Reagan Hayes

I've been meaning to post about this for some time now, and finally got around to it. My fabulous friend Reagan just launched her new furniture line 'Reagan Hayes' and I had the amazing opportunity to photograph the furniture. It was a very unique experience, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. Her line has really taken off. If you have time to visit her site, make sure to click on the press tab to see how much publicity she's gotten since starting. It's been really fun to see my photography all over the web (and in published articles as well). Also, just a plug that her stuff is really amazing. I'm posting a picture of two of my favorite pieces, the Wendy sofa and the Cynthia dining chair. Check out her site, and if you're looking for furniture, her stuff is truly amazing!

reaganhayes.com

A shoot with B

While we were in WY I finally got around to taking some pictures of my own child! B was such a trooper this day. I bribed him to get dressed with promises of seeing the trains and then I just so happened to have my camera with me. :) We were glad to have Nana with us for B to make all these faces at.
Sorry that there are so many, I couldn't decide which ones to post.

Busy Busy

Last week we had a really busy week. My friend, Katie, came back to LA to visit us since they've been away in Ireland for the past year. We've missed them so much! Beckett and Easton were reunited as well and they had a blast together. Here are some of the highlights of our week. We started off at the beach on Monday with several of my girlfriends. Beckett is always pretty skeptical when we get down there, but by the end he was too busy building a sandcastle to leave. Here he is with his friend Caleb doing just that.



Tuesday was B's first day back at school and he was happy to be at Miss 'Coles' house (Nicole). We were in a bit of a car accident that day (a taxi backed up into my car and then said it was my fault) but I don't like to think about it, so I'm not going to.
Then Thursday I taught school here, and the boys were so cute. There is actually one little guy missing from this picture, so there are 5 boys total, and they are all such sweet little men. I love teaching them. Here they are in the aprons I made them for school this year.



Friday was our first attempt at Disneyland where we became true LA-ites and purchased season tickets. It was HOT. But the little people did remarkably well and we're glad we went. Here are B and W at the end of our day. Highlights from the day for me were Small World and a frozen lemonade. Beckett LOVED the carousel and the Finding Nemo ride.



Saturday, well...I already went there in my last post, but we were glad that Nathan got to be at the game, and even happier when he came home to us on Sunday. The week was topped off with Labor Day holiday Monday and we did some serious relaxing as a family.

Woot woot.

It's official. Tonight I proved myself to be a true blue Cougar Football fan. This afternoon, with both boys asleep, I chose to watch the BYU-Oklahoma game, and I couldn't take my eyes off of the TV. Sure it was a great game, sure BYU (20) beat #3 Oklahoma, but going into it, even turning on the TV, when I could have done a myriad of other things in those few moments to myself says something. Toward the end of the game I even caught myself screaming (even though I fully realized the potential wake up threat it risked). You should have seen me standing in my living room--by myself--glued to ESPN; my mind trying to decide who to call to celebrate. I even thought about calling the Roberts brothers. :)
So, sweetie-you'll be glad to know that it happened. I'm converted. True blue through and through.

B BOY 2 1/2 YEARS : WIL 3 MONTHS

Big B. Little Eckett. 30 Months Old.

-He's learning so rapidly. His vocabulary is pretty extensive for a 2 1/2 year old. (Just now, "Can I blow raspberries on Wil?"...and his pronunciation of raspberries was pretty close).
- Still loves cars, especially his orange Lamborghini.
-He'll lay on his side (pretty much anywhere) and drive his cars around for lengthy amounts of time.
-Insists that he's a big boy. If I ever accidentally say anything about him being little he quickly corrects me.
-Every morning he asks me, 'where Daddy go?' and when I tell him work he responds, 'boo.'
-Currently trying to potty train.
-Loves Baby Wil. Or as he calls him 'Yittle Wil'.
-Loves to pillow fight with dad every night before bed.
-He's really sweaty.
-Loves candy or 'reats' as he calls them.
-Is petrified of 'ambaids' (aka. bandaids).
-He's still really shy and takes a while to warm up to people.
-Asks a million questions a day...'Mommy what's that?' and I tell him ___. Then it's, 'Mommy what that ___do? Repeated at least 5x per object.
-Loves to roar which sounds like 'war'.
-Is amazingly obedient for a 2 1/2 year old...he'll let me brush his teeth.
-He's just learning the art of stalling (before going to bed).
-He's very cautious...he still can't walk up or down stairs very fast.
-Loves being in his crib (playing with his cars)...not sure when the upgrade to a big boy bed will happen.
-He's hilarious. I wish I could remember all the funny things he says.
-Still loves books and would let me read him 20 books each night if I had time.
-Currently not that into TV or watching movies.
-When he's lazy and wants me to get something for him he'll tell me that he can't because it's too 'scary'.
-He loves playing pretend. It's so fun to see his imagination grow.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WIL. I. AM. 3 MONTHS OLD

-Such a good baby.
-Has long eyelashes like his dad.
-If wrapped/rocked correctly he falls asleep in less than a minute.
-So smiley...but you have to work for the ones he gives.
-Such a grunter and has been since day 1. I've put him to bed and he's just grunted himself to sleep.
-Such a good eater-which is why...
-He's grown out of several 3-6 month outfits. I put him in a 9 month sleeper last night...and it fit!
-Loves the swing.
-Looks identical to Beckett did at 3 months. (I'm going to show you in a future post).
-Is in the 86th percentile for height and 94th for weight.
-He's pretty much bald (way less of a mullet than B had).
-Has on dimple on his right cheek. I only see it every once in a while.
-He's really loud like his mom. When he gets squawking...
-Loves bath time.
-Blows out of 80% of his diapers.
-He loves it when I kiss on him and let my hair tickle his face. He gets all flustered and giddy.
-Spits up ALL THE TIME. Just like Brother Beckett. Oh the joys.
-Does not love the bottle.
-Just found his tongue and plays with it in his mouth...thus we go through 20+ bibs a day.

I feel so blessed to have these two little boys in my life. Before meeting Wil I had convinced myself that he would not be a good baby...because I couldn't imagine being blessed with 2! They are amazing little men and I love them so much.

Where are we?

I feel like we've been on a roller coaster ride the past couple of months. In June we were in Cedar City for a week (see last post), in July we went to Utah for a baby blessing and my mom came back to LA with us for a weeklong visit right after. Then we were home in LA for a couple of weeks before heading off to Nathan's parents house for a week, and now I've been in Canada at my parent's place for almost 3 weeks. I figured if I was going to make the effort to come home this summer, fly with both boys by myself, and spend the cash to get us all here, I was going to make it worth my effort. So, our month-long vacation is almost at it's end and thus the delay in my blogging. (Yeah right...I post so often otherwise :) ) However, this trip has been so rejuvenating and blogging more frequently is on my list of things to improve on when I get home. I love how easy it is while on vacation to commit to augmenting my efforts in all aspects of life after the vacation is over. But this time I'm serious! :)

So I figured while I'm still here, I'd post a few pics from our second summer vacation...the Utah trip for the 4th of July (and to attend baby McKay's blessing). 

We watched the Stadium of Fire fireworks from the BYU campus and it was amazing. What's better than a pic-nic and free fireworks on the 4th?

And my cute little brother was just home from his mission in Kenya...it was SO great to see him!

We utilized the pool at the hotel and it was fun to see how different Addy and Beckett are. He cowered at the side of the pool, while she flung herself at Tyler. B clung to Nathan's neck while Addy seemed ready to swim laps. What a funny little pair.

An example of the clinging 

And sweet little McKay on his special blessing day. Both Brenan and Beth's entire families attended. So fun to see the Klain family!

Here are the three grandchildren all born within two months of one another. McKenzie, McKay and Wil (should we have gone with McGregor?) 

And just a quick shout-out to the world's greatest Sho-sho (swahili for Grandma). She is such an amazing woman. 

Since we haven't all been together for over 2 years, we got family pictures and Katie and Dan at peekaboophotography did a fantastic job. I can't believe how big our family is!

Cedar City

We spent a week at a cabin just outside of Cedar City and had the opportunity to spend time with several of our siblings. Forrest and Elin came down first and after one futile attempt at hiking (there were loggers in the area) Nathan and Fori tried a hand at fishing and caught a total of three Rainbow trout. Beckett was super stoked about it until he saw the fish wriggling around, and he started crying. I had the same response when I watched Nathan smacking it's head against a tree trying to put it out of it's misery. I've decided I want to remain blissfully ignorant about where my food comes from.

Aren't they cute??



Nathan and Beckett wetting a line





Beckett spent most of the day throwing rocks in the pond...which is probably why Nathan and Forrest only ended up catching three fish. The rest of us (Elin and I) had to whisper the entire time.



Ben, Ryanne and Rachell came the following day and we headed over to Bryce Canyon for a fun little hike through the hoo-doos. It was so beautiful...the colors were amazing.





Uncle Bean and Aunt RyRy



Uncle Fori and Aunt Elin



Rachell was there as well, but as Tim skipped the weekend I didn't get a cute 'couple' picture with just her :) Instead, here is a couple picture of her and Elin.



And, of course a picture of the brothers. These are three of the handsomest men I know.



This was the last night before the Roberts clan left. We made a mean hot dog dinner, and some delish s'mores.



Beth, Brenan and McKay came and shared the last day with us. It was so fun to meet little McKay and to see Beth in action as a mom. They are such a cute little family. We loved being together...even if it was short. Check out our delish tinfoil dinners.



Thanks to all who made the trip to come and see us. We love you and enjoy spending time together.