Just sweetness.

My beautiful, beautiful nephew Brock. Thanks for pretending to be so excited when I put you in a basket. You are a precious gift.

The Open House

Look at him, the concentration, the detail...he's gonna be a good husband!







smokin' hot model pose


personally, the petit fors and mini cheesecakes were my favorite...YUM! ...who says you don't enjoy the food at your own reception?
{they haven't met Kevin}

Snapshots of Home

It is a 12 hour drive from Houston to Kansas City. I can't complain too much because my kids did REMARKABLY well with the trip!

Zach and Lily loved the "races" held in gas station parking lots!
Thursday we stayed with Dave's mom. Zach and Harry are looking for bunnies in the backyard.
Grandma Sally
And the peaches were yummo!
Grandma Smyers always has lots of toys and treats!

Friday we headed over to Papa Jimmy's for a fish fry.
Lily and Papa
Grandma and Grandpa Painter
Swimming in Papa's pool is always a highlight.
The airshow was "advertising" for their weekend performance, and grandpa's house must have been in the flight path! WOW! Dave got some amazing shots of the planes!
Friday night we headed back to my folks because Ashley and Kevin were coming back from their honeymoon, and the Gormley's (Ashley's fam) were also getting into town. We ordered bar-b-que (you haven't LIVED until you've eaten Smokehouse) and partied late. So late. Funny story, nightime routines go out the window when we visit family. But Zach finally got to bed sometime around 11. An hour later we were all upstairs when Zach was discovered out of bed and having a midnight snack with his new friend Hunter.

I ran downstairs to see what was going on. There they were, chattn' it up, attempting civil conversation during their meal together by asking questions like, "So, what's YOUR full name?" And I just about died when I saw what they were eating.
They had helped themselves to the food, and made BEAN sandwiches. I don't think Zach really touched any of his dinner from earlier in the evening. But there is something about a bean sandwich at midnight, made by your friend, that hits the spot.

It was so refreshing to be home for the weekend. I wish I had gotten my camera out for the play date with girls from my former ward (hi Brittany and Mandi) and the fondue night with friends I grew up with (hi Lisa, Margaret, Lindsay, Anna and Laura too!) We packed so much in those three days...but that's how I like it. Beautiful memories.

A Place for Inspiration

Project: inspiration board. Call me crazy, but I like this painting.

(David, trying to look inspired)

A place for all my pretties....and ideas....and dreams.

I covered it in burlap, I like the texture and color.
Where is it going? ummmmmmmmm...

next to all the other stuff I don't have room for in this tiny apartment!

Lately...

We've been enjoying evening swims.
And, it's official. I can now apply for my "embarrassing mom" card status. I use coupons. And while my kids happily walk the isles with me and my coupon stash, I anticipate rolling eyes in the future. Thanks to my friend Jill (see her story here) I am testing the merits of coupon clipping. I still have a few reservations, like that a lot of the coupons are for highly processed food, but my total bill for EVERYTHING you see in the image above was...$2. As in 2 bucks for 10 items. That's it. $2. Heck, a month ago, I would have been thrilled with the idea of getting two boxes of Raisin Bran for 2 bucks. I am understanding with more clarity why the ladies on Oprah, and on morning TV shows have such feverish looks in their eyes when they speak about amazing grocery deals. This coupon clipping game is highly addictive.

Beauty-full

In a 5 am haze I was unloading kids and car seats at the airport when I realized my bag with the beloved camera (and games and snacks for the flight to Denver) was sitting all neatly packed...by my front door. I cried. (that is, after the rush of profanity flew from my mouth) But nothing could really put a damper on an amazing weekend. THIS is a beautiful couple. THEY have started something really, really good. (**and luckily, mom lent her camera)

The roomies. This group of guys are amazing. love em.
Uh oh. Here is big brother and little brother. But big brother has to tippy-toe in pictures because sometimes it makes him sad that little brother is now a bigger little brother!
Stunningly smart and gorgeous and talented girl that Ashley is. Kev's the lucky one (actually, we all are)...she's so cool.
The next few photos are a glimpse into what my kids were doing...you could call them "pictures the photographer WOULDN'T take" or maybe, "sometimes naughty, but always adorable kids"

Then, the reception. Incredible location on an island, food and friends. There was a minor unplanned detail, big thunderstorms (ok, it might have lasted a while). You know, you can order a lot of unique and creative things for your wedding reception, but a rainbow is one of those "gifts" from above. Besides, it was totally fun sloshing around with these people!
My mom stood behind the photographers (hehe) to get this jumping shot...can't wait to see how it turns out, they look so fun!

Sloans know how to have a good time!

Kevin and Ashley are gentle souls. They are good together. Their ceremony was beautiful and touching. It's weird to grow up, and see your siblings get married and start families of their own. Yet, at the same time, it is refreshing. By the end of the weekend I felt like, "I've known Ashley and her family forever." They are those kind of people. Generous and kind (um, and they throw great bonfires). Can't wait to see them all again at the open house in KC (1 week away). I will be there. WITH my camera.