Just Playing

I've been playing with some textures in photoshop and I came up with this

I thought it looked kind of cool. Anyone else have any thoughts on it? Yeah or nay?

That's what big sisters are for

Makenna is our little conniving one. She is just ALWAYS into something. Poor Ellie has had to learn the word "don't" out of necessity to get her sister to stop tormenting her. Well, back in December, the day we were going to fly out to Washington for my dad's surprise birthday party, I was really busy packing and getting everything ready to go. Makenna and Ellie were playing and being surprisingly quiet - which should have been a warning all in it's self, but I was not going to look into it because I was actually getting stuff done. Well, it was about 1 minute until I needed to leave to get Britlyn from school, so I call out to Makenna so we can go... she walked out of the pantry with a huge smile on her face and said, "Mommy, look at Ellie!" Out comes Ellie, and she is covered, I mean covered, in cinnamon. Now, I don't have time to stick her in the bath because we probably should have already left to get Britlyn. I wanted to be upset at first with Makenna for doing that to her little sis, but it looked so funny too, I couldn't help but laugh. So instead of get upset, I decided to just get out my camera and have a good laugh about it. Then I took Ellie over to the kitchen sink and got out the sprayer and sprayed off her poor little head. I think we were only a few minutes late getting Britlyn.

Recent Family

Just thought I'd share some shots from a recent family session I had. I've had a session with just their girls before, but this time we got them with mom & dad too.

My Dad

I've been so busy trying to get photos edited lately. These are a bit late, but I have to post them. It was my dad's 60th birthday on Dec. 11. There are eight kids in our family and we decided to throw a surprise birthday party for him. My parents live in Washington State as well as 3 of my siblings. There are two more siblings in Utah, one in Oregon, one in Texas, and I'm in California. We all managed to get there for it though except for my brother in Texas because he's on a mission for our church and couldn't come. It was really cool. My dad was sooo surprised. I think it is probably one of the best things our family has ever done. My dad told me it was probably the best day of his life. My oldest brother, Doug, made a slideshow video of his life, and after it we all shared memories and thoughts about my dad. I love you dad, and I hope you remember all the good words about you because they are true!

Now, the pictures are not anything to brag about. The room was really dark and I don't have a flash, so my iso was really high making the shots grainy and few kinda blurry, but they don't have to be technically perfect because the sentimental meaning is way more valuable to me here.

Dad just walking through the door as we yelled surprise!

Just a shot of the room as everyone was eating

A failing attempt at getting a shot of all the grandkids together

Penny and Mindy with the cakes as we sing Happy Birthday

Blowing out the candles... with a little help

Fun for the kids



A group shot of all of us together. Somehow my brother Jared escaped being in this and of course Craig wasn't there so he is missing. My grandma is also here. This shot is courtesy of Brooks, and I am sorry Brooks, but your last name is escaping me right now, so just your first name will have to do.

Sneak Peak

Wow, I have been so busy this week! I have been designing Christmas cards for families, and I have been putting together a photo book for my parents & my in-laws for Christmas. This year I decided to design all my own pages... I had no idea what a project that was going to turn into! I have stayed up almost the entire night 2 times this week because I can accomplish so much more when I am alone. I am still only about half way done - I have way to many pictures! Anyway, for my secret little blog stalkers, I decided I needed to post something this week. I am such a slacker, I know! So here's a couple pages from the photobook that I am doing. Shhhh, don't tell mom & dad. :)

Now the white borders won't be there in the printed book, they are just for ease of viewing here.



I hope you are all enjoying your holiday season!!

Happy Birthday to Me

It was my birthday a week ago, and on Friday I got one heck of a birthday present. Drum roll please.... I got a Canon 5D! Yeah!!! I'm doing cartwheels here. :) I LOVE it! I got the girls out of bed on Saturday and bribed them with making cookies so I could have a few minutes to practice with it on them. Here's my first couple shots:



Thanks babe, I loooove it! (and you too :))

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are leaving to Utah in about 12 hours, so while the house is quiet I thought I'd jump on here and wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. I know my life has been so so blessed and I am just so grateful for it. Thank you to those of you who actually still check my blog after my long abandonment. :) Just a few of the things I am grateful for:

My husband
My daughters
My health
My family's health
My prosperity
My freedom
My faith
My parents & siblings
My body that took my 13.1 miles
My optimistic mind
All the challenges I have faced
All the people in my life who have influenced me to become the person I am
Photography :)
Good food
Good friends
Love
Laughter
Tears
Make-up
Crayons (you'd be amazed how many hours they entertain my girls)
Heros - people who really make a difference
Car dvd players
Good music
Sleep
Learning
Guidance
Cute shoes
Convictions
People who stand up for theirs
All the little moments in life that make me smile and think "This is what it's all about"

Have a great holiday everyone... I am so grateful for you too.

Here's a picture I took that I am grateful for