First Day of Snow

Today was our first day of snow - I'm tore between excitement and depression - so I took Gunner out to play with some friends. Gunner made his first snowman, he was so excited!! he made snow angels with Brooklyn, Talon, and Kaden. They were playing so well together. Now Gunner's asleep (and so is Jack), they got all their energy out and now I hope they will recuperate for a long time.

New Address . . . kind of.

I've had a couple of people ask - because we moved, last year, on December 16 or something - so most people may still have our old address. Here is the correct one:

Johhny and Heidi O'Barr
111 west 7 south apt. #303
Rexburg, ID 83440

hm phone 208-359-7222
cell J's 208-360-0580
cell H's 208-360-2272

Thanksgiving Report

This was my first year making a Turkey, it was pretty intimidating - but I'm made of stern stuff. Running a marathon . . . cooking a Turkey for Thanksgiving . . . no pressure. My Turkey was 11 lbs and it took 3 hours and 45 minutes to bake. I used a recipe I found online and the turkey was $.38 per pound (a steal!!) so if I screwed up it was an inexpensive learning lesson. Johnny said it was the best Turkey he ever had, "Thanks!" [proudly beaming]. Here's some before and after shots.

We shared our Thanksgiving with our good friends the Teerlinks and The Jeffs. It was good food and good friends. We watched Kung-Fu Panda. Gunner and Kaden (Gunner's Friend) loved it! Here's some more shots.

Chrystina made little hats for the kids . . . so CUTE! Gunner and Kaden were game.

But Jack and Ava were not diggin it! Maybe latter.

I took my brother to the MTC this last week . . .

Me trying to hold my fat camera for a close up picture

So I dropped my baby brother off at the MTC in Salt Lake this last Wed. It was really neat and surprising emotional! I drove down with my two sons Mon. night so we could pick Trenton up at the airport the following morning. After we picked Trenton up at the airport we spent Tuesday Christmas shopping at the outlet mall in Park city. Gunner and Jack loved hanging out with their uncle Trenton, and Trenton seemed to be way cool with it. I'm sure they were driving him nuts - they were driving me nuts, long car drives don't go well for toddlers and infants; the next car we get is Totally going to have a TV and DVD player!


Wed. at breakfast before we headed to Provo.

On Wed morning we loaded the crazy kids up and started our treck to Provo. Everyone fell asleep on the way there, I always feel so left out when everyone is sleeping but me - it's always lonely the first 6 months of my child's life . . . [dejected sigh]
When we got to Provo, Trenton realized he had forgotten his belts in Alaska so we had to go buy him a couple before we dropped him off at the MTC. By the time we unloaded the kids, went and bought some belts, loaded the kids back up, and headed for the MTC we had about 15-20 minutes to get there. And of course I got lost on the way there. I couldn't get ahold of Johnny to give me directions or my dad . . .What if they won't take him if we are late . . . all the nice companions will be used up by the time we get there . . . Trenton will have to fast for days seeking forgiveness . . . My babies are starting to whine and cry in the car . . . AHHHH! This was suppose to be an organized meaningful experience, just like a crazy family reunion - my co-worker (Dave) says that's why they should always have beer at family reunions (crazy heathen).
So we finally found it, and we had 3 minutes to get inside and these are the pictures we had time for . . .



It says "New missionaries enter here"


It says "Family and Friends enter here"


Gunner, on the way to melt-down city



After, we were done taking pictures, we were directed to a chapel down the hall; there was a 30 minute devotion for all new missionaries and their family members. Gunner didn't last 10 minutes, he started whining about fruit snacks - I was all out - and then he threw a holy living fit that I have only seen the likes of 2 other times in his life. Yeah for us - I'm so glad that this new phase of his terrible twos could be experienced in the MTC! Needless to say I took him right out and he was in time out - it didn't seem appropriate to use bodily harm as a teaching tool in the MTC. I told Gunner he was in time out because he was not being reverent he proceed to cry out "No time-out!! [lots of crying]" then very loudly "I need Jesus!" I then suggested that Gunner say a prayer for comfort very quietly. And then Gunner started saying a sweet little prayer, that was still louder and there was more crying interspersed throughout it than I would have liked, but it calmed him down a little. Then the devotional was over and Gunner was calm enough that we could go back inside and say our last Good-bye for two years. I could barely control the tears I was so proud of Trenton! Gunner gave uncle Trenton a hug and then Trenton took Jack in his arms to give him a hug and kiss! I couldn't believe I was so emotional! Trenton's doing the right thing and we felt the spirit touch our hearts about his choice to serve the Lord. I'm glad we could be there for it!

We went to Krispy Creme afterward because - I LOVE FRESH Krispy Creme! Gunner is so cute . . . sometimes!

What happened toThanksgiving!

So, I learned how to change my background and I decided to dedicate my initiation into this Blogging phenomenon to our nations long, lost, step-holiday . . . Thanksgiving.

I'm going to make a Turkey this year, my strategy is to try it out in a dutch oven, I'm very excited to taste the genius of my carefully laid plan. If only you could taste test on your blog; I'd love to share!

Jack was the inspiration for our family's Halloween costumes - doesn't he TOTALLY look like baby Jack-Jack! Enjoy!

NEW TWILIGHT MOVIE TRAILER

Thanks to my well informed and incredibly gorgeous friend, Christina, I know about the new Twilight movie trailer and now you do too! Check it out! November 21st - GIRLS NIGHT!

Twilight Fans, check it out!

You've got to check out this Twilight parody! So funny! Let me know what you think!

GO TO MY PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

For the last month, in between family life, work, photography sessions, and Johnny's schooling and LSAT preparation, I've been redesigning my logo and creating a whole new look for Heidi Sue Photography AND building a website. This is a very time consuming process so, frankly, all my extra time goes there and this blog has been neglected. So please go to my photography blog because i do update that at least once a week. My new website should be ready by Christmas - that's our goal, hopefully before Christmas . . .we'll see . . . anyways, here's a link

http://www.heidisuephoto.blogspot.com/

Check it out, I'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear your imput!

New Photo's of Jack and Gunner

check them out at my new blog
www.heidisuephoto.blogspot.com
They are SOOO CUTE!

working on my NEW photography website

So I haven't posted in FOREVER! Because life happens and when I do have some time I work on my new photography website. SOOO exciting! If you go to www.heidisuephotography.com you can take a peek at my new blog and such. Enjoy! Or you can click on the link at the bottom right!

This One's for Nancy and Loi

I got Tagged by Hilarie Allen

Favorite Flower: Tulips

Favorite Place to shop: J. Crew all the way!

Favorite Actor: Again, I have favorite movies. But if I had to choose I really like Robert Downy Jr. I'm glad he's over come his crack addiction.

Favorite Actress: I don't really have one. I have favorite movies, but if I had to choose one I would want to look like it would be Angelina Jolie. I love her lips and general physique - she is CUT!

Favorite Restaurant: the Double Musky Inn in Girdwood Alaska. A world famous Cajun restaurant. We go for our anniversary every year.

Favorite Hobby: besides taking pictures, Running

Guilty Pleasures: CHOCOLATE.

Dream Career: It's a tie between "Making a lot of money and being able to do whatever I want" and "Having a lot of fun" so the two i came up with are a backup dancer at Disney World or a surgeon -I would live right downtown (because I could afford it) so I could ride my bike to work everyday. I accidently deleted my back up dancer pic so it looks a little weird here, sorry.

Favorite Color: I don't have a favorite color per Se; I LOVE the layered look and as long as they go together and create depth then I dig it! Doesn't food look wonderful in layers! Gap models seem to do it well too.

Favorite Vacation: Hawaii, I've been there twice loved it!

Birth Place: Anchorage, Alaska. This is Beluga point on Turnagain Arm right outside of Anchorage; I spent a lot of time there, hiking and riding my bike to and from there.

Popcorn popping on the Apricot Tree

Sweet Nothings

Johnny's taking an international studies course on Chinese history. His minor is political science.

And today, my ever suave husband, says to me "I'm glad you gave me two sons Heidi because otherwise, if I was a ancient Chinese emperor, I would have had to execute you."

"Phew, that was a close one," I dutifully replied.

Really Busy

Jack is very excited about rice!

He's reaching up to help mommy, so cute!

Gunner is right there checking it out and making sure mom gets it right!

Teton Dam Half Marathon and the Rexburg wind!

SO I know I haven't posted for awhile, but you know how it goes . . . everyone is busy doing it all! Anyways, my boys are getting so big; Jack's starting solids and he loves it, Gunner is such a big boy and he is so smart! I just completed the Teton Dam Half Marathon this last weekend; I made my goal time and ran the whole thing! I'm pretty proud of that. Johnny's midterm grades came out and he has straight A's . . . again and he is coordinating the film festival this week - what a man, what a mighty good man!

Project Childhood 3rd Place Winner!

Family and Friends -

I recently entered a photography contest for an organization called Project Childhood. Project Childhood is an organization of professional photographers whose goal is to celebrate childhood. We were asked to offer a free photo session to a family, then we donated the cost of the session to a children's charity of our choice and also provided the family with a portrait from the session. I love what Project childhood is trying to do! I choose to participate and I am excited to announce that I won third place! But the best part about the experience was working with Emily (the subject of my entry), she is so full of life and so interested in the world around her; I know that she will make it a better place. Here's a link, enjoy!
http://www.projectchildhood.com/index2.php

Our Friend Belle

I just took these beautiful pictures of our friends, The Marshall's, daughter Belle. She just turned 2 yrs old and she is so CUTE; I just love those pigtails, she could be a pigtails poster- child. I am displaying these pictures for several reasons. The first is to help get the word out about The Marshall family. Belle is adopted and the Marshalls are seeking to adopt another child through LDS family services. Christine (mama Marshall) asked me to put a link to their family adoption profile on my blog because as people view my blog and check out my links the more likely a birth mom or someone who knows a birth mom (someone seeking to give their child up for adoption) will as well. So I wanted to dedicate a post to their endeavors. The other reasons are - Belle is just so cute I had to share and we think the Marshalls are a wonderful family! They would love ANY child that came to them; they watched our 2 yr old while I was in the hospital giving birth to Jack and I was grateful to know that Gunner was having a good time and he was being well cared for. So if you know someone check out the link on the right side of my blog called "Steve and Christine's adoption profile. " Tell someone you know! Thanks!

Why Socialism is against my personal religion.

The tone of this entry is REALLY sarcastic. I'm venting, nothing personal.

So I went back to work this last week. Johnny's at home with the boys when I work and I'm at home when he's at school. I got to thinking about socialized medicine. . . .

At the heart of socialism (any form) is covetousness consequently its moral opposite, Individualism, operates best among a christian and/or moral populace. People who are pro socialized programs always suspect that financial success comes from stepping on other people, lying, cheating, and stealing rather than industry, hard work, smarts and generosity. Because they feel the rich obtained their proliference "unfairly," they in turn feel entitled to
a portion of the "ill-gotten," gains.
The rudist most non-compliant patients I've ever worked with are ALWAYS medicaid/medicare patients.
And the current hype to bail out all the people who signed adjustable rate mortgages, makes me sick. I was listening to NPR the other day and they were interviewing a couple who had declared bankruptcy because they couldn't make their mortgage payments any more due to the increasing rate - that they'd willing accepted 4 or 5 years ago. The husband said "We didn't know . . . no one explained it to us. . .etc . .," I mean COME-ON, take some responsibility! If you didn't understand why didn't you google it or look it up on wikipedia! And the way NPR was talking about it you'd think that these people were going to be homeless and starving; The couple admitted that they were grateful that they'd declared bankruptcy, because they could continue their lifestyle - going out, eating out, shopping, etc. . .- without worrying about their mortgage payment and the place they were renting would be just as nice as their house (1/3 the size) and their rent would be half as much. Declaring bankruptcy wasn't going to toss them out on the street so why does the government need to come to the rescue.

When you increase the demand and dependence upon government aid (ANY social program, medicaid, medicare, building high schools that look like art museums), inflation increases, consumer products cost more (food, clothing,etc . . .), utilities and taxes go up, Your Family budget increases . . . the last thing to increase is wages, pretty soon it's difficult to live in a one-income household. The next thing you know mom has to go to work and families suffer.

Why are mom's, usually, financially FORCED to work outside of the home? Because Dad isn't making enough money to afford food, clothing, and shelter. Why can't dad afford to pay for food, clothing and shelter? Because they cost too much. Here's a simple example:

Sally's owns the only Cheese store in town, cheese costs $1.5
When the people vote to increase minimum wage from $5/hr to $7/hr Sally has to pay her three new employees $7/hr now. In order to absorb the strain of the new minimum wage increase Sally increases the price of her cheese from $1.5 to $2. Bill, Sally's marketing director (who's been there for 5 years ) and has a family of six is stil making $20/hr and now he has to pay $2 for cheese instead of $1.5 and so do the new employees AND the same kind of thing is happening all over town.
So increasing minimum wages (a form of inflation) has decreased purchasing power because instead of being able to buy 3 pieces of cheese with $5 (at $1.5 each) you can only
buy 2 pieces of cheese ( at $2 each) now.

The economic stimulas package has got me fired up too! But I'll stop for now.

More Jack Pictures

I got some requests for more jack pictures so here they are! Does it look like he has quite the opinion. He does. Though he's very patient about expressing it, probably because he's sleeping most of the time; I wish I had that problem.

More Birthday pictures of Gunner

I was having some fun with Gunner's Birthday pictures . . . so here's some more. Enjoy! I think I'm going to print this one and frame it for our wall, what do you think?

What my Dad thinks about my blog . . .

So I talked to my dad this morning and I mentioned my blog and the first thing he said was "Hey Heidi I noticed that your website [blog] said you like avocado . . .avocado is the perfect food, that's good that you like it. Hey you know, I think that's why you didn't have any postpartum depression because avocado is rich in zinc and people with depression have low amounts of zinc." That's my Dad always proud of my health consciousness. I love it! 

Despite the somewhat humorous tone to this post, it in no way negates the validity of my Dad's observation regarding my preference for avocado's [and swiss cz]. This posting does not reflect the opinions or preferences of the avocado industry, it was paid for and  published by Heidi Sue Inc.

Gunner's 2nd Birthday and Jack

Thank-you dad!

I know that Jack's against a pink background, but all the blue ones just aren't as cute as this -Look at those blig blue eyes!

It's a couple of weeks after Gunner's Birthday . . . and I've been wanting to take these shots for awhile. So we made cupcakes and celebrated Guns Birthday again! It was great fun, he got to blow out his candle over and over and over.