FINISHED!

After several long years, many tears shed (by me) and hundreds of papers written, Robert is FINALLY done with his undergrad!! I never thought this day would come and I've never seen Robert happier and more relieved. It has been really tough especially with so many demands from work, family and church. But he has made it and I can't even begin to describe how proud I am of him. Now we shall enjoy a normal life ... until he is ready to take on his masters and it will start all over again.

Sometimes

Some days it is really hard being mom, I don't have any regrets, but there are just a couple days and luckily they are few and far between that I really wish I could turn off the screaming and whining and make her just settle down and not run circles around me. Today was one of those days. I should have sympathy for Clara, she did have diaper rash but honestly, there are butt pastes for that. I don't know what it was about today but something had her wound up and it was driving me nuts. She was crying for everything! Crying to be picked up, crying to be put down, crying for food, crying because I gave her food, crying because I turned on a toy! Honestly! I could have really used a nap today. But despite it all, she is still the most adorable baby ever and I love her more than anything. I really wouldn't trade these days for anything.

Here eyes are all puffy from crying all.day.long.

Love & Friendship

These are our fabulous friends who I had so much fun photographing, aren't they adorable? I enjoy most of all photographing friends because they are so easy to work with and I already know there pictures will be awesome, because any friend of mine is awesome! And they have adorable children. There little boy is only about 6 months older than Clara and he's already a lady killer! I hope you enjoy your pictures.

Not only did we have fun with our friends, but Clara found love :)
And my new favorite picture!

Little Sis

I got to do a little photo session with my beautiful little sister. She's at BYU right now and I really miss her! It was so fun to get to spend a couple days with her. She's so awesome. I love you Melly! Can't wait for Christmas :)

Thanksgiving

We had an awesome and cold Thanksgiving this year! We had it at my cousin's beautiful house and as tradition, the food was amazing. There are so many wonderful cooks in my family, though I'm not as good as most of them, I can make a few signature dishes. It was very cold and we even got a few minutes of snow flurries! I can't remember the last time it snowed on Thanksgiving. It is so awesome to get to see all my family and it was particularly special because my little sister Melanie was there. She hasn't had Thanksgiving with us for 2 years!! I didn't take very many pictures, mostly of Clara but there are a few where you can see our little snow flurry.

Blogging For A Cause

This little guy was just diagnosed with Metastatic Neuroblastoma (cancer) last Sunday; he is not even 1 yet. He is my sister-in-law's nephew and is the sweetest little boy. I can't even imagine what this poor family is going through, it breaks my heart when Clara gets a bump on her head I can't imagine what it would be like for her to have a tumor. They don't have much and cancer isn't cheap. He is just starting Chemo this week. My sister-in-law and her family are trying to raise money for them. They are selling gold colored bracelets (like the Live Strong ones) that represent childhood cancer to help support them and their growing financial needs for $4 but any amount will help. If you feel so inclined to help, please, donate. All the proceeds will go to helping this little guy and his family. Please specify how many bracelets you want or if you are just making a donation. I know every little bit helps. Whatever is not used on the family will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Click here to donate

visit his blog : http://www.lukasmac.blogspot.com/

Full of Thanks

It saddens me that Thanksgiving seems to just get brushed aside by media and retail so I want to make sure that it is properly appreciated in my life and in my family. I encourage everyone to do the same. Tell me the top 10 things you are grateful for and I will tell you mine.

1. I am so thankful for my family, cliche, but if you knew my family you would know how lucky I am. We are all so close. I especially love my dear husband who is so amazing words cannot describe. I am beyond lucky to have him in my life and of course my darling daughter who we all know, love, and adore.
2. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. With out my knowledge of them, my life would be completely different. I have hope and joy in a world that seems to destroy all goodness. I know they live and love me and I'm thankful for a religion that brings peace and happiness in my life.
3. I'm thankful for this country. It seems almost un-American to say, but I love this nation and everything it stands for. I know it has it's imperfections but it is truly a land of freedom. If people would just take a look at other countries and all the wrongs and injustices they have to deal with on a daily basis, I know there would be a greater appreciation for America.
4. I'm thankful for my friends. I don't have many of them, but the ones I do have are amazing. I wish we all could live in the same neighborhood and have lots of fun parties but sadly they all live so far away --- KRISTAL!
5. I'm thankful for the internet for without it, I wouldn't have any friends! I hate phones and so my forms of communication are all in the form of www.
6. I'm thankful for my car. I drive a lot and it has been the best car I've ever owned. It makes me feel safe and stylish.
7. I'm thankful for food especially on thanksgiving. Food brings me joy.
8. I'm thankful for laughter. I love when people laugh, I love when I make peopel laugh. A good joke or a silly face can truly change my day.
9. I'm thankful for pictures and I'm not just saying that because I am a photographer. I have always loved pictures. I love looking at pictures of my ancestors, of my child hood, my college days and now of my daughter. I love all the feelings and memories a single picture can induce.
10. I'm thankful for my home and a nice warm bed to sleep in.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

1 Month

Usually newborns are best to photograph very shortly after birth but not Leilani, she wanted nothing to do with it so we tried again at 1 month and though she had her moments, for the most part she was a total sport. So here are some cute ones of a more cooperative Leilani and a preview of the storyboards I'm printing for Larissa.

Pay It Forward

My friend Kristal is doing this and I thought that it sounded like fun and fit well with the season of giving. I will send a handmade gift (maybe, if I'm feeling creative) to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days!

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.) I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this on your blog and comment away. So get posting!! 'Tis the season for giving...and blogging :)

I love these guys

My nieces and nephew, these crazy kids will keep you running! You have to love their energy though, I know I'm jealous of it. It is so crazy how fast they all have grown and it's hard for me to come to the realization that they aren't toddlers and babies anymore, they are big kids! Time really needs to slow down.

Seven

My sassy little cousin, I just love her! She is so beautiful and full of life and she turns 7 on Sunday so we snapped a few pictures for her birthday. It doesn't stop there either, her little brother and sister are just as cute. Sometimes I have to say I get a little bored with photography but taking pictures like these bring the life back to me. 

I can't decide if i like color or black and white better....

Like i said, sassy 

Sometimes you just have to let them be themselves

Urban Baby

I got to do some fun maternity pictures on Saturday. We were supposed to go the botanical gardens to do some but it was cloudy and getting dark so just down the street from their home was this cute little main street. It was a fun location with great colors and personality. New locations are always an exciting thing to find for photographers. I also took some more traditional ones that I just love as well. I can't wait to photograph the baby, I know she's gonna be cute!