Posts Tagged ‘South Jordan’

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I have been motivated to read from the classics.  I have always considered myself a well educated person.  I loved school.  So much so that grades and educational status took on a kind of defining form.  Starting in elementary school, I was enrolled in the accelerated programs, where I remained through my high school years and even into college.  I clearly remember, as a freshman in college, attending the first few class sessions of the ASU honors program required class.  We met in a small room, with a large oval table.  I quickly learned that the class curriculum was definitively atheist, the professor anti-Bible/anti-religion.  I made the decision to drop the class, which therefore resulted in the withdrawal from the honors program.  I was really sad to lose the “honors status” that had been a such a large part of my educational experience.  I saddened me to realize that in order to be considered “enlightened”, one must put aside a love of God, a testimony of the Bible (or at least create a pretense of disbelief to satisfy the curriculum/professor).  Now, as an adult, I realize that despite all the higher level thinking and education I received, that I really do not have a strong liberal arts education.  I had not ever (until I rectified the situation last week) read a Charles Dickens’ book.  Or Jane Austen.  Or Charlotte Bronte.  etc. etc. etc.  So, I have begun my quest to read great classic literature, many of which promote love of God, demonstrate strong moral character, and are based upon solid principles.

So, for now, I will share a quote from the book I am reading at the moment:  “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte

“If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.”

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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 got home from running errands…delivering prints, the bank, the library, and Costco.

First, if you happen to be heading out toward Town Center today, “Over the Top Cookies” is celebrating their anniversary with free milk and cookies for everyone.  It was such a fun treat and very yummy.  The kids thought it was the BEST!  The only hard thing was deciding which type of cookie to choose.  They all looked so yummy!  We will definitely have to go back.

Next stop: Costco.  While there, I stopped to watch a presentation for the VitaMix blender.  Normally, I am not one to be easily swayed demonstrations because I am pretty skeptical by nature, but after watching for a few minutes and tasting some of the recipes, I actually really want this blender!  Have you seen it?  The guy made tortilla soup using fresh vegatables, hot water, beans, corn and a few tortilla chips.  Start to finish…3 minutes tops!  And it was super yummy!

We make “blender drink” several times a week in our house.  In our regular blender, we have to stop regularly to open the lid and stir it around.   Plus, no matter how long we blend, we can never seem to get the almonds, carrots and blueberries to completely puree.  So, I am filing this away on the wishlist for someday.  In the meantime, I will share our favorite blender drink recipe for all to enjoy:

8 almonds

1 heaping handful of baby spinach

8-10 frozen strawberries

1 handful of frozen blueberries

1 banana

6 small baby carrots

1/2 c. orange juice

Directions:  Place almonds in blender and blend until powdery.  Add spinach, strawberries, blueberries, banana, carrots and orange juice.  Fill blender with water until it almost covers all the ingredients.  Blend until smooth.

You may want to start with less spinach until your kids know they love it and then gradually add more.  Otherwise, the green color may turn them off.   My kids love this drink and beg me to make it several times a week.  Recently, Missy learned how to make it, which I totally appreciate.   If you don’t have a few of the ingredients, you can make it without.  You can also add other favorites (frozen peaches, berries, etc) if you desire.  If you want it to be a little sweeter, just add more orange juice concentrate.

And now for a few pictures…I just delivered prints from this session today!

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web_MG_5839 crop 8x10Another Halloween picture….  This is my cute niece, Maylee.  Tressa made her entire costume (except the tights of course).  Check out those black velvet witch shoes and pettiskirt – all handmade!  I’m telling you.  My sisters are incredibly talented!

Now for the zombie part:  The other night, Mae Mae was in bed “going to sleep.”  She has a very hard time going to sleep.  I have heard that people who are really intelligent actually need less sleep.  So, I’m going with it.  She is a smary-pants.  Every night, she lays awaks hours after all the other kids are asleep.  Well, the night after Halloween, I went in to check on her and she was still awake.  Our coversation went something like this:

Mae Mae:  Mom, I’m feeling nervous about zombies.

(I’m thinking how in the world does she even know about zombies?  I don’t even know what zombies are for sure…are they walking dead?)  Anyways, I patiently explain to her that she doesn’t need to be afraid of them because they are not real.  Just like the one-eyed green monster on Monters.inc.  He is not scary because he is not real.

She looks at me with a look.  You know that look that means “Don’t speak condescendingly to me!” and said, “Mom.  I know.  I’M not afraid of zombies.  My STOMACH is!”

Of course.

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Still posting pictures from that recent family session….   Remember that family of 6 children?    Here is cute little “A.”   Love her expressions!

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Today, we drove the Alpine Loop to enjoy the fall leaves in all their glory!  We met Tressa and kids, Becca & Brandon, my parents and my Grandpa for a picnic lunch and a few leisurely strolls through the foliage.  Of course, we took pictures…which I haven’t even downloaded from my camera yet.  So, for now…we’ll have a tribute to summer.  Coming from Arizona, I never really “got” what summer was about.  But, now that I have experienced a beautiful summer, I now understand.  Summer is a time for running barefoot through the grass, taking a picnic down to the beach, playing a good old-fashioned game of horseshoes in the backyard while waiting for the 4th of July fireworks to start.  And, yes.  I finally understand why summertime is considered “grilling season.”  It is because you actually want to be outside in the summertime.  It is not pure torture to walk outside long enough to get the steak on the grill!  You can even get in your car after it has been sitting in the parking lot the entire time you were in church and still be able to breathe without a heat wave knocking you right over!  I have really loved this summer.  Even though I am excited about pumpkin bread, and cozy story-time by the fire and long-sleeves (I do love wearing cold-weather clothing), a part of me is having a difficult time saying goodbye to an idealic summer….

Three Graces

September 29, 2009

About a year and a half ago, my sister Karli saw Three Graces in concert and posted this link on her blog.  Not only is the song amazing, but I am really loving the cover portrait!  Finding inspiration all around me…
Click Here to Listen to the Song (and see the picture I want to re-create someday)

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