These are a few of my favorite things....

We decided it was about time to get some family pictures done (mainly because we have been married 14 years and don't have any!).  As I said in one of my previous posts I have no desire to go to a studio and have them done....must be something about having seven people crammed inside a little room, or trying to keep my sweet little munchkins clean while driving to the desired location (I have boys...they are dirt magnets....'nuff said.)   I was hoping I could find someone who would come to our house to take pictures because the kids are so much more relaxed in their own environment.  Besides, I am a huge fan of "unposed" pictures, and I would rather see my kids doing what they like to do.

Anyhoo, thru my sister-in-law (Auntie Theresa....thank you, and Auntie Theresa happens to be a very good photographer, too)we found a very talented lady.  If you know me personally and are looking for amazing pictures at a VERY reasonable price, email me.  She will come to you and spend as much time as necessary to capture your little cherubs doing what they do best.  She also takes senior pics, wedding pics (she did my nieces wedding, and seriously....I have never seen wedding pics as good as her pictures!), engagement pics, baby pics, family pics, etc.  Ok....I am starting to sound like an advertisement.  I'll stop now.

The above pics are just a few "samples" that she posted on my Facebook page.  I can not wait to see what else she has come up with.  I love that these pictures capture my kids doing what they love to do and what I would see them doing on any average day.  Miss M' w/her dog, J' with his chickens, A' roaming around the yard taking everything in and loving every minute of it, D' playing with tractors, and L' hanging out w/momma. . . . just a normal day at our house.....minus momma's track pants and t-shirt. :)

Our week in review.....

Craigers peeking over the side of the pool.

Sweet baby Brett.



Look at this adorable little Dutch girl! Happy 4 months!

Uncle Jerm riding Bunny.

My one and only zoo picture.

Wow! The summer continues to fly by, and this week was no exception. It was only when I downloaded my pictures this week that I realized how much we had actually fit into one weeks time! :) Tuesday, J', Sr. graciously took the day off so that we could take A' to her 6 month neurology appt. (just follow up....nothing new....she will go again in 3 months for another one, as well as another feeding study). We then headed off to the zoo since we were only a few miles away. The kids LOVED it! Unfortunately, my camera died immediately after taking one picture. :( Wednesday, our favorite 12 year old brother-in-law came over for a play date, and we had a great afternoon with him. Thursday, Miss M' had a few girls from school over for a sleepover (yes, I am THAT crazy!), and my dear friend and her darling boys came over to play, too. Friday, after dropping the "sleepover" girls off the kids and I headed off to the mall to do a little school shopping with Auntie Amanda and Dunk. We hit the "jackpot"....loves me to do some shoppin'. Saturday, J', Sr. was in the house for a bit and said, "why don't you go run errands by yourself?" Um....hello! OK! So, instead of doing them completely alone, I took my favorite shopping buddy (Miss M.....loves to shop!) and headed to Costco and a few other places. Uncle Kris was here from California for the weekend, too so G'ma O' put on a fabulous barbecue to celebrate the occasion. Thank you, G'ma O....YUMMO! And, finally.....sweet Princess L' turned 4 months on Saturday, too. Fhew.....no wonder I am tired! :)

They ride.....

All of A's therapist have suggested that we look into equine therapy for her due to the numerous benefits it offers, especially improving trunk control in kiddos w/low muscle tone. In fact, her physical therapist even has a "fake" horse (think mechanical bull, but in a horse version) that mimics the natural movement of galloping. I was a little scared to put her on Bunny at first (don't worry....we walk right next to her while holding her at the waste), but they both seemed to love it. It's become a family affair, too. Miss M is in charge of leading, while daddy walks along side Bunny.

Just farmin'......

Yes, that is a chicken on M's shoulder.

J'man and his favorite chick. :)

Love these overalls. All of the kids have worn them.

Building a "home" for the chick.

Sweet Princess L' and A' sitting under the tree.

The weather has been AMAZING around here this summer.....sunny and very pleasant. I have thoroughly enjoyed not having to drive to town except for grocery runs, and we haven't really done a whole lot other than lay around under the big walnut tree. Here are a few pictures of the kids doing what they do best.....farmin'.

Bunny....

J' and M' brushing Bunny.

So, this is the adorable little mare that we just got on Thursday. She is SO sweet and the kids can't get enough of her (which would explain why Maddy is wearing her pj's in the pictures, hair not brushed, etc. she wakes up and goes directly out to the barn.) They have been brushing her, walking her around, riding her, and doting over her like crazy, and Miss Bunny seems to thoroughly enjoy all of the attention. Our other horse, Stuart isn't as impressed. Can you say "JEALOUS"? He spent the greater part of Thursday tormenting her, but now he seems to be getting more used to her sharing his space. Poor old man......just grumpy some times.

Since she has had a little weight issue in the past (haven't we all :), her previous owners suggested that she not be on any, or very limited pasture grass....just hay. We weren't really set up for her dietary regime, but my hard-working husband(who has been farming until the wee hours lately....14-15 hour days....no rain+dried up crops=irrigation time) put up some fence posts for her in the dark last night, and now Bunny is happy and content in her new pen. Thank you to my amazing husband for getting the kids Bunny and all of your hard work last night. I'm sure hubs would of rather been sleeping. :)

Farewell friend......

One last hug from Mom Vk

:*(....sniff, sniff. Love you and miss you, Bri.

I guess this means that she is ready to go???

Goodbyes at Mom and Dad Vk's.

Bri and Heidi

Um...awkward. Neither Uncle J', nor Bri are big "huggers," so this was so funny to watch.

My favorite 19 year old niece from Idaho.

Bri and Miss M

J'man and Bri .

D' giving Bri a goodbye kiss.

Bri squishin' up to Princess L'.

Bri w/A'....her bestest friend.

Today was a very sad day around here (and in Idaho, too), but so exciting at the same time. My niece, who just recently wed the man of her dreams left to move to Hawaii for the next three years. Dan, her adorable husband left yesterday. I had a hard time saying goodbye.

For those of you who do not know my niece grew up about eight hours away from us. We always felt close, but we missed seeing her grow up, other than the occasional visit here and there.

Last year, when she asked if she could move in with us to go to college we jumped at the chance to get to know her better.

During the past year, she has been an absolute joy to have around. She made us laugh, helped out A LOT, forged tight bonds with her cousins....especially A'(who has a special place in her heart), and shown what a lovely young woman she has become .

We feel very blessed to have been able to get to know her better. We will miss you so much, Bananarama. We LOVE you! We wish you all the best, dear girl!

My girls....