happy birthday Mom

...today my Mom turns 50! (hope you don't mind I just shared it). happy birthday Mom! my Mom is the most amazing woman I've ever met and she continues to amaze me. she is honestly the funniest woman in the world and should have a reality tv show all her own. she told me she plans to change her personality now that she is turning 50 and be serious for the rest of her life, but I sure hope she doesn't! she's the best, just how she it.

true facts about my Mom:

-she is called 'queen Teri'

-her nickname in high school was 'fish' because her maiden name is Harring

-she was excited to turn 40, and even more excited to turn 50

-she hates roller coasters, as exemplified in our most recent trip to knott's berry farm

-I doubt that she's ever paid full price for anything for herself, but she always springs for it for her kids/grandkids

-she can play a mean game of jacks, uno and yahtzee

-everyone shares their problems and/or life story with her

-she is my workout inspiration, like the energizer bunny...just keeps going!

-she is almost always in a great mood

-she is a really hard worker

-she's always convincing us to do things together we wouldn't do otherwise

-she wrote a song, called 'the pizza song'

-she has a deep faith and incredible strength

-she is humble and is always willing to make-up (not that we fight much)

-she's the best Mother and Grandmother ever

-you will hear her using phrases like "work, work, never shirk" and "you are my peach and my pear"

-I honestly thought my Mom controlled the stoplights when I was little because she would watch them and then say, "greeeen, greeeeeen, striiiinngggggg beans!" to make them turn green. had me fooled for years!

-she's an extremely devoted mother and all her children adore her

Happy Birthday, Mother dear! I love you!

photo from http://jessicadrewphotography.com/

(she's highly recommended by our family)

say instagram!

...my life, as seen by my iphone:

...please excuse the border-fest; it's because my iphone is one generation too 

old and the 'new' instagram doesn't play well with it. boo!

Cali: Part 2

pictures from our days at the beach, or at least the day I brought my camera

we all had a blast, playing in the sand, sun and surf

the weather was great and Dean learned to appreciate the weather and water (dipped his toes)

Krew found a crab friend, and threw lots and lots of rocks

while Sadie would walk straight into the water, waves and all

my Dad was there, but didn't want his picture taken

Dallin surfed with friends (and skated, ran and hot tubbed)

Tom and I switched off holding Dean in the shade

my Mom did her signature 'waving' picture

...we had a great trip. Thanks for taking us along Mom and Dad!

Cali: Part 1

a couple weeks ago, my family went on our annual beach trip to Oceanside, just north of San Diego. we stayed at the condo we always stay at that is right on the beach (and right by the coastliner train- so loud with babies!). this year, the group consisted of us, my parents and brother Dallin and my brother Tyler and sister-in-law Ashli with their kids, Krew and Sadie. most days were spent at the beach, but we ate fresh seafood at the harbor with Tyler and Ashli and kids. Tom, Dean and I also made sure to check out old town San Diego. I have so many fond memories of Oceanside and southern California. it was great making more, this time with my boys.