Pearl the Photographer

We gave Pearl our old camera to use. However, we do use it for videos from time to time. As I was getting some files off it I found tons of pictures. I picked a few to give a feel for what she does with the camera.

Art.

Self-portraits.

Feet portraits (No idea what that is all about).

Kid-level shots of the Ranch in the spring.

I love this shot of how I look to her.

And of course bunch of candid Sam snapshots.

I think she takes this photography thing more seriously than I imagined, which makes sense given that her mom likes it so much.

6 Flags Discovery Kingdom

Yes, I'm here to prove two hypothesis - the first, that I'm totally insane, and the second, that the third child has a life nothing like the first...

We took the kids to 6 flags in Vallejo on the last friday before school started. We have been talking about it all summer, so, we just decided to do it. Yes, Max came, and he was only 9 days old.

I spent the first little bit about to cry with the craziness of it all, then Jared fed me lunch, I fed the baby and got him in the front pack so the big kids could have the stroller and I could have hands free for the camera, and we were good to go!

Thomas land - we had a universal consensus that our cousin Jack would have LOVED this place!

My favorite part - the butterfly house. Pearl was told she couldn't touch the butterflies, but it would be ok if one landed on her. So, this is her, just waiting for a butterfly to land...

Trying a little harder...

The kids were just as interested in the animals as they were the rides. Fun age.
Super cool - they got to ride the elephant Tava. Pearl wasn't sure about this, but when it was over she kept saying how she LOVED that ride! (good, because it was expensive!)
One of my favorite parts - the Shouka the Whale show. Sam thought it was cool for like the first 5 minutes, then he was ready to move on...
I actually took a turn on the rides with the kids this time - Jared had Max, the backpack, the camera bag, and the stroller so I could play. Quite studly of him.

We had a great time - though, I'm not sure I would advise amusement parks in general for someone less than two weeks after having a baby... the things I do for my kids!

Sweet Baby

My sister in law, Sara is the real photographer in the family. She did such cute pictures of my new niece, Mara (born four weeks before Max, though he was born on her due date...) that on her last day in Sacramento before moving to New York, I asked her to help me with some newborn poses for Max. She is super talented and artistic, and here are a few of my favorites. I'm sure she would have done even more cool things then I did in editing them, but I think these are still the best newborn pics I've had of any of the kids.

His hair seems to be getting redder and redder. I love it! We've been waiting for a leprechaun...
I know, it looks like someone punched him in the eye in this picture. He has a clogged tear duct, and this was taken hours before he had his first dose of meds. He looked much happier the next day:)

There's my sweet little boy! He'll probably be embarrassed by the naked pics later in life, but that's what you get when there is a photographer in the family!

Ballet

Pearl had the opportunity to participate in a ballet performance with her studio this weekend. Thankfully, Tami Larsen was SUCH a good friend and took her to all of the rehearsals for me, as I was a bit busy this week.

Pearl loved the practices because she got time to play with her friends and Sister Larsen took her to McDonalds. Yep, Sister Larsen is that cool.
The little girls had a part where they got to do free dancing - Pearl has been working on her twirls, and she did a great job twirling on stage, having a great time.
Fun times!

Ready for school!

I've had these pics for a while, just hadn't gotten around to posting them...

We decided to get Sam a backpack for preschool. It's orange (his favorite color) and we can see he was very proud. It's just big enough for him to take an extra pair of underwear (just in case) and a small toy. All last year, he would pretend to go to school like Pearl... he's going to LOVE that he really gets to go now! I'm so happy for him (and me!). School starts in just one week, can't wait!

Helping.

Napping with the baby is Jared's major contribution thus far... actually, that isn't fair. He has also assisted in diaper emergencies at 2 am, took a late night shift last night so I wouldn't start crying, and I'm pretty sure has changed at least as many diapers as I have. He's home for 6 weeks, but I think the "vacation" (translation - the part where he naps with baby and helps with my every whim and does all the grocery shopping and the dishes) part is over, it's time to get some projects done outside...

The kids have been VERY excited about helping. Sam helps by NOT climbing on the couch with his big feet when Max is there. Pearl LOVES to hold him - this morning she held him for 15 minutes so I could get Sam ready for church. Hope that doesn't go away too soon.
Max has some serious skills already - pacifier holding! What else could be better for a newborn!
After bath hair - so crazy fluffy I had to get a picture
He makes you want to pet him:) Good week. I'm tired, but I think the 3 kid thing might turn out to be ok... we'll see.

Good thing...

All I can say is, it's a good thing we have a new brother to help counteract all the girly influences around here... apparently having Pearl is just as good as having a bunch of girls:)