Juggling it all...

Just got some new photo lighting equipment so who better to test it on than my not so willing and able children. This is Brooke passed out on the couch (they photograph so nicely when they're unconscious) snuggling her newest Webkinz animal from Grandpa + Grandma Les which she named Opal, after their dog... And here are the two conscious rascals always ready, but never willing to sit still for me...unless of course they have been bribed.

Brody is such a little rascal. I don't know what to chalk it up to. He's a boy. He is 3 1/2 years old. He is the most curious kid I've ever seen. He is his father's son. This could be part of the "Mother's curse" reining down on me for something Scott did 30 years ago... who knows??!! What I do know is that you can't turn your back on this kid for even a second because when you do you are bound to get pictures that look like this... "The self-inflicted haircut" Now I know this isn't as bad as it looks. Heck I'm almost convinced that Scott encouraged Brody to do it seeing as how the big guy has been so upset with me since I last took it upon myself to give the little man "just a trim". Here is Brody mid-way through his buzz cut... Scott has waaaaayyyy too much fun with a set of trimmers than should be allowed! Brody's half buzzed head from Michelle Herrick on Vimeo .

OK, it's really, really cute! And I guess it's a little obvious now that we listen to a bit, too much of Beyonce's " Sweet Dreams ". Enjoy! Watch out Beyonce... from Michelle Herrick on Vimeo .

WARNING... this post comes with lots of photos! We had a spectacular visit with my dad and step-mom last week that the kiddos are still talking about it. For the last seven years they have made the trek to AZ from NorCal always for Samantha's birthday - but really, could they have picked a better time of the year?? Probably not! We had the most gorgeous weather; I mean who wants to come and visit us for the twins birthday in JULY... in ARIZONA! Here are some fun photos... The first couple of pics are of their dog, Opal, who is actually more like a small horse. The twiners got a kick out of getting a ride on her back. The pic on the bottom left is of some fun magnetic LED lights that my dad brought for Sam to wear on her ears. And for some reason Sam thought it was completely hilarious to "ride" Scott's bike around the street. It just looked so painful! Last Friday I kept Sam home from school so we could have one last day with Grandma and Grandpa. We took them to

This is our Sammy girl and yesterday she turned 7, yes 7!! I know most parents say that time flies and that they can't believe their kid is already X years old, but really... WE CAN'T BELIEVE WE HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD! We have had such a great time these last few days. My dad and step-mom drove in from CA earlier this week for their yearly visit to AZ and my kids have been in 7th heaven the entire time; they absolutely ADORE Grandma and Grandpa. I am so grateful for their visit and for their time here with us, but more importantly for the memories they are making with my kids. I'll have more pictures to post about their visit, but for now... Happy Birthday Samantha Joy!

These are the reasons why I think our house Christmas lights will not come down for a long time (in no particular order)... 1) They act as a better porch light then our actual porch light 2) We have some mighty fine, classy lights on our house... and that's not joke! I love our simple, big-bulb white lights - a lovely contrast to our neighbors weird blue icicle lights (no offense if that was your lighting set up for this holiday) 3) The kids literally fight over who gets to plug in the lights each night - so who am I to step in the way of their happiness! 4) It's a little piece of this glorious holiday we just celebrated that I get to hold onto and remind me of the important things - funny how a bunch of house lights can do that 5) Taking down the lights literally involves planning and time allotment - something that our family is apparently not in favor of. 6) The big guy is now fully booked up between work, upcoming birthdays, out-of-state visitors, etc. that the lights will