My oldest Niece

Here she is...13 almost 14 years old. She is gorgeous! My niece let me do a practice shoot session on her today. I absolutely love how these turned out. Check out more here and here. Hard to believe I was there when she was born.

Top Ten Tuesday

These are the Top TEN reasons that I LOVE living near family:

10. Aunt Lala lets us "drop in" whenever we want. And look at what these 3 boys are doing. Cowboys with plastic hangers. I guess that where HY learned this as well:

9. We get to hang out with these kiddos & make lasting memories in a wet pumpkin field! Can't beat that for fun.

8. Built in Babysitters: Lovin'H just loves our Mini-E. And HY can't wait to see Super-K!They are always willing to watch our little ones at a moments notice. Even if it means putting off homework.

7. On Friday we got to go to a Bridal Shower & visit Grandma & Grandpa Great F. I love that Mini-E & HY not only have Great Grandparents but get to see them on a regular basis.

6. Play Dates with Cousins: Today we hoped in the car & visited Aunt Lala & her kiddos. (We had so much fun the last "pop in" that we decided to schedule an appointment for FUN. And that's exactly what these 2 boys had...F-U-N!

I love that I got this picture of Boy-O.
It's rare to find him pleasant for the camera.

5. GRANDAD! Need I say more. We love to visit Grandma J & Grandad Grey up in Midway. This past week we had a blast Carving Pumpkins with him & Aunt CC's kids. Oh the drama.

4. Parties Parties: There's always a party when family is around. We try to celebrate every chance we can. Wether it's dinner on Sundays or Birthdays at the Lodge, we are always up for a PAR-TAY! And that means FOOD! Yum.

3. Lots of Mothers: Here's a classic picture of Aunt CC & HY. He just loves the extra mothering he gets from her. And Nonna can work miracles with HY in church.

2. We get to see Aunt Little S now that she's going to BYU. Which gives Grandma Suz & Grandpa S just one more reason to visit us!

And the #1 Reason I love living near family:

Makes me feel like I'm home.

I have always considered myself an AZ girl.

But home is wherever the family is! (unless they decide to move to Alaska)

What you've all been waiting for...

Since Aunt Runnie & her girls were in town, we decided that we really wanted to do some pictures of 3 generations on the matriachal side. I love how these pictures turned out. In fact, I love them so much that it's nearly impossible to pick my favorites. Thanks again Miss Parker for giving me something totally priceless. I will forever cherish these pictures.

I love this quiet moment of us.

Classic picture of Nonna. She is beautiful.

Little Me, Lovin' H, Super K, Shellbell---posing in the river. Lovin'-H & Super K (feeling the love)

My sweet sisters & Nonna.


We've always thought we had big muscles...now there's proof. Check out Mini-E's muscles too.

Aunt CC & her girls. Lovin' the colors on these girls.

Aunt Runnie & her girls. So sweet!

I love this photo on the bridge. But here's my favorite of all time...

What do you think?

It makes me reflect on the power of one woman. Each of us has the ability to influence so many (especially in our own families) lives for good. Thank you Mom for being my inspiration & example of good not only when I was a child, but even now that I have my own children. I hope I can be a powerful influence for good in their lives like you are in mine. I love you!

I get to...

... be a wife and mother to these loves
... sleep 8 hours a night! (thank you Baby Wise)
... make and enjoy Grandma Suz oatmeal pancakes, mmmmm
... send HY to nursery & enjoy a Sunday School lesson
... do laundry in a machine!
... see Nonna in 1 day
... live close to Aunt CC and her fun kids, Super K, Lovin'-H, Wonder M, and Too-Cool B
... be married to a wonderful man who works hard
... live in a beautiful home
...read my scriptures every day
...meet new women in my ward
...enjoy the company of many smart people
...talk to Aunt Runnie on my new cherry chocolate phone
...take a dip in the hot tub at Midway
...almost fit into pre-prego pants
...play at the park in 50 degree weather with HY
...show up unexpectedly at Aunt Lala's house and have a cookie
...buy things in bulk
...sit in peace and quiet at least once a day