::blue eyes::

While in Utah I was able to squeeze in a visit to Megan.  She's my oldest friend and pretty much my sister.  At least my cousin.  Anyway, it was great to get to see her, and her adorable kids.  She just had twin boys a few months back, and has a little girl who's two.  They're quite the busy and blue eyed household.
I think Megan is amazing. Funny and creative and fabulous. And adorable.
Of course I had to bring my camera. It's fun for me to get to take pictures of somebody besides Max for a change. And I love getting more practice taking portraits!

Please note, one boy has a BYU blanket and one has a U of U blanket. Megs' husband went to the U, so they have a bit of a conflict of interest in the family. It makes for some interesting football seasons, or so I hear.

This is Mags. She's kind of like a fireball and thinks she runs the world. She has a sweet little face, doesn't she?
She showed me a few of her talents.

Quite the skill, huh?

She seems to be pretty good at this too. It's an impressive expression. I think if I made that face I might get a cramp.

She's a cutie.

And here's Will.

and here again.

But kisses make everything much better.


And little Cole.

He was kinda sleepy. But very good while I took pictures.



Well, he was good until he and his brother bumped heads. That made them very mad.

And sad. Pitiful, huh?
It was at this point that the boys got some kisses and were sent off to bed.
Megan tried to read a bit with Mags and Max, but it didn't go so hot.

Two year olds aren't the best sharers out there. But Max and Mags actually had a pretty good time playing together while we visited. It was nice.

I just love Megan. What more can I say? And I love the beautiful blue eyes she's passed on to all her littles. Just gorgeous.

::pinatas are cool::

Every year on my birthday growing up my parents would get a pinata for us to smash. It was truly awesome. I posted a few old pictures of it last year on my birthday.
It was a fabulous tradition, and our best friends down the street, the Williams would always join us. I can't think of a year that they weren't there.

So, my mom had a brilliant idea. She planned a mini pinata party for when I was in town, and invited the Williams! And since all of us who used to be the kids have kids now, they were the ones smacking the pinata around. It was awesome.

The Mercado Latino in Provo came through for us with a cool rainbow pinata. They had so many different kinds there I had a hard time choosing.
We smashed it in my parents (recording) studio, which is also traditional, since the 31st of Jan isn't usually the best weather.
My mom got all the big kids blindfolded, turned them around and then set them free.






The littler ones were kind of nervous and unsure.

But with a little reassurance and parental aid they went for it too.

And had fun.

A group of cuter kids I haven't seen. Honestly.
The pinata beating was fun to watch. Although I was really worried I was going to get hit in the head with something--a big stick, a rainbow, a kid. It didn't happen, thank goodness, although one of the valiant beaters did get a splinter. But luckily he was brave and it was removed.

Finally I gave the pinata a quick unobtrusive rip and opened it up and bit, and the oldest strongest kid was able to send the treats flying!
Everybody did a good job gathering and sharing around.

and enjoying the spoils.

And afterwards we got to enjoy big pieces of Costco birthday cake.  What could be better?  I even got a big huge yellow rose from Megan since it was my birthday (sort of--like two weeks before).  Awesome.
It was so fun to get to do this, thanks Mom! And it was just great to get to see Joel & Beth and their kids and Megan and Mags. It's been way too long (besides the meetings and greetings in cyberspace of course.)

And if you want to see more fun photos of the event and hear more about it go here to my mom's blog!