The Vaughn Family

I cannot deny that I love this session.  Candice and her family were so cute and so eager - I love it when clients bring things to sessions.  And the light was dreamy and the mountains were perfect.  I loved it. 

So, thanks Candice, it was a true pleasure!

My favorite Artist...

I have a favorite artist and his name is Brian Kershisnik.   His paintings never fail to move me - to speak to me - to speak to the experiences I am going through - all while never being cliched or redundant.  I love them.  If I were rich - even just a little - I'd buy many of them.  I love to go to his site and look through his work and let them talk to me - let them remind me - let them heal me, in a way. 

I recently saw a link to an interview he did and I was nervous about watching it because I didn't want to be disappointed by him or his manner - but instead I was so pleased.  He was better than I hoped he would be.  You should watch it too - he has a lot to say on art - and on the process of creation.  It was good to be reminded.

And he has a thing for angels and I kinda do too.

Vaughn Family Sneak Peek

Had THE most beautiful session last night in the mountains and thought I'd share a sneek peak!  These images remind me of some dreamy Alice in Wonderland...

The end of the rainbow...

I tend to be a dreamer.  And my dreams tend to give me a slight case of wanderlust.  I have spent most of the ten years of my marriage dreaming of something else.  But yesterday evening as I sat on my front lawn I realized that I no longer yearn for something other than what I have.  As the sky turned golden and kids rode by on their bikes, I felt completely and positively happy with where I was.  Who would have thought it would be in the 'burbs?  I know that someday I might want something else but today I want exactly what I've got.  A green lawn, a cul-de-sac, swing sets, a bazillion kiddos running around, neighbors on their porch, and all that lovely neighborhoods like mine afford.  I just wanted to give a shout out for the suburbs.  Because from where I'm standing - they're perfect.

I'm so happy.  This has been my best year yet.  I feel like we've been lead to a period of green pastures by hand of the Lord.  I am so grateful for his wisdom and for his never-ending love.   Future girl and I are one in the same right now.

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Hey, so I try not to do this very often but I so want to win this dress! It is AMAZING!  Check it out!

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Tasia & Tyler's Engagements

I love to take pictures of people in love.   Love makes eyes bright and skin glow.  It makes people even more beautiful.  Tasia and Tyler are not only beautiful - they were so interesting and fun.  Check em out!

After a little bit it was time for a wardrobe change.  Tyler is a proud marine and he looked seriously cool in his "cammies".  I love these.

Thanks for letting me be a part of it all!  Such a good looking couple!

I did it for the sticker...

I love love love mountains - especially Utah's mountains.  When I moved back to Texas after college I ached for them.  And this last weekend I got to spend A LOT of time in them while running The Wasatch Back.  It's an 188 mile relay race that starts in Logan and ends in Park City.  We had a team of 12 runners and we each had 3 legs.  When you're not running you are acting as a support vehicle to whoever is.  It was so hard - I felt so tough - but it was SOO much fun.  I can't wait till next time!

For the race everyone comes up with a team name and then dresses up and decorates their van accordingly.  We were "Sweet Spirits" and we decided to dress up like Biker Chics.

Here's an exchange - you have a slap bracelet you pass on to one another.  It's exciting to wait for your runner to come in and to take off.

The team divides into two vans - 6 ladies in each.  Each van will do their 6 legs and then take time off while the other van does theirs - and then back to your own van.  This was our first down time on Friday evening and we really should have been sleeping but we were still all so full of adrenaline and it was so pretty.  And who can sleep at 7 in the evening anyhow?

We really did try though.  Sort of.

Our second legs started at 10:30 at night and didn't end until 4 in the morning.  We drove down to our next exchange point in Heber and got breakfast at the famous Chicks.  At least those of us who were still awake.  Some of the team stayed sleeping in the van.  The smart ones, at least.

All in all - even though I was BEYOND exhausted when I came home - it was so much fun and I really can't wait for the next one.  AND I now have a Ragnar sticker on my car.  That was really my main motivation...

Taking care of the dead...

Last night for FHE we went over to the visit the grave sites of some of my husband's family.  We missed doing it on Memorial Day and wanted to get over there and show some respect for them by cleaning up their graves.  Growing up my family lived far away from everyone else so we weren't ever able to do things like this, so I really enjoyed being able to. 

We brought along some hand tools and trimmed up around the head stones and Mike's brother John brought some flowers. It was really nice.  I hope they feel loved when they see their grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit.

I really like GG's and Bud's headstone.  Families really can be together forever.

When was the last time you stuck your nose in a patch of clover?  It smells so sweet.  I hope clover grows over my grave some day.

Speaking of my future grave...it's so fun to walk through the cemetery and see all of the different styles. I totally want one with my photo on it.  Slightly creepy but awesome.

All in all it was a really nice night.  I'm so glad to live by family - living and dead.  I'm sure I've got some ancestors buried around here.  I really should find out so I can go and take care of their resting places as well.