Page 330 -Disobedient Little *&%$#^*$@#!$#$

I'm done. I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do. I have very simple house rules for my children to follow and yet they can't seem to obey them. The one we have the biggest problem with is the "NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE FAMILY ROOM" rule. Every day, every meal, every snack, I catch my girls taking their food from the kitchen to the family room whether the tv is on or off. I've tried everything and nothing works. Please help. What can I do short of duct taping them to their seats whenever they eat?

Page 329 - Rescued

Woke up this morning to almost 2 feet of snow on my driveway. Ryan was gone and I did not want to shovel it myself so I seriously considered just keeping my kids home from school. Luckily, my mom and dad were still staying with us from Thanksgiving so my daddy came to my rescue and shoveled the whole driveway for me. I love him.

I need a snow-blower. Anyone want to trade pictures for one???

Page 328 - I love Sneo

I love when kids are learning how to read and write and they try to spell words themselves.
Abby drew this picture of our family and wrote "I Love Sneo" (Snow).

Page 327 - Homemade Sugar Cookies

Daddy made sugar cookies with the girls tonight. They sat in front of the oven like this on their own and I just caught the moment. Love LuLu's reflection.

Page 326 - Giving Thanks

I am thankful for family with all it's many imperfections that make it just right.
I am thankful for photography and this 365 challenge.
I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who has blessed me more than I ever thought possible.


Saw this little guy sitting in the corner and just had to decorate him too. It is his first Thanksgiving afterall :)

Page 325 - Poinsettia

One of the most beautiful flowers on earth.

Pasge 325 - Blizzard of the Century

Today we are gearing up for what is predicted to be the worst blizzard in a century.

Blankets, candles, water, food - check. Bring it on.

It ended up just being an inch of snow with a lot of wind. I'm convinced the grocery stores paid off the weatherman.

Page 324 - It's Cold Outside

Page 323 - Tree Farm

One of the amazing places I missed on the drive up was this 35,000 acre tree farm. We purposely stopped at the nearest town to spend the night just so I could get pictures here. Otherwise we would have passed it in darkness. I don't regret it at all. It's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Trees for miles and miles all in pretty rows. Wow. I want to go back next fall when all the leaves are turning colors and do our family pictures there. Anyone else in for the road trip?


Yes, my hubby is a dork but he's MY dork :)


Ryan took some of me too. He did good didn't he?

Last but not least, my newest Twilight edit. I just did me some huntin'. Can you tell I'm a fan???

Page 322 - Newlyweds

Since we didn't get the amazing newlyweds on the beach yesterday due to rain, I talked my sister-in-law into getting dressed up again and taking morning pics on the beach. She even trashed her dress for me and got in the water! Yes, she's the best. Wish I lived closer to the beach. I could get used to this type of shoot!

Page 321 - Wedding on the Beach

We are staying on the beach in Florence, Oregon where my husband's sister is getting married today. Too bad it's pooring rain. This could ruin my chances of shooting my first wedding on the beach. Darn.

Yes, I fed the seaguls!! They love me.

You know how much I love my detail shots!!

Page 320 - Oregon Bound

Oregon is a really long drive!!! A lot longer when you are constantly stopping for the newly potty trained 3 year old in the back seat that doesn't know how to "hold it" yet.

I learned a HUGE lesson on this drive. I had my camera gear all neatly packed in the back of the car. If any of you have made the drive to Oregon, you know how stunningly beautiful it is. I missed so many pictures that I'll never get again. The train moving along the tracks with a pond right in front of it with a perfect reflection and autumn leaves everywhere. The ferry and barges floating along the river, the amazing greenery and waterfalls. I missed it all and never once thought to stop and get my camera until it was pitch black outside so this is all I got. How depressing. Lesson learned.

Page 319 - Salt Lake Temple at Night

Went to a close friend's sealing tonight at Salt Lake temple. She is 22 weeks pregnant and tomorrow they are going to induce her since her baby has Anencephaly, a neural tube defect that occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy. The neural tube does not close and as a result the higher brain and top of the skull do not form. The baby won't be able to survive on it's own. After giving birth he ended up living 50 minutes. My heart goes out to her and her family. I can only imagine the pain.

Page 318 - I'll Take That To Go

If it wasn't for Taco Bell's Drive Through Diet menu, I would starve. There's nothing like grabbing a Fresco Ranchero chicken soft taco on the go with only 170 calories and 4 grams of fat. Yum.

Page 317 - Fuzzy Socks

One of my favorite things about the weather turning cold is wearing my super soft fuzzy socks. Wish I could wear them year round.

Page 316 - More Sewing

Just when I thought I was done sewing. Now I have to make 4 flower girl dresses for my sister-in-law's wedding. I may never sew again - well, at least until the next project comes along ;)

Page 315 - Cmas Cards

This is the coolest Christmas card picture - EVER!!!

Page 314 - Nightlight

I almost forgot to take a picture today. Whew!!

Page 313 - We Do Exist

I notice how most mother's favorite pictures from a session are the ones with them and their kids and I know why. As mothers we are always behind the camera, catching the moments of our family's life. Hardly ever does dad think to grab the camera and take some of mom. Before I even became a photographer myself this was my life - hundreds of photos without me even in them. Would my kids even think I even existed in their lives?

So husbands out there, please, next time your wife is snuggling on the couch with the kiddos or baking their favorite cookies, remember to pull out the camera and take some of her whether she likes it or not. Someday they will be the most cherished pictures to your kids.

Page 312 - Big Reveal

The last two red buttons I had to order finally came in yesterday so I could officially finish the quilts and take pictures to show everyone. Wanna see the room? Go to my photography blog ;)

Today I am thankful these dang red buttons finally came in so I could finish the room!!

Page 311 - No Regrets

Remember how yesterday I said that the first day with good weather I would shoot at that spot that is being torn down?

I woke up this morning expecting snow since that is what the forcast called for and saw blue skies with fluffy, white clouds so I made a quick decision and raced into action.

I did my girls' hair, got them dressed in their new Thanksgiving clothes I bought them from Matilda Jane, and left the house. I then drove to my son's school and checked him out, yes, I checked him out of school for pictures!! We ran to Kohl's and bought him some new shirts to match the girl's and then Abby whacked her head on the door of the car which meant an instant cut on her forehead but that could be edited out.

We went to the location and it was freezing so we had to spend hours there taking many breaks to warm up in the car. In the end, I finally got the amazing pictures of all three of my kids together that up until now I've only dreamed of having. It was the perfect ending to the perfect location.


My friend Steph also brought her kids to get pictures too and realized our kids all coordinated since Steph and I have the same taste in clothes so I got one of her daughter Sky and Abby since they too are best friends.

Today, I am just thankful for photography and the ability to capture moments I'll have for a lifetime.

Page 310 - Goodbye

I feel cursed sometimes when it comes to locations. Thanks to a good photographer friend (Luke Isley) I found this amazing spot and was lucky enough to take pictures of my girls there.

I have had several shoots lined up here since everyone is going nuts over it and wants pictures there but unfortunately I just found out they are going to be leveling the place in order to build a hospital. I am so sad. This location is so perfect. I don't know how much time we have left together so the next day that has even decent weather I am heading over and doing more pictures of all 3 of my kids there so I can get all my visions I had for the place out of my system.

Today, I am thankful I at least got to shoot here before it disappeared forever.

Page 309 - Boob Guy

Something about this picture makes me realize I don't pay enough attention to details :)

Today, I am thankful for my AMAZING clients like Val who keep coming back to me. They are why I love what I do :)

Page 308 - Brother and Sister

I love capturing the relationship between brothers and sisters. I myself grew up with 4 brothers and wish I had a picture like this of me with mine :)

Today, I'm thankful for my brothers.

Page 307 - Bridal Shower

My hubby's sister is getting married in a couple of weeks and tonight was her bridal shower.


Today, I am thankful for my mother-in-law who is so sweet and loving towards me.

Page 306 - Sister-in-law

Did some pictures of my sister-in-law today. While editing them she said what is now one of my favorite quotes ever -

"I am realizing that if I had a TON of plastic surgery, I would be GORGEOUS!!!"

Personally, I think she is gorgeous even without it :)

Today, I am thankful for all my sister-in-laws who have become as close as real sisters would be.

Page 305 - Autumn

Autumn is my favorite season. This picture shows exactly why.
("why", get it? The tree looks like a Y. I'm a dork, I know!)

Today, I am thankful for the amazing weather we have had lately.

Page 304 - I Voted

I took my Lu with me to vote today and let her push the buttons.
(Don't worry, I told her which ones to push!)

Sometimes I wonder what the world will be like when she is old enough to vote. If things keep going the way they are, it doesn't look too good.

Today I am thankful for my right to vote. Hope I never lose it.

Page 303 - Candy Coma

The inevitable outcome of the day after Halloween once the candy binge is over...


I decided to spend the month saying what I am thankful for every day so today's is:
I'm thankful for amazing kids that pose for mommy's crazy picture ideas!!