Lately by my iphone

Life is always so eventful because I'm not content otherwise.  I can't stand days where I don't get out of the house at least once.  Which is good... but then it makes for lots of iphone pictures.  It's so much easier taking phone pictures, I don't look like a crazy tourist having my fat camera with me.  People give you weird looks when you bust a huge camera out at simple places like Mickey D's & the mall.  what have you never been to a mall before?  haha.  If they only knew/could understand.  Anyways.

♥I took the kiddos to a new park recently

♥we found a lake right near by that same park.  There's lots of them around me, come to find out.

♥one night when the kids were in bed Tony and I had an "in home date" (well that's most nights;)- we rented a movie and ate pizookies.  Mmmmmm.  They were amazin.  

♥dino peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches
♥SPLASH PAAAAARK!!  Brody finally loves them this year.

♥my little fireman says he can't pick up his toys "because he's a fireman".  His other excuse usually is, "i can't because I'll get sweaty!" hahahah!

♥that same fireman put flowers in my hair and said, "you're pretty as rapunzel!"

♥building puzzles one mornin'

♥cars 2 for this weeks family night- we practically got through the whole thing (minus the last 5 minutes when he had to go pee)  At least we got to see the majority of it, unlike when we saw Kung Foo Panda 2.

♥hyrum is the cutest in his hat.  The diptych was him at BWW in a public high chair for the first time lol.  He's also crawling and has teeth!

♥yesterday was GORGEOUS!  We had our windows rolled down because it was warm- NO humidity- and a coolish breeze!

Have a beautiful weekend and FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

blackberry chocolate fudge cupcakes

So I promised a friend like 6 months ago I'd post this for her.  So here it is!  Tony called these, "freakin amazing" and "delicious" so you KNOW they are worth trying.  He's not a cupcake fan like I am.

I took a recipe for frosting that I already had and tweaked it based off what I had in my fridge.  Blackberries!

So here's how to make 'em..

What you need: 

for the cake:

Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake

for the frosting:

frozen blackberries, thawed but cold

1 cup unsalted butter (cold, slightly softened)

pinch of coarse salt

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

to make the cake:

follow box instructions for mixing the cake ingredients. Take the fudge packet inside and make in separate bowl.  Rather than swirl into a cake pan like the box says, put an ice cream scoop amount of cake batter into cupcake cups, take the fudge mixture and add a teaspoon or two size amount to each cupcake.  Poke it into the middle of the cupcake with a toothpick.  You'll have a fugdey center!  (then just bake for the amount on the box- check with a toothpick until cooked through)

-cool completely-

to make the frosting:

puree 1/2 cup blackberries.  Beat together butter & salt on medium until light and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar little by little.  Add 3 tablespoons of your pureed blackberries and the vanilla.  Mix until just blended.  Do not overmix- frosting should be dense and creamy.

These are SO good.  

some tips:

I actually like them best the 2nd day- seems like the flavors are more obvious (especially in the frosting). 

do not add too much blackberry puree.  It'll make your frosting fall apart.

if you don't poke the fudge down you might get caved in cupcakes.  Make sure you cover it with batter (:

Hope you like!  I made these for our picnic, remember?

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as for other news, I finally got conniebphotography.com up and running!  There's more where that came from but you'll just have to go see.  (a new blog)  Follow along if you want!

moms are teachers

One thing I've been thinking about lately is how to really teach kids.  I remember saying once, "there's no way I'll let my kids do that" or  touch that.  I've always been kind of a neat freak and cleaning after everybody.  I'm used to it, so I figured I would always just take chores upon myself and not bother with making my kids do it.  Besides, at this age Brody will do it so that I have to redo it.. (fold laundry, sweep, etc).  I was thinking back on my own childhood however when I realized that me doing it all is probably the worst thing a mom can do.

Through my own mother's example I learned how a mother should include her kids in her everyday activities.  Even if I can do something on my own (and sometimes would rather do on my own) it's important to teach.  Kids are helpers!  As much as it would save time to just do things on my own, I let Brody help.  Besides, he ASKS to help.  This may not last forever(;  I've really been enjoying letting Brody help me with things - rather than say, "no.. go play".  HE has so much fun with it and I know it's teaching him a lot.

Thinking back, my parents gave me so many opportunities to do things that weren't really "my job".  Like, by the time I was 10 I was planting a garden, doing everyones laundry, making chicken cordon bleu, & mowing the lawn.  I even remember installing insulation in the attic, scraping paint off the eaves, pushing the rototiller, and changing tires.  Even though at the moment it sounds crazy to think I'll have my kids doing some of those things, I know for me it was the best life lesson that my parents gave me so many "responsibilities".  I felt like a well rounded, independent person by the time I left for college.  I definitely want my kids to feel this way.

Sure letting me nail pieces of wood into our backyard tree meant I'd occasionally smash my finger, but it also meant I was building something- and I felt empowered.  My parents did a great job making me feel like I could create and do anything I set my mind to... so thanks to them I'll be doing the same for my kids.  It's so important!  There are far too many kids leaving the house that don't know how to wash their socks and brown meat!  That is a pity, I think.

it's monday again

Which means FHE tonight.  We've been enjoying it more and more since Hyrum arrived & I have a testimony of having consistent weekly family night.  We've seen blessings from taking the time to do it.  Last week we decided to build a tent in our guest room with sheets.  It was so fun!  We had our lesson/spiritual thought, tickle fight, and warm chocolate chip cookies in our creation.  (tickle fight. lol.  when doesn't a family bonding moment include that jk)

The tent is still up after a week.  haha.  I'm pretty excited for another fun fhe tonight, although the rain ruined my plans a little bit.  No matter, there's always next monday! (THE 4TH!!!  I can't wait.)  (:

happy monday!♥

Photo Shoot up for Auction

I was approached about donating a photo shoot for a good cause. There will be a silent auction starting TODAY in which you can bid to win it. Your money obviously isn't going to me- but solely for the family who needs our help.  If you live in the Louisville, Kentucky area (or are willing to drive to it) this is for you!  I'm so new to the area and don't know many people.  I would hate for this to not get sold.  If you don't need family pictures but know people in Louisville, please please pass the word along!

Go bid HERE!

*bidding ends 10pm MST tomorrow (5-25-11)

*photo shoot can be used any time in 2011

Read their story here- and again, bid here.

B.Y.O.P

BLOG PATRY!  B.Y.O.P!!!  Bring your own ... pineapple?  okay..
*cough.  Er, no I'm not saying bring your own pineapple.
No party.  No pineapple.  (ha.)  Actually...

Be Your Own Person.
This is something I've been thinking a lot about.  Last summer I wrote a post about originality.  I love it, I crave it, I said.  Very true.  Sadly with 7 billion people in the world people are going to think of the same things.  People are going to be similar.  People are going to copyright their crap but most people don't care about that.  OR people won't even know about said copyright, they'll come up with the same thing, & didn't know it was already thought of.

There are few things in life we can truly call ours.  Have you ever said, "Dude.. I started that."  I've heard people say that before with phrases or outfit ideas, etc.  Maybe they did but at the same time someone in another state started it too.  Even I've "come up" with lots of grand ideas just to see it on someone else's blog before I get around to posting mine.  Kinda bugs me... because I'm really proud of my creativity!  And then I feel I'd be copying THEM if I did the same or similar thing.  And I wouldn't of even been copying them!  (but no one else would know)  I'm not a fan of copying other people.  Rather... I'm all about "inspiration".  I like to be "inspired" by other people.  I'll be impressed with something and figure out how to make it my own.  Copy?  No. (Unless I do, then I give credit where credit's deserved).

With that said,  I'm not going to let other's hinder my own creativity.  So what if we think or do things similar.  I'll still create what I want, etc.  Even if it's been done.  Still though, I think uniqueness is important.  I think those that flat out copy other people are depriving the world what THEY can bring it.  Think about it!

If you don't think you are good at anything, or capable of being unique or creating things on your own, listen to THIS.  Hopefully the song will inspire you as it has me.

So back to those things we call ours.  I got one... our words.  Our writings.  Those, I think, are ours.  Think about it... you don't see other "Twilight" books floating around that say the EXACT same thing.  Sure there are people who copy certain things about books and write their own- but they are never exactly the same.

So what I'm getting at is... I'd like to encourage you to be your own person.  Be original!  No one else in the world is exactly like you- as much as some people try.  Everyone is unique and therefore has something unique and different to offer the world.  I hope there are people out there who I inspire- but for the love of all that is holy... do not plagiarize my words.  Do not steal my photos.  Do not, just do not.  Because in the words of Chris Rock, "that ain't right!"

it's picnic month!!...next month.

I found out last year that June is national picnic month.  Turns out it's really July but whatev.  Who wants to have a sweaty picnic?  So we decided to have one last week for fhe before it got too hot and humid.  Sadly I wasn't as prepared as I initially thought so basically we were in and out of there in two shakes of a rats tail.  Or something.
But anyways...I took pictures...

::aren't those watermelon stars so darling?  Imagine the possibilities for your fourth of july....
::i'm glad I finally had an excuse to take a picture of my brownie (camera).. I've been collecting old cameras for a while now and I'm obsessed!
::paper straws.  you know how I love them
::brody clearly wasn't cooperating with our family picture... didn't really get one, oh well!
::that cupcake was like 4 days old but it was still spectacular.

So like I said I was going to have Brody eat these on our family picnic.. but I forgot all the "fixins".. aka, veggies, cheese, oh... and the meat.  Can't really have a crusty-the-croissantwich with nothing but a croissant now can we.  So I was bummed about that.  Naturally.  And we bought this 9 dollar bug repellant that we hadn't opened beforehand to realize it needed batteries.  So much for that novel idea.  OH- and there were cat size ants that kept trying to sneak on our blanet, quiznos didn't cut our subs in half, I forgot hyrum's spoon so he was starving and fussy, and yadda yadda.   HAHA!  Good times.  It really was though!  It was a very beautiful evening and nothing is better than spending time with my boys.  I love them so much.  Sooooo so much.

...And don't judge us for going to quiznos (the equivalent of "camping" in cabins;)- we had coupons for free ones thanks to groupon so...yeah.

the men in my life

I'm so lucky to hang out with these three cute guys everyday.  They mean so much to me!!

(bahaha!)
Happy Father's day Tony!

Tony is the best dad to our kids.

And of course, there's my dad... who is the best dad I could've ever asked for.  I'm so lucky to have a great dad, great brothers, grandpas (whom I miss), uncles, sons & husband.  

I ♥ all the men in my life!

Hyrum- 7 months

I can't believe my chubs is 7 months already.  Before you know it I'll be making him a birthday cake.  I think Hy looks chubbier in this picture than he really is.  He is suprisingly only in the 50% for most everything- and at this stage, brody was FIVE pounds heavier and FOUR inches taller!  Brody was a beast.  Hyrum is such a sweet little guy, he and I have lots of fun bonding moments together..

At 7 months Hyrum

::Rocks back and forth on all fours
::crawls backwards, a little
:sits unsupported w no problems
::can lay down from a sit without bonking his head (he sits all the way forward so that his face is touching the floor then he rolls on his side, haha
::eats all sorts of fun baby food- doesn't care much for peas but still eats them!
::talks all day (baby talk of course)
::says "mama" (according to Tony.. I think it sounds like MUH MUH MUH)
::wakes up at least once in the middle of the night still
::still nursing (I take my babies up to the year so I can skip using formula (not that I have anything against it)
::still obsessed with water and will splash in the bath till I'm soaked.  He doesn't even care when he gets his face all wet
::still no visible teeth
::there is not one inch of him that isn't ticklish
::chubbiest thighs (i think it runs in the blood- both my babies were this way)
::not a fan of strangers but warms up eventually
::taking three naps.. but I can foresee one of those going away reeeeal soon.
::around here he's known as spit up king, baby h, hy, squishy, chubs, hyrum man, & happy hyrum
::we play games where I call him stinker for little things (like when he grabs earrings, his feeding spoon, stuff he shouldn't, etc) and he just cracks up & keeps doing it.  I love it!

So...

basically I thought I could make these pictures last till he was a year.  I'm thinking it's more of a "first 6 months" thing because this was literally two seconds later.  Now that he's mobile, I can't keep him in place to save my life.... doesn't matter if I give myself the fastest shutter speed possible.

SO this is probably the last blue-blanket-picture you'll see.  And I had big plans for this one, too (in the way of animation, since that's been the trend) but he's just. TOO... over it (;

crusty the croissant

So monday I planned this uh-maz-in family picnic, right? I mean, I really planned for it because bascially I've been meaning to have a family picnic for five years, pretty much. Tony and I both wanted to have one in AZ before we left (because we knew his life would soon get real busy) but it never happend. SO, I said regardless of how hot and humid it is, let's do one monday for FHE before the summer officially arrives. Low and behold, it was GORGEOUS! Not too hot, and a cool breeze even! A nice change. So as I'm unpacking our food (one thing going wrong after another... but only because I had this "perfect picnic" in mind) I realized... I DIDN'T BRING BRODY'S DINNER! There's more. Maybe I'll blog about that picnic, I did get pictures.
But anyway this is what I intended he eat at the picnic:

Is that not THE cutest! Now don't go thinking I'm some kind of genius kids meal designer.  I'm not.  It just so happened the recipe card fell into my lap during relief society on Sunday and I couldn't help but want to make it the first chance I got.  I figured our upcoming picnic would be the perfect place.
I wanted to assemble it and get his reaction so I didn't tell him before hand what it was going to be. Until I did decide to tell him... and then I had to explain that he couldn't have it. (oops)

But anyways we made it for lunch the next day and he. was. LOVING IT!  I'm going to make these more often, for really reals.  He NEVER eats "meat sandwhiches" but he ate this!!  He even tried the claws!
Anyways, aren't these the perfect summer lunch for kids?  (I enjoyed mine even;)

On the recipe card they are called "Crabby Crabwich" but I like my name better;)
So here's all it is:
-croissants
-your favorite sandwich fixin's (we had honey ham and colby pepper jack cheese!  THANK you Sargento!  My two favorite sandwhich cheeses in one;)
-red bell pepper, cut
-sliced olives & cheese balls (for eyes)
-carrot sticks
-radish (halfed and sliced for mouth...but I forgot to pick one up so I used the bell pepper)
-toothpicks
-a hungry kid

Let me know if your kids love it like mine did!

Jo Totes Review

Last wednesday Brody, Hyrum, and I spent the afternoon at the zoo on one of the hottest days this year.  As exhausted as I was when we got back home I quickly snapped out of it when I saw this beautiful package on my doorstep!  I was SO excited to open it up and see my new lovely Jo totes bag!

This bag is honestly the coolest I've ever seen.  Since the inside is lined with velcro, you can adjust and re-adjust the compartments inside until you get it how you need it!  Not only does it come with adjustable compartments, but also several little pockets and zippered pockets inside and out.  I was able to fit a ton of my camera stuff (so, multiple lenses, camera body, camera cards, charger, remote, etc etc) but there's room to spare!  I even fit my wallet, cell, point and shoot camera, keys and lip gloss, few diapers and wipes, and there's STILL room to spare!  It is a very large bag- which for me, is needed.

This bag is not just for photographers.  It would make a great diaper bag or anytime bag for people who love to stay organized.

There is a lot to choose from so you can get one exactly right for you.  I'm thrilled I get to use it for my camera- I know it's a safe place to keep it because the inside is padded so wonderfully and this bag is so sturdy.  One of the make-or-break things for me is whether the zipper seems reliable and this one glides like butter!  Top of the line.

image via jo totes

I highly recommend you pick one of these up for yourself the first chance you get.  I'll be bringing it on our California trip this summer and on all of my shoots.  What's great is now I don't have to have a separate camera bag & purse- I can use this for both!

As you can see you can also carry it a couple different ways- which I love.  I have the Rose Marigold but there are so many different colors and styles to choose from!  It's also very affordable for the quality you are getting.  This is the perfect camera bag- I just love it!

*a special thank you to my husband Tony for snapping these last few pictures real quick yesterday (;

Special Delivery

I can't wait to share this with you!  I love presents!

btw, thanks you guys for telling me a little about yourself!  It was fun to get to know some of you better!

And I love you, random citizen

When I blog, I do it for me, my posterity, and my family & friends who miss us.  But there's no denying I've picked up a few blog friends along the way that I don't know in "real life".  I don't often acknowledge you all because I feel silly doing so.  I never expected to have "readers" so sometimes I'm like- do I say hi?  Or just leave them to silently stalk?;)  (I usually say Hi back though)   I do enjoy having people around these parts- and I enjoy hearing from you.  So basically- I'd like to focus on my readers today and say hi!  So,
HI! And thanks for being here.

People are always confused when they read my blog or hear me talk about my life.  I often get, "wait, what?"  I totally get why.  They hear me talk about Oklahoma, Arizona, and California all at once and wonder where the heck I'm really from.  SO I thought I'd give you a timeline... haha!!

1985 born in Utah (where parents were going to school, BYU)
1986 my family moved to southern California (where my dad was originally from)
2003 graduated high school in CA (same school my dad did)
2004 moved to Virginia (where my parents were relocated)
2005 went to BYU in Utah
2006 January-April went to BYU-Idaho
2006 April- met my future husband, moved back to Virginia and had a long distance relationship for 2 months (Tony was in Florida selling pest control)  We both got tired of being apart and he relocated, as did I, to Arizona (we even flew there together:)
2006 July- moved to Arizona (engaged in August, married in October)
2009 summer- went to Oklahoma where Tony sold pest control, then back to Arizona in the off-season
2010 summer- went to Oklahoma where Tony sold pest control, then back to Arizona in the off-season
2011 March- moved to Kentucky and here we are.

That's basically the gist.  The very short, boring version.  The exciting version includes a ton of road trips around the whole country, jaw surgery, my parents moving out and us high school graduates running the joint, and somehow escaping every speeding ticket a policeman wanted to give me.  Well the jaw surgery wasn't fun, never mind.
At any rate, maybe now it's more clear what my life has been about.

Now let's hear from you!  Where are YOU from and where have you been?

And again thanks for reading my blog.  Even though it's boring sometimes (;

(we watched Megamind for FHE monday night, that's what's the deal with my title;)

*some old film pictures from my childhood... sometime in the 90's.