Burnt Hash-Brown Patties {Personal}

This morning I had planned to run a few errands. I needed to drop off the vacuum that the kids broke the other day, mail a package to a client, get the few last school supplies needed, ect.

The girls as usual, got up much to late, shoved some breakfast down their throats and quickly put on some crazy outfit. Yesterday I had gotten a few treats, hash-brown patties and waffles. This is what they wanted for breakfast. The waffles...fine, pop them in the toaster and lets go. Hashbrowns...I was not in the mood to cook. Taylor had the bright idea of putting them in the toaster...I quickly squashed that one too. I asked them not to make the hash brown this morning and to get some other yummy treat we had tucked away in the cupboard abyss.

Somewhere between loading the car with BOTH vacuums I own to be cleaned and repaired, grabbing the paperwork needed to at least get the cleaning for free, and grabbing my purse, a few lonely hash-browns entered the stove to their own demise.

100 degrees too hot, our gas stove being left on for over an hour and the attention span of my 12 year old, we returned from our errand trip to a house full of smoke.

Apparently in our house "DO NOT MAKE THE HASH BROWNS THIS MORNING!" means, "Please, burn my house down, and no need to listen to me....I'm just your mother"

I may have not been so irritated by this had it not been for the microwave that's on the fritz, a broken vacuum, the hair straightener that was broken and left on last week, and the house flood we had last spring. All of this, among WAY more little ones to remember, I'm really having a hard time staying calm, let alone afford all of the repairs these two girls are costing me. I could be wrong but I just don't remember causing this much damage to my parents home.

Mom...set me straight....we were not this forgetful, irresponsible, damaging, careless, forgettful (that one does' deserve to be written twice) as these two girls...Were we??

I think a teenager lives with me?? {Personal}

This past weekend I had some friends visiting, and in order to keep the kids entertained I let Taylor have an old friend spend the night. Her name is Taylor too, they've known each other since they were in first grade, back when they were innocent and played with Barbie's.

I expect Taylor will grow up, I remember being a teenager, getting into trouble, thinking my parents "did not get me" and thinking everyone was only out to make my life boring and lame.

Its a normal thing that all teen girls have cell phones these days and they get together and text all night. It's harmless, I did it, but my phone was an actual land line where you have to have some kind of human contact.

Ok, now to the juice....Taylor B (my Taylor was given this nickname by the W family in order to distinguish the two girls long ago) and Taylor W were in B's room all night texting. I was busy with my friends in town and figure..."hey they are happy, they arent complaining and they certainly arent bored" All was good. Little did I know they had been texting a boy from B"s school.... Ok wait, I have to give alittle background first.

Taylor B has had two "boyfriends" this last year. OMG! How can I allow it, you ask?? She came to me to ask if she could date these two boys (of course on different occasions, she's no two-timer) We had a conversation about what dating meant right now, what they would be doing...kissing? holding hands?? In Taylor's world this is what 6th grade dating looks like....

Calling a boy, texting a boy, MAYBE sitting together at lunch, but getting to say "I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!" No kissing "GROSS", holding hands, "EWWW" she didn't want him to come over, what would they talk about?? I figured I was in the clear. "Sure Tay, you can date"

24 hours later, they broke up....he looked at her funny :) (Both of them)

Ok, back to the story....

The "Taylors" were apparently texting one of these "Ex-Boyfriends" ALL night, and all morning yesterday. Taylor W is apparently dating him now, (you know a great relationship when she can't remember his name and they have never even met) So W convinces this boy to meet her down at the Old Mill. She gets B to ask if they can go, and I have no reason to doubt they are just wanting to walk around. She's done it before. I was on my way home and asked her to vacuum before leaving and I'll be home in 15. They agree.

I get home to a very un-vacuumed house, and am a little upset. Thank goodness for cell phones, I call them up and send them back home, "you did NOT do what I asked"

In the mean-time, Kaci is my eaves-dropper. She does it without anyone even noticing, and she loves to feel needed, I found yesterday for this to be the PERFECT combination! Kaci comes to me and says, "Mom, The Taylors are not just going to walk around, I heard them setting things up the meet they boys at the Old Mill"

I think I have teen-agers living in my house.....

They get home, and I totally bust them. B breaks down, she can't believe she lied, I'll never do it again. Not that I completely believe her, but I know she feels horrible. This is so out of character for her, my gut is this is more W than B. I talked to both of them about how important it is for us parents to be able to trust you, if they would have asked, been honest of their intentions, I may have let them go.(for a short amount of time, I do remember being in 7th grade and wanting to meet boys) I want then to have fun, but honesty is always best. Parent's give more when they feel they can trust you.

B re-vacuumed the floor, we told a few stories of me meeting boys downtown when I was young and funny things that happened along the way. I thought I got thru to them both...WRONG!

About an hour later, the boredom set in again, they decided to walk down to the park near our house. OK, but you have to take Kaci...my little spy! Kaci knew of her expected stealth duties, and to report back discreetly.

30 minutes later B come walking thru the door alone??? W had taken off to meet these boys again! I looked thru the texts sent back and forth on B's phone to W...this was her plan all along, and B wanted nothing to do with it. At least I got thru to my own kid. B refused to be apart of it, wouldn't go to the park where the boys were now meeting them, and ended up walking home alone to stay out of trouble. GOOD GIRL! Except for leaving your 9 year old spy sister with a 12 year old who apparently has another agenda.

B got right on the phone after I old her to call and get the two girls home. Luckily 20 minutes later, Dad came to pick her up. I didn't say anything to her about my knowing her intentions. This girl I'm sure felt like adults are so clueless, I'm sure she thought she was in the clear.

I had a chat with Dad later and filled him in, it' his daughter after all...not my problem. She was BUSTED! I'm pretty sure she manipulated her way out of that one. She even tried convincing B that's not what happened and she doesn't understand why she thinks that....AND SHE SAW IT...with her own eyes!

I guess all those years of being manipulative myself have payed off. Taylor has never gotten away with much, both my girls think I have spies all over town, and neither one is really that great of a liar.

B is now dealing with her first girl fight, you can imagine how upset W is with her for ratting her out. We had to talk about that too last night and saw W's true colors with all her nasty texts. There will be more girls fights over the years, that's for sure. Some girls...

It breaks my heart to think that she's able to lie her way out of being in too much trouble. She does have Dad wrapped around her finger. I just hope someone can get thru to her before sneaking to the Old Mill to meet boys turns into something worse. It's so sad when you have these girls you've seen grow up start to head down a nasty path.

Lesson learned last night by all....I think I need to make sure my eyes are always open, and

"I think I have a teen-ager living in my house"

a "twist" in guest books {Product}

My friend Jessi, the one who recently got married, asked me to photograph an engagement session with her and Jimmy and create her a one of a kind album to use as the guest book. WHY have I not done this before. It turned out better than I could have imagined. The printer was amazing, and sent me a beautifully crafted art piece.

I had dinner with Jessi and a few ladies last night. (what a blast, but that's another story....) She brought the album for all of us to see and read some of the funny and truly inspirational words her friends and guests left behind. Jessi must LOVE me, she let me take home her beloved book, the one she has read over again every night before bed, so I could photograph it and show the world this yummy book.

I have to sell more....they are scrumptious!

The whole album is 12, panoramic, wonderful pages. Fully mounted on 1/8" thick mount board. Lined with beautiful taffeta black fabric and covered in soft bronze "faux" leather. (can you tell I LOVE this book)

I would recommend this little trend to anyone. It's a great option to the "traditional" guest books, you know the ones, that hardly any one signs, because they "forget" This one everyone was talking about. They were passing along a strong word of advice to check it out! I of course felt completely flattered and Sophie and I, (my partner in crime) soaked it all in.

Lani and Nick {Wedding}

Lani and I met in the 7th grade. She was always the cute one, with the wild curly hair. We loved her! She was fun, and outgoing, and perky...very perky.

Her parents took me to my first concert, we had countless sleepovers, tanned with lemon juice and baby oil, and danced.

Lani and I don't see each other all the time, our lives have taken different paths, but she's always great about keeping in touch. We email, and see each other occasionally when I can make it to Portland, or she actually comes to Bend.

The summer before moving to Bend, both Lani and I were living in Salem, the first time in years we had been in the same place. That particular summer we hung out a ton. This was also she summer she met her "husband to be" Nick. I loved him from the moment I met him. He's cuddly, and funny, rough and sweet all rolled into one giant teddy bear.

When Lani asked me to photograph her wedding I was beyond honored. I only hope I do the happy couple justice. Soon, the nerves set in, when I realized this would be the first wedding from "the old gang" and all the old friends that would be there. Once there, I relaxed, so did she and the magic began.

I had such a great time at this wedding. To see two old friends so happy and in love and to be such a huge part of her day was amazing. I haven't seen her parents in years, or her little brother (who happens to not be so little anymore) There were old high school friends, new one's I hope to keep and LOTS of great homemade beer!

Here's a sneak peak....more to come after Laners (aka Sister Bunny...dont' ask) approves the photos and raves to me about how much she loves them!

Jovi & Bob {Engagement}

I have known who this woman was for years, 4 to be exact. She was quiet and for what ever reason, even though our children have been in school together, in the same class, we had never talked until this last school year. I LOVE HER! I've missed out!

Their family have become one of our favorite families to be with. Two of her children were in both of my kids classes this last year, and we were able to help carpool, talk about the "normal" things that drive us crazy with our kids, and just enjoy each other.

She has been dating Bob for a few years now, and finally this last spring, SHE asked him to marry her. I'm so happy for them. Bob, is one of these guys that should be sold on the shelves. He's a Mr. Fix-it, can build anything, loves to hunt & fish, and do manly things, he's sweet, great with the kids, and LOVES to hang with the whole family. They have both been married before and have a whole brood of kids. 5 in all, minus the 8 year old, they are ALL teen-agers. Plus, it's not uncommon for them to have a few extra kids hanging out there, they always have a houseful, but I think they like it that way too.

The wedding is scheduled for September. I can't wait to celebrate with them. Congratulations Bob and Jovi ( pronounced Hovi)

Thanks for being great sports. Bob thought were going in the back yard to shoot a picture or two. Little did he know, I was taking the pictures, and this was going to be a major production!

Jimmy and Jessi {Personal}

I do believe I just attended my very first wedding, since the beginning of my photography career, that I was not photographing. I felt lost. I wandered around, still having a good time, but wishing i had the security of my camera in hand. This was the main reason for my not shooting this particular wedding. Jessi knows me well enough to know I tend to blend in and observe when I have said camera. She wanted me to live, and enjoy her moment. I did have a great time. They hired a fabulous photographer from Portland, who I know captured every moment perfectly...I watched. There was an AMAZING band, and a room full of wonderful people who all love this couple with all their hearts.

My contribution to the wedding was an engagement session that I photographed with my great friend and occasional business partner, Mrs. Sphie Paez. "Together we make magic", this is our tag line, or at least what we tell people when we get the typical rave of our work together, and from ALL the raves at the wedding from the session, turned guest book, we did it again. If I do say so myself, it was amazing. I, of course forgot to photograph the book before giving it to them.

Unfortunately, in order for me no actually not consume myself with every moment of the wedding, I did have to leave the camera at home, so I have no photos of the beautiful couple from that day. I had to rely on the "hired" photographers to hopefully catch my good side, and all the snap shots from our drunken friends camera, which are now scattered across Facebook. As terrible as it is, this is so far, the only photo of proof I was there.

Congratulations Jimmy and Jessi, you are an amazing couple and will be an incredible family in the years to come. You have shown my family so much love and friendship over the years, Thank you! I am excited to continue to grow with you, and our little "family" we have created for ourselves here in Bend, and look forrward to hopefully taking some maternity shots of you real soon.

Hood Canal {Personal}

My best-est friend from High School flew out from Mesa, AZ last week with her kiddos. She arrived on Monday morning, and Sunday night....the evil flu hit our home. One right after the other we dropped like flies to our refuge of the bathroom floor. I barely gathered myself to pick her up from the airport, and continued my lazy day of caching up with her from the couch. We had plans to take our first road trip with all four kids to her grandparents cain on the Puget Sound, a 6 hour drive from Bend. The plan was to leave Tuesday morning. We prayed and hoped that things would not have to be canceled. To all of our surprise, we all woke up Tuesday morning feeling GREAT!

The car was packed with tons of snacks, water, and too much luggage, and we were on our way. It stated out uneventful, until we had a puker. I'm still not sure if it was car sickness, or a tinge of the flu remnants, but we gave her a bag and she was good to go.

We played every car game known to man, our favorite (or at least mine and Dawnika's) was the "quiet game". the kids piled more snacks into those little bodies than I thought they had room for, and in 6 hours we made it, and still in one piece.

As soon as the kids stepped their feet on the sand they were in the water. It was much too cold, but none of them really seemed to mind to much. There was BBQing and sparklers. Brownies and old photos.

The next morning was more of the same. Kids in the water, way too cold for anyone over the age of 15, and LOTs of sea creature finding; starfish, crabs, muscles, sea snails, and clams.

We caught our lunch of clams. I think that's the first time I've ever been really full on clams. We had more than all 8 of us could stuff in. It was wonderful.

Dawnika and I chatted most of the day and watched our kids have a great time. Around 4pm, we had to take off for part 2 of the big adventure...Off to Dawnika's dads house in Lake Oswego. This luckily was only a 3 hour drive, two of which ALL 4 kids slept and were quiet. Thank you Bob and Lois for a great night at the cabin! Your hospitality was amazing! We were a large bunch of energy and they dealt with it with grace and plenty of love for us all.

It seemed to fly by, and before we knew it we were off heading home, back to Bend. It's always sad to see them go, but nice to get back to our every day routines. We've had a busy and eventful summer so far, and the times is flying by incredibly fast.

Thanks D and kids for a fun trip. We will always remember our first road trip with you!