent some money on some kits, but definitely all about the freebies!  I've found some super cute sites here, here, here ... seriously, my list could go on and on! 

If you have some cool sites you shop for digi scrapping kits, pass 'em my way!

8.76 miles ... getting there ... just a few more to go

I'm training for my second half marathon.  This morning I went running with Davery {married to one of Heath's cousins} and a friend of hers ... and now mine! :)  Had an awesome run through Gilbert and Mesa!  We only intended to go 8 miles, but ended at 8.76!  I love my new shoes [looove nike] and can't wait for our next long run. 

feeling so loved

an amazing legacy!

Logan is FINALLY into airplanes!  I'm sooo happy about this because my family has been into airplanes since I was .... well, before I was even thought about!!  I was even named after an airplane ... The Jenny.

I sent a FB message out to my family, asking them to send me ANY pictures of planes that are still in the family, pictures of our family airport ... anything that has to do with our family and our heritage.  I am going to take the pictures that I've been sent and blow them up on canvas', on metallic paper, LARGE ... oh I'm sooo excited!

Check out some of the pictures I have been sent so far!  I don't know the story behind each image, but I am soo thankful for such an amazing and supportive family who stepped up, took time out of their busy lives and sent me some of my heritage.

TO MY FAMILY - you are all so very amazing!   I can't tell you how much this means to me and I have really enjoyed seeing these awesome pictures. My memories of airshows and fly in's, all over California, growing up have such a huge place in my heart and are such a part of who I am.  I couldn't be more proud of my family and who we are.

just amazing!!! This is one of my favorite views EVER! 

Auntie Bert - 1934

1942 - our families airport
Built by my Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Great Uncle and more ... 

This one is AMAZING! 
My mom loves to tell the story about growing up with a dirt runway in their "back yard" and taking the planes up with her siblings and getting "tattled" on by the neighbors.  None of them were old enough to drive ... but they all knew how to fly!  The top picture is of the home my grew up in with their hanger, plane and runway.  It later became Highway 101 in San Jose.  The picture below is of the men who built the airport.  In this image, I recognize my Grandpa and Great Grandpa.

The 21 and 34 in front of Aunt Ameilia's flight school



Doug (cousin) 14 yrs old

This is the TravelAir.  I LOOOVE this plane and have some pretty amazing memories of flying stunts in it with my cousin Doug.  Flying upside down, in an open cockpit ... there's nothing like it!

custom cars

Heath and the kiddos found an awesome store at the Superstitions Springs Mall.  This guy does air brush painting on tees, hats, matchbox cars, hot wheels cars ... and the kids have been begging to get a custom car.  For $9.99 you can pick out a car and have it painted how you'd like ... whatever you'd like!!  Logan and Addi got money for their birthdays so they decided to buy cars and have them customized!  They turned out AWESOME!!!! 

I can't wait to take Kaiden here on his next visit.

remodel 2011 - shrubs and flower garden

We are sooo excited to start making OUR house more US!  It really hit us on Saturday that we can do whatever we want (with the HOA approval, of course)!  As I was swimming with the kiddos, Heath started digging and laying bricks and before I knew it, he had built a flower garden!!!!  Addi wants to plant an apple tree....

Heath's next project is the shrubs in the front yard.  He's HATED them since Day One!!!  He said it's the first thing to go and he was right!  They definitely didn't come out as easy as he thought they would!  Here's our journal of the ordeal!

Day One - me and the kiddos came home and saw a half removed shrub, a broken tow strap (second broken tow strap, mind you) and lots of dirt and rocks.  Heath said he was going to win and not let the shrubs dominate the yard

Heath couldn't wait until the next day, so as soon as he got off work, it was back to shrub removal.  He bought a new, stronger tow strap, too!  The kids thought it was so fun to watch.  The shrub was soooo in the ground that it pulled the truck back!

FINAL DAY!  Got a text from Heath that he removed the remaining shrubs!  The final casualty of the project is the shovel!  The house looks so different! I can't wait to start landscaping!!

BEFORE

AFTER