First Day

Walking to the bus stop. (That isn't his bus in the background...but doesn't it add a nice touch. =)


Wyatt's first day of Kindergarten was today. He was so excited, so I tried not to show how nervous I was. It's is a long time to be without my boy. I have so many worries, and I know he will be fine, but it is a sad time for me. He is growing up so quickly. Too quickly.

He left the house in the happiest mood, and yelled back to Lincoln, "I will come home and tell you all about it."

Wyatt and Talia waiting for the bus. (I didn't pose them!)

I took this picture, and then the bus drove away. We waved and waved back to him. We started walking home, and I was fighting back tears. I started looking at the images on the back of my camera, and zoomed in on the photo above. He is signing "I love you," which is something he has done his whole life. As a baby he would hold up his pointy finger, as a two year old his thumb joined in, as a three year old he would hold the two folded fingers down with the opposite hand, and as a four year old he finally got it. His current thing is "Double I love yous", the two handed version. Well, after I saw this I started to bawl. Talia asked me if I was okay, and if my tummy hurt. =) We hopped in the car and followed the bus to the school, and they had a little hoorah for the kids as they marched into the school. The boy in front of Wyatt had Transformer shoes on, and I saw the beginnings of a friendship!


After he got off the bus, I got the eyes closed-squish you-hold for a long time-hug. I almost thought something was wrong, and expected tears. There were no tears he just missed me that much. I think he looks a little tired in this picture. He told us all about his day when he walked in the door. I think it was a very good first day at Kindergarten.

Things I learned this week.....

*If Natalia says "lucky milk" it means I have poured sour milk on her cereal.

*If you name your child Lincoln Wyatt, but call him by his middle name, the school will try to call him Lincoln. We had to get special permission to have him called Wyatt in the class room.

*If Natalia is jumping on the bed saying "Mooka Mole' Mooka Mole'!" She is not saying "guacamole" or "Rock and Rollay." She is saying "Book of Morman."

*If Wyatt chooses the Book of Morman as his story choice, he will try to pick another book after you are done reading. He will say "Because the Book of Morman is actually the "family" book, can I choose one more book." I feel so happy that he likes it! I was just going to read it a few nights a week, he makes us read it every night! =) (We are reading the one with the pictures. Comic style.)

*If Lincoln's flight lands at 12:30 at night, and the alarm beeps when the front door opens, both children will wake up. Good thing Lincoln had a suitcase full of toys, and they returned to bed happily.

*If I buy a toy (princess and pirate figurines) and put it on top of the refrigerator, my children will willing help me organize the basement. =)

*You can register your car online, and they send it to you in the mail! You can even a print temporary tag in case you are a procrastinator.

*If you make cream puffs for recipe swap, don't pipe too much dough on to cookie sheet. It expands, way more than I imagined! You will gigantic cream puffs, and have to make another batch.

*How to make simple and yummy chocolate sauce:

8 oz semi sweet chocolate. (finely chopped or chips)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup light corn syrup

Place chocolate in a bowl.

Place the chocolate in a metal bowl.

Combine the cream and corn syrup in a small heavy nonreactive saucepan and bring to a simmer. Pour the liquid over the chocolate and allow it to sit for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the chocolate has melted. Whisk to combine. Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then pour into a bowl or other container. (Stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered, the sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks.)

To serve, warm the sauce gently in the top of a double boiler or in the microwave.

Makes about 2 cups.

*There is always someone willing to help with compassionate service needs. Even at the last moment. Which makes me teary eyed and so thankful every time.

*I learned what it feels like to have my heart truly ache because of someone else's hardships. Making meals and giving rides seems so small and insignificant. Oh, how I wish there was more I could do.

*I learned that "I am a good photographer, and I don't care what I say." Lincoln said this to me in the car. I laughed so hard. The conversation went like this.....

Me- out of the blue- "I am a good photographer, and I don't care what anyone else says!"

Lincoln- "Everyone says you are a good photographer, so what you really should be saying is "I am a good photographer, I don't care what I say."

Good lesson, and a funny one at that.

*A nice dress doesn't have to cost a lot, but sometimes it just does.

*My client is going to go to the temple to see her daughter's picture in the exhibit. She is going this weekend, with her neighbors that are members! =) I wonder if her neighbors are as excited as I am?


*Wyatt's favorite seafood is LOBSTER. He is five!!


*I need to practice photographing food. I want some modern white dishes, so I can make pretty presentations! Maybe I will start cooking more? This picture is Lobster pasta I made with the left-overs from Lincoln's monster lobster.

Mt. Timpanogos Temple

I love this Temple. This the temple where Lincoln and I were married nine years ago. We were married by the Temple president, President Matthews. President Matthews was my parents seminary teacher in Idaho many years ago. My parents hold him the highest regard, and it was an honor to be sealed by him. The temple is absolutely stunning inside. I got to help with the open house, and we went through it three times before it was dedicated. My seminary class signed a document that stated that we would do everything possible to make it to the Temple one day. It was sealed in a capsule and placed into the wall of the Celestial room during the Temple's construction. What a special thing! I hope one day my children and grand children will want to get married in this temple because my name, MY NAME and heart, are a part of this temple.

Busy week.

I will start with last Saturday. We went to Eggpectaion for breakfast with Andrew, Kirsten, and baby Henry. My kids love breakfast foods, and both ate a TON of food. I was so sick last week (the WHOLE week!), and I shouldn't have indulged so much. I didn't feel well after we left. We met them again at Arundel Mills Mall. Kirsten, NATALIA, and I went to go get pedicures. Talia sat in my lap, and "that lady that's a mom" painted her toes. Then they did mine, and Talia sat there and watched her work. She wouldn't even let me look at a magazine, because it kept getting in the way of her view. Funny. It was nice to do something so fun with my tiny girl.

That evening we got a sitter, and went at had dinner at Kortney's home. Karen and her husband also joined us. It was such a fun night. It is amazing how I came to be friends with these women. Here is the story: I frequent a photography forum, and about two years ago Kortney hosted a get together of the photographers from the area. It was such a well planned event, and so fun to meet everyone. There were probably 25 women there, and one man! A few months later Karen, Kortney, and I went to a photography work shop in Philadelphia. We had a wonderful experience together, and became life long friends. We get together every so often, sometimes with kids, sometimes without. We had never had our husbands together. (Except for Kortney killer Christmas parties, where there were too many people for them to really talk to each other.) I was glad Kortney made the effort to get the six of us together. The food was fabulous, the conversations were hilarious, and Lincoln and Kortney had a little jam session on their guitars! All in all a wonderful night.

On Wednesday, the three of us ladies went to a concert. I haven't been to a concert in a long time. Kortney keeps emailing me and asking me if I want to go to concerts, but they are usually concerts I would NEVER go to. Too hard core for me. Finally a more mellow concert shows up in my email....Collective Soul, Live, and Counting Crows. Karen and I both agreed to go, but on the drive up admitted to each other that this was a "courtesy" concert. We had a wonderful time. Well sort of....we didn't sit in out seats, but went down on the ground in front of the stage. We got really close to the stage, and so did everyone else. It was so hot, and humid that night. All I can say is YUCK! There were some very drunk people by us that started getting to rowdy, and throwing bottles. We moved away from them, and to the back of the crowd. Much cooler, in both senses of the word. The music was so much better preformed live. I enjoyed that part of the night.

On Thursday this week we went to Gun Powder Falls State Park. The ward was planning a beach day, and Christie, Emily, Felicity, and I decided to drive up together. I got to ride up in Emily's new SUV, equipped with a DVD player. The ride up was a dream, because the kids were watching Sleeping Beauty. It started to rain while we were on the freeway, when we got to the beach it was pouring. We decided to kill a little time and go to a near by mall. We ate our lunches in the food court. You know, I was scrambling around in the morning trying to get out the door, and I asked Lincoln if he would pack our lunch. He did, and it was so delicious. We had a container of tuna salad, and bread (no soggy sandwiches), frozen gogurts, Cheeto's, puddings, a grapefruit (we at that later), a snickers bar, and I bought some fresh peaches at a produce stand on the way to the mall. My kids were covered in peach juice, and I don't think I have had a peach THAT good in long time.

Then we drove back to the beach, but Christie and Felicity had to go back home. I am so glad we went back. It was a GLORIOUS day at the beach. Our kids had the most fun in the water and playing in the sand. I think this the first time I have actually had my suit on at this beach, and I went clear out to the rope in the water with Wyatt and Talia. Lincoln was shocked when I told him that. =) We took lots of pictures! Here are a few.

Wyatt looks like he is either up to something, or a pirate!

I love these two of Emily's girls. They are sitting under the jetty, and it love the green in the wood!

Here's my little crazy! *SMMOOOOCH!*

Cute little idea

I love Wondertime magzine, and I found this idea a week ago. I thought I would share it. Some of you may not be able to do this, because your kids are grown, and some of you may laughing because you think I will not be able to keep it up for all my kids. Well, Wyatt's tooth is in a little jar, taped to a piece of paper, with the story how he lost it written on it. We'll see if there are other teeth added to the same jar. =)

Here is the link...but I will post a small bit of the article here. tooth wisdom

by: Ann P. Lewis

I asked several children what they think the Tooth Fairy does with their teeth once they're retrieved from under the pillow. Clara, 5, said, "she puts the teeth in a big bowl, covers them with pebbles, and grinds them to make money." Colleen, 6, claimed that "she brings all the teeth back to her house and uses them for tables and chairs and other stuff she needs." And Ruth, 5, swore that "she turns them into pearls and wears them." Me, I think she puts them in an attractive glass vial so she won't forget where they are. Here's how I imagine the Tooth Fairy does it.

Tooth

Me--"Oh my gosh, Wyatt! Where is your tooth?"

Wyatt--"What?!!!!"

Me--"Let me see. It's gone. Where did it go? Oh, did you swallow it?" (sad voice)

Wyatt races to the bathroom.

Me--"You put it in the bathroom?" Chasing after him. I find him looking in the mirror to see if it was really gone.

Wyatt runs back to kitchen. I follow behind, a little frantic. He gets on his knees and starts to search the floor.

He finds his tooth on the ground, and lifts it in the air. Lincoln has now joined us in the kitchen.

Me--"Why is my little boy's tooth on the floor?"

Wyatt--"I thought it was a little rock from the beach."



We went to the beach today. He was eating a peanut butter and jelly tortilla at home (a special request), and must of thought he was just chomping on some leftover sand.=)


Here is a sneak peak and some "different" beach pictures. This is my favorite....Wyatt getting washed over by a little wave. I love when my kids let me get creative!

Busy, and an IDEA!

I have really been trying to cut back on photography sessions. It is adding too much stress on my family. Then end of the summer is slipping away to quickly. I was sad to leave my family so much on the only day my husband is home. I "booked" a few sessions and titled them "TAKE A BREAK!!!!!". Then I got a call from a woman who wanted family pictures, ASAP. I made an exception and scheduled a MONDAY evening session for her. I am crazy. I couldn't call one of the girls in my ward and ask them to babysit on a Monday night. Thank goodness my friend Emily came to rescue me. She watched her kids, and mine over here.

Then I got a call from a woman that had her baby a month early. We had a tentative date set aside in Sept. Well, now I am photographing her baby on Friday. I also have another session on Saturday. At this moment I have 3 sessions to proof, and after this weekend I will have FIVE. So much for taking a break. I usually proof at night, but sometimes I would rather NOT sit at my computer.

Okay I feel better now. Sometimes I just need to get it all written out, and then I can go take care of it.

I have the most wonderful idea. I am starting to get a lot of families that want to book sessions in the fall. We all know the colorful leaves aren't on the trees very long. In order to take advantage that time, I am planning to do a FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH DAY! This day will just be for friends and ward members. I will book the entire day (well at least the parts of the day with good light) in half hour increments. I am trying to figure out exactly what to charge, and what the families will receive. I know everyone will want a big picture (11x14 or 8x10) and then ONE digital file so they can use it for their Christmas cards. I am still brain storming the details....like an add on package for individual images of the kids. They would have to book another half an hour for that. I can already hear Lincoln saying, "Don't you DARE give away that digital file.", so I may need to design a Christmas card package. My cards are cuter than anything you will get a Costco anyway. Let me know what you think.

I forgot about Lincoln's wreck....

While I was in Utah Lincoln was in a car accident. Obviously he is fine. He was on the 95 in heavy stop and go traffic. Lincoln was stopped, and a UPS truck couldn't stop in time and smashed into the back of Lincoln's new Honda. The car slid forward and hit the ball hitch on the car in front of him. The ball poked a big hole in the hood. Lincoln is now having back problems. Some days are worse than others, but he is doing better than he was a few weeks ago.

Here is the car situation at our house....
They gave Lincoln a PT Cruiser as a rental car. He took it back and requested (demanded) something else.
He is driving a Jeep Patriot now.
Honda is in the shop.
Pathfinder has just been detailed, and looks brand new. I love that car! Love it!
A new Gold or Bronze Pontiac Grand Prix is going to be delivered to our house. This is Lincoln's temporary company car. He is glad it is temporary. =)
Mom and Dad, you don't need to rent a car when you come! =)
The Impala is no longer a car, but is now a portrait studio.

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Today is Lincoln's birthday. We had a wonderful day. It started out like a normal day. I watched the Mahaffey kids, and then we went to a fabulous pool party. It was beautiful weather today. I just sat and soaked up an entire day of summer with a big smile on my face.

Then we took the kids over to the Mahaffeys. Lincoln and I went to Red Lobster, and Lincoln got the biggest lobster they had. It was FOUR pounds. We didn't expect such a big lobster to show up on our table, because they only put the puny ones out in the front tank. They must have been hiding this monster in the kitchen! He was delicious! =)

We took this picture with the intent of giving it to Lincoln as a birthday gift. Look how cooperative they are being! SMMooooooOCH! I could just kiss them.



I forgot to post out Anniversary. We celebrated 9 wonderful years together two weeks ago. We planned on a temple trip, and a nice dinner out. I ruined it. I had a long photo session, that made our plans get cut short. We planned to attend the temple the following Saturday. (See post below to see how that plan didn't work out.) We went to a gourmet French restaurant that is near the temple. Our food was divine. I got the Parmesan crusted Rockfish, and Lincoln got Rosemary Lamb Chops. For dessert I had some fancy-smancy chocolate mousse torte, and Lincoln had a soufflé. They wrote "Happy Anniversary" on the edges of our plates with chocolate sauce.

Lincoln got me a dozen gorgeous peach roses. I got him NINE assorted beverages when we stopped for gas. =)


This shot would look so much better if I had a macro lens! =) Oh well, this will do.