An awesome experience!!!!

This beautiful family used to live right next door to us. They are very dear friends to us. Mr. W, serves in the military, he is a F18 pilot. He has been deployed for the last six months. Mrs. W. had a baby four weeks ago, yes, while he was gone! He wasn't able to come home for the birth. On tues. Oct. 20th he returned home with his squandron and my friend asked me to come take pictures of the days activities. He saw his little girl for the first time that day. It was a beautiful day! Here are some of my favorite shots from that day. I took about 200 pics that day.

The W. family posing in front of a F18, which Mr. W. flies, he was serving on the USS Reagan.

The W. family reunited after a six month deployment

Gettting ready to greet their Dad.

Anxiously waiting for their Dad. It was so cool to be right in the hangar and watch the jets come in, it was also very loud!

This is one of my favorite shots from the day, the two oldest kids, huggin' on Mom.

Photo of the week.

Just couldn't help post this photo. This was taken Sat. night at the roadshows (plays/skits). These two girls were part of the animals that were chosen to go on "Noah and the Ark".

I Am Thankful...

.....for a busy, hectic life.
......for four wonderful, beautiful kids who wanted to go to the Pumpkin Patch even though it was raining
.......for the oppurtunity to serve others
.......for the oppurtunity to see families reunited after military deployment (more details to follow)
.......for awesome friends who make me laugh and smile

Have a Great Day!

My 10 year old son, Tyler (above photo) was giving the blessing on the food today. And this is what he said, "May we please have a great day for the rest of our lives." That was his prayer, I thought it was so cute! Because he is always having a good time. He is such a cute boy and we are so lucky to have him in our family.

Sick Kids!

I have a nursing degree and my husband has a medical degree. So,why do I get so stressed when my kids are sick? The only thing that has kept me sane this week has been my daily workouts at the gym. My cardio workout was excellent this week, more than I've done since my 10K this summer. I needed to release stress, and anxiety. And release I did, it felt so good! I've also been doing a lot of weight training, and oh my do I feel better. I think there is something to do with release of endorphins and weight lifting.

My kids have been very sick this week, my second oldest Tyler has missed five days of school. It seems to always hit him the hardest and he is always out the longest. He is one tough guy! The above picture is what my kitchen counter looks like when the kids are sick. Nyquil works great for their coughs-and knocks them out too. For Tyler, I am using buckwheat honey and he seems to really like that. My husband says, it's going to be a long, busy winter for the flu. So, what are your flu remedies? And many prayers to all of you who have sick kids!!!!

Newport Beach

We had a blast at Newport Beach last Thurs, Fri and Sat.. I took two of the kids Abby and Aaron, I just love the above photo of them, jumping on the bed at the lovely Mariott. I was able to see two of my sisters, Meleah, Anissa and their families.

Abby posing for me on the hotel furniture.

Aaron peeking out of the covers. I LOVE his eyes!!!

This has to be one of my favorite photos of Aaron on the beach.

Just another awesome photo of Aaron in the water.

I am Thankful.....

1. for being able to visit two out of eight of my amazing sisters this past weekend.

2. for being able to live in a time where we are able to have a living prophet on the Earth today and have the technology to be able to hear his inspiring words.

3. for my loving husband and family.

4. for peace and comfort.

5. for being able to photograph the beautiful "Birds of Paradise" above at Newport Beach.