princess time

Ivy Elizabeth's birthday party was yesterday, and her Grandy sent her what she really and truly wanted more than anything in the world:

Her Grandy is nice like that.

Lucky girl.

Please notice her teeth. We still need to talk about this.

Her friends couldn't wait to come over this morning and help her try out her new costume. And then, of course, what good is a princess without her princess friends?

A Posse of Princesses. And now they are busy fighting Obi-wan Kenobi (William) and a clone trooper (Michael) for the safety of the kingdom.

In conclusion: Grandparents are the best.

cake

Yesterday was my Grandma's 94th birthday. She has good days and bad days, so my mom wanted to do something low key to celebrate. I made a cake:

(I want you all to know my dad teased me mercilessly for taking pictures of my cake. I was like, Whatever, Dad, that cake is amazing and the internet needs to know.)

(You're welcome.)

My mom brought down cupcakes for the kids so they could blow out individual candles.

It wasn't a very long party. It gets too noisy and worrisome for my Grandma. She feels more secure at home. I'm grateful for every opportunity my kids have to be with her. They won't know the amazing person I knew, but that they love her at all means something to me.

Happy Birthday, Grandma.

felicitations

I don't, as a general rule, take my camera to wedding receptions. For one, my hands are full of kids. For two, isn't that what the wedding photographer is for? The exception to this rule is when someone calls and asks me to bring my camera to their wedding reception and also they are my cousin. Because I love my cousin.

Perhaps my cousin should have considered this more carefully. I do my worst work at wedding receptions. It's not on purpose. Maybe it's the pressure?

Anyway. It was a really lovely reception. Look at those beautiful non-amputee cousins of mine! And now (segue!) look at these beautiful cousins:

Awwww.
Sometimes I forget to take pictures of Charles when we're out because while I'm watching the action he's sitting on my lap or in his carseat. Sorry, Charles! But here is proof that you were at the reception, and you were totally adorable:

(That is my brother Daniel between Charles and William. People tell me all the time that William looks like Daniel. What do you think?)

(Congratulations to Carol and Jeff! I only have a few cousins, so I'm grateful the ones I have are entirely wonderful.)

blessed baby

march madness with Grampy

Michael has fallen in love with basketball.

I'm not sure how we'll break it to William that next year Jimmer won't be playing for the Cougars.



it's just been a great month.

grandma

hey, remember when this used to be a picture blog?
that was awesome.

bedtime stories

they miss Grampy a lot.

a few more

behold my entire family:



you would not believe how difficult it was to take that picture.

the girl cousins (and please take special note of the little blond girl on the left. she posed in every single picture. in the one above also. I love it so much, I've decided to start posing like that for pictures, too):



the boy cousins:
































my mom and Ivy:
































Mags and Michael:

































our family:

(photos by Rob Higginson Photography)

sisters

(photos by Rob Higginson Photography)

zip

last night as a family farewell to summer (and also to Maggie and Nate who are going back to Michigan, losers) we went up the canyon for some fun.




























because the family that zips together, stays together. that's my mom, by the way.

Chris is such a show-off.

why am I doing the robot in this picture? I don't know.

My dad and Ivy stayed firmly in the audience.

maggie went, of course. I just don't think she'd appreciate any of the pictures I took.

When I asked Michael if he wanted to do it, Chris was all, "Are you crazy?" But I ignored him.

I do that, somtimes.

it was exhilarating.

Here's a picture of abby (posted just to exhibit my one perfect pan of the night):

after everyone went, we found a campsite and made s'mores.

And now I want to go do this every weekend. who's in?

(pictures of me taken by Chris.)

just a few from grant's farm

I get that this really shows my Salt Lake City upbringing, but I can't help being amused by a petting zoo sponsored by a beer company.
These adorable baby goats, brought you by Anheuser-Busch!
Bring your kids, get two free beers!

I mean, come on. That's just funny, right there.





























here we are admiring the Clydesdales. You know. The ones that pull the beer wagon. or whatever it's called.


William kept telling Grandy he wanted to "soft them." That's code for pet them.






























we did a lot of walking. after all that, I'm not sure Grandy wants us to come back, ever.






























don't be fooled by the sweet picture above. Those baby goats were seriously agressive. Michael fed them for about a minute and then was all, "mama. Mama. I want to go out, now. mama. mama. I want to leave."
But I made him finish anyway so I could take a picture.
because I must capture these precious moments full of abject terror.

I'd like to thank Anheuser-Busch for having made this day possible.