Christmas 2010

Never did I imagine that Sydney would lay down on the floor mid the unwrapping of gifts extravaganza. 

But she did and I think all the excitement and anticipation wore her out. That and maybe from sorting everyone's gifts before she even started opening her own. She was so excited about everyone getting gifts and wanted to make sure everyone got a lot of gifts.

I simply love holiday's with kids. It's just not the same without them. Kids bring the magic and amazement to Christmas. Without them it's just not the same. I am so grateful to be able to spend all my holidays with Sydney and for the excitement and fun she brings. I absolutely adore this girl and her crazy, wacky personality.

Half the Sky

So I know this is more of a photo blog..... But I recently read a book called "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." (well I listened to the audiobook at work)
I am not much of an activist, nor am I very political but this book really touched me in such a profound way. Actually..... it's not really even a political book or anything like that.... But for some reason when I think about women's rights or "saving" countries in conflict I automatically think "oh those crazy liberals..."

Well I just so happen to have a dear friend who is one of those "crazy liberals" and I love her to death for it. She amazes me with how passionate she is and her drive to make a difference in this world. Well I have to admit I wasn't dying to read this book but I did it because she asked me to. :) And I did read it! And I was so touched by it's message.

It amazes me how blessed we are in this country and it amazes me that there is so much oppression in the world that we are not even aware of. After reading this book I learned that it is not a matter of women's rights but of human rights. I don't really want to go into what the book is about.......There's just too much to even do it justice. Just read it! Read it! Read it!

I can't say what you will get out of it, as I am sure everyone gets something different from it.  But your eyes will be opened to a new view of your own world and hopefully a different world that maybe you never considered before... and come to realize how connected we all are.

Kristina and Scott

I have a LOT of photos to share from last fall and this winter. This is the first of many that I am dying to share.
This is my dear and best friend from my childhood. I have had the privilege of photographing Kristina and Scott before and I am so blessed that they asked me to do it again. I love these guys!

Utah newborn photography: Maggie

I had way too much fun photographing Maggie. I think I have photos from three different days....Here is just a sampling of more to come!

This is Halloween

I know it's almost Christmas..... but  I have a ton of photos from October and still want to share them. Halloween is my favorite holiday. Every year we invite everyone in my family over for a pumpkin carving party. This photo of my nephew inspired a new idea for next year.... It will be required to either carve a pumpkin that looks like yourself or make the same face as your pumpkin... I love this face...

Ware Family Photos

This is my brother, Dallan and his beautiful wife, Laura and their cute family. I love these guys! it was so fun spending the day with them! I especially loved photographing Dallan and Laura together. Dallan is so funny he had Laura and I laughing.

 

To view all the photos from this event and to order prints click HERE.

first snowstorm of the year, and the sun

We had our first real snowstorm yesterday and I'm already longing for moments in the sun like this....

This is my nephew. My sister, Mychel, is in town and I have been taking way too many pictures of her kids. Many more to come....

Merrell Family

Even though I just met the Merrell family minutes before we started shooting, I could tell as soon as we started that these two love each other and have a lot of fun together, and it just carries over to their kids. What an awesome family and couple!
It was so much fun getting to know these guys and photographing their family. We had so much fun at the pumpkin patch that day!

 

To view all images from this event and order prints click HERE.

Park Family Photos

Yay! I am finally posting photographs of the Park family. This is my dear friend Lindsay. We have been friends since high school and as college roommates we took all of our art classes together. It was the most fun! Lindsay and I share a love for art, the movie "Psycho" and more specifically Norman Bates, deep conversations, and we both appreciate each others cynical and sarcastic humor.

I love this girl and her adorable family! We had a ball at the pumpkin patch, celebrating a favorite family tradition. I feel so blessed that she asked me to come along.

The thing that I love about Dallin and Lindsay is they are kind of like yin and yang. They complement each other so perfectly. Lindsay is a deep thinker, passionate and intense while Dallin is easy-going, laid back and patient. I've always admired their marriage and how they love and accept each other. With Dallin and Lindsay's genes how can these kids not have the most gorgeous eyes!?

I got to photograph their baby earlier this year and he is such a happy and pleasant little guy.

You can view the whole event and order prints HERE.

lemonade sale

Sydney wanted to sell lemonade and cookies to save up for a DS (Yes. Her mean mom is making her save up $50 for her share.)
I was so impressed with how much she earned. We were totally capitalizing on her two broken wrists. Bwahahah! And it totally worked!
No. She just let her sweet, friendly self shine through as she waved to every neighbor that passes by. How can you resist that?