It has been a hectic, weird week. It started off with the news that someone we loved once died in his sleep. I say we loved him, and we still do... but the man he became while addicted to drugs was not welcomed in our lives. I had to protect my family, and being drowned in someone else's drama, well- it takes energy away from the ones I love. So we were estranged, but still the news hurts...

Then I let my nerves get the best of me.... and instead of hitting a home run, I barely got to first base. I took some pictures of a friend and her family, and they didn't come out as nice as I'd hoped. I was out of my element... and tried to force the lighting situation- and it didn't work.

I must admit... I learned more from that photo shoot than I have in a while. I also realized I need to learn to give better direction, and check things out before hand. (Thankfully she is a good friend... and hopefully her husband won't shoot me for making him get dressed up again.) That was a little CHP humor... sorry!

So to get back on the horse, and try again... I took my two favorite subjects to the park.

We had a very rough start to our morning- but after cleaning up ants, a second change of clothes due to spilled yogurt, and dropping a cup of ice on the floor- we made it to the park.

I asked them "Who's ready to have fun?"


Me too, guys!
I learned at my friends' photo shoot that I'm so used to getting candid shots- I really don't know much about directing people how to stand. So I asked them to stand next to each other, and Zach said he wanted to put his arm around his brother... so sweet.I asked them to stand back to back... and that turned out cute...

Of course, my youngest decided it was time to liven things up. Nice face Kyle Baer... lil' turd.
I tried to remember what my photography class taught us... I was starting to feel better...

I could do this all day. Besides... the crazy week is almost over... whoop whoop.

I told him not to smile... that works on kids... that I know. :)


Then it was Little Turd's turn.

I am so blowing these shots up, and I might even frame them...

Thanks Kyle. I'm going to work real hard on taking better pictures of people who look, listen and smile for the camera. And when this shows up at your wedding, and in your yearbook... well, what can I say?

So after our pictures, the boys were playing with another little fellow. They were chasing him around, playing tag and having a ton of fun. There was a mom there with a 9-ish year old, and a 18 month old. She kept reminding the boys to slow down around the baby... and so did I.

There's only so much you can do, after all we are at the park... in the big kid area.

Next thing I know, that mom starts getting huffy with me... "I guess I have to take her to the other section... or she's just going to get mowed over!"

I smiled and said "Yeah, I had a hard time when my guys were little too. They want to be in the big kid section, but it's just not safe.... and you can't ask 5 years old to stop being 5 years old... at the park." (Insert shitty grin...)

She glared at me, like I'd pissed in her lemonade. She scooped up her smaller child- leaving the big one sitting on the swing- and stomped off.

She's a lucky woman after the crazy week I've had.

I just have to remember, that even the bad things that happen, can turn out good- as long as you learn from them. Goodness knows, I still have a ton to learn... and God willing, I have the time to do it! :)

Now, I'm off to make cookies... because that's how we survive the tough times!

lol... have a good one!

Swimmers Ear...

The boys have been swimming a lot lately... almost all day, just about everyday. He's learned how to plug his nose and go under water. I was very proud of him for learning this little trick... and he was soooo proud of himself!
I thought about this when he came home from a trip with Dad last night, complaining about his ear hurting quite a bit.
There were no other signs of illness, so I figured he had his first case of swimmers ear.
The night was rough... poor fellow was up about two hours (miserable and moaning in pain) while holding his ear. I know this because he was in our bed... and even with Tylenol the poor fellow couldn't sleep.

So first thing this morning we made an appointment with his pediatrician, and headed into town.
Sure enough, he had an ear infection caused from water being trapped in his ear... aka swimmers ear. Off to Target we went...

I have always allowed the boys to get a small toy while we are waiting on the pharmacy to fill their prescription. It's a horrible habit to have started... but it's sort of their reward for letting the doctor poke and prod, and Mom drag them all over town while they are sick.
Today, they decided to pick a drawbridge and a small crane for their wooden train track... (and shhh... usually they are so excited over their new toy that the medicine is swallowed before they can get the packaging open!)

Since we have to stay out of the pool for the next 5 days... I figured anything that will keep them busy inside is worth a few dollars. (Yes, I know they have more toys than Toys R Us.. but who could say no to those faces??)
Me and the bank can tell you... It's certainly not me! ;oP

Best Big Brother of the Year!

The boys wanted to go to the "Indian Museum" which is actually Oroville Lake's Visitor Center. They happen to have a section on the native Indians... hence the nickname. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get some pictures of the most handsome fellows in the world- which is my favorite thing to do. We climbed two flights of stairs to get up to the observation area... it's such a nice view. It was also a perfect place to stop and have a snack- which explains the chocolate around mouth.

I kept checking my settings... something is wrong with the pictures I take of Zach. Every time I look at the display, there appears to be a big boy on the screen. (I mean, it has to be the camera... cause that's still my baby in front of me, right??)

When I caught him using normal scissors the other day, I warned him to be careful. He responded, I know how to use these Mom, I AM a first-grader, ya know... Yeah, I know little buddy.

Your also becoming such a compassionate little fellow.

We took stools to the museum today, so they can see into model train section that's a little too high for them. One of them is not as sturdy, because if you stand too close to the edge, it topples over. Zach said that was going to be his... so Kyle didn't fall.

And sure enough, he was so engrossed in the scene behind the glass, he lost his concentration and fell off.

He said, I knew that would happen Mom... I'm just glad it wasn't Ky. I took it so only I could get hurt. I don't want him to get hurt.

I think deserves a spot in that museum as the Best Big Brother of the Year.

San Diego... part deux!

After our day at Legoland, we came back to Hotel Brenda and had a fab dinner. We asked the boys what they wanted to do the next day. I sort of suggested we check out the Wild Land Park- because seeing animals (like elephants, tigers... and giraffes) in their natural habitat would be so cool!

Apparently seeing Toy Trains in their 'natural habitat' would be 'so awesome'.... and I gave in. So we looked up the Toy Train Museum (can you believe that really exists?) on my friend's ipad (I am soooo getting one of those!) and wrote the address down.

It was in a place called Balboa Park... and it had the most amazing architecture! The buildings were built in 1915 for the World's Expo and is now home to all sorts of museums and restaurants. The address we were looking for was on part of the road that was pedestrian traffic only. We obediently followed the GPS ladies advice... but she drove us in a big ol' circle! We figured it was GPS humor at it's finest! Hey, at least we caught on before we make the second loop- but it was close for a minute! lol...

We arrived at the Toy Train Museum... and what I discovered is that if grown men have a hobby- charge people admission- call themselves a museum.... that makes them genius. They charged us money to support their habit, er, I mean hobby.

The boys however discovered they seriously need to build the biggest train set EVER.

M'kay... we'll see.

We spent about 4+ hours at the Toy Train Museum... And there wasn't a single giraffe in sight. I might have to return to San Diego to enjoy that myself at a later date... lol

This is Ella... Brenda and Dan's daughter. This little Diva likes to swipe my sunglasses... and pose. Can you believe the difference in boys and girls when it comes to the camera? I thought about taking her home... but I am not in the mood to add another room onto the house.

Our final day in San Diego started at Coronado Beach... it was yummy white sand... and even though it was gloomy, it was almost 70+ degrees and the water was nice!



I told the boys before we got dirty and wet, Mom wanted a family picture. So while I was adjusting my settings... Zach was more than willing to smile and look at the camera.




Thank you Dan for taking our picture... I appreciate you using the grid o' thirds! You the man!Is that the most 'get this picture over with in a hurry' look you've ever seen from two children?Now can we play Mom?

And so, all three kids got the green light to play...

And then, something magical happened. Zach discovered the waves... and I captured a REAL smile!!

I didn't think we would like the feeling of the water rushing back and forth... but he just kept going back for more.

And this guy is never far behind...

Finally he decided to put his swim trunks on... I couldn't believe how brave he was!

I had to return the favor to the hostess with the mostess... and my photographer! What a great looking family! (translation: spoiled brats for living near the beach!)

I don't know why Kyle left his jacket on with his swim trunks... uv protection I suppose?

Zach started 'challenging' the waves to come in... Kyle kept running from them. It was the opposite of how they normally are!

These beach babes weren't as willing to get in the water... good thing for a tall dad!

This is one of my favorite shots...

Brenda thought it might be cold... so she left her swimsuit at home. HA... whatever!

After a few hours, we pulled two VERY unhappy little boys away from the beach. I think we could have stayed there all day... but I wanted them to have some energy left for the festivities that night. (And even with sunscreen... two white boys would burn like lobsters... which would make for a VERY long trip home the next day!)

Ethan was so funny... he kept collecting all the balloons Dan had bought for all the kids. They didn't seem to mind..

Because like always, John was keeping them busy with a ball toss...

And some kooky dance I'm not sure is legal in public...

And when the band on stage played YMCA... the nerds around there starting this crazy dance... (and that is why I like to be BEHIND the camera! lol lol)

I love this picture too...

The kids had just enough energy to 'ooh' and 'aah' at the incredible firework show. John and I both agreed that it was one of the best we'd ever seen. Of course, in San Diego, there would be palm trees in the foreground...

That is simply the best way to spend a long holiday weekend. I think next year (do you have your calendar out Brenda?) we might try to fly on a plane. :/

Or maybe, we'll come on a weekend that's not so crowded...

does that happen in San Diego?

Thanks again to the "G" family that let us crash their home for a few days... and fed us... and let me play with your IPad, and showed us some fun places in their little hometown! (xoxoxo)

San Diego Vacation!

On 4th of July weekend, we decided to get out of town, and take a trip to San Diego. One of my friend's from high school, Brenda (and her family) invited us to visit. Not really, I told her my itinerary... and let her know I would be grading her on her hospitality, cooking and amenities.

I must admit... she scored an A++. She didn't even punch me for my sassy mouth, lol.

We arrived to 76 degree weather, and were so very happy to get out of our local heat. Our first stop was Legoland. One of the pictures we seen on the internet was of the Legoland Train. It was our very first stop... Of course, this guy was also there...

Our friends Brenda and Dan were such troopers. They let us pick and choose all of the destinations. They have twins... and tons of patience! This is Ethan, their son, playing peek a boo for me...

After a while in 'duplo-land' we ventured off to other things. One of the first things was the lego-cars. Zach was awesome... he managed that course like a pro.

Kyle on the other hand, drove like an 80 year old man. His hands were clutched to the steering wheel.. and he had intense concentration on where he was going. He said he had fun... but it sure didn't look like it! We told the boys after they finished their lunch, we would venture over to the 'wet' part of the park. They just opened a new waterslide area in the park... but we kept towards the 'tamer' side of things... These yellow spots would shoot water out when you stepped on them. The problem was Kyle didn't weigh enough to get them started. He would back up and take a running leap on them... so he's very proud of himself!

Zach weighed enough... but wasn't as interested in getting wet.

Even though the kids begged to stay longer, the old farts in the bunch were too tired to keep up. I don't think we got to see more than 1/2 the park... but we seen enough to know the theme of this year's birthday party!

After spending the day there, we ventured back to our friends. She made us dinner almost every night, and it was yum-o! Most mornings, by the time I was out of the shower, she had fed my kiddos... and my hubby. Ahhhh... now I could get used to that!

The next day we decided to take the boys to the Toy Train Museum in Balboa Park... I'll post those pictures next.

Stay tuned!