Day One Hundred and Fifty-Six

Actual Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010

Today was a beautiful day. One of my best friends, Andrea, was getting married!

She had called me earlier in the week to ask if I would take the pictures at the wedding... (insert panic attack here)

I was super nervous. I just knew I would mess the whole thing up. It's not like you can just re- do that whole day or tell everyone to 'hold it right there' while you set up for the perfect shot. I had never done anything like this before and I was scared that she would hate what I did and then in turn hate me when it was all said and done with.

She assured me that would never happen and I agreed to go ahead and take the pictures for her.

When I arrived at the site I went inside and spent some time with Andrea and then I told her I was going outside to get some shots of everything before the guests started to arrive. It was a beautiful location. A winery in Burleson, Tx. It was perfect for a intimate wedding like this one.

There's a little creek that runs along where they were having the reception so I headed down there to say a little prayer and settle my nerves. And this is what I saw. Is that not God or what? How beautiful is that?

After seeing that I was more at ease and inspired so I got right to work.

So this was a great traditional idea with a modern twist. They each wanted to pour different sand into the same jar as a symbol of them coming together and becoming one. But they wanted to include their children . So they had 4 more colors, one for each child.

Isn't that a great idea?

Abbie! This is Andrea's daughter. She was just a baby when we lived here three years ago. Well not really. She was 4 maybe even just turned 5 but she was still little! Now look at her, shes beautiful!

Andrea's vows

The rings

The Beautiful Bride and Maid of Honor

Noah! This is Andrea's son. Now he really was a baby. He was two when he was first in my class. He ran around with his paci until we finally convinced him to "give" them to the babies in the class down the hall. Where have the years gone? I miss that sweet little paci face running up to me saying "Miss Kyla, (I wasn't even married yet!) we go outside?"

Sand Ceremony:

:o)

Exchanging vowes

Mr. & Mrs.!

Ah, me and my Andrea! I love this girl. She has the sweetest heart ever. I'm so happy I could be there to be a part of her day.

And I had to throw in this very last shot from the night. It is Andrea's Mom's hand. There's a story behind this picture. The beautiful pearl ring and the exquisitely beaded bag were their Grandmothers. She wore the ring and brought the purse so she could be a part of the ceremony. Isn't that heartwarming?

There were a million more pictures from that night but I just wanted to share some of my favorites. Even though it was nerve wracking, I had a blast doing it. People have asked if I plan on doing any more weddings anytime soon... and that makes me want to throw up just thinking about it.

Don't get me wrong, I love doing it. I just don't love the pressure of it. My ideal situation would be if someone would come along and say "Hey, you, with the face. Come be my back up photographer!" I would love that! I could do stuff like this all day every day if that was the case.

(For a little back history on how Andrea and I met and became friends)

Day One Hundred and Fifty-Five

Actual Date: Friday, August 27, 2010

Had the neighbors over tonight for some dinner and Wii fun. I just love Max's face here because Brooke is asking him for the 100th time if they can play boxing instead. And he is saying "No, you're too good at that."

I don't know if I should be proud that she can beat all the boys on the block at boxing, or if I should be scolded for promoting violence.

Did I mention she can pretty much take down any of the male California cousins too? She's that good.

Day One Hundred and Fifty-Four

Actual Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010Things have been a little calmer around her since Brooke's been going to school in the mornings. Before this, I don't think I can ever recall Ava sitting for an extended amount of time working on something by herself.



Look at that! I'm proud. And she was proud. She's the one who came and got me and told me to take the pictures.


And this one is for Uncle Chris (Detweiler side). All I can think about when I see this picture is "B is for Brookie, that's good enough for me."

After she got done building it as high as she could she stood back to admire it. Then came the sad face. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "I miss my Brookie Girl."



How sweet is that?



Of course it was short lived. We picked her up when her class was over at 11:30 and I'm sure they didn't even make it an hour without fighting. But it was nice to know that in there somewhere there is a deep love for her sister.




Remember this picture from way back in March when I started this blog? I guess that's the proof right there. That picture just melts me.

I knew there was going to be separation anxiety when Brooke went off to school. I just didn't know it was going to come from the sister who was left behind.

Day One Hundred and Fifty-Three

Actual Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010

We had to change Parker's Thursday Physical Therapy appointment to a later time on Wednesdays now that Brooke is in school. His Thursday appointment was at the same exact time that I was supposed to be picking Brooke up. So this Wednesday was our first Wednesday appointment. We were working on getting him to pull up and stand.

That's rough stuff for a little man. Look at that face.

But he kept pushing through and finally, he got it! And I got it on camera!

His very first time pulling to stand by himself. We were so proud. He on the other hand could care less. He just wanted Miss Nikki's name badge to play with. What's new?


On the way home from there I happened to notice that my low tire pressure light was on.

Did you know that is what that symbol means? The first time I saw it a few years ago I didn't. I had to pull over and make sure it wasn't trying to tell me that my engine was blowing up or something.

Luckily there was a Discount Tire place right down the road so I stopped in there and they fixed it right up for me. Apparently there was a nail in one of my tires.

As a side note: Please ignore the dust all over my dash, unless you're my brother. My brother has his own car/boat detailing business. So don't you think when he sees this picture he should cancel all this appointments and head all the way out here to take care of it? Sure why not? It's only like a 20 hour drive...

I think I've mentioned this before, but seriously if you live Arizona, or if you are ever in the Lake Havasu area be sure to look him up for your car or boat detailing needs. Arizona Hydroclean

Day One Hundred and Fifty-Two

Actual Date: Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Can you guess what this is?

What about at this angle?

Nope...

Guess again...

Ok well maybe somebody got it.

My clothes. Well the bottom of my clothes that is. The girls have really been into playing dress up with my high heels lately so I was in there trying to restore order and when I looked up I thought it looked interesting.

I know, I'm weird like that.

And I would just like to point out to my Father that yes, my clothes are color coordinated. Not only that but they go from sleeveless, to short sleeves to long sleeves.

I'm sure he's probably having a heart attack. Growing up I wasn't the cleanest of kids. I was always way to busy to bother with things like cleaning your room. He would always say to me "I can't wait to see your house when you grow up and move out!"

Day One Hundred and Fifty-One

Actual Date: Monday, August 23, 2010First day of school!

She was excited.

And a little nervous.

Outside the school's front door with Epi Pen and Benadryl in hand. I'm having a hard time putting her out there in that big scary peanut world. But I can't keep her in a bubble forever.

She does a good job at being her own advocate. She even reminds me to read the labels sometimes. I'm just worried that someone won't know how to properly read the labels and accidentally give her something she's not supposed to have.

Listening to the teacher.

The day we dropped her off, we learned that the school had just been bought out by a new owner. And that owner was going to be the new director. From what I hear this is a very good change. But because of that, we had to fill out all new paper work that very morning so it made the drop off a little more hectic. I think if we would have been able to just walk her to her room, meet her teacher, find her cubbie and say good bye she would have been fine. But we sat at the front desk for quite a while filling out all new emergency contact information and allergy statements.

It's so weird to fill those things out now that we're in Texas so far away from everyone. If we were still in California, I could put a million people down for emergency contacts. But here, I struggle to try to fill out the required three lines. Luckily we have been blessed with some awesome neighbors and friends. Not saying that our neighbors aren't friends...you get what I mean...right?

Anyways, by the time we got all the paper work filled out I could see the worry on her face. The director and Brian kept asking her if she wanted to go check out her class room and meet some friends but she was glued to my side and the tears were starting to come. Once I finished with the paperwork she let me take her to her classroom where we talked to her teachers went over her allergy information and how to administer her medication if needed. It makes me feel a little better that there is a Fire station directly across the street from the school. Help is just a stone throw away if they need it.

So this is my new reality. I have a preschooler. I knew this day would come. And next year it's going to be even harder. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Day One Hundred and Fifty

Actual Date: Sunday, August 22, 2010

Ava was so exhausted from the past couple of days that she fell asleep right in the middle of eating her dinner.

Sometimes I wish I could do that.

Bless her heart. I just whipped her face and hands up and put her in bed. She never even noticed and slept right through to the next morning.

Day One Hundred and Forty-Nine

Actual Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

Time for a Hardie Party!

On this day we went to Adam and Cindy's house for a little company get together. Brooke and Daddy ridding the 4 wheeler.

Parker playing with Mrs. Cindy.


Ava's turn! She was cracking us up because she had her fingers in her ears the whole time. But she also had a smile on her face. She loved it.


Time for cake! It was a thank you cake for years of service.
Dan, Brian, Josh

This kid cracks me up. It's a little blurry because no doubt he was running by like a bolt of lightning. Little Raymond, he's so cute. Especially when he says "Yes Ma'am" to any question you ask him.



Me:"Raymond, did you have fun at school?"


Raymond: "Yes Ma'am."


Me:"Is your favorite color blue?"

Raymond:"Yes Ma'am."

And to be fair, all of Adam and Cindy's kids are just as well mannered. But Raymond says it the cutest because he still has a little baby voice.


Another hard day on the farm.

Parker is the Lady's man. Here he is with Lisa.

Or "Mrs. Wesa" in Ava's words.

The crew playing Bocce Ball.

It was a great get together. Lots of good food. Including deer...I thought it was brisket... actually it was pretty good.

And then there was the Goop cake. I swear it's from the Devil. It is sinfully delicious. Duane, or "Mr. Wayne" again in Ava's words, made it. When I asked him what it was made of he said "sugar." It was pretty darn good. Somehow we got sent home with a huge pan of it. I think I maybe gained 77 pounds from it too. I finally had to make Brian take the rest of it to work with him or I would have polished off the whole pan myself.

I'm not kidding either. I have no will power. And that Goop cake took it to a whole nother level.

I'm going to have to get the recipe.

Hopefully he tells me it's a secret family recipe that he can't give out because I probably shouldn't tempt myself with that kinda goodness.