It's Shocking, Really

Several things have changed around here.

First, blogging has become a "chore". Something that once came easily and frequently now seems like something I don't have time for. And it's weird. Because I really do want to keep up with the old bloggin' bus, but somehow the days and weeks just pass me by. And I have lots and lots to post about, but, oh, the time it takes...and I'm not sure why I have less time than I used to, but I do.

Second, summer is over. And I still can't wrap my brain around that fact. And I love fall the most of all the seasons, so I'm happy...but it's crazy how fast the time goes. We did have lots o' fun this summer {and a broken arm}, and maybe I'll get around to putting some pictures up, because I know that everybody is dying to see them {even if they are old}.

Third, my baby starts kindergarten tomorrow. And I'm feeling very anxious about the whole thing. Like she isn't ready to be on her own, and that she'll get lost, or not know bus safety, or forget her backpack... And I don't remember feeling all of these emotions when I sent my first off to school--but I'm sure I'm just forgetting. But just to help with all of the stress, tomorrow I'm going to send her on her merry little way and head on over to get myself a pedicure. For the sake of my mental health. And because I now have free afternoons--and that is going to mean alot of me time.

Fourth, my oldest is now a third grader. And she thinks she is an expert when it comes to school. She's got it down. She has assured me that she will take care of her little sister for me. And I believe her. Carly will be in good {and maybe bossy} hands. And I've learned that she no longer cares about my opinion in what she wears. She chose her first day of school outfit, and there was no turning her mind around. But, as it turned out, she looked absolutely adorable--and too grown up.

Because my last post was in favor of Cougars, I just had to make up for it.

It's getting to be that time of year again. And I can hardly wait. And videos like this one get my blood pumping. TCU, we're coming after you. It's going to be another great year...

**For the record, Stevenson Sylvester is my 2009 Ute crush. But how awesome is Robert Johnson? I love how at the 1:10 mark he hands the game ball to a Michigan cheerleader, and at about 1:30 he hurdles his opponent. What a guy!

In honor of Shane

I decided to do a Flashback Friday post because it has been oh, so long. While browsing through the pictures on my PC {we got a new one, so there aren't very many pics on there yet}, I saw this. I laughed because I didn't download this. Which means that Shane must have. And it must have been recently, because this computer isn't very old. Which also means that he was checking himself out for some reason. Which I find to be very funny.

So, in honor of Shane, we flash back to 2001, which was Shane's senior season of baseball at BYU. There wasn't much else as important to him as baseball. And I also loved that he played the game. Even if it was for BYU. I always thought he looked really cute in his uniform, and it brought me great joy to see him play well. We made some great memories and some fabulous friends.

I will have to ask Shane what the reason was for him downloading this picture. I'm sure there is a pretty good story, as almost everything he does is crazy funny to me. Also, this will be the last favorable BYU post I do. I can almost taste football season...and we all know what that means.

So far...

This is the news that we got almost a month ago. I was able to go in for an early ultrasound at about 15 weeks, and they told me that our baby looked like a boy. Shane said he was sure--I'm still not so convinced. I was positive I was having a girl. But, I have another ultrasound {the BIG one} in a week, and whatever they tell me I'll believe. As for now, I'm looking for boy names and getting excited about all of the "boy things". I'm excited to be able to do and buy all of the things that I haven't been able to yet {I'll get to shop on the OTHER side of the store for once!}. That is, if we're actually having a boy...stay tuned.

I'm Feelin' Groovy

Just because I know you've all been missing me, I think I may jump back into the land of blog. I can finally lift my head again and am back to functioning {somewhat}. Now my life is about catching up on the last few months. So, of course, I'll start with the blog...

So much to catch up on--the end of school, parties, summer, 4th of July, baby news, 11th anniversary, etc. etc.

But, first, for those of you who may be living in a bubble and haven't seen this...{make sure to turn my music off, at the bottom of the page, before you start the video}

This should make you laugh. I did. And now Shane is really wondering why our wedding was so lame. I think he'll be begging my last single sister to use this approach so he can have a moment of glory. {I wonder if the temples will start to allow Chris Brown soundtracks...?}

My Life

A whole lot of this

and more of this

because of this

I'm really excited. And terrified. And marking December 25 on my calendar--but not because of Christmas...{seriously, December 25}

Miss Ashlyn

Back in February I posted Carly's birthday photos. In March, it was Ashlyn's turn. And this was her big eight year old/baptism session. And it was so much fun. We had to cancel her initial appointment when she got pnuemonia, so when she got to feeling better she was very excited to have a day just for her. We did pictures and dinner at Purple Turtle {her request}.

I absolutely love Jessie O'Neal. Thanks to her for all of our amazing photos. I can't wait to do some fun things with the prints.

Sisters

I was lucky enough to be able to grow up in a family with 4 girls. And I thought it was the best. And now I am so lucky to have two cute girlies who will be the best sisters to each other. These two sure know how to bug the crap out of each other, but most of the time we laugh and giggle at how goofy they can be together. And when they get each other giggling, it can go on and on and on.

Bigger than Big

So the final two are set. And I couldn't be happier about it. I wanted Danny to go before Allison, so the universe has corrected itself this week. So, who will win? Adam {oh, so good looking--strange, yes---but pretty} or Kris {I totally wouldn't be disappointed if he won}. I'll be anxiously awaiting the finale on Tuesday.

Now, what's Bigger than Big? Tuesday can't come fast enough for me. But not because of American Idol. I'm more excited about what's coming AFTER American Idol. GLEE appears to have all of the makings of Meg's favorite kind of entertainment. High school AND singing. They had me at "Don't stop believin". Seriously, you could sell me on anything if that was your theme song. The most exciting thing about American Idol the last few weeks has been the previews for what I think will be the highlight of the fall season for me. And those nice people at Fox are giving us a little taste next Tuesday. Just so we can be sitting on the edge of our seat's until September.

The Partridge Family {minus David Cassidy}

Oh, the joy of family photos. I have a love/hate relationship. I stress about the pictures, and making sure that everybody looks good, so much so that my family hates me by the time we get there. But I love getting a great photo. It's a crap shoot, because sometimes you do, and sometimes you don't.

On this particular day, we spent a good amount of time getting the girls ready, only to have them show up at the location and start running around playing with dogs and rolling in the grass. It about made my head explode but what do you do. All in all, we got some good shots, and some funny shots. When you are trying to get a family photo with a bunch of silly munchkins you take what you can get....

The Belliston Family

The Guymon Family

The Sharp Family