A Studying we will go...

This month has been pretty much Cami and me solo with JD making appearances for meals and a couple brief moments in between. I am so proud of all the time he has put in studying and I think we will all be super relieved this coming Thursday evening when the bar is behind us. After Cami's birthday I took a break from work so I could be mom while JD focused on studying. It has been pretty nice, although I haven't accomplished nearly as much as I was hoping to...I guess I still have one more week! Last Friday after one of Cami's friends birthday parties- note the amazing pirate ship piñata- we headed to San Antonio where I spent most of Saturday taking wedding photos for a lady that was in our ward briefly and also graduated law school with JD. I enjoyed taking pictures at the temple, but I will say the reception was very much outside my comfort zone of photography and I don't feel it went very well. In between shoots I was able to spend sometime with JD and Cami and go to the children's museum. We had fun although Cami was a little tired from getting to bed late the night before and getting up too early. Other than that Cami and I have spent lots of time swimming at the Y, reading library stories, and building her Lego Rapunzel tower she got for her birthday. Most mornings she comes in to get us up in her princess Ariel dress over her PJs. She is such a funny girl. She is such a silly tease and loves to laugh. It has been nice to spend so much time with her these last couple weeks!

Other stuff we've been up to

I haven't posted in a while because life has been a little hectic! Since Father's Day our lives have been busy with working and studying. I had a few pictures that I put on instagram, but needed on the blog to journal our lives from this summer. So here we go!

Cami has loved cherries. I was so excited when they went on sale and we have been sporting the cherry face often since this picture!

JD is using Cami as weights. She is alot better at being a weight then Mom...

Our Forth of July was a little lame..for me at least. I worked the night before and the night of so I worked and slept. Cami and JD were able to go to a ward party with fireworks and games and a free dinner so not so bad for them :) My festivities extended to painting Cami's nails with blue polish and then red sparkles to celebrate!

Cami knows this is how you wear headbands...and she is so stubborn you are not going to convince her otherwise.

This is often how we find her when she sleeps..not sure how the floor is more comfortable then the bed, but I think it has to do with more room to play with toys? Notice the sweet block "dog" she made..at least that is what she informed me it was in the morning.

A little over a week ago I was release from being the Young Womens Second counselor. I have been in Young Womens for almost 2 years and it was bittersweet to be released. I love my girls and the relationships we have built. They are such amazing examples of virtue and service and faith. I have learned so much from serving and it has truly humbled me to be around such sweet young women. On the other hand it is pretty time consuming and with working full time and trying to support JD while he studies for the bar and take care of everything at home it was getting a bit overwhelming. I am truly grateful for the chance to serve and know I will have more opportunities in the future.  

More of my young women!

One of our major summer activities this year has been hanging out at the Y. Cami took swim lessons in May and the first part of June and became pretty comfortable with the pool. We have gone there to swim and exercise (mom and dad) at least 2-3 times a week...It has been good to get more regular exercise and also to have something active and cool for Cami to do in the summer. Cami is loving her a hotdog lunch after swimming at the Y.

JD has had a hard time getting all the studying done he needs to while watching Cami so I could sleep and work, so these next couple weeks leading up to the BAR that JD takes the end of this month I am taking a break from work and being mom. 

Cami's Birthday!

My sweet Cami turned 4 last Friday! It was a busy fun day. Cami has been talking about her birthday for months! It is such a fun age when they start to anticipate things and Cami was so excited. She wanted so many friends to be there so we voted to have her party at the splash pad. The pictures are a little out of order but you will get the idea! This first one is going to dinner that night! She wanted to wear her princess dress that Nana gave her, and since it was her birthday we said yes. She wanted pizza, of course, so we went to Cici's.

Thursday morning we spent baking and decorating. Cami was in there the whole time with me so that was good that I was able to balance time with her and birthday prep. She did the sprinkles all by herself, so you can imagine the volume of sprinkles on the cupcakes...and all over my floor. :)

 I made marshmallow fondant for the first time by myself and I let Cami knead some while I rolled out the base and she helped me make all the balls around the bottom...which is why they were all different sizes, although I will admit to fixing several of her balls... She wanted a purple crown cake, and I am just happy it was something I could do!

 The one thing Cami for sure knew she wanted almost a month before her birthday was a purple squirt gun. We got a bunch of water squirters at the dollar tree and a big bucket and it was definitely a hit! Cami was even ok with the fact that her squirter wasn't totally purple and just had a purple handle.

 I love this picture of Cami getting hit... JD did a great job taking pictures while I played host.

 The smiling blond boy in this picture is Cami's best friend Emerson. She is always talking about how Emerson likes this or that or does this or that..and the feeling is mutual. I think it will be a sad day when we move for these two.

Singing to Cami...except the wind was blowing so the candle lighting thing didn't really work!

 Cami opening gifts! She got a bit spoiled! She now has way too many toys. 

Skyping with Nana and opening more presents!

 Our pretty princess...who unfortunately knows she is pretty. One time we were getting out of the car and she told me she should get the last of something and I asked her why and she said, "because I am the prettiest, mom" uh oh...any suggestions on how to keep your kid humble? Cami just hears all the time everywhere we go how pretty her red hair is or how cute she is and I am afraid it has gone to her head!

 Cami is pretty good at the surprised face, even when she is exhausted! She was super worn out by the end of the day!

My little fairy! 

I am so grateful for my sweet, silly, rambunctious little girl! She is so full of energy and enthusiasm for life, and reminds me to find joy in the little things. It is quite the challenge to keep up with her bright little mind and determined spirit. It is a sweet blessing to get to be her mom and have a chance to raise her!