A (not so much) Magical evening.

We were heading north out of the massive chaos of humanity of Southern California.  I don't think I've ever seen so much traffic in my life!  There shouldn't be than many cars in the world, much less one state, much less one little area of the state!  Glad to be shut of that!

As we were driving along, Tim asked the kids if there was anything they wanted to do on our trip.  He wanted them to let him know so we could be putting it in the planning.  I'm thinking something like stopping at a road-side stand and getting some fresh local produce.  Or seeing the giant redwoods.  Apparently, that is not the way a 17 year old guy thinks.  Abe piped up that he wanted to race go-carts at some point.  (Mental eye roll here.)

Little did we know that 10 minutes later we would be driving by Six Flags Magic Mountain.  Tim exits and asks Abe if Six Flags would work.  I do believe Abe was a tad bit shocked that his wish was going to be granted so quickly and with such a bang.  Conni was rather excited, too.

We got there at 5:00.  They close at 9:00.  We figured that would be just about right for us.  Four hours of crazy rides would give the kids their thrill fix, then we could be on our way again.

We grabbed a map as we entered and found out they categorize their rides.
1. Thrill seekers in training.
2. Moderate thrills.
3. Maximum thrills.

So...did we start with the "in training" rides?  No.  The minimum thrill rides?  No.

We just HAD to start with the maximum thrill rides.  And on top of that, we just HAD to start with the X2 - a ride of complete terror in which your seat does a complete 360, and you never know if you're up or down.  I spent the 20 minutes we stood in line trying to convince myself that I could do it; that I would be just fine; that if my kids could do it, then by golly I could too.

 Please notice that you are lying on your back going up this.  And yes, once you get to the top, you tip over head first as you plummet down.  Terrifying.  This ride was a blur.  I did everything from pray for safety, to asking God why in the world I got on this stupid ride in the first place.  I have a vague memory of asking for my mom.  I remember wanting to punch Tim.  At some point in the ride, these massive flame torches light up as you fly past.  The roar is insane.  It is amazing how queasy you can get in a 90 second ride.  By the end, I was trying to relocate my stomach to where it should be.  I was so shaky when we got off.  I think Tim had to support me a bit.  The kids were all grins saying, "That was so awesome!"

I was doing this:

I never did really throw up, but I was working hard to not give in to the urge. For some sick reason, Abe and Conni found it funny.

Here I am slightly recovered; a bit pale around the gills.

And then, like an idiot, I go ride this:

Not once, not twice, but 6 times you go upside down.  Six times!

After that, I was done.  Done with anything that spins, tips, or goes upside down.  I stuck to bumper cars.

The kids had fun on the go carts.  It was a bit anticlimactic after the roller coasters.

We left when the park closed.  We were pooped.  Conni collapsed on the grass as we were waiting for Tim to drive by and pick us up.

It was a fun evening.  I'm glad (for the kid's sake) that we got to go.  But for the record, I don't need to go to another amusement park.  I think national parks are more my speed.

Looking forward to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Tetons in the next couple of weeks.

Traveling on!

Life just got better.

Now I feel whole again.

Tim surprised me and came in a day earlier than planned.  So happy.

We picked Abe up Thursday morning in Palm Springs.  I'm so glad to be getting my family back together.

We got back from the airport just in time to play water volleyball.  It was so much fun and my volleyball cronies loved having some new teammates.

Smit and Janet came up in the afternoon.  We had one last evening together.  Played volleyball, had a cookout, played pool and shuffleboard, and visited.

Please excuse my son's manners.

Smit, Janet, Ashley, and Jacob Smith.

My family on its way to being like it should.  Two down, two to go.

Unhooking and stowing all hoses, pipes, cords, and cables.  Time to roll again!

Our first stop...In and Out.  I've been waiting to go here until Abe got back.  Conni doesn't like burgers.  I've heard so much about In and Out.  Some people rave, some people say it's no different than any other burger joint.

Tim's Double Double.

 Our verdict.... In and Out is an okay burger.  Nothing to write home about, though.

So now, we are rolling!  Bear is chilling on the couch.  It took him a couple of miles to remember that this "house" rolls.  He was a little jumpy and nervous at first.

I'm glad to be on the road again.  Looking forward to more exciting adventures on our trip.  Can't wait to pick up the girls in a few more days.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Hobbies....

Lots of people have been asking about my hair and makeup business, so I thought I'd share what I do here, especially since its one of the things that has kept me so busy for the last 5 weeks :)


I have been doing my friend's hair as far back as I can remember. Angi taught me how to do the basics, and we started doing each other's and our friend's hair for weddings and such. Then as our friends got married, we did their hair, and the bridesmaids, and anyone else who needed their hair done. :) It kind of escalated from there. I did my first bride by myself in 2009 when I was 16.

Heather was an absolutely gorgeous bride! I loved the hairstyle she chose :)

I started doing hair for my friend's friends, and their friends - sometimes getting paid, sometimes not.

Last spring I decided that I wanted to advertise and start getting paid :) lol I put an add on craigslist and made some contacts in the wedding world around Cville. Last summer, I teamed up with a hair and makeup artist doing the same thing as me in Richmond. I have loved working with Joy - she has taught me so much. I did her makeup class, and started getting into that side of the business as well. Now I work as her associate - she is very well know in the Richmond area, and advertises a lot. I cover the Cville area for her as well as help in Richmond.

My friend Lily created this logo for my business as a  thank you for doing her hair and makeup one time.

Stephanie was one of the last brides I did before I started my business last year. She helped convince me to make it into an actual business. I never thought it would be such a success!

This was a bride from last summer - there are so many weddings around the Cville area... tons of amazing venues. Like Ash Law, Veritas Vineyard, Keswick Hall, Boars Head Inn, UVA Chapel, and hundreds more. There are lots of vineyards around here, and lots of UVA students come back to this area to have their wedding.

The next few pictures are from a wedding I did last Saturday in Montpelier. I always bring an assistant for bridal parties of 4 or more people. Otherwise I would have to start waaaay too early :) Amber Clem helped me with this one. She has recently joined my team of hair and makeup artists.

Compared to some other makeup artists I have worked with, my kit is very small. :)

This is the mother of the bride...

Covering a tattoo....

Bridesmaid's hair...

Eyelashes :)

Flower girls....

Amber did this bridesmaid's hair and makeup. She did a great job! :)

Me, doing the bride's hair...

This bride went for a classic, simple updo.

Bride's makeup.....

My concentration face :)

I really enjoyed working with this bride. She was so sweet :)

I'm still working as a dispatcher/accountant for Ben Franklin Plumbing full time, and I do this on the weekends. I will often do consults (basically a trial run for the bride) on weeknights after I get off work, or on Sunday afternoons. Some weekends I have a Saturday and Sunday wedding.

I absolutely love what I do:) I did not go to any type of school except a hands-on makeup training class with a more experienced makeup artist. God has blessed me so much in allowing me to have a job where I get paid to do what I love. :) It is going so well for me - I'm almost completely booked out for the rest of this year! I left a few weekends open so that I don't overwhelm myself - working 6 days a week gets old :)

Someday I hope to quit my office job and be able to do this full time. But for now i wouldn't know what to do with all that extra time! :) lol

  -Marci

PS: Thanks a million to mom and dad and their training that allowed me to start something like this when I was only  18 - as well as supporting me in it and being ok with my crazy schedule! :)

Time flies....

    I had 5 weeks at home while the fam was trooping across the country and it has passed by SO fast! I had so much going on this month... work, work, family weddings, work, visiting friends etc. :)


I flew to Oklahoma where mom's family lives to go to my cousin's wedding on May 5th. It was a really short trip - Friday to Sunday. Im so glad I went though; it was great to see everyone and be a part of Lauren's special day!

Lauren is 2 months younger than me, and we have been close friends since we were little - even growin up half a continent apart. :) Im so happy for her and Josh.

Lauren and I have our fair share of mischief.... but its obvious that we get that from our moms. :) They are even worse that we are! :)

This is the morning of her wedding.

Chelsea, Lauren and I. Chelsea is a few months older than me - its so much fun having girl cousins my age ;) Most of my cousins in VA are guys :)

I got to meet Adeline, Chelsea's 3 month old daughter for the first time. She is so precious! :)

Logan, me, Lauren, Abel.

Brothers and sisters.... :) Love all of them!

Chelsea, Lauren and I at the wedding...

It was a really good trip - I'm so thankful I was able to go!

Prolific bunnies...

This park needs to hire someone to come in here and pick off a few dozen rabbits.  They are literally everywhere!  Especially in the evenings.  Every evening we go on a walk or bike ride and that's when we see so many.

Last night as I took Bear on his last pee run, I counted over 40 on just 3 streets.  Saw this in a little grassy area.

They're really cute, but who needs this many rabbits?  They leave little droppings everywhere, too.  Bear goes nuts when he sees them.  I kinda wish I could just let him run loose and see how much damage he could do. :)

Conni has been dying to catch one too.  Yesterday I looked out the window and saw this procedure going on.

Yes, it's a rabbit trap.  One laundry basket, a hanger, a lettuce core, some fishing line, and you're ready to catch a rabbit!

 Of course, you have to sit and wait for the dumb things to walk into your trap.  Here she is with the "trigger" ready to pull.

This morning, the trap was sprung, but no rabbit.  I'm kinda glad.  All I can envision is a bunny riding the next 3,000 miles with us.