I'll Be Back.

While I am super excited about my upcoming trip to Boston, I am deeply saddened by a tragedy that has happened to one of my closest friends. I will be back blogging on May 1st. Love to all of my friends.

Baby J

I had the chance to photograph my friend Noelle's baby today. This was definitely harder than a newborn, or a teenager!! He did not want to sit still or look at me. The grass and blankies were WAY more interesting! He so adorable isn't he?! I can't get over those eyes!!! It was good experience for me and I had a really good time! I really hope Noelle likes them. Here is a little sample. Note: These pics have not been altered, so the colors are not as bright as I would like. They will look better after I photoshop them. I will do that as soon as I get my trial version of photoshop on this computer. :)

The Price of Freedom.

Up to this point, I have not known anybody that has been killed in the war. I certainly always feel bad when I watch the news and they show pictures of recently fallen soldiers, but it's something else when you know them. Tonight I was listening to the news as I was checking my email when I heard the name Casey Combs. I said NO out loud as I turned around to look at the screen. Unfortunately, it was the same Casey that I went to high school with. My chest instantly hurt and I started crying. It's not that we were best friends or anything, but I did know him and he was a really nice guy. He left behind a wife and two children. It's so sad. I'm just sick about it. So many have died and this is the first time I have really really thought about that. Tonight I am extra grateful for my freedom, for those that risk their lives to protect it, and those that give their lives to protect it!!!!! Thank you soldiers and your families.

Lesson Learned!

Kyah had a dirty diaper fairly close to the time I was going to give her a bath. So I left her pants off and didn't button up her onesie. I was in the kitchen dinner ready a little bit later when I looked behind me and saw "number two" all down Kyah's legs. I lifted up her onesie to check out the rest of the damage and she did not have a diaper on!!! I went on a frantic search around the house as I held her away from my body. I found her diaper on one end of the apt. and a pile of "you know what" at the other end!! I cleaned her up, threw her in the bath tub, and cleaned up the mess immediately! You better believe I will be snapping up onesies and putting pants on Kyah every time!! So gross.

Life with a three year old: Part 5

We're driving home from a church meeting today and then this conversation.

Gage: Are we going to my work?

Me: Where's your work?

Gage: At home.

Me: Oh, what do you do for work?

Gage: Ummmmmm NickJr.
(as in the website)

Me: Do you get paid for working?

Gage: Yes

Me: How much do you get paid?

Gage: It has two zeros and numbers.

Me: Oh

(A little pause goes by.)

Gage: My work has a bathroom.



I thought this was so funny!!

Help

Basically I have been sick for three days now and have taken a turn for the worse. I think I have an ear infection. All I know is that there is piercing pain in my ear. What do I do about this???

Making Doughnuts

Last week for Family Home Evening we made doughnuts. This is something I remember doing as a child and really enjoying it.


This was the set up. Basically I took a biscuit and fried it in vegetable oil, then dipped it in sugar and let it cool.





Kyah eating doughnuts with Daddy.






I tried to make the doughnuts into the shape of letters.





Gage and Nate were saying what the doughnuts were spelling. Like asbog, and then laughing hysterically!!

Life with a three year old: Part 4

This happened last night when I was reading good night books to the kids. They each were holding two books.

Gage: Kyah give me those books.

Me: Why don't you go get two books to trade with her.

(Gage gets two new books and gives them to Kyah)

Gage: Kyah, give me that book.

Gage: KYAH, give me that book.

Gage: Kyah, am I going to have to count to three?

Gage: One, two, three. Go sit on the mat Kyah.




Today

Gage: Mom, I can you get off the chair so I can use the computer.

Me: Gage, you're going to have to wait a couple of minutes until Mom is done.

Gage: Momma, please move.

I ignore this and after a few moments.

Gage: Am I going to have to count to three.




Yes, we count a lot around here. :)

Easter

I'm not going to lie, today was hectic and I am exhasted! But I love it. I love the chance Easter gives us to think about our Savior. I love the spirit that I felt today at church and the beautiful program our ward had. I love getting together with ALL the fam for dinner and games. Here is a quick pic taken right before we go got in the car to go to church.




And this one was right after church. I wanted to be in a pic. Didn't quite get what I was hoping for, or even close. Nobody wanted to do self timer pics so I didn't get many chances at a good one. Plus, I had on really cute shoes and a cute skirt, but you can't see that. And, I can't help but be jealous of my friend Kim. Grant seems like he doesn't care if he's wearing a tie and a suit coat. Gage freaks out! He had a vest and a tie to go with his outfit. The vest came off before we even left and the tie came off shortly thereafter. Anyway, Hope you all had a lovely Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt.....sort of.

Today I took Gage to an Easter egg hunt at a park by Lake Sammamish. There was a roped off section for kids ages 1-3. Basically it was plastic eggs burried in hay. There were golden eggs that were worth a bigger prize at the prize tent. All the others were filled with candy. They told all the parents that they preferred that they staty outside the roped off area, but it they really needed to come in, they could. They also made it very clear that parents were not to pick up eggs. I thought Gage would do really well since he was at the top of his age group. He seemed excited despite the sprinkling rain. When the alarm sounded all the parents went rushing in with their kids and it was not quite Gage's thing. It was a little much. He just stood outside the roped off area and watched. I took his hand and brought him in the hay and showed him eggs. Another Mom noticed he had no eggs and put a few in his basket. He took two out and threw them on the ground. He only wanted the pink one. Everytime I would show him another egg he would remind me that he already had a pink one. Then I saw it, the golden egg. I said, "Gage, look, a golden egg." Just then, two parents leaped at it and grabbed it. I couldn't believe it!! A lot of parents were going nuts! I think I was just about the only one not grabbing eggs for their kids. The mother that did get the golden egg- her child must of had 40 eggs- saw that Gage only had one pink egg and put about five eggs from her child's basket on the ground and showed Gage. He didn't care until he saw a green one. He quickly picked it up and tossed out the pink egg. I did pick up that pink egg and put it in my pocket. Needless to say, we ended up with two pieces of chocolate out of that green egg and a little pack of skittle from the pink egg. Gage was happy, I was happy. He didn't need any more than three candies anyway. He is so funny!! I wish Kyah could have gone. I think she would have been put lots of eggs in her basket. She is sick and so she stayed home with Daddy. After the hunt, I decided to take advantage of this alone time with Gage and go to starbucks for some cocoa. I ordered Gage a short kids cocoa and me a tall carmel apple cider. Then I realized I did not have my wallet!!! My camera case is about the same size and black and I mistook it for my wallet earlier when I checked. I leaned over the counter, just mortified, and told the guys that I didn't have my wallet and that I was so embarrassed!! He was so nice and told me that it was no big deal, I could have the drinks anyway. Nice huh. So we had a nice little drink together in Starbucks and then went home. It was fun. Here are my pics.



His prized green egg.

Angela Goes to the Movies

Music and Lyrics




I went with two of my girlfriends, Ashleigh and Cindy. Afterward Ashleigh asked if we liked the movie. My response, "Honestly, LOVED IT!" Basically I am a big sucker for a cute funny love story!! That's exactly what it was. Very funny, very cute, very lovey-dovey. A lot of the funny parts you knew were coming because they were on the previews, but who cares. The movie just cracked me up. I definitely would recommend it to anyone who is female and WILL see it again. The only part I wish were different is the young girl pop star is dressed so her buns and everything else hangs out. Other than that, totally loved it. This total chick flick gets two thumbs up from me.

Shelby's Senior Pictures

I went to my home town today to take my cousin Shelby's senior pics. Here is a sneak peek. I do not have photoshop on this new computer, so these pics are sooc. (straight out of the camera). Actually, I guess they are not sooc because I did crop them a little bit. Anyway, I am going to choose my favorites, burn them to a disk, put them on my old computer where photoshop is, and then spiff them up. Here are my faves. Don't forget these are pre-spiffing. ( I like to make up words)







Basically she's gorgeous!!

Updates

Gage is doing much better compared to how he was almost three weeks ago. He gradually started eating foods again. It's like he would figure out that one was "safe" and then that was all he wanted. For a week it was cottage cheese and yogert only. Then he added real cheese, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and french fries. I made banana bread yesterday and he ate it. This was exciting for me because that was how I knew something was wrong the first time. He wouldn't eat my banana bread which he LOVES. While he is eating most foods again, it seems his portions are smaller and I fear he is still losing weight. I'm keeping my eye on it. He currently weighs 32 lbs. I took a pic at famly home evening the other night and I though he looked soooo skinny in it. I'm going to post it. However, things are looking up as far as his swallowing goes. Oh, I did take him to the dentist two fridays ago and he was cavity free!!! I didn't mention it before because I wanted to post the pics I took but they are on my sisters camera and I'm starting to think she may never email them to me. His throat cultures all came back negative, so I have no idea what the deal was!!!
Just a quick cute story. Today I took both the kids with me to try on dresses for Easter. I had them both in the dressing room with me in the stroller. Everytime I put on a new dress Gage would say, "Momma, you look so beautiful in that one!" What a sweetie.




Kyah is going to be 18 months tomorrow and I CAN NOT believe how fast she has grown up!! 18 months is such a great age. She is saying so many words and really has a personality all her own. She loves her babies, apron, boots, and Gage. She is such a little climber and is fearless, which is opposite of how Gage was at this age. She does love letters, but thinks they are all the letter B. It's cute. I have started putting little ponytails in her hair and pretty much it's adorable. She got in the past week she got the last three of her canines (i-teeth). Yeah for that.


She looks sad in these pics, but they are the only ones I have of her pigtails.

Please, empty your bladder before reading this!

If you don't, you risk wetting your pants because this is so funny. The only problem is that it probably wont be as funny reading it as it would be if I were telling it. I'll give it my best shot.

I was at the gym last night doing the elliptical machine. This machine basically simulates running, but in a smooth motion. It has arm dealy bops to hold onto that go back and forth as if you were running. I was really going at it so I could burn more calories in less time. I noticed in one of the mirrors, that the ends of the machine was basically going in a cirle. The mechanics of how the elliptical worked all of the sudden had me intrigued. Now even though I was really giving it may all, I decided to take a little peak at the back of the machine to figure out how it worked. I bent forward a little and turned my head toward the back of the machine and then........ I COCONKED myself on the head with the arm holder thing so TOUGH! Seriously, it really wacked me!!! Naturally this made a big crashing sound and brought the elliptical to a halt! Everyone looked at me! I tried to play it off like something in the back of the machine just malfunctioned and made the crashing sound while simultaneously trying to feel if blood was rushing out of my head! Luckily just my ego was damaged. When everyone looked away, I started laughing so hard. Who on earth hits themself in the head while doing the elliptical! It was really hard for me to regain composure. The truth is, there were only three other people in there because it was late at night. THANK GOODNESS! Still funny though. I hope you have been able to envision this and get a good laugh. If it was not funny to you, sorry to disappoint!

Meet the Siblings

There are nine children in my family. Six boys and Three girls. We all come from the same Mom and Dad. The oldest is 31, (he'll be 32 tomorrow) and the youngest is 12. For the most part, I LOVE coming from a large family! Each one of my siblings is unique and I love every single little quirky thing about each one! Here is a brief synopsis of each one.
Jeff- school music teacher/baseball coach, has a wonderful wife Jana, and three kids
Kimm- is a nanny/personal assistant, is so fabulous with my kids, or anyones kids!
Me- SAHM with a degree in Elementary Education, two kids
Tyler- Married to Lindsay, she's so great, runs a car wash, wants to be a pilot
Rocky- plays football at EWU, go EAGS, majoring in criminal justice, future FBI agent
Kylee- Attending BYU, awaiting acceptance into the nursing program, my twin but younger
Bradley- super funny in a sarcastic kind of way, attends GRCC, works at a golf course
Jordan- always positive, runs track, also plays football and basketball
Hunter- Love skateboarding, playing guitar, and rock music, the most spoiled!
As you will see from these pics. We are a fun group of siblings. We have a GREAT time when we're all together and are a pretty close knit group of kids. My brothers can not take a serious picture if their lives depended on it!!! They are so hilarious!!!
Please promise me you will click on the pictures to see them big. It's way funnier.



OLDEST TO YOUNGEST

Names in order from left to right: starting with the youngest.
Hunter, Jordan, Bradley, Kylee, Rocky, Tyler (TJ), Angela (me), Kimm, Jeff





TALLEST TO SHORTEST

The next time we take a picture like this, I will be at the end. Hunter and I are the exact same height at the moment. It's just a matter of time!



This is as good as it gets as far as a serious photo goes with all my brothers and sisters. We were told we HAD to be good for this pic.





HOW WE REALLY ARE.

I think these two pics are an acurate representation of how we really are. My sister Kylee loves this first one because of my face. I could NOT believe my brother Jeff was holding my 300 lb football player brother Rocky on his shoulders!










THE GIRLS.

We, unlike the boys, are capable of taking a picture in which we all smile.






THE BOYS.

Notice the ties of my two brothers on the right. I laugh so hard I almost cry when I look at these pics!






NOTE: Thes pics were all taken last August after my Grandpa's funeral. This is not a relection on my Grandpa, but rather on us! It's who we are.