I used the idea of a book for my header since this challenge is going to be a journal of my life over the years.
I hope you enjoy viewing these pages of my life as they unfold. I know I will...

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Much Happier

Today I am liking my new look a lot more. I decided to try and do a self portrait to show them off. It is so weird trying to hold the camera out in front of you and hoping you get the focus right! I actually think the shots I got were better not seeing what was in the frame since parts of my face got cut off in some and I love that look!



Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Price Of Beauty

Oh the things we women do to ourselves to try to look more beautiful. Recently I have had several friends get eyelash extensions and I love how they look. I love that they don't have to wear make-up every day and still look great. I decided I wanted to try it.

Unfortunately, I have really sensitive eyes and they were not too happy with me after the process. I'm not loving them yet, so ask me tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Re-Shoot

Of all the pictures I lost in my computer crash, the only client ones I lost were of a friend. Luckily she was so patient and understanding and we re-shot her pics today. I have to say I like them better the second time around! Thanks Jennifer!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Red, White, Blue

4th of July is a favorite holiday for our family. Every year we go to Park City, Utah with our best friends, the Jorgensens, and ride the rides, eat at the yummiest little restaurant for breakfast, swim, and watch the fireworks from our condo's windows. Oh, and I can't forget shopping at the Outlets up there! I am so excited for this year since I really do need a break. I even got my nails done for the occasion.

I'm beginning to wish I had put on lotion for the picture! Ewe.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Grandma Jo

It has been a weekend of grandparents! The girls are spending the night at Grandma Jo's tonight and then going to see a movie tomorrow. One of their favorite things to do is spend the night with her. I have to admit, it's one of my favorite things too! I get to sleep in as long as I want, YAY!!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Spring Halibut

My hubby and I are on a diet and can only eat certain foods, Halibut being one of them. He came up with the most amazing, diet friendly, recipe I've ever had. I get to have it again for lunch tomorrow since all three of these are mine - Yay!!

PS - no comments about me not needing to diet. I'm going to be completely honest and tell you that Easter mini eggs combined with the intense stress of my computer crashing caused me to put on 18 pounds in 2 months. Yikes! I know. I really don't handle stress to well do I? At least I'm fixing the issue now along with my computer!!

In case you are needing a low fat Halibut recipe that tastes AMAZING, here it is...
(Note, he does use a tiny bit of butter since he LOVES the taste so much better but he said you could substitute something else like Olive Oil it just won't taste as good - his words, not mine!)

Garnish and Aromatics

1 carrot, lightly shaved.

2 spring onions (green onions). Thinly cut the white parts and separate. Thinly slice the green parts (only the light green, not the dark green) and separate so they are stringy.

½ red bell pepper. Thinly slice red pepper into slivers. Dice some red peppers and set aside.

Fish

Fresh halibut fillets. Do best to ensure consistent thickness in the fillet. A good fillet would be around 1 inch thick. Lay out on cutting board or preparation sheet and apply a good coat of ground sea salt followed by a layer of fresh ground pepper (mixed). Then apply an even amount of good no salt seasoning to the fillets evenly. Last, apply a light amount of lemon herb seasoning evenly to the fillets. Turn and repeat on the other side. Allow fish to rest with the seasoning for at least 20 minutes and rotate the face-down side to ensure seasoning penetration on both sides. The fish should be room temperature by the time you cook.

Heat

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.

Pre-heat a think, oven safe skillet over the stove top on slightly over Medium heat. The pan must be hot enough to melt butter without scorching it. You will need approx. 1 tablespoon of butter per two halibut fillets.

Cooking

Once skillet is pre-heated, add butter and some the white parts of the green onions and the diced red peppers. Spread onions evenly through the butter. This will aromatically flavor the butter with the onion and red pepper. Ideal to keep the butter and vegetables in the same place so the flavor is concentrated. Once melted, allow to simmer for about 1 minute so the vegetables can soften and thus release more flavor. Be sure that the butter is not scorching. Spread the butter evenly in the center of the pan and move the vegetable to the edges for now as to make room for the fillets. Ensure that the center of the pan is well buttered and hot.

Place fillets in the center of the pan side by side and turn up the heat to Medium High and allow to fry for 2 - 2 ½ minutes. Position the vegetables closely around the fillets. Once the time has elapsed, peek on the cooked side to ensure the halibut fillet is an evenly golden, deep brown. Also, notice the thickness of the fillet starting with the cook side. You should see that the ¼ inch underside is a deeper white than the center which suggests that the fillet has cooked through to that point. Gently turn over to fry on the other side. Make sure the fillet does not break or fracture. Typically the fillet does not fracture unless it is cooked through. Repeat on the other side for 1 ½ minutes. With the cook side exposed, place some red pepper slivers on the cooked side and garnish with the stringy green onion and the carrot. Once the time has elapsed, take the pan off the range and place it on the bottom rack in the oven and finish in the oven for 2 - 2 ½ minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest 3-5 minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Grandpa Bob

Had another amazing time with my parents. I love them and already miss them :(


Thursday, June 23, 2011

Grandma Jane

My kids, nieces, and nephews are so lucky to have my mom for a grandma. She lives in St. George and doesn't get to see them as often as she would like (she'd see them a couple times a week if she could!).

My dad had to come up to Provo for a work convention so we went swimming at their hotel today and they had fun! We'll be going back tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sliding

My Abby is getting so brave! We went to my friend Andrea's house today for a swim party and she went down the slide for the first time! She was so nervous at first and even climbed back down the ladder before finally climbing up and going for it. The look on her face is priceless...

She went non-stop the rest of the time we were there and loved it!
That's all there is, the end...

Haha! Had to do it ;)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Shadows

Lately I've been obsessed with playing with sun and shadows and creating drama with them. Today I experimented with some tall grass. Next, I'm going to try some lace. Should be cool!!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to the two most important father's in my world. They are both men who have always put their families first and have always made time for their children. Love you both.


A father may hold his children's hands for a little while but he holds their hearts forever.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Genealogy

My husband has the genealogy bug and recently found a relative he didn't know he had that lives right here in Utah. We went to visit her and she had an original photo of Ryan's great great grandfather on her wall.


Friday, June 17, 2011

LaCaille

Today was the LaCaille wedding. Can you tell why I was so excited?

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Slow Me Down


I've been getting more and more frustrated with my life. There is no balance and every aspect of my life suffers because of it. I think it took my computer crashing for me to realize I'm over-doing it and I need to stop. I've tried slowing down and inevitably I can't say no to people so I really haven't been able to.

Photography has become a "have to" for me and I never wanted that to happen. It's also become such a popularity contest and all I do is find myself getting frustrated. I've never been very good at popularity contests my whole life. I take them too personally.

I need a break, to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is I really want to do. I need to get back to doing it for me and find that passion again.

I'll still do my 365 blog and I do already have several shoots scheduled over the next couple months so I won't be disappearing completely but I will not be taking any new clients unless it's a wedding for a while.

I want to do the family mini shoots end of October so look out for those and I have a couple clients who are loyal to me that I would never turn down but I just can' t do any more.

It's summer and I have done nothing but edit all day every day. My kids are growing so fast. I've missed out on so much sitting in front of this computer for hours on end and it needs to stop. My church put out this amazing video recently that hit home, it's exactly how I've been feeling and anyone can agree no matter what their religious affiliation is. I'm seeing more and more what matters most and it's these crazy little people I have in my life. Yes, I'm the mom on the computer in this video that needs desperately to go dance in the rain...



"We would do well to slow down a little. Focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Red

I made myself a snack today and realized I think I may really like eating red food. What do you think?!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Overcast = Blah

It was overcast all day today so I was worried for my engagement shoot tonight.

"Why?" asked the groom. "Isn't overcast the most perfect day to shoot since you don't have to worry about shadows?"

My answer was no, bring on the sun. I love how it dances across surfaces and creates such beautiful and vibrant colors. I love the drama of the shadows and the light. I love the way it creates the most beautiful glow when backlighting someone's hair. Overcast may be perfect conditions for some photographers, but I prefer the sun. I am a natural light photographer. It's what I love, it's what I see. Bring on the sun, I love the challenge.

BTW, my prayers were answered and the sun came out just in time :)

Sunday, June 12, 2011

All 6 Together Again

I had to say goodbye today and yes I cried :*(

I miss these guys so much now that they live far away. At least they are all together again.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Moving

My oldest brother and family moved far away. Since my niece has been living with me the past couple months to finish out her school year up here, I took her down today. I'm sad, it's like I'm losing one of my kids.

I have so much fun with my nieces, I am one lucky auntie to have them in my life. Here are some goofy pics we took.


Friday, June 10, 2011

Bev & Jesse

Shot a wedding today. Every time I shoot a wedding I fall in love with photography all over again.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Wicked

Took my son and my niece to Lagoon today and had a blast. The ride "Wicked" was my fav even though my cell phone feel out of my pocket on our 7th time riding it! Miraculously, it didn't break. It's a little banged up but it still works so it will do until the new iphone 5 comes out! I included a video of the ride, just click on the bottom pic and it takes you to the video.

(Video and pics taken with my point and shoot)



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

School Is Out

Today is my kids' last day of school. I love summer break. Looking forward to this summer, especially for the changes I am making but I'll talk about that later ;)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Frutista Freeze = FAIL!!

I went to Taco Bell for lunch. I saw this great poster with this yummy looking coladas on them and I LOVE strawberry pina coladas. They are my favorite frozen beverage. So I ordered one not being able to resist on a hot day.

This is what I saw...



This is what I got...



What???????????

Monday, June 6, 2011

5 minutes old

Birth stories are becoming my new favorite thing to shoot. What an amazing experience it is, there is nothing like it. I wish more people would do them instead of newborn shoots. I think the pictures are so much more amazing and memorable.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Saturday, June 4, 2011

La Caille

Shooting my first La Caille wedding next Friday so we did her bridals there today (although you can't tell from this picture can you?!).

Friday, June 3, 2011

Tough Nut




Somehow I manage to crack even the toughest little nuts ;) I happen to especially love this little one and am sad she is moving away in 2 weeks.