Pretending to be a Real Photographer

As I mentioned previously, Brian got me a speedlight and a strobe (photography lights) for my birthday, as well as a light stand, umbrella, and remote control. With the birthday money from my parents (thanks Mom & Dad!), and my hobby budget for the month, I got another light stand and umbrella, radio triggers, and some fabric backgrounds. And the experiments began!

At first, the only willing models were Monkey and George:

Michael popped in for a few:

 I think this picture captures so much that Michael loves. We just need some cars and a dump truck:

 And Rachel wandered into a few shots

 And had a few ideas about how things should be done:

 So I texted a picture of my "studio" to my sisters and said, "Models wanted." Taryn came a few days later with Aaron and lots of outfits:

So I got a few things for Rachel:

 Working with Toddlers can make everyone want to cry at some point:

  Also, almost impossible to get both kiddos to look at the camera at the same time:

 They both lost interest right away. We tried keeping them in the shot using some toys:

 Michael showed up, finally deciding he wanted his picture taken. I told him he had to change into nicer clothes. He went upstairs and changed into his church clothes.

 He had his own ideas about being a model:

 Apparently, I need a bigger floor. The leftovers from our living room floor just aren't going to cut it.

After their break (thanks to Michael), the toddlers came back for some more, and I was able to get some good smiles:

So if I get more willing models, who knows, maybe someday, I can be a real photographer instead of a pretend one :) And when that happens, I have my logo ready. 

Cabin in the Uintas

The Tuesday after our camping trip, I headed up to the Uintas with two of my favorite neighbors (Sam and Kirsten) and our collective six kids. We had a ton of fun! We stayed two nights up there.  I almost backed out due to the stress of the camping trip the week before and the upcoming Saville vacation that was to take place a week and a half later. I run at a slower pace than a lot of people, and I was in desperate need of some re-charge time. When I texted Sam that I wasn't going to come, she called me up and told me, "You HAVE to come." What could I do? We packed, loaded our car with our stuff, Sam's stuff, ourselves, Sam, and Sam's kids and headed to Oakley, Utah. The kids had a blast! Once again, we had lots of dirty hands, feet, and faces, but at least there we had running water and showers. The cabin had this awesome tire swing:

 And lots of dirt:

 And wildflowers:

 I'm so grateful for these friends that I have. We get together once a week for lunch, and I see Sam pretty much every day. We've kind of formed our own mom posse, and we've even hung out WITHOUT our kids. Kirsten and Sam are my saving graces on many a day. Here's Sam with Rachel:

 On the only full day up there, we planned to go on a hike, but it poured and hailed. It was awesome hearing the rain beat on the metal roof of the cabin, and everything smelled amazing afterwards.

 Even though we were stuck inside, we still had a good time:

 The next day, we played in the tire swing some more:

 And the dirt:

 Had some snacks (here's Kirsten holding Emmett):

 And then we went for our walk:

 We were staying at Kirsten's family cabin. She's lucky to have access to two family cabins, since both sets of grandparents have one up there. So, for our hike, we went to the other cabin. Between carrying babies and the super high altitude, we got were pretty winded, but the view from the other cabin was totally worth it:

 I couldn't post any pictures of Kirsten's two foster boys, but they were there too. Read: six kids, three adults, five people up all night due to room sharing (and in Michael and my case bed sharing). After the first sleepless night, we decided that we need a girls' getaway WITHOUT kids! But we had fun with them there anyway, even though we were all tired. I'm so glad to live so close to these two wonderful ladies and their sweet kids.

Michael's First Piano Recital

Back in June (the 7th to be precise), Michael had his first piano recital. He's been in Piano Pals at the Art City Music Academy since January. He quickly got ahead of the other two kids in his class and then got bored. And then when we got off our groove for our big vacation back in April, we decided to put him in "Semi-private lessons", which really meant private lessons, but using the Piano Pals 1 curriculum. He did so much better with the change! At his recital, he still joined with his old classmates for ensemble pieces. 

 I forget how tiny my big boy really is until he's in a situation that I'm used to seeing adults in, such as sitting at a grand piano.

Since there were older classes at the recital, when Michael started playing his first (and one of his favorite songs)--one of the easiest ones in the book--I heard a kid behind me laugh, "That's the easiest song!" I about went all mama bear on that kid! Thankfully, Michael didn't hear him. Michael did a great job, and we were so proud of him. 

 Here he is with Miss Elaine, his teacher. We LOVE her! She was the epitome of patience with Michael and encouragement for me. She was always so positive with everything he did. I'm so glad he had such a great teacher to start his piano journey with.

 And after his recital, we grabbed dinner and did the traditional ice cream. We're so proud of you, Michael.

Nursery

I'm pretty sure we mentioned it, but in case we didn't, we got called to teach nursery (the church class for the 18 month to 3 year olds) back in April. At the time, there were 2 different classes with about 12 kids in each. And most of them come every week. The person in charge of all the nurseries is my friend. I knew she was getting ready to make a new nursery class and pull all the ones turning three this year into one class so they can be better prepared to go into primary in January. Brian and I decided we were great candidates for that class since we'd been Sunbeam teachers (the youngest class in Primary, the program for kids 3 to 12) in our ward before. My friend agreed, and on July 6, we made another nursery class and pulled in all the ones who turned/are turning 3 this year:12 boys and 3 girls. We started wondering what we got ourselves into.

Well, this change brought a problem. Rachel. She'd been coming to nursery with us even though she's still not 18 months. But with the new class, she doesn't fit in anymore, and she would distract one of us (not to mention all the kids) if she stayed with us. What to do for the 2 weeks before she turned 18 months?

I asked a friend to watch her during the last two hours of church, but that didn't work out. My friend that's over Nursery said I could just start taking her to her new class early. I felt bad, but what else could we do. So, I walked my little daughter to her first day of nursery without me. It was a different room than the one we'd been meeting in. She clung to my hands and froze a little, and I got a little choked up. Finally, she let go of my hand and joined in the playtime.

And I walked alone back to my class.

Brian wondered why I was so against just putting her in nursery early, and why I tried so hard to make other arrangements. Part of the reason was because I could hear our old bishop telling us that the Handbook says 18 months for a reason. That was the biggest part. But a smaller part was that apparently I wasn't quite ready to let her go yet.

Camp Chadwick 2014

After two years of cabin gatherings, we decided it was time to go camping as the the Chadwick clan again, and for the first time ever, we got together in Utah. Originally it was going to be a half-way point for Taryn and David, but then they moved back north. We didn't complain; it was REALLY nice to only have an hour drive for a change. Every other time has been a 4-5 hour drive for us. And Chelsea was in charge--a welcome change. We camped at the Bear Canyon Campground off the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway from June 30 to July 5. Yup, almost a whole week! That's the longest I've been camping since Girls' Camp, and the first time since I was 13 or 14 that I went camping on my birthday. Alright, enough of the boring back story.

Day 1 (June 30): Hardly sleep a wink due to excitement. Work on packing and loading. Buy groceries. Groceries won't fit in our cooler. Send Brian to buy cooler. Brian returns with cooler. Load cooler and pack the car. Not much extra room. Get lunch. Head South. Arrive way before everyone else. Finally get camp set-up. Make dinner. Chat it up in Grandma's trailer. Go to bed exhausted.

Middle of the night: Can't sleep because air mattress had slowly been deflating.

Day 2 (July 1)Wake up too early, but at least kids slept well-ish. Rabbit Rabbit everyone. Send Brian to Payson to acquire new air-mattress. Chat it up with the fam while kids play in creek. Brian returns victoriously.  Make lunch. Start kids on Float Craft for Fourth of July parade. Decide I should have picked something simpler or thought this one out a little better. Kids love their floats. Kids start wearing them all over camp.

 Chelsea and I work on float for Amber. Chelsea models float:

 Michael gets dehydrated--or a little bit of heat sickness--or both. Family pumps him full of liquid, trying to help him feel better. Michael finally gets hydrated and wets his pants right after going to bed. Thankfully, only his clothes got wet. Mom washes Michael's clothes. Brian and I hang them to dry.

 Finally enjoy some time around a campfire:

 Day 3 (July2): Finally woke up after a good night's rest. Everyone is filthy, but excited about swimming prospect. Go for a small walk:

 Watch kids play in creek:

 Worry about Michael who is still not acting like his usual self.

Try to get both kids take a nap before swimming. Both kids refuse. Go swimming in Nephi. Take a shower. Feel like a human again. Immediately ruin it by applying sun screen and bug spray. Go back to camp. Eat dinner. Deer bound through camp. Shoot some deer: 

 Day 4 (July 3): Brian lets me sleep in. Wake up to yummy breakfast by my parents. Watch Amber open birthday presents:

 Take pictures of Aaron snuggling his dog:

 Dad helps kids decorate walking sticks.

 Think Dad is letting Michael use a knife. Realize it is actually just a file. Feel relieved.

 Watch Aaron and Rach trade snacks

 Watch Rachel polish off my Coke.

 Watch Michael write his name on a cup. Feel proud of my son.

 Eat too much licorice. Laugh at licorice-face Rachel.

 Play a game of Dominion. Set up Kick-ball croquet for kids with pool noodles and tent stakes:

 Surprisingly, kids love game and are good at taking turns.

 Four-year-olds don't make it through the whole game, but the older kids finish. Impress adults with my idea. Feel pretty cool. Kids love the balls I bought for them and are excited that they get to keep them.

After dinner, Bessie, this year's pinata, gets a beating for Amber's birthday.

Work on turning Bessie into a parade float for Rachel. Eat some s'mores and marshmallows. Go to bed. 

Day 5 (July 4): Wake up to Rachel going "Hi! Hi!" to Michael. Too early, but have to smile. Greet these happy faces:

 Brian lets me sleep in. Happy Birthday! Chelsea and Thomas make French Toast. Brian gives me my presents--studio lights!! Woo hoo! Play around a little with my new speedlight:

 After hours of gathering, the whole gang heads out for our hike to Devil's Kitchen. Pack water and snacks. Set out on Hike.

 Hike lasts five minutes. We laugh at how short and pathetic the hike was. Take a group picture:

 Take a couple's picture:

 Take lots of other pictures:

 Walk back to car. Head back to camp for lunch, but stop at a neighboring camp to tour Hundred Acre Wood:

 Get back to camp. Finish floats. Have Fourth of July Parade:

 

 Eat fabulous Dutch Oven dinner, compliments of Dad. Play some more Dominion. Eat cobbler. Take a Birthday picture of my cobbler:

 Play Dominion and talk til WAY too late, but enjoy every minute. Start making plans for next year. Go to bed.

Day 6 (July 5): Wake up to more giggles from kids. Let Brian sleep in. Eat breakfast. Break camp. Say good bye to my folks. Laugh at messy kids:

Finally get loaded again, bid farewell to remaining campers, head home, get lunch, shower, die fall asleep on couch, get kids ready for bed, head to birthday dinner for awesome Father-in-law in Provo sans cranky kids, come home, get stuff ready for nursery, finish washing clothes. Crash.

I think this was our most successful Chadwick reunion yet. Chelsea was awesome about getting everyone to plan an activity, and I think all of them turned out great. Thanks for a great trip, Chelsea!