mom{heart}art

out with the old house.....on to a new one!

2012-01-26T22:23:00.002-07:00

new year, new haircuts (my favorites so far)

2012-01-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

big brother & little brother, 4 & 2, 2012

a frame by frame documentation of lil bro's camera loathing...

2012-01-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

but it's obvious big brother loves it, right?

poser

2011-11-30T14:40:00.002-07:00

big brother, 2011

colors

2011-11-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

fall, 2011

gorgeous colors.

chopped

2011-11-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

little brother, 2011

just a little documentation of his hair before we chopped it. i am totally digging the shadows in the first pic. the little bugger won't hold still, though, so it's a little blurry. grrrr! new do pics to come.

wow, i'm a crappy blogger as of late...

gone baby gone

2011-10-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

palisades, summer, 2011

summer is leaving us. low of 29 degrees tuesday.

summer snow

2011-10-05T13:01:00.000-06:00

summer 2011

cold snow cones with ice cream on the bottom. evenings so hot it melted the ice before we could eat it, so we slurped instead. yeah, we did this like back in july. i forgot about the pics. look at it as a friendly reminder of hot summers as we make our way into winter. 43 degrees, peeps. sick!

the family bed + thoughts

2011-09-25T23:05:00.000-06:00

summer 2011

we are all about a family bed. it's way better than having a bed that's made.

thoughts: i don't think there is anyone reading this blog anymore. that's okay, though. i stopped reading their blog too. {it's awesome, by the way. not reading other blogs.} i don't need other people reading this to make it real. i used to. not anymore. if you are, that's sweet! i welcome readers. i just don't need them anymore. feels pretty good too. the blog is really for me anyway. i know, selfish right?

i think that i should be able to have my blog title change with my moods. so it's going to.

dance. it's unbelievable how much i breathe it. so much of myself is there right now.

i want to remember my kids 100 years from now. everything about them. i guess i am grateful that i am somewhat skilled with a camera. and why i can't let this "season" of no photographing continue too long...

the seasons

2011-08-28T20:59:00.000-06:00

cotton candy. lets all feel like a kid again.

a friend just said to me that everything has a season. this space{the blog & photography}is definitely out-of-season. yes. that seems about right.

sparklers

2011-08-17T20:13:00.000-06:00

palisades 2011

4th of july awesome.

throwing rocks

2011-08-09T13:41:00.000-06:00

palisades, 2011

a beautiful evening. just beautiful.

the epitome of cheese

2011-07-28T13:45:00.000-06:00

little brother 2011

he really kills me.

the epitome of bed head

2011-07-28T13:42:00.000-06:00

big brother 2011

i told you.

a st. george hotel morning

2011-07-27T21:06:00.000-06:00

st. george trip 2011

i think i like to photograph mornings. the lighting is simply gorgeous, pjs are our fav, and bed head around here can get pretty awesome. so yeah, i like photographing mornings.

canyon skies

2011-07-26T20:20:00.002-06:00

sf canyon 2011

....this summer has been exhausting. lovely but exhausting. it's been party party party since mid june. whew! and it's not over yet. i leave the mr. and the kids this friday for pheonix. dance, yes please! then a few more trips in august, followed by lake powell in september. like i said, lovely but exhausting.

p.s. i know this post is not related to the pic, but whatev.

a camper's morning

2011-07-21T10:46:00.000-06:00

camping trip #1

2011-07-20T09:28:00.000-06:00

it was really a trailer tester. only one night up the canyon. but we learned we love it. absolutely.

me

2011-07-16T13:33:00.000-06:00

vroom vroom

2011-07-15T09:26:00.000-06:00

toys are usually everywhere.

in grandma and d's hot tub

2011-07-12T16:27:00.001-06:00

i think he looks like his head is about to topple off his body in this picture

she is always willing to pose for the camera

in the hot tub

2011

this is how we use our ikea chair

2011-07-09T11:30:00.000-06:00

the boys and the mr.

the chatter

2011-07-08T11:52:00.000-06:00

{one} st. george trip, girls camp, palisades camping trip, 4th of july bash all within 2 1/2 weeks
{two} fell asleep at 9:00 last night. total crash from all the above.
{three} stubbed my toe. bad. big chunk bad.
{four} witnessed first hand a phenomenal micro burst. like natural disaster style.
{five} said goodbye to 6 free standing awnings and 4 trailer awnings. ours included...
{six} barely saved big brother from getting slammed in the trailer door.
{seven} got my right hand instead. and i thought my toe was bad.
{eight} never thought the drill bit would be used to drill through my fingernail.
{nine} heart this song.
{ten} enjoyed a sweet display of fireworks.
{eleven} evening swimming. joy.
{twelve} taught improv this week. learned what music looks like.
{thirteen} girls camp = wow!
{fourteen} saw this. liked.
{fifteen} summer bliss.

seriously though, i can't believe it's mid july already...

clean clothes please!

2011-07-06T10:07:00.001-06:00

diana F+ lens

so much laundry. mountains of it.

i love me some sunshine

2011-07-05T17:14:00.002-06:00

{spring flowers at the back of our house}

and we're back, peeps. updates to come. pics to come. it's going to be awesome around here.

not back

2011-06-20T22:58:00.000-06:00

{via wonderful joy ahead}

yes, i did take that small blog break without warning. no, i am not back. just popping in to share with you my awesome, low-key, repeat over and over, totally doable summer to do list. i even plan to do the outdoor concert! starting next week. first we have to make it through this week...

see you back here in july! with lots of pics of our adventures.

the chatter

2011-06-06T13:08:00.000-06:00

{one} wow. what a week we had last week.
{two} little brother had his adenoidectomy on tuesday morning. we now have a nose breather, peeps!
{three} was still recovering when he had a pretty bad fall in the bathroom friday morning.
{four} 10 stitches on his cheek and a bruised up rib.
{five} like i said. rough week.
{six} big brother is rocking swimming lessons.
{seven} picked up a new book. almost solely for the beautiful cover. almost.
{eight} love. love. love.
{nine} warm enough for neighborhood BBQ's and birthday swim parties.
{ten} we even needed sunscreen today!

p.s. still rolling around the idea of a quick blog break. might be happening end of this week.

he was supposed to be sleeping

2011-06-04T11:37:00.000-06:00

insta love

2011-06-02T14:05:00.001-06:00

some of my favs from the ipod. fist pump! for instagram. love it. how hilarious are those of little brother taking a nap. no joke, that is how he slept the entire 2 hours. love the 4th one too.

he saw some deer outside our window

2011-06-01T13:07:00.000-06:00

i know. don't get me started...

on the street where i don't live

2011-05-30T14:15:00.000-06:00

fujicolor pro 400H

i wouldn't mind living there, though. nope. not one bit. puerto vallarta is a place we might always have a thing for. retirement here we come! isn't it crazy, too, that the sky could have to many different shades of color during just one 30 minute walk?

p.s. little brother's surgery is tomorrow morning. even just this simple procedure will make tomorrow a very. long. day. wish us luck.

the chatter

2011-05-28T15:36:00.000-06:00

{one} on a self discovery and acceptance journey. the acceptance part is key.
{two} new piqued interest in writing poetry.
{three} camping in the new trailer! suh-weet!! some pics to come.
{four} big brother taking naps again. i am a tricky one. wah-ah-ah!
{five} ENT called back about little brother. good news and bad news, i guess.
{six} june is going to come in with a bang. so. much. going. on. considering a break from the bloggity blog.

using the film camera a lot again. i love how it feels so fresh and new when i shoot film. something different from the norm. a break from routine. i am needing some more film, though, and want to know what your favorites are for 35mm?? come on...spill!

la leche

2011-05-26T14:33:00.000-06:00

fujicolor pro 400H

a restaurant in puerto vallarta with an all white theme. it was cool. food was not that great but the atmosphere was.

the calling of the sea

2011-05-24T13:52:00.001-06:00

fujicolor pro 400H

taken on the shores of mexico last summer. i can still feel the sand between my toes and the evening sun on my face. sometimes i feel i am missing out on something wonderous by not living near the sea.

flowers from mexico

2011-05-23T14:07:00.005-06:00

fujicolor pro 400H

taken on the street in puerto vallarta last summer. i can still feel the warm ocean breeze...
we needed a little color around here today.

a fog of sorts

2011-05-17T13:47:00.000-06:00

above the rooftop

a fog setting in

sunlight trying to break through

brushing against the mountain top

i am starting to feel a fog settling in over my mind. a creative fog. it feels impossible to come up with choreography, i have no desire to pick up the camera. it's strange because just yesterday i was feeling very inspired by many things. when it actually came time to do anything about those inspirational feelings, the fog started to creep in. maybe it's because the dance year is winding towards the end, and my summer break is calling to me. i think i need a few weeks of not being stimulated. or something close to that. i need to feel the wind in my hair, smell the earth and trees, feel the sunshine, etc, etc. a summer filled with adventure with my 3 favorite boys. ahhhhh....

{side note: i don't think my mind could ever be non-stimulated completely, but it's a nice thought right?? too many ideas brewing...}

some thoughts about art

2011-05-16T20:29:00.000-06:00

some lovelies that have submerged themselves in my mind. that top one. so. true. found these over here at this awesome thing that i am participating in(and contributed too!). hello!! i am already inspired and it's only day 2!

a mothers' day

2011-05-08T11:55:00.000-06:00

my mom and me @ lake powell

isn't she gorgeous?!!?

my mom and me @ our old house

wishful wishing

2011-05-04T14:09:00.000-06:00

watching from the window. it was too cold for him being so sick. those little feet rising up to look wishfully out the window just melt my heart. can i get a woot woot! for gorgeous window light??

p.s. is it totally pathetic that i let a little old book upset me so?? maybe so, but when i read...i really read, if you know what i mean... thankfully there are a few chapters left. i am hanging on hope here.

the chatter

2011-05-02T14:23:00.002-06:00

{one} i am swooning. over here too.
{two} in another life, i would have been a ballerina.
{three} scored some hot sunglasses. for free. normally very expensive.
{four} so lovely to sit in the sun and read while the kids play at the park.
{five} thank you for being so awesome, new North Park, that my kids are entertained for. ev. er.
{six} on the search for a great outfit that incorporates grey, yellow & white. my baby brother is getting married next week.
{seven} could look at these, these or these all day.
{eight} i take it back, i would have been a ballerina in new york city. see #2
{nine} so over the royal wedding. wondering if they even enjoyed their wedding turned crazed media event...??
{ten} needing new shoes for big brother. he's grown out of all but 2 pairs.
{eleven} scored this for little bro and this for big bro. for the wedding.
{twelve} the other day my mom called me "anti-establishment." i like that.
{thirteen} what the what??? an H&M opening this fall in utah? fist pump!!

that's all for now...

i just want to be with my boys

2011-04-27T13:23:00.000-06:00

it's true. it's all i can think about at the moment.

give the kid a camera

2011-04-26T14:07:00.000-06:00

years ago the mr. gave me a lomography color splash camera for christmas. don't use it much anymore. so i gave it to big brother. it's was perfect. he loves changing the colors of the flash. he was a quick learner and carries that thing around with him quite a bit. these are a few of his captures. i love that he was so excited about it and that he was so excited about looking at the pictures he created.

aren't the ones with blur and double exposure just the perfect happy accident??

the chatter

2011-04-25T12:38:00.002-06:00

{one} easter success.
{two} 30 pages in and already fantastic.
{three} find me here.
{four} want a few of these for scheduling summer fun. these would be fab for recording summer fun.
{five} longing for putting on two pairs of little flip flops instead of two pairs of little socks and shoes. i swear it will knock 10 minutes off of time spent getting out the door.
{six} feeling good about a change of plans.
{seven} loving deviled eggs. ate about 10 yesterday. seriously weird.
{eight} have to make.
{nine} wondering if i can make riding my bike for errands a reality?
{ten} email is my best friend.
{eleven} listening.
{twelve} the time of 12:34 pm is stalking me.

hope you all had a fabulous easter! we did and now are anticipating a summer filled with fun.

the tree out front

2011-04-20T09:07:00.000-06:00

the rain just keeps coming. it's inevitable. as much as i hate that it's preventing us from having adventures outside, i do love some things about it. the fact that it brings bright & beautiful spring flowers is just peachy in my eyes. i love the smell of the earth after rain. so. much. and how rain drops collect on winter branches like thousands of tiny glass globes, making the tree in our front yard truly a site to behold. this earth is some kind of wonderful.

the chatter

2011-04-18T21:34:00.000-06:00

{one} rain rain go away, come again another day!
{two} really excited for easter with the boys this year.
{three} found this for a fun twist on the easter egg hunt.
{four} and another goodie for their baskets. summer fun here we come!
{five} another confirmation that my family is the most important thing in my life.
{six} bought this today. more art in the boys life is only a good thing.
{seven} now want to get this one. oh and can't forget one for me.
{eight} family in town all week. yippee!!
{nine} made a skirt!! oh yes, i am on my way.
{ten} essential oils. becoming a huge believer.

winter woes

2011-04-15T11:00:00.000-06:00

please oh please let that be our last snow storm. it is a gorgeous spring day out there right now, but this time last week, we had what you see above. i have lived in utah long enough to not get my hopes of warmer weather up too soon. please oh please let us be done with the snow.

the most annoying thing about it is i never know when it's time to put away the winter attire and get out the warmer goods. as soon as i do it, it will be cold again. a girl can get really flustered, you know.

oh happier notes, i am starting to get thinking about easter baskets. i have decided to go for a no-candy basket this year. i already know they will get plenty of that at the grandparents. plenty. i also want to start helping the boys to be more imaginative and creative. found this game to make for big brother and these to make for both of them. so that plus some books, playdoh, and few other ideas will be perfect.

a family bed

2011-04-14T08:47:00.000-06:00

we spend a lot of time as a family in the mr.'s and my bed. i have noticed quite a bit of the photos i share here are taking place in this spot. we cuddle here. we wrestle here. we read books and watch movies here. it is quickly becoming one of our favorite spots. i love it. i love the family bed.

bringing spring in

2011-04-12T10:46:00.000-06:00

don't have many thoughts that deserve words lately. it's kind of nice. this sort of clearness of mind. i do have photographs though. always.

spring break & spring cleaning

2011-04-11T09:20:00.000-06:00

this week is spring break. which means i have the whole week off from teaching. yessss! i get so spend everyday, all day with my kiddos. we have some pretty fun stuff planned.

it also means that this week will be my "spring cleaning" week. nope, i haven't done it yet. while cleaning out my computer files, i found some random b&w's that i love and had forgotten about. now on to the bathrooms.

an afternoon and some pool with diana

2011-04-07T14:47:00.000-06:00

window warmth

2011-04-05T09:42:00.000-06:00

remember when you were younger and you would wake up in the morning, freezing, and go and lay in the warmth of the sunlight streaming in through the window? big brother has started doing that. it's a funny feeling watching your own child do something you remember doing yourself as a child. happy making funny.

we made a really awesome discovery last week at the library. really awesome. so awesome, big brother asks to hit the library every day now. we will go at least once a week now, for sure.

the chatter

2011-04-03T22:21:00.000-06:00

{one} this is now on my bookshelf.
{two} little brother got a haircut. and you should hear him say basketball.
{three} girls camp plans are coming right along.
{four} saw this. very good.
{five} saw this. just good.
{six} ate here twice in a week. oh yeah...happy birthday to me!
{seven} this song. and this one.
{eight} reading a book, outside in the warmth of the sun, while the boys play on the playground. a beautiful thing.
{nine} hope to get back to regular blogging this week. i hope...

it's unbelievable how i cannot find a skirt or a dress that is long enough for me. even at least to my knees would be nice, but they do not exist. seriously. i have spent hours and hours on my search and it is proving to be fruitless. i can't tell you how frustrated i am! is it to much to ask for a skirt/dress that is stylish and longer than mid-thigh?? apparently so. help. i am about to take a sewing class...

oh, and under $50 dollars would be nice as well. this also is wishful thinking.

zack + stef {the final post}

2011-03-29T21:46:00.000-06:00

well, it's finally the last of them. promise.

zack + stef {part 2}

2011-03-25T12:36:00.000-06:00

i am leaving you this weekend with some more engagements. and yes, i even have one more post full. i know. told you there were lots of great ones...

happy weekend. (it's snowing again...hmph!)

zack + stef {part 1}

2011-03-23T13:53:00.000-06:00

my baby brother is getting married. that means i am getting old. i feel old when i am around them. they are so young and fresh, starting out on this new adventure. i seems like only yesterday it was the mr. and i. i was so thrilled to take their engagements for them. they are some of my favorites. it was exceptionally awesome because they were pretty much up for anything. even putting their feet in freezing water during chilly weather. and willing to let me snap some of them while we dined at a mexican restaurant. love it!

more to come...

the chatter

2011-03-21T22:08:00.001-06:00

{one} another weekend full of inspirations.
{two} won best choreography! eek!
{three} going to be a new auntie. so thrilled!
{four} slept without a fan friday night and actually slept.
{five} had an enlightening appointment today. feeling pretty enthusiastic.
{six} the mr. surprised me with an early birthday present. a vitamix. fist pump!
{seven} the engagement pics coming this week. there are so many great ones, i might be doing a few posts on them.
{eight} a friend's brother died last week. he was pretty fantastic. my heart broke a little.
{nine} set aside the other book and picked up this one. couldn't wait.

i can't quit listening to music. i am obsessed. okay, so i have always been a huge music enthusiast, but it's a bit out of control lately. have you heard this? or this one? and it's even worse when my mind uncontrollably starts thinking of choreography while i obsessively listen to music.

i am going to try and post regularly this week, but it was kind of nice just not.

the chatter

2011-03-14T22:52:00.000-06:00

{one} loving these signs of spring we are having. went to the park three days in a row. yeah baby!
{two} made a donation to the red cross for Japan. it was small in comparison. but my heart goes out to them.
{three} working on an engagement session. so fantastic!
{four} dance competition season starts this weekend.
{five} was asked to write about movement and creating for this lovely lady and her creativity boot camp workbook. so thrilled!
{six} started this book yesterday.
{seven} doing a high school dance company's pictures on thursday.
{eight} this song. i have no words.
{nine} spending most nights this week putting rhinestones on costumes.
{ten} busy busy.

i will most likely be MIA this week. got lots to do, peeps. and so little time. and don't get me started on trying to adjust to daylight savings...

i want to refuse

2011-03-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

i have never been one for "stuff." i hate clutter. ask the mr. i am always getting rid of things he still needs. but it has been on my mind a bit more. we made some decisions about our life a month or so ago. {nope, still not ready to bring it up yet.} those decisions have led to current thoughts of simplifying and purging (that was my friend's word for it). and also saving {money}.

it first started when i read this article in the january issue of sunset. just the thought of even living somewhat similar to this family makes me delighted. not because i am a huge "green" freak (just a little one), but because i have always felt like people in general have way to much stuff. we think we need it, but do we really? then one day while blog hopping, i found a video about this same family and their lifestyle of "Refuse, refuse, refuse. Then reduce, reuse, and recycle (in that order)." So inspiring.

after that, my lovely neighbor friend wrote about how she was "purging" her garage and wanted to do the house. we talked a bit after play date. she had these words to eat up linked on her blog. now i am completely driven to do it. i thought, if my friend, who leads a regular life similar to mine can do this, so can i.

i am pretty excited about it. now it's just about finding where to start.

not

2011-03-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

so not in the mood to do this. might not be all week.

but if i was, i would tell you that i want this outfit for big brother and this one for little brother, only with an m.

and if i had a girl, i would for sure need this outfit for her. but i don't. big sigh.

the mr.

2011-03-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

my love. he is getting a little blog lovin' today. he deserves it. i am so lucky to have someone so supportive. he never complains when i am absent all weekend for dance (last weekend) or when i leave him alone for two days with the kids for photography (this weekend). i wouldn't be able to do what i do without him behind me, encouraging me. i know many women who aren't so lucky. and i won't even get started on how wonderful a husband and father he is. way to much information for you all. i don't like to let things get that mushy around here. love you, baby!

and i like calling him the mr.

a little sentiment

2011-03-01T13:56:00.001-07:00

there was an article in Real Simple magazine by a bunch of photographers and writers who were talking about those things that our kids get attached to and can't live without. about how they grow up and become unattached to those same things. and then how those things become so sentimental and dear to us parents, reminding us of days when our kids were easily comforted by a stuffed animal or blanky. i loved the photography in this article and how they had captured their kids with their things. they could now remember those days forever. i decided i wanted to do that too. big brother can't live without his blanky. really, it's quite disturbing what goes on when he doesn't have it somewhere nearby. and his frog backpack filled with any and every kind of animal figurine. we don't leave home without it. ever. little brother has not revealed quite yet what his things will be. i'll be ready when he does. here's to clinging to those silly little objects!

the chatter

2011-02-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

{one} got some more snow last week. i am so over it.

{two} our show went oh so fantastic on saturday. really, the dancers were so beautiful. they make me very happy.

{three} now, back to the drawing board (or choreography board!). i am choreographing two more pieces for the end of year show.

{four} our infant car seat got recalled. good thing we aren't using it right now.

{five} spent the weekend with some of my newest favorite people. thanks to this restaurant for letting us hang out until midnight.

{six} spent the weekend being inspired. lindsey and ashley, your pieces were amazing.

{seven} this song is unbelievable. so moving i want to cry.

{eight} we experienced a sweet moment yesterday. oh how special the priesthood is.

{nine} spent saturday morning pouring my heart out about the art of dance. i cried and everything. but the girls finally are getting it. it's moments like those that keep me going.

{ten} big brother has started this whole defiant stage now. it's not my favorite.

{eleven} i feel happy and content. it's even better than i thought it would be.

p.s. i have some thoughts about some things. and i would like to run some questions by those of you who visit me here. but i am not ready to bring this subject up just yet. it might take a bit for me to get there.

i want to rise above

2011-02-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

i love that i found this photo in my archives. it didn't catch my eye before, but this time i looked, it was perfect. i am having thoughts about dance and wanting to rise above. mostly, i want to rise above myself. to be better. there are so many things that i am always striving to do better in, but today it's this thing i love called dance.

a year ago i was still on the fence about it. i have always been in love with it. always will be. but i wasn't sure i wanted to teach and choreograph forever. i love so many other things. [that was my problem in college. could never stick with one major.] this year has been so influential for me. it has made me realize that what i do is pretty sweet. it has made me realize how deep my love for the art of dance goes. i am forever grateful for this gift God has given me and i forever want it in my life.

but it goes deeper. i know, bear with me here. i have realized that i love dance as an art, not a sport. i am an artist, so it only makes sense. i think its sad how much we are letting art and music be put on the down low these days. that kids don't really know what it means to have a photograph, a painting, a movement or a piece of music make you feel something. that they don't get to experience the joy of creating something that is part of you. we can't let it go. human beings need that stimulation in life. it matters.

so i will continue to do what i do. to dance. to create movement. to tell stories. to create feeling. to take photographs. to put brush to canvas. to be an artist. because it matters. and yes, i want to rise above myself. i want to be better. because striving to be better makes us better.

and as for dance. well, it's freakin' awesome. if you want to experience a form of it's awesomeness, check this out. it's not my work, but i am always inspired by this guy's choreography.

i hope to be posting some of my own work in the near future.

some snuggles and the long weekend

2011-02-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

big brother loves his cousins. we don't see them much, they live in Nevada. i couldn't resist them snuggled up in my bed watching a movie together. it was a perfect photo moment. kind of makes you want to snuggle up with them.

we had a perfect long weekend with president's day and all. it was warm enough yesterday to take the boys to the park. but it was still chilly enough to make the hot tub a perfect end to the day. plus, my man and i went on a "kissy date" and saw this movie. gotta love mr. neeson kicking butt!

this morning i heard this gorgeous song. she is definitely one of my favs.

how did you spend your long weekend??

testing one, two...

2011-02-17T14:17:00.002-07:00

i am trying out posting to my bloggy blog from flickr. this is my first one. i think i might like it. i was looking through my work on flickr and decided to post this one because i simply adore this photo. it has to be one of my very favorites that i've taken. big brothers hand on the doorknob was a complete accident, and yet, it makes this photo. i wish i could say i was that awesome to have planned it. LOVE IT!

we play cards

2011-02-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

it's true. we do. for years we have been doing this as a family. anytime we get together. it's one of my favorite things to do with them. we laugh. we tease. we laugh. and we eat. oh my, do we eat. playing cards with family will always be one of my greatest memories. good times. what do you do with your family??

happy v day

2011-02-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

my man and i don't really buy each other gifts today. i know, lame right? well, we don't think so. we just don't feel like we need to. that's not us. besides, i completely despise all that sappy love poem, teddy bear and roses crap. i really do. that is not the way into my heart. i am a romantic, but not the cheesy kind. if my man wrote me a poem (which he would NEVER do) i would laugh in his face. i like the sweet and thoughtful all year long kind. and come on! maybe a little originality, please.

i do love this day though. especially with kids. as they get older i want to start doing special stuff like heart shaped pancakes and pink milk. little things like that. they aren't quite old enough yet to appreciate it though. big sigh. maybe next year.

hope you all have a sweet day!

be my valentine

2011-02-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

a valentine from Mr. K

a valentine from Miss L

a valentine from Miss O

we set up a homemade photo booth in little brothers bedroom for play date last week. the kids helped make the hearts and signs. they made pictures for the first part of their valentines, then the photos were the second part. it was fun, and they are stinking cute so who wouldn't like a valentine from them.

have a great valentine weekend.

scattered thoughts

2011-02-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

lots of scattered thoughts today. i truly do love the winter, but i am tired of it lately. time for some warm weather for playing outside. i have boys. they need to be free.

thinking of a blog friend who had her work stolen by some perv for his own formspring page. it was a photo of her daughter. it has made me a little paranoid, but just a smidge. her words of not living in fear really resonated with me, and not just in the online world, but in other aspects of my life too.

feeling like i want to use my photography to tell stories. thats what i love about choreographing. i get to tell stories. and i believe that is what sets my choreography apart from others. photographs do tell stories, but i want to take it a step further. i am still pondering it. still figuring out what i want to do exactly. just getting it out there has helped free up some space in my mind. i want my photos to be funny, sometimes thoughtful, silly or meaningful. any kind of story.

working on a few valentine photos. some for the blog, some for my man.... :)

digging this haircut. it's pretty much awesome.

really thinking i need a mass friendship of photographers. you know what i mean? a bunch of photographer friends and we can give support and constructive criticism to each other. bounce ideas off one another, talk about all things photography. i am always wanting to be better and i think this would be awesome. not sure how to make this happen, but i want to do it.

here is another photo of the awesome haircut. did i mention that i love it??

and if i ever decide to totally go balls to the walls for a professional photography biz, i want to photograph families and kids. but mostly kids. they are my first love. talk about great story-telling photos! i love less doing weddings. and large, extended family groups.

my friend said to me yesterday, after watching a piece i choreographed, that she would like to just get inside my head for a little bit. i don't know if anyone would like that once they did it. it's pretty crazy in here. this post is just a glimpse of it.

perfect mason

2011-02-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

i love using my old mason jars for other fun things. what once used to house delicious canned peaches or pears, is also good when you need a large ice-cold glass of vanilla coke zero (yup, it's my new favorite) or a vase for bright, white flowers. we really needed some plant life around here too. i love putting them in my bathroom and kitchen and in my work space. flowers really can lift your spirits.

i am in love with this online mag. such gorgeous photography. and gorgeous clothing and artwork for kids. i've got kids and babies on the brain more than usual. and lots of thoughts about me and my photography. but mostly just kids and babies.

wear your food

2011-02-07T12:42:00.001-07:00

noodles anyone?? by the way, much cooler on your head than in your stomach.

the chatter

2011-02-04T12:02:00.001-07:00

{one} cleaning day.
{two} found this guy. love. love. love.
{three} costco's version of the clorox wipe is AWESOME!
{four} little brother got a new tooth. explains a lot.
{five} frigid temps have brought more trips to the in-laws hot tub.
{six} in love with this face cleanser. my skin feels UH-MAZING after. hope it loves me back...
{seven} now wanting to try this and this.
{eight} want this wall sticker for the basement. wonder if it will stick to sheetrock...
{nine} working on not letting fear of things that "could" happen rule my life.
{ten} lost 5 lbs!!! don't know how, but they are gonzo.
{eleven} love this song.

p.s. i don't know if i already told you, but i got the idea for "the chatter" from my lovely neighbor-friend, Leslie, and her equally lovely blog. just wanted to give credit where credit was due.

lunch with diana

2011-02-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

diana finally arrived. so i took her to lunch with my mom and little brother. it was a perfect lunch, corn chowder and a reuben. little brother was getting his groove on to the restaurant tunes, making the waiter laugh. love the way diana gives a softness to the images. can't wait to get more familiar with her. i have seen some fun images taken by others. decided i like doing lunch. anyone willing to sit and eat yummy food and converse with me? i am somewhat interesting, i promise.

all images taken with the diana+ 35 mm lens

check out this, this, and this also taken with diana.

the cold

2011-02-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

when i wake in the morning, first things first, open the blinds. can't live without natural light. it gives life. next, throw on a sweater. it's cold. unusually so in our house. leads me to believe we have a draft (or two). needing warmth. whip up some hot cocoa or herbal tea, depending on my mood. winter is always a little dream-like. softer, quieter, cozier. i always love the way the snow catches on branches and grasses.

love this valentine kids craft. and this one. maybe for play date tomorrow....

be real

2011-01-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

this is pretty awesome. and the perfect theme for girls camp. so. dang. powerful.

in da crib {part 2}

2011-01-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

where there is one, there's always the other. i have heard stories of the day when your kids start entertaining each other. it's becoming a reality.

in da crib {part 1}

2011-01-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

little brother is his crib turned party city bounce house. next up....MTV "Cribs."

seriously, i have A TON of pics of my boys. and more still to come. i think i need to get out more....

oh and finally got the diana. some fun stuff taken with that coming soon too.

going to see my little brother who is up from down south this weekend. yippee! hope your weekend is as beautifully lazy as mine. i deserve it since my last weekend was tainted with the flu....

the chatter

2011-01-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

{one} my man and i had a very bad spout of the stomach flu the past couple days. really. bad. still recovering.
{two} big brother turned three last week. if you ask him, he will say "three dinosaurs." cute.
{three} little brother is now down to the 2nd percentile for weight. it's unbelievable how much the kid can eat too. whatever.
{four} i will never eat cake again. see #1
{five} waiting ever so impatiently for this little baby.

maybe next week i'll take more pictures.

lovely mess

2011-01-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

i don't know why, but i love this picture. maybe it's because of the lovely mess. i guess it is possible for a mess to be named lovely.

p.s. big brother pooped his pants today while at the doctor's office. then he and little bro both had to get vaccinations. just wanted you to know what my morning has been like today......

wish

2011-01-17T13:39:00.001-07:00

"Between the wish and the thing, life lies waiting." - Proverbs

someone said once (don't remember where!) that they don't believe wishing works. that we get the things we work for. i believe this is true. sometimes i wonder how long i can sit wishing before i get up and start living. before too long we are surrounded by wishes but holding on to nothing. just waiting. dreams? now, dreams are something amazing. when we dream we have something to work for. dreams help shape us into what kind of a person we want to be. dreaming helped shape who we already are. but wishing...well, possibly just a waste of time when instead we should be living.

getting beyond happy

2011-01-14T11:03:00.001-07:00

found this quote on this lovely blog. something to ponder over the weekend. isn't that just a perfect way to look at happiness??? i love it!

p.s. i have decided to officially stick with the blog name you see above. open echo. i think its perfect for what i want this blog to be. an open minded, ever changing, complex echo of the real me.

the haircut that changed lives

2011-01-10T21:41:00.003-07:00

it's true. if you didn't know, now you do. haircuts can change lives. this is how. no more meltdowns for big brother. he can rest easy that it will not hurt when we brush the hair. really. no tangles! no more pre-brush pep talks to myself, getting geared up for the fight that will come. and the biggest shocker of all...big brother is acting older. i know, i can hear you doubters, but it's true. in his speech and mannerisms. the way he acts and engages. i can't explain it. may be a coincidence. but we'll take it! the only thing that didn't change was the fact that he is freakin' adorable!!

oh, and.......

don't forget little brother. he wanted his picture taken too. i know. his hair is crazy. but it's somehow awesome at the same time.

p.s. found a ton of photos of my boys in the archives that haven't been posted. so the next few posts will be of them. i don't mind, obviously. hope you don't either.
p.s.s. updated the reading and listening to tabs on the bloggy blog. for sure click on listening to. the song is oh so fantastic!!

some snow, and then some more snow

2011-01-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

we had a big snow storm. so we decided to go out and play. as you can see, we were slightly unprepared clothing wise. luckily, santa brought us some proper gear since we had two more snow storms just like this one. just imagine this, times three. yup, we got some snow alright!

the chatter {after holidays edition}

2011-01-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

{one} i am sort of liking being back to regular.

{two} choreographing like a mad woman. i love it!

{three} little brother has expanded his vocabulary. ball, stop, dog, mom and dad. nice!

{four} loving all the self realizations about myself.

{five} attempting to accept those realizations and truly just be myself (in certain aspects of my life). it's awesome! i highly recommend it.

{six} signed big brother up for preschool.

{seven} went sledding two times over the break. it was awesome! reminds me why i want to live in a small(er) town.

{seven} i was so proud of big brother going down the hill all by himself. he really is growing up. (see #6)

{eight} i really do love this time of year.

i am attempting to get some time management going in our life. so far it's working out great. we are achieving some balance. yay!

with this balance came time for working out. i will get those after little brother pounds off. i will. i will.

resolutions

2011-01-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

i don't like to make new year's resolutions. they are just a bother. i prefer to grow, change, and make a better me all year long. what i do love is the excitement for all the new possibilities and experiences that a new year brings. the new year just feels fresh.

the sunday after crazy

2011-01-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

the sunday after the holidays is the best. oh how nice to just relax and be at home with just the four of us. i never thought i could say our house was quiet (well, quieter, that is). our holidays were so fabulous. so. darn. fabulous. but with 10 grandkids and 14 laughing, joking and loud adults around, it can get crazy. fun, but crazy. i always look forward to the sunday after crazy. big sigh. now back to regular.

silent night

2010-12-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

since when is the holiday season a stress attack??? i don't remember when it turned into that for me, but it has. i hate that i am stressed to the max. i guess when you have kids and become the one being "santa" it gets that way. remember the days when christmas day couldn't get here fast enough?? now i am reeling at how quick it has come.

so i need to do some de-stressing before i totally lose it. i was going to take a two week hiatus starting next week, but i am moving it up a week. i need to give my right-brained, creative mind a rest and focus on christmas and family and RELAXING. (yes, for me relaxing takes focus...) so...i am out. but i will be back in 2011 refreshed and revitalized(i hope). hope you all have a merry christmas!

see you next year!

the six senses**

2010-12-10T22:00:00.001-07:00

seeing:

line upon line of christmas trees at the festival of trees in sandy. the trees are auctioned off and all proceeds go to primary children's hospital!

smelling:

department store smell. you know, the smell of new things. yep, we have been shopping all week.

tasting:

irish cream italian sodas. to. die. for.

hearing:

little brother say his first word over and over and over. ball. not dada or mama. ball. hmmm, what do you think he wants for christmas??

feeling:

love for my man. he is pretty great.

dreaming:

of something big. yep, still am.

**adapted from this lovely lady and her blog. i love her photos!
p.s. all of these photos were taken by my little brother. i think he has been bitten by the photography bug. :)

your life

2010-12-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

sometimes you just gotta let your expectations go and go with the flow. sometimes that's harder than it sounds.

something big

2010-12-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

my mind is in constant motion lately. it seems impossible to settle it down. i wouldn't even know how to do that, settle my mind down. is that possible?

do you ever wish or dream of something big? i do. i am. wishing for something big and adventurous. the kind that alters your life and the way you have been living up to that point. this has happened to us a couple of times. the day we decided to pack up and move to las vegas. no matter how you look at it, that move changed who we were and made me and my man us. the day we gave birth to our first child. we have since had another child, but nothing changes your life more than that first addition. it's such an amazing feeling having your life shift and change into something new and better.

life is feeling just a bit mundane at the moment. full of so much happiness, but mundane nonetheless. it's a normal thing, i know, but we need something big and adventurous in our lives every now and then.

the walkers

2010-12-07T12:41:00.001-07:00

yes, we did this in their backyard...

yes, this is their backyard too...

i cannot say how much i love this family. they are as close to being my family as a family can get. if you can say that i have regular clients, these guys would qualify. and they are my favorites to photograph! we always have so much fun...and they are up for just about anything. this time we read books, walked along a leaf covered path, went fishing, caught a fish, and warmed by a fire (it was pretty chilly). and it was all done in their backyard. i know, its pretty awesome. the little guy was not feeling the best, so we didn't get a photo of just him. but he has the most beautiful, big blue eyes ever.

p.s. i think this new blog name might be the one that sticks. just need to work the design a bit.

a photo shoot

2010-12-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

we held a photo shoot. for buzz. big brother wanted to take pictures of buzz, so we did. who knew that was all it took to get big brother to sit for a photo. might be using buzz in the future.

p.s. trimmed the back of the curls....still just as un-manageable as ever. dang.

feelings of change

2010-12-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

it's here. you know...this wonderful time of year. ahhhhh. i love christmas. the music, the lights, the smells, the snow, the goodies, the traditions, the gatherings. all of it. i relish it.

accompanying me, along with love for this season, are other feelings. feelings of change. i feel like we need a change. for starters, maybe a change of lodging. this trying to get the boys to sleep in the same room which results in big brother on the floor in our room is just not working out. hmmmm, maybe the house down the street will work out.

after reading this article, thinking a change in my attitude about christmas is needed. a change now before i foster the idea that christmas is about wants and things in my kids, when it's about something else entirely.

really needing a change in our lifestyle. i don't really know how to explain this one. just needing more depth. i hate the shallowness. i want my kids growing up knowing about life and that there is so much more to it than what you see on a regular basis. met some fascinating people last night, one of which has no tv. i inwardly cringe at this thought. that would be a hard one for all of us, especially me. but i wonder how much just that would change our lives for the better.

sometimes i feel like our life is blurry. maybe we should think about getting some focus.

homemade mcgriddle

2010-11-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

this is a regular at our house. an english muffin, egg, cheese, bacon & syrup. so simple, yet so delicous. although, we recently discovered we like it better with sausage instead of bacon. ever found yourself wanting to pick one up at mcdonalds?? well stop right there. just make it yourself. it's better anyway!! eat up!

the {thanksgiving} six senses**

2010-11-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

seeing:

family and friends and more family and friends........then seeing those same family and friends do the dance game on the wii. pretty dang funny.

smelling:

christmas. yup, this time i really am. gotta plug in the christmas oil burner when you are putting up christmas decorations.

tasting:

butternut squash and apple soup, cranberry sausage stuffing, three cheese mashed potatoes, maple-thyme sweet potatoes, raspberry pretzel salad......the list of yummy dishes can go on and on.

hearing:

lots of laughter. it's the best.

feeling:

bitter cold. it's winter in utah once again. and thankful. oh so very thankful.

dreaming:

of the day when little brother and big brother can sleep in the same room without waking each other up during the night......someday??

Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!!

**adapted from this lovely lady and her lovely blog. i love her photos!

lovely morning

2010-11-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

been waking up to this view the past few mornings. sometimes i am in complete awe of nature's beauty. she truly is a wonder. i won't mind waking up at 7 am (rain or shine, little brother is up at 7 on the dot!) if i get to see this some more. some kind of wonderful.

p.s. you may have noticed the new blog title/name. i want to rename this cyber home of mine. going to try out this new love affair with food photography, see how i do. feeling a little amateur, but here we go! so for the next little bit i will be feeling out some new names, seeing how they fit.

p.s.s. i'm out the rest of this week. happy thanksgiving all!

loving doing nothing

2010-11-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

a man after my own heart. sometimes time just needs to be wasted.

my family

2010-11-22T14:51:00.002-07:00

my family has got to be one of the best, beautiful and most brilliant things i have ever created. hands down. i am in so much love with these pictures that it's ridiculous. they are perfect. exactly the way i want to remember my family. being us..., but not the us that is stiff and perfectly smiling and trying to get the kids to sit still and smile too. the real us. isn't that the part of our families that we usually miss years down the road?? thanks, leslie! she has got to be one of my most favorite photographers ever. i am lucky to be her neighbor and friend. i will always admire her photography skills. don't you love these??

p.s. these, my friends, are the kind of pictures that you should let me take of your families. journalistic style. you will like them better, i swear.

the six senses**

2010-11-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

tasting:

yummy Caribbean style muffins. bananas, coconut, pineapple.....did i say yummy??

seeing:

a new book. finally! the historian was soooooo long. good, but long.

smelling:

christmas. no? okay,your right, not yet. but the anticipation is killing me.

hearing:

these guys. i think i love them. i also like this one. have a listen. i swear you'll love 'em too.

feeling:

giddy and sick with anticipation all at once. more on this later.

dreaming:

of corporate benefits. paying for insurance when you are self employed SUCKS!

family pictures coming next week!
**adapted from this lovely lady on her blog. i love her photos!

some more poladroids(yes, i spelled it right)

2010-11-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

make using this. kinda fun. i don't have a polaroid camera. wish i did, though. wish they didn't stop making polaroid film. wish i could afford the now ridiculously priced polaroid film. ah, the good ol' days.