Work Play Work

I'm starting to feel like I need to begin every post with "I'm still here!" because I am still here, just not taking the time to post on my own blog.  I used to blog during naptime and I now I a) edit/upload photos b) clean house c) teach piano/English or prepare for cub scouts or d) sleep.  I'm pretty tired these days.  All the time.
(I used to sleep at night but now I .... see above)

Photo business is good, partly because of the time of year, I'm sure. For the first time I'm trying to catch up with my sessions.  We made two Salt Lake trips last week, one for wedding photos and one for the BEST DAY EVER where my dad was confirmed in the state senate to be an 8th district judge, and all my siblings except the missionary were there.  Jordan flew in for the day, Brent & Megan came for a few weeks, Matt & Heather drove from Idaho to see it.  We ate brunch at my Grandma Woodruff's, spent a couple hours at the capitol, ate dinner at the Red Iguana and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.  We just don't get to see the cross-country family often enough.

and then Jordan missed his flight back home....darn late Senate

This Friday we spent the afternoon with some old family friends and their horses.  I got brave and rode for a while, even with this rapidly-expanding belly.  Good times.

We still haven't decided where to go on our big vacation in 2.5 weeks.  Ha!  The important thing is, Slice will have 9-11 days off AND he's getting a 5% bonus with his next paycheck. Thank you Newfield! Sometimes I love the oilfield, you know?  Those times are usually when Slice checks the bank account.

Let's see ... that's about all that is going on here.  Between play dates, family time, photo shoots, work and everything else, we've been gone a lot the last few weeks.  I'm not expecting things to slow down in the next month - but after that would sure be nice!  And no sick kids, pleaseandthankyou.

big little success

Last Thursday we finally finished the bunk beds. (And by "we" I mean mostly Slice.)

This design is cool - it's two separate beds held together with an outside railing. So if we ever want to use the beds separately, we can take it apart easily.  Sweet versatility.

It was a risky venture putting the children in it, because we took MG out of the crib and took away her bink AT THE SAME TIME.  Miraculously, and I do mean miraculously, she was happy enough with her new bed and pillow to go to sleep.  She slept all night.
We've had a few rougher nights and naps since then, but still, the cold turkey method worked for us.

The rest of last weekend was a whirlwind - Slice went to a 2-day paintballing camp. He got home, I went to the Relief Society dinner and part of the broadcast. I left early, we went to the high school and took Homecoming pictures until 11:30 p.m. On Sunday, my other nursery leaders didn't show up (but 14 toddlers did). Monday we worked all day and attempted family pictures in the evening.  It was sort of a disaster.  My children were very obstinate and the wind didn't help.  Oh well!  We got an updated-for-now family photo!

my fave, despite/because of Slice's goofy half-smile

Yesterday I moved my gallery wall in the front room.  It's been bugging me since I moved the piano a few months ago, and finally I bit the bullet.  Spackled/repainted the wall and shifted my artwork around, and now all I need in that room is a tall skinny bookshelf to fit by the piano.  Like, hmmm, this?  $119 on Amazon?

Well, that and some new carpet .......

Today Slice is back at work and I am putting away the seven loads of laundry I also did over the weekend.   I have 7 photo shoots coming up, which is exciting, and an ANNIVERSARY TRIP IN NOVEMBER to look forward to!  Guys! I'm going on a trip!