we're gonna make it after all

Happy Anniversary, babe. Life doesn't get better than you.

Back to the Future

The 'ol "look into the future" shot on our wedding day.

Good times — then and now.

kudos to jessica

I wanted to take a moment and give a shout-out to the very talented Jessica at my office who helped me design the new blog header.

You've rocked my blog-world, Jess! Thank you, thank you.

bear lake or bust

Family? Check.

Beach? Check.

Famous raspberry shakes? Check.

Never-ending game of Phase 10? Check.

Cute kids? Check.

Barton clan? Not check. (Missed you guys!)

Dig a hole? Check.

Water frisbee? Check.

Fab food? Check.

Fun? Check.

Pictures? Check.

Don't believe me? Check it out.

Yum

First order of business?
Hamburgers, fries and raspberry shakes, of course.

Double Yum

Oh, how I love a good hamburger.

Yum?

And oh how Viv loved herself some sand for a snack.

Well, until she tasted it.

Frisbee Fun

Brian and Kelly showed off their skillz.

(Yeah, I spelled skills with a "z.")

Photo Op #1

Viv and me.

Photo Op #2

Jules and Me.

Ahoy Out There

Adam the spy.

Boy Meets Water

This is Dallin's first time in the water.

Doesn't he look so stinkin' cute and so stinkin' happy?

Boy Meets Breezy

Hmmm. He doesn't look so stinkin' happy with me.

But he's still so stinkin' cute!

Worker Bees

This picture cracks me up. Dig, everyone. Dig!

Keep Workin'

Adam and Sam stopped mid-dig to strike a smile.

Fill 'Er Up

Adam was quite pleased with the hole he dug and then stood in.

I think boys are strange, too, Abbie.

Longest. Game. Ever.

See Brian's expression of glee? He's closing his eyes, dreaming of the long-awaited moment (we're talking three-hours long) when Phase 10 will eventually come to a close.

Peace Out

Abbie always says things with style.

tag along

Other than being a "kissy girl" in kindergarten (yeah, that's right), I've never been much of a tag player.

{kissy girl (n.) A young lady, typically traveling in a pack, who chases boys on the playground and threatens to kiss them.}

And the same is true for blog tags. First, the idea of a tag slightly stresses me out. Second, I'm not typically tagged because most of my compadres assume I won't do them (solid assumption). But once upon last Thursday I was tagged by a dear friend, and once in a while I like to surprise myself.

So Laurel, this one's for you. Kisses!

3 JOYS

1. adam, family, and friends

2. my job

3. the future (the unknown is exciting, don't you think?)

Joyful, Joyful

Me with the No. 1 joy himself.

3 FEARS

1. not living up to my potential

2. that i won't have cute kids (this is irrational — i mean, obviously, right? :) — but it's still been an odd fear of mine.)

3. animals dressed as humans (name that TV show!)

Itsy-Bitsy Bikini

My dear friend, Mander, has a dog named Lulu. Lulu regularly dons human clothing, and even eye-shadow on occasion.

This is both completely terrifying and completely adorable.

3 GOALS

1. be a mom — eventually (hopefully to at least one red-headed child)

2. be kind — always

3. never stop writing

Red With Envy

I'll take one just like this, please.

3 RANDOM FACTS

1. i've been on more awful, wretched, maybe-i-should-stay-single dates than anyone you've ever met

2. i tend to say "woof" when i'm trying to say "wolf"

3. i once fainted at seven peaks in my swimsuit (awesome, huh?)

Ouch

See the red gash on my neck? It's from the faint of '06. Oh, and don't mind the crazy amounts of makeup. I was at a sleepover my sisters and I threw for my niece, Emma, and we did makeovers. Although, I do think smoky eyes agree with me. Don't you?

she's baack!

Cheers, London. You treated our girl well. But now she's back, and she's ours. All ours. (At least for now.)

Welcome home, Kara-Lara. Life just wasn't the same.

Home Sweet Kara

Kara flew in on the Fourth of July, dressed appropriately in her

"Freedom Franks" T-Shirt.

Self-Portrait Lovers Reunited!

First item on the to-do list? Take a self-portrait, of course.