Impromptu photo session

Last Wednesday, I decided to take the kids outside and have fun taking some pictures. The Barney girls were included since I babysat them that day. Can I just say I love my camera?!?? Here are a bunch of my favorites-
(Jennie, I hope you don't mind me sharing some of your girls too!)

First, SydneyThen, Miss Macey, quite serious after just waking from her nap!

BrooklynBlakey, fully playing the part in his "army man" ensemble
And last, but not least, sweet Gavin!A few extras

My favorite part of the day

I was just thinking last night about how my favorite part of the day is checking on my kids before Matt & I head off to bed. Maybe it's because when I look at each of my kids' peaceful sleeping faces, I forget about the chaos of the day and just for a sec, and am reminded how blessed I am to have these sweet spirits in my care for this life. I love you, Brooklyn, Blake and Gavin!!

Alright, alright!!!! I'll do it too!

I don't usually do these things, but I'll make an exception - just this ONCE!!!

Jobs I've had...
1. House cleaner for a lady in my ward
2. Lifeguard at a water park (two summer seasons)
3. Old Navy (seasonal, twice)
4. The Buckle - WORST job EVER!!! Working on commission at a $$$ store in a college town = low paychecks!
5. Administrative Assistant for an online company
6. Mom :)

Places I've lived...
1. Mesa, AZ
2. Flagstaff, AZ
3. Fullerton, CA

Foods I love...
1. My mom's rolls
2. Frozen yogurt ~ Golden Spoon
3. Chinese food
4. CANDY!
No wonder it's so blasted hard for me to lose weight!!

Websites I visit...
1. Hotmail
2. Blogspot
3. My parenting message boards
4. Craigslist

Places I'd rather be...
1. Disneyland
2. Hawaii
3. An overnight vacation w/ Matt, just the two of us (hopefully we'll be doing this shortly after graduation!)

Movies I love, in no particular order...
1. The Notebook
2. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
3. Legally Blonde
4. Save the Last Dance
5. Sweet Home Alabama
Pretty much any good chick flick! ;)

TV Shows I watch...
1. The Bachelor *blush*
2. The Biggest Loser
3. American Idol
4. Wife Swap
5. Supernanny
6. Amazing Race

People I tag...
1. Kristin
2. Summer
3. Jamie

I Love to See the Temple, I'm Going There Someday

Today in between conference sessions, we took the kids down to the Newport Beach temple. Too bad they keep the grounds locked up, so we weren't able to get very close. It's interesting the conversations we've had with Brooklyn and Blake about the temple. They always ask if they can go inside, but we tell them that you have to be older and have a special piece of paper from the Bishop that says you can go in.

The silliest thing is what they've called the Angel Moroni- Milo or Merlo!! LOL! Milo is the funniest because we have a Grandpa named Milo! Anyway, these are a couple pictures that I snapped while we were there.

Bakin' and a Cookin'!

Banana Nougats

These are my ALL time favorite cookie!!! I think it's safe to say that since marrying me, it is now Matt's favorite cookie as well! This recipe makes a hefty FIVE dozen cookies! So can someone tell me why there are only four dozen left?!? ;) Cookies don't last long around this house, that's for sure!

New Veggie

Last night, I cooked asparagus for the very first time! I did some research on the ways to prepare asparagus and decided the quickest and easiest way to do it is on the stove top. I sauteed the asparagus in a bit of olive oil with garlic, salt and pepper. I didn't have any fresh parmesan cheese, so I topped it with mozzarella instead. It tasted just ok for my first time, but I'll try a different cooking method next time. Asparagus did make the perfect compliment to our yummy steak dinner!

Three Little Goats

Following in Daddy's footsteps!

Obviously, Matt had a *little* bit of fun with Photoshop!! LOL!

I don't know how it started, but Matt grew a goatee. I could have sworn that I said something to him about growing it, but that's not the point! ;) I don't particularly like facial hair on my honey, especially KISSING his mouth with hair around it- bleck!- but it's a fun little thing to do every once in awhile. He was going to try to grow it out until we moved to Arizona, but he only lasted a little over ONE WEEK! Since Matt's facial hair is reddish, it makes his chin look dirty to me! So now he's back to his smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom chin. :)

Look what I found...

...when I went to check on the kids before Matt and I headed off to bed last night:

a nakey bum,and a "BEETLE" in my bed!

Obviously, Gavin figured out how to take off his diaper and is showing an early preference for sleeping in the nude! And unfortunately, he had already peed when I discovered his diaperless bottom! He'll be wearing a onesie under his jammies from now on!! I'm just grateful he didn't have any other "surprises" in his diaper, if you know what I mean!!!!!!!

And Brooklyn (who's barrage of nicknames include beads, beetles, and beetle bum) seems to prefer sleeping in mom and dad's bed instead of her own!!! Frequently when Matt and I finally go to bed in the evening, we find a snuggled up Brooklyn in our bed. I think she sneaks in there after everything quiets down in the kids' room. I can't blame her! Our bed IS rather comfy! ;)

And I can't leave out Blake! Although I don't have a picture of him to share for this entry, while I was changing Gavin last night, Blake was yelling in his sleep and thrashing wildly around his bed! LOL! Maybe my kids have problems?!?