Still here...

I spent my time tonight looking at other peoples' blogs instead of attending to my own gross blog negligence.  And instead have come down with an embarrassing case of blog envy and now it is way past my bed time.  Why does blogging (or not blogging) become such a time suck?  That's why I've all but given up this last year...I just can't find the time during the day and at night I just want to watch a show with Spencer instead of editing my pictures and posting them.  If I even do get around to making a blog book I am sure I will regret my complacency, but for now I am over it.  Here's to hoping I can get something together tomorrow. 

And I thought I was layin' low before!

Posting from the iPad. So no pictures. Honestly, I am doubting if anyone even checks here anymore. If yes, wow you are a true friend and I should reward you with at least a picture. But, alas, not pictures tonight. Here are a few reasons why I have been MIA in the blog o sphere.

-I AM PREGNANT! Due Jan 21,2011. Still feeling sick and yucky most of the time. Hoping it willed sooner rather than later.

-Ryan broke his leg. He was in a cast for six weeks and unable to walk for about 4 1/2 of them. Not the best start to the summer. We've been cast free for a week and are loving it!

-went to LA to help my sister with her baby for a week while she went back to work temporarily.

-Mom and dad came for a long weekend. SO fun. Cried like a baby when they left.

-Ryan turned 2 and I turned 31. Definitely feeling older.

-Ryan got super sick with some crazy virus in his throat and couldn't eat or drink for days. So sad and kind of scary. Feeling better as of Sat.

-Swim lessons. Yep. Still teaching. Wasn't going to, but people called and asked and I just couldn't say no. Love it, but it is wearing me out this year.

I know my pregnant brain is forgetting something...oh well. You get the picture-figurative that is.

Layin' Low

We've been CRAZY busy and have lots of fun pictures that I should post, but I've kind of been enjoying the privacy of lying low.  Here are some bullets of what's happened/happening in out neck of the woods.

• My Grandpa Bob passed away.  I was VERY close to him and it's been a very hard loss.  I was with him and other family members when he passed.  SO HARD.  I made this cake for him and my Nana.  It meant a lot to everyone that weekend.  Miss you so much GB!
• Went to Walnut Creek for a week on "business."  Got to see Luke play volleyball, spend lots of time outside in the sunshine and hangout with my mom.  It was heavenly.
• A much needed day and night away with my love in San Francisco.  Spencer also ended up out in SF on business while I was there.  So we left Ryan with my parents and spent our first night away.  That too was heavenly.
• A wedding.  The business in Walnut Creek was me shooting a wedding.  LOVED IT!  Loved the couple, loved the day, love my job.  I keep thinking I should really get out there and advertise myself a bit more, like have a blog that I actually know the password to or a website or something...but...I just don't feel like it.  I love love love that jobs still come my way and it's great.  My theory is that if you are good, people talk and you'll always have the work if you want it.  So far that's been true with all of my professional endeavors.  I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing.  Did I mention that I love my job?    P.S. I may post some, not sure yet.  If you really want to see some shots let me know and I'll get on it.
• A very sick Ryan.  I don't think the kid had ever been so sick.  OK the RSV last year was bad, but he still ate and was active and happy.  This time he didn't eat a real "meal" for like 4 or 5 days!  He lost like 3-4 lbs.!  Slept a lot which is NOT usual and had a fever which also is very rare.  Antibiotics did the trick and he's finally getting back to his old self.
• Laurel had a BABY!  His name is Justin Robert Plewe and we LOVE him.  Can't wait to meet him in a few weeks.  You can get the whole story on her blog.
• Easter was great.  Egg Hunt was a hit.  Easter basket of treats was a hit.  I made a full holiday meal for the first time and had friends over to share it.  YUM.  Love good food.
•  Training for my first triathalon.  Saturday is the big day.  So excited!
• Cut my hair.  Barely above my shoulders.  Realizing that I am just NOT meant to have short hair.  It's cute, but my lovely, long, thick locks are sounding pretty good right now.
• FINALLY getting to painting the baseboards that I had planned to paint 2 years ago.  Feels good to start chipping away at that project.  sigh.

Well, that's about it.  Like I said, a little crazy.  Good, but crazy.

Mashoonga! on Live! with Regis and Kelly

Yep, we're famous! By "we" I of course mean my Dad and Luke's toy. They went to the New York Toy Fair a couple weeks ago and got picked up as one of the best new toys of the year.  This is HUGE!  Check it out here. It's at the end of the clip.  I haven't figured out how to get the video to play right here on my blog.  Anyone?

Dad's Day Off

Thank goodness for National Holidays! It seems like forever since Spencer's had a day off and we've been able to just play as a family without chores or other projects to worry about. I guess we kind of got spoiled by the school schedule with lots of time at the holidays, etc. We had planned to take Ryan to the Zoo but like true Californians didn't check the weather until we woke up to rain this morning. Should have gone Saturday when it was nice...live and learn I guess. Instead we headed to the Museum of Ancient Life for some dinosaur bones and other fun things. We loved it! Ryan was in heaven and especially liked all the "hands on" exhibits that they have. Getting him out of the sand quarry was painful to say the least. They had lots of huge skeletons of all my favorite dinos. Truth be told, I'm kind of a dinosaur fan. Actually, I love them. When I was a kid I listened to songs about dinosaurs, knew lots of dinosaur names and LOVED the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. I still love a good dino museum and this one did not dissapoint.

Side note: Do you see that writting on the collage up there? It's my very own handwritting! Cute or not so cute it's MINE. My awesome friend has started a company that can turn your very own handwritting into a FONT! The price is reasonalble and she's really good. If your interested in learning more just leave a comment. It's PERFECT for scrapbooking!

Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa Hill

Last month we went back to the Bay Area to celebrate Spencer's Grandpa's 90th birthday.  He had requested that I do some 90th Year Portraits of him.   We had a lot of fun doing the shoot and got some great shots.  I also made the cake and had so much fun designing and making it.  You should have see his face when I brought it out.  It was pretty awesome.  We had a great weekend of fun with Spencer's family and even got to see my parents one afternoon.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA HILL!  We love you!

Max is on a Mission in Korea by Ryan Hill

Apparently "something" happened to my camera when I wasn't looking. The quality is bad, but it is still cute enough to share.