It's My Blog and I'll Post a Million Pictures of My Kids If I Want To

So, most of you don't care to see 4,000 pictures of Mary. But here she is, anyway, in all her glory. (I took these on my birthday, when she was 7 weeks old)

After I took these I got some great advice from a photographer Visiting Teacher, so next time I'll take a lot more time setting up my photo shoot, making sure the lighting is better so there's less editing to do afterward.

Mobiles

Who is going to make me one of these?

I'm busy. I have dang four kids. I can't get anything done, especially blogging, unless I let something else slide. And as I'm tentatively hoping that Clara's interest in the totie will turn into being really potty trained, blogging continues to fall further and further down the priority list. (As it is Clara pooed - how does one spell that? - in her swimsuit and then somehow got poo smeared all over my carpet in three spots. It was refreshing because I just hadn't cleaned enough today.) As does responding to any of ya'lls posts. You should feel so lucky if I ever comment because at this point, my comments on blogs is so rare it's an endangered species.
That is why I'm giving another lame post of OTHER blogs you should check out.
The Amateur Gourmet
I love it because I love food and his blog is accessible to my style of cooking.
Light in Leaves
Anyone who knows Marilyn is going to love her new blog, because instead of showing us (another) picture of her gorgeous kids, she mostly writes. And she's witty and smart, grounded and thought-provoking without being fussy or pretentious. And until recently, I think most of you weren't privvy to great emails from her, like me. See, we're real, real, real close...(bff) And I think if enough people comment on her blog about how badly they want to see her new house, maybe she'll post pictures so we can all be jealous of her. Because, really people, she has a TURQUOISE washer and dryer (front loaders!!!!!!!!!!)
Passive Aggressive Notes
Caution: I've seen MORE THAN ONE swear word on posts here. You've been warned.
P.S. I love it when people send me good blogs. Keep 'em coming!

Seriously So Blessed

I just thought I'd pass on this awesome blog that my sis-in-law Amy sent me.
Pretty Sweet.
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

She's a 2nd-Gen Blogger

My sister done started herself a blog!

Check it out!

Photography 101: What NOT to do

Here's a quick list for all you amateur photographers on what NOT to do when your hair stylist, a former mission companion of your sister-in-law acquiesces to you taking her bridal pictures:

Number One. Do NOT bring your camera WITHOUT a memory card in it

or you will only be able to take 5 pictures before your camera memory is used up

and then you'll have to drive back to the bride's house

so she can delete a bunch of pictures from her Hawaii and Thailand trips

so that you can use the memory card from her camera.

Number Two. Do NOT bring your camera with a dead battery. Enough said.

Number Three. Make sure that the EXTRA camera battery you brought is NOT DEAD

because if you bring two dead camera batteries you'll have to embarrassingly borrow batteries from the bride.

Number Four. Know where your going to take the pictures at.

That way you won't waste forty minutes looking for the American Fork Ampitheater

only to end up at the Lehi Costco.

The steel siding and gigantic shopping carts just aren't bridal enough.

I embarrassed myself so many times on Saturday when Megan, Squire and I got together to take some pics.

I just can't stop shaking my head about it.

The lighting was SO harsh!

and I was worried that none of the pictures were going to turn out.

But Squire (Emalee) was so laid back about it that it calmed my nerves. Plus, look at her!

She's gorgeous! And while I was at my skinniest when I stuffed myself into my bridal gown, I was never a dang size 3 that Squire is! After a little editing to work on the fill light in a lot of the pictures, here are some of the results.

Squire: THANK YOU so much for letting me take your picture!

I had so much fun and I'll do it again if you're up for it!P.S. Does Meg look hot, or what? She's sultry even with them twins just about bustin' outta her.

(It's that ultimate uterus of hers)

When you have your babies, Meg, can I get my picture taken with them like I was the one what birthed them?

The Enabler

Asher is obsessed with Star Wars.
Addicted.
And, I realized, I am an enabler.
You know, a person who, in some way (many ways), supports, validates, or helps an addict to continue in their addictions, sometimes opening "avenues", if you will, to deeper addictive behaviors.
Here's the evidence:
I made him a Darth Vader birthday cake (thanks to Becca's method)

I bought him 2 Star Wars books

I made him a real Jedi robe out of fabulous polyester fabric
If this isn't damning enough, I've introduced a new "user" to this Star Wars Junkie club.

Meet Force of the Blue, or Padawan-Maggie.