A lil more ink....

So this original tattoo started like 5 years ago.  Initially it was just the hummingbird and the hibiscus. (The hibiscus is The Rose of Sharon, the National flower of South Korea.)

I sort of did it on impulse and didn't put a lot of though into placement, shading, and size.  I was just caught up in the excitement of it all.  After about a year, I was feeling the itch to do more.  I shopped around and reconnected with an old artist who was able to reshape and add flowers to it. 

I loved the way it turned out.  The plan was to return soon after for some more shading and smoke around the flowers.  Then I got pregnant.  They don't recommend you get tattoos while pregnant due to the chance of infection.  As for the other two years, well I just got lazy.  So last Friday I finally gather the courage and the time to have the last installation of my arm completed.

I love it!  It feels more like a complete piece now!!!  But damn did it hurt!!

What's next???

I'm not the only one right?

Your toddler does this right? Plops his or her body down when they don't get what the want.  

And you get the stares too right.  The stares from non-parents with the look of disdain (does she know how dirty that floor is?) or from the passer by that glares cause your child is blocking the entrance? 

That's been us lately. As as much as I want to just leave his butt there when he does this, I know I can't. (the fear of being deemed worlds worst parent is a strong motivator)

So I wait. I wait for him to realize he has lost his mind.  This usually takes longer than I want however.  So I wait until he becomes too annoying to other patrons.  I give my sweet smile and pick Max off the ground and we continue on our walk. Me trying not to hold a grudge and Max shuffling along like nothing happened.  

The world is indeed his oyster. 

This phase is short lived right? Right?

wedding bells

A few weekends ago I had the most awesome pleasure of watching my bestest friend get married.  I've known this woman for 20 years people.  That is some damn history.  I was there when she had her first real boyfriend, and when had her last.  I've helped her move in and out of apartments, jobs, friends and animals.  As she has for me.  Those kind of memories are burned into the soul.  And this is the type of friendship that has endured some shit.  Marriage, offspring, breakups, fall outs, dependence and independence.  Death, spirit, keys and butterflies, Hondas, and The Last Froniter.

So, it is without saying that watching her marry her "other" best friend was very special to me.  I was also able to catch them in action on film.  Wait, that sounded weird.  You know what I mean.  I was able to get some cute shots of them before and during the cermeony.

I really love watching people in love and capturing that on film.

And I am a true sap, I just love weddings!

Ah, True Love.

The Severns

my personal favorite :)

my Sister came too, a family affiar

Wine+horses=a good cause

    A few weekends ago I got an invite from my dear friend Leigh to attend a fund raiser for Madison Grove Farms 

What an awesome event and great organization.

Madison Grove: Welcome to Madison Grove, a small non-profit equestrian farm in Fall City, Washington, where compassion, laughter and healing are our priority! Our farm is a place that offers peace and rehabilitation to neglected/abused horses as well as struggling children and families. Together, with qualified volunteer staff, both the children and the horses can help each other heal through unconditional love, and unwavering trust and understanding.

So with hungry bellies and open wallets we arrived in Fall City to a beautifully organized event.  We were greeted by volunteers who handed out appetizers and raffle tickets.  First order of business was to buy a ring that lite up and sparkly like! Max loved it when I brought it home.  It entered us in a great way vacation of our choice.  Sadly, Leigh and I were not victorious. 

Leigh however was a champion in the wine toss event.  Where you threw beaded necklaces at bottles and if it landed around the bottle, the bottle was yours.  She won 5 bottles.  The record holder for the evening.  I didn't ask her why she was so good at Mardi Gras type beads.                                                                    I figured I'd leave that skeleton in the closet. lol!

The evening ended great! I think they wrangled in a lot of donations.  Their goal was to build a enclosed area for the horses and the trainers.  I sure hope they got close.

You could tell that real healing goes on here.

Check them out!

wine toss

a great band played

They auctioned off these beauties.  Our table got the oreo cake!

play play play

I feel like I have posted this already, but I can't remember! Here's to mama brain.

Any hoot, Seattle finally opened an indoor play area called PlayDate! It is full of awesomeness.  It has three levels of obstacles, slides, balls, and cubbies.  And it is strong enough to hold the parents as well.

Max instantly was in heaven, although he needed us to follow him around for the first bit.  After he got his footing he was off and wasn't looking back.  Rob and I were actually able to enjoy our lunch while Max ran a muck.  He'd come out everyone in awhile and check on us and perhaps grab a french fry before he was back of to the trenches.

Oh I love you indoor play areas that serve yummy food and beer!

whirwind..

A lil catch up.....

What a busy few weeks we have had, my goodness.

~I finally got an adjustment after 9 long mounts.  My neck was screaming at me so I couldn't put it off any longer

~My best friend got married (I was lucky enough to be her photographer). More to come on that later.

~Planning and preparing said friends wedding celebration.

~Bought a house......oh yeah, did I mention we've been looking to buy?

~Max is still in preschool and is doing so well.

~Getting Max fitted for his tux for my SIL wedding.

~Was asked to be a bridesmaid in my dear friend Megan's wedding.  Mexico here we come!!!

~Making last minute decisions about our upcoming Panama adventure.

Now that's a mouth full!

Will post on these topics soon, right after I take a nap.

Hello?

bootie!

"nuggles"

mama's new shoes

Max's first tattoo! Too early?

hardest bike ride eva!

I swear, the whole way upto Discovery Park I was plotting my husbands death.  How could he take me on such a trek.  I mean he knows my capabilities.  

I was one unhappy camper.  And just when I thought I had conquered my last hill, he would look back at me and say, ok-the next one is going to be a little bit harder.  Seriously, I was pissed.  Perhaps irrational, but still pissed.  I guess he knows me to well.  Had I knew what I was in for, I would have no way, never ever agreed to go.

Looking back, I can't say I'd do it again, but I sure like looking at the pictures of my two boys playing in the sand.

BTW- it was a 14 mile bike ride. And about a good 5 miles were up freakin' hill!

Ok, I am done.