my little politician

So I got this movie called Monster House... a little creepier than the usually movies I get for the kids but a little Halloween-y so I thought I would give it a try.  All through dinner tonight they were quizzing me on what it was like and if it would be too scary... I answered as best I could from the info on the back of the movie case, not having seen it myself.  I explained 'I think it is about a house that is 'alive' and is going to destruct the city unless the kids can stop it.'  Lucy replies "I bet that house is going to vote for Obama".


10/1
The phone rings and it says 'Democratic party' on the caller ID.  Lucy is like OBAMA is calling you?  I told her no, just people who support him.  She replies, 'oh, I know why.  It' s because of what I said on the blog'.  LOL!

fall color and ramblings

I have been feeling really blessed lately.  This summer I had a number of friends and 'friends of friends' ask me to take some pictures for them.  Flattered, I accepted and loved every moment of it.  Then the craziness of the summer took over and the requests petered-out.  That was just fine because if you read a few posts ago I was feeling a little overwhelmed with life in general.  I have changed a few things, and my outlook has changed some. I am feeling my load lessened.  I realized that I don't have to be this super-mom with a sparkling clean home, no laundry waiting to be done, make completely homemade meals from scratch, complete all the crafts that this crafty-mccrafterperson pinned on pinterest and still have time to care for 4 kids, paint my nails and shave my legs. I realized that I only have to do as much as I can.  And if I dont' get to it today it will be there tomorrow. AND THAT IS OKAY. I re-prioritized and am feeling good about how life with my family is going.  That is what counts.  And as long as I keep my house from looking like I should be featured on Hoarders, I am learning to loosen up a little bit (not a ton... but a bit)  So back to the reason for this post.  I feel truly blessed to have scheduled multiple photo shoots over the next few weeks!  I love this time of year and I love photography.  And I love that I am feeling more relaxed.  And I still want to punch my laundry in the figurative face once in awhile, daily really, but I love that I am getting more okay with having a pile.  So yesterday we checked out a new park for an upcoming shoot, and the color is gorgeous!  Take a look.  And thanks for listening to my ramblings:)

besties

We spent some time in the woods collecting leaves with these little sweeties yesterday.  Cassidy asks daily to spend time with her two little BFF's, Hannah and Grace.  I am so glad she has such sweet, nice girls to spend many of her days with:)

the boogie man

As Halloween nears, we check out 'scary' books (not really) from the library about monsters trick or treating, Frankenstein and witches, and the kids love reading them.  They love getting the tiniest little thrill, then to have the story swing around and end in a happily ever after moment.   We have also started talking about costumes as well.  The fall chill is in the air, and even though the local orchards have no pick your own apples which really bummed me out, (it warmed up really early in spring, then froze at just the right time to kill all the blossoms) Walmart came through.  Yes Walmart.  I walked in and sitting there staring at me were mounds of these shiny red beauties:

And at 98 cents a pound, you better bet I snatched up a big bag.  I no longer have to pout because I can still make some homemade applesauce, apple cake pie and caramel apples!!  Got sidetracked... So back to the story.  With Halloween comes the little shivers associated with the Boogie man.  And we have one at our house.  He naps a lot during the day and is a little cranky if we disturb him. His nose is crusty and wet, his teeth pointy and sharp. His cough sounds like a grown man. His eyes are a little weepy and red, and his fur matches. We hear him throughout the night ... he makes this screechy hoarse yelp- enough to make your hair stand up (when you hear it for the 9th time).  The other day I finally got a good look at him.

Are you ready? Proof that the Boogie man exists:  

bearing his sharp teeth

But we captured him and are taking measures to ensure he returns as our very own little Zeekie soon.

in jail. Not really... sitting backwards on a chair.

cassism

Since Jack and Lucy's birthday shopping, Cassidy has been hot on the trail of the next birthday gift for herself.  We'd walk up and down the isles looking for the perfect gifts for them, and she'd ask every third toy or so if she could get it.  I finally started telling her we could add it to her birthday list. Everywhere we go, she asks if she can have a few things for her birthday. Let me tell you she has accumulated quite the (mental) list of gifts she'd like for her birthday.  Everything from princess dresses to books to clothing.  I thought I had heard it all... that is until today.

I've had the bug to get some deeper cleaning done lately. Now that the weather is a little warmer I took on the project of removing the storm windows and washing them and the windows facing the inside.  (Since the cedar siding was wire brushed, areas sanded and then re-stained the windows seemed to have this film on the outside, and then also some water spots trapped in between from the washing/cleaning prep process.)  I am proud to say they sparkle now!  Also because the weather has warmed up, we have had a number of flys flying around the house.  Cassidy will sit and yell "Shoo fly, SHOO!' progressively louder until the fly decides to move on.  While I was cleaning today, she looked up from her book after the fly had thoroughly annoyed her and yelled for a fly swatter.  I replied that the one we had broke, and I had not yet replaced it.  She scoffed and replied "Well, I we need to add that to my birthday list too!  A swatter that just I can use, so no one like Jack breaks it. Huh."  and then stormed off. This is going to be a cheap year for birthday gifts.

dear grandpa

Dear Grandpa,

 Thank you so much for coming to visit us.  And thank you so much for buying these yummy OREOs for me!  They taste soooo good and mmmmm, that sugar, it makes me want to do things like pretend my cookie is a car!

 And then shake my head back and forth continuously!  And you know, Mom likes these cookies just as much as I do.  When the big kids were at school, Mom, Cass and I ate way too many.

 But I just wanted you to know I loved 'em!  Even if I had to wear this girly bib.  What can I say? I have 2 big sisters!

I love you Grandpa!

Love,
Zeekie

a walk in the woods

With the onset of fall, and the ever changing beauty that surrounds us (okay and with hunting season soon upon us ... for the men folk) we took a walk around in the woods today.  Some of the colors that surround us are almost surreal.... brilliant yellows and pinks, fluorescent reds and oranges.  It was Isaac's first experience out in the leaves and the kids were so excited to introduce him to it all. He was quite interested, and threw leaves  up in the air himself.  What a beautiful time of year.

here, now

Lately I have been feeling like a chicken with my head cut off.  Like I am running a marathon- trying to catch up yet never really feeling like I am making any progress.  Treading water.  And have been finding myself just wanting to move on to the next thing to get the day over with.  My frustration lies mostly in all I have to do in a day- laundry, sweep, clean, grocery shop,- all things that are NEVER done no matter how long I have been working on them.  This tends to make me cranky.  And then on top of that add some needy children who are needy because either they are at school all day and are tired and whiney and hangy-ony to me who is feeling pretty much 'done' myself or because their mom seems preoccupied. Enter guilt. Guilt for not reading when Cassidy asks because I need to sweep up after breakfast. Guilt for cranking at Andy. Guilt for not snuggling Jack because I need to make dinner. Guilt for yelling too much. Guilt for putting Zeekie in his chair with a graham cracker because I need some time when I can just concentrate without having to worry about what he is getting into.  And the guilt at night when I want to do something creative, then notice the messes throughout the house, so I walk away and do neither. UHHHHH FRUSTRATION.  I don't like living this way.  I don't like feeling unsettled. I've had this internal struggle before but it was some friends at zumba the other morning that got me thinking. After an hour of imagining myself as a backup dancer for Usher, and as a participant on So You Think You Can Dance, I sat and stretched with them.  What a rejuvenating hour.  They commented on a book they were reading about being the mother you want to be... and it hit me.  I was missing out BIG TIME.  When I was busy concentrating on all that was wrong, I was missing all that is so great about life.   And I realized that I wasn't cherishing those little things each day that I love so much.

I need to get myself and life back in order.  I need to simplify. To prioritize. To live in the moment. Think here, now.  To learn to say 'no' once in awhile. And I am making some changes.  For starters I decided I am going to ask for help.  My sweet SIL Breanne is coming over to hang out and help out a bit today.  I feel good just knowing that is going to happen. And I actually called and cancelled a play date yesterday rather than try to just jam it all in, because I felt so overwhelmed.  That's a step.  Last night when Jack asked me to cuddle him.  I did.  And when Isaac woke up for the 40th time, I went in and let him nurse and snuggled him because ya know... a few months from now he isn't going to nurse any more.  And someday Jack is going to look at me like the plague when I want to snuggle him. And Lu and Cass would rather be playing with their friends than me.

I guess we have ups and downs in life.  And if we look hard enough, we can learn from our faults, and use them to make us better people.  I am not perfect, but I am trying.  And that is what counts.

partaaaay

Following Jack's baptism we had a combined birthday dinner and party for Jack and Lucy.  Lucy, in true fashion, was happy to share the spotlight on her big day with Jack for his baptism.  And she happens to be so proud of her big brother, too.  We enjoyed some yummy food and cake and spent some time with our family members and close friends.  We were all excited that Grandma and Grandpa and Jenny, Matt, Elaina, Carter and Brady could all come up to be here to celebrate all there was to celebrate with us.

Child of God

On Saturday Jack became the Rhinelander Ward's newest baptized member! The day started out a little stressful as my mom helped me get everything ready for the main event.  As we got closer to the ceremony, Jack started getting nervous, telling me his tummy felt weird inside.  This is one of the things that made me so proud of him throughout this entire process.  I could tell that he was taking this seriously and was genuinely invested in this process because of the way he was affected physically as well as spiritually.  On the way to the church, decked out in his white outfit, he lost it and buried his head in my shoulder telling me he was nervous to have everyone looking at him and commenting on him, and because he didn't know what to expect.  He is very much like his father and does not like to be in the spotlight.  I am so glad that I happened to be in the back seat next to him so I could comfort him.    After a few hugs, kisses and a little pep talk he was ready to go.  Andy, who knows me all too well, had talked Jack into one picture of the two of them in their white clothes together- something I wasn't sure I'd get because of the nervous state Jack was in.  When he was ready, he pulled us of all places, into the library and said that this was the spot the picture would happen.  Knowing this was my one and only chance, I didn't argue.  

 After that, family and friends started showing up and he eased up.  I could see the excitement in his whole demeanor.  He flitted around, greeting his guests and even stopped for a picture with Grandma.

These girls took their jobs - greeters and program hander-outers- very seriously.

He had time for a pep talk from Uncle Jake who gave a talk and object lesson for the kids on baptism.  It was quite a hit.  

 Here Jack is checking out the font where he was to be baptized by immersion by his father, with Uncle Chris.  Jack specially chose members of his family to take part in each step in the ceremony. It was just the way he wanted it to be.  And in the end, the boy who started out a ball of nervous energy, turned into a content, excited, happy one. And needless to say, his parents were very proud.

sixxxxx

My little Lulubelle hit the big S-I-X today.  Each day I marvel as I look at her becoming more and more of a big girl; her long legs, her desire for long hair and her opinion on what she wears, her independence in matters that she would have at one point ran for help from mommy for.... her being away at school from me all day every day at school. *Gulp.  I can remember this tiny little munchkin who at a year of age weighed only 16 lbs 9 ounces... and remember the tests she underwent to see if there was any underlying cause for what the doctor called 'failure to thrive'.  No answers were ever found, and slowly she caught up; she is now average in stature, fitting in perfectly with her friends.  She loves school, reading, dancing, writing, doing anything creative, helping take care of Zeekie (she is quite the little mama!), and is a reliable, responsible young lady.  She is my go-to girl when I need something done and I need something done right.  Though you'd never know it from this angelic candid I took a few days ago, she occasionally lets a diva-like attitude sneak in when she strongly disagrees with something; when it is brought to her attention however, she acts a bit embarrassed and backs down with a grin.  I am so proud of my loving, caring, smart, capable big girl.  Who told me today that she wanted to be a McDonald's worker when she grew up.  Yes. A McDonald's worker. Although I know that there is a need for McDonald's workers and this would be a great high school job, I smiled at her (thinking we'd have to work on some long term goal setting!) and asked her if that is what she has always dreamed of being.  She flashed me that sweet 'little-girl Lubelle' smile I know so well and replied, 'No, Mommy, I have always wanted to grow up to be a princess."

princess Lulubelle in her six -year -old crown

the unthinkable

Today my heart fell out of my chest and hit the floor.  I did the unthinkable...I thoughtlessly went to put something down in the basement and left        the        door         open    !!!! Well, to curious little persons in this house an open door is uncharted new territory that needs to be explored. You can imagine where I am going with this...

Imagine placing the item you took downstairs onto the shelf where it belonged, turning around with a pat on the back because the clutter upstairs is now one item less, only to be interrupted by a thump, thunk, bang, bumpbumbump..... and then see a twirling little boy come torpedoing down the steps in a horrifying barrel roll.  My heart hit the floor as I dashed over to my little man in a screaming frenzy(which didn't help matters).  I quickly scooped him up and did my best to calm the terribly shaken boy as I composed myself as well.  Both of us trembled; our hearts racing in our chests.  I let him nurse and started inspecting his body for an signs of trauma.  Pupils. check. Head. Check. Arms. Check. Legs. Check.Torso. check.  After a thorough inspection and a few 'tests' and rechecking his pupils about 30 more times I felt some relief.  Somehow Isaac had managed to take a spill down an entire flight of stairs, and walked away with only one small red bump on his forehead. And honestly that could be from one of the other 10 times he hit his head pulling up on stuff today.  As I think back, I could just punch myself for leaving the door open!  I mean - COME ON! DUUUUH.  That is something I NEVER want to see again.  Poor boy.  And after seeing and experiencing that, I don't think I will have any problem remembering to close the door after me.   LESSON LEARNED.

face lift

 This summer we decided it was time for a face lift.  We hired a painter and changed up the look of the house a little.  We choose a little warmer tone for the cedar siding, and then instead of sticking with the forest green that was there, went with some nice chocolate brown for the shutters and trim.  My favorite thing however is my new front door. I just love the red !  

 And I just love this pumpkin I happened to pick up at a local flea market, too. 

ten months

Isaac is now ten months. TEN!  He is in to everything!  Opening and closing and emptying cabinets, pushing buttons on the computer and DVD player, opening the screen door on the porch by himself and going outside, climbing stairs any chance he gets...  he keeps me on my toes!  He will throw food off his try on to the floor and exclaim 'oh ohhhh!' and says num num.  He signs all done when he is done eating (although it is alot like his wave.... I think I taught them too close together!)  He is holding steady at 4 teeth, however getting those 4 teeth in sent his (and my) sleep habits into a tizzy.  And he has figured out how to grind those teeth together (and thus send shivers up my spine) even though they are still just stubbs.  Isaac loves the vacuum cleaner and must come over and inspect whenever I am vacuuming.  He is much more nimble getting up and down and moving around but has not started cruising yet.  He still relies upon the 'Michael Phelps' breaststroke to get around the house.

cheeseburger cheeseburger

I have always loved cheeseburgers.  When Andy and I were dating he would get mad at me when he'd want to take me out somewhere nice and I would order a cheeseburger.  I can remember probably one of the first cheeseburgers I had as a kid.  When I was really young (maybe 2??), my mom was in a bowling league.  After her games we would occasionally go to McDonald's to get lunch.  I can remember one time in particular when we took lunch home.  I remember the dining room table with it's green lacy tablecloth... I remember my big wooden toy box near me that dad built with the life size Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls my Grandma R made for me sitting on top.... and I remember the cheeseburger that day.... broken into small pieces in front of me. And I remember how gooooood it tasted.

One day last week I treated Cassidy to some McDonalds.  She was feeling a little left out of all of Jack and Lucy's 'firsts' with school starting, and when I asked what would cheer her up she said 'a happy meal!'.  Since Isaac is eating a variety of table foods now, I decided an introduction was necessary.

He was pleased.

And so was she.
And so was their mom.

eight

Eight years ago today our little boy was born and in my journal I wrote...

" I can't believe this little one is here and is OURS! I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us with this perfect, adorable little wonder!  We couldn't be more satisfied and excited!  I love this baby soooo much."

I was so in love that day I thought my heart might burst.  Little did I know, my heart would grow with you as you did.  I love your stubborn personality and I love that you know what you want and don't easily give up.  I love that you still need me when you are scared.  I love that you are reading so well now, and that you are working at being neater in your letter formation.  I love how you call your dad 'da da' in a little kid voice.  I love how you send little love note text messages to your dad and aunties.  I love how you are faithful and how you surprise me with the depth of your knowledge on subjects I thought you had perhaps just tuned out.  I love that you test my patience and challenge me to be a better person. I love that you cannot lie and always follow the rules (and feel incredibly guilty when you don't).  I love that you will still occasionally hold my hand and want to snuggle.  I LOVE YOU!

A little bit about Jack...

Jack is loving second grade and is excited to go each day.  For his birthday dinner he had the choice of anything he wanted for dinner.  His choice: homemade tomato dumpling soup (really!) and homemade bread.   He brought some caramel corn in to school for his birthday treat (which he helped me make).  The gifts he received today included an Angry Birds K'nex set, a pinewood derby car kit to build with dad and his very own pellet/BB gun- he was very excited about all three. He loves playing video games, making lego structures and fishing. When he grows up he wants to be a lego designer.

nine month twins

The older Isaac gets, the more I think he and Jack look alike.  I found this picture of Jack when he was 9 months old (same as Isaac) in storage and couldn't get over how much Isaac looks like him!    

mommy guilt

Life is busy.  No. Life is really really really busy.  I feel like I am running a race. EVERYDAY.  I have a notebook of things that I want to get done.  It has pages full of things that need to be done. Or that I want to do.  Or that I am doing.  Or that we have done and that I haven't had a chance to blog about yet.  I am one of those kind of people who cannot relax unless there is nothing to do.  Well needless to say, with 4 kids there is never nothing to do.  After a day of nothing but laundry, I happily replace the baskets in the bedrooms only to find more freakin' dirty clothes staring up me.  I end many days feeling like I have given all I could that day yet have the dirty habit of hi-lighting in my head all that I didn't get to.  I have thought that perhaps I should find a way to simplify my life.  But I always come back to the fact that things would get left out!  The things that I really like.  Like photography. and sewing.  play dates at the park. zumba. blogging. And I have come to the realization that I am not likely to stop jamming my day so full that it is going to burst at the seams because to me that would be no life at all.  Why work hard all day long sweeping the floor, making meals, reading, sweeping, grocery shopping, sweeping again, paying bills, organizing, sweeping, doing laundry, folding laundry, putting laundry away... if there isn't something fun to look forward to for at least a little while that evening.  But there are all too many days lately that I feel defeated, like I didn't get enough done or worse yet like a jumbled mess.  Then I read this blog post that a friend posted a link to on Facebook, and my eyes tear up as I read what another mother wrote.  Was she in my head?  Someone else feels like this too??   I have had those very same thoughts.  And then feel so much better about life realizing that I really am not failing.  No, I am actually doing quite well.  And I would do much better if I would just stop comparing my life to some idyllic impossible non-reality (yikes those words might not really be words... but go with it).

Do you ever feel defeated? Like you are failing as a mother?  Like you aren't good enough?  Read it.  Let me rephrase. READ IT.  I am so glad I did.  I think I may have found a new blog to read.  You know... in my free time.

the first day

it was so foggy!!

Today was the first day of school for Jack and Lucy.  Last night Lucy was a ball of jitters- the poor thing didn't fall asleep until almost 10pm. She told Andy that she was nervous that she would not know how to do things and that they would be too hard.  Sweet Little Lu... if you only knew.  Jack passed out right away- no sweat. But I think that was because he already processed it all the night after open house, and called Grandma Africa (who taught 2nd grade for many years) to get the scoop.  Grandma said something right because he was on cloud nine from that point on.    

The next morning Isaac and I went in at 6:30 to wake them, and Jack was up and at 'em and dressed in no time. (I know... Jack who?)  Lucy pulled the covers over her head and groaned but soon got up and got dressed. I woke up early and had whipped up a batch of yummy whole wheat pancakes and sausage and had it ready for them when they got down.  This is all Lucy did:

She mastered the puppy dog eyes and pitiful nauseated look.  After I told her to eat a little for about the 10th time, she pulled me to the living room and in near tears, told me, " every time I get the fork near my mouth I do this"- and made a gagging noise.  Those poor nerves hadn't let up.  

She did lighten up when it was time to head out for the bus and cracked a few smiles. They both gave a quick hug and then waved as the bus pulled away.  

That gave Cass, Isaac and I the day to catch up and then relax.  Well, we almost got the catching up part done...  I must say though, having only them home was great.  When Isaac napped, Cassidy and I spend time playing and practicing letters.  Last spring I just kept feeling that the best place for her was at home, rather than in preschool this year.  It seems I was asked my numerous people if I was sending her and I started second guessing the decision I made.  Today it was so very clear that she is just where she belongs.   At one point it dawned on me that we needed this time together.  It was very evident how being the independent third child of four, she could easily be inadvertently left in the shadows. Having her home provides us with the 1 on 1 time she deserves and that I cherish. Cassidy is just the perfect mix of sweetness, cooperation, and independence. And today when I needed an extra hug, she was overjoyed to be the one providing it. 

Both Lucy and Jack reported that their first days were a success and both named off new friends that they made. Lucy was beat- and passed out about as her head hit the pillow tonight.  Jack told me "mama, I was nervous today... nervous because I am not with you. for a long time... and I don't like that."  Well, melt my heart.  

Most important of all: both plan on going back tomorrow :)   

gettin' all churchy

Church is a very important part of our lives. We are Latter Day Saints. Mormons. Our religious beliefs very much sculpt how we choose to live our lives- and I feel we are better people because of those choices. No one is perfect - I am not by any means trying to say that.  What I am trying to say is that as we sacrifice, exercise faith, and serve others we receive blessings.  I see these blessings all the time. Very rarely are they earth shattering, but frequently in the form of small tender insights and occurrences.

In our church we have a lay ministry, which means that there is not paid clergy.  All the functions of running the church from the Bishop to Sunday School teachers to cleaning the building are done by the members of the congregation.  'Callings' are essentially jobs we receive at church that help us to learn, increase faith, and help others in a variety of ways.  Callings get their name because a church leader prays and receives confirmation that you are the right person for that particular job. My calling in church right now is to teach children ages 4-5 in our Primary Sunday School program- it is neat to see Lucy and her peers learn and amazing to see the wealth of knowledge they already have in gospel doctrine.  I think they teach me more than I can teach them sometimes:)

This last week in church Andy received a new calling.  He is now a counselor in the Bishopric in our ward.  The Bishop is the leader of our ward and is responsible for directing all aspects of the running of the church in their area, counseling, running the welfare program, etc... and his 2 counselors help him to make decisions for the welfare of the members of our church.  It is a big job but I know that he will be great, and I know that he was called of God to be the right person to fill this position right now.  It will mean some sacrifice on his part, but I know our family will be blessed because of it.  I am so very proud of him and feel blessed to call him my eternal companion.  When Andy was called and sustained at our last Sacrament Meeting, Jack and Lucy (who are now old enough to realize the significance) beamed with pride for their father.  We felt support from other ward members following this event and are very thankful.  We met with Bishop Jones following Sacrament meeting and what a wonderful, caring man he is.  We are lucky to have his as our leader- he shares such comforting council and radiates love.

Along the same lines, I am proud to announce that Jack will be getting baptized soon!  I think I mentioned previously that in our church a child can choose to be baptized when they are 8 year old- old enough to be accountable for their choices and decide whether they want to be baptized or not.  I am so very proud of him and the way he has matured.  We have been reading a book about baptism to accompany and guide our scripture study and I think we all have learned a lot from it.  This process has not been one that he has taken lightly - and in fact has expressed being a little nervous about.  On the night in particular when he mentioned that he was nervous, we were led to a perfect scripture in our studies.  In the Book of Mormon, in Alma 7:15 we read:
  
Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

It is amazing how we can find answers and comfort in scripture study.  I have also seen how Jack is starting to think more about his prayers and is getting away from the phrases he used to like to repeat in his prayers.  I am thankful for Jack!  

savoring every last drop

We have been doing all we can to savor every last drop of summertime- as it seems that summer is quickly coming to an end.  

We have been busy doing things like eating crunch coat cones at Briq's Dairy Bar, blowing bubbles and riding bikes, sleeping in late, spending time out at the lake, swimming, doing yard work, going to the flea market, fishing, having campfires, eating smores, running through sprinklers, slurping popsicles and happily doing all these things in SHORTS.

the girls with their new friends Elsie and Jane

However... the slightest bit of excitement and anticipation are creeping in as new hints of color show up on the lush green trees each day. (Um... photo opps!)  School open house got the kids buzzing about the start of school, and the nerves started kicking in as well as the excitement.  The nights are cool and crisp, and the morning's grass sparkles with dew. We are looking forward to apple picking season, and all the yummies that go along with it (caramel apples and apple cake-pie here we come!), and I am looking forward to capturing it all on film:)