Archive for December, 2009

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I know I said I was done with photo shoots for the year, but you can’t schedule babies.  This little guy was born 2 weeks early.  So, here I am editing on New Years Eve.  BJ is sitting next to me playing a video game on his computer.  I had grand visions of starting a new tradition with the kids, allowing them to stay up until midnight partying the night away with us.  But, then 9:00 came.  They were grumpy.  I was done.  Off to bed they went.  Now, here we sit.  On our computers.  Pretty boring.  I know.  I don’t think New Year’s Eve will ever be the same now that we moved away from Sarah/David and family.  They are the funnest (is that a word?) New Years party people I know.  I miss the games, the Martinelli’s, the party hats, the firecrackers…and especially their family.  Maybe someday we can live by each other again…please?

Anyways,  I am only halfway through editing his session, but had to share a few favorites so far.  I ADORE his chubby cheeks and squishy lips!  Earlier, the Bub was sitting on my lap while I was editing and every new picture that I opened, he would sit back and say, “Awww!”  Apparently, he thinks this little guy is just the cutest thing too!

Well, cheers to 2010.  Here’s hoping the New Year will bring success, happiness and peace!

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Since one of the most common search engine keyword phrases that people use to find my website are “fun places to sled in South Jordan, Utah” (random!), I thought I would actually post the locations to the sledding hills that we love.  The extreme hill (seriously…my brother-in-law actually takes his kids over there with their snowboards sometimes) is located on 10200 S., just west of 4000 W.  on the South side of the road.  It is located at the farthest NE corner of Daybreak.  The kiddie hills are just west of the swimming pool in the Eastlake section of Daybreak.  I’m not sure of the address, but if you google the address for Eastlake Elementary, you will get there.  Just east of the school, across the street is the swimming pool and tucked in behind the pool/tennis courts is the soccer field (a.k.a. sledding hills).  Okay….so there you have it.  Our favorite sledding hills for you to enjoy :)

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I got several new backdrops for my up-coming studio.  Can I just say how excited I am?!?  I never would have thought that I would be a studio type of girl.  I just love capturing children exploring the world around them.  Nature provides such a beautiful backdrop…why would I ever want to shoot indoors?  Then, I moved to Utah and nature is even more incredible!  I was in HEAVEN.  Then…winter.  I realized that if I wanted to be able to work all year long, then I would need an indoor space.  One thing led to another and here I am.  Preparing to open a basement studio.  And…crazy enough.  I LOVE it!  The girls were super excited, claiming which backdrop they wanted to model in front of first, coordinating outfits, etc.  We spent about an hour and a half yesterday afternoon playing and I have so many new “all-time favorite images” just from our little photo-shoot yesterday!  We had so much fun that the girls were begging me to take more pictures of them today.  But, then a friend called and invited them to go sledding…and off they went.   :)

I just finished reading “The Undaunted,” an incredible story of faith, perseverance, and determination.  These courageous pioneers were called upon to forge a trail through uncharted, harsh terrain to create a settlement in the Four Corners area.  In the book, there is a talk given during the meeting where the mission calls were extended, where the presiding authority said, “This will be unlike any settlement we have thus far established.  You will be far from the nearest towns.  You will be going into a harsh and cruel climate.  Your neighbors will be thieves and robbers, violent and wicked men, sometimes hostile Indians.  There will be no sheriff to call on, no nearby military garrison to flee to.  There are not even established wagon roads as yet by which help can be sent to you….  Why do we ask such a difficult thing?  Because we have no choice.  There is only one real solution to our problem.  We need a settlement that will become the buffer between our established settlements and the growing problem with the Indians and the outlaws….”  Despite the grim prospects, these faithful pioneers accepted mission calls and left their comfortable homes behind.  In December, after a month on the trail, by the time when the pioneers had previously estimated they would be close to reaching their destination, the entire company was still stuck in the wilderness at a standstill, not even halfway to the Four Corners area.  Scouts had been sent forward across the river to determine the best route.  The scouts came back with discouraging news.  One was quoted as saying, “We found the country so badly broken up and cut through with impassable gorges, that we gave up all hope of making a road through there….  The country on that side of the river is nothing but hills and mountains made up almost entirely of solid rock, cut through by gulches that are altogether precipitous and impassable.  It is certainly the worst country I ever saw.”  But, others among the scouting party felt that while the assessment of the terrain was accurate, that it would be possible to make a way through.  Yet, they questioned, “Will we go on only to reach a point, in another months or two, when we truly can go no farther?  How then shall we answer the pain in the eyes of our wives and children?  How then shall we fill their bellies when there is no more food and we are even farther from help than we are now?”   But, they decided to put their trust in the Lord and make a decision based on what was right, as opposed to what was easy.  They decided to go ahead.  One of the leaders, Bishop Nielson, a Welshman who was a member of the Willie Handcart company and now a member of this expedition, said “Vee must go troo, even if vee cannot.”

Despite intense hardships and difficulties, the group did complete the trek and created a settlement.  Later, these same words were repeated at a wedding.  Speaking of himself, Bishop Nielson said, “I once hear a very vise ole man give…advice.  It vas given to a company of people travelink in de vilds of da desert, but it be goot advice for two people starting on da journey of life as well….  Remember dis.  ‘Even ven der is no way to go troo, you must go troo.’ ”

What an amazing heritage we have!  Though we are not called upon to pack only those belongings that can fit in a wagon and blast trails through perilous trails and desolate cliffs to settle an untamed wilderness, sometimes we are called upon to things that are difficult.  That are uncomfortable.  That are frustrating.  There are times when the path ahead seems impassable.  But, the Lord will provide a way for us as we go forward in faith even when, according to our understanding, there is no way through.  He knows all things.  We are His children and He loves us.  We must go through.  Even when there is no way.  He provides the way.

Merry Christmas!

December 23, 2009

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Warm wishes to you and your family this holiday season!

This is my attempt at a Christmas letter.  I thought I would give a little update on what we are up to:

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In April of this year, BJ earned his Masters of Technology degree.  He got a job working as a quality analyst in Salt Lake City.  He really enjoys his job.  He has also developed a new hobby: building custom computers.  Life got so busy that he didn’t even get a chance to go camping at all this past summer.  You can be sure that he will make up for it this coming summer….

As for me: I have been loving living in civilization!  I think it is safe to say that I am definitely a city girl.  I recently started my photography business up again.  It has been a big effort to get re-established in a new area, but I feel optimistic about the new year and have a lot of plans, including possibly opening a basement studio.  So, stay tuned for that.  Other than photography, I have been keeping busy cleaning, doing laundry, helping with homework, practicing the piano, etc.

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Missy is still the responsible older sister.  She loves art and is often creating something amazing.  I think she got that creative gene that somehow skipped right over me.   The other day we were at JoAnn’s and everything I selected, she patiently reminded me that I don’t know what to do with it.  I added some yarn to my cart.  She said, “But Mom…you don’t know how to knit.  Or crochet.”  Then, I selected some fabric.  Very concerned, she said, “But Mom.  You don’t sew.”  When I was picking out buttons, she asked me what I was planning to do with them.  She was very confused.  Rightly so.  Luckily, I have no plans to actually do anything myself with the items I bought.  The yarn will be knitted into hats/wraps for newborn photography…but not by me.  I found someone to make them for me.   The fabric requires no sewing skills at all.  I will simply be stretching it to wrap around newborns during photo sessions.  HaHa.  Anyways, Missy loves having her own room and is very protective of her space.  She makes friends very quickly and is always instigating a fun game or activity.

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Mae Mae is a happy and loves to have fun.  She got some ice skates at a yard sale this summer.  She has gone ice skating once so far this winter and cannot wait to go back!  She has endless amounts of energy and really loves to play outside.  Both older girls learned how to ride bikes this summer and spent hours  of every summer day out riding up and down the sidewalks in front of our house.  Mae Mae is a great reader, reading several grade levels above where she is “supposed” to be reading.  She likes to color, create little spaces (forts out of blankets) and is a great helper (when she is in the mood.)

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The Foof is our family peacemaker.  She has also been attending speech lessons through the school district and has improved so much.  I still love the few words/sounds she mispronounces just because they are so her, but I am glad that she is doing so well and learning so much.  She looks forward to her weekly half-hour speech lessons all week.  Our Foof is calm and helpful.  She plays well by herself, but loves when she is lucky enough to have a friend over.  I love this little angel girl!

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The Bub:  He is funny!  His favorite thing to do is make people laugh.  Dinnertime often turns into a laugh-fest.  He is laid back and happy.  He is great at sharing.  But he is especially good at being mischevious.  He really likes getting into things.  He is loving.  Whenever one of his sisters is sad, he hurries over to give hugs and love.  Though he still only says a handful of words, he understands everything we say and is really aware of what is going on around him.  He is still a big Mommy’s boy and I love it!  (most of the time).

So, that is our crazy family.

We love the Christmas season for what it symbolizes.  We are so thankful that Jesus Christ was born.  We love Him!

We hope you each have a very Merry Christmas!

*Thanks to my amazing sister Holly for the beautiful family portraits* (www.hollybrimhallphotography.com)

Reading…

December 22, 2009

Favorite Activities:

Photography – I get my fill of this activity as it is also my job!  But, I do have a lot of ideas in my head that I cannot wait to capture!

Eating – I am a bit of a food snob.  I love good food.  I don’t understand why people waste their calories eating blah food when there are so many yummy things to eat.  Of course, food is especially good if I don’t have to prepare it or clean up afterward :)

Sleeping – I don’t think I have always loved sleeping as much as I do now.  Maybe it started during college.  And if not college, then surely once I became a Mom.  I dream of going on a vacation where I can sleep as much as I want.  No interruptions.  No guilt. Just sleep until I am so sick of sleeping that I want to get out of bed.  Doesn’t that sound nice?

Shopping – Much to BJ’s dismay, this is one of my favorite activities!  Luckily, I am also pretty frugal by nature (thanks Mom!).  But, I am already anticipating the New Years Day Dillard’s sale and the January Target Toy Deal.  Oh,  and the Daybreak Yard Sale Day.  I have months worth of shopping fun to look forward to :)

Reading – I haven’t had much time to read lately and I have been missing it!  But, yesterday the girls and I went to the library where I scored and got the book “Undaunted” by Gerald Lund.  All of his books are amazing/inspiring and I am sure this will be no different.  The only problem is that whenever I sit down to read, I immediately fall asleep.  No matter how great the book is.  The same thing happens to me during home movie night.  Hmm….maybe I need to spend a little more time sleeping!

for Christmas?  We are!  Well, I guess I do have a few more presents to wrap.   But, otherwise we are all set.  This has been such a fun Christmasy year.  Snow angels.  Snowball fights.  Oh yes.  That reminds me.  I guess I do have one thing left on my “to-buy” list.  Tressa has a snowball maker.  It is so fun!  Picture tongs.  But instead of grabbing salad, it forms a snowball at the end.  Well, this may be as common as sleds to you native Utah-ans, but it was totally new to me.  That is definitely on the list for this year.  I think a storm is coming tomorrow?  So, there should be a bit more snow to play in this weekend.  We are so excited we can hardly stand it!

Here are a few pictures of a handsome little guy from a family sessions a few weeks ago:

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I am officially done editing client sessions for the year!

Look at these cute cousins.  Every year, they have their pictures taken.  It’s tradition.  And, well…I love traditions.  Okay.  Here they are in all their coordinated cuteness.  Are you ready for an overload of pictures?

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How can you resist laughing at how hard they are laughing at Aunt Lindsay’s shaker dance?  She was entertaining the kids and it was working!  I especially love little “E”’s expression!  Thanks for all the fun…can’t wait to see you all tomorrow night.  Oh wait…tonight.  Wow.  Look at the time.  Tomorrow is now today.  I am off to bed.

worthwhile…

December 15, 2009

Mae Mae just got home from school and was happily eating her candy cane that she saved from our fun caroling FHE last night.  She looked up and said, “Mom?”

“What?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Sweet. Simple.  Love.  Moments like that make it all worthwhile, don’ they?

My sister HOLLY spontaneously flew into town on Saturday to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert with Tressa, Becca and I.  It was pretty much the best girls night ever!  Becca & Brandon are moving to Texas this weekend so it was also a bit of a farewell too.  Texas is just SO FAR AWAY!  We picked Holly up from the airport and went straight over to Temple Square.  Originally, we planned to go out to eat before the concert, but after standing in line for over a half an hour, we decided to eat afterward.  We found our seats, which were on the main level, just in front of the organ.  The concert was incredible.  Natalie Cole was the guest performer.  There were dancers, bell ringers, and a children’s choir.  Overall, it was a huge production. Thanks to Tressa for sharing her tickets with us all!

Another fun part of the togetherness weekend was “talking shop” with Holly.  After taking a break from photography for a couple of years (aside from teaching workshops), she is getting ready to re-start her photography business, offering only newborn sessions.  And…you should see her newborn pictures.  They are AMAZING.  Anyways, while she was here, we discussed studio set-up.  I just upgraded to a Westcott continuous lighting system and am getting the hang of it.  Here are a few of the first pictures I took with the lighting:

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Holly is converting one of her bedrooms to a studio and was showing me some of the great ideas she has come accross to create an amazing studio space.  It has gotten me really inspired.  Because we are extremely limited by the weather here, I have been considering setting up a studio in my home as well.  Now I have a ton of great ideas and am getting super excited about the prospect.  Obviously, I need to wait and figure out where we will be living first  :)    But then….

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This picture was taken during the extended family session at Memory Grove Garden in downtown Salt Lake.  G discovered this little path.  I am loving the pensive stare he is giving me.  Isn’t that expression the cutest?

So, I am not feeling mad anymore.  I got over the fact that I payed more for my swim top than was necessary.  Remember the business order that went to Arizona?  Well, the  company I had ordered from is sending out a new shipment to my correct address (at a loss to them, I am sure-really great customer service!)  The housing situation hasn’t changed, but I’m feeling more calm and peaceful now, which is good.  I go through cycles.  Usually I feel fine.  Things will work out.  They always do.  Kids are resilient.  Plus, who knows?  Something great might turn up at a great price in our neighborhood just when we need it.  And if not, we will be directed to where we need to be.  It is just the “every-now-and-then” that it all gets to be too much for me.  Blah.  Blah.  Blah.  Anyways….

The kids are loving the snow!  They have been out making snow angels, scouting out the biggest/coolest icicles, scooping snow paths, etc.  We have yet to purchase a snow shovel.  I am not entirely sure how we made it through an entire Idaho winter without a snow shovel.  But, it was really windy in Oakley.  The wind seemed to blow most of the snow into big drifts, leaving the ground fairly snow free.  The Pickett’s also bulldozed out our driveway after particularly bad snow storms.  So, I am sure those things helped.  But, still!  We have only had a couple of big storms so far this season and I am feeling the necessity of a snow shovel purchase.  Pretty sure we will be investing in one soon.  Also, I need to figure out a system for this house.  We have to figure out a way to catch all the snow!  I have little puddles all over my floor from snow.  In Idaho, we only used one door.  And the door was not visible from the “main” entrance of my house.  It was in a hallway.  So, I just placed a mat on the floor that I didn’t mind getting wet and hung a 5-hook mirror/shelf on the wall.  So, as soon as we entered, we would remove our snow boots, coats, mittens, scarves, hats, etc.  and place them all in their assigned locations.  It worked out great.  But, in this house, we have three entrances that we regularly use.  So, I need to figure something out.  There has to be a way to keep the snow out of my house!

As a side note: Leslie did my eyebrows today.  No more bushy eyebrows for me (they had gotten a little out of control).  So, now I have nicely shaped eyebrows.  That makes me happy…thanks Les!

And finally…tonight is our ward Relief Society dinner.  I love Relief Society activities!  It is just so good to get out, to get to know other women, to be uplifted.  I am looking forward to it.

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