Ashley Danelle Photography . San Diego . 04.2014

It comes as a surprise to exactly zero people that I love photography.  It is evident when you read this blog, view my Facebook profile, or just step into my home.  I'm not sure where the desire comes from, I think it may have to do with not having very many photos of my own childhood, and even fewer family ones.  I definitely am not a fan of having my own photo taken, but I have yet to regret scheduling photo sessions.  I have hired a range of photographers from extremely reasonable, to a few sessions that may cut short the boys' college funds (but, you just can't get back the very earliest baby photos!).

So, as we planned our FIRST FAMILY VACATION, I couldn't resist the opportunity to hire a local photographer.  And, what better background (and one we can't replicate at home), than the OCEAN?!

After a ridiculous amount of time researching our options I found Ashley Danelle Photography!  Be prepared for many photos below...Ashley is seriously amazing, and to narrow them down further would be impossible for me...

My favorite of our family photos.
(Ryder, Harvick, and Jarrett)

Ryder and Jarrett being lovey...and Harvick being curious!

How much of the session went...and really, how much of our life goes...wresting and laughing!
Harvick's expression in the second one is my favorite!

An attempt at a beach Brothers photo...and the real life photo of a second later.

The boys rotate who will be the least cooperative for photos.  It was Jarrett's turn.  Ashley captured a few greats anyway!

Could Ryder possibly look any more grown up than he does in the photo on the left?  Check out his grown up watch - he was so excited when I agreed to let him wear it for our photos!

Harvick appears cooperative, but he sure made Ashley work hard to capture photos of him in focus.

I make an attempt to get a photo of Patrick and me at family sessions whenever I can.  We don't take our picture together on our own, so I figure I should take advantage of a professional when I have one!

Beautiful sunset, and 3 great kids.  Life really is good.

Ryder.

Harvick.

Jarrett.  And, no, I'm not sure what is happening on the right, but I love it anyway.

My favorite photo is the one I put at the top of this post, but this one may be a more accurate representation of our family.

All these photo sessions, and I've yet to get a picture of Patrick with all three boys.  We attempted...but it may have been too late in the session (literally, the very end).  It will still find a spot on our wall!

One more of Patrick and me, just as the sun was dropping out of sight.

I had several people think I was crazy for hiring a photographer while we were on vacation, but I am so glad we did!

Park City . Days 7 & 8

Finally!  Our final days in Park City have been recorded!

October 17, 2013   |   Thursday we decided to have another low-key day.  We swam at the resort's pool with Nana & Papa, and participated in the craft activity (painting vases).  Jarrett insisted on taking his new toy - a white stuffed mouse - into the pool - it made for a few funny looks from the other swimmers.  The boys took one last nap together after lunch, and we headed to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner.

Back at the resort, we just relaxed - Jarrett read the paper with Papa.  The boys spent one last night in the bed together.  We had initially worried about how well they would sleep while at the resort, but they all absolutely loved being able to sleep in the same bed!  It did take them longer to fall asleep, but it was so cute hearing them giggling together!

October 19, 2013   |   After checking out from the resort, we met my parents at the Alpine Slide.  My dad, Patrick, and I took the boys up the gondola, and down the slide.  We chose partners for the ride down well - Ryder loved going with Papa, Jarrett was so happy to go (very) fast with Patrick, and Harvick was content going much slower with me!

The car was packed FULL for the ride home, and about half way home, the boys all crashed.  Once home, the boys all immediately requested a snack and an episode of Thomas while we unpacked the car!

Our trip was so perfect for our family.  We loved spending the time together, and made several great memories.   This trip helped us decide for sure to head to San Diego next spring!

Park City . Day 6

October 16, 2013   |   Thursday we took the boys to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake.  It was the perfect time to go - the zoo was rather empty, the weather was cool, and the animals were quite active!  As with EVERY visit we make to the zoo, we headed to see the elephants first.  We spent some time at the new "Lighthouse Point Splash Zone" - the water has been turned off, but the slide is still open!  The boys loved going down it, over and over and over again (to the right, Jarrett decided to try different ways of coming down, and thought that "falling" out was hilarious!).  We ended our visit with a ride on the carousel - where Ryder continued his long standing tradition of riding the elephant.

 We enjoyed dinner at Cafe Zupas in Salt Lake before heading back to Park City.  Once back that the resort, the boys all wanted to take another bath in the jetted tub.

Park City . Day 5

October 15, 2013   |   After a late night on Monday, we decided to have a very relaxed day on Tuesday.  That morning, we watched Monsters, Inc, while enjoying a movie snack - one that Harvick and Jarrett insisted they share with Patrick, despite him politely declining.  After eating lunch in our room, we headed to Downtown Park City to walk Main Street.  On our way there, the boys fell asleep, so we took a scenic detour.  There were snow flurries off and on, but the view was beautiful!  We stopped a few times for a few self portraits.

We walked the full length of the shops (each side of the street), and stopped in a few shops.  After eating dinner at Main Street Pizza & Pasta, we picked up a treat (Mint Chocolate covered Oreos) at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and headed back to the resort.

That evening, the boys enjoyed a very long bath in the huge jetted tub, while also enjoying their treat!  They all enjoyed being sprayed with the handheld sprayer, and found the jets very intriguing (their first experience outside of a swimming pool).

Park City . Day 4

October 14, 2013   |    With a fun activity planned that evening, we thought it would be best to stay "low-key" during the day.  We took the boys back to the resort's indoor/outdoor pool, despite the snow storm!

Most days we were on vacation the boys each got a new small toy.  We decided not to take any toys with us, just so that the boys had something new to play with each day.  This day, the boys received 3 train bath "squirters" - a perfect gift for a morning at the pool, and an evening spent on a train!

The boys enjoyed watching the snow fall outside their bedroom window.  It snowed all morning, but it hadn't been cold enough for it to stick for very long.  It was pretty while it lasted!

On Monday evening we headed to Heber Valley Railroad to board their Monday Night Family Train.  We stopped at a local place for a Mexican dinner (the boys' request) before boarding the 7:00pm train.  The train car was a bit cramped, but the boys loved it.  Each of them took turns looking out the window, until it was too dark outside to watch the passing view.  The train actually had to make two stops due to some issues, but the boys never realized it wasn't part of the ride - they just enjoyed their time on the train.  Patrick took Ryder to the middle car, where concessions were available.  Predictably, when given the chance to pick candy, Ryder picked to share a bag of M&Ms.  Before leaving I tried to capture one last shot of them in front of the train (even thought it was dark), but they weren't too interested in my idea!

We will definitely plan a return trip to the Heber Valley Railroad!  The only thing I would change is the time of day - it would be fun to see out the view out the window for the whole ride.

Park City . Day 3

More Park City!

Sunday, October 13, 2013   |   Grandma Jody and Ann joined us in Park City for the day.  Due to weather, or original plan (the Alpine Slide) wouldn't work out, so we switched to bowling at Jupiter Bowl.  This was the boys' first bowling experience, and they all did great!  Ryder totally understood the game within the first frame, and really loved watching his ball roll down the isle.  Harvick enjoyed taking turns, and was eager to carry his own ball.  Jarrett loved it at first, decided he hated it in the middle, but by the end of the second game, was loving it again!  After bowling, we picked up Subway sandwiches on our way back to the resort where the boys all napped. Grandma Jody and Ann took us out for dinner at the Silver Star Cafe before they headed back home.

The boys' bowling shoes were so cute!  Why can't they make cute adult ones too?!

We ended our evening with ice cream, and a movie in our room!

Days 1 & 2

Park City . Days 1 & 2

Finally!  A post about our vacation!  Life has been busy the past few weeks, and I thought that with foot surgery last weekend, I would have time to update the blog while resting...but...I was too worn out for even that.

More to come soon (hopefully!)...

After considering our options, Patrick and I decided the best use of our timeshare "use or lose" week this year was to redeem it in Park City - it was far enough away to feel like a vacation, but close enough to home to not be overwhelming!  We chose October because we were able to miss less preschool (UEA) and work (Columbus Day), and the weather would be perfect!  When we booked our week we invited our parents to join us for any day(s) they would like.  We planned a handful of activities, but purposefully kept most of our time open - time to just relax, and be together.

Friday, October 11, 2013   |   Patrick & took the day off of work to get things done at home.  We packed our car (very full!) with everything we needed for the week, and picked up the boys.  After arriving at our resort, and unloading everything we brought with us, we took the boys to Loco Lizard, one of Patrick and my favorite restaurants.  That evening the boys shared the king size bed - we brought their blankets and favorite stuffed animals to help them feel comfortable.  They did amazing with sharing a bed - they all thought it was quite fun, and everyone fell asleep easily!

Saturday, October 12, 2013   |   We ate breakfast in our room, and later met Papa & Nana at the Outlet Mall where we walked around the shops for the morning.  We picked up Cafe Rio take-out on the way back to our hotel room.  After the boy napped, we headed to the resort' indoor/outdoor pool for a little swimming.  Our night ended with pizza delivered to our room!

Park City Vacation

For the past 8 days we have been away on vacation.  Our first vacation, not visiting family, with our family of five.  We have used our timeshare smartly (ie, trading our weeks for "off season" times), and had a "use or lose" week this year.  Patrick & I debated several possible destinations, but settled on Park City.  It's far enough away that neither of us would be tempted to go into work, or to get household projects/chores/errands done; yet, it's close enough that traveling with 3 toddlers for a week seemed feasible.

While Park City isn't glamorous, in that it doesn't have attractions specifically for children, it was a great trip.  We had something planned for each day, but really were rather loose with our routine.  We spent more consecutive time together than we ever have (and will continue this weekend...).  And, more time together without any family/friends as well (although, we did enjoy time with Patrick's mom & Ann, and my parents).

Harvick & Jarrett will not remember this trip long-term.  Ryder may remember a highlight or two.  But, we got to spend time together, and for that reason, it was a perfect (and much needed) vacation for us. 

Although I needed no confirmation that this trip was good for all of us, Ryder's bedtime prayer tonight confirmed it for me.  "...and, God, "fank" (thank) you for our vacation to Park City.  I "willy" (really) liked spending time "wif" (with) all of my "famiwee" (family)...".

Watching the snow fall outside.
(Ryder, Harvick, Jarrett)

Now...be prepared to be overloaded with recaps of the vacation on the blog...I may have taken lots of pictures...

Colorado . 07.30-31.2012 . Swimming & Driving Home

Before going to Colorado, I looked online for a few things we might be able to do with the boys, in case they needed to get out of the house.  Mulberry Pool is a nearby indoor aquatic center, and it looked like it would be fun for the boys.

Monday morning, after breakfast, we headed there.  My parents and Aunt Colleen joined us (remember the post about me being annoying with the camera...yeah, this is one of those occasions...).  The slide was a fast one, and you landed in a full splash of water...still, my dad took each of the boys down, and would just cup his hand over their nose, with someone waiting at the bottom to grab them out of the water.  Ryder was okay with it, but only twice; Harvick didn't seem to mind, but didn't love it either...and, my fish - Jarrett - LOVED it.  He cried the first time my dad walked away from him, without taking him down again.  The water was a bit cool, but the hot tub provided warmth when we needed a break!

Mullberry Pool.

That evening, my mom's friend, Peggy, was going to come out to Fort Collins, but was unable to make it.  We had left the late afternoon/evening to just relax, and spend time together.  The boys played, and Ryder and I worked on his speech for a bit.

Tuesday, we headed home.  We decided to leave just after breakfast...and...instead of nearly 11.5 hours, it only took 10.5 this time.  The boys did well...for being 3 and 1.  They definitely were tired of the car (as were Patrick and me), but stayed entertained with toys, books, their blankets & lambs, and endless games of peek-a-boo.

A picture of the drive home.

One day, I swear this self-portrait thing is going to get easier!
TOP: Proof it was the Utah sign.
MIDDLE: The best shot of the 5 of us, with no proof of reaching Utah (the sign).
BOTTOM: My favorite of the bloopers...Harvick was in such a good mood!

Thank you, Aunt Colleen, for hosting us.  The driving was long...but the trip was so worth it!

Colorado . 07.29.2012 . Train Museum & Kites

While in Colorado last week, Sunday we joined my Aunt Colleen at her church for their morning service.  I took my camera with the intention to take a picture or two, but failed to pull it out of the diaper bag...the boys kept us busy during the service!

Harvick and Jarrett made a mess (over and over) at Colleen's house. Here, they are taking apart a box of magazines (craft ones Colleen gave to my dad for 2nd grade art inspiration).  My dad let them - see those knees in the bottom left of the right picture?!  That was my dad...enjoying watching them "work together"!

We came home for lunch, then decided to let the boys skip their naps, in order to go to a nearby train museum - Greeley Freight Station Museum.  Colleen had heard about it from a co-worker (I believe), and it was such a fun place for Ryder.  The museum was 2 floors - with the second floor only being around the perimeter, so you could look at the train layouts from above.  There was a an actual red caboose you could walk through, a children's train table, and a quarter-operated Thomas the Train layout.  Ryder LOVED it!  Harvick and Jarrett were surprisingly entertained by it as well.

Fun at the museum!

Playing with the train table.

A family picture attempt.

After the museum, we headed over to Claire & Sue's house for dinner.  To be honest, I have no idea how my mom and Aunt Colleen know Claire & Sue...my mom commented this trip about remembering attending their wedding (39 years ago!).  Suffice it to say, visiting Colorado as a child has always meant seeing Claire & Sue!  Sunday, they came over for lunch, then invited us to their home for dinner.  After dinner, Claire pulled out his kites...his MASSIVE kites.  The wind was strong (it actually started raining while we were out), so it was good kite flying weather!  Getting the kite up in the air is less challenging than I had anticipated (someone on the kite end throws it up, and the wind catches it); however, controlling the kite is tricky.  The kite is attached to two strings, each with wrist strips...thankfully, Claire was (super) patient with each of us (adults) as we tried it out!

Kite flying and fun outside!

Colorado . 07.28.2012 . Family

The boys slept surprisingly well in a new place the night before - Ryder has only spent 2 nights in the past 15 months out of his own bed (when his brothers were born), and Harvick and Jarrett have never not slept in their crib.

On Saturday, my Uncle Gary and his wife, Sharon, picked up my grandparents and brought them to my Aunt Colleen's house.  Also, my dad's sister - Dolores, and her son, Jesse were able to make the drive to my Aunt Colleen.

We enjoyed late morning, lunch, and early afternoon with my mom's brother and parents. Unfortunately, they left while the babies were still napping, so I have no pictures of them.  Maybe my cousin (hint,hint) does, and she will send me some!

Dolores was able to stay through dinner (see her pictured below (bottom right) - you'll be able to see why my dad has a hard time calling each of us by the correct name when we are together!).

We ended the boys' family filled day with a bath in my Aunt Colleen's tub.  The tub is at least a foot longer than the one they have at home, and they LOVED having the extra room to play!

Playing together in the morning, before family arrived.

Patrick went to check on the boys while they took their morning nap...they often throw their blankets and lambs out during naps, but rarely throw them out at night!

Fun with family!

Bath time!

Colorado . 07.27.2012 . Driving

After much thought, Patrick and I decided to leave our house early (4:00am) on Friday, with the hope that we could get to my Aunt's house in 8-9 hours.  This would allow us to eat lunch there, and let the boys nap (if they would), or give us time to wear them out!  Turns out, that we didn't make it out of the house until 4:30...and it took us until almost 3:00pm to arrive.

The boys started with their blankets (in their colors, of course!) and their lambs.

Breakfast at Village Inn.

Stretching stop...or as the boys seemed to think - balance beam practice!

Back in the car, with me driving.  The boys got to watch a movie, using the DVD player borrowed from Patrick's mom.  They loved it!

Lunch at Corona Village, where the boys were each given a balloon.  Also known as the worst souvenir to have in a car!

Back in the car.  Harvick enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with me!

WE MADE IT!!!  An attempt at a self-portrait, until someone else pulled over for pictures, and graciously took ours!

FINALLY!  At my Aunt Colleen's house.  The boys took less than a minute to discover her one-step fireplace hearth - which, was thankfully padded! 

More to come...

We're Back!

We left last Friday at 4:30am for Colorado...and came home this evening...109 hours later.  The trip was short (although, the drive was LONG), but so much fun!

I may have taken too many pictures...coughanaverageof5perhourweweregonecough...and have to sort through them.  So, posts of the trip will be delayed, but coming.

As I took a quick look through the pictures tonight, I loved seeing the memories we made.  Most likely, my boys will not remember this trip long-term.  I know that I don't remember most trips to Colorado to see family - at least not individually.  But, I remember driving there, and memories made.  And, while I know my camera can be obnoxious at some points (ie, in the swimming pool!), I am so grateful for the pictures.  My Aunt Colleen mentioned that she is so grateful for all of the photos she has of her and her husband, and her family together.  The not-so-pretty pictures with no make-up, bad hair, and on and on. When her husband, my Uncle Mike, died so unexpectedly, it was tragic.  And continues to be.  But, thankfully, she has pictures. Pictures that captured the moment.  Even if she didn't love the picture in the moment then.  She loves them now.  And, that is why I do it.  Why I treat my "big" camera as if it were a point-and-shoot.  Why it is with me most of the times we leave the house on the weekends.  Why Patrick has to keep reconfiguring how to store my (large quantity of) pictures.

It's for the memories.  I hope I never stop.

Me, with my Aunt Colleen.  Just before leaving this morning.  I love that she doesn't hesitate when I ask her for a picture.  Even when I had a dozen other "better" opportunities to get a good one of both of us.

Phoenix . November 2011

Friday, we left the house about 4:30am, and drove through Las Vegas to Phoenix.  We made a long lunch stop in Vegas, and ate at Margaritaville - it was delicious!

Saturday was the reason we drove all the way to Phoenix . . . we were able to get tickets to Kevin Harvick's First Annual "West Coast" Fan Club Event.  We went to the track, shopped around the trailers, and watched the last half of Sprint Cup qualifying, and the first part of the Nationwide Race.  We left the race early, and went to stand in line to "register" with the Fan Club Event - we were person #4 and #5 in line.  After a long wait (the race went long, and they waited until it was over to let registration begin), we were able to procure front row seats inside.  A typical race-food dinner (hot dogs) was served, and a few other events happened.

Kevin Harvick, and his wife DeLana, came out for a "Q & A Session", hosted by Jamie Little - an ESPN Correspondent (remember her . . . she's super important in the story in just a bit!).

Jamie Little, Delana Harvick, and Kevin Harvick

After the Q&A, Fan Club Members were allowed to line up to get up to 2 items autographed by Delana and/or Kevin.  Well . . . the problem is that only Patrick is a Fan Club Member, and I wanted more than 2 items autographed!  After a few discussions with Kevin's PR people, I was allowed to get in line, and also have 2 items autographed!

Kevin seemed flattered, but not too shocked that we named our son Harvick.  One of his PR people told me that it happens "more than you might think" - but, typically his first name is used, and more often it is as a middle name!  After he signed our 4 items, I told Patrick to go around the table to get a picture with him - it turns out that going behind the table isn't allowed - but, no one stopped us (they stopped everyone else, though)!

Kevin signing Harvick's Birth Certificate; the signed Birth Certificate!; and Kevin Harvick and Patrick!

Harvick's picture autographed by Kevin (left) and DeLana (right)

But - the story doesn't end there!  All along, I have been saying that I was going to find a way to get Jarrett's Birth Certificate and picture autographed by Dale Jarrett - the problem was that I had no idea how that could happen.  When we found out Jamie Little was going to be at the Fan Club event, Patrick suggested that would be a better contact that Kevin Harvick (or his people) - both Jamie and Dale Jarrett are ESPN Correspondents!  Immediately following the Q&A, I followed Jamie out of the event tent, and stopped her and Kevin Harvick's PR guy, Josh.  Josh had been the person who allowed me to get the additional autographs, but honestly, he couldn't have cared less about our son's name.  However, Jamie loved that we had named our boys Harvick and Jarrett, and strongly encouraged Josh, and the other PR person - EJ - to help get the Birth Certificate signed!  Had I not been able to tell her, I don't think we would have gotten anywhere with my plan.  We left the event with EJ's phone number, and instructions to call her when we got to the track on Sunday!

Sunday was the "main race".  As part of the Fan Club package, we received 2 pit passes.  Now, let me explain - there are different types of passes - pit passes and garage passes.  Then, there are levels within each (I think).  The pit pass is the most basic.  The "best" (I think) is a "HOT garage pass".  Okay - back to the story - we redeemed our pit pass, and were able to walk around pit road, where we took a picture in front (back?) of Kevin Harvick's pit box, and with the tires that were to be used for the race.

We walked out on to the actual track, where I signed the start/finish line, and where we watched Driver Introductions.

At the end of the Driver Introductions, you are supposed to go over the barrier wall, and back into the stands . . . except we hadn't had a chance to see Kevin Harvick's car (it had been raining earlier, so they weren't out when we were on pit road) . . . so, I convinced Patrick to back the way we had entered the track to see the car!

Well, not only did we get to be thisclose to Kevin Harvick's car, but Kevin was within an arm's reach, as he prepared for the race.  While standing there, Patrick kept telling me we didn't have the right kind of pass (a "HOT garage pass"), and that we were going to get caught - it was at that point that he turned his pit pass around, so that someone wouldn't be able to easily tell we shouldn't be there!  Then, right as officials were asking everyone to get off the track, Kevin's PR person, EJ, saw us.  She informed us we weren't going to be able to meet Dale Jarrett in person, but that she would take the items, give them to Jamie who would take them to him in Homestead (Florida - the last race of the season), and have them shipped back to us.  As this conversation happened, they started the prayer and National Anthem . . . so, we stood in Kevin Harvick's "line" - literally, it went the car, Kevin, DeLana, Kevin Harvick employee, and then Patrick!  Complete once-in-a-lifetime thing.  Too bad I have no pictures to prove it!  We were; however, close enough to grab a few shots of Kevin getting into his car before we left.

So . . . now we keep our fingers crossed that we get Jarrett's Birth Certificate and picture, autographed, and in the mail!

At the start of the race (left), and the end of the race (right)

Overall, we had a great time . . . but, we were glad to get back to our boys on Monday!  Thanks to my parents for spending the weekend with them!