It seems like its summer

Popsicle's in December

Persnickety Products

Today I finished up the shoot with persnickety but unfortunately I still can't post a photo.

What is it?

Isaac, you are killing me with that serious face. Did Bryn take your Razor Tricycle...whatever its called? Or are just being tough kid?

Head shots

Remember that one time when I said I was going to have some time off? Yeah, it pretty much hasn't happened. But in this case I didn't mind. It was only head shots, so easy. And because they are so easy I feel like its hard to charge. I also feel like I need to put more into the photos but less is best.

LARGE Family photo

Click on the photo so you can see it bigger.
I took on the challenge of photographing a million people (okay 37 in all) in my family. We went into the studio because its December and typically there's snow on the ground but thats not true this year. It was pretty warm today...47 degrees. To me that means I don't need to wear a coat and to Kim that means she need to be bundled up in her down coat with gloves and a hat (she's from California...those guys are wimps...he he!)
I love how this turned out. I shot every family separately cuz thats just easier and then merged all the families together.

It goes oldest on the right to the youngest on the left.
Greg is the oldest in is family and so am I we have 5 kids then Brian and Kerstin with 4 kids next is Scott and Jamie with 3 kids in the middle is Mom and Dad with frowzy then Nate and Jilleen with 5 kids with one on the way, Eric and Kim with 4 kids and then Julie and Steve with 4 kids. Yeah that's a lot of people when we get together for family dinners. 

Christmas

Christmas is here and we are so FREAKING excited!!!!!! We get a visit from Santa and the Tooth Fairy how cool is that?
The kids couldn't wait to get to bed, it was the first year in a long time that all the kids slept and STAYED asleep the whole night. I also told them they couldn't come upstairs til 7:30.
I remember how hard it was to wait when I was a kid. 
The first present that was open was that big red one and it was birds...4 of them. They LOVED them and never even thought Santa would bring such a cool gift.

It was such a GREAT day. I love watching the kids and there excitement.
This year was extra special for me. I had a small budget and I stuck to it and by doing so I have never felt the spirit so strong to experience the JOY of Christmas.

Gaming

Its seems like all we do is play video games and watch movies. I'm not sure what to think about all this technology. Its good thing but then its NOT. Balance. Its all about balance.

Pinwheels

My sis-in-law has been in town from California and she showed me this website and it had the coolest photo with pinwheels. And so I have to do it. 

Persnickety Products

This session was the layflats for the clothing line Persnickety and I can't post a photo...BOO! Cuz there is some freaking cute stuff.

Lights on Temple Square

Can you see Moroni in the photo below?

What a beautiful night to spend on Temple Square and it was surprisingly warm. I really hate to be cold. Its why I don't do winter sports.
I've really wanted to get some Lights at Temple Square for a fun print to hang at Christmas time. I think I got some I like.
This was so fun for me though I wish that had a few of my lenses, my babies are in the shop. Oh, and I wish tripod's where is easier to use they just get in the way.
And Suzanne thanks for taking me and teaching me some great photo skills. I love that the only tip was if you want the star effect have your fstop at a 22 and your good to go. Its all I needed to run with.

And a Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Greg. He was so nice to let me go out on his special day.

Games with Nanna

Catching Up

The Bishop has challenge the ward to read the scriptures. We started after Thanksgiving and will end Jan 6th. We've been doing some catchup as a family. Greg is done, I am close and the kids are half way thru it. I say good for them to be able to do it. We just need a few more days of listening and we will accomplish.

Nap Time

This guy loves his nap time and the time to hang out in his crib when he wakes up.He kind of needs that space before its time to get out and destroy the house.

Rubik's Cube

I would have know idea how to solve one of these. But Gabe does. 

There's no Snow

I'm a bad momma. Its December and Beckam is outside without shoes...EEEK!
He actually escapes when he can but just had to take a shot to remember how warm it has been in December.

The First Nose Dive

This little guy had his first nose dive at Greg's soccer game last night. He fell off the bleacher's and didn't put his hands out to catch himself but used his nose to do the work. Poor guy.

Persnickety Model Shoot

Had the clothing line photo shoot today and it was so fun!!!!! But can't show the photos yet.

This years Love Hate relationship

I always look forward to Christmas because its my time to make the coolest Christmas card EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm really a humble person :)
But this year in all reality I should not have done them, while filling out the envelopes I hated that I made them but then thinking but I freaking love to do it. So here it was my first love hate with Christmas cards.

Kindness of Strangers

This holiday season I have come to grips with my budget. At first I was a little upset but then my hard heart was softened.
I have now decided to take on the challenge and figure out how I could possibly make Christmas happen with $100 and 5 kids. I wrote down all that I needed to pull it off and went to the store and found everything that would work to make it GREAT. And then days later I get this with a basket full of goodies. How cool is that now I have more money to get some more gifts for the kids. I tell you what this process was so cleansing to my soul. You actually don't need much for Christmas and what I learned in this whole process was...its the spirit of it all. I can't even begin to explain to you the JOY I have felt this holiday season. I found some birds for FREE and the cage. I thought this would be a fun big gift to give. I also had some trade at a clothing store to get something for the girls.I do have to say that it is harder to find something COOL for the older kids because well, they want more expensive stuff. But Greg and I did come up with refurbishing his old laptops to give to the kids.
Anywho this Christmas Holiday Season was so enjoyable for me. I just want to shout it out to all those around me. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

JOY

I feel so much JOY this holiday season.

This should be the end of my Photo A Day

I'm sitting here thinking...actually, I've been thinking it all day. I need to give this photo a day up. I've missed a lot of days. I actually don't want to pick up the camera...like, I'm refusing it.  But I always feel this way after the busy family season. Maybe I will post the shots that I have taken and not be hard on myself for not getting a shot everyday. I need to cut me some slack and finish strong.

More Reading

Dad and Elly have been reading most every night.They started with the series Fablehaven and read them all. And then moved onto Erogan and I think they are now on Brisingr. Those are some pretty big books for a little 8 year old but she loves them and so does Greg. Sometimes he gets into trouble because he will until midnight...on a school night. He is so naughty.

Garreth

The day I took photos for the Jakins family I forgot to get the individual shots of Garreth. I've never done that. CRAZY!

Boy Curls

Boy I love those curls and that sweet face.

Work

I've got a lot of work. Can't wait til next week cuz I don't have to think about clients.

Meet Jub

This is my friend Stephanie's best friend. I know her a little...just from the wonderful stories that Steph tells me of her.
She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and just started her chemo. Chemo thru the holidays, bluh! As of right now (Dec 11) she is the hospital with a fever of 104 and its not going down so they will keep her for a week.
Stephanie will be documenting her story. I was asked to take the beginning stages so Steph could be in the photos.
I think of Jub a lot. She is one courageous woman taking it head on. I take power in that strength. She is a wonderful example to and so many around. She has touched my life and this was my only real interaction with her. I guess I feel like we've known each other for so long, thru Steph, and since the day I took photos of them I've become family. 

The Gilmores

My beautiful neighbor's...they scheduled so long ago and canceled a few times and then BAM...we found some time. I'm so glad we did.

My Girls

I'm activity day leader and these are my girls.

The Big Balloon

Oh my heck this balloon is the coolest thing ever. Its HUGE, heavy and fun.

Repeat

I shot this beauty's senior photos a couple years ago and now she is getting ready for her mission. This session was so beautiful the color of clothes matched perfectly with the season, even though the leaves where gone it was still PERFECTION.