Since I know everyone has been on the edge of their seat just *WAITING* for me to post pictures of my kids… thought I’d make good on my promise. Here’s a few snapshots of the kiddos enjoying the beach!

Just in case any of you are looking for a super cool condo in Orange Beach, I highly recommend Phoenix West! It’s right on the beach… PLUS has a super cool water slide, lazy river & zero entry pool! The units are UBER nice too…. around 2000SF so everyone isn’t right on top of each other. We’ll definitely be going back!

EVERY SINGLE DAY I say to myself (did I just admit that I talk to myself?) “Self, you need to blog today!”

And then, well……. life happens. Life with 4 kids… and a husband with a fireman’s schedule (all you fireman’s wives out there know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!)… and then there’s always that silly ole thing called WORK (which for me encompasses a whole list of things)… and then boy scouts and football and dance class and homework and projects and facebook (shutup Eric) …. well, you get my drift. I’m going to quit making excuses (I hear you… “here she goes again” lol) and get back to bloggin’. Regular-like. And if I don’t… well, then, y’all can start floggin’ me! (not sure what flogging really means, or where it came from, but it sounds kind of painful so take it easy!) *wink wink* Hmmm… blogging vs. flogging. heh.

So anyway … in celebration of Tuesday, and since I’ve never, ever done a “Ten on Tuesday” post in my life, here are 10 random updates/things/excerpts.. a few of which may embarrass the kiddos my kids may enjoy in years to come. After all, what are blogs for? *baaa hahaha!*

1) I turned 33 on September 7th. I’m thirty-something. I seriously hate getting older… and think it really stinks that birthdays seem to come so quickly now! Don’t you all remember when you were 10, and it seemed like it took foreeeeeeeeever for your birthday to come around? I vividly recall it feeling like my birthday only came once every 7 years - now it feels more like a bi-annual event or something. And instead of presents, you get wrinkles. Boo.

2) My kids say the funniest things! On the way home the other day, Nathan announces that he knows all about black widow spiders, and of course… Nathan being Nathan & all… he felt he must share this newfound wisdom with the masses. “Did you know that after two black widows get married, the wife kills the husband? That’s why they call them black widows.” Same car ride, 5 minutes later… “Was it only a glacier that sunk the Titanic or was an octopus involved?” Sheer genius.

3) Recently, I’ve noticed my wrinkles are multiplying like rabbits (see #1 re: getting old), so I’ve decided it’s time to get serious. I need to pause here & say: thank you, Jesus, for not putting a Sephora near me. I’m doing enough damage online. Amen. Okay… back to business. I’m seriously loving Philosophy skin care products. Specifically, the purity made simple (facial cleanser) and hope in a jar (moisturizer)… but the real STAR of the show is… drumroll please… Philosphy’s Microdelivery Peel. Can I just say, I got a sample application of this stuff… and I am IN LOVE. If you’d like to try it, you can get a little sample kit if you spend $25 at Sephora. And c’mon, who can’t spend $25 at Sephora? Here’s the code (thank me later): PHL45 - it’s awesomeness, guaranteed. Your skin will be baby soft!

4) Pause for pictures (because I know that’s what you’re really here for):

I went to high school with the mom of these 3 precious kiddos… aren’t they the CUTEST?!? Man, I feel for her… I sure do miss mine being little, but BOY! They’re an awful lot of work when they’re young. Wait - they’re an awful lot of work when they get older too. Then they turn into teenagers. Which scares me! But anyhoo, Maranda & Chuck, you definitely have 3 beautiful babies! For the record, I know these look “summery”, that’s because they are. I forgot to blog them… so sue me. *wink wink* or scroll wayyyyyy up & see disclaimer about life happening, yadda yadda.

5) I finally got to go to a photography thing! Granted, I should have taken a boat vs. the Tahoe, but still - I finally got to go to a photography thing!
WPPI Road Trip at the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta, GA. Such awesome speakers & I learned so much! Kirk Voclain was an absolute IDIOT (and I mean that in a GOOD way). If you ever have an opportunity to hear him, don’t miss it… I laughed so hard my face hurt. And check out his work… the photos in the water are taken with a Canon G9! Ridiculous!

6) I’m still looking for the *perfect* house plan… starting to think my husband will bury me in the back yard if I don’t pick one soon. He’s got the building bug. (Have to admit, I’m anxious too, I’m getting a S.T.U.D.I.O.!!!!)

7) Monday night madness has begun at the Arnold household. I’m still trying to figure out how in the world we scheduled every activity known to man on Monday night. We have football practice at 5:30pm, dance class at 6pm, and webelos (boy scouts) at 6:30pm. All at different places, of course. What fun would THAT be? I knew I hated Mondays for a reason.

Picture Pause #2 at one of my favorite photo spots! CUUUUUTE couple… and just look at her! She looks fabulous pregnant. I’m so jealous.The little one is already here & doing great. You might guess he’s cute as a button by looking at his parents! CONGRATS!

9) I am a facebook addict. Okay, there… I said it. I hope my husband doesn’t read this because he’s always giving me crap for it. I love catching up with all of my buddies from high school and college and work and old jobs and well, you get the drift. It’s a nosey person’s paradise!

10) I’m so excited to be going to the BEACH! I deserve a vacation… haven’t been on one since DisneyWorld back in the spring. I’ll be in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL area from October 11th - 17th & have a few mini beach sessions left. Packages start at $75 & include prints. Email me at stephanie@stephaniearnoldphotography.com for more info!

Is this thing on???  Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3…..

I’m so giddy about having a new blog…. YAYYYYYYY!!!!  I know it looks all blank & stuff right now, but  I’m going to transfer over all my stuff from the old blog as soon as I figure out how! =)

But for the meantime… look at how BIG my pics are =)  Nice, huh?

Hubby had to work today but I got to spend all day with the kiddos (happy, happy, joy, joy). Here was the order of the day: mess up the house, clean up the house, mess up the house, rinse & repeat. Fun stuff, man.

We did get to have fun yesterday, though… hubby put up the water slide for the first time this year. We bought the water slide about 3 or 4 years ago for around $300- at the time I thought we were crazy for spending that on an inflatable water slide! But the kids love it, and it has held up well!! (Even despite lots of birthday parties, family gatherings, and countless destructive children!) Highly recommended…. similar to this one without the watergun (if you happen to be in the market for a waterslide, haha!)

Anyhoo…. I was trying to get a few quick snaps but couldn’t find anyone to cooperate… I put on the ole trusty 70-200 f2.8L & stepped back a bit Jackson was smack dab in the middle of telling me “haha you can’t get me” when I snapped this one!! =) I double dog dare you to click on it to see it bigger =)

P.S. - In case you were wondering, comments are not illegal. They’re appreciated even! PLEASE leave me a quick note & let me know you stopped by!! I’ll love you forever for it =)

I have been DYING to post this picture! I planned this for mother’s day, and while it didn’t turn out exactly like I planned (*sigh*) I still LOVE it! I got a huge 40×60 2 1/2inch gallery wrap & an 18×27 1 1/2inch gallery wrap for my mom & mother-in-law. They were delivered a bit early just so I could share my excitement! So without further adieu, adoo, a-do (WHATEVER!) here you go… brace yourself….

*I KNOWWWWW!* All together now…. “awwwww”. ♥ Gee thanks. Makes a mama proud. Especially since this mama has been trying for a quarter of a century to get a picture of her kids together! =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKSON!!!!

Awww, I can’t believe my baby boy turned 5 today. FIVE!!! It just doesn’t seem like he should be starting school this year! *pout*

We had, dare I say, one of the BEST parties ever on Sunday at Red Barn Stables in Jacksonville. I’ve been to 1 other birthday party there & I was definitely sold. I’ve posted some of the snapshots on facebook/myspace & have gotten a few inquiries, so I thought I’d go ahead & answer a few questions here in case anyone is interested!

1) Are you related to or friends with the people that own Red Barn Stables?
Absolutely not. Met them yesterday. They’re VERY nice!

2) Is this a public place?
Well, depends on how you look at it. It’s their private property, I’m assuming, and you can pay to have a birthday party there.

3) Where exactly is it?
Jacksonville/White Plains - off White’s Gap Rd. Out in the boonies, where farms usually are.

4) How much did it cost?
$175 for 2 hours, $275 for 3 hours

5) What’s included?
Well, we got the 2 hour party (it was cut short by bad weather, bummer!) - the 1st 30 mins you do horseback riding, the 2nd 30 mins, you do a hayride (we made a pitstop to feed the catfish), the 3rd 30 mins you have your refreshments, & the last 30 mins you get to go fishing in a little pond. FUN TIMES!

6) How many kids can you invite?
up to 20. If you have more than 20, you have to do the 3hr party.

7) What do they provide?
Well, they provide the horses. And the fish. And a barn. Oh yeah! And there was 4 very large tables & lot of chairs inside the barn. I just brought along 2 coolers full of drinks for everyone, ice cream & cupcakes. And of course I didn’t forget the goody bags!

I must say that all the kids had such a good time!!! We usually have a hard time finding that “middle ground” … you know what I mean… if the older kids like it, then the younger kids don’t… or if the younger kids like it the older ones don’t! Everyone enjoyed this - even, dare I say, the adults HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. We will be going back for SURE.

P.S. - I got all the party stuff at Hobby Lobby - they had the cutest cowboy themed party stuff/invitations with bandana print & cowboy boots! Too cute! And cheap!!

Here’s Jackson making out with lots o’ birthday loot!

How did my day go, you ask?

Ok, so you didn’t ask. Let’s just pretend that you did, for the sake of my blog post.

Now. How did my day go? Well, let’s see. I woke up this morning with intentions of going to church, going to the grocery store, taking Nate to work the concession stand at some ballgame for the Honor Society, cleaning up a bit, shooting a Senior Portrait session, and getting some orders placed. Since I didn’t lay out church clothes last night, I woke up a little bit behind schedule, but got up & starting getting everything picked out, ironed, etc. YES, I have to pick everyone’s church clothes out. Seems everyone here is either fashion challenged or color blind, other than me (of course). So after fussing & fighting with everyone, ironing 6 different outfits & getting in the shower to discover that someone (named Jackson) squirted out all of my shampoo & conditioner, I resolved that I would not be going to church TODAY. At least everyone else was ready. I figured I would just have to pray on my way to the grocery store.

So. All the boys head to church. Me & Cassidy were about to head to the grocery store, get all loaded up & then UGH! Can’t find my darn keys! I was stranded until the little culprits returned… It *is* Sunday right? Not Monday - SUNDAY? Right?

Anyhoo, needless to say, only about 3 things on that endless to-do list got done today… BUT (and that’s one big but) while I was stranded I talked the baby girl into a 30 second photo shoot! (now that’s what you call a mini session! ha!)

Oh & P.S. - Miss Kaitlin (from yesterday’s post) won 2nd Alternate & Miss Photogenic!! Congrats Kaitlin!

It’s hard to believe that 9 years ago today, my first child came into the world… on one hand it seems like he’s growing up way too fast - on the other, it seems like he’s been with me forever. I honestly can’t remember what life was like without a child!

We always have a small cake on their birthDAY and then the bigger fancy cake at their party. It’s a tradition =) This morning I drug all the kids into the kitchen to sing the birthday song… then we proceeded to have birthday cake for breakfast! That’s right folks, I’m all about nutrition.

Tucker at 9:
unorganized ~ fights constantly with Nathan (& Jackson, but not quite as much) ~ loves his sister & will do anything she asks ~ forgets to brush his teeth ~ makes good grades ~ always tells the truth ~ is addicted to Nintendo DS ~ couldn’t care less about girls ~ fakes asleep in the car when we get home ~ still gives me hugs & kisses ~ thinks his Dad hung the moon ~ is skinny as a rail ~ hates to get his face wet ~ whines about EVERYTHING ~ has freckles across his nose & is getting a few splashed on his neck ~ is the whitest white boy you’ve ever seen ~ is always inventing things ~ tries to prove himself ~ is still my baby!

…of me, courtesy of Nathan! I set it up for him, but he composed the shot! Nice work, eh???

Wow, I need a tan!

Payback, courtesy of my imac webcam. Don’t blame me for the gross sepia-ish color. That would be Miss Cassidy’s choice