Olivia's Safety Town Graduation

The sweet princess is growing up so fast!
Deagan and I are very proud of his big sister!
Olivia with Lauren, who was on our soccer team:)

Lauren, Stephanie and Olivia at the graduation ceremony.
On the first day of safety town Olivia became friends with little Stephanie. When her mom left, just as we were arriving, Stephanie was crying. I pulled Olivia aside and told her that she was scared and really needed a friend, and she should ask her to color with her. Well Olivia did and since they've been two peas in a pod. They would run hugging each other every day it was so cute!!!
On graduation day I finally talked to her mom and found out that they will be in THE SAME KINDERGARDEN CLASS this fall. So now we are all super excited for Olivia. She's not scared at all, and she's super confident now that she has a friend to team up with to conquer the world!

Olivia and I this weekend

We are still alive:)
This was from Aunt Beth and Uncle Don's 25th Anniversary party this weekend:)

Happy Birthday Baby Thomas

Jeff's best friend Brian and his wife Allie had a beautiful baby boy early this morning! Little Thomas Albert was born at 1:22am and apparently did not want mommy and daddy to get any rest- as he was born a few weeks early!
You can check out their blog, www.briandandallie.blogspot.com for some more pictures:)
CONGRATS GUYS!!!!!!

On another note. Oddly enough we booked plane tickets to come out and see them in September- FIVE months ago. And today, the baby's birthday, we got a phone call from the airline saying they had changed our flight. They left a message saying that instead of us leaving Oregon at 8pm we were now leaving at 2pm. Cutting SIX hours off of our trip. Six hours!
So I called them right back and tried bitching my way into another flight, but they told me that this was the latest light out that day and everything else had been canceled. Keep in mind this is TWO months from now. And the flight it already canceled!

So I hang up, ticked off, and got the intimidator on the phone. Jeff calls them, raises hell, gets hung up on and then calls back. The second time he got a sweet girl who put him on hold for 15 minutes (we thought she was never coming back). But she did and she transfered us to another airline and got us back on a later flight. With NO hassle.

So why is it that me, a woman talking to a man on the phone could get nowhere? But Jeff, a loud angry man talking to a woman could get exactly what he wanted?

It's like the airline leaves you a message and tells you one thing, just HOPING that the majority of the people will just take it and deal with it.... and they get away with it because people are too afraid to question their authority. Well not us! We fight back:) And we won~

Another weekend

Another weekend update, no pictures. Ha! I've got to be the worst blogger that I have ever been! Sorry!
I need about four extra hours in each day. Please!

We did a small home improvement this weekend. We FINALLY updated the landscaping in front of the house. There really was nothing there except a few flowering bushes. So we added about 12 more small bushes and some flowering plants. We also found a STEAL and got our trailer half filled with woodchips for only FIVE BUCKS. It covered the whole front of the house:)

Saturday we had a fun time at Zach's birthday party. I can't believe he is 14! He will forever be 9 years old in my mind...

Sunday we had photo shoots in and out of the rain. They all went well and the rain broke and the HEAT came on... flashbacks to Louisiana! YUCK.

Sunday Jeff and I snuck off to see the new Batman movie while my parents had the kids. It was AWESOME. Really, it was. I'm not usually into the Batman flicks, but this one was loaded. The special effects were so real. The sound was amazing. It was thrilling, romantic, dramatic, funny and sad. Heath Ledger did an amazing job as the joker. So real you couldn't even tell who it was! It's a sad loss! If you get a chance, go see it. It's one you don't want to miss in theaters:)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

July Family Photo

This is my new favorite family photo:)
It was taken this past weekend at Nicole's daughter's first birthday party.
Deagan is, well, Deagan!
Love It!

Working with Mavi

Since Olivia is a big girl now and she has decided to give up napping (or at least make her best effort not to) I have started to let her play in the studio while I'm working. Because as you see, my only solid work time when there is no babysitter here is during nap time. I hope and pray daily for a quality nap from the kids. However, the princess is almost five and is almost done with napping, so I give her the benefit of the doubt!
These were a few pictures taken last week of her playing quietly with Maverick while I worked.
What a tolerant little dog! He loves her and will do anything just to be with her...even let the dolls rest on him:)

*HaPpY bIrThDaY mOm*

Today is my wonderful mother's birthday! She brightens our world and made me the creative professional I am today, Happy Birthday Mom:)
We love you!

I know I'm bad....

...it's the summer! It sucks the life out of you! I can't help it we are so busy and more importantly the business is soo busy that I can't keep up with my own photoshop! So you all will just have to live without pictures for a little bit. I've got them, stockpiling. Waiting for a down day- or a late night!
sorry for boring you:)
t

*HaPpY 20th AnNiVeRsArY PaUlLa AnD rOn*

We would like to wish Jeff's parents, Paulla and Ron, a VERY happy 20th wedding anniversary!
We love you:)
Jeff and Tricia

HAPPY 1st Wedding Anniversary to Us!

Our anniversary sort of snuck up on us this year, but seeing as how it's a 'bonus' anniversary that's ok. We didn't do anything too exciting... I made my homemade spaghetti and meatballs. And we thawed out our cake topper. Of course the kids were sleeping, so I set a self timer on the counter and took a picture of us:) It was surprisingly DELICIOUS!

Weekend Update

Ok, ok, I know, all you people do is check the blog for new pictures of our gorgeous children.....but I have things to say too:)
I know, BORING, who wants to read!?!?
HA!
Well this weekend was a great one. Jeff took the kids up north to visit his parents. His dad is home and recovering well. Not too happy about being set back, but doing quite well considering. The kids just LOVE going up there, they would live there if we let them! (in the summer anyway;) They got to collect rocks and paint them with GiGi, go fishing, go on boat rides and fly kites. What else do they need? haha. It was nice for them to have alone time with Daddy too!
As for me, I had a few sessions on Saturday and then drove to Kalamazoo Saturday night. Sunday Brynn and her friend Rochelle organized a portrait party for me. We had amazing outdoor locations for family sessions and shot from 9:30-4:30. It went great. The kids were absolutely adorable and I got to photograph my first set of newborn twins:)
Now we are home and resting up for our fourth of july vacation to Mackinaw Island. Seems like we are always going somewhere this summer!

Catching up before June is gone!

Well sorry it's been a few days! We've been sooo busy. Well kind of busy doing nothing for a few days!
Jeff took a business trip to San Diego, during the snake incident, and loved being in California again. That's where we got married, where he went through BUDs, and where he's spent a lot of time training. While he was there he was able to meet up with his friend Dan, who was there for some training as well. They got to catch up together and reminisce about old times:)
He also discovered the wonderful world of the company credit card. Well at least the woman who was hosting did, and he got to tour a few of the california brewery's and bring home some growlers for our collection.
When he got back, the kids and I left for a few days with my parents at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. It was a blast. My dad and I rode the quads on the dunes. It was in the middle of the week, so we just about had the place to ourselves! The kids enjoyed rolling on the beach, with their clothes on, and swimming in the pool. MiMaw also made them an archeological dig in the sandbox burying little animals and pretty polished stones. It was nice to get away and to get a tan started:)
Now it's back to reality and three hours in front of the computer this morning returning emails from clients...

The SNAKE that we found in the backyard! Today!

This evening I was in the kitchen making dinner when the kids went out back to play. The ran down the deck and litterally ran right back inside. When Olivia goes out back she always makes a B line straight towards her swing. Well today, right under her swing was a 3 ft long DEAD snake. Freshly dead. Still rubbery.
Of course these things happen when Jeff is gone!
Olivia screamed bloody murder, peed her pants and ran up to the house bawling! A snake. a snake.
I ran out there to to see it but I didn't know if it was dead or alive. So I picked up this toy wagon sitting on the deck and launched it at the snake- it was dead. It didn't move! So I did what any person deathly afraid of snakes would do- found the longest, strongest pokey thing I could find to pick it up. The pooper scooper spade! We brought it out of the back yard and into the front for examination. Ewe. ewe. We must have screamed a bajillian times when it 'moved' out of fear that it was still alive. And then the kids got a little too into it and lost the whole fear aspect, when they figured out they could hold it without touching it!
Oh yeah, and it bit Stella. I found the bite marks on her leg! And she bit it right back and killed it! Ewe.

next to my foot
My brave little boy, who is the "man of the house" this week, taking care of business.
She is petrified of snakes!
He was loving it!

I think it might be a "Queen Snake" judging from the pictures on the Michigan DNR website.

Deagie mad because I wouldn't let him hold the snake!
amazed!
yuck!

My favorite picture!

The hat, the smile, the toys, the truck- this was Nick!

It's that DAMN day again!

Seven years! SEVEN years! I just can't believe it's been seven years! It seems like it was just last month...yet it also feels like an eternity ago that Nick died. Today is what they call his "angel date." The day that he went to heaven.
For me, it's one of the most terrible days of the year. The floodgates are open and there is no mercy.
Do you ever have one of those Jerry McGuire moments, you know where he had passed out the memos and was getting off the elevator, everyone's examining him and he says, "I'm not going to do what everyone thinks I'm going to do- which is FLIP OUT!" And then he flails all over to freak everyone out.
Well that's how I feel on days like today. Like everyone's just waiting for me to freak out. Well, I'll do that in the privacy of my own home and save you all the mushy mush.
I will say, I wish I was that lost little 19 year old that could just go back to her apartment and curl up on the bed and stay there ALL day wallowing in her own misery. But I can't. And I won't.
I will post more later...life is calling.

Olivia gets her EARS PIERCED!!!!!

Oh so excited!
Her super cute earrings. Silver flowers with a pink middle. Much cooler than the plain knobs that we all had to choose from! And she picked all by herself.

This morning Olivia came to me and said she wanted to get her ears pierced today. She's been talking about it for FOREVER, but has been a little too scared. Well not today. She said she wanted to get them done before Aunt Linny's wedding and before she started school....so we got them done!
She did not even cry! I thought it would be a massive freak out session- but no. She did not hollar, did not yell, nothing. Just excitement and bravery. They did both at the same time and that helped. She burried her face in my chest after and shed one tiny tear that she instantly wiped away and yelled, that wasn't bad!
What a great girl! She amazes me:) And I am so proud that she finally worked up the courage to do what she's been wanting for so long!

Deagan gets a (much needed) haircut!

BEFORE
AFTER...our baby boy is now our little man!

The new kids on the block!

a good profile view of the new hair
making his crazy face!
sweet girl, so happy

The Yellow Jackets

The team enjoying a picnic after the last game.
Olivia doing the kick-off.
Yes, she actually was running like this- with her tongue out- on the field! Silly girl!
Our crazy kids!

Yesterday was our last soccer game. We had a great time coaching Olivia's pre-kindergarden soccer team. We had great parents and amazing kids!

Miss Olivia's Preschool Graduation

Proud Parents with a proud little sweetheart!

Miss Courtney, her favorite teacher and one of my friends:)

very proud
getting her diploma
thirteen years from now we'll see the same gaze:)
her best buddy- Luke

Deagan

I forgot to mention, since we've been so incredibly busy over the last three weeks....
DEAGAN IS POTTY TRAINED. FINALLY!!!!
The week before Memorial Day Weekend we ran out of pull-ups. It just happened. By mommy brain accident. And it was perfect. It was just what we needed to catapult him to the next level.
He woke up..there were no more pull-ups in the drawer so I told him, well buddy looks like you're in underwear full time now. And he said, "OK." And that was it. He was off and running. He had been totally horrible at it for so long and just like that POOF, he was potty trained.
And we've only had three Deagan accidents in three weeks. (and two mommy/mimaw forgot to put a pull-up on you for your nap the day you decide to sleep for a magical THREE hours accident).
The little dude just took right to it! And he LOVES it. And it's so magical to watch because he gets so proud of himself:) And he jumps for joy each and every time. It might have something to do with the jelly beans- but hey I'll take it;)

Ron

Jeff's Dad, Ron, did very well with his surgery today and has started the recovery process. Jeff said he did great and the nurses were positive about status. Now he just needs plenty of time to rest and begin the new journey of recovery.
They ended up having to do five bypasses- whew! Strong man. Long surgery.
But all is going well:)

Ron

Please say a prayer for Jeff's dad Ron...he goes in at 5am for emergent quadruple bypass surgery. I wish I could be there- I'm glad Jeff is. We will be thinking about you all day and pray it goes well. LOVE YOU!!!!

On a lighter note

So my plane to Tucson was all messed up and long story short- the plane coming to get me was delayed which made me miss my connection- which then made me get re-routed to a different airport entirely and arrive 4 and a half hours LATE.
The airline did nothing for me as far as a credit or a voucher or anything, besides sit in THE terminal (see lower post) from 7 am until noon.
The flight attendant felt so 'bad' for me that they upgraded me to first class. I have never flown a REAL first class before. Just Airtran's business class that is essentially just bigger seats. Well this was serious first class.
We sat down and it was like we had a personal attendant/waiter for the whole trip. He was very, very attentive. They brought us juice, while the others were still loading. We got a bowl of WARM nuts served to us when the plane was first in flight. Followed by another drink (unlimited alcohol, which I did NOT partake in or I would vomit). Then they gave us warm wet towels for washing the nut salt off of our hands. Then the guy made an announcement that the cabin would be getting drinks, but they had to pay $3 for a snack if they wanted one. No free nuts or pretzels- you now have to pay. (woah!) Well before they even started serving drinks to the regular folk, we had a full three course meal. First a salad with bottled ice water, then a croissant sandwich with a bree cheese wedge and crackers. Then I knew I could smell it, I knew I wasn't going crazy....he brought us WARM FRESH FROM THE OVEN chocolate chip cookies. Seriously! It was like my dreams were answered and he knew exactly what I needed to make my day! It was great. Even the seats were better- softer, made of that memory foam.
I know I may sound silly, but it was great. It really was. It was different and odd. Don't get me wrong, I would never pay for it. But it was a nice little upgrade:)

Moments

So I've had a few of those "take your breath away" moments lately. Those ones where you are out and about and just stopped dead in your tracks (no pun intended). Maybe it's because the anniversary of his death is next week and it's just like a nasty cloud that looms over. You dread the day. Dread the emotion that is involved with reliving it all. But I swear I see my brother everywhere.
One day it's in Kroger shopping for food and I turn down an aisle and WHAM there he is carrying a basket (not pushing a cart because he's too cool). And I stop and have to remind myself- no that can't happen he's gone.
I few weeks ago I was asked to edit some of a friend's wedding photos for her and I found myself hopelessly weeping at my computer. Because she married one of his best friends. And there were all of his friends lined up in suits...but he wasn't there.
Or this week I did newborn photos for one of my other friends, who also happened to marry one of Nick's best friends. Well again I was editing the photos and the manner in which I took them- some of them- look just like it was him. They looked alot alike.
Then the icing on the cake was Saturday morning when I flew out to Tucson to see Lindsey and Peter, I was flying out of the old terminal in Detroit...which I hadn't done in a very long time. And there was the parking lot where I switched up my bag. And I flew out of the SAME EXACT GATE where I hung out with him for the very last time before leaving for Australia (back when your family could actually escort you to the gate). With that last big squeezy hug. Right there, right before my eyes. And the damn terminal is set up on a ramp, where you don't even realize where you are walking or what you are coming up on until you get there. And when I got there, it took my breath away- big time, stopped me right in my tracks. I'm sure I looked like a big idiot It's one of those situations where you have to have a serious conversation with yourself and convince yourself that you're in a public place and this is not the time to have an emotional flare-up... so you must suck it up and deal with the pain internally. (or just mentally blog and then pour your heart out at a later date...free therapy, thanks for listening).
Anyway, the point is, that I see him everywhere. All the time. And it sucks! But at the same time it's so real, and god do I wish it were real. I wish I could just wake up one day and have him come home and tell us it was all a big hoax.
But then reality sets in...

Daddy's Little Runners

This weekend when we went to pick up Jeff's race packet, they had a kids race. The kids were so excited, we waited around an hour for it to start. They both one their races and were sporting their medals with pride:)

Olivia's Kid Race

She sprinted with all her might! She is soooo competitive it's amazing! And she won first girl:)

Deagan's kid race- he came in first too!

Weekend @ GiGi's Beach

For Memorial Day weekend we went up to Jeff's parent's house in Omena. It's just above Traverse City. We had a nice long relaxing weekend on their beach. The kids even donned their swimsuits for the first time this year and splashed in the water!

For a Memorial Day Celebration, we had a lobster boil.