Irony at it's finest...

Well, I'm ready. My bags are packed, I have my super-security Passport thingy that hangs around my neck so I don't get pick-pocketed, I have all-american snacks in my backpack (think Trail mix, beef jerkey, and protein bars) just in case the food doesn't agree with me, and 12 books that I requested from the Library came in, and I just need to decide which ones to bring.

So, I am taking 2 medium sized suit cases, but only one is packed with my stuff. Why you ask?
Behold- the suitcase of 400 fortune cookies--

Hilarious- this is SO my parents...if you know them, you totally get it! ADIOS PEOPLE!

Another conversation

I may be the only one that finds the things Jaxon says hilarious- but that's okay, because I am blogging this for my own personal records as well as general reading enjoyment of others.

Jaxon: I don't want to go to Sonic! I want to go home and eat a Hot Pocket!

Mom: Should I just leave you on the side of the road?

Jaxon: Yes! Leave me, Leave me!

M: But what is someone took you and I never got to see you again? I would be so sad I would cry forever!

J: What man mom? What man would take me?

M: A wicked man, who would steal you away. (Wicked is one of his new favorite words!)

J: Umm...Laman and Lemuel?

M: Kind of like Laman and Lemuel...

J: Umm...Mom...don't worry...they'll just stay in the video!

So, the moral of this story is- the living scripture videos really are awesome (at least the 3 that we inherited are great, but we can't afford any more!) but I guess I need to do a better job explaining that the videos actually come from the scriptures which came from real life...Ooops...

Oh My LOVE!

Behold, my two new favorite pictures of Jaxon and I! I don't know my SIL did it (thank you Emily, Thank you!!!) but look at the genuine smile on that boys' face...and he is not even (visibly) squirming to get away from me!!! This is from our fantastic trip to the zoo yesterday. It was PERFECT weather...about 68 degrees and overcast. It was pretty empty- and Jaxon, Hailey, and Katie loved it. Jaxon and Hailey do pester each other to no end (read: a 10 minute arguement about why Hailey wouldn't give Jaxon back his PRETEND airplane) but they are also apparently madly in love and going to be married! (more on that to come.) Also, I try not to plug my photo blog too often, but I just posted a reflection pic I took of a really cool family today...check it out, it's definately in my top 5 all-time favorites!

What to do??

Do I-
1. Bring my big ol' camera and lenses-
~ I will have to lug it around during a lot of walking
~ It will take up a lot of space in my backpack
~ I am probably not taking any shots that I am going to blow up or frame-
BUT...
~The things I see and do will be a once in a lifetime experience and will be absolutely amazing to capture with a nicer camera

2. Bring my small point and shoot-
~It will be easy to access
~I will probably take more pictures
BUT...

~I will miss some breath-taking once in a lifetime pictures that can't really be taken with this camera

HELP!!! HELP!!!HELP!!! HELP!!!HELP!!! HELP!!!HELP!!! HELP!!!HELP!!! HELP!!!HELP!!!

One Week and COUNTING!!!

I think I have everything I need...stomach meds, long johns, 50 things my parents have asked me to bring that they can't find in China (including 400 fortune cookies...does that seem ironic to anyone else???), my passport, my visa, and a large empty suitcase to fill with awesome shopping finds!! I am getting really excited for my trip, and every day makes it just a little more real!

Here are a few pictures to set "the mood!" My mom sent these darling outfits to the little ones in the family and asked me to take a few pictures and bring some with me so she can show all of her students.

This first one- seriously? That pose, what is that? Captain America...err...China?

Katie- the fastest toddler in the West (For one more week, then she will be the fasted toddler in Wisconsin again,...BOO HOO!!!) I promise, this is about the only picture where she is not just a pink and white streak!

Jonathan- you name the time and the place, he will be there posing for his shot- he loves the camera, and the camera loves him!

One for the Road...

"O-KAY!"

As I have previously mentioned, Jaxon really loves to play croquet (O-kay) with Dave. (Although the majority of the time was not actually spent playing croquet) They were having such a fantastic time that I had to snap some shots. There is nothing I love to see more than these two loving life and each other!

Do you think he might really love his dad?





Jaxon just noticed that the clouds move...he is really amazed!

Daddy the tickle Monster!

Playing Croquet

BBQ and Boxes

Here are some more pictures from our fun evening with Tyler and AnnaMarie...and don't forget katie! We threaded shish-kabobs (delicious, by the way) and then watched the kids play. Jaxon loved being pulled in a box by Uncle Tyler, who was really moving, and thought it was almost as funny as Jaxon did, when he would fling Jaxon out of the box. Dave is a master griller and times everything on the timer to make sure nothing is over or under done, what a guy! And lastly, my camera battery died, so I couldn't take a picture of the blueberry/blackberry buckle before it was 1/2 eaten, but it was delicious! What did we ever do before the internet? I wanted to do something with my blueberries and blackberries from the Ranch Market before they went bad. I searched through several recipes online before finding something easy and quick! Well worth it! I even added my own "sauce" to the recipe - berries blended with a little lemon juice and a some splenda- YUM YUM!

(Oh yes, and for anyone out of town, please note the green grass, shorts, and t-shirts all around! THIS is why we live in AZ!!!)

Dave the SUPER GRILLER!

Shrimp and Beef- raw- gross looking I know, but boy was it good when it was done!
This is only about 1/3 of the veggies we grilled...

Spunky little Katie bear!
Uncle Tyler getting his work out for the day!

Dessert...

I had to include one of my favorite shots from their quick photoshoot this week!