Going To Be a Family of Five!

John and I are expecting our third child - a girl - the first week of August. We are excited! I've learned that at age 35 the medical community considers my pregnancy a "geriatric pregnancy". Isn't that just so uplifting? I've not let it get me down though and have not given in to pressures to do extra testing on my unborn child. We are both well and have planned with my doc to attempt a natural birth including going into labor on my own. I hope it works out this time :)

We've created a registry with BabiesRUs which can be found HERE

And I'll soon be posting a registry with Etsy.

Love you all...more to come soon!

An Ahhhhhh Moment

Time out. Taking a moment to relish in the excitement and serenity of a new bed. After a few years of complaints, sore backs and lack of quality sleep John and I have a new mattress. Yahoo! I am happy to hear from John that he lacks a sore lower back now that we are in the new bed. Of course, with a new bed (different size than old one) there had to be new bedding. Ooooh is it nice. Soft, smooth sheets. Cozy comforter that keeps you just right (Goldie Locks). Can't wait to spend each night in our little slice of heaven! Cheers.

Summer vacation...final leg

The last part of our summer vacation was actually, well, a staycation. However, we still managed to get out to do somethings we hadn't done before. One of which was take the tour at the Hoover Dam. It's funny that after all the years of living in Las Vegas and Northern Arizona with trips to Las Vegas, I've never stopped to explore the dam. And now that they have finished the bypass bridge, it gave me even more reason to make it one of our destinations this summer.

The tour started out with a short video on the history of making the dam then followed up by an elevator ride down into the earth and power plant. The girls had fun too. Especially, Tahlor. The tour guide allowed Tahlor to select the different levels in the elevator that we were to visit. Post tour, we wondered around the souvenir shop, picking up a nice commemorative coin and our family photo superimposed over an image of the dam. We also checked the exhibits. There was an upper level that served as an observation area and we captured some nice images outside of the dam and bridge. Across the street we found a great show about the water system within the southwest states which including a large, mapped exhibit.

After leaving the dam, I requested that we drive over the new bridge just to say we did. It was disappointing though because you could hardly notice that you were on a bridge and you cannot see the dam or anything for that matter.

 Underneath us here is one of the several canals of water that are coming from Lake Mead and getting ready to pass through the power generators.

 This is what it was like to walk through the side of the mountains to get to different areas of the power plant.

 The area where the generators are!

 The Hoover Dam, of course.

 The girls cooperating to take a picture at the observation level.

A glimpse of the bridge.

Keepers and outtakes

The photo shoot was a lot of fun. We had several great shots (incidentally those were the ones that were sent to print) and even some not so great, but funny shots. Take a look at a few more moments...

There's definitely a "cheese" in this picture.

I think she heard the ocean. Oh wait, it is the ocean, right behind her.

Sea stars.

Does she look excited or what?

These two look like they are trying to do the macarena.

Go horsey, I mean elephant, go!

I am way too serious for this shot...

Sweet first grader :)

Such wonder.

Greetings from gorgeous Fiji

Ahhhh Fiji...the second leg of our summer vacation. I know it probably didn't fool you but this is a close as we are going to get to Fiji: this year anyway :)

So, the 'fam' stepped into the studio for a set of fun summer pics. More to come soon!

A Winter Wonderland

The Hirsch family has traveled a short distance through the desert to the mountain to have a great time playing...

Yep, that is right! Playing in the snow. It has become a winter wonderland out in the desert. Near the ski resort at Mt. Charleston we were grateful to find a meadow covered in snow. The girls had their first real experiences sledding, making snow balls, being cold and needing to bundle up in the truest sense of the word. I am glad to have taken them because not only was it good for them to have the experience, they also really enjoyed it. We hope to be making several trips to the snow this winter.

A natural already.

Doing it luge-style.

Looks like someone had their share of hot chocolate.

FAMILY PHOTOS | 2010

John, I and the girls met with Carrie Terrones to capture some family pictures. She is a fantastic photographer - I love her style.

I am excited that we have access to a sneak peak of our session. Enjoy this short and sweet sampling!

Thank you Carrie!

Floyd Lamb

Most would agree on the image that comes to mind about the outdoors in Las Vegas - it would look something like this:

You would never imagine scenery like this (except at an extreme water-using, lush casino).

I am here to tell you that there is a diamond in the rough - North of Las Vegas, off the 95 is Floyd Lamb State Park. It is beautiful. I cannot believe I have lived here for 10 years all the while knowing it existed but, never visited until just this past weekend. It is beautiful - reminded me of some great camping scenery experienced as a child. Fishing is available in the park as well as picnic areas and open fields. Also, on the property is Tule Springs Ranch (some what of a historical landmark). I hope our family will be taking more trips to this great oasis.

Hirsch family dinner

The Hirsch family was finally able to get together for a post-holiday dinner. Ham, potatoes, and spinach, oh my! Tahlor enjoyed coloring with uncle Kenny and Lauren pretty much played with everyone as she made her way from one person to the next. It was nice seeing everyone!

Kenny and Tahlor at the table with crayons and discussing the comeback of their band.
Grandpa Bill

Donna and Aunt Michelle with cousin Zackery.

Grandma Judy and Aunts Kathy and Debbie.