Finally Settled.. sheesh.

Traveling really knocks ya out you know that? I mean I can't believe I went almost 2 weeks without blogging and then got all these posts in this week! I'm glad to be home and settled and I'm ready to prepare some future changes that will be happening around here soon. But I've been so busy now that we bought another car, I'm running errands all day trying to figure things out for our sealing.


The unforgettable face.
I haven't talked about Buster in awhile, I seriously love to update and tell people what he's doing! Alex keeps going through growth spurts which is driving me crazy, his 18-24 months clothes aren't so lose anymore and 2 pairs of shoes no longer fit. (Friendly reminder of why I should stop shopping now) It's so funny because lately I've had someone almost everyday ask how old Alex is and I always ask them to guess (because it's funny to see people's reaction) they usually say he's 2 when he's really 15 months. What can I say he's Jolly Green Giant Jr, and he sure eats like him too, the kid eats like a 4 year old folks. I'm out buying him more food every few days.

He's talking a whole lot more, he still has his days but he's been communicating a lot about what he wants and what his favorite things are like the dog, the sippie and the paci. (Don't ask, really please.. I know I said the paci was saying goodbye but SERIOUSLY he some how keeps finding them!) If I really sit down and try to have him say something more or less after a few times he'll say his "own" version of the word.

He's dancing, every time.. every where. It's so funny because all I have to do is say the word dance and he's off an running, that and he'll try and sing along! Also he's learned to maneuver around things, through them where ever to get where he's going. Climbing is becoming one of his new found sports. He likes to climb up the stairs, down the stairs.. onto the couch and chairs and into the cabinets and dishwasher. I really have to keep my eye on the kid more! I'm surprised he does all these things because I didn't walk until I was 16 months! (I was 5 weeks pre-mature) Alex enjoys running in circles and has picked up walking backwards.. he loves to do it for some reason?

He knows when we're talking about him and he actually runs over and gives us a little smile. It's so cute and I like to do it all the time just to see his reaction!

And something I can be proud of is he's starting to try and brush his teeth by himself, it's cute he suddenly doesn't like me doing it anymore. He also is helping me dress him and undress himself and from time to time "tries" to put his toys away. Gotta get him started early on chores you know!

He's got another best friend besides Isaac. Lady and Alex play all day long and they absolutely love each other, it's much nicer now that she's pretty much potty trained too! It's nice because at the end of the day they're both worn out and ready for bed and they're both nut up until at least 9!


His new favorite things, balloons I might as well buy a helium tank they make him that happy
Maybe I shouldn't wait so long to brag about my little one, there is just SO much new stuff going on all the time it just amazes me!

Other than that I've been busy doing photography and started a new blog, it's not up and going just yet but I will let you all know when it is! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend I can't wait for my birthday, it's just 2 days away!!

P.S. I promise to talk more about my sealing, I have so much fun things going on with it too!

Beach Boys

Before we ended our trip we had to do two things that day, go to the beach for the first time with Alex and go spend some one one one time with Grandma O. She'd been so busy with the wedding we never got a real chance to see her and since it was her first time seeing Alex we had to spend a few hours of at her house!


Uh.. Where am I?
First the beach, when we got there I didn't know how Alex would react to the sand and ocean. Alex didn't really like the dry sand, I mean who would it's a total workout! I wish I could run on the beach everyday because just walking 30 yards was a struggle with my 20 pound camera bag! He loved the wet sand though he was grabbing fistfuls of it trying to figure out what the heck it was.


Did I ever say that I absouletly love the beach??

And the ocean, well surprisingly he loved it.. he loved being in the water that was actually quite nice after a few minutes of getting use to it. He ran around in it and almost tripped (wouldn't of been good with no towel) and then played with his daddy in it where he tried to splash him! I think Alex considered it a HUGE bath tub and was actually in tears when we had to leave.


My Boys.
Then we went by Grandma O's house to spend time with her before we headed to the airport. I really love spending time with grandparents, they're so wise and wonderful. I loved hearing all about John when he was little and looking at all the pictures she has! I LOVE pictures and all the memories that come with them, I got to see the entire Ostler family grow up. I'm considering grabbing a few for black mail in the future =] We enjoyed lunch there and Alex got to run around and chase Grandma's dog and see him spend time with Grandma. I think it's such a special thing when you're grandparents get to see their great-grand kids. I seriously left Grandma O's house in tears because I honestly hate saying goodbye to family, they're so special to me!


We then rushed to the car rental place to jump on a super shuttle.. yes super shuttle because the car rental place wanted $120.00 to drive us 20 minutes away ridiculous I mean come on that more than double what super shuttle wanted! Luckily we got there on time and then headed to the airport where we arrived seriously 2 hours early. We ate a good late lunch and then I enjoyed free internet for the rest of the time before we jumped on the plane. Remember how I said in the first Cali post how grateful I am to have John with me.. well he was amazing and took care of Alex most the time on the flight back. Even though we haven't taken the long vacation we've wanted it was nice to get away for a little while and enjoy family!

Disneyland

Well isn't that enough in the title? It was Alex's and my first time and to be honest I didn't know what to expect at all. Matt & Katie joined us and we honestly had a blast, the lines weren't to bad and they were SO much fun. Alex really enjoyed himself, anyone who says babies can't enjoy Disneyland until they're two or three is wrong Alex enjoyed every minute.


Going into John's favorite ride Pirates of the Caribbean
So we go there in the morning and the parking was horrible I was really expecting at least 1 hour long rides and people bumping into me every few seconds, I was shocked that all the fun rides were about 30 minute waits and even though it was busy no one seemed to run into to me!


See that face, that's his "I'm not sharing so don't even ask" face
After awhile of riding a bunch of the run rides we decided to get lunch at this joint in New Orleans area, which was so good but who knew it would be $50 bucks for a simple lunch? Alex was sure happy though, and didn't want anyone messing with his slurpee cup. (No I didn't give him the slurpee, blame my husband)


Matt, Katie and I went to ride on Space Mountain which is a super fast and pitch black space roller coaster and guess who got stuck in the front? Katie and I did, we seriously had the snot scared out of us and we were screaming the entire ride! But while we were enjoying it John and Alex got a picture with Buzz Lightyear and got Alex a new toy.




Alex trying to pull the sword out of the stone.. he thinks he's such a big boy!

Alex LOVED the merry-go-round, it was SO much fun he was laughing and giggling the entire time!
Even though Alex looks funny this is a few of the gifts he received from Disneyland, his by far favorite place on earth.


Alex had so much fun and loved all the kid rides, I have to say by far Nemo, Winnie the Pooh, Small World and Pirates was his favorite!


Some of the Ferguson bunch hanging out of the back porch
We decided to leave a little early to go over to Aunt Darla's for a big family dinner for the Fergusons, which was so fun to have us all together even though I was exhausted. We ate, told stories and sung Uncle Steve and John Happy Birthday! In the middle of John telling a story there was a nice earthquake, it seriously scared the crap out of me and I was so grateful to have Aunt Darla next to me. I think everyone was pretty calm and collective and in the back of my head I all I could think was HELP!! It was my first one and John just keep making jokes and laughing, I swear I'd rather be around a tornado then earthquakes.

Cali

Oh California how I love thee. You are the most amazing state beyond belief and pull in at almost first next to Texas my home.


I'm still trying to convince John that I need a baby palm tree
Our California trip came fast after we got home from Idaho, and the days up to it I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I've been trying to get a lot done for our sealing, dealing with getting my dress made and fittings, dealing with the caterers, getting invitations done and planning a short honeymoon type trip. But I also had to get us packed, get the dog taken care of.

We left at night, which made everything so much easier, I usually fly out in the late morning and I'm always rushed to get everything going. This time it was so nice because I was able to get everything done and go by the mall before leaving. I mean who doesn't want to shop before you go out of town? We actually just went to kill time because we got up to Salt Lake to early (which NEVER happens, we're always running late) and then headed to the airport to jump on the plane. I was SO thankful to have John it's so hard to travel by myself with a toddler! John and Alex played the whole flight, which went by fast, and I got to enjoy a book and a movie on my iPod. We got to stay with Matt & Katie for our trip and I was honestly so excited to meet them it's seriously like I've known them both for years.


Sunnie and Kirstie don't they both look fabulous! I can't believe SUnnie is due here soon and she looks SO good!

Kirstie, Tiff, and Tiff's daughter is she just beautiful? Ok joking it's the little girl she was babysitting!
Katie and I got up Friday to go to a surprise baby shower for Sunnie at Chili’s. It was so nice to have a girlie get together and see how shocked Sunnie was to show up and see all of us! She got spoiled with all kinds of good gifts!

That night we went out to dinner at this restaurant right off the pier Clemente in San and we had so much food I couldn't even eat or main course! Alex passed out during it all and we got to see the sunset sitting outside! It was beautiful and all I could think about was how I'd die to live in such a beautiful place like that.


Everything about these two makes me smile!
Saturday was a BIG day for us, it was Candi; our cousin's wedding. We got lucky that Matt & Katie offered to babysit while we went (which btw they'd make great parents someday)!! I got up at like 7am to do my hair, which turned out PERFECT until 30 minutes later I realized that the humidity killed it. We got to the temple right on time surprisingly and all I can say was how beautiful it was. John and I could never be so happier. After I helped Amy take pictures, which was fun yet hard.. I blame the sun completely because everyone did such a good job being patient! Weddings also make me nervous because it's a once in a lifetime experience and you don't want to mess that up! I'm not a pro yet ya know!


Isn't that the cutest thing ever? I loved how adorable they were together

I love this picture, both his parents are looking at him and he's looking at me!

The big family that I totally love, I really enjoyed spending time with ALL of you. I miss you all already!

Cambria and Kiera were SO adorable this was such a beautiful picture!
After that John had to go get a shirt because his had something on it and somehow I got stuff all over my shirt! We went to the mall and had lunch and lets just say that I think California malls are WAY better than Scottsdale everything I could ever want and more but surprisingly enough all I did was buy an outfit for the reception! Which was beautiful by the way I never knew you could turn a church culture hall into something so breath taking! The food was good and who doesn't enjoy MORE time with family, and I can say that most of my family members are some of my closest friends!


Jonathan actually swept Candi up and danced with her for they're first song it was SO sweet!

Us with Grandma Ostler, we miss you so much already and can't wait to see you soon!!

I seriously love all of these girls, I think we all look so beautiful here!!

Katie and I goofing off, hey we were trying to kill time since we showed up to early!
See I wasn't joking about shoving in all these posts, I can't believe I've blogged three days in a row.. miracle! Part two is up next!

Birthday Celebration

Isn't he the most ADORABLE chubby baby ever, reminds me of Alex!
I love birthdays, I think they're a time to celebrate life and how you should appreciate it. This year John turned 32 and I swear to this day he still claims he's 30.. he's getting older (he's still young) but every year I seem to love him more and more. I had a few gifts underway for him this year, and if you know John he's hard to buy for because usually anything he wants he buys himself.


Alex has been amused for the last 2 days with John's balloons! Every time he sees them he freaks out!
Friday we went out to Teppanyaki to have his famous Fillet Mignon and Lobster which he loves so much, and on Saturday we cooked a crab dinner at home to enjoy, I didn't take pictures but I wish I did because there was enough crab for 5 people. Everyone really enjoyed it and after we opened presents early because if you know me I hate surprises even when I'm surprising someone else.


Lol, I love this picture SO much.. who doesn't love dog food right?

On Sunday we went to his parents to have a delicious dinner and his favorite cake. Strawberry cake, I don't think John loves anything more than this cake he asks for it every year!


Alex loves his Grandma! He loves to play with her every time he comes over, especially with all the golf balls she collects!

Although this is a short and sweet post (probably because I have like 10 more to get done) I think overall we all had a good time together for his birthday weekend! I can't wait to spend many more with him!

Oh.. and I'm going to be shoving a lot of posts in this week, I am SO behind I want to catch up and stay ahead! So don't feel like you've gotta comment just enjoy and read!

I'm still alive I swear.

So, I'm not going to deny that I've been busier than I've honestly wanted. I haven't had anytime to even pre-write any blog entries, edit photos, or get things together for photo shots and birthday events. I never thought I'd honestly complain about being busy and I hope to find myself in a few days relaxing and enjoying myself..


So where to start? The weekend before last we spent time with Adam & Mandy while we went up to pick up our puppy. John and I had a busy day before we left and actually got to pick up our new car to drive up to Idaho. John is so excited to have it, and have no car payment.. isn't that great? We got home and packed and poor buster decided to chase after his bouncy ball and eat cement. It looks a WHOLE lot wore than it was, the first day and half was bad and then after that he did fine. We were lucky to have a dentist check him out and get a prescription to prevent infection! He looked great by Monday and you couldn't even tell he had much wrong with him at all.


Adam & Mandy have the BEST places ever to shoot pictures I am so jealous!

If you look real hard you can see Ethan as a small speck there on the left
We woke up Saturday to go out and spend a day hiking and sight seeing.. one of my favorite things to do (sight seeing not hiking so much but this hike was fun!)! Adam & Mandy took us to see a waterfall where I got some fun pictures of them and the kids, unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out exactly as I wanted because of the lighting (totally my fault) but boy aren't those a cute kids I HAVE to go back up sometime this summer and shoot them again Mandy!


And to think these to men use to play together and get in trouble as kids!

I honestly can't get over what a beautiful family Adam & Mandy have!
We also went to Shoshone Falls and everyone seemed to totally enjoy themselves.. we got have cherry medicine flavored snow cones and hang out in the shade. They took us to an amazing and when I say amazing I mean it burger joint that John to this day doesn't stop talking about. Lauren, Mandy, and I also got to enjoy pedicures that although they had no hot water there, but it was very nice and relaxing after a long day on my feet! That night Mandy and I went to see Ghost of Girlfriend's Past with NO CHILDREN!! It was cute ya know one of those typical Matthew Machoney movies.


After we got home to a house full of sleeping children, Mandy showed me how to make an adorable hooded towel while the John and Adam went to see Star Trek and I think she inspired me to buy a sewing machine!!

I woke up Sunday to a happy warm Mother's Day. We went to church with the family and had the most AMAZING coconut french toast made by Adam! It was SO good!! We then headed off to pick up the new addition to the family, isn't she just gorgeous? I was also flowered with gift the days following Sunday since traveling and gifts just to mix with all the craziness.

Now we're back home and getting acquainted to Lady and starting potty training.. not the funniest thing. But Alex and Lady became best friends over night, those two LOVE each other and I think they'd sleep together if we'd let them.

What I've been shooting.

I haven't posted pictures that I've shot recently and I remembered it'd be something fun to talk about. I really really REALLY love photography. It's a serious passion not and all I do is think of photography and people and props and blah blah blah. Here are a few fun things I've shot lately, nothing to exciting but I'm still learning from my small mistakes. =]


I used John for a shoot and man did this picture turn out wonderful. Isn't he handsome?

I love this picture, the flowers were gorgeous and I was lucky to have perfect lighting

Froggy needed to be part of a shoot to show a fun contrasty feel.. Alex wasn't to happy though

Alex's adorable feet.. I love those shoes.

And this isn't much of a photo but it's a place for me to remember to do a future shoot..so much fun.
I'm going to start going a little fun a crazy for fun models and using future relatives. If ANY of you would be willing to do a shoot let me know. I'd shoot everyone but I need people in the area that can set aside some time to let me snap some pictures. I hope this holds you over some while I'm dealing with our new puppy and Alex, it's really like having two kids now but I love them both so much, I had an amazing time with Adam, Mandy, and the kids and a wonderful Mother's Day to top it all off.

Issues upon issues.

So now that I have over 10,000 pictures.. I think I from time to time go through them to look at the work I've done and how far I've come in the last weeks/months. I am amazed and I am so glad I've taken advantage of the classes my teacher is amazing and I love how she teaches!


But beside that.. I found this picture McKenzie shot last October and I can't believe I never posted it, how adorable is this baby? He looks like a little statue, and I can't believe I never noticed it until now! I wish I could get more shots like this but it's so hard now that he's walking.

Oh.. and drum roll please..... dum dum dum. The winner of the giveaway is Amy!! Wahoo! I used random generator and they picked lucky number 4! Even though the rest of you didn't win I know I'll be shooting you guys sometime in the near future anyways! Amy I am so excited to shoot you guys or the kids, you tell me!


Please ignore pacifier.. another hidden one that he found in the car
This is what happens when you try to re-install a car seat that sucks. Yes we bought a lame car seat back when Alex was like 8 or 9 months old because he's huge and are now upgrading to a Britax thank goodness and will probably still buy another one for our new vehicle. Alex half dressed trying to drive, he was honking the horn and acting like a wild animal he was so excited. Is it time for a baby Jeep..? I always wanted one as a kid and I hope when he gets older I can get him one, those things are so stinkin' cute! Oh and about the new car, John and I shared a car for the last few months and boy did that stink. I'm so grateful we got another car that was affordable, to make life easier! Now I can do photo shoots all the time! Yipee!


My kid has gotten smarter, ya know that? I didn't think it was possible or maybe I did but how he got the top off the bath soap still has me puzzled. He poured THE WHOLE bottle out and then made a bubble storm, I can't even get the stupid bottle top off.. and when I mean he took it off he UNSCREWED the whole thing. Even though the quality isn't good I thought the splash was hilarious, bath time still is on the top 5 list of favorite past times for Alex. See the bubbles on the side, that's just the beginning of the bubbles brewing.. it got to be out of control within 10 minutes.

Oh and on a much funnier note, Alex still wears size 6 diapers... still. He's been wearing um for oh about 4 or 5 months now? Maybe it's not funny to anyone else but I swear the kid has lost some weight or at least maintained 25-27 pounds but he's still not gone back down to size 5. He's got his chubby legs and his big rump of a bum that for some reason makes size 5 leak and that's an obvious issue. They just fit awkward and not enough across the tummy, so I've just decided that size 6 works and I'm ok with that but everyone we know seems to laugh because they don't know any babies in size 6 that are almost 15 months. =] Buster is getting tall too, the kid eats like a 4 year old I swear and grows like a big mess of weeds. I wonder how long we'll last in 18-24 months, I hope long enough to enjoy all the fun clothes I bought.

Which reminds me, I thought I'd post a picture of this but decided against it. I felt that maybe if I talked about my issues openly I'd have wonderful support later when the few of you that read this are possibly out with me in the future and can kindly remind me to "just say no". I seem to have amnesia, every time I go out to the mall or store I see something cute to buy Alex. Well it's all summed up to the fact that he's got more clothes than I know what to do with and I can't take them back because I like them to much. He's got every color shorts you could need and polo shirts to match. Oh and how about shoes and accessories too, he's like a life size baby Ken barbie doll. I never thought I'd be able to say this but I emptied all the clothes that don't fit and his ENTIRE bar in his closet is STILL filled with clothes. I know I'm nuts and irrational and need help, trust me I know. But go back to that first main picture I was talking about (go do it.. up there ^^^) and stare at that little face and THEN tell me you didn't lean for some sympathy for me cause who wouldn't spoil a little muffin like that?

Sunny Days..

So I've learned my lesson, if I do like 5 pre-written post I get lazy and forget that sooner or later I'm going to run out and have to play catch up all over again. Hey I've got a kinda crazy life right now and when I do get the hour or two to edit photos and get some post written I have to take advantage of it. I've been trying to get things ready for the two big weekend trips we have coming up. One to Idaho to pick up our puppy and spend time with the Adam & Mandy (I'm so excited to take pictures of all these cute kiddos!!) and then to Cali to go to Candi's wedding and spend time with the family. Don't ask how I'm going to juggle all this with a new puppy, dealing with my car issues which I don't even want to talk about (thank whoever invented warranties) and buying another car. Sheesssh makes you want to take a vacation just thinking about all of that!

And about the time, I'm never up this early to write a post.. I mean never. I always get to sleep in and enjoy waking up before my son. But lately because I've been feeling like the gum on the bottom of someone's shoe I'm always up before both my boys reading or doing computer stuff. bleh.

Anyways John and I took Alex to the park near our house for a fun little family outing. I was excited to get some fun pictures of him and let him roam around and enjoy himself.


At first I don't think he really knew what to think and about 5 minutes into it he realized he had free range to run around and jump and do all kinds of fun things! He really enjoyed trying to play with other kids who were actually kind of surprised themselves that he just jumped in and started "hanging out" with them.


One thing he hated... was the grass. The few times he fell he started to get so upset because standing up was such a challenge. I wish I would of got video of him because he hated touching the grass. He kept saying "ew" and looking at us like "Hello are you going to help me up?" Every time he turned to get up he'd get this look and put his hands up.


Despite this picture he LOVED the swing, he'd been on a swing when he was a little younger and enjoyed it so much! I was so excited to see him on this but the first few minutes I think he was terrified. After John made him laugh a few times he was roaring to go and man did that kid want to be swung high. He keep laughing.. I love the stage where they get those full belly laugh and can't stop!


He also tried to run around like a big kid trying to play on all the big play sets the park had. Unfortunately there were so many people there we didn't let him. I was to worried one of the kids would accidentally run into and he'd fall and a disaster would start. But we did let him play on the slide which was a bunch of fun keep saying "more more"! It's funny some days he's talking away I can't keep him quite and other time I can't get him to tell me a thing. I guess babies just do what they want when they.


I was considering buying him one of those little bikes that you push because he kept running after this little girl.. he was having so much fun with these dots too! I don't know what it was but he was having a blast. I think next time we go to the park we're taking the dog, our portable grill and some blankets and making a day of it. Oh and did you know they came out with this AWESOME high chair that's portable for camping and stuff! I'm so excited to get one! (Not that we will be going camping or anything.)

Here he is; buster brown eating his oatmeal by himself he insists to fed himself and as much as a mess it looks to be he's gotten better since I took this picture. He's so independent, and surprising as this might be he might be ready for potty training lessons here soon! Yippee!

Well don't forget about my little giveaway that ends in a few days.. I haven't had much time to do any blogging but I can't wait to pick someone! I also wanted to inform everyone that our Sealing Date has been announced and invites will be going out after we come back from California. August 1, 2009 is the date, John picked it because he feels the stars have aligned for us to get sealed that Saturday our wedding anniversary. Lucky us huh? Any of you that know you can't come for sure or are on the maybe--closer to yes PLEASE email me. I'm getting an early head count to work with the caterer.. bleh. I have future posts planned to talk about my dress and things. Everything I think is almost finalized and I feel somewhat relieved I was a big ball of stress for a minute there!