Happy Holidays

Honestly this has probably been the best Christmas since David and I have been married. I've been really stressed out lately with all of my weddings and projects that need to be finished that it just felt so nice to spend some needed time with my family and revel in the Christmas spirit. It was perfect. David actually surprised me with a few fantastic gifts (he's about as good at keeping secrets as MaryElla and Scott, so I was genuinely surprised). I still can't believe we got Luke a 4-wheeler...I'm a sucker. No regrets though... For some reason I can't find most of the pictures I took throughout the day, but here's a few. Anyway, hopefully everyone had a great holiday...this really is the time of year when I realize just how blessed I am.

the loot...

Luke on his 4-wheeler and my sweet little neice

Might as well throw in Thanksgiving
up at my parents house....

Here's the boys shooting the neighbors houses....creepy, I know

and Luke taking a shot at his dear Mother after I asked him to smile nice for the camera

I made the best cheese ball ever and the only picture I have is this one...can you see it in the middle of the room!?!? Looks delicious, eh!?

Dreaming of a white Christmas....

Over the weekend I shot a wedding in LA...while I was driving to their reception I passed by a couple houses that just cracked me up. How would it be to want snow on your driveway!?! I guess for Tricia and Melissa this is not anything new, but I was impressed by their ambitious efforts in creating a white Christmas.

Addresses!?!?!

I know that all of you are dying to send me a Christmas card....;)

If anyone wants a Christmas card from me please leave your address. Most of you guys have moved since I last updated my address book....like six years ago.

Christmas Pictures???

What makes these Christmas Pictures you ask?!?! Well, nothing really....they're just the only ones I've taken in awhile (I was sick of waiting for the snow) and I'm using them on our Christmas card regardless. But seriously, I love this kid!

Reflections

Today Lucas and I went to the Hill Air Force Museum to take some photographs for the Reflections contest. It was the perfect time of day and the lighting was beautiful so I was pretty sure that Luke would be able to get some great shots. I gave him the camera and from there on out he ran the show. I tried to give hime a few suggestions or pointers and he was like "No mom....."--like I was some kind of idiot. Turns out I am--when we got home the best pictures were the ones that he conjured up and the worst shots were, of course, the ones where I told him where to stand. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Needless to say, I am proud of my little photographer.




There was one tragedy...when we were getting out of the truck I grabbed my camera just as Lucas was hoping up to the front and I whacked him in the teeth.....hard. It was SO sad! He has a huge slice on his gums and it bleed and bleed. :( Yes, I am the worst mother ever....you can say it Sue. He's never been much of a whiner and got over way faster than I ever would!

Baby Love

I'm expecting!!! David and I are beyond excited and so ready to get our hands on this little one. I just can't wait to finally add to my precious little family! I think that I've already told a few of you but I'm ready to tell the world (or the few of you who actually care :)). It's been a little scary thus far. The baby was measuring very small and not progressing the way it should. I've been going in every week (I'm 14 weeks along) for an ultrasound and up until recently my doctor has been spending her time preparing me for the worst. She said that I was at the mercy of nature and nature just had a way of taking care of things. She just kept saying that there was nothing I could do. I went in two weeks ago and the baby miraculously was back up to where it should and looked healthy. I went in again today and everything looked great. What's even better is that it looks like it's going to be a GIRL! We're naming her Jane-- yes, Jane. Original, right!? I realize that almost every single great grand child of MaryJane has it for a middle name but I've been holding my breath for YEARS to snag it for a first name (not that it would bug me if there were a thousand Jane's, go ahead and name your babies Jane, the more the better :)). I couldn't be happier.

Children of the Corn

Mary, Suzie, and I took our annual trip to the Pack Pumpkin Patch (which is apparnetly everyone's tradition). It's all in the name of fun halloween activities for the kids, but really it's mom's fun day of photo opts. I love how Lucas doesn't even bother smiling for the camera any more. He's pretty sure that if the camera is involved he's going to try and steer clear of me the enitre day. Occasionally I force him to stop running around to get at least one one good shot, but as you can see he tries his best to thwart my efforts. It's okay, don't tell Lucas, I think he's just as cute grumpy as he is smiling.

Butterfly

Last week Lucas was determined to catch a butterfly. Blood, sweat, and tears I tell ya!

When he finally caught one he really wanted to take it inside and let it go in our living room.

Right after he let it go--absolute delight.

Oops!

It's inevitable that either I end up in someone's video or David ends up in their photos. But every once in awhile I get a shot of David that is priceless. I'm sure these clients love this one.

Emma

If I'm blogging in the name of posterity I figure that maybe I should include some of the activities that take up most of my time. Relief Society. On Thursday night we had Anita Stansfield as a speaker. . . it ended up being a great evening and I learned so much about Emma Smith. I must admit that I've never been a huge fan, so I was pleasantly surprised. If any of you have an opportunity to hear her speak you should.

Summer in My Eye

I feel like I started a blog at the wrong time--just as summer was ending! We really don't have that much going on right now (other than catching up on weddings, but who wants to blog about that). So, I'm just going to pretend it's still summer.

THE DAVIS COUNTY FAIR--love that livestock.


It shocks me what I'll do just to be a cool mom! SCARY!

LAKE POWELL with the Deru's