It's done...

I edited the pictures I took of my sweet kids and I did it in record time! Yeah me! Had so much fun looking at their beautiful faces.

I edited a lot of pictures. So many so that I decided to split them up into 4 posts. Yep 4. I know that sounds like a lot, but let me break it down for you... Reagan... Crew... Cache... all three! See, makes perfect sense, right? This way you won't be bombarded with a million pictures and I get a few posts out of this fun day.

That means that today's pictures are of Reagan! You guys are lucky because this girl loves the camera. I'm not exaggerating. She loves it. She is a complete poser, and I love her for it! I wish my boys would be as easy as she is to photograph! Oh, well. Gotta stay sharp somehow!



Love this girl. Love that she is the life of the party. Love that she is friends with every and anyone. Love that she wants to take care of everyone. Love that she is happy almost all of the time. Love that she tells everyone that she is Sarah, the mom. Love that she still sleeps with her buddy. Love that she is all girl. Love that she is all mine.

Gifts from the kids

I wanted the kids to make Steve something for his birthday. I tried having Reagan draw him a picture and have Crew color something but that just looked like, well, a 3 and 4 year old scribbled on some paper. I knew Steve would love it for a minute and then be done with them. I wanted something that might last a little longer.

Then I remembered that I had some canvases I had purchased from Michaels a while back and also remembered something my friend Anya had done to decorate her sons room and I thought... YES! That's what I'll do! So I undressed the kids, put on the aprons, and got out the paint! Well, my mom brought some paint over. Thanks mom!

So Anya had her little guy, Lucas, paint some canvases as decoration for his bedroom. So I thought I would let the kids each paint a canvas to give to Steve for him to keep in his office. Well, it was a huge hit! The kids had a blast! And I think Steve was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful gift. At least that is the impression I got ;)! Here's a little taste of the fun we had...

You can see that Reagan is all girl, and Crew is all boy. It just happens like that people.

15:52

I don't think there has been a year that I have been so excited for the snow to melt and Spring to come! So happy to finally see some blossoms on our trees out front! Couldn't wait to get out there and snap a few pictures. Loving the new life and promise of a new tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Baba

Today we are celebrating the birth of who I believe to be the best husband, who Reagan, Crew and Cache believe to be the best dad, who Hugo and Anina believe to be the best baby boy, who Bryant and Lana believe to be the best son-in-law, and who everyone else who know him believe to be the best all around friend.

Happy Birthday to my best friend. A person who cares so much about others that it makes me tired sometimes, but better for it. Someone who is fully invested in doing what is right no matter the challenge. A man who is good, honest, loving and happy. You are the first person I want to see and talk to in the morning and the person I keep up at night listening to my ramblings. Thank you for being you...

And thank you for being born!

We love you!

14:52

So I finally took Crew's 3 year old and Cache's 1 year old pictures. I'm only 2 1/2 months behind but again, they're done. phew. I was feeling that task weigh me down every day and it got heavier with each day that passed farther from their birthdays. But alas, they are done and it was fun! I did the grey backdrop again, I kept waiting for some nice weather, but as you know, the weather hasn't been cooperating the last couple of months. The days that it was beautiful were the days that I couldn't pull it together to take them. The days I had everything planned and scheduled, it was nasty outside. So I gave up and took them inside.

No, these pictures are not of the session. I took these after the session as Cache was running around my mom's house. I LOVE his curls! I love his curls peeking out under this hat! Seriously! I wish he would wear it more. But it only lasts a few minutes. But, I got some pictures so I am happy! I'll hopefully get the other pictures edited and posted in a timely manner. No promises.

13:52

Ok, so I am really late getting this up. This is a couple of weeks ago picture. Sorry. At least there it's here! I am so happy to be doing this challenge this year. I am loving the pictures I am getting of my family! Who would have thought???

This is a classic Bear Lake picture. My monther in law has buckets of pictures on this exact bench of all of her grandchildren all through the years. They always choose a hat and it's fun to watch them grow. Anina doesn't want my children left out of this tradition, and I'm glad for that. 

Here We Go Again...

I'm at it again. I'm entering another photo contest! Before I get into all of the details of the contest at hand I have to say THANK YOU for voting for my little Cache in the Cottonwood Heights Photo Contest back in January. Because of all of your votes Cache took 2nd place. So THANK YOU! It was the first time I had tried something like that and it was fun.

So here I am again. But this time I am entering a much bigger contest. I am trying to get on the cover of Professional Photographer Magazine! Am I crazy? Maybe. But why not try? Who knows, I may not win, but I figure I'll never know unless I try!

So, this is where I need your help. There is a prize for the photo that gets the most viewer votes. So I figured I would ask all of you lovely friends and family of mine to click on the link below and vote for this picture of mine. I would love you for it! Well, truth be told, I'll love you anyway but I would truly appreciate your support! Just click HERE.

The picture you are looking for is this:

12:52

Last weekend we spent at Bear Lake. I was really looking forward to playing outside. But, as you know, all it did was snow. It was windy and cold and it snowed. Yuck. I was more than bumbed. I guess it kept me inside which proved to be where I needed to be. But... the kids had a great time playing outside. I don't know how they can stand it, but uncle Phil brought up his super cool new motorcycle and we just couldn't get them off. So fun.



Music Man

I thought it was probably time to post about my experience with the Music Man play I participated in along with some amazing people in my stake. I really don't know where to begin. I said a lot about our crazy rehearsals and what seemed like endless hours preparing for this show. What else is there to say?

Well, I can tell you that I was exhausted by the day we started the actual performances. I was also extremely excited and nervous. I couldn't wait for them to be over and at the same time I didn't want it to end. I don't know how else to explain it. I was a ball of confusion. So many rehearsals had led to that weekend in March, we were so ready, I was so ready, but at the same time I didn't know what I was going to do with myself when it ended. What would happen to these wonderful relationships I had been growing over the last few months? What will I do with the time that once was taken by Music Man? Is all of this work even going to be worth it in the end?

Well, the performance came and it was all I was hoping it would be. It was real, it was fun, people were actually laughing at the jokes I had forgotten were funny. And that's another thing... people actually came! It was amazing to look out into this amazing and really big theater and see so many people. People who took the time away from so many other things I'm sure they could have been doing to support me and all of the other cast members. That was so great. I can't tell you how grateful I am to those who came to the show. Thank you again, if I haven't done it enough already. It meant the world to me to have you there. I hope you all know that.

As for the worries I had about it coming to an end, well I did make some incredible friends during this experience. Friendships that I am sure wouldn't have even happened if it weren't for the play. I was so worried that these would somehow disappear without Music Man holding us together, but I am so happy to say that we have been able to go on with out it. I have received the sweetest notes, thoughtful little gifts, and much appreciated phone calls saying hello or touching base. I have run into some at stores and have felt such excitement at getting to stop for a minute and hear how they are doing. I feel like there is this whole group of people out there who I love and who love me. I may not get to talk to or see them every day but they are there and that is enough. (I can't wait for the next reunion in May. Yep, we're having a reunion already! Love it!). And all that time I thought I would have on my hands? Who am I kidding? I didn't have time before the play and I don't have time after. It seems my life was just put on hold for 3 months while I was in the play and the minute it was over my life started right up again. Didn't miss a step. I'm grateful and sad for that. Wish I could have breathed for at least one second, but glad not to feel sorry for myself with no friends or things to do. And I will say IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT IN THE END! So glad I did this. Good and bad, I am better for it, Steve and I are better for it. The end.

Steve brought our camera on the last day, I just kept forgetting it. He was our official picture taker. We don't have a lot and none of me and all of the pick-a-little ladies which makes me sad. I was hoping to get some of those pictures from the other ladies but I don't want to wait any more. I'll post them if I get them.

My very purple Pick-A-Little Lady costume

Julie and I. The other "young one"

Ashlee, Justin and one of the traveling salesman. Gotta love the make-up

This is the only picture I have of Steve and I. Sad, I know. We did the best we could. I think I should let you in on a little secret, Steve learned how to put on his own make-up during this whole production. That isn't something every guy can say. I think he should be proud, he doesn't agree.

Nancy (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn) and I. One of my absolute most favorite people. Love that I got to know her.

Lots of pictures of me. Thanks Steve.

Having a little too much fun with the camera. Steve and Brandon.

Joan and I. Another amazing woman who I wish I could be more like.

Me, me, me

Spring Conference 2011

I love conference. I really do. I know that may seem crazy, but I so look forward to sitting down and listening to the words of those I truly look up to, feeling of their spirits, and walking away renewed and empowered, ready to make changes in myself and be better.

This hasn't always been the case. I used to see conference weekend as a week off of church, a time to go and do something fun with my family. I was asked to listen to the prophet speak and the last session, or was that just something I did? I can't really remember my parents actually forcing me to sit down, but that was generally the routine. I always understood that it was important, but it didn't seem to pertain to me and I didn't see it as necessary for my own personal growth. I loved seeing the prophet and all the beautiful flowers, but that's about where it ended.

I'm not sure when or why or how things changed for me but they did. I now listen so contently to the teachings of my leaders. I bask in their spirit and the comforting sound of their voices. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful gospel, to live so close to where a lot of important things happen, to be surrounded by people who put the lord first and live such happy honest lives.

Ok... I know this is so nerdy, but I took notes. shhhhhh! Don't tell! I do it so that I know I am paying attention and so that I can remember the things that can help me when I might forget exactly what was said. So, I thought I would share a few of my favorite notes. I took a lot so I'm not going to share them all, but I think a few will be good. At least good for me to come back and remember if I need to.

The things I wrote down are from conference, my thoughts on the subject are in blue.

• Keep the sabbath day holy and go to church! Innovative stuff, I know. But it made me think more strongly about the sacrament and if I am utilizing it fully in my life.
• The greatest joy we will receive in this life is following the Savior. Check, true so far for me.
• Follow the example of children. Children are full of faith and believing. They are open to the spirit. I really loved this talk. She spoke of children and why Christ always spoke of them and told his followers to behold them and become like them. Children come to us very innocent and pure. They have not been jaded by life's hardships. They have an easy time discerning between right and wrong. Children are much quicker to recognize the spirit and things that are good and right. I really loved that. It made me look differently at my children. They are truly so precious.
• We should express love even at the most dire of circumstances. Even when we are going through hardships. Christ showed his love always even when they were whipping him he had love for all the people.
• Elder Cook gave a talk about the role of women and I thought the whole thing was so wonderful and pertinent in my life. I wrote so many things about it and then starred it to go back and read when it is available.
• HAVE YOU DONE ANY GOOD IN THE WORLD TODAY? HAVE YOU HELPED ANYONE IN NEED? This question plagues me more often than I'd like to admit. I hope that I can really push this in my own life.
• When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously. We must have righteous desires. Our desires influence our actions. Our actions define who we are. Enough said.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Begin this effort at home. I think sometimes I worry more about my actions with people who live outside of my home. I think that I have time to worry about those within my home or that I know they love me and therefore will forgive me for not having time or for being short. But I think I might have it backwards. I think I need to start in my home. Worry about these other four people first, my relationship with them and the quality time we spend together and then I can worry about the other people that matter.
• Where charity exists, there can be no gossip or unkind words.
• I need to start asking more questions of others instead of waiting for them to ask questions of me. Sometimes I feel like I need others to be interested in what I am doing or things that are happening in my life, but really it doesn't matter. What matters is what they are doing, what is going on in their lives.
• If we are thinking only of ourselves we will miss the most profoundly uplifting and spiritual experiences.
• When answering someone elses prayer, we usually find the answer to our own.
• We should engage the blessing of revelation in our lives. I want to learn to understand and know how to act upon the promptings of the spirit. I think I sometimes feel when the spirit is prompting me, but I want it to be clear in my heart and mind.
• Put a picture of the temple in every bedroom.
• The more often we go to the temple, the stronger we will be to overcome trials and temptations. Life beyond the veil is as real and certain as our life here on Earth. -President Monson. Wow.