And the winner is..........REALLY??!!??

And the winner is....Nissan Versa Hatchback!

I am still in shock over the whole thing. I know I blogged about the desire my sweet husband had to buy a fuel economic vehicle, but I really and truly just thought it was a phase.....man was I sorely mistaken.

Adam came home with a new car last night....or should I say extra car...yes that truck behind the new car is Adams truck that is still in our possession.

I can't believe it. Usually when doing something like this, we are both totally on board and do major research, get a babysitter and go for it, but this was totally on Adam. All in all I have to say he did a great job. I can't believe the great deal he got and it is actually very roomy, super comfortable and quiet. It will be a great little car even for me to drive around when I don't have the kids. And, Adam's dad is going to drive the truck back and forth to the bakery for now (like 3 miles).

This is the photo Adam sent me from his phone letting me know he got a car.

Caden and Macie Photoshoots

Had a fun time taking pictures of my cute niece and nephew. Abbie...you're next!! If you would like to see more, visit Jenni's blog or.....you can check out my new photography blog that is basically dedicated to my learning. I put a bunch of before and afters so I can figure out what works best.

Tickles, Giggles & Coos!

Wade is super ticklish. It almost seems painfull when he laughs. I love this little boy!!

(please excuse my encouraging baby talk)

Our little girl is ready for Kindergarten!

Averi had her Preschool graduation program today. She has learned so much this year and has had so much fun with her new friends.

Thank you Mrs. Sara for a great year!!

Adam met me over there and I thought it was so cute that he had stopped by the store and picked up a rose to give her after the program. Her dad loves her so much!

Fun with Photoshop and a good friend!

I had so much fun hanging out with Sarah Hull yesterday. I feel like I have known her my whole life. I am so grateful for good friends where it doesn't matter how far away you live, or how long you play phone tag, when you finally get together it is like you just saw them yesterday. That is how it is with Sarah.

As you are aware, I am obsessed with photos right now and I was excited to find an eager friend who wanted to talk pictures and photoshop (not to mention she has a gorgeous newborn. How could I resist?) So I headed to Long Beach to let our combined 6 kids destroy her house (and sometimes each other). Check out Sarah's blog for some of her editing.

For you purists out there who don't think that you should edit photos, take a look below. I have learned that digital photography creates an almost grey film on photos. This is the main reason for editing (and to go crazy of course!). I realize that my editing is a little over the top and in your face but I really like it this way. Other people may like it softer and lighter.

Here are a couple examples:

The first photo is a little dark but can you see the grey film?. As soon as I added brightness, the grey went away and her eyes just popped!


The first photo is cute but he looks so angelic when a little brightness is added.

Sweet Carter is 4 weeks. He was so patient for his little photo shoot.

Ella and Katie

Ella, Carter and Katie

Owen and Ella were so cute together. When we got home, Owen sat on the floor hunched over and crying. When I asked him what was wrong he said "I miss my best friend". Cute now, but not so cute when they are like 16 we'll have to watch out for those two.

Averi and Katie were really excited to see each other again and had a great time playing and always took each others side when the sibling were bugging them.

I'm sure Wade and Carter get into trouble together soon enough!

Sarah and I could not stop talkin about when we were new mothers with one child.......where did time go?

Watch out for the camera!!

Okay, please bear with me during my obsession with photography stage. I'm sure it will pass. I've had fun taking photos and editing them. Amanda was kind enough to let me use Lilly as a model...too cute. Basically no one is safe from the camera. I will take a picture of you!! Besides, it keeps my mind off the ever growing pile of laundry......at least until we all run out of underwear.

Please don't think that I am aspiring to become a renowned photographer. I basically want to be good enough so I never have to take my kids to Sears ever again to get their photos taken.

I get the kids spiffied (not a word) up, yell at them to smile, pretend to the photographer that I'm are not frazzled, distract them with the worst props ever (that always seem to make it in the shot) and sweat like never before, all while coming up with excuses why they are just not cooperating. I then sit in the chair looking at the end result and feel rediculously pressured to make an impossible choice.

I usually end up spending $60+ on photos that I don't even really like and just think "man I'm glad I don't have to do that for a while"

Now on to cute Lilly....

She is not as innocent as she looks!!:)

Gunner James Lamar Hatch

Today we went to Josh and Roxy's to meet the newest member of the Hatch clan, Gunner. He is so yummy! Weighing in at just over 6lbs at birth, I kept calling him my little leaf (he was just so light). I had an absolute blast taking these photos I am so glad Roxy was so in to it so I could go crazy! I took a ton of pictures and Gunner was so sweet and patient! I think my favorite is the one below of Josh. I even love the tattoo in the pic (I think I like it mostly because mom always made him wear a shirt and never let us look at his tattoos growing up. I kinda felt like I was rebelling a little - sorry mom!)

I love that Roxy is looking at Josh here.

Look at those happy brothers and sisters. This kids gonna have a lot a love!! Okay, the diaper bag was a Mother's Day gift from Josh to Roxy. It is real cow hide - is that perfect for her or what? We couldn't resist taking the picture!

Kylee

So, I am not intending on this blog being about my learning process of photography, but since it's family it just seemed weird not to post. Here are just a few shots for Kylee's 5th birthday. I can't get enough of her beautiful blue eyes.

Aimee and Kylee. So cute!

Ode to Mexico

Last year today, Adam and I were kissing the kids goodbye (mom too :) and heading to Texas to meet Keith and Lindsay to then fly to Cancun Mexico (a small tear rolls down my cheek). I love my newly expanded family of 5 but as I sit here in my pj's feeling like my body is waging a war against my efforts to lose the baby weight and Owen spills the milk that he swore he wouldn't spill, I cannot help but reminisce of the great time we had. Here are just a few pics.

We stayed an awesome resort in Playa Del Carmen. Here are some things I remember the most.

All inclusive food and drinks 24/7

Sipping Pinatas and Frescadas on the beach (non alcoholic pina coladas and strawberry daquari's. We drank these constantly)

Adam and Keith's ping pong tournaments and repetative gay talk

blistering sun burns

Cichen..wait for it...Itza (awesome ruins)

Downtown shopping

Adam speaking Spanish to locals and hooking up good deals

snorkling

Massages and Adam and Keith being nervous for theirs (they felt really vulnerable in another country)

Spending well deserved and much needed time with my sweet hubby! (Keith and Lindsay, you were pretty fun too :)

Are you sure Mother's Day is only once a year??

What a nice day. I am so thankful for a husband who truly values the role of mothers and appreciates me. The picture below is a gift for Gerda from all of her grandkids.

After church, we went over to Don and Gerda's home for a Mother's day feast. It was prepared lovingly by the guys!! No girls were allowed in the kitchen. They really did a great job and it was fun to see them in action while the girls sat around and talked. Very impressive. I definately think we've started a new tradition!!

What can be more wonderful on Mother's day than a musical seranade by Kylee and Averi, produced by Abbie. Take a look for yourself. It is hillarious. If you are wondering what songs they are singing, Kylee is showing her composing talents by shooting off the cuff and Averi is singing her version of "What time is it?" from the High School Musical Soundtrack. Owen is the supporting cast!



I couldn't resist another "make up as you go" song from Kylee and the Hannah Montana theme song from Averi.

Now the gushy part,

I was thinking a lot today about my own mother and what she means to me. Adam had the kids in his sunday school class write a letter to their moms and come up with 10 things they love about their mom. It think I'll do the same:

1. Mom is unwaivering. She taught us what was right and never rationalized. We never questioned her position, what she expected of us and what we should expect of ourselves. You could, and still can, always feel the Spirit so strong in her home and she made sure there was nothing that would take away from that (ie: Tattoo's and earings - Josh I love you but you know what I'm talkin about!!:0)

2. I love that to this day, she stays awake at night trying to solve all of our problems. I can often recall her saying "so I was thinking last night...." this usually meant that she hardly slept and has been prayerfully seeking guidence on our behalf.

3. She sweats the small stuff. She loves to hear about the silly little things that happen in our lives. She was always awake when we came home during high school and always wanted to hear about everything. And now, I know she'll be excited to hear about the great sale item I picked up or the funny things the kids say.

4. She has incredible faith. She has always quoted "this too shall pass..", which was a simple reminder to have faith of our own.

5. She is supportive. She has always respected my decisions and never made me feel like I wasn't capable of making them on my own.

6. Mom is available. She has flown out on a days notice, she watched our kids for a week for our Mexico trip last year and stayed 2 weeks for Wade's birth. The best part is that she just fills in where I leave off. She is so good at keeping a normal schedule for the kids and I feel so comfortable having her take care of them (you'll have to ask her how comfortable she feels:).

7. Mom always made me feel beautiful (and if you've seen some Jr High photos, you know that this could not have been easy). She always found a way to take us shopping for new school clothes even when we knew there was little money.

8. She loves dad! I love that Friday night was date night even if it meant Burger King and window shopping.

9. She loves her grandkids. She makes each of them feel special and loved (and hey thats not easy when you have 23!). She always sticks up for them. Even when I call and complain about how my kids are acting, she never agrees. She always makes excuses for them like, "he must be tired", "she's been so good though". It makes me feel good that she never has a bad thing to say. They sense that too.

10. She loves her mom. My grandma was diagnosed with cancer a couple months ago and immediately, she and my dad rearranged their home and set up a little appartment for her. She is full of charity.

Mom, I'm grateful for you! I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

Now to Gerda,

I can't leave you out of this. I am grateful that you raised such a wonderful son. I am grateful that you were so patient with Don and his spiritual growth and testimony. I am grateful that you took your kids to church every Sunday and taught them to pray. I am grateful that you love me and our kids. I am grateful that you set an unreachable standard for cooking and that you feed us on a regular basis. I am grateful that you are a pro shopper and always seem to find the best deals, for the perfect clothes item that fits just right (again an unreachable standard). I am grateful that you hand sew my kids favorite blankets and that you fix them as the start to fall apart. I am grateful that you have a neverending supply of popsicles. I am grateful that you sacrificed time with your husband (for the bakery) so that we don't have to. I am grateful that you love the Lord. I love you, Happy Mother's Day!