Camera Happy

I am behind on blogging. I really don't know what to blame. I'd like to blame Baby Carter, but there is no excuse. I don't do a whole lot these days. (Although I did make a "hooter hider" that I'm very proud of, but that's for a different post.)... Anyway, this post is devoted to my new love: my camera. Blaine brought it home a couple of weeks ago and it was love at first sight. We are still getting to know each other -if you know what I mean- but I think this is the beginning of something really special.

More to come.

John Mayer is still my Dreamboat

So VERY last minute--Ange called me up and asked if I was still planning on going to John Mayer with her. My brain doesn't work very well these days (I had totally forgotten all about it), but I obviously said yes. Good times had by all.

I have had a love/hate relationship with JM for a few years. I love his music, his lyrics; have heard most of his live stuff--you could pretty much call it obsession. Then, he hooked up with Jessica Simpson. I was crushed. Why couldn't he hook up with someone, well, more like me? Is that too much to ask? Then, Continuum came out, which I fell in love with. Personally, I think JM is way more talented than the douchbags on 101.9 say he is. He is an incredibly versatile musician, and can freaking wail on the guitar.

Well, this concert proved all of the above. It was very soul/blues-filled. He sang about four or five songs pre-Continuum... which I was okay with. It was great.

Bottom line: John Mayer is still my dreamboat.

I just wish he sold cute girl t-shirts that were of a reasonable size.

Me, Ang, Rochelle and Jamie

How do you like my fake smile?

JELLYSTONE

Well, all of my blogging siblings have already posted about the Yellowstone Lee Family Extravaganza, but here is my contribution. It was a great time. We had so much fun hanging out with Mother Nature: the animals, the paint pots, the geysers, and even a little volleyball and "talent show" (I use term "talent" very loosely here). Good times. Thanks for a great vacation Mom and Dad!

The whole family minus Brett (on a mission in Arizona). I think mom is considering this one for the Lee family Christmas card.
My dad and Isabel. He was determined to become her buddy and it worked. She was completely won over. Cute 'eh?
Pretty
Blaine and me. Weird that my belly didn't make this shot. :)
We actually saw three bears on our jungle safari. Here's a baby Black Bear.
I am fascinated by buffalo. They are the biggest, strangest-looking animals.
More pretty stuff...

This is the real "danger" sign in the park at Old Faithful. I guess it's pretty important for young boys to not step directly on an active geyser.
Cool, creepy dead tree.
Isabel giving me "rocks". I love this kid!
Oh!-- and there's the belly. Blaine, me and future Carter boy in Jackson Hole.
This is actually when we got home and right before the baby shower that my amazing sisters threw for me. I was lucky enough to have my mom in town for the fiesta. It really was a lot of fun. We missed Megan (sick with strep!), aren't my sisters and mom (and Isabel) hotties?

Seriously So Blessed

Oh wow-- I have never been happier in my life. Annie told me about this blog, and it has made my life so much better. If you love satire and making fun of dumb girls you really should check it out. Trust me. You won't be dissapointed. http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

Back Back to Cali Cali

Well, as usual I've gone overboard here... also as usual, I wasn't great at taking pictures of everything and everyone. My documentation of my stay at the Kirks is sorely lacking. Hmm. At least there are plenty of the beach and "Action Jackson".

Well, here we go.

Does life look any better than this?
No shirt, no shoes, no problems.

Brent and Blaine in full-motion.

So the Carter boys had themselves a good, old-fashioned flipper-race along the beach. Hopefully, Markelle will post the video footage of this event. I'm pretty sure she got Sean "rolling" across the finish line. Hilarious.

Blaine and Doug. My battery died when Sean and Brent raced. Sad. (I'm counting on you, Markelle!)
Steve and Jack. Sweet.
Blaine and me. Love this guy. He's had that Billabong hat since I met him over eight years ago!
We celebrated Blaine's 31st birthday at the beach AND at Disneyland. Good times.

The only full-body-shot of me...hopefully. (Fingers crossed.)
The Carter dudes. Sean, Doug, Blaine, Brent, and Action Jackson. I really love this picture!
Mike and Lara. My wonderful aunt Lara and co. came to visit for a late afternoon. I love these guys! Look how hott she is!! Seriously.
Their darling girls, Brindley and Devyn. And thier cute cousin Josh. I can't believe how old these girls are-- and SO pretty.
Uncle Dennis in all his glory. This is my mother-in-law, Chris's brother. What an Italian stallion. I'm sad I didn't take any pictures of cute Autumn.

Okay, this picture is out of order and doesn't do this kid justice. This is baby Preston, Katrina's 3-week-old baby boy. He is adorable and looks just like Jeff. I had so much fun staying with the Kirks after I'd ridden all I could at Disneyland. Katrina was so nice to come pick me up, let me "veg out" at her house, and then take me to the airport. BFFs forever! I'm really upset I have no pictures of Kat, Christian and Jeff to post here. I suck.
Mr. Banana-Grabber (Arrested Development, anyone?) Okay, so it's not a Bluth Banana, but pretty darn close. Actually, a lot of A.D. was filmed in Newport and Balboa Island. We were constantly looking for a "loose seal" with a bow tie.
Doug and Blaine.
My Blaine.
Markelle. I really love Markelle.



Happy birthday, Blaine! We made sure Blaine wore a sticker all day that told everyone it was his birthday. Disneyland rocks... You tell them it your birthday, they give you a sticker, and every Disneyland employee wishes you a "happy birthday". Blaine was in heaven. He was getting high-fives from strangers. He loved it.
We thought little Jack was sleeping, but when we lifted his blanket, he was happily sucking on his feet.
Sean, Steve, Chris, Blaine and I took Jack on his very first disneyland ride: Jungle Safari. It was fun. He was a happy kid, and so were we. This ride is just as great as it ever was.
Sean and Jack.
Blaine and Jack. It's so much fun watching Blaine with his first and only nephew.

Blogging is Bomb

I am totally going to post something legit tomorrow about our Cali trip, but I just can't help myself tonight.
I just spent the better part of tonight going through old posts and comments, and I find myself fascinating... :) Not really, but how many of you have done this? I mean, it's like reading your own diary! I know, I know-- (duh) the diary thing is one of the reasons we all blog at all, but seriously, I am officially "sold" on this whole blogging phenomenon. It's been about a year and I still love it. I love reading all of your posts and comments, as well as feeling validated when you read and comment on mine.
Rock on Bloggers!
(Feel free to point and laugh at me... I deserve it.)

Beach Bound, Baby!

{Summer '06}


Well, we are pretty much packed up (I'm updating the ipod as I type) and we can't wait to hit the road, er-- airport tomorrow morning.

The Carters have the fabulous tradition of renting a beach house for a week in Newport Beach. I can't tell you all how much I look forward to this event each summer. Yes... even with my ever-growing-ginormous belly. I look forward to digging a hole in the sand so I can actually lay on my tummy, (thanks for the tip, Alison), gelato on the boardwalk, beach food, reading, hating random people with Sean, laughing with Markelle, meeting Katrina's little Preston, falling asleep to the sounds of crashing waves with Blaine, and doing nothing but sit and watch the ocean.
*Sigh* What bliss is mine!

Daddy Day

First of all, I have no current digital pictures of my dad. I'm not that vain (well, I kind-of am) but since I used a wedding picture of my mom, I figured I could get away with using another for Father's Day. I love this picture anyway.
My dad is the greatest! You all might think your dad is the best, but you are wrong! Mine is. You know that song we all sang when we were kids about our dads being the biggest and the strongest? Well I really believed it--and still do. I think my dad can do anything.
He's always been there for all of our most important days and events. He's always provided for our family. He's got a great testimony. He doesn't always shout it about--he's more quiet about it. (Blaine is the same way--maybe that's why I love him.) He thinks he's Jack Bauer. He has a great, loud, contagious laugh. He loves his kids. He thinks he's Mexican. He always tries speaking Spanish to anyone resembling a Spanish descent. We all laugh about it, but are secretly very proud he's so passionate and devoted to his study of Spanish. He has a love affair with vanilla ice cream...always has, always will. He loves projects. Whether it be the Jeep, the boat, or whatever, he likes to be busy. He's a hard worker. I don't know anyone who works harder, actually. I love that he has taught me the value of working hard. He loves my mom. There's such solace in knowing that my dad loves my mom--no matter what.
This list could go on a lot longer... but for the sake of me bursting into tears (darn you, pregnancy!), I'll end it here. I love my daddy!

Couldn't Help Myself

Sorry Matt... It had to be done. I found this picture while I was looking through our server of a picture of my dad for his tribute, and well--behold: my baby brother. This is a couple years ago. Blaine and I took a summer trip up to WA to hang out for the 4th of July and my dad and Matty took us to the Fish Hatchery. It was really cool. They have sturgeon there that are HUGE! They look like sharks but are really prehistoric-looking.

Anyway, Matty posed for this one without me even asking him to. He wanted to look like the bear or "be" the bear or something. I love this kid! I have the best brothers!

Mixed Feelings

I'm feeling a little weird. Today was the last day of school and while I am so excited and feel so blessed that I'll be staying home to be a mom, I am really bummed about not teaching anymore. I worked a VERY long time to get my degree and I am so happy that I actually used it--it means the world to me. I LOVE teaching. I've had the greatest experience at Alta...

Today is just a little bittersweet. I really hate saying "goodbye", though I am so happy about this next "chapter"... Know what I mean?

  Some of the ladies I teach with in the English department. They were so nice and threw me a little shower.

I love these women!
These are my Euphony seniors, minus two... They are such a great group of kids. I'm so proud of them and know they will do great things.
Tiffany Platt and I were luckily placed across the hall from each other when we both started at Alta. She teaches Spanish and has become such a great friend. Can't wait for her wedding in December!
Mikianne and I met at the new teacher-hire meeting two summers ago. Recently, we talked about the fact that we both went home that night and told our husbands that we met a "new friend". Mikianne is a breath of fresh air, and I can't wait for her little baby due New Year's.
I am a HUGE nerd. This is a picture of my classroom. Well, one of many I took before I dismantled my room. Don't judge me.