Pictures

I have never taken my kids to a studio to have their pictures taken. These sorts of portraits always seem so contrived and insincere. I love professional photographers who take candids and really capture the essence of the subject. However, they are usually out of our price range. Due to this quandary, we do not have many picture of the kids around the house.

I collect coupons weekly from various portrait studios. I have been doing this for years. Again, I never actually use them. Well, last week I broke down, busted out my various coupons and dragged my kids to the mall to have their pictures taken.

It was fun and crazy. Luckily, Heidi came and helped. Zoie and Tobin were happy and willing, but were quite bad at posing. I guess I should kiss their future modeling career good-bye. Despite all this, I am happy with the way the pictures turned out. Here are some of my favorites:

I ordered several pictures in various sizes-- all for under $20. I guess I should quit being a snob and start doing this more often.

The Ultimate Fighter

The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has become a favorite past time for Lance and I. On an almost weekly basis, we get together with some of our best friends and watch the fights. I would never have imagined I could be so hooked on such a violent sport! Here is how it happened-- The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter is a reality show in which 16 fighters live in a house and fight each other for a chance at a professional contract. I think I started watching it to be a good sport-- but now it is one of my favorite shows. We never miss an episode!

The new season starts in September. Its a weird and puzzling "Must See".

The most recent Ultimate Fighter winner (and my personal favorite): Amir Sadollah

My two favorite UFC fighters: BJ Penn and Chuck Liddell

Hey! Don't knock it 'til you try it!

A Glimpse Into the Future

Last night for Family Home Evening, we read Zoie a story out of her Friend magazine about a little girl who sees her Mom's wedding dress. Well naturally, this led to me pulling my wedding dress out and trying it on (BIG mistake!) Zoie loved it, but I did not love that it would not zip up all the way!

I let Zoie try on my veil and she looked like a beautiful little bride. She is always telling us that she is going to marry her best friend Caleb in the temple. We just had a little glimpse of what may be (in 25+ years) !!

Zo and To

The kids have been hilarious to watch lately. Tobin is finally old enough to stick up for himself to his big sister and has easily slipped into his role as the pesty little brother.

Poor Tobin does have a disadvantage-- as I still recall what it was like having a pesty little brother who was always trying to get me into trouble (Sorry Steve-- its true!) So naturally, I am disinclined to take his side when their little fights break out. (Here's a picture of me and my pesty bro. when we were 3 and 1, respectively).

Even with the occasional spats, the kids get along so well. Tonight when we put Tobin to bed, Zoie insisted on singing him a lullaby. She made up a funny little song she sang in a soft, high voice. And every day, the first thing she wants to do is wake up Tobin. Each morning, she runs into his room and shouts, "Hi Buddy!"

To Our Favorite Fathers

Lance

Lance is the kind of dad that my kids can't wait until he gets home. Even after a hard day, he is ready to chase and tickle them until they are laughing so hard it hurts.

Lance is the kind of dad that shows his son, by example, what it means to be a good husband.

Lance is the kind of dad who is heartbroken when he comes home after the kids are in bed. He will go in and watch them sleep-- just to spend a few minute with his kids at the end of a busy day.

Lance is the kind of dad who does more than "manly chores" around the house. He helps with the dishes, the laundry and getting the kids ready in the morning.

Lance is the kind of dad who will dress up in ridiculous outfits just to make us laugh.

We love you so much. You are amazing. Thank you.

Marv/Dad/ Papas

My Dad is awesome-- anyone who knows him will agree.
He is extremely loving and easy to talk to.
He is always happy and truly puts his family first.
He will do anything for his children and grandchildren.
He is a great example, as he has made tremendous sacrifices for the Church and for his family all his life.
He seems to be very straight-laced and rule-abiding, but those who know him well, know just how funny and quirky and non-judgmental he really is.
He is a father that any daughter would be immensely proud of.
I am so lucky that he is mine.

Andy/ Dad/ Grandpa

I see more of Andy in Lance every day.
It is Andy who taught Lance how to work hard without complaining.
It is Andy who taught Lance to be dependable and reliable.
It is Andy who set an example of what it means to fulfill callings and obligations in Church and other aspects of life.
And (sometimes to my chagrin), it is Andy who taught Lance to be organized and take care of his tools.
He instilled a love of cars and power tools in Lance that will never die (no matter how hard I try to squash it!)

It is Andy who cracks my kids up with his Donald Duck voice. They love their Grandpa so much.

Thanks to all the fantastic Fathers in our lives. You are among our greatest blessings in life.

Father's Day 2008

We had such a fun "Dad's weekend". On Saturday, we took the kids to see Kung Fu Panda. I spent most of the movie trying to chase Tobin around the theater, but Zoie and Lance both loved the movie. Zoie absolutely loves going to the movies. She sits perfectly still in a mesmerized trance throughout the entire show. She keeps asking when we are going to see "Pu Panda" again.

On Sunday, we had Heidi over and ate chimichangas and consumed ridiculous amounts of German Chocolate Cake. Lance was king for a day with a homemade crown and blanket for a cape. We showered him with gifts and candy and spoiled him rotten. He deserves every bit of it.

Baby Buster

My son Tobin has always been a bit of a "Mama's Boy". He loves being held and cuddled. I do my best to force some independence upon the kid, but let's face it-- who wouldn't love to cuddle with that little brown bear?

Lance and I often call Tobin, "Buster Brown". I will just have to be sure not to turn him into the ultimate mama's boy, "Buster Bluth". (If you do not get this reference, I have all the Arrested Development dvds for you to borrow-- BEST SHOW EVER!)

Unlikely Couple

I found Tobin playing with our high school yearbooks this morning. It makes me laugh to look at our senior pictures.

Lance and I always say that had we known each other in high school, we would have never gotten together. He looked 12 and I looked 25. He looks happy and I look oddly somber and morose. We would have made the oddest couple...



(Yes, he was 18 in this picture!)

In Case You Are Keeping Track...

A few weeks ago, I resolved to return to my diet and lose another ten pounds before my birthday (June 28). I am even tracking my weight loss on a chart at the bottom of the blog. Some of you may have noticed that I have yet to move it.

"Kira, have you been so busy getting skinny that you have simply been too busy to update the weight loss chart?" No, I have not forgotten. I have not lost any weight.

"But Kira, have you been dieting?" Yes, yes I have.

"Isn't that frustrating?" Again, yes.

But I continue to shrink away in disgust at the sight of all pasta, bread and sugar. (Probably more in disgust at my fragile willpower than disgust at delicious food).

Wish me luck.

My Three Kids

This past week, my children contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. I have not had much exposure to this illness and simply thought that Tobin was teething and Zoie had a few canker sores... until all of their friends also started getting "ant bites" on their feet and hands and "canker sores" in their mouths. As a group, my friends and I diagnosed our play group with HFM disease.


My poor kids were in such misery-- hungry, but not able to eat because of the pain. I felt so bad. Luckily they are now fully recovered and lucky for me, HFM is "extremely rare in adults" (Wikipedia).

Lucky for ME... As for my pre-pubescent husband on the other hand (see previous post on mustache growing contest), let's just say he has "ant bites" on his feet and hands and "canker sores" in his mouth.

Poor Lance :(