September Catch Up...

I feel like I'm finally to that point I never thought I'd reach.....blogging out of obligation. I know, I know, there could be worse things, but I really have no desire to blog lately. Maybe its just because my life is so busy and by the time I get to sit in front of the computer to blog, I just want to sit and do nothing. Literally, nothing. Also, the fact that I haven't pulled out a camera (besides the one built into my phone) for the last month and a half could play into it.

With that said, I have finally decided to update this old thing, because I know if I don't I'll get further and further behind and one day it'll have been a year since an update, and I'll have major regrets. Okay, I get it, I'm blowing this all out of proportion, but hey, its late and my brains a little fried- I have been a single mom for the last two weeks. So, here you go...an instagram blog update!

above: Finnley and her newest obsession - the La La Loopsy dolls. Cute, kind of weird, but she loves them. How I found Dieter after a nap....not sure how he napped in there with all those balls, but nap he did. Me looking much, much smaller in my self-portrait belly shot. And, my kids playing in the lazy river in St. George on our way from UT to CA.

Top Left: Mitch and D at the Food Truck fair in Venice with their "Tornado Potatoes". I'll admit they were good! Top Right: Finn with her face painted...it was a slow afternoon. Bottom Left: Disneyland on Labor Day! It was hot, it was crowded, but it was fun. She and Dieter both loved the roller-coaster in Toon Town. Bottom Right: My D-man on the carousel.

Top Left: Free Day at the Natural History Museum downtown L.A. We had a HUGE group of kids and moms, and it got a little crazy, but it was fun. Top Right: She knows who to cheer for...even though they are having a little bit of a rough start to their season. Bottom Left: Mitch's family came into town for the UT v. USC game. We had a blast with them and I sure had a good time watching MY Trojans beat THEIR Utes. Bottom Right: Coke run with Grandma Diane after a hard morning workout.

Top Left: My sister was in Newport with one of her best friends and she was nice enough to drive up to LA and spend the day with me. We had a delicious lunch at Bottega Louie, and then spent the rest of the day at the Americana. Top Right: Finn's soccer team pictures! I just love watching her play. Last week she scored 6 goals...6! Whew! Bottom Left and Right: Its still nice and warm here in Pasadena, so we've had lots and lots of swim days with friends.

Top Left and Right: My mom came in town to keep me company while Mitch is out of town for 16 days. She spoiled us with pedicures, dinners, and just a plain old good time! Bottom Right and Left: My Dieter boy...love him!

Top Left: My mom and D in front of the Ferris Wheel in CA Adventure. We rode this ride on the "swinging" ones, and my mom got quite the thrill! Top Right: Us with Lightning and Mater. Bottom Left: My mom and I looking up baby name lists...man, girl's names are HARD! Bottom Right: Me and my kids pretty much everyday this week - total RAGAMUFFINS!

That's all.....for now.

50+ Recent Phone Pictures Coming Your Way...

If you're like me, you tend to grab your phone instead of a decent camera to capture the fun, random moments throughout the day. I also use pic-messaging as a way of daily communication between Mitch at school, and my mom and sisters in Utah. What happens next? Those fun photos sit on my phone for months and months until I decide to download them. So, here are a few favorites from the two hundred I recently downloaded.

1 & 2. During a quick stop at the University of Utah bookstore, Finnley found this hat and just had to try it on. Then she wanted to take a picture of me with it on too. I always wondered what I'd look like as a red head. ;) 3 & 4. Riding Grandpa Matt's horses, Harley & Tuff, during spring break in Utah.
5. I have been on a baking kick! It is good for the tummy, but not so good for the bootie. I had to share my delicious homemade dinner rolls with my fam. 6. My first solo cinnamon rolls from scratch. They were as good as they look! 7. My set up at transition for my first tri. 8. All done - Me, Court and Amy.
9. Dieter and Grandpa Matt at Disneyland. They surprised the kids and met us one night after they arrived in town. 10. Teacups! 11. Kim and her two newest additions - Annie and Parker. I got to snuggle Annie during It's a Small World. 12. My kids posing in a Toy Story Box.
13. Sunset run around the Rose Bowl. Finnley actually took this picture...impressive! This is one of my favorite places (and times) to run. 14. Finn wore this baby leg on her arm for a few days because she fell and hurt her elbow. I thought it made a great fashion statement. Here she and Dieter are at the top of the climbing tower at Kidspace Museum...one of our favorites. 15. Just a quick picture showing Mitch what we're having for dinner while he enjoys a night out with the IV team. 16. My two on the teacups.17. My favorite time of the day - chatting with my man in bed, 18. Finn putting on her make-up with mom. She'd do this everyday if I'd let her. 19. A quick trip to AZ with my parents and sisters for an old friends wedding. It was a fun, 2-day trip, with a nice relaxing afternoon by the pool. Notice the open mouth...I was out. I was awoken by bird poop landing on my chin. Yes, only centimeters from my open mouth. 20. Finn and her cousin Carter fishing moss out of the stream at the park in Sugarhouse.
21 & 22. Just a few of many self-portraits I make Mitch take with me. ;)
23. My sister Amy and her family came up to enjoy a fun Sunday afternoon with us in S. Pas. Here's Finn and Saylor playing at the park. 24. We spent a fun day at Disney with them too. Dieter and Hoyt waiting for the Lady Bug ride.
25. All gussied up for the Royal Wedding. Please, notice my mole! 26. Yes, we did go out like this. We had a fun dinner with my mom and sisters and oldest three grand-daughters at Little America at 10 o'clock PM. 27. I got a good laugh at this while driving through the car wash the other night.
28. My delicious Mother's Day breakfast in bed. 29. Opening presents with my littles in bed. 30. Me and my kiddos. Don't you love that Finnley is wearing my Paul McDonald shirt as a night shirt!
31 & 32. Today's Disney date with my two favorite kiddos. We stayed for over seven hours and wore ourselves out!
33. Finnley posing on the top of Ensign Peak, 34. Mitch and the kids with an amazing view of the Salt Lake Valley, 35. Me and Dieter boy, 36. Our kids all bundled up for our April/winter hike!
37. Swinging tandem at our favorite Pirate Park, 38. Love my two, 39. Getting creative on our drive up to Yosemite. We sat them next to each other which turned out to be a big mistake. Dieter took on the role of "little bother" and kept bugging Finn. Here's our attempt at making a tent to distract them. It actually worked quite well. ;)
40. And last, but not least, our little family doing one of favorite things to do...road trippin' together.

Well, there you have it a few of the hundred pictures on my phone. Others include, a roach in my toilet, Finnley's many self-portraits, lots and lots and lots of my kids, crafts I like, hair colors I envy, family nights....

Okay, why not a few more...

41. Finnley before the pink curlers. 42. Finnley after the pink curlers. 43. Her brown finger from her CTR ring. She has since received a real silver one from Grandma Diane for her birthday. 44. Ever tried to make a s'more with one of those giant marshmallows? I wouldn't recommend it!

45. Dieter stuck behind the couch after trying to fetch a ball he dropped. Hil-Ar-I-Ous! 46. Finnley wanted to take her Sunday nap in her car seat, in the family room. Okay!? She was out like a light. 47. S'mores for family night. 48. Finn's doll relaxing on the changing table, listening to some tunes. Yes, she set her up like this.

49. Mitch sent me this pic while I was out of town. Dads are the best!

50. Me and my new pal at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. 51. Showing off my badge at the AORN convention...so official! The one week a year I work...wish it were more. 52. Mitch in his Utah Snugglie...I think I might have promised not to text this to anyone. Does blogging it count? 53. Dinner at Umami Burger with some of Mitch's dental school pals. It was good, but not what it was talked up to be.

Well, that should get me caught up for a bit. Maybe in a few months I'll download the new ones and have another phone-pic-post!