Porch of July!

I don't know what it is, but since Jake was a tiny only child, the 4th of July photo shoot has been a tradition. Maybe it is the cute red white and blue outfits that are so easy to coordinate, or maybe it is just because I love America, but either way, I can't get enough of these cute faces.  And this year, I didn't even have to leave our own front porch to get that "All American" look.  Thanks to Arthur and his little helpers for painting our chairs "farm red."  They look awesome!  I give you Porch of July (and the cutest babies I know)

Win...Win? Adventures in Family Pictures

Family pictures...what a nightmare an adventure.

I realized a few weeks ago that I have very few recent pictures of my with my babies...especially with my boys.  So my amazing (and ever so patient) friend, Kristen and I decided that we would take my kiddos out for a little evening session.  She could get some camera practice in and I could have proof that I existed.  Okay, that may be a little dramatic, but long story short, it seemed like a win win.

After mentioning our little outing to Arthur, he said that he would go.  I tried to play it cool but my jaw may have dropped a little.  Family pictures are not this man's favorite event, so it was an offer I was not passing up.

Fast forward a few days later, and the time is set for optimum lighting, the location has been selected, and coordinating outfits have been assigned.  We're ready!

Well, of course, Arthur vetoes my location because he thinks it was too far away, each child is a little under the weather (each with different things), and some how the dog gets invited.  But we rolled with it anyway.  I kind of had this "it is now or never" feeling about the whole event, so we loaded up the car.

Kristen hadn't even got her camera ready before Jake was not longer responding to his name because he had started his entomology study of the location, James was crying because Jake had stepped on his finger, and Scarlett was fussing because she was had now decided it was time for the nap I had tried to get her to take 6 times that afternoon.  We were off to a good start.

Poor Kristen...this is what she was had to work with...

Arthur's true feeling about Family pictures captured

If only James and Scarlett had a pitchfork, they could be do their own version of American Gothic

But she did her best.  In total exasperation, I am pretty sure, I called it quits at least 15 times.  But knowing how important it was to me (or maybe because they were terrified that if we didn't get something they would be forced to do this again in the near future), Arthur and Kristen ignored me.  We bribed, we threatened, and I almost cried...but in the end we did get a couple of keepers.

And since this all started because I wanted a coupled of pictures with my boys, I guess after everything, it really was a win...at least for me...the verdict may still be out for Kristen.

Sunday Morning Smiles

Nearly every Sunday morning I wake up thinking, "Today is the day!  Today is the day when I will have everyone dressed and ready a few minutes early so I can snap a few pictures of everyone all ready to go."

Well, it still hasn't happened.  Between Arthur having us in car at the stroke of noon (church starts at 12:30), James lack of cooperation, and the "look" that Arthur gives me at the mere mention of being in a picture, it is a daunting task..not for Mother's Day, Father's Day, not even for Scarlett's blessing.  So, as so often happens in life, I took what I could get.  These are from several weeks ago before church.  Jake is the proudest big brother, and was more than happy to pose with Scarlett so I could get a few pictures.

These two have a very special love connection!  Scarlett lights up whenever she sees Jake.  And Jake adores her right back.  He is usually the first one up the stairs to greet her when she wakes up from a nap.  He practically preforms a circus from his car seat to keep her crying in the car. 

And he LOVES to pick her up and carry her around (although is nearly gives Arthur a heart attack every time he sees it).

Siblings are one of our greatest treasures in this life, and I am so grateful that Scarlett has such awesome  loving big brothers who will help teach, protect, and love her!

Splash Pad!

Yep, I am still blogging about our vacation.  It was really that fun...and I really did take that many pictures!  In my defense, part of it is because I had lots of opportunities to mess around with my camera a little and practice (something I don't get a chance to do very often these days), but I'll admit that the other part is that I am just flat out obsessed with my kiddos.

The splash pad at the hotel was awesome!  The boys loved it and I loved getting to play around the fast shutter speeds to capture all their fun.

Pool Practice

I really love living in the South!  However, there is one piece of California that I just can't shake...swimming.  As a child, my summers were spent in a pool.  Whether at swim practice, a swim meet, or spending the entire day at the Aquatic Center (with little more than a towel, sun screen, and a quarter to call home), I was swimming all day every day.  My teen years weren't much different.  By then we even had a pool in our own back yard.  By 14 I had started giving private swimming lessons and was helping coach the younger children on my swim team.  Then, after 10 years of teaching, I ran my own swim school for two years.  Jake spent his first year and a half on a pool deck or taking naps in a little red wagon in the back office.  Long story short...swimming has been a constant in my life...until now.

Swimming lesson at 2 months

Hanging out at the swim office

So needless to say, it makes me a little sad that my children don't have the access to pools and rec leagues that I had growing up.  But it drives me nuts that they don't know how to swim because we don't get to spend all summer swimming.

Why am I rambling about all of this?  Because I wanted to express how much I appeciated that we had at the pool on our vacation, and how much I enjoyed watching my kids learn and play.  The first day I kind of forced Jake into a "lesson" but it only took one before he was asking me to work with him.  Each "lesson" lasted about 15 minutes and then he would let me know he was done.  But he didn't end the lesson to go play, instead he would stay in the shallow end to practice.  Again and again he would go to the wall and push off into a stream line.  Watching him glide through the water with greater and greater ease, I flashed back to car rides more than 5 years ago.  Where I would listen to my baby's little froggy voice practice words over and over again while he was buckled in his car seat.  Barely a year old and JakePool Pr would repeat a word until it sounded just right. They grow up, but I don't know how much they really change.

His practice paid off and before our trip was over, Jake was gliding with a perfect streamline, kicking with strong full leg kicks, diving for rings, and even adding some tall slow motion big arms!  I am excited to get him in the pool more this summer, even if we have to fight the crowds on post a little.  Who knows, James might even take a break from jumping off the side of the pool to join us.

My Sunshine

Getting Jamie Do (a name he coined for himself while watching/reenacting the snowboard competition this past Olympics...it started as Jamie Dude, but almost immediately was shortened) in front of a camera these days is getting quite tricky.  But I did my best to get some pictures of him during our trip.  I might have been a little over zealous because on our last day there, as I begged him to "look up" (I don't even ask for smiles anymore) he said with great annoyance, "It is like you are always taking pictures!"

What can I say?  There is a little sour in my sour patch kid.  But there is whole lot of sweet too!  Not to mention a natural sense of humor and comedic timing that constantly catches us off guard and keeps up all laughing.

Since he was a tiny baby, I have described James as the color yellow.  He adds a warmth and light where ever he is...when James enters a room, it becomes a little brighter.  And I am not the only one who notices it.  At three and half, he already has a natural charisma about him.  I remember my dad trying to explain charisma to me when I was young, and he described it as a person that people naturally gravitate to, someone people just want to be around.  "You can't replicate it or fake it, someone either has it, or they don't," he told me.  Well, it appears James "has it."

This boy gives life 100%, and man does he have the bumps, bruises, and scraps to prove it (check out the bump on his head in these pictures)!  He is my dare devil.  The strider bike cannot go fast enough, he is already begging his daddy for a red motor cycle, and there is nothing that Jake can do that he isn't willing to try.  Luckily, three has brought with it a little wisdom and forethought...calculated risk has replaced recklessness...thank goodness!  If he is going to be a little crazy, I am sure glad he is really smart!

But sometimes smart and spunky can get a little trying, especially when he decides to digs his little heals in about something (did I mention he is a little stubborn?).  However, I know if it weren't for his feistiness, he might not be here.  When he came into the world he had to fight to stay, and I am so blessed that he was strong (and stubborn) enough to win.  

I can't imagine my life without him.  And despite the lip service I may give to him staying in his "big boy bed" each night, I am always happy to wake up to his warm little body cuddled up against me.  He is such a big boy so much of the time that I welcome moments when he still wants to be my baby.

James, you are such a blessing to our family, and I have no doubt that you will continue to bless the lives of others throughout as you grow.  I may not be able to predict the future, but I do know that wherever you go, smiles and laughter will follow and the world will be a little brighter.  Your light is a gift from your Father in Heaven, and you must never be afraid to let it shine!  

I love you with all my heart, Jamie Do!  You really are my sunshine!

Daddy Time

This past weekend marked our first ever family vacation.  A trip with no other purpose than just getting away for a few days and spending time together.  And let me tell you, it was A-mazing!  

However, it wasn't just the sand "that looks like snow*" or the gorgeous clear water that took my breath away, but it was the beauty of my own family.  More specifically, it was watching the amazing man I married with each of our babies.    How lucky I am...how lucky we are.

I love these pictures because they perfectly capture Arthur's relationships with our children.  The love is unmistakable and the trust is almost tangible.  In a society of broken homes, where father's are too often considered obsolete and even unnecessary, I couldn't be more grateful for my husband.  He not only understands the importance of his role as a father, but he works hard every day to fulfill it. 

* James' explanation of the sand