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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Some Of What I've Been Photographing This Year


Here's a peek into a few of my favorite sessions this year so far... don't have time to blog about them all just yet, but eventually I'll get to it.  I don't have any images formatted and ready to share here on the blog of my  "Just Foolin' Around" event, but it was a success.  However, I can say I'm glad it's over until next year's Red Nose Day Fundraiser.  Whew!  Links to more images from some of my favorite clients this year included below each image.  Enjoy!
- Jess

 Megan Turns Three

Spring Time Fun

Mireida - WGHS

Family Pictures at the Park 

Brook - SHS



Capturing Details


Damon - WGHS

Buggy's  "Junior Miss AZ Pageant Prep"

Kyson - 5 Days New

Grace - WGHS

Webelos and Arrow of Light




Monkey Boy earned his Webelos badge, Religious Knot badge and his Arrow of Light at the pack meeting ceremony last week and advanced from the Cub Scouts into the Boy Scouts.  Proud of this little Monkey Boy!

xo

Friday, April 25, 2014

No One's Awesomer {favorite friday}

This was written on the wall of the garage for quite awhile before we started a super hero mural on it.  I would have to agree - my kids have a pretty awesome dad.

- Jess

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

From The Fair

This was our first county fair experience and I have to say that it was awesome... (and pretty expensive - making notes for next year).  We set Freckle Face and her friends loose with a handful of tickets for rides and a pocket full of cash for food - her "birthday party."  Then Military Man and I took the other two hoodlums to rides and games and met up with a few friends of our own along the way.

Our Fair Highlights:
* Pre-sale 10 rides for $10 tickets - LIFESAVER as ticket for rides were $5 each the day of the fair.
* FUNNEL CAKES!!!
* Tequila fried pickles
* Tilt-a-Whirl
* ICEEs
* Reggae and dancing
* Ferris Wheels
* The Gravitron (or Alien Abduction as it's now called)
* Giant fried corndogs wrapped in bacon
* Monkey Boy won a miniature stuffed hamburger - the only person to win any of the stupid games we played
* Cotton candy and taffy
* Food poisoning from the funnel cakes.  Every. Stinkin. Last. Person that ate some.  Bleh!!

I {heart} Coloring Easter Eggs

Over the Easter weekend, we celebrated Freckle Face's 14th birthday with a family and friends outing to the Pima County Fair (more on that to come).  We also played board games, video games, ate junk food and colored eggs together.




xo- Jess

Spring Break - Mexico

Buggy was invited to join some family friends, the Egbert family in Mexico over Spring Break.  She had an amazing time and had so many wonderful experiences to share with us when she got home.  The dogs were even curious about where she had gone to and what treasures she brought back.




Another "Playing Catch Up" Post

Doesn't he look exhausted?  Well we're all feeling just about exhausted.  March and April are always chaotic around the Brunette house - no matter how 'prepared' we think we are for it, it still seems to kick our butts.  Spring Break, our 16 year wedding anniversary, fundraisers, AIMS testing, registration for junior high and high school, an inspection at work and an air show at the base, Freckle Face's 14th birthday, Monkey Boy's 11th birthday, scouts, young women's activities, Pima County Fair, and throw Easter in there and it just becomes a big ol' crazy mess.

But that's just about behind us and we can settle down a bit and relax - hit the pool and soak up some of those sunny AZ rays.  Stay tuned for more 'catch up' posts... I did take a few pictures of our happenings when I had the chance.

xo - Jess

Monday, April 7, 2014

Our Version of "March Madness" {mobile monday}

You know when you don't hear from me in awhile it's because I've been out-of-my-mind busy.  I KNOW!!!  and I prepare for this month, but it always seems to get me anyways.

SO - until I can catch my breath and find my mind, I'll be posting randomness from my iphone.  I do however have some great images to share later - some of this glorious desert in bloom this spring, some of my beautiful Bug in preparation for Junior Miss Arizona pageant, and many more to come.  I'll be sharing lots more later, promise!

Monkey Boy got some more gear for his 'tactical' paintball outings.  I believe it's now officially too hot out, and the snakes are also on the prowl so they'll be done paintballing again until the late fall.

Buggy and her cheer team were invited to cheer on Monkey Boy's school at a pep rally in preparation for their state testing that begins this week. Monkey Boy was recognized for meeting standards for Math and Reading from last year's testing.

And a little funny here: as I was teaching her about safe use of a curling iron, I happened to burn my good and blistery.  Way to go, Mom.  I also left the kitchen burner cooking a pot full of rice unattended this weekend too... another "DON'T do as I do, but DO as I SAY" parenting moment.

Buggy thought this mis-sewn chair cover at the dollar store was hilarious.  She's always stealing my iphone to take pictures of stuff while we are shopping.  I do apologize to the people in the parking lot of Walmart... that's her favorite place to spot humorous things.

We also finished up Red Nose Day pictures - which totally kicked my butt this year.  We did very well, I just need to learn to say "no" and manage my time a little better over spring break next year.  I also got to photograph some adorable siblings with these 'borrowed' chicks and this tiny bunny.  I pretty much shot on continuous mode the entire hour and  a half.  I've never filled a whole card up with one session, but it was a little chaotic to say the least.  That's going to make for too many hours of culling this week, but the results will hopefully be wonderful and worth the time and energy.

More mobile phone photos... I had almost 5 inches cut off a couple of weeks ago.  Seems like a lot, but it looks A LOT healthier now.  And with my preoccupation over the last couple of weeks, things have started to get pretty messy around here... and covered in dog hair.  But I can't stay mad too long, just look at those two cuties.  Love my puppies!
 
Monkey Boy finished up his requirements for his Outdoorsman and is set to receive his Arrow of Light in two weeks!  Here, he's cooking his own dinner in the backyard fire pit.  

And lastly, General Conference was this weekend.  It was nice to be home, watching and listening from the comfort of our own home - we are truly fortunate to have that privilege.  Although, I must say this 'staying home' from church business has just added to the 'mess' that March has left us.

Time for this momma to hit the laundry, dog bathing and brushing, and the dusting and vacuuming for sure!
XOXO - Jess