Our "Field Trip" to Portland, OR

This week was Tommy's Spring Break. IT was such a rainy week. By the end we were all climbing off the walls. Eric had Friday off. He came home from a meeting late Thursday night, and he could tell I was exhausted. We talked about the week and then decided to do something fun as a family. We got online, booked a priceline hotel in Portland OR. We were lucky, and got the Hilton in Lake Oswego, OR. (Right next to the LDS Portland Temple). We were also lucky that the hotel we got had a pool!!

I must say this was an awesome trip.Or as Blake kept calling it a "Field Trip" The kids were so excited just to stay in a hotel,go swimming and go to McDonald's! It really doesn't take much to please them. What I think they enjoyed the most though, was the getaway. Mom and Dad didn't have chores to do. The phone didn't keep ringing. We got to give our kids our full undivided attention. And I can tell they loved every minute of it. It just reminded me how fun my little kids are. How fast they are growing up. And how we need to take a moment and enjoy it! It was worth putting the laundry on hold.

Here are some pics. I am still playing with all the settings on my camera. I wouldn't say that I got a "perfect shot" this time. But I did capture some fun memories.




On The Road - Our Field Trip



Blake and Brody cuddling in the "Really big Hotel Bed"



Blake and Tommy playing in the Pool.



Tommy jumping over Eric in the pool. Blurry pic, but Tommy is quite proud of it.



Cute Pic of Blake



Tommy and Blake fighting all the bad guys on the Temple Grounds. (Believe it or not, they couldn't find a one.)



Brody and I looking at the Temple



The boys were sad that they couldn't go in the Temple. But I know they felt the spirit on the temple grounds.



Another cute pic. ( Are you getting bored yet??? Sorry there are so many pics. I always have a hard time choosing.)



Nice Pic of the Portland Temple and satue of Captain Moroni



Tommy looks mad, but it is actually his cool face.



By the Waterfall!!

The END!!

We had so much fun, Tommy asked if we can make this a tradition every Spring Break, and I think we just might!!

Playing around with New Camera

Yesterday Eric and I finally had a free moment to play around with our kids and our new Camera. It was a pretty (but freezing cold) day, so we , bundled our kids up and went for a walk down on Redondo.
(I know I have a lot of professional photography friends out there, and I know these are far from, professional, so bare with me.) I can't believe how many buttons there are on these new camera's and so many things to remember, apature, shutter speed, ect. I played around with it so much, half the time I missed a cute moment. I don't know how you guys do it. I am starting to think maybe I should have just went with a point and shoot camera. This is way to overwhelming. And I haven't even started playing with Photoshop yet. Yikes!!!

Anyways, here are some of our favorite pics:

Short and unsuccessful...

And... NO!, of course I'm not referring to cute little Brody. I'm actually referring to our sorry attempt to do a cute little photoshoot with the little chub-chub. These are just a few shots Becca took while trying to figure out the lighting and before she could figure it out she had to take off so these were all we got.

the "you're not amusing me" shot

the "drool" shot

the "yummy blankie" shot

the "I love my toes!" shost

the "smile... just not at you" shot

Here is a funny one we snapped of Blake when he wanted his turn! Too cute.

So... even though this did not work out this time, we still love this little guy and think he's adorable!... even with drool running down his chin. I'm sure we'll get together again soon and hopefully get some more pics. So stay tunned. I have a lot more cute hats to show off!!

P.S. Maybe I will even take some with my NEW camera. Yes, Eric and I finally upgraded our camera. I probably wouldn't have accept ours finally completly broke. I am sure my pics are not going to be as professional as Becca's, but they should be a heck of a lot better then they were before.

They loved their little Brother Brody!!

None of these pictures are frameable quality pictures, but I love them all because they show how much Blake and Tommy truly love and adore their little brother Brody. And you know what, Brody already loves them. When Tommy comes home and Brody hears his voice, he will start looking around until he sees Tommy. Then he will smile from ear to ear. Blake is also so good with Brody. He plays with him all day and is always making sure he is happy. I love that these boys love eachother so much!!!




Blake wanted his picture taken with Brody. Too bad his eyes were closed!



One day I was in the shower and Brody started crying. The boys heard him and jumped in his crib and made him smile until I could get to him. Brody loves when he wakes up and they come in his room! He is all smiles as soon as he sees them.



Tommy and Brody. Best Buds!




One of there favorite things to do is cuddle in mom's bed for Saturday morning cartoons. Brody is already one of the boys!



Tommy making Brody laugh and smile. He is so good with Brody! I hope they always stay close!

6th Folder 6th Picture Tag

I've been tagged so here you go. This is my 6th picture from my 6th Folder. These are my good friend Sandi's little boys , Bridger and Ryland along with Blake and Brody. They had a lot of fun bringing Brody lots of food to eat. No wonder he is so chubby. Brody was such a trooper.

Now I tag Sandi, Sara, and Tiffany. If you already haven't been tagged!!