Kyle's Bridal Shower

It was a lovely afternoon with good friends, laughter, and food (ahem - in Spring '08). Kyle and Geoff's wedding last August was amazing too, but that's a post for another day. I'm almost done with several family mini-shoots, but until that's finished, here's something new to see:

"P" Family Sneak Peek | Folsom Family Photography

This is my beautiful friend Michele and her darling family. Our kids attend preschool together. Which, incidentally, is an awesome preschool and is now accepting applications for Fall, email me if you're looking for a fabulous Folsom-area preschool.



During Memorial Day weekend I got to meet and photograph her extended family: siblings, cousins, grandparents, the whole sha-bang. What a fun group of people. There was so much laughter (and great food) in that house! The weather was gorgeous and cooperative... I just wish I'd taken them up on the offer to stick around for Dad's BBQ ribs. They smelled soooo good. Not to mention the bacon. I don't even know what dish the bacon was being cooked for, but man that smell put me right at home. Yeah, you could say I'm food-oriented.



Too bad nobody loves this little guy, huh. It was a challenge to get him to smile at first, but once he did, look how his eyes lit up!



And the fantastic & fun Great Grandparents were very cool. And sooo in love with the kiddos.


(Um, yeah, Grandpa is 83! Can you believe it?)

Michele & family - thanks for having me. I really enjoyed documenting a little bit of your day. Here's a short slideshow:

Mom's Day 09

These pink roses were a gift for Mother's Day. I finally pitched the withered, stinky-stemmed lot of them in the green waste yesterday. But look how lovely they were! I separated them into 3 vases and spread the love throughout the house.



Thanks for an awesome day, guys. Breakfast was early, tasty and quiet (before worship team), the gifts were thoughtful, and the hugs were warm and there wasn't as much hug-dodging (running away screaming "too much kisses mama!") as usual. What more could a mom ask for?

Do you smell smoke?

I've been working feverishly of late, more so than usual, sleeping a bit less but smiling a lot more! There's smoke coming off my keyboard. Fun photography plans are in the works, still being polished but the planning is a blast!

Yesterday I ran another luncheon with 70-ish guests, and the dessert we chose at the Vizcaya Pavilion was this unbelievably tasty Strawberry Napoleon... yum... I almost licked the plate, but ultimately decided against it (not so classy, that).

And since today is the day after an event, that makes it Mama & Monkey play day. So I'd better go start up some mischief. That's what this day is all about. Well, that and trying to catch up on some housework.

And here are two pictures that I have on my bathroom mirror right now. We'd been having family bowling "tournaments" on the Wii, so we thought we'd take Monkey to an actual bowling alley. I don't know what he said to make Royce laugh so hard, but this image just makes my heart happy. They look like this most of the time, my laughing boys. It's a little grainy. But I love it anyway.




And just one more: aww, my boys.

I am speed.

We took Monkey on his first go-cart ride(s) today. As you can see, he hated it.





On the way home, I got a phone call... and booked a photo shoot! A mother's day surprise: family portraits of Dad & the kids. We met 3 hours later, and you won't believe how beautiful these people are. Glad I stuck my new business cards in with the preschool fundraiser proofs, thanks to my supportive, brilliant and forward-thinking husband... More to come (after Mom's Day, of course)!

Encouraged.

Amidst the chaos of the parent meeting, his mom told me quietly, "this is the best picture I have of my son." And as she walked away, I teared up. I got to do that.

The fundraiser was all black & white, and the image she has was edited that way. This is the original, SOOC and technically imperfect. Looking at it, I see what I would change, enhance, brighten. But the fact that I made someone happy like that? That'll carry me through a month of board meetings at my "day job." For real.

Spring Break 2009

So guess where we spent part of Spring Break?

I'll give you a hint:
















40 inches tall = roller coaster legal and lovin' it.
























The weather was unbelieveably lovely.

















We took in a parade:


























and got our dance on.

















Yeah, we'll be back.




















Yes, mom, I know there are no pictures of me from the trip. I was having an allergic reaction to the sunblock and it wasn't pretty. Next time for sure.

What's all that giggling in the shower about?

The shaving cream (barely visible, lower left) lives on a higher shelf now.

Grammar Girl

Happy 2009!

So I used to work with the coolest chick ever, Gina Smith. Haven't talked to her in about 10 years, though I randomly discovered that she was an award winner when I was checking out the cake decorating results for the California State Fair a couple years ago. (I never think to enter any of the baking contests until, like, the week after the deadline. Atta girl.) Totally funky, extremely smart, and married to a real live rock star dude, that's Gina.

Anyway.

I think of Gina with the change of each year, because she always makes the same resolution: "read more books, watch more movies." With her permission I've copied it since I met her, and it's the only resolution I've been able to keep all year. I wonder if she still makes that resolution. I'll look her up on Facebook and ask.

One of the things Gina and I shared was a fondness for proper punctuation. It's not hard, but sadly, is neglected by the masses. So in honor of my friend Gina, and because apparently I feel the need to preach from a soap box today, here are some gentle reminders for anyone who cares to read on:

How to use an apostrophe

Use it for contractions.
you're = you are, you've = you have
it's = it is, she's = she is
I'm = I am

Use it to show possession:
Dori Gough's camera
Monkey Gough's drumset
Daddy Gough's power tools

If a word ends in s, you can either add an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe; both are correct.
Jesus's life
Davy Jones' locker

If you are showing plural possession, it changes to s apostrophe (s'):
The Goughs' house
The Smiths' cookie jar
The boys' bath toys

(and if it already ends in an s, then you add es apostrophe)
The Joneses' new Wii is getting a lot of play this week!

But here's the thing that irks me, friends. It makes me wince when I read signage on buildings, in stores, on menus, and yes, even in Christmas letters... I hate to see apostrophes added where they don't belong.

When NOT TO USE an apostrophe:

Don't use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
More than one Gough? They are the Goughs. Not the Gough's. Unless you're talking about the Gough's cookie jar, drumset, or amazingly clean house. Seriously, you should come see it. It's never looked this good.

We had a yummy lunch with the Westbrooks last week.
Vacationing with the Willsons is something we hope to do in the future.

Don't use an apostrophe in a possessive pronoun.
his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose
They already show possession so they don't need an apostrophe.

A note about its

"It's" is a contraction, use it only if you mean "it is" or "it has."
It's raining, it's pouring, my husband is snoring. (Nope, not Royce. He NEVER snores...)
It's been a nice break, but now I'm eager for preschool to be back in session. (So. Eager.)

There's no apostrophe in "its" when it shows possession:
The dog sucked down the burrito in one swallow, licked its lips, and gave a hearty "woof!"
(I saw that on TV yesterday.)
The dryer has consumed its fill of socks this week, we've got 3 singles again!

I know this post has sentence fragments. And that I often. overuse. periods. But that's commonly accepted blog grammar; I like that it reads how we speak. (And the extra periods are to add emphasis, in case ya didn't already know.) There's also a neglectful lack of capital letters on some blogs I frequent, and I hardly notice. I will gladly overlook such grammar goblins; language is a living, changing entity. But seriously, I just had to speak out on behalf of the apostrophe and the plural.

*Stepping down off soapbox*
Thanks, I feel better now. Time to look up Gina on Facebook and think about some resolutions. Or go start dinner - company's on the way.

Merry New Year

Well sure enough, Santa brought our musical Monkey a drumset.

The Christmas explosion has come and gone. The house is still a disaster. But this year I don't care so much. I'd rather catch up with friends who are just in town for the holiday than worry about the house.

My Mama always says "the house doesn't care." And while I agree that's true, I usually can't feel at peace with the house unless it's at least mostly tidy. Today I don't care. Tomorrow I might.

Today, I'm still enjoying the decorations, chilling out, and eating too many Nuts & Chews, courtesy of See's Candy and our buddies the Hummels (who are my entertaining heroes... Truly spectacular group-dinner hosts).

But ssh. Don't tell Royce. I plan to blame all the empty wrappers on my pregnant (5 weeks to go) friend Mary who came to visit today. She had, maybe, 2 of them.

Cheers. Happy Nuts and Chews to you all. Two more days 'til resolution time.

Dear Santa

First you tell Dad what to write:



Then you proofread, and add some color:



And maybe add a train at the bottom, while the Mamarazzi covets your eyelashes:


Mail to the North Pole, and wait a week.

Then, if you're lucky, you get a letter BACK from Santa, and you read it with Dad!

Svensk Smorgasbord

Orn desh, dee born desh, de umn bork bork bork...

On December 13th, Monkey and I attended our first Swedish Smorgasbord. It wasn't Royce's first though, so he led us through a taste test of everything on the menu, and it was quite a spread.

The food I remember: rice pudding, smoked salmon, pickled herring, pickled cucumber, baked ham, lingon preserves, potatoes, beans, a bevy of breads, an egg salad-like spread with caviar, cheeses and meats, sausages, and the most amazing meatballs (I'm sure I'm forgetting several other dishes)... and assorted tasty desserts. Oh, and a super delicious punch that I think was Lingonberry, but that's just because I've had Lingonberry at Ikea. Before the Smorgasbord, Ikea marked the extent of my Swedish cultural experience.

Special guests at the event included the Swedish Chef, Sven and Olie, a couple of vikings, and the lovely young Sancta Lucia. Pastor Ron even donned his kilt.

Everyone did an amazing job, I can't imagine how much work that was in an already hectic month. Way to go, guys, and tack (I believe that's Swedish for thanks)!

Give Presence

Holiday Traditions.

Growing up, I spent 2 weeks each December with family in Arizona. I remember foggy early mornings and delayed flights. Cactus covered in blinking lights. Being greeted by happy dogs, and the many smells of the ranch: dirt, citrus trees, and a bucket of KFC in the kitchen the night we flew in. Warm hugs from family. Grandma's tree awaiting us, heavy with ornaments, half of which she made by hand. I remember trying to sleep on Christmas Eve and being WAY too excited.

In thinking over and listing traditions, there are things I have done, or want to do:

• Drive around & look at lights
• Involve Monkey with the activities: baking, house/tree decoration, gingerbread house
• The Soundtrack of the Holidays - load up the iPod around Thanksgiving
• Meals and time with family
• Watching holiday specials from my childhood (ABC Family is rockin' the old-school Christmas shows, friends.)
• Church events (Swedish Smorgasbord, Christmas Eve service)
• Special pillowcase(s) for the season
• New pajamas on Christmas Eve
• Discuss why we celebrate Christmas

But there are some traditions I'd rather break:

• stress, hustle & bustle, irritation
• giving gifts more out of obligation than with thoughtful joy
• perfectionism; the need to have things 'just so'

Yesterday I heard myself say with thinly-veiled frustration to Monkey, "Do you want Santa to come to your house this year?"
"Yes, mama."
"Then STOP MOVING THE ORNAMENTS!"

Does it really matter that they're all in one spot, rather than perfectly balanced? Will the guests really care? Do I? How do I get sucked in?

This morning we watched a 2 minute video in church that made me think:

Spend less. Love more. Right on.

Choir performance

Last minute hem adjustment from Dad:


At home on the stage:

And then there was the STOMPING. There was a peppermint candy painted on the floor. Monkey was fascinated by it, and couldn't resist stomping upon it. Over, and over, and over again. When I asked him later what the stomping was all about, he smiled and said, "Mom, I wanted to EAT it!" (So, trying to break off a piece, maybe?)

Dancing with his shadow:

Squatting - either in anticipation for the jump at the end of the song, or avoiding swinging arms during "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." I think.

That's our Monkey. Gotta love him. Yes, we have video footage.

The Beautiful Brocklys

Back in October I had the privilege to spend a couple of hours with the Brockly family. Mom and Dad met and fell in love in Hawaii (Alo-ha!) and the rest is history. They were so much fun to get to know; lots of laughter and love live in their house! Aside from her busy job caring for 2 little ones, Mom is an Esthetician and I am so excited about my first-ever facial in her capable hands... if we can just figure out how to occupy our little monkeys...

Thanks again for letting me capture your family! Enjoy the show.

Tech Rehearsal, Toddler Style

I am a human being. My husband is a human being. And though I am a devout believer in intelligent design and not evolution - somehow my sweetie and I managed to produce us some monkey offspring. So from now until I change my mind, my toddler boy will be referred to as "Monkey."

Monkey likes to sing and dance. He sings in a choir at church and yesterday they had their final rehearsal for the Christmas show. For the big kids, it was the tech rehearsal. For the little kids (aka monkey's choir), it was controlled chaos.

Tired of waiting for his entire group's turn to take the stage, monkey made himself at home on the steps.



Feeling comfortable there, he headed for the microphones nearby, which were set for the big kids choir. It was about 10 inches too high for him, pointed upward. But HIS choir's songs were playing in the background and by golly he was going to have his moment on THIS stage. He proceeded to shout that song at the top of his lungs, adjusting the mic to point downward at him midway through.

Did I stop him? ...uh, no. I laughed until tears streamed down, and did my best to capture the moment.

And I can hardly bear to share the details of what he did once the whole GROUP was on stage. I am quite certain our tactile little monkey had never felt crushed velvet before. Until he noticed it on the girl beside him...

Did I mention that when they lined up in a straight line on stage, to practice their 3 songs, Monkey stepped forward 3 paces to allow the rest of the kids to provide backup to his lead.

His #1 request from Santa this year... a drumset. Hmm.

The Women of Lakehills

October 2008 - I spent a weekend with some amazing women at Zephyr Point/ Lake Tahoe. Here's the extended slideshow of the Lakehills Women's Retreat...



Thanks to the awesome team behind the scenes who worked hard and prayed diligently to facilitate a beautiful, life-changing experience.

Kelli - thank you for helping me "get" the motivational structure of my heart. You BROUGHT IT and I am eternally grateful for the freedom you lovingly reminded me that I get to LIVE IN!!!

Miles to go before I sleep

Today:

• Loaded Christmas music in the iPod


• Wild goose chase adventure to a railroad museum 1.25 hours from home


• Surfed old friends' blogs and got inspired to finally start one of my own


• Flossed and brushed the toddler's teeth, but haven't done my own yet

Next week:

• 11th wedding anniversary


• Thanksgiving prep


• Planning the final weeks of '08 and Christmas... it's the most wonderful time of the year