Thankful {Eight}

Talented friends

one such example below

Ashley Thalman captured my cute little family in a very uncontrived (is that even a word?) way. The results were exactly what I wanted, and all under 45 minutes.

I'm so grateful I am surrounded by people willing to share their talents with me!

And oh my gosh...she and Lindey can sure make my little taddpole smile...even in the rainy cold!

Thankful {Seven}

Binkis and toothless grins

Thankful {Six}

These crazy girls I grew up with

me (the weirdo), Haley (the pageboy), Whitney (the awkward one),

Lauren (the baby), Megan (the annoyed one), Mallory (the pretty one)

My relationship with each of my sisters has really blossomed over the last few years. I find myself seeking their company often, which wasn't often the case growing up. I know we gave our parents hell with ALL the bickering and cattiness, but I see us making up for lost time, and it makes me so happy!

Their personalities and talents truly enrich my life. Could I be any luckier?

me (still the weirdo), Whitney (the cook), Megan (the graphic designer), Haley (the homemaker), Lauren (the performer), Mallory (the artist)

Thankful {Five}

ALL the new additions to our families!

ETA: next year

post edit:

Oh my! I had no idea this post could have possibly, in any way, hinted that I was pregnant! I'M NOT! Oh my gosh, I think I'd die. A 5 month old, and one on the way. NOT for me.

The first picture is Baby Madsen (Shaley's), the bottom picture is Baby Mercer (Lindey's).

Thankful {Four}

Our loving, supportive families

Thankful {Three}

Our eternal marriage

May 2005

Pete Stott Photography

Thankful {Two}

The power of the priesthood

Post edit: this is the work of my ever-so-talented sister, Megan.

You can view her prints at zazzle.com/logophilia.

Unfortunately, she has sworn she will never do one of these again.

Swears on her grave.

Which she claims she'll end up in, if she was ever forced to make a blessing print again.

Oh, the drama.

Thankful {One}

These two.

3 wk old pics

They are my everything.

31 for 21: Happy Real Halloween Today!

Some Halloween-ness...

My personal favorite costume of the night! (Besides my silver baby, of course)

Batman-Andrew, Tootsie-Mazie, Ladybug-Lyla, Tiger-Griffin, Ketchup-Madi, Witch -Adrie, Witch-Kyra, Clown-Ellie, Bumble Bee-Ava, Witch-Bree, Fire Fighter-Crew.

Samson was absent...doing this...

He and Lyla posed for pictures after his nap, which they didn't love.

And yes, his shoes and binki are silver

Sam's new thing is holding hands.

Even a tin man needs to eat!

Wearing some festive jim jams!

Mallory and I did Felicia's hair and makeup for work. She makes one hot vampire! Nevermind that her mom made her dress and coat in ONE NIGHT. Holy amazing, batman!

31 for 21: Happy Fake Halloween!

I'm not even sick of seeing this dude in his costume, and too bad if you are. Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

Photos by Ashley Thalman Photography

31 for 21: Yup, I'm THAT Mom*

I put my son in leg warmers.

Guess what though? His legs are warm!

He even wears them under his rolled-up-a-bit skinnies. He prefers it that way

This is the look you will most often get out of the boy.

Does he not have the funniest hair line? Pre-baldness, his dad had the exact same one.

He IS his dad. I think we shall call him tadpole.

*it's still a little weird to consider myself one of these. A mom, that is.

31 for 21: My Mom, the Published Writer

I'm not the best of daughters, you see, because I haven't yet read it yet,

but I'm more than excited to order it as soon as it's available!

31 for 21: T, A, Double D

Let's just talk about how cool my friend, Nickell, is for naming her baby Tadd!

31 for 21: Thuuuuriiiiiiller!

Year four, and it just keeps getting better AND better! Second year on the front row, and I'm sure I'll never sit anywhere else.

Mary Kate has been about seven or eight times, and is never one to get scared of anything. Haunted houses, scary movies, zombies, etc. So, naturally this year she was chosen as "lunch" for Jason's Jam. It was hilarious because she tried so hard not to burst out laughing!

Me, Creepyhead, Mary, Jessie

Incredible show, but I have to say I don't give a flying rat's about a stranded bear in a shopping cart.

If you live in Utah, and haven't seen this yet, GO NEXT YEAR!

31 fo 21: I'm, Like, So Freakin' Trendy

Trendy toes - a little something different.

...and the word "trendy" makes me want to gag.

A plus of being a licensed professional? I get to buy them myself and do them at home instead of paying $30 to have them done!

And yes, my best feature are my feet. I'm fully aware they are really cute.

31 for 21: Pumpkin, Apple, Oreo

Another Halloween party for the books,

with a birthday to boot!

You see, I'm super creative.

Samson enjoys his "loves" from cousin Bree.

Kecia turned 25 on the 22nd (right???), so we celebrated with a little mint oreo cake, made by yours truly. It's the only thing I can't screw up. Bree took care of blowing out the candles.

Ever tried caramel apple bites? Perfect for eating and decorating! Because what would caramel apple decorating be without cinnamon sugar, crushed chocolate candy, and popcorn! (Ok, no one else tried the popcorn but me. Surprisingly delightful.) And who doesn't love polka dot apples?

Bree and Ava taste testing the treats.

Lyla and Sam had some bonding time and shared a toy...

...until Sam swiped it. Such a bully!

It's semi depressing that this boy loves his daddy more than me.

On the other hand, I adore the admiration they have for each other.

31 for 21: Grandpa GreenThumb

Check out Tadd's gramps, he's a star!

I hope one day Tadd gets bitten by the pumpkin bug, and starts to grow his own giant pumpkins! His dad and brother are also expert pumpkin growers.

31 for 21: A Fantastic Halloween Party

My mom can put on one meeeean party, and she spared no creativity with this one! From games, to treats, to punkin carving, to costumes, it was a smash hit!

I'm still mad that in the tattoo parlor Tadd wouldn't let me put two eyes on the back of his head.

Since I was terrible at documenting the event, go here for more proof of a funfetti time!

Babes Addie as a "dat" (her word for doggie)

We're winners. Winners of pickled heads.

31 for 21: Thirty Years Ago...

...these two tied the knot, and boy am I glad they did.

I'm so lucky to have such incredible parents who love each other, and their kids. I have to say that for the set they were handed (six girls - #5 born, and #1 turned 6 two weeks later), they sure did a bitchin' job raising us; we all turned out pretty dang good.

We were raised in righteousness and ever-present love, which I hope to high heaven Tadd and I can also do.

I love:

Their quirks

That I'm most definitely a product of the both of them

My relationship with each of them

Their independence

The example they set for me in so many ways

Ma and Pa, do I say this enough? I love you both more than you'll ever know!

31 for 21: Albeit Overkill...

...I like it.

Master/Guest/Powder Room/Full Bathroom

Megan, where is your artwork?