the skeleton pirate is a staple halloween decoration. granny gave it to us years ago. it's the first thing they ask about when the black and orange stuff starts to surface. i'm not really sure why we like it. it's pretty creepy. maybe that's the draw. you know what's going to happen but it still scares you silly.

you push the button. he beckons you to come closer…closer…closer.

then bam!

yeah. it freaks me out every time.

this place needs no introduction. the minute you walk in, you know it's
cool. the vibe is relaxed, the food is swell. and they even give you an
apple and bazooka gum with your meal. we look forward to it every time. the kids are still perplexed as to why there is a "bee" involved. but they usually get over that within the first few minutes of arrival.

the best thing…lincoln usually sits the entire meal without too much of a fuss. this is huge. very huge. and much appreciated. thanks, busy bee!

laughter:

probably one of the sweetest sounds that could ever touch my ears. i love hearing it. when i see it in a photo, i hear it all over again. and something inside of me bubbles over with gooey, sappy, gushy love. the kind that just makes me want to go smother them with kisses and make them laugh again.

have you laughed with your kids today?

if not, turn this silly computer off right now and go do it!

i had one particular goal to achieve while in cali a couple of weeks ago:

find costumes.

check.

why california for costumes? because their thrift stores are divine. none of this being passed through ten kids first business. maybe one kid for a month or two. and the costumes? barely touched. you know? so i was on a mission to return with some cheap loot. score!

ella loves her princess dress (never worn & the tags on it for $4!) and wears it at every chance. i love it on her too. but my favorite part?

not the dress but the sparkly tennis shoes, the stripey socks she pairs with it and the bruised shins. that's my kind of princess!

i really never get to see jeff surf. not because i don't want to. but it usually doesn't make sense to drag sleepy kids and myself out of bed before 6 am to behold him in his glory. i've been more than happy to see him after he gets back with his tousled hair, bright eyes, and ocean smell.

this time we went along. mind you it was 9 am instead of 6 due to weather. i could handle that. i think jeff was excited to have an audience watching. he kept looking back to see if i saw him catch a wave and the next and the next. we all raised our hands in triumph and cheered him on. the locals smiled at our beach front fan club and laughed a little too. we aren't the typical crowd really. but i think we provided some good entertainment for all.

most of all for jeff. who has no doubt that we love watching him ride the waves. and i think love is an understatement. 🙂

dear jack:

i really love it when you start to show your face around our house. it makes me positively giddy.

xoxo

-cherie

we spent the weekend in utah to spend a little time with family and to attend general conference. jeff's dad has served as a member of the seventy for the past six years and was released on saturday. it was a little emotional for us knowing that this chapter is coming to a close. it has been a wonderful one. even though we haven't had granny and grandpa around for all the typical grandparent stuff, we've received so many blessings through their service. more than i can count.

a friend sent us this picture the other day. jeff's dad is in the background over on the left…looking on, with his hands crossed and a smile on his face…no doubt feeling the joy of a job well done. what a priceless picture!

and it's off on the next adventure they go!

todo bien  (spanish for it's all good)

we use this phrase a lot. because putting everything in perspective…really life is all good. jeff is feeling much better and as of this moment, no one else is sick.
i have to admit i am prone to anxiety. so when something goes a little awry, my mind and my emotions start heading south. fast.

so i keep saying todo bien and pretty soon i start to believe it.
and then life feels like it's all sunshine and watermelons again.

yep. it's all good.

this spot in my kitchen used to be a wine rack…

as if i need another chalkboard though.

but i think this serves my purposes much better than wine!

in other news…somebody in our house has the swine flu. it's not me.

yet.

(we're taking every precaution possible at this point. i'm heading out to buy face masks today. they don't call us the masks for nothing. *sigh* i really do hope next year is a better health year for us!)

one of the things i love most about photography is capturing more than just a face but also a relationship. this one gave me goosebumps when i saw it.
he is a daddy's boy. and it shows.