27? Who ME?!

So this past week it was my birthday. It just seems kinda crazy to me that I am 27! Three years to 30..really? I guess so. Im also nearing my 10 year highschool reunion. It seems like just yesterday, I was hanging out with my friends, going to highschool, working at the tux shop, and cheering on the boys basketball team! Time flies. Im so happy to be where I am, and the older I get, I guess 30 doesn't seem all that bad. Im still young at heart and really what am I talking about Im still young in numbers! I had a really fun birthday. Everyone was so sweet! It started off with a happy birthday from my hubby when he woke me up in the mornin! When I walked into work, I heard singing, I had a lovely gift from Ashley and Tessa on my desk, (LOL-POAS....How special!) and a yummy lunch with the peeps at work (we missed Leisha,Laura & Claudia)! That evening we went to my parents house for dinner-we had a great time. I got a great printer and a label making program-for my photgraphy CD's! :) Hung out with the Fam. Baby Maverick was a doll! Saturday was also a nice day, Aaron and I just lounged around all day, then headed to Aaron's parents house that evening to hang out with the family and celebrate my mother in law, Cindy's birthday and mine, that happen to be on the same day. (*fun fact: My mother in law and I both got engaged to our hubby's on our 18th birthday's which is both July 24th-different years of course, but fun fact anyways!!) We had fun with the Norton fam..just hanging out. The celebration had to continue on Sunday, when my mom and I hit the Nordstrom anniversery sale but one last time!!! It was sucessfull, and I got some VERY cute items :) My birthday was fun, and Im so thankful for all the sweet people in my life who made me feel so special on my day. I am truly blessed!

LaKiN iT uP!

A Eventful Trip to the Lake

Well it never goes without saying, that when Leisha (my BFF) and I are together, it’s always a good time-and more often than not..a Eventful time! She has been in Texas, and we had some catching up to do, since it was so HOT we decided after work we’d head to her in-laws and hit the lake. It was SO NICE! We had little baby Holland with us, and that was a treat for me. And the adventure begins…
We get there, get all ready head out on the dock…it feels a little too cold to jump in, so we proceed to sit on the floaty in the water tied to the dock. Leisha goes for it first, as you can see by the photo barley makes it onto the floaty without falling into the water..FFEEEEWWWHH!!! She made it, so I manage to get on just fine and we have a great time, chatting it up, and relaxing. It felt so refreshing being on the water in the heat! Holland didn’t quite like the idea of taking a nap, so we then pull back to the dock, and bring the babe with us onto the raft. She was SO CUTE! Crawling around, and talking and laughing and smiling. Well…once again something else brought us to have to get off the floaty again and head back onto the dock. I hold Holland, and as Leisha puts one leg up onto the dock her other leg slipped out from underneath her, causing the hardest part of her shin to ram into my shin. Oh man, pain!! I got a immediate bruise, and shortly after came a bump. We couldn’t stop laughing, and to be completely honest I’m surprised we didn’t pee our pants! When we get laughing it’s very hard to stop (Cheer camp prayer time-OH my!) We get back on once again, and all is great, then little Holland poops. Ok, so since time is running short we decide to head back and call it a night at the lake. We have towels, a phone, a baby and us and a rope to hang on to as we step out of the floaty onto the dock above. There is one more large step up to the other dock that leads to the house, Leisha gets up fine, I have Holland and feel like I really shouldn’t try to make this step holding her, as I have short legs, and can barely make up myself. I looked at Leisha, and she said Come on, I’ll give you a boost. Well, her boost pretty much almost knocks me into the water with her BABY, In a small opening between two docks. Thank the Lord, we made it up, Barley..to safety! Again, once safe….ROTFL! Pure Craziness. We pack up, and head to the car..trying not to be late to pick up Leisha’s daughter Preslee at VBS.


Got there on time, hanging in the car-in my swim suit, mind you with only a cover up, feeling very out of place even in a church parking lot! When Leisha looks at Holland…we thought OH NO…we totally spaced and didn’t even change her diaper. She is a happy as a clam, so it slipped out minds. Oh man, the laughter begins again. I’m sure between then and the end many more little crazy things happened, but we packed up the girls, and heading to my house. I said goodbye, and grabbed my keys. I got all the way to the front door and realized I had grabbed Leisha’s Keys instead of mine. She was pulling out and on her way, when I ran and flagged her down. Then again…the laughter-this time keeled over laughter! I finally got my house key and she was on her way.

Really it was WAY funnier if you were there, but I had to share about our crazy trip to the lake. It’s something about the lake, We have sunk a paddle boat, took a big crash on a tube, Thrown people in fully clothed, once to ruin Randy’s brand new watch, Both tried to fit in a tube (see picture above-this was a couple years ago)

and I’m sure other things that are slipping my mind. No matter what, we had a great time and Im sure burned a lot of calories laughing, as that seemed to be the theme of the evening.


We decided, maybe it’s not to safe for us to hang out after a long hot day at work, with a baby in our care…You would think we could handle it! Nahh…We totally Can! Just gotta keep our peeps entertained with our crazy, times!!

Never a dull Moment, Love my BFF!

MUSTANG ROUND-UP!

Mustang Round-up……….ROAD TRIP!

A couple weekends ago, we headed to the Mustang Roundup. It was our first year to do the drive and it was fun. We met a bunch of other mustangs in Bellevue on Friday morning, and all headed out in groups on a drive to Yakima. It was fun being with all other mustangs! We had a few stops along the way. When we got to the park it was so hot! We had to wait a hour for a group picture..then that was all. We decided to make it a little mini vaca, and got a hotel room and stayed the night. Aaron’s dad also has a Mustang, so Aaron’s parents joined us on our little trip. We had a lot of fun, and it was nice weather and very relaxing. We Went to dinner and a movie that evening, and headed back the next afternoon.. We got a little sunburned and I had KNOTS in my hair…but it was worth it to drive with the top down the whole way. Aaron then on Sunday entered our cobra into the car show..and sat once again all day in the hot sun with a sun burn! He was pretty wiped out for a day after that. I love when Aaron gets to drive the mustang. Him and his dad both, get so giddy like little kids with a toy! It’s cute, and I know he gets a total thrill out of it..and that makes me Smile! Thankful for a Radar-Detector! No more speeding tickets for us.

Family, Fun & Foto's

Last weekend, I headed to Olympia to do photos of my Aunts kids. It was totally worth the drive. I had such a FUN time! I ventured out early saturday morning. My cousin Marisa met me there, so we could do photo's together (she has also taken up this love for photography-and we have twin camera's) It was so nice to chat in the morning! We took some photos of the girls at the house

The Lawrence Girls-Arn't they beautiful?!

-then sadly Marisa had to leave!! Carin got a few pics of us, as she called "The photography dorks" (prob not a bad discription-lol) Marisa and I have been best cousins forever BCF?! Totes!! We had the best times when we were little. I really think we should have been the poster children for using our imaginations and accually playing as children. So sad that kids have got away from that these days...we rocked and I will never forget it!

**Stayed tuned for a post "trip down memory lane" of the BCF's**

After she left, I headed to Little Rock to photograph my cousin, Amanda with her Horse-Missy. I was so scared at first, because I once got chased by a heard of horses (ya, don't ask!) When I got there Missy's made me feel at ease. What a sweet horse-she must get that from her sweet mom, amanda! I think we got some beautiful photos-such a nice day! (Amanda and Missy)

After that we headed back to my aunt's house and I edited some photo's & we visited

(definitly my favorite photo from the day!)

She then, fed me an amazing dinner and then I hit the rode back to the homestead. It was such a fun, refreshing, rewarding day. Makes me miss not having my family closer.

(Me & My favorite Aunt Carin)

The Biggest Loser!

Ok, so a group of us girls decided about 10 weeks ago to put $50 bux in the pot and venture off on our own version of "The biggest Loser" It was a really fun idea, until I found out we had to weigh in front of eachother, and everyone will know my weight..hhhhmm...Is it worth it, I thought to myself. I finally gave in, thinking to myself..What's worse-the # on the scale now or not doing it, thus not being challenged and possibly allowing that number to creep up more. My BFF, Leisha encouraged me, so I said-OK IM IN! Im thinking a prize of $300 sounded nice to me! Well, between all the usual "girl drama" we weighed in each week, and we all were losing consistantly. I had no idea 6 women could be SO competitive and take this SO seriously. Wow...I went through the usual routine of watching what I eat, but still living life..but when Tuesday came it was a major crack down down day as wednesday morning was weigh in. As much as I HATED showing my # to my friends, after the last weigh in today I can say Im SO GLAD I DID! In 10 weeks-I lost 13 lbs-and what I am most excited about -is that it lasted long enough to make a habit. Im not a dieter, I have never liked dieting. I love to live life and I don't want to limit myself. Im all about a lifestyle change though. Not only did this teach me discipline and challenge me physically,I gained a whole new outlook on myself. It taught me good eating habits, got me on a kick of drinking a TON of water, which I have never been great at, and got me working out consitantly. I have never felt better. In the last several months even before the biggest loser-I had lost some weight...I was fed up and it was time. It's not easy, but it's worth it all. In the las several months I have lost over 35 lbs. I hate to brag, but Im proud of myself..I feel like I have been working for it. Oh, man..I still have a ways to go..but I can't tell you how fun it was to buy Jeans 4 sizes smaller than my last ones. What a reward!
Long story short, I didn't come out "The biggest Loser" but I came close-Im happy though, because rather than being the biggest loser, Im a winner for Me, I met my goals and I am no longer embarassed for my friends to see the scale.......This was so worth it for me...and Im ready to start again.

My New Found Passion

Most of you who know me, have probably figured out by now, I take a crazy amount of pictures. I have always loved taking pictures, but in the last several months, I have taken it to a whole new level. After getting my Cannon Rebel DSLR-It has been a journey of learning! I never imagined a camera could have so many settings and so many things mattered, such a lighting and such. Im so thankful for mentors and friends who have helped me along. I just LOVE every aspect of photography. It's so fun, and rewarding and I could just do it 24/7. Once you capture the moments, then it opens up a whole new world with editing. It's very fun to tweek photos to how you like them, and the options are never ending. This has been such a good hobby for me, and really brought out the creative side of me. I have done photos for friends and family, and most recently have had a few jobs for pay! :) This is the best side job a girl could have! Stay Tuned for my photography blog-to keep up to date on what Im up to, in the world of Pictures!

Wow-Time Flies!!!

Soo, it has been to long since I have posted. It's been a few really busy months. I spend alot of time on the computer, and I keep meaning to blog, but other things get in the way..or I run out of time. Since January hhhmmm....Well, life as usual. Im happy to say it has settled down. I love summer time! We graduated a great dental assiting class a few weeks back, so Im thrilled to have my saturdays back for the summer! Mostly, besides work I have been filling my days with taking pictures and learning as much as I can about photography and editing. It's been so fun, and it is a never ending journey. I will keep this up more often, I promise!!