Saturday, December 19, 2009

Mr. Snowman

A week ago or so southern Utah got some snow, enough that it stuck around through the day. The kids were super excited, it was so cute! That afternoon we bundled up and went out for some fun. The kids had themselves a little snowball fight full of giggles! Then, noticing the bit of snow on the tramp, had to take their fight onto the bouncy surface! Then we decided to make a snowman. This was the most fun I've ever had making a snowman since both the kids were extra helpful! Playing in the snow is so much more fun with two adorable kiddos! Plus, the sun was shining bright so we were actually quite warm, all the bundling wasn't actually necessary... just habit I guess. By the next day the snow on the ground had all melted, but we were excited that Mr. Snowman hung around a couple days longer!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Matt, Morgan, & Cate

This was a fun little photo shoot in my home town. Little Cate wasn't so sure about having a big lens in her face so she wasn't full of smiles, but eventually she did get more comfortable. Although, then she just wanted to talk to me... silly girl! Well things are slowing just slightly so I hope to have some everyday family pictures of my own edited and posted soon!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Tyler, Kolbi, and Ryker

This was the first time I took pictures at Wheeler Farm, and boy was it busy! It was the day after Thanksgiving and we obviously weren't the only ones with this idea. But I can understand why so many photographers like this farm, it has so many opportunities for creative backgrounds! I really enjoyed taking pictures of Tyler, Kolbi, and Ryker. This little guy was so different... most babies need a lot of noise to get them to look at the camera and smile. Not little Ryker, he just liked to be talked to! Thanks guys, I hope you are very happy with them!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Montgomery Family Pictures

It was interesting taking pictures for my family since I needed to be in the pictures as well. Thankfully, Amber, my little brother's girlfriend, came out this chilly morning to help get kids to look the right direction and push the button! We took the pictures Thanksgiving morning at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake. I think they turned out very nicely despite some harsh shadows! Thanks family! I hope to be posting Thanksgiving pictures soon. This week has been busy between work and church callings that had me involved in the planning of two christmas parties. But don't get me wrong, I love me callings! So I'll have Thanksgiving pictures up sometime, even if they're posted halfway through December :)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Koda & Cousins

This was fun, we were hanging out Saturday so Karlene and I decided to take out the kids and finally get a nice picture of Koda and his some with his cousins as well. It was a lot of fun cause the kids were able to play in the leaves and enjoy themselves while we took pictures. They definitely weren't as fond of the possed pictures. Nonetheless we got some great shots!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Falling for Fall

Toquerville has been breathtaking this fall! The leaves have taken their time changing colors and slowly falling to the ground. I think it's the first time I've ever really just enjoyed fall. Maybe it goes by too quickly in Salt Lake and that's why I haven't thoroughly enjoyed it. Or maybe it's just a sign of maturity, I'm not sure. But what I do know is that I have fallen in love with fall! On the way walking home from school one day the kids and I stopped at a neighbors house who's yard was blanketed by leaves & had a great time tossing them about. The kids were not happy when it was time to head home, but the tummies were grumbling. I thought it was too cute & was glad that I had my camera with me :)

Christensen Kiddos

I got to take pictures of these cute kiddos at Ancestor Square in St. George. They were really fun, although full of wiggles. I loved taking pictures at this location, there were so many great areas. Plus I liked that I could put red in almost all of their backgrounds, it made for a nice synchronized package!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Latest Creations

Over the last couple months I have finished two baby blankets for precious baby girls! The first one was not my favorite as I started it, but it grew on me and I ended up really liking it! The baby this one is for hasn't arrived yet but is due any minute, I'm excited to meet her! The second one is an all time favorite, not just for me but for my customers (yes, I do sell my blankets too. I think I've mentioned that before). This is the second request I've had for this one & I'm excited to see how it goes with the baby. This little princess has an antique white dress (from the early 1900s) that she'll be wearing when she is blessed, so her mom asked that I make this one as it fits the flavor of that era. I think that is awesome!

Friday, November 6, 2009

My Little Robots

Finally... I picture of my kiddos in their halloween costumes! I am very happy with how they costumes turned out and we got a lot of ohs and awes! So fun! Although, I didn't really think about functionality... they couldn't really sit or play in the costumes. If we didn't have to drive from house to house in our little town then that wouldn't have been such a problem, but they got tired real fast from having to climb in and out of the car awkwardly! Nonetheless, they got themselves a nice little pile of candy... another successful Halloween!

Analisa Lynn

When Laura was visiting I was able to take advantage of having a baby around and practice my baby taking skills! We had a lot of fun! Analisa wanted to stick her tongue out most of the time, but we got past that. Although, I kept several of them cause they were just as cute! Thanks for sharing Laura!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

What We've Been Up To...

I LOVE October! It is my favorite month! I love that it is the start of the holiday season and the fun festive activities that it holds! I love the traditions and I love the memories. It is also a bittersweet month since it holds the anniversary of my mother's passing, but I'm glad her birthday is the 2nd so that the happy memories come before the sad ones. To kick off this years October we made and decorated festive cookies for the first Family Home Evening of the month. The kids love to decorate sugar cookies, but for some reason they don't eat them as quickly as they make them. We had cookies to last us almost the whole month!

Soon we cold feel the chill in the air and figured we'd better get in one more boat run before it was really too cold. Unfortunately, for me, the water was already too cold... like ice water! But the crazy guys suited up in a wet suit and
had one last ski run for the season. I am going to miss the summer even though it is unbearably hot. I am very grateful there are four seasons, so that I can appreciate each phase!

Todd's been outside working a lot on the weekends doing various chores and Gary boy is his constant shadow :) One Saturday, working down by the river, Gary boy worked himself so much that he got his first blister! It was hilarious because his dad and grandpa were acting as though it was a right of passage :) Can I get some of that inspiration in the potty training department, please!

On another Saturday Gary boy went out to help his grandpa clean the windows (I had attempted this but couldn't get any success, turns out the right tools and arm strength makes all the difference when it comes to getting irrigation water off the windows!) I just had to snag this picture of little Gary being so proud to help out! (Liv also helped, but I missed the photo op.)


Every now and then we get days that aren't too windy and are able to go out and play. This day was especially fun because Gpa Gary brought out a long rope and started teaching the kids to jump rope. I learn new things about him all the time,
it's one of the things I love about living with Gary and Karlene. Turns out that big Gary loved to jump rope with the girls at recess when he was in elementary! So I couldn't let the moment pass without capturing the kids' grandparents jumping
rope too!







I was so excited last week when I got a call from my life long bestest friend Laura Joy, she wanted to come visit! Unfortunately it was a very busy weekend for me, but she was game to participate in whatever we had going on. So I we dressed up, her as a clown, Karlene as a devil woman, Todd as the "Swine Flu" (pig with wings, get it ;)), and myself as the swine flu vaccination and we went to our ward Halloween party! I think the party was a hit! I loved how creative our ward was with their costume
creations! We did a spin off of Fear Factor, but nothing was exactly gross or scary, so we called it the "Fun Factor". True, it wasn't for everyone, but it was a hoot nonetheless, and I appreciated all the participation we got!



































And then Saturday I took Laura into Zion, I couldn't believe that she'd never been there before! We went on the short but beautiful Weeping Rock (yes, it's my favorite hike to take visitors on) and she loved it. The fall colors are just
breathtaking right now! It was a fun and gorgeous fall day, I had fun taking pictures and I think Laura had fun just taking it all in! Thanks for visiting Laura, I miss you already!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Kari and Cody's Wedding

Kari and Cody's wedding day was absolutely beautiful! I had a lot of fun taking pictures of them, because they were very trusting in me! My experience with them made me understand why my friend, Melissa Papaj, loves to shoot weddings! Thanks Kari and Cody!

As I am officially starting my business, called Young Photography, so I'm offering a "Grand Opening" sale promotion: sitting fee ONLY $30! For those of you in the Salt Lake area I'll be in town the weekend of Thanksgiving! Please email me or call if interested!

For more of Kari and Cody's pictures click here.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Kari's Bridals, and Cody too

Last Thursday I went back to the Sand Hollow Resort Golf Course to take bridal pictures of Kari (and Cody too). Again, we had a lot of fun, I really appreciate these two for letting me try some new things as well! When we were done I also had fun in my "digital darkroom" teaching myself some of the things photoshop can do! I love actions but I can't afford them yet and I don't have CS3 that is required for the actions I do like. Anyways, so here are some fun creation I made! Click here for more from there shoot.

I know all I've been posting lately is photography stuff, but it's been my life lately. I'm happy about this, but will be
posting other events as they happen as well. Don't worry, the kids are still keeping me just as busy as well!!










Saturday, September 26, 2009

Amber and Anthony's Wedding

Last weekend I had the opportunity to head back to Salt Lake to take pictures for Anthony and Amber Vincent's wedding! I've known Anthony since we were kids since I was babysat by his mom, Susan, since she was good friends with my mom! It was a beautiful wedding, and I was happy to see that my old friend found someone to settle down with! Thanks for letting me be there to celebrate with you!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Young Reunion

I love the Young family reunion! I love reconnecting with family (I've been friends with the Youngs long before I met Todd. If you don't know already, Todd's uncle is married to my aunt... so the Youngs are my family even more than through marriage. Chew that over for a bit :)) Everyone tries really hard to make this a really fun and memorable event, and for me it really is! This year the theme was hawaiian, yay, hosted mainly by Kris (my aunt) and Misty! There was carnival games, hawaiian festive food, and a lot of water fun! There was a scavenger hunt where we followed clues that led us to different parts of festive clothing such as: leis, grass skirts, flowers for the hair, flip-flops, etc. Although it was a deadly event, due to extreme heat, it was a lot of fun... especially for the kiddos! I love that my kids can know play with cousins and don't always need us right by their sides. I hope that events like these will provide them with the opportunity to stay connected with their extended family and develop meaningful relationships with them! To fund the reunions each year we have a "Country Store" and a small auction where items that have been donated are sold. I was reading in Grandma Young's journal, that had been typed up for the auction, and found it interesting that in 1983 she wrote about one of her family's reunions where they had a "Country Store" for the same reason. I guess good ideas stick! The reunion is always finished with a memorial service of Todd's Grandpa Young. I love hearing the stories of not only him but other family members that are told throughout the weekend. I try to write down as many as I can so I can share them with my kids as well! Thanks for the great reunion family!