National Charity Model Search...

Both Isabella and Chase have been entered into a National Charity Model Search.  They need your votes!  Every vote is $1 and every $1 goes to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.  You can check out this organization by going to: www.nilmdts.org.  It is a wonderful charity.  

If either of them win they will receive a $5,000 savings bond and a New Canon Camera.

Isabella's link is:

www.sandypucvotes.com/pickpic/gallery/image.php?id=2185

Chase's link is:

www.sandypucvotes.com/pickpic/gallery/image.php?id=2186

Start voting today!  Voting ends on April 2, 2009.

Thanks for your support for Isabella, Chase, and Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep!!

Blossom Portrait Session

I had to take advantage of the blossoms on my in-laws orchard.  I just love it when the blossoms out and what a perfect backdrop for Easter pictures.  =)  Well, my kids were pretty cranky that day.  I had to wake Chase up from his nap and that is something that you just don't want to do.  So, I was pretty bummed when I left thinking that I didn't capture anything but, as you can see they turned out better than I thought.  I'm so glad that I don't have to re-do them!

Many Faces yet again...

So, this has become a tradition....Chase loves to make funny faces every time that I do a portrait session with him.  So here is a little storyboard of them...

Family time...

You never know how much you miss your family until you are around them for almost a week.  We had a great time in Bakersfield.  It was so great to spend time with my Mom, Brother, Sister-in-law, Aunt, Brother-in-law, Nieces, and of course Michelle.  It is still weird not seeing my Dad or my Sister.  Bakersfield just isn't the same without them there.  

We started off our trip, on Saturday, by visiting our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Charro.  My Mom was headed off to a hockey game and so the kids and I went to my Brother house to hang out.  We stayed there until the hockey game was finished because it is a little weird being at my Mom's house alone.  That is a whole different blog entry!

Then on Sunday we, of course, went to church with my Mom.  I was really worried that my son would be horrible in Primary but it sounds like it worked out okay, unless Amy is just trying to be nice.  =)   Then the entire family came to my Mom's house for lunch.  We BBQed hamburgers.  They were so yummy!  I haven't had BBQed hamburgers at my Mom's house since before my Dad died.  It brought back a lot of memories.

Then on Monday I read in the morning and then went to my Brothers house for dinner and family home evening.  The ghetto egg rolls that Lori made were delicious.

Tuesday was when I finished reading Breaking Dawn in the morning.  Then we went to the park with the kids.  They were getting stir crazy in the house.  It was really good for them to get out.  Then at 10pm, Brittany and I went to the $1 theatre to see The Uninvited.  Nothing better than a scary movie with Brittany.  First off, the $1 theatre is ghetto.  It is disgusting but what do you expect for a $1, right?  We didn't really have a choice because we waited so long to see this movie together that it was ONLY playing there.  It was great times.  Wasn't as scary as I thought.  My whole plan to have Brittany pick me up so that she could walk me to the door when we got back to my Mom's house didn't really happen since we didn't leave scared.  Thanks Brittany for being there for me anyway!  =) 

On Wednesday my Mom and I went and checked out a discount store called, Manny's.  It was awesome.  I got some great deals for myself and also for Heather!  I love sharing the wealth.  Then I went to the Condor's Hockey game.  They won of course, because I was there!  =)  It was a great game. 

On Thursday, we went shopping with Lori.  She told my kids that she'd take them to Target to get toys that they had been wanting.  Isabella wanted the Tattoo Barbie but changed her mind at the last minute and got the Totally Nails Barbie.  Chase is a typical guy.  He knew what he wanted.  He went to the man isle and picked up his Dinosaur Hot Wheels Trick Tracks and was finished and it took Isabella another 15 minutes to decide on what she wanted.  Can't make the wrong decision!!!  Then we went to my best friend, Michelle's house.  We got there kinda late and ended up staying until about 11.  It was so great to see her.  I always hate to leave because we just have a great time together.  Like she said, "We will always be best friends forever!"  So TRUE!  After that Brittany came over to my Mom's since it was my last night.  We had the privilege of watching Obama together on Jay Leno.  The highlight of my time with Brittany.  Well.....her company!  She stayed until about 1:00am.  It was great laughing with her.  Fun times!

Today, I packed up and left and made a stop in Fresno to visit with Doug and Heather.  It was great to hang out and take pictures of everyone including the adorable Parker.  He is such a sweet heart!  I love them all and I am glad that we got to stop and hang out for a few hours.  It is always bombdiggity with Heather!  

So as you can tell I had a wonderful time in Bakersfield.  I just love being in Bakersfield with everyone but it was really great to get back home and see Danny.  We all missed him so much. 

 

Finally finished...

I'm totally bummed that I finished all the books.  I have been reading Breaking Dawn a little at a time so that it would last longer.  When I was in Bakersfield and didn't have my photography and house keeping to do I was able to delve into it.  It was SO great but now I want more.  I would really love for her to write another book about when Nessie grows up and her relationship with Jacob.  

Thank goodness Twilight comes out on video tomorrow.  That will have to make due for now!

A new addition to the Brandow Family...

Heather Brandow, my sister-in-law, had her baby boy. Parker Douglas was born on March 10, 2009 at 5:07pm. He weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Heather and Parker are happy and healthy. Serenity and Landen are very proud of their little brother. Landen kept saying how much he really liked the baby. It was so cute. Serenity was into touching and feeling him. She is so curious. What a cute family. Here are a few pictures that I took in the hospital after Parker was born. =)

Pettiskirt contest...

and the directions on how to make one.  I can't sew but I want tons of these and would be willing to try and make them.  Any takers on trying it with me!  =)  Maybe I'll just win!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt Giveaway!

March 21st...

I can't wait for Twilight to come out on DVD.  I really want Danny to see it even though he is fighting me all the way!  =)

I am blog of the week...

The Holocaust...

The Holocaust has always been a subject that I have been attracted to.  I'm not quite sure when it started or why it holds such a big place in my heart.  I have always hated history but when it comes to the Holocaust I'm so intrigued.  

When I was in elementary school I remember visiting the Museum of Tolerance a few times.  Maybe it started then.  To see all the lives lost.  To follow a person and to be in tears at the end of the tour because that person that you'd loved and respected through the tour ended up dying in the end.  Or was it reading The Story of Anne Frank.  I can't tell you exactly when these people entered my heart but I can tell you that they have been there ever since.

A few years back my Mom discovered through our genealogy that we have a Jewish descent.  Maybe this is why because I could feel it in me.  

Whatever the reason I think that this is the worst thing that has ever happened in our history.  I just can't imagine such hate.  I feel that we see little bits and pieces of the Holocaust around our world today.   Such hate and killing for no reason other than you don't like what they believe.   I am so thankful that I live in a country where I am able to believe what I want and Im not killed of it.

Here we are 64 years later, in May, and now Iraq, Iran, and others claim that the Holocaust didn't happen and that it was a "myth".  We need to never forget what happened and we need to remember to keep others from ever doing it again.