a trip to Idaho

Lance's grandma passed away a few weeks ago.  It was a sad thing and a good thing all at once.  She was 86 and had been diagnosed with later stage Leukimia but had not been suffering too much, at least she didn't admit to it.  She went to take a nap one afternoon and went home peacefully and without pain.  I think it is the best way to go.  We were not going to be able to make the trip until Lance's parents made it possible.   They got the brakes fixed and new tires put on.  I was able to book enough photo sessions to pay for one way in gas!  We found out we were truly blessed when we went to get the brakes fixed and found out that we were lucky to be alive.  Our back brakes were cracked and had been out completly for years the guy said.  Our front brakes had the wrong pads on and had worn completly through.  So we were basically driving around with no brakes.  The day before we took it in we had loaded the van full with the kids and had bought 2 big bags on sand and a bag of plaster.  It is amazing with all that weight we were not running into anything ot anyone! We had a very east road trip going out. We left in the middle of the night on zero sleep.  By the time of the viewing I was working off a couple hour of sleep in a 24 hour period.  We stayed with Grandpa waters for the first three nights and then he got invited on a camping trip and Lance's aunt Carol took us in.  It was a good fit.  She and I got along like best friends.  She is only 4 years older than me and her daughter is 8 months younger than Rori and Alex is in between Liam and Pierces age. It was fun till 2am every night for the kids and us!  We got to see my sister Tammy and the kids and Lances parents and his other mom and sisters.  We of course saw a lot of the Waters clan, some of whom I had never met!  We were also able to get the storage unit cleaned out and I now have my beloved christmas ornaments back with me safe and sound!  I have to admit I was weepy for days.  I miss this place on earth.  For me it is the one place in all of the many places I have lived that just felt like home to me.  As soon as we rolled into Boise my heart just leapt.  I rolled down the window and inhaled summer in Idaho.   Las Vegas just does not smell as sweet! I wish there was a way to get back there and stay forever! We tried the lottery, unfortunatly it did not pay out! :(  I had 4 photo sessions.  One with my sister in law and three with Annie, 2 with Makayla one with Emily.  I decided models are so much fun and easier to work with than anything. We were able to take the kids to the zoo.  What a treat.  It is so cheap compared to here.  It was 6.95 for adults and 4.75 for kids 4 and up under 4 was free so we had three free kids and we paid for Katie to come with Rori.  Still it was under 25 dollars.  It is so sad to not have things like that here.  I am grateful we got to go.  It is bittersweet though.  I go through a little depression now to get over the fact that living there right now isn't possible.   Schools are just not in a good place anywhere! :(  The drive home was slow as we were weighted down and we were so tired we just didn't drive as good on no sleep on the way back then we did going out.   It took us almost 24 hours to get home between frequent stops to re adjust the stuff on the roof,  take naps, have many potty stops, breakfast was mc'ds dollar menu, lunch was at a rest stop with sandwhiches we made and Dinner we had an unexpected stop in St George where I got to visit with Kathy again before her trip home and the kids got to jump and play and Lance got a nap. We made it safe and sound!  Ok now here is a ton of photos!

all but one brother (L2R)Allen,Dan,Darwin,Julie and Les (grandpa Waters)

Watermelon is a favorite.

Updated my photography blog!

I have had a busy few weeks of photo shoots and finally updated the new photography blog.  Alot of the Pictures you've seen if you are following me on my facebook photography page.  I am feeling the snowball start to roll, with 4 shoots and a maybe in the works.  I think the Christmas photos season is just around the corner!
http://reneethephotographer.wordpress.com/
I would love some comments and love!!  :)

a splish spashy birthday party.......

We had a birthday party for little Brendan Boo.  More people were supposed to come but I think it would have been so much more overwhelming that I am glad it turned out the way it did.  It was a nice 102 degrees!  We put the misters on and it kept it to a 90's sort of feel not too bad.  The pool was a splish splashy time.  Brendan was kind of a little grumpy with all the noise and commotion.  He had a good time though I am sure! :)  I found this teddy bear cake that I had decided was what I wanted to make for his birthday and once again I was up way too late baking (though I enjoy this challenge and it wouldnt have been quite so late if the kids would have gone to sleep earlier)  I also modified the size that the pattern I was looking at was and made it bigger.  I went to sleep at 3am and got up at 645am and then was having baggy blowout issues so I had to send Lance to get me a real frosting bag (now I have three hahaah) Bear cake 3 hours after Lance got back was done!  It was worth the time and effort , it was only sad that he had to be cut up and eaten!  All in all it was a very nice party!

unsure of whats going on!

cleaning up!

Enjoying the little guy pool without anyone getting in his way!

Pierce was having issues with his hat!

the kids had fun swimming!

and splashing!

New Photography business blog!

I am separating myself from here so my blogs aren't linked together.  Here is the link to my business blog.  It will be updated with every photo session.  I have a few lined up, and then there is always sessions with my own.  :) Follow me there if you care too keep up.  I will also link it to my facebook blog in the coming days. http://reneethephotographer.wordpress.com/

I really have to make the push forward, I just keep casting doubt upon myself and then something happens that makes me know I am doing what I am supposed to. :)  Watch me grow!!

Happy Birthday to my Brendan Boo!

I know it is the eve of but I had a moment and thought I would take it!  I took his one year birthdy photos today.  I can't believe my baby is already 1.  Last year today I had my Dr apt that told me the baby would not engage in the amount of amniotic fluid he was in and I would have to be induced.  My mom was on a plance flying in to help at this time last year and I was set up with induction check in at 2am July 9.  I was anticipating the arrival of my little guy who had yet to be named.
And then I had a new man in my life.  Brendan Landry! :)

He has been the best baby one could ask for.  A happy baby, a cuddly baby, a good sleeper.  He even teethed good! :) He has been a pure light an joy in my life.  I am grateful we were not done with 2 like I thought, because although money is tight the love is abunbdant.  We will have birthday banana pancakes and we are having a birthday party on Sunday.  :)  I will post a  party post after Sunday.  :)

Happy 4th of July!!

We had a nice day at home!  We played in the pool and then just hung out on our street and watched everyone set off their  fireworks.  We were going to go to the drive inn again but they didn't have anymore family friendly shows and Rori got everyone in trouble and so we didn't go, but the street was filled with people and fireworks.  People down te street and people behind us were setting off the big illegal ones!  So we have LOTS of BIG BOOMS as the kids call them, plus we could watch Station Casinos fireworks from the back yard. We had sparklers left over from last year.  :)  It was a nice night!

My new love!

I'll sing to the snow white tune.....
"I m dreaming... I'm dreaming.. for the one I love... to find me.. to find me... today....."
My new love and desire is the Canon  7d.   I really could do amazing things with this camera!! Maybe by tax time I will be able to afford this!  I am not going to put myself out this year!

How I dream of low noise and more megapixal!  What I wouldn't give for 8 frames per second shooting!

*SIGH*