Merry Christmas!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Can anyone out there believe that Christmas is tomorrow? It nuts! Where did this year go? Zoom, zoom, zoom!
I just wanted to post a few pictures of the kids in all of their holiday outfits. This is our Christmas card to all of you.
Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas. We love you all!

Merry Christmas

Just Us!

The Fam

The family has been doing well. Last update was Gabe's first day of school. He has been doing really well. For awhile, we had thought of advancing him to the first grade. But the staff at the school didn't seem to fond of it, so he's just the smartest kid in kindergarten that's all.
Funny story, we had his first parent/teacher conference, and she told us that he needs improvement in cutting and penmenship! The kid can freakin read the encyclopedia and talks like he's an adult, but he needs to work on his cutting skills! I felt like telling her that unless he plans on being a surgeon, what's the big deal!
So needless to say, we haven't been the most impressed with school, but the important thing is that Gabe loves it. And I have to admit that socially he is really improving. They seem to be testing his theory that he was born into this world perfect, we're just the ones screwing him up! :) Seriously, I love my son!
With Gabe in school, I have had more time to work with Grace. She is doing really well. She has complete visual recognition of the alphabet, and for the most part, can recognize the lower case as well. She loves to do her school work. In fact, she begs me to quit cleaning house and do school work with her! Crazy huh? But we are working at it, and I hope to start teaching her to read this spring.
Having all day without her brother has been good for her. She loves that she gets the extra time with me. And it's been good for her and Abby to learn to love each other. Not that it goes well most days, but they have to rely on each other for entertainment now.
Abby is quickly approaching 2 (in Feb.). I just can't believe how much she has grown. We've been off the binkie for quite some time now, and she's in a big girl bed too. Her vocabulary is phenomenal! She talks alllllll the time! And is so bossy with her siblings! It cracks me up to hear her and Gracie argue. I'll hear Gracie in there yelling "No MAM!" And Abby yelling back "Stop 'Racie, gimmie dat NOW". Everyday is an adventure here.
Instead of trying to upload a bunch of pictures, I thought I'd try a slide show instead.
The pics are all from the past couple of months. Some are from our hurried trip to Seattle in Sept. Clint grandpa passed away, and we sped out there for the funeral and a day with his family. Some are from halloween. Some just from everyday moment. And some are my hopeless attempt to capture my children in portraiture- funny I can take great pics of other peoples kids......my own....... not a chance!
Enjoy!

The Bathroom

Okay, last but not least, an update on the bathroom. It has been almost finished for a matter of months now. We have been waiting on my dad to custom build the linen closet and the vanity. But it seems as though he has been so flooded with work, that we just aren't a priority right now. That being said, I just know so many of you have been lying awake in bed at night anticipating the photos of the before and after bathroom project. Well I will make you wait no longer. Just keep in mind that what you see is not truly the finished project. There is still a window to trim out, and some trim around the bathroom tiles to install. But for the most part you'll get the gist of what it looks like.
Let me also add how proud I am of my man! He is so wonderful and not afraid to tackle new projects and learn new trade skills. And he did an amazing job! All design skills....... well those were mine! Fashioned after Pottery Barn of course! *smile*

FROM THIS........


TO THIS.......


The first set of picts shows the view from the door. Then the view of the south wall where the sink is.
We actually tore everything out, down to the floor joists, and built new walls. We stole about 18 inches of the girls closet space and added to the bathroom. It made such a huge difference.
Anyway, in the bottom pics, the first one is the view from the doorway, where the tub used to be. The second is the view of the north wall. It used to be just wall space, with the toilet in the corner on the east wall. Obviously we still need to trim out the tiles. The last one is the south wall. This is the one where we added more space. The linen closet just got installed this weekend and now we are waiting for the doors for it. The mirror you see is temporary, as we are still waiting for the vanity from dad. It will be white to match the rest.
So there you have it, the new bathroom! And just in case you were wondering, yes, the soaker tub is WONDERFUL!!!!!! Jealous?

A New Blog

So I finally created a blog just for my business. I put a few slide shows on it to show different portrait galleries. Go check it out and let me know what you think. If your in the area and like what you see, contact me to schedule a session.

www.photojenicportraitstudio.blogspot.com

1st Day Of School

Well it finally got here. Today is Gabe's first day of school! It is so surreal. I seriously can't believe that he is in kindergarten already! And what is even more weird is that he is attending the same school I did.

I've honestly had a much harder time with this day then I thought I would. Letting go is so hard. Especially when he has spent every day with me. And now that he will be gone every day, all day, it's hard to let go. I so want him to succeed, and I know he will. He's a really good kid. He's soooo smart, and loves to be with other kids, I know this will be good for him.

As Clint and I dropped him off, we took him to class and he was so excited. I could tell he was a little overwhelmed by all the kids and chaos, but he never looked back at us. *tears* As I knelt down and hugged him goodbye it was all I could do not to cry, meanwhile he's got that look of "okay mom, just go already". We are so proud of him!

I pray that God will guard and protect him while he is there. That He will keep watch over him when I can't. That his mind will be sharp and alert. That he will be obedient and respectful. And God will help us to have wisdom as parents. Wisdom to know how and when to deal with the things that will arise from sending Gabe to a public school. Wisdom on how to help keep Gabe tender toward God.

If you think of it, say a prayer for my boy today. And when your done, say a prayer for his poor mama, who is having far more of a difficult time with this than the boy. Thanks........
Oh yeah, here's some pics of this morning.

Showing off the backpack. Sissy, saying goodbye.


Proud Daddy!

Sad Mama. The anticipation.

OUR BIG MAN!

There ya have it. The first day of the rest of his life....

Long Overdue....I know

Ok, ok, I know, it has been way too long since I updated. For all those who have been buggin me for updates, my apologies.....so sorry....*gravle, gravle*. But alas, the hints have not gone unnoticed, the demands have been heard. So brace yourself, it's gonna be a long one! In fact, it's sooo long you might want to read it in stages.
According to my records, I haven't updated since Clint and Gabes birthdays.... lame, I know. So here is what we have been up to.
First of all, in June, we took Abby back to Salt Lake for some more testing. As many of you know, it has been a year now since we first discovered there was something wrong with her eyes. One year ago, we ran a ton of tests, which all came back negative. A huge relief, but it left us with no answers. One of the options when we left then was that the cause for the nastagmus (shaking) might be that she had albinism. So, off we went to Salt Lake to find out. Praise God, that test came back negative too! We also met with the pediatric opthamalogist who checked her eyes again. After his exam, he said that her eyes and nerves looked perfectly healthy! We still have no answers as to why, or what, but we are really believing that she will continue to grow out of it and continue to get better over time. Again, thank you to all of you who continue to pray for her. God hears and is answering those prayers. She really has come a long way in this past year!


Some more great news, as of June 15th, I (Jennifer) am the sole proprietor of my very own business..... PhotoJenic Portrait Studio! Yeah!!!! I'm really excited about it. I wish I had more time to put into it, but I know that as the kids get older and more independent I can devote more of my time to the business. I have been blessed to have a studio that my dad is letting me use. It's small, but it does the job. So I am gathering equiptment and trying to build a clientele base. I still need to get business cards made, and already have a lead on having a web page made. When it all comes together, I will give an update so you all can rush to my web page and see my work! :)
Some of you may know my friend/sister Hillari. Well she had her firstborn son on May 9th. She's a tiny little thing, and was beautiful pregnant. We were all so surprised when she pushed out a nine pound baby boy! She did so great! I was very proud of her. Gavin William Wilson, looks a lot like his daddy, but has his mamma's blue eyes. Here's a few picks.... taken by me, of course.


Clint has been busy with another remodel project. This time it is the nasty bathroom! Let me just tell you how gross it was! When we ripped the linoleum up, there was moldy pee and such!!!!! I just about puked! The toilet was sitting on plywood, over a rotten hole in the floor. I'm surprised we didn't get a disease!!!!! Needless to say, the many tenants before us, were not so good to this poor house. BUT, that is all changing and my hubby is doing a great job. I will post some before and after pics when it's all done. Yeah, I know how to keep ya comin back for more! :)
The kids are all doing well. Gabe starts school next month. It's gonna be far harder on his mom, than it is for him. He is really excited. Clint and I are so proud of him. He really is a great kid.
Grace is still our little drama queen. My brother says she was born for the stage! Some days, I really wonder. Anyway, she had her 3rd birthday on July 13th! She got just about everything "Dora" that could be bought in Target! Plus she was thrilled to get a "her size" Graco travel system for her baby! And then to top it all off Auntie sent her a princess outfit! She was one spoiled girl..... the proofs in the pics!

In the last one she had just smashed her whole face in the cake to take a bite! Yikes!
And of course, the princess....

Abby is growing faster than I'd like. Everyday, she adds new words to her vocabulary! She is talking none stop. She really makes my heart melt..... except when I have to pull her off of the table for the third time in five minutes! Busy, busy, busy! Lately she has been making these really funny faces, she always keeps me laughing.


Our fourth of July was a busy one. I started the morning with photo shoot for some friends, then I snapped a few of my own.... or tried to. It seems I can take some decent pictures of other peoples kids, just not my own. Or better said, not all together anyway. So, here's the best one out of 30... yes, thirty tries, and this was as good as it gets!


We spent the afternoon at a bbq, where Clint and I severely lost at a three-legged- race. I won't name any names as to why we lost so bad, but I will say, some days two legs are a challenge for me....forget three! But being a good sport, I tried again, this time with Gabe as my partner, and well, second-verse-same-as-the-first! Sad...
Then it was off to another bbq! Clint and I really don't have many friends, but when the ones we do all seem to want to socialize at the same time!
Granny and Papa came for a visit July 6th-11th. Clint and dad did a LOT of fishing. Unfortunately there was only one little fish that made it's way home. Of course Granny and I thought it was hilarious that they drug their butts outta bed at the crack of dawn.....and..... nuthin! Hee-Hee!
Other than that downfall, we all had a great time. We all went on a picnic and fishing. Then we cruised up to Sun Valley and toodled around. Had ice cream, of which Grace thoroughly enjoyed..(see pic below). And Papa took the time to give Gabe a quick piano lesson. We really love it when they come to visit, and the kids eat up all the attention of having Granny and Papa all to themselves! Here's a few shots of the trip.

And last but not least, we just got back from our first family camping trip. Yes, believe it or not, this was the first time even Clint and I had gone camping together. We went north of Sun Valley, and it was beautiful! We went up for one night and all slept in our new tent. The kids had a blast running around and getting filthy! And aside from the gihungus horse flies that bite, it was good times. Except for the part where I nearly drowned! Yeah, you read it right.... let me tell about it.
We went up on friday night and then saturday morning Clint went fishing with some of the guys. I was extremely jealous that he was going fishing and I was not. So when he returned to camp and we tore down the tent and stuff, we decided to go further north, over Gelena summit and go fishing in the Salmon river. Just a little side note it is gorgeous up there! And the whole experience of camping in the area took me back to being a kid and tagging along with my dad for royal ranger pow-wows! Ok back to the drowning. Anywho, we drove forever, and we were going with the "Grizzly Adams" man from our church. He knows every sweet spot for fishing out there. So he finally tells us to pull over on the side of the road and we hike down 100 yards, steep yards, to the river. Keep in mind that I am also toting all three kids! Oh and I am wearing a cami, khaki shorts, and flip-flops, not exactly hiking gear. So we make to the river, get set up and start casting. Then Mr. Grizzly says lets cross the river and climb that rock face, then fish from the top where that pool is and where the fish are hanging out.
I look at Clint like yeah right! But, for fear of being called a adventureless mall rat, I leave all my babies with Grizzly's wife and head out to cross the river...in my flip-flops...and cami....and gap shorts! Going across was challenging, and I was wet to my shoulders, but made it. Then there was the rock to climb. Again, a little challenging, but I made it. We settle onto the rock, cast a few, get a bite- no catch, and I hear Abby hyperventilating from the other side. She wants no one but mommy. With much regret I tell Clint and Grizzly that I need to get back to the baby. So we climb back down the rock and set out across the river...again. This is where things go wrong. We decided to cross where it was a bit deeper and a bit swifter, but closer to the where the kids were waiting. I hang on to Clint, who is holding the poles, and off we go. We get halfway across when the water comes up tp my shoulders and I lose my footing. In an attempt to save his wife, Clint heroically grabs me....by my shorts and....well unders! I lose one shoe, and am being given an atomic weggie all to keep my head above water. After bobbing a few times I tell Clint to let go! Then I try to regain my footing, and oops, there goes the other shoe! So, I give up and let the river carry me down stream, banging my knees on every rock along the way, when finally I clamber to the other side! Yeah.... think I'll stick to being the mall rat!
Here's a few pics of our campsite.


Ok, well that's it. It has taken me four hours to create this post, and probably as long for you to read it. Plus I think I'm in the early stages of carpletunnel disease! Please make the pain worth while and leave me lots of comments! I'm not one to beg, but they've been a little lean lately!
Until later.................

Fun in the Sun

So, here's what the White family has been up to since I blogged last. Clint turned 30 on April 21! It's funny how he was dreading turning 30. Age has never seemed to bother him, but for some reason leaving his twenties behind had a funny effect on him. Anyway, being the kind, loving, and supportive wife that I am, I threw him a surprise party where everyone could laugh at his expense! He took it well, as he always does. Here's a few photos of his party.

He was given some reading glasses to read all of his cards and stuff. Obviously he had no problem playing the part.

Another birthday celebrated in the house was Gabe. Gabe turned 5 on May 12th! I have to admit it was so weird for me that my first born is now 5. I almost feel old. Anyway we took the kids to the park, and had a fun family day to celebrate Gabe's birthday.

We also had a party for him at kids church on Sunday. Most of his friends attend our church so we thought we'd kill two birds with one stone. We played games and had cake and juice. It was a lot of fun, but mommy forgot to bring her camera, so no pics, sorry. Here are some pictures from the park.

That's it for now. Hopefully it won't take me a month to update.... but no promises! :)