Day 90: Three months old

Hey! I'm only exactly a month behind now! Ok....that's pretty bad.

I really am going to make this private P.S. just as soon as I can muster up the energy to gather all your emails. So far, not happening any time soon. Maybe tomorrow?

Anyways, He is 3 months old! Wow, the time is basically just non existent this time around. I took a little time to reminice back to when Jadyn was three months old. I can still remember me in my mom's family room, propping her up with pillows and trying out various blankets as backdrops as I attempted my first official photo shoot. Granted, I had done a few engagement shoots in college, but I basically just assumed I was my friends' best option considering they had zero $ to their name. It was after I went through her three-month shoot that I decided I was pretty good at taking pictures. I know that this is the story of every Mom to Photographer Mom, but it's an inspirational time to take pictures. The funny thing is, looking back now I really don't think they were that good! But I was so proud then, I took my pink point-and-shoot everywhere.

Jace believed in me enough that he bought me a digital SLR, my dear Canon Rebel that I adore (He also needed it for his photography class ehem!) And since then he hasn't really been able to pry it from my fingers. I have had some amazing mentors and the pleasure of shadowing some phenomenal photographers. In fact, I've learned enough now to know that I really am so small and I have so very much more to learn. Maybe I'll always just consider myself an amateur. As small as my growth may be, it's fun to see that there is some growth. It means it is possible for me to get better.

Do you see the difference?

Day 89: So there's this.

Uh Oh. I lost an SD card. I'm sure I put it in a very useful spot that I would not forget about.

So...this is all I could muster up from today. He's lettin a few snaps down...for cool points.

Day 88: So that's what happened to my day.

Jace went on an overnight backpacking trip with a new friend. He said he'd be home "super early" but well all know that didn't happen. So this is what he got to wake up to.

In all honestly I was happy to let him give himself a little vacation and have some "man" time. We all need a breath of fresh air every once in a while.

Day 87: This kid.

Guys? He melts my heart like no boy has ever done before.

Day 86: My #1 Su Chef

During the first year of our marriage, our roles were pretty intertwined. We were both working and going to school so there was not an assigned housekeeper or cook. We cooked dinner together almost every night and I just loved it. Jace really gets into cooking and I feed (no pun intended) off of his excitement. I have some pretty fond memories of us getting home from our long days of working and getting totally giddy over dinner, which sometimes wasn't finished until 11 at night.

These days our roles are pretty well defined. I am certainly on dinner duty, which I am totally happy about. I really love cooking and learning new recipes. Every once in a while, though, Jace will step in with me for Sunday dinner and "I am so freaking tired of taking care of this house!" Dinner. And we go right back to newlywed mode.

I'm pretty sure this picture was not from this actual day, but I didn't want to forget the night we made ribs. Jace picked a bunch of recipes for sides and a very involved recipe for the ribs. He even wanted to made a red velvet cake from scratch. I just laughed to myself as he said things like "This will be super quick." It was an all day event. He babied those baby-backs like they were his own. That sounds creepy. It was such a good meal that we had to invite someone over to enjoy it with us.

Privacy time

It's pretty ridiculous that I have gone back and forth with this because I had it private for a long time. Then I heard a number of people were reading my blog, but they were too shy to ask to be added( this was shocking...comment once in a while people)!  So I made it public.

But then yesterday I was looking through it, adoring my babies and I realized that there are some pictures on there that (though adorable to me and my friends) I may not want to share with some creep eatin Doritos and doin who knows what at 2 in the morning!

So please do not be shy. I am happy to share with anyone who is my friend on FB, or my friend down the street, or my mailman....just not someone I have never met.

I am always surprised by how many people read my blog because, well, you've seen the comments. And only like 13 people are following it. haha. If you do find this blog interesting and would like to continue following my life please send me your email.

Day 85: The Outfits that almost didn't make it.

I had so many good intentions for that family reunion shoot, like taking some pictures of my babies in their adorably coordinated outfits. But...*sigh*

We had to wait until we got home when it was just me. 

 Can you tell I was bribing her with a lollipop if she smiled? I'm not against it, people.  I do what it takes.

P.S. The chair Jadyn is sitting on was made for her by her great-grandpa Clements. 

Day 84: When We're at the Park...

Why must there always be something in your shoe?

 See this kid?

He doesn't even bring shoes.

---just sayin.

Day 83: Recovery

Oh, the back from vacation blues seem to last a little bit longer when you have children. I'm pretty sure I didn't clothe them for days. Just. Too. Hard!

Day 73-82: Family Reunion

I have been waiting to do this post for when I had enough time to give a good fill-in of the Monson Family Reunion...but now I've waited so long I'm just gonna have to jet through it!

 We camped.

 Made a giant slip n' slide in the backyard.

 We blessed Jaxon and EVERYONE in our family was there (everyone that was in Utah).

 Jaxon also got to be held by each of his great grandmas.

 And then we had family pictures.  Though I really despised the idea of me doing them, it ended up being the best option. It was just as stressful as I thought it would be. I guess I just prefer taking pictures of people that let me boss them around!

 But we still got some good ones. I yelled "Family Pyramid" as a joke, but I guess everyone felt some authority in my voice by this time.

Alot were like this...but that's us! Just a blur of excitement. I love my family. It was a great week.