Dreaming Big

Last weekend we went to a BBQ at a nearby park with some friends. One of my friends from my ward, Kristy, whips out her big guns camera, a Canon EOS 40D, to take some pictures of the kids on the playground. I saw that thing and started drooling...well, not really, that would be gross, but I was all my attention was instantly sucked that direction. I haven't been extremely vocal about it in the past, but I am really interested in learning more about cameras and photography and eventually want to perhaps start a little business on the side. I've pretty much put all aspirations on hold for now because everything has its season and I don't think I'd have sufficient time to take any classes in that area of expertise at the moment. So I don't really have a huge driving force to get one of those high tech cameras just yet because if I did, I pretty much wouldn't know what I was doing and sadly it would be a waste of a wonderful camera. But I'm allowed to dream, right? Anyway, she took some really cute pictures of Andrew (Kate was having a sleepover at Grandma's and loving it) and e-mailed them to me. I was just blown away with the clarity and how well the close-ups turned out. Sheesh, whenever I try a close-up with my puny little camera, it usually ends up not even being worthy to share with Jason, let alone anyone else. But seeing the difference in the quality and what can be accomplished with an SLR rather than a Point and Shoot camera, my determination has been newly refreshed. So, Kristy, Jason may not be too excited (about the price, at least), but I'm really glad that I talked with you about it. I've been officially inspired to work more diligently at becoming more camera literate and getting my hands on a big gun of my own. Hopefully sooner than later. Wish me luck.

My Best Friend's Wedding

This past week has been a pretty crazy one. Memorial Day weekend, Jason's brother Greg gave his farewell talk at church in Aberdeen and then left for the Sao Paulo MTC the next Tuesday. So we stayed over at his parent's house instead of driving back and forth a bunch of times. It was kind of hard to see him go. He's so good with Kate and Andrew...we're really going to miss him.






































Jason and his brothers at the Pocatello Airport

Then that Friday, we drove down to Utah and met my Dad, his wife Karen, & my sisters and their families at Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate some birthday's. The kids always have a blast at that place!

Andrew with Papa John and Grandma Karen

Kate with her cousins Brooke and Becca

Saturday, I was in charge of doing a bridal shower for my best friend, Nicole. It was difficult planning it long distance and getting all of the food made and supplies there, but it worked out and the shower went great. Jason left to go back to Idaho that night after 18 holes of golf (of course) with our brother-in-law Dan. I stayed and got to hang out with my mom and sisters and Nicole for a few days. I finally got to meet the guy Nicole married two days before they got hitched. (Some kind of friend I am...but, hey, when you live in another state...). I first met him when I took the kids over to Nicole's house because her sister, Brooke, had brought over and set up this huge blow-up water slide for the kids to play on. Andrew played for
a little bit, but soon got cranky so I put him down for a nap. Brooke's daughter, Hallie, and Kate had a ball together. They were on there for at least a couple of hours which gave me the chance to have some time to interrogate Marshall. I must admit, I was a little worried about not getting to meet him until then because that only gave me two days to break up the wedding if I needed to. :) But really, Marshall is an excellent choice for a spouse. In fact, he really reminds me of Jason (So how could I disapprove?). I really shouldn't be too surprised though since Nicole was the one who picked Jason out for me. The cute couple and I later went out to dinner to this little Mexican restaurant called Su Casa that Nicole and I used to always go to when we were in high school. Marshall is quite humorous and I didn't even feel like a third wheel...even though I was.

The next evening, Marshall had a boy party. I hesitate to say bachelor party because that automatically places the word "stripper" in one's head, but I don't think that some minimally clad chick popping out of a cake is quite his style. So I got Nicole all to myself that night. It was really nice to be with her and, I have to admit, kind of entertaining to witness her pre-wedding jitters. We got a carton of really chocolate ice cream with other chocolate stuff in it, plus we added some M&M's to go on top and watched a movie...just like old times. Jason arrived back in Utah that night and it was quite nice to have him back.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and was very nice to see, given neither bride nor groom bolted from the room when the marriage was to take place. But really, they will be great together and, luckily for me, I don't think Marshall will have any qualms with my coming around when I'm down in Utah. So after the luncheon on Wednesday, Jason & I picked up the kiddles from my sister's place and headed back to good ol' Idaho. It's fun to break away from the mundane routine of things every once in a while, but it really is nice to come back home when you've been away.

All the girls showing off their stuff
I'm the third one in on the left