my lil piggy

So, here's the problem with being an aspiring photographer ... I never leave my kids alone! I have the perfect shot all lined up in my head and I just keep clicking and clicking until I get it. Problem is, there's something sort of unattainable about the perfect shot (at least for me!). Poor Mia, I keep undressing her and demanding big smiles everyday at about 11am when the light is just right in my bedroom. haha ... poor girl.

Although it's not exactly what I had in my head, I do love this picture.

Ooooh, this little girl!

Halloween 2010

Back on the blog wagon ... let's do this.

Two months ago Miles eyed a SWAT costume at Costco and decided he had to have it. I insisted that we should go home and think about it before making the purchase to be sure it was really what he wanted to be. A week later he was still dead set on law enforcement, so we made it happen. I even managed to keep it all packaged up for weeks just in case he changed he mind ... but he didn't. This kid didn't waiver ... and I'm impressed. Considering my flippant Halloween costume track record dating back to my childhood and constantly evolving Christmas list, I am completely impressed with my little Miles' determination and resolution to be a SWAT guy. And he loved it. Every minute.

So, of course, the rest of us had to coordinate. Scott is a natural Police Officer and I figured I could be a robber. But Mia ... she was a tricky one. We wanted her to be something darling ... but it had to fit with the theme. Naturally, we settled on a pig. ha! Of course, we spent a lot of time explaining that she was a pig bc of the cop nickname. Oh, but she was a cute one!

I'm pretty sure Miles thinks he's a SWAT guy because he gets to swat bad guys with his baton (which was strictly prohibited, by the way ;) ). I just love this little pumpkin.

and, a couples shot compliments of our personal 3.5 foot photographer ...

Earlier in the week Miles' friends, Ike & Ollie, showed up at our door wrapped like mummies. Of course, we had to join in the fun.

I miss Halloween already!

Good thing we have a couple fab holidays coming up.

Miles takes a walk through downtown Charlotte...

we made it!

Yesterday was quite the travel day with these two little rug rats. 3 hour flight, 3 hour layover, 2 hour flight. But, thankfully, they were great (ok, they had their moments) and we finally arrived in NC late last night.

To quickly recap, we had am AMAZING couple months in UT - thanks mom, dad, pj, and uncle keith! We're also soooo happy to be reunited as a family again. I know, I know, I have yet to post pics of the UT mountain-side waterslide ... and of our uptown Charlotte high-rise apt. Actually, I have yet to post a lot of summer pics. Man, there's nothing like a perfect UT summer and unlimited babysitting to keep me off the computer and thwart my blogging efforts.

Oh, and ps, I'm without my phone charger once again ... and my battery is dead. I'll get a new one Monday. Until then, just know I'm not screening my calls. I swear.

ah geez

we have a thumb sucker

I suppose it's not a good habit ... but there are worse things, right?

and they call the thing rodeo

Well, it's official ... I love the rodeo. For starters, my mom and dad took us to Gunnies Western Wear to get Miles ready for the big night. Here's what we came up with.


Oh, so darling. And, he adores his boots. He actually wore them to his first trip to the dentist yesterday (which he handled like a rock star, by the way ... that is, assuming rock stars are great at their dental appts)


I've never been to a rodeo before and I'm completely hooked. I don't know, there's something in me that always wants to wear a cowboy hat. No, seriously, I love them. So, it was FAB to finally cut loose and pretend I was a cowgirl. And the rodeo itself? So funny. Yes, yes, poor animals. But, the entertainment value far outweighed any animal rights notions I have.

Mutton Bustin?
check.
Wild Cow Milking?
check.
Barrel Racing?
you betcha.

They even herded a couple buffalo on top of a semi truck for a little half time entertainment.


The only thing that could have made the night better would be if we were with Scottie. Thank you, sweetheart, for all your love and hard work. I (we) miss you!

Bake a Pie!

I've decided it's time to learn to make a good pie crust. For my first experiment, I opened up my mom's old Betty Crocker Cookbook from 1969. I burst out laughing when I read the following heading. I just had to share.

"What's the American man's favorite dessert? Most people would agree - it's pie. And heading the list is apple pie. Followed closely by cherry pie, and peach pie, and lemon meringue pie and a lot of others. If you care about pleasing a man - bake a pie!"

Ha! awesome.

Anyway, if any of you Marthas out there have tips, tricks, or recipes to share, I would LOVE it! Thanks and wish me luck!