The perfect end to an incredible hot day

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Family photos...

a few weekends ago we had family photos taken with Katie Swanson
The Swanson's have done numerous photo sittings of the younger four but not of
the entire family...I worried we might be an overwhelming force but Katie handled this
crew of ours with calmness and a smile on her face. She is amazing!
We had yet to do professional pictures of all of us, the last time we attempted this undertaking would have been when Rosie was 1.
yes it did take that long to recover :)
In an hours time, photos were taken, images captured, a few tears shed (ahhh that youngest member of our family when she is done, she is done) as we left a few of those reluctant members were heard saying "well that wasn't so bad"
when Katie sent the email letting me know the pictures were ready I couldn't wait to take a look...
sigh, and look and look again
I will never be able to choose, so many beautiful photos of these big and little people that fill our home and lives.
you can go here, here, and here to see just a few of the photos Katie has done for us
and here to view the Swanson's photo website

photos

of all the girls

the guys

love this one, love it!

my reluctant photo taker...so very happy with the photo's Katie captured of this one..
who is always most comfortable with another two or three in the photo with her.

and yet

more...picking was impossible
and this was just for the blog
i imagine when I order it is going to be impossible to choose
love how even when some were no longer wanting to do photos Katie still captured
expressions and images that just melted my heart.

moments

photos that capture moments
tiny little glimpses into this time and this place
photos that capture
faces and expressions,
which combine to make this our family

just a few more that quickly became favorites...

the kitty

is settling in quite well
this is where i often find both yahaira and jack

Lost teeth

they both lost a tooth on the same day...
he lost his in the morning...she lost hers later in the day
hers was truly lost somewhere in the messy thing called my van...his hung out in a cup on the windowsill
a busy busy night in our home for the tooth fairy.

Railroad days parade

Railroad day's is an annual celebration in our town
activities scattered throughout the week with a parade on Saturday.
this year Reyna figured out there was candy, oh did she figure out that candy business.
a beautiful evening with wonderful temps and bonus no rain!

Beauty and the Beast

the community summer theater production
this year we knew a few of the performers which made watching the play all the more fun!
my niece grace was a salt shaker and Zach (my nephew Brandon's friend) played Gaston
the community activities department continued the theme by hosting a special movie showing of Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Saturday morning...after was a time to meet the characters/actors something my girls absolute enjoyed.

Remember....

this post about the book reading at our local library awhile back
in this weeks local newspaper was an article abou the gathering
which included a few pictures if you look closely you can see my little ones,
grandma betty and myself in that photo
here is a link to the newstory.

Janet Evanovich

a few weeks ago I received a newsletter from one of my favorite authors Janet Evanovich.
as I read thru it my eyes landed on her upcoming tour schedule for her latest release Book 17 in the
Stephanie Plum series. When my eyes scanned the list and read Minnesota I think I may have squealed
I sent a text to Shirley and laughed at her response (so very much the response I expected from her)
plans were made to take a road trip to meet this author...in Edina Minnesota two hours away. Soon there were more planning to join us.
Yesterday we (being..Shirley, Linda, Linette, Ronda and myself) left my driveway at 2pm headed to a Barnes and Noble in Edina. I had read earlier in the day that they started handing out wrist bands at 9am, after a call directly to the store my fears were calmed when I was told that no matter then number Ms. Evanovich would be staying and signing books for all who were in line. We arrived a bit after 4 and received our wristband 595-599
as the process was explained to us my mind quickly did the math and I realized that our numbers would put us in line sometime around the midnight hour. Have mercy this had just turned into an adventure.
We opted to head out and explore (shop) eventually heading to the mall next door where we discovered a Cheesecake Factory (the restaurant not an actual factory mind you :)
Amazing!
the food (the menu was a catalog, no i kid you not a catalog)was awesome!
the portions huge.
and the cheesecake...oh my that cheesecake was indescribable
Eventually we made our way back to Barnes and Noble...where I purchased my books
and roamed the aisles completely loving this kid free time in a bookstore
I was surprised by how it didn't feel crowded and by how quickly the time flew
a little after 11 our number group was called
so excited to finally be in line
a lot of laughter as we inched our way closer
more cheesecake (yea! Barnes and Noble for fueling our energy while we waited)
laughter, so much laughter
...the result of
perhaps too much sugar?
or excited energy?
the realization that we were moments away from meeting our favorite author?
or maybe just the wonderful group of ladies I got to hang out with
personally I think it was the company
and in a blink my moment to say hi was there
the first book she signed for Beckie
and as she signed my book I mentioned that my daughter was a big fan and was so very jealous that I was there meeting her and she was not. as she handed my books to me she said "tell Beckie hello from me" how cool was that?
we had asked if we could get a group picture and surprisingly they agreed
the drive home, one I often dread went quickly and we pulled into my driveway almost 12 hours after we had first left
1:30 and I was awake! AWAKE!
i crawled into bed after 2 and woke at 4 to Rosie's request to sleep by me, soon followed at 6 by yahaira's wake up call
sigh...this momma dragged her butt out of bed and started her day
tired...but in a rather energetic way
seriously can not believe that I met Janet Evanovich
what a day!!!
what a remarkable night, what amazing memories

meet Jack

captain jack to be exact
he(she) followed them home this morning
I told them to take him(her) back
they tried
he(she) returned
soon the older kids joined in on the quest to keep the kitten
sending text upon text with name suggestions or requests to keep the kitten
sigh
I said no more pets
apparently I went unheard
the kitty stays
the little voices (and big) are full of excitement and laughter
**edited to clarify that jack is not a he but rather a she
a note that one shouldn't rely on another to determine the sex of an animal and should simply wait until a visit to the vet to be 100% certain before naming the new pet.  the names stays, she is jack short for Jaqueline.
all is good in the name department.

magical

love listening to the stories the kids weave when we sit outdoors
love hearing their musings on that gnome and frog
love that for this time they still believe in magic and fairytales

it rained

all week
and it is a stretch to say that there is beauty in day after day of rain
when I saw this during a pause in the rain the other day I was
reminded of how amazing my surroundings are
even if they are soaked
and threatening to mold

strawberries

yes we have been enjoying these from our patch
often when I glance out a window I will see one or another little one
in the strawberry patch picking and nibbling...of a sun warmed berry