We are a family

I am so lucky. I have so many beautiful photographs of my WHOLE family to hang in my home. I am so excited to get some of these printed and on my walls.

My brother was kind enough to take us up above Saratoga to a beautiful wheat field. I love these images. We had a fun time, and had quite a few laughs trying to get these images. Thanks Steve!

Then, because Wyatt got sick and we extended out flight I got to have a photo session with my best friend from high school. Annie and I haven't seen each other in 11 years! It was a fun reunion but much too short! I love her style, and I love these pictures. SO FUN! I finally have some current pictures of Lincoln and I together, and I am trilled. Thanks Annie!

#36.

Lincoln always brings the kids and I gifts when he comes home from traveling. He travels a lot so the gifts are not always something huge. I love the thoughtful and funny things he gets me. Sometimes it's chocolate, a t-shirt, a giant pink diamond paperweight, lingerie (did I just put that on my blog!?), brisket and a huge bottle of bbq sauce from Texas, or and insane amount of clothes from England. Last time he was in Texas he brought me a bandana and a Texas shaped pen. (I was born in Texas.) 35 Things to do with a Cowboy's Bandana. It is too good not to share.

1. A decorative clothing accessory made from a variety of cloth ranging from cotton to silk.

2. A scarf or head covering.

3. A sweat band rolled and tied around the head.

4. A cloth to clean a gun.

5. A ribbon to tie back a cowgirl's hair.

6.A measuring tool.

7. A cloth to wipe perspiration for one's face and the insides of a hat.

8. A mask or disquise to hide one's face--like a robber.

9. Blindfold to lead a spooked animal or horse form a burning barn.

10. A covering to protect one's face from the elelments like a dust storm or a blizzard.

11. A handkerchief to blow one's nose.

12. A handkerchief to dry a lady's tears.

13. A sling for an injured arm.

14. Protection for the neck from the sun.

15. An ear muff to keep one's ears from freezing in cold weather.

16. Used with a stick as part of a tourniquet.

17. A bandage or poultice for humans and cattle.

18. A tie around one's hat to keep the hat from blowing away.

19. A tie for a splint.

20. A flag to help signal.

21. A pouch to hold money, food or gold dust.

22. Knapsack for clothes like a hobo uses.

23. A short rope to hang items from jeans, belt, or saddle.

24. Washcloth for body or dishes.

25. A towel to dry with.

26. A strainer for muddy water or coffee.

27. Dust or polish rag for boots, saddle, or silver belt buckle.

28. A diaper.

29. Covering to keep bugs off food.

30. Muzzle for dogs or biting horses.

31. A hot pad to remove the coffee pot or skillet from the campfire.

32. A napkin to keep food from falling on one's clothes.

33. A swatter to kill a pesky fly.

34. A ground covering for a lady to sit upon to keep her dress clean.

35. A gag to keep someone from talking.

BUT I THINK THEY LEFT ONE OFF THE LIST..........



36. Tied around one's face to keep bad smells from entering the nose--like when collecting a stool sample.



This is me ready to go in and face the music! My kids are still sick, and we need to do some tests. I have the weakest stomach ever. My Mom sent me some advice. "It's just mud!"

So-------I kept repeating in my head...."I am a marine biologist. I am collecting pond mud. I am getting paid for this."

Happy Anniversary!

11 years. What? That is a long time, and we have done so much together.

We couldn't go out last night because all three kids had the stomach flu. That is crazy. THEY JUST had it on the tail end of our trip to Utah. Simone also had Roseola in between the stomach flues. I have been home bound ever since we got home. I have only been out three times! (Church, playing in the stream (pics below), and berry picking.) I am going a little crazy. =)

Lincoln had an idea for out date last night. He sat in the kitchen on his laptop, and I was in the front room on my computer. We each had a $25 limit to buy each other a surprise gift online.

Lincoln bought me this:
I've wanted a holga for SIX years. Lincoln sat in the kitchen for TEN minutes trying to remember the weird name of this camera. A holga is a medium format camera that is made of plastic. Each holga is different. They have light leaks and create the most beautiful photographs. I can't wait to play with it.



I bought him this:

Lincoln wore a shirt just like this on our third date! I think that is the date where I started to fall for him. I always joke about this t-shirt, and I am excited to see him wearing it again. Lincoln, I think you are cooler than EVERYONE else! You are my favorite person on this earth!! You always make me laugh. I am so lucky to have you as my husband.

Happy Anniversay Sweetie!

Film

I had a chance to use my film camera. We still get along! =)

I don't really want to blog...

about my trip.

There were highlights. There were low points too. Mostly low points.

One night I put 10 children to bed by myself. That was fun. Talia and her cousin Haylie got along so well. They haven't seen each other in two or THREE years. I was glad to see her so happy, and holding hands with her new friend. Ofcourse Wyatt was in heaven to be around his favorite cousins. They have a great relationship! All the kids slept in the basement of Lincoln's Mom's house. Two nights later while the house was empty, the water heater started on fire. The heat caused the water heaters (two) to explode. Then the basement filled with ash, smoke, and water. A horrible combination!!! We are so lucky those children weren't down there sleeping! We were at the dunes, but most of our stuff was still in the basement.



Did you know that smoke is a terrible thing? It creeps. Like an animal. It climbed into my suitcases that were closed but unzipped. It crept into my camera bag that was on the floor, even though it was zipped...my camera still smells of smoke. My camera and FIVE of my lenses! It covered Talia's American baby doll, and paid special attention to cling to the white satin on the doll's dress. It crawled into my cute purse/diaper bag. It was able to slide right in to the drawer that held my hair dryer, flat iron, and brushes. When I lifted these things out of the drawer there was a white shape in the soot at the bottom of the drawer where these things lay. It completely covered the shopping bag and the items inside I had purchased the DAY BEFORE for our family pictures. You think something is safe....safe from the soot, and then after touching it you notice your hands are now black. Lincoln had a laptop on the ground too.

See the soot?

These are just my little things. My Mother in law's home is covered in soot! The vents made sure that the smoke was carried to every inch of the house. So many things were ruined. Her insurance is doing a fantastic job make sure everything is replaced. Mine....hummm, I am not so sure. (Her insurance wouldn't cover our things because we were visiting.) I have to make a list of everything. The trouble is that I am torn about weather something was RUINED or not. Our clothes have been washed but they still smell bad. I don't know if this smell will ever come out, but they are my FAVORTIE clothes. I don't want to get rid of them. =(



Talia grabbed a baby wipe, and started to clean her baby doll. After she was finshed she said, "I don't care if this baby stinks. I don't care if this baby is dirty. I am KEEPING her." Our insurance will get her a new one. I will ask the company to send her new doll in a hospital gown (they do that) so she believes it is the same doll that has just been repaired.

More later. I will be sure to post about the happy stuff next time.