First things first – WE MOVED!!! Let me tell you one thing about moving – I HATE IT – To the core. The packing, living out of a suitcase, the moving, the unpacking, the chaos. YUCK, YUCK and TRIPLE YUCK.

The move for me was also harder than expected because our first move was when Olivia was two years old so for her – it didn’t phase her. This time – she’s eight and it wasn’t just about Jake and I moving this time, we also had a little “mini – adult”, Olivia, who it was effecting, and BOY DID IT EFFECT HER!! The last night in our house – she cried so hard knowing it was the last meal at our table in that kitchen together, the last time she’d sleep in her room. Jake and I were heart broken for her. Jake came up with the idea that Olivia could write the house a letter (yeah – get ready for a tear jerker). She of course thought it was the best idea since sliced bread so she began her note…and it started….” Dear house – you were a good house, and I had many good feelings here…” Yeah – insert knife into heart!!!! The truth about the matter is this house was and will always be very special to us. Olivia spent most of her life in this house and Jillian was born in this house – so yeah – you could say it was hard to leave.

But when one door closes – another opens and with that we moved on to our new house.

This house is pretty exciting for us for several reasons, first – it’s the first time we’ve built. So picking out every little detail in this house was fun and to see it all come together in the end, was very rewarding. Not only we were excited to build this house, but we also chose a lake lot which if you know ANYTHING ABOUT US – we LOVE to be outdoors. So in our spare time we are either swimming, fishing, canoeing, or riding on our friends boat around the lake. So we are excited to be LIVING in a house again. No boxes floor to ceiling, not having to keep it in “show quality”. We absolutely love our house, the lake, our neighbors and just being able to enjoy ourselves as a family.

*Here is a pictures of Olivia and her new two best friends, Brighton & Saylor in our backyard.

So – now that I’ve blabbed on an on about our house – how about the girls!!?? Well – Olivia and Jillian are growing LEAPS and Bounds. Olivia will be going into the third grade this fall and that is SCCCAARRYY!! Something about THIS summer, she’s just grown up SOOO much this summer. She’s so beautiful, so kind and loving. We are just so proud of her, who she is and what a great big sister she is.

Jillian (aka Bean) – my oh my – this kid is blowing our mind EVERYDAY. She’s 20 months old now going on 14 years old (you all know how that is). She loves the new house – loves to go on the deck and look at the duckies, loves to swing and play with her buddies “SAYLOOR and BIGHTON”. She started swimming in the lake this weekend and by day two wanted to do it all by herself as I got a “I do it, I do it” a hundred times. I swear she’s going to be 10 in a blink of an eye. She’s such a joy in our lives and I wonder how we ever lived without her.

*This is one of Olivia and Jillian. As you can see – Jillian is saying “CHEESE”. It blows my mind how different they look from each other. HA HA!

Yep – DIVA. OH LORD HELP ME!

So that’s what we’ve been doing. I promise I have a HUGE list of sessions to blog – so keep coming back and checkin things out. I promise – It won’t be 4 months until I blog again. I PROMISE!!!

MUCH LOVE!!

Heather

First – my husband who had been training for 9 months, climbed Mt. Rainer. Yeah…I said, MOUNT RAINER!!! My husband is beyond amazing. His dedication to the training and the CLIMB ITSELF- it’s remarkable. Here are a few pictures from his trip that I LOOOVE!!

Baby – you are as hot as they come!! WOW to that!!!

Hiking as the sun was coming up…isn’t it beautiful!!

LOOOVE this one.

The SUMMIT!!

As Jake was climbing his mountain, Olivia just finished her first ever trip (eight days) without mom or dad. I had a family reunion take place in Wyoming and since I had a wedding I couldn’t attend. My mom asked if she could take her by herself and after thinking about it for a while, I thought it would be a great experience for Olivia. She came home completely grown up. I think she grew 4 inches and aged a year.

Olivia and Nana (my mom)

Olivia and her cousin (and new BFF) Hayley Jo

Jillian is also changing in front of my eyes!! In a blink of an eye, my daughter has gone from a baby – to an EIGHT MONTH OLD. She has five teeth now, and is crawling!! Holy Cow – how is the possible?? Here are some updated pictures of her at 7 1/2 months.

Okay seriously?? How cute are they??

Last but not least…me. Well I’ve been shooting A LOT. Engagements, families, weddings, it’s awesome!! I’ve also been working hard at my goal to lose some weight. I’ve lost a total of 17.6 so far. My good friend, Kassia, came over to visit and took some pictures of me and my girls for the first time since Jillian was 9 days old. Needless to say – it was the FIRST time I’ve felt good enough to be in front of a camera. The hard work is PAYING OFF.

Keep checking back for updates. I promise – it won’t be as long next time.

Hugs,

Heather

Even Jillian was excited about the project….

We have a DOLPHIN!!!

I think it turned out pretty good…how about you?

*I can only imagine the projects second grade will bring*

Special thanks to my husband, Jake. You seriously are THE BEST Dad in the whole world. I love your enthusiasm for all that life has to offer. Olivia, Jillian and I are lucky girls to have such an amazing man in our life. Thank you. I love you.

Heather