I spent the day celebrating my wonderful mom and mom-in-law… and getting to celebrate being a mom myself!

I remember when I was in elementary school, we had a career day where everyone was supposed to dress up like what they wanted to be when they grew up.  I just kept thinking that all I really wanted to be was a Mommy when I grew up.  I can’t even remember what I dressed up as that day, but my desire to be a Mom didn’t change as I grew.  

I sometimes watch my three little monkeys doing their thing each day and am still in awe that they are mine.  Each one of them has their own distinct personality that I adore… don’t get me wrong, they have their fair share of Tasmanian Devil- like tornado fights, where the three of them are all screaming and tugging on the ONE PARTICULAR TOY that happens to be coveted by all that day!  All you mamas out there know what I mean… countless toys in the house, but they all want the same one.  Regardless of that little detail I hope that I can bury deep in my memory all the little things they do, say, all the little looks and giggles, even the giant crocodile tears and toddles straight to my arms when they need a boo-boo kissed… I don’t want to forget.  

I love you three more than you’ll ever know… you are my dream come true!

These next few are the “out- takes”  Actually, these ones are how my kids REALLY are… (FYI these next few have not received proper photoshop love, but I’ll get over it

These next two crack me up!!  Check out Caleb (orange shirt)… “What? Is that Sissy’s arm around me?”… 

“Um, yeah, no touching Sister!  I remember that toy you stole from me earlier… and I’m NOT over it!”

And that would be Daddy making everyone giggle… who would have known he was THAT funny!  I kid… Babe, you know you always make me laugh

And one of just my sweet girly girl… she rocked that pose all on her own!  

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mom’s out there!  Remember that all you put into each day, all the hard work and emotion and planning and caring… just look at your “babies” (no matter their age) and realize you have the best job in the world being their mom!

My little brother has found the love of his life and will be tying the knot this June!  He couldn’t have found a more wonderful girl and I am so excited to be gaining a sister!

They met at Ohio State medical school… he swore he wouldn’t date a med student and she was determined to focus on getting through med school and not get distracted by a guy… both of their mind sets were thrown out the window pretty quickly after getting to know one another.  I could tell there was something different about this girl as soon as Nathan started talking about her… he sounded so elated and excited every time we talked.  This past Christmas, Nathan and Rebekah came into town to spend some time with us and I got to meet the girl that he had since asked to be his wife.

I still can’t believe my baby brother is getting married… i think i still see him as a 10 year old boy… but i know he had grown into an amazing, brilliant, caring, compassionate man.  Rebekah just had her bridal shower, which my Mom and Shay got to go out to Ohio for (I was in Utah for a photo workshop, but more on that later ) so I thought i would get a few of their engagement photos I took last January up since we are getting so close to their big day!!  They have a fabulous photographer in Ohio that will be documenting their big day, but we had to also get a little AZ background for some of their engagement photos.  I am so excited to see you two join your lives together!  I love you both!

Isn’t she gorgeous!?!  You did well brother

The bling…

My brother wanted a very Arizona looking photo… can’t get more AZ than this!  Cactus… check!  Boulders/ Mountains… check!  Brush that will soon become fire hazard in the 110 degree heat… check!  And the intense blinding sun… check!  :)

Save the Date

Congratulations you two love birds!