Family Newsletter

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Christmas Decor

Since it has decided to snow here, I made the choice to decorate for Christmas a little early! We've been listening to Christmas music and it has been purely lovely :)

I found this window pane without the glass at a garage sale
over the summer for $2! It was a disgusting purple/silvery
color. I painted it black, and have decided that I'll try to
decorate it seasonally.

I saw this idea on Pinterest. It is a simple picture
frame that I picked up for $2 at the D.I. I bought
the ribbon at the Dollar Tree, and already had
the ornaments. I love that it isn't the same old
wreath (though we have one of those as well)

Our Christmas tree! We bought it last
year on sale after we got engaged.

Internships & Graduation

Last night as I completed my graduation plan, I realized I only have 2 full semesters of classes left! Of course, this pends on me being able to get my classes, but I'm kind of excited. I can't wait to be done with school. However, I also realized that if I complete my internship this summer, I can graduate Fall semester, rather than waiting and doing my internship the next winter semester. The problem? I haven't even begun looking for internships! I don't feel ready for one! I've always thought it was so far off and would never have to worry about. Whoops. Now I have to worry about it!

So know I get to try to find internships, get interviews, and get offers. Holy smokes. I am nervous and anxious. I don't feel like I have good enough grades, skills, talents, and experience. I'm worried :/ and not looking forward to putting myself out there.

Devotional

As I mentioned to a few people, I photographed Devotional this Tuesday with Elaine S. Dalton, President of the General Young Women Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't get to share many of the pictures I take for the Scroll, mainly because it just isn't relevant or interesting unless you're reading the paper, but I thought that this was such a neat experience that I had to share at least one picture. Dalton did a meet and greet afterwards, and that is what this image is from.

This week was busy! I had 7 photo assignments just for this week! My editor delegated one for me, thank goodness! ;)

Scroll Photographer

People!

My pictures can now be seen in the school's newspaper. That's right! I'm a photographer for the Scroll :)

As part of my Communications training here I have to take 3 practicum credits. These are so we can receive hands on experience in the industry and build a portfolio.

It's definitely been a little challenging. In the past, I've always been asked to do pictures. Now, I have to ask people to let me take pictures of them. Ohhhh boy! LOL. It's weird...and definitely making me come out of my shell a little. I wish they'd give me a badge so I looked all official and stuff, because even after I explain myself I get some weird looks. Oh well, that comes with the job, eh?

I'm a little disappointed though, because they want the pictures to be very horizontal or vertical, with no 'interesting angles'. So, I guess while I think this will be fun and get me out of my shell, I'm not sure that I'll really be adding anything to my portfolio with it...

But! I 'won' this week :) Our photo editor gave out 2 awards for pictures, and I was one of them :)

Just one second

For just one second - 


I was baby hungry.


Don't worry, I'm sooooo over it.


But for just a second there, holding my new niece and feeling her all warm and snuggly made me want one. And then she started crying and I was reminded why I'm not anywhere close to ready or wanting. I don't want to change the diapers, do the midnight feedings, have them up all hours of the day and night, or clean up the barfs. Nope. For now, I'll keep Ryan all to myself and enjoy having no children. :)

Unpleasantries

Preparing peppers for freezing, fun.

Slicing my finger open while cutting said peppers (with pepper juice all over my hand), not so fun.

Having homemade apple juice to can - AWESOME.
Babysitting the juicer - not so awesome.

Cool summer nights with a light breeze and fresh air - refreshing

Fresh Skunk wafting through the windows - definitely not.

Well, I guess we have to have the unpleasant to make us grateful for the pleasant.

Rambow Family

I got to work with a way cute family this morning! It is always fun for me to get to take pictures (duh), but it was nice to take pictures for this family. I haven't worked with more than 1 kid before, but I feel like they did a great job! There is always a little bit of learning at every photoshoot, and of course this was no different, but I love it :)

Today, Today. :/

Today consisted of:

Waking up at 4:30am to the coolest thunder/lightning storm. EVER. Lightning every 2 seconds? Yeah Baby!

Waking up 'for reals' at 8:30am, only to fall back asleep an hour later.

Chilling around the house with my honey, making chicken salad sandwiches, and then a little shopping.

Another short nap.

PICKING APPLES!!!!!! I picked 10 gallons of granny smith apples. Now, that may seem like a lot, or it may not. But I am planning on making lots of Apple Crisp filling & canning it. PS. These apples were SMALL.

I was reminded of my junior year when I skipped a day of school to go apple picking with my dad. I don't remember whether or not it was a full family outing. When I came back to school, someone had told my teacher I'd gone Onion picking (eewww gross). It was hilarious trying to explain to her that no, we in fact had gone apple picking. She still thought it was weird.

Cleaning/ Organizing the Freezer

An AWESOME email from my brother & sister-in-law.

Finding out rent goes up in January. OMGosh people!

Finding a weird bump in my eye. Thinking, KNOWING, its allergy related, but slightly grossed out anyways. My eyes have been LOVING harvest this year!

Ahhh Life is complete. HAHA

Whatcha been up to?

Boy, has it been a long time since I've written. It just seems like I haven't had much worth writing about lately! I enjoy reading others blog, but when it comes to my own...?

So what we've been up to:

I went home to Washington to visit and had a fabulous time! My only regret was that Ryan couldn't come with me, but I was so homesick and really needed to go. It was a long drive, cramped in the back of a car that normally seats 5, but has that 3rd row seating with no foot room. Next time, I'm driving. It definitely made me miss family trips in the gigantic GMC 9-seater van our family had for years.

I hadn't been home in the summertime for 2 years and my parent's backyard and gardens were so beautiful. Washington really is gorgeous in the summer. We went camping up at Rainier and did some sightseeing up there. We went to the Grove of the Patriarchs where these trees are literally 1000 years old, some of the oldest trees in the US. This trip had me spending more time outside than I have in the past few months, and it felt wonderful!

My favorite line of vacation was when my niece Ashley wouldn't listen to my dad when he was trying to get her to do something. I don't remember if she was being naughty or what, but she yells, "GRANDPA! DON'T YOU KNOW YOU'RE CRAZY?!?!" Haha my poor dad.

Ryan has been working nights. This kind of sucked, for both of us. I was really looking forward to finally sleeping in the same bed with my honey, but nope! He worked from 9-7 overnights. Blah. He then would sleep in until 2 (not that I blame him - poor kid has been exhausted). And now our sleeping schedule is all messed up! Glad he won't have to do that again anytime soon.

I read one of my favorite books for the millionth time. Do any of you have a book you found quite accidentally and now am in love with it? Years ago I found a series by a Christian author, Lori Wick, and I can't seem to get enough of them.

Had quite the most ridiculous facebook conversation with my girls. Oh boy, Tasha and Megan sure know how to make me laugh. I have missed hanging with them! Marriage does crazy things to you! I can't wait for Arom to come home and we can all go out on double/triple dates. Although we'll have to wait for their like 3rd honeymoon to be over first;)

I dyed my hair back dark. People - this was SOOOO needed. I feel so much more like myself. I seriously have missed my hair! I thought a change would be fun, and it was for awhile, but I don't think I'll ever go back. Feeling this sexy is just too good to give up!

Father's Day

I know it's not Father's Day yet, but the rest of this week is going to be so hectic, that I decided to post this while I could. My dad and I danced at my wedding reception, but unfortunately the sound system wasn't working properly so the song came through as a terrible muddled mess. The lyrics were indiscernible and it just sounds awful. My dad still hasn't heard the song that we were supposed to dance to. I decided to make this video with pictures of us and the song that I picked for our Daddy/Daughter Dance!

Weddings in the air!

I'm getting nervous guys! I took pictures for Andrew & Tasha in their wedding get up and I felt really good doing that, after all, they already had their actual wedding day pictures. I felt even better when I saw how many of them ended up on their wall. But this is a little different!

On Friday I will be taking pictures for Melanie & Brannan ON their wedding day! I'll be doing their group and family pictures as well! It is going to be a challenge, half of the Idaho Falls temple grounds are under construction, and I want the weather to be just right!

I've also been in communication with a friend of a friend about doing her wedding pictures, I gave her a quote and she is just picking her package. Kind of crazy scary and exciting!

Schultz Family

What A Special Little Family!

These are my dear friend's family photos. Arom was on leave from his deployment to Iraq, so we snatched up the opportunity to take some more pictures! Megan is such a strong women to be raising Ayla on her own until her husband can return for good. I am so thankful to have such a role model in my life! I am thankful for Arom's military service. It takes brave and courageous people to fill that role!

Ryan and I were also able to attend the temple with them while Arom was home. It was great to go again and it was a blessing for both our families. We had much too fun with them at dinner :)

<3 You Guys!

Baby Brooklynn

I'm waiting until I get some of my professional photos back from the wedding photographer to post. So until then, you are just going to have to wait.

One of my best friends gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 1.5 weeks ago. I had the wonderful experience of attending that birth and taking pictures as Brooklynn was born. What a beautiful, darling girl! I hope mommy and daddy are enjoying her!

They're in reverse order :/

Embarrassing Moment #980578

So this afternoon Ryan and I went to check out a washing machine for our new apartment. I'd texted the guy that was selling them, asked a few questions, and set up an appointment.

Fast forward to 10:30pm tonight. Walking home from a chick flick with my girlies, and sending a text to Ryan that "watching chick flicks without [him] is dangerous..." THEN realizing that I didn't send it to him. I accidentally sent it to the guy that we'd gone and looked at washers with. AND HE KNEW EXACTLY WHO IT WAS. Can you say "AWK-WARD"?! I at once texted him sorry wrong number, but the damage was done. He politely responded, "awkward. now i know you watch chick flicks by yourself. just kidding you're awesome. talk to you tomorrow". HOLY COW. If we buy this washer, and we ARE, I'm going to have to like... see him... and know he got that awkward text message.

Boy am I glad it didn't say something like, "I Love You", or "Can't wait to see you again and kiss your lips off". THAT would really be embarrassing!

Art Final Project

Wedding Announcement

Leaves

I am loving learning more about my camera. While some of the things my teachers says are all mumbo jumbo, I've got some of the concepts down. Like aperture and shutter speed. Now I FINALLY understand. Ahh... such a moment.

We're not allowed to do anything with our pictures editorially, except crop. This has proved interesting and fascinating. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, but it is still impossible for me to get it perfect. So in the spirit of that, these photos are not edited.

Today was gorgeous, minus the high winds, but the sunset and twilight hour were marvelous. I think these pictures look like they belong in fall time, but I took them just today. Crazy what cold and snow can preserve for months!