Christmas 2011

On Christmas Eve, I put on my apron (for the first time) and started cooking while the Michael Buble Christmas CD played. It all felt very Christmassy. Jared was outside, cleaning the car and if you know him at all, this is no surprise.

My Uncle Cliff is a Pastor in Heber, Utah. We were invited to a Christmas Eve musical program. It was a very nice way to start Christmas Eve and great to be with family. We even had the chance to listen to a four-time Grammy nominee pianist. He’s amazing.

After hugs goodbye, we drove home and quickly finished dinner with my mom’s help and a friend’s oven (one oven just wasn’t enough!) When the rest of the family arrived, dinner was ready. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t take a single picture on Christmas Eve but, I think I was just having such a great time, I didn’t even think about it! It was such an incredible night. After we ate dinner, we talked, ate dessert (and ate and ate), and played games. We played our family game, Upwords, and Jared won! J (It’s always hard to beat my mom & aunt..) The family stayed all night and left around midnight. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time and I sure do love my family. When everyone had left, our house was a disaster. Jared and I cleaned for the next hour and a half and fell on the couch when we were done.

Christmas morning came too early but, we were both excited to see what Santa had brought. We got all ready and then went downstairs to (quickly) open presents. Charlotte’s Web, The Brave Little Toaster, and Heavyweights for Jared. :) (He says he wants them for our future babies to watch.. ) Snowboarding equipment, slippers, books, and a skinny tie too. Hair products for me! –A straightener, curling iron, and a blow drier. (Do you think he was trying to tell me something? Haha.) When it was time for my last present, I was completely shocked to see that he had gotten me a new camera and photography equipment! It was such a surprise and I was so excited that I could have cried! I’m so excited to progress my photography in 2012 thanks to Jared and I appreciate that he believes in me.

We rushed out the door for breakfast at his parent’s house. They went all out and made every breakfast food you can imagine. The best waffles, cheesy potatoes, and strawberry drink I’ve ever tasted.. It was delicious. We opened presents and each of us got a stocking from Mom & Dad. Kaden & Jace were the stars of the day and we loved watching Kaden open presents.

We went with my family to visit cute 82-year old Aunt Maurine in Copperton. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. After our visit, we went to my Uncle Kent’s and Aunt Jody’s for our favorite Christmas dinner. Ham, Yummy potoatoes, green bean salad, and blue-berry muffins – A tradition started by my grandmother. (It’s also what I made on Christmas Eve) The girls talked upstairs while the boys watched TV downstairs. It was the perfect end to a great holiday season. Above all of the excitement Christmas brings, what I love about it the most is spending time with our wonderful families and reflecting on the birth of our Savior. We are truly blessed, Jared and I.

Thank you to my family and sweet friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Nephew Kaden with his new BB Gun.. "You'll shoot your eye out!!" :)

Ryan & Jessica's Wedding

Jessica, Jared's little sister, got married last month to our wonderful new brother in law, Ryan. It was such a beautiful night and Jared and I had a blast dancing and laughing with the family. More details and pictures are found on my photography blog.

I love weddings..

Spring Fever

I may be overly excited about the semi nice weather we've been getting but, I am very much in the mood for Spring. :) I am having a Spring Special on my photography blog! Check it out and please spread the word!

We Are Women

I am so excited that this photo was chosen to be published in a book called, We Are Women. It is definitely an exciting "check" off of my life list and I am buying my copy right now!

"We Are Women" is a collection of essays and photographs concentrating on the divine attributes of women. All proceeds from the book will go to the Campaign to End Fistula.

If you would like to purchase a copy, please click here.

Have you heard?

This giveaway is for a great cause. Please enter and spread the word.

If you win, we can do any kind of shoot you'd like! Portraits of yourself, you and your friends, you and your significant other, or your family! If you're getting married, this will take $100 off of your wedding package.

The winner will be announced November 10th!

Thank you! Thank you!

A weekend with Sussy

I am very excited to be attending Nicole Hill's Art Weekend today and Saturday! I took the day off of work and it is a very good day (for learning)! There's still room to sign up!

It's calling to me..

Today, even though it is 52 days away, I craved Oregon.
(I think I am blaming my Mom because, she emailed me about plane tickets.)

And.. I mostly thought about all of the potential "photo-opps"
(I also, of course, thought about that delicious chicken taco salad from The Logger.)

Maybe I shall make a chain countdown..?

"After the Storm"

Glacier National Park Montana,USA.

Photographer Florian Schulz won the award of Nature's Best Conservation Photographer of the Year.

I can see why.

Check out more of Florian Schulz's beautiful work here.

By the way.. Have you seen Earth? Loved it. We already have plans to let (make) our kids watch it everyday.

God is so good at what he does..