this makes me happy

I linked to this on facebook today and have watched it at least 7 times. Asher made me replay it like three times in a row. If you can get through it without getting chills and/or teary-eyed, then you have no heart. And definitely watch the whole thing, the best part is towards the end. I loves me some good harmony--especially with a message like this. I'm so glad we are all different. The world would be a mighty boring place if we weren't.

well, here it is

If there's one thing Utah is exceptionally good at, it's having 70+ degree weather one week and snow the next. Keeps us on our toes. 

Behold what we woke up to today:

Miriam is 4 months old

Miriam turned 4 months old on Saturday. Unfortunately Saturday and Sunday were both cold and rainy so I couldn't take pics of her until today. Well, I'm glad I had to wait because inspiration struck this morning! I knew I wanted to photograph Miriam outside since we have crappy lighting in our house. And I knew I wanted her to wear her hand knit bonnet and her knit romper. Then I had the great idea of putting her in a basket so she could be sitting up. But where to photograph her? I went outside and immediately knew the perfect place--the walk on the side of our house! Why have I never thought to photograph anyone there before? It worked out perfectly. These are now some of my most favorite images I've ever produced. I mean part of it is because they are of my beautiful baby. But also I just love everything about them. The setting, the colors, even the obvious chill in the air.

Could Miriam really be any cuter? She smiles so much and laughs the most adorable giggle. She's quite ticklish which she finds very strange. She lights up with she sees us and we all just adore her. She loves being close and hates sleeping alone. She loves to stand in my lap. I can tell she will be very happy once she can move around and get into things on her own. She hates being on her tummy. Like really hates. Tummy time only lasts about 10 seconds before she's screaming her head off. She is most content to be in my arms, but saves some of her sweetest smiles and coos for her Daddy--just the person she happens to be looking at in these photos.

Oh and a kinda funny story...Church yesterday was a regional conference so we were at the Stake Center. When the meeting got over I was making my way through the crowded hall with Miriam in my arms. She was wearing this same outfit. A woman almost ran into us and as she past exclaimed, "Oh! I though that was a doll!"

I actually get that comment a lot about Miriam--how much she looks like a little doll. I think it's especially true when she's wearing a hat. :-)

family photos 2010

Last weekend we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon to take some family photos. We met up with my friend Katie Dudley, who also happens to be a photographer. I had the brilliant idea to have her take our photos and I would photograph her family. We ended up feeling a bit rushed and both had little boys who didn't want to smile for the camera, but overall it was a success. And it's a good thing we took these when we did, because our warm Autumn has turned to cold and rain the past few days. I doubt we'll have anymore 70+ degree days this year.

The first two were taken by Katie. The ones of the kids I took. The sun kept going in and out behind a cloud on its quick descent, hence the difference in lighting in all these.

We finally got Asher to smile. I'm rather in love with this photo.

And then some of the kids playing in the leaves.

I must say it was a ton of work to get 7 people picture ready. I was exhausted by the end of the day. And I'm going to have to do it again at Thanksgiving so we can take photos with all of my family. Also, it is nearly impossible to get that many people to smile at the same time.... when the baby's not crying!

boy feet

I love these little boy feet. 


What I don't love: the possibility of snow this coming week. Boo. I'm not ready for winter yet.

blue eyes

In case they don't stay blue...

at least I have these blue, blue eyes immortalized in pixels. 

(Oh how I want them to stay blue!)

pumpkin patch

Last Friday we went to local farm to pick out pumpkins and check out the little festival they put on this time of year. Mostly the kids just ran around and played once the perfect pumpkins were selected.

Too bad Asher wouldn't smile for this pic. It could have been so cute.

How sweet is it to see Isaac carrying his baby sister?

This plane toy was the hit of the night. It rocks back and forth. 

And how adorable is my little pumpkin baby?

this is getting ridiculous

catch up

Dude, its been two weeks since I posted last. Anyone still out there? Here's what I've been up to:

~ Surviving an entire week flying solo with the two littles. Jared flew to North Carolina to defend his dissertation proposal. He passed and had a great time seeing some NC peeps, but we are so glad to have him back home! I need to tip my hat to all the military wives or wives whose husbands travel a lot and the single moms. Taking care of babies alone is not fun. Bed time is by far the worst part. I couldn't get Asher in bed until Miriam was asleep, so he was often staying up until 10 or 10:30. And then it takes me at least 2 or 3 times as long to get him settled down as it does for Jared. Let's just say that I am so happy to have a husband who is around for bed time and nap time. He makes my life so much easier. By the time I got both kids asleep without him I was exhausted. Hence the no blogging.

~The big kids have been here since Jared got home and its fall break so no school. I still feel like I'm playing catch up from Jared's trip so its been a little crazy around here. All good though. :-)

~Still doing At Mother's Breast although I haven't updated the site. I have TONS of photo editing to catch up on. That's on the agenda for the next couple weeks.

~Read the memoir Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife by Irene Spencer. It was my book club's pick this month. SO good. I really enjoyed it. Very well written and super fascinating look at modern day polygamists. I read it in a day and a half.

~Saturday we took family photos. Man, getting 7 people ready for the camera was an all day event! My friend Katie Dudley took our photos, and I took photos of her family. Easy way to get family pics done don't you think?

~Practicing for the ward talent show with some ladies from church. We are doing an ABBA medley. It's been fun and I think we might be pretty awesome this Friday night. :-)

~Meeting friends at the park and having a girls night out.

~Really enjoying time with my husband. It is true--absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I'm so grateful for Jared and all he does for our family. I am so blessed to get to call him mine.

daddy and daughter

We were hanging out in the hammock the other evening and the light was so pretty I had to run in and get my camera. Jared was somewhat annoyed at me because he was ready to go in anyway, but it was so worth the trouble for these images. I love perfect light like this on two of my most favorite people.