Joey's Portraits

This little man is going to be 8 years old this fall.

He has puppy dog eyes, and he knows how to use them!

He is the most sensitive of my children, and is vocal as well. This guy knows how to emote!

He is the most affectionate of the bunch, and a good singer to boot--both things that are treasured qualities to a mother.

He is my hardest worker, and will plug diligently along on tedious tasks until he is triumphant.  Go Joey!

I love him infinity, which is little-boy-speak for SOOOO MUCH.

My Life in One Picture:

(Click to enlarge)

At certain points in your life you strive for different things.  At some points you try to be as gloriously wonderful as possible in every way.  And at others, you just try REALLY hard to make sure all your kids survive to adulthood.

BUGS and Other Inescapable Draws

I can't help it.  I love to take pictures of bugs.  *Sigh*  I know you all come to my blog for pictures of bugs, right?  I, of course, recommend that you expand each picture and salivate over the amazingly intricate little creatures that surround us (until we kill them).

I was all focused on this flower, ready to shoot, and this little guy zoomed in for a cameo and departed right after the click.  I luff him...er, her.  All worker bees are female, did you know that?

Geez, go find a roach motel, right?  They were like miniature June bugs.  *Pretty*

Well hello there!

You are not quite as inconspicuous as you think.  You are practically Farnsworth-house green.

Ooooh, my favorite bee shot ever!  And that is saying a lot because I have a BILLION!  You're welcome, you only have to see 2.  Wait, 3.

I kind of like this one too.  Face to face with the Pollinator hard at work.

Be grateful, be very grateful because I did not post all my millions of cactus flower shots.  Ok, maybe just one. 

This picture makes me feel like chocolate is coursing through my veins.  Ahhhhh....

Sojourners!

We just got back from a major trip.   Traveling with little kids is sooooo convenient!!!  (Not really, but at least there are  a lot of helpers to schlep suitcases.)

The first part of the trip was a visit to Nauvoo, Illinois.   Beautiful Nauvoo.  It is all about church history, pioneers, beautiful red brick buildings, and gorgeous green stuff all over the place (on the ground of all places!).  But to me, it was really about seeing 5 of my 6 siblings, and all 17 of my nephews and nieces on my side.

All three of the little Farnsworth girls born in 2009.  Alivia, Kendra, and Danielle. 

The Matriarch and Organizer of the Event.

Hats off to you, Mom!

The Patriarch, and most competent stilt walker in the group (also the most addicted to Starcraft, but let's not bring that up).

There were a few moments like this...

Occasionally we got one of these...

And once in a great while we saw a face like this...

But overall, it was a wonderful experience, and a good time was had by all.

We had to pull Sam off of Joseph Smith's shoulders to take this picture.

Making rope...COOL!

Sam really got into the pioneer games.

Joey would've been a very cute pioneer kiddo.

Adam is pleasant wherever he goes.

Danielle handled the trip like a champ.

My oldest brother Heber had been there a lot, so he knew all the fun things to do.

Two of his kids, Natalie and Hyrum, playing pioneer games.

My oldest sister Rebecca has the most kids (6), but for some reason I didn't get any pictures of them.  Blerg! 

Let's call an emergency re-reunion!

My second brother Nathan didn't come...booooo!

My second older sister has 3 lovely girls.

Soooo cute!

Cute Again!

My little brother, Grant, and his sweet wife Ashoflower (Ashley).

Learning how to weave....

Grant + Ashley = Kendra the-pizza-eating-queen

Or Kendra-Cuteness-of-Gerber-Baby

My Youngest brother, Seth--the doctor in training.

Seth's sweet wife Kristina and lil' Alivia.

Alivia's cheeks and eyelashes--zoom them up to appreciate!

Together our family majorly overwhelmed the small buffet at our hotel every night.

My favorite picture taken on this phase of the trip--Sam looking solemn in Carthage Jail, where the prophet Joseph Smith was killed.

Very moody, no?  I love the lighting.

Thank you, Beautiful Nauvoo!  I hope to see you again soon.

My Heart

Have you ever wondered what makes my heart go pitter-pat?  Would you like a paddleboat ride through the deepest fjord of ecstasy of which I am capable?  Well then, watch this video . . . I have watched it like 50 times.



I can assure you that I taught him to wipe the spit off his teeth, grimace on the high notes, and lose all concentration whenever anyone starts clapping.  It is all part of the charm.

It was a church talent show.  And I was soooo proud of him for not freaking out, because he's never done anything like this before, and it was a big audience for such a little boy.

Overheard on a Sunday Morning...

Once upon a time there was a family...

A family of TORPEDOS!!

And there were 3 brother torpedos and a big ol' daddy torpedo.  Mostly the daddy torpedo showed up to yell "STOPPIT SONS, THAT'S DANGEROUS!!!"

But then there was a crisis because aliens landed and attacked...Iowa.  So the torpedos dashed off to rescue Iowa.  It was a very noisy battle.  There were many explosions.  Spit, I mean, shrappnel was flying everywhere.  The aliens were vanquished, and left in a hurry.

But then there was a problem because one of the torpedos decided NOT to invite another torpedo to his birthday party.  Negotiations were tense and almost tearful.  Finally Mommy intervened.  Now we have a family rule that all torpedos are invited to all parties.  Happiness ensued.

And you thought they were just pool toys...

Danielle's 9 Month Pictures

Momentous day!  Danielle is now 9 months old. 

Such bright blue eyes, such a trusting expression

Nicely Framed by the Mesa Temple

This is a good capture of her personality.  She delights in being delighted, and smiles so easily...as long as I hold her...constantly.

Her lovely features--a cupid's bow on her lips.

"Whacha doin laying on the ground, Mom?"

"Trying to seize the day, Love."

"You're just lucky I'm too young to be embarrassed of you in public."

"Exactly my point, my dear."

So, nine month milestones:

• She has been out of the womb longer than in it
• I am supposed to be back to prepregnancy weight.  (So close!  Just 3 more pounds...)
• It is time to start freaking out a little that she is not crawling. (Or is it?  My boys may have skewed my perspective--they were all soooo eager to get going.) What do you think?

And most importantly of all, I need to really just enjoy her even more, because the next time I turn around, she will be out of the baby stage, and become a vivacious toddler (which is also cool, but still).

Happy Easter!

Inspiration here and here.