This is how we do "fun" in Utah!

We know how to do "fun". Plus, my boys have the best uncles in existence!

The expression on my kid's face is priceless. He was being quite the daredevil and was enjoying himself beyond the maximum! I can't believe we didn't get one tear out of him the whole time we were sledding (tubing?). He's a champ!

Staying Warm and Cozy

I would apologize for my virtual absence, but I'm not sorry. I've been cuddling with my new baby and staying in my warm home while Utah finally decided to change seasons... it is now cold enough to be winter... for real this time (never mind the false alarm when it snowed a couple of weeks before Halloween).  It is so. dang. cold. So I haven't gotten out much for a few reasons... and my photographic creativity has taken a back burner for now. Except that I have a darling new son that has each of us wrapped around his tiny little finger. I do have pictures of him, but I will refrain from flooding my photoblog with them (although I was not refrained on my Facebook page).  I'll just share a few of my favorites.

And hopefully I will be back sooner than later!


Happy Holidays!

He's Here!!

 

La'akea, born Nov 5th. 6 lbs 12 oz, 18 inches.

He is adjusting nicely and I'm doing pretty good. 

FOUR BOYS! Wish me luck!

Changing my thinks... and feeling better.

I've been in a rut. Maybe it's the pregnancy, and it would be easy enough to blame my changing body and unbalanced hormones,  but in all honesty, I have been pretty ungrateful and a little unhappy. I have been focusing too much on the things I don't have and the things I should have and what's fair and what's not, that I've dug myself into an unhappy hole. And it's my own dang fault.

It's no easy thing to change your thinking process... even if you catch it early. It takes time and effort. So here is my effort in changing the way I think, and then the way I feel about the way things are right now. Because things are fine. Really. I'm just kind of a brat sometimes.

I am grateful that my children are healthy.
I am grateful my pregnancy has gone well.
I am grateful I have a warm home to live in.
I am grateful I have hot water to shower in, wash clothes in, wash dishes with and use whenever I want to.
I am grateful I have a washing machine.
I am grateful I have a warm bed to sleep in, with comfy blankets and pillows.
I am grateful that my boys have a father that they adore, and that he loves them back 10x more.
I am grateful for in-laws who have become some of my closest friends.
I am grateful that I can be forgiven by my Heavenly Father for my mistakes and short comings.
I am grateful I am here on this earth, at this time, learning and growing closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior from my experiences.
I am grateful for warm socks.
I am grateful for my warm sweaters and jackets.
I am grateful for my mother.
I am grateful for my father.
I am grateful for the things I do have.
I am grateful for my developing talents.
I am grateful for inspirational music, and that others share their talents!
I am grateful for a running toilet.
I am grateful for electricity.
I am grateful for the sunshine.
I am grateful for my friends and neighbors.
I am grateful for my husband's hard work and sacrifices.
I am grateful for the hugs, kisses and smiles of my boys.

There. I feel a lot better.

Life is good, even when it's not perfect.

 

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Have a beautiful weekend!

Pretty Colors. Pretty Girls.

 

 

There is so much that I love about Fall!

Obviously, the gorgeous colors that give off the last ray of life, like it's trying to tell us, "Don't forget that there will be life and beauty again... just get through the winter!" Yes. Just get through the winter.

I love that the weather cools off and I can wear my cute sweaters that have been hanging out in my closet since April (remember, I was in Hawai'i in May). Oh yes, and my boots, too. Don't forget to get out those boots! 

And who doesn't love going out and taking pictures in the Fall?!?! Whether it's professionally done or not, who can resist the landscape and playing in the fallen leaves?! Well, obviously if you live in Hawai'i, you are missing out on a thing or two... 

Actually... let's make that one thing. Juuuuuust one. You trump everything else. :-)

Clearly, McKaida and Abbi were awesome to work with! How easy was it for me when these girls are so dang cute?! So. easy. The hardest part about the shoot was racing the light. Apparently, the sun is setting sooner and if you go up into the mountains on the other side of the sun... you're going to get cold and it's going to get dark even earlier. Lesson. Learned. (Again.)

Anyway, we had fun. The girls were awesome. We found some colorful spots that were accessible. I am super duper pleased with these images... so pretty much life is great! 

If you're in a place to enjoy the Fall colors, I hope you do! It will be so good for your soul. 

And if you live in Hawai'i, or somewhere that doesn't really have "seasons"... well, you're lucky. Go to the beach or something. That's good for your soul, too. :-)

 

Mabel Street - A Monster Party!

What little boy doesn't love monsters?! Especially silly, colorful, yummy monsters?

May I introduce you to Mabel Street? Brittani owns and operates Mabel Street, where you can find party printable designed by her, and seriously, she is talented! 

I had the privilege of photographing some of the cool ways to use her printable designs, and it just happened to be a Monster themed party! 

I ended up having to bring my boys along because of a miscommunication between my husband and I (yeah, it happens), and I was a little nervous about them seeing all the cool stuff (for good reason). However, it ended up helping me realize just how cool a monster party would be for a little boy... aaaaaaand I'll probably have to hire her for every.single.one of our little boy parties. 

We were leaving and my 5 year old said "Man, that kid is really lucky!"

As he devoured a monster cupcake.

I couldn't get enough of the cupcakes. Everything was brilliant, but the cupcakes were pretty freakin' cool! 

I won't show you everything... you'll have to go over to Mabel Street to see all the other cool stuff you can do with her amazing designs!!