my newest little nephew, Charlie. He's a week old today, and he and mommy (Malinda) are doing great. I spent a couple hours with him yesterday snapping away, while he just slept and slept like a perfect little baby. More pictures coming soon!
Halloween's around the corner, which means you'll find my crafty sister, Malinda, sewing costumes and modeling paper mache decorations. Every time I visit her house, I see a new item that just blows me away! Especially since she comes up with this stuff from her own imagination, usually without any patterns or directions. Here are a few additions to her collection:
Malinda's soon-to-be baby #2 gets to be bundled up warm and toasty for his first Halloween as a little candy corn
now I need to start thinking of what to do for Sydney's costume this year...
Thanks everyone for your help! My photo blog finally feeds (so I'd better see you all input the blog into your readers). :] Check out the winner on the blog, and the solution to the problem, for those with the same issue.
My sweetheart thought of me the other night and rented a dance movie from Redbox (a sign of true selflessness). Yeah...except he accidentally rented a super lame, super crude spoof, where we could barely sit through the first few minutes before turning it off with a bad taste in our mouth. Still a sweet gesture all the same.
A pretty clever idea on the movie-maker's part, though. I'll admit I've watched my share of dance movies, and they're all pretty much the same. They're asking for a spoof.
Me and my camera have been spending some bonding time recently. Here are a few photo shoots from the past month. (And to see more, visit my Photo Blog)
A couple days ago while I was in the shower, Sydney crawled around the bathroom floor, pulling out drawers and getting into the cupboards (her usual form of entertainment). I'd glance over now and then, making sure she wasn't getting into any trouble. Then I saw her open my make-up case, where she proceeded to apply foundation and powder on her eyes, lips, and cheeks. While I was hurrying to finish my shower, she wabbled over to the glass doors, and excitedly showed me her new skills of putting make-up on just like Mommy. She blinked and squinted up at me with make-up in her eyes, yet she had the biggest grin. It surprised me that she knew how and where to put the make-up on (well, close enough). And it suddenly hit me how odd women are for painting their faces every day, when it's obviously not at all comfortable. We have some strange traditions, and I guess I'm passing them on to my daughter.
My brother, Tony, just introduced me to the coolest free tool that easily grabs photos of anything you want online (like a snapshot...so really, it could be anything), and you can then quickly resize, crop, save, and share in seconds. You can use this for everything! Check out Skitch.com, and have fun playing around!
While Tommy works hard all day, earning money to buy toys and candy, Sydney and I get to stay home and play (at least that's what people think stay-at-home moms do all day, rigth?). I'm so lucky to spend so much time with my little buddy. But since Tommy has to miss out on some of the everyday going-ons, these are for him:
While I was doing the dishes yesterday, Sydney wabbled around the house, chirping away and making her usual messes. When it suddenly got all quiet, I knew something was up. I peeked around the corner and found her climbing on this. I think she was just thinking of her daddy. :)
I later found Sydney trotting around the house with Tommy's shoes. Hey, anything to keep her entertained!
And did you know, Tommy, that your daughter has a mischievous streak, not too unlike her daddy's? Unloading the dishwasher is the hardest thing to do with Syd around, because the more I tell her not to climb all over things, the more she does it. Sound familiar...? :)
And here's some Sydney Sunshine to brighten up your day. Just know that even though you're at work all day, your girls at home are always thinking of you.
I never thought this day would come. One of my bestest friends and dear little sister, Kathleen, left to the MTC for her mission today. I couldn't be more proud, but I'm also selfishly so sad that I won't be able to see her for a year-and-a-half! Here is a little montage from today's goodbyes:
beautiful Kathleen...she was a little bummed about having to wear "missionary" attire 24/7 for 18 months, but I think she still looks adorable, as always. She just glows from the inside out.
she'd hate me if she knew I was posting this.... :) Poor girl has to get used to wearing panty hose all the time! This is probably one of her first times wearing them
one of her last car rides - leaving my house and driving to Provo, where she'll be in the MTC for 8 weeks. Sydney looks sad that her buddy is leaving
we met up with Malinda bright and early and made pancakes and eggs to celebrate
we squeezed in a quick stroll in Provo Canyon
about to leave the house -our last picture together
Sydney will miss her sweet Auntie
the strict MTC rules are just 5 minutes for family to drop off their beloved missionary on the curb. It felt more like 30 seconds. After hauling out the luggage and babies from the car, we barely had time to take a quick snapshot and hugs before they said the time's up....I'm still a little bitter about that :(
very quick goodbyes...not long enough to register fully that she was really leaving
And off she goes. She's behind that post, and those are her red bags being carried away by polite and eager missionaries. Good luck, Kathleen!
