In the thick of it....

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind!! I'm loving my new "hobby" and realize I can only get better. I've had so many learning curve hurdles to jump, I feel like I'm training for the olympics. Let's go through the hurdles, just for remembrance sake

-learn a new camera
-learn to shoot in manual mode (this one was a biggie!!!)
-learn a new computer
-learn 2 new lenses
-learn how to start a business (city hall, legal notices in newspapers, etc)
-learn some new editing/cataloging software
-learn to manage my time (say YES to the kids and NO to the computer when I need to)
-learn to budget more new expenses than I feel like I will ever be able to repay
-learn to pose shots, so they don't look posed!
-learn importing/exporting using RAW files and software that isn't easy.
-learn to set up a domain name and business site.
-learn photoshop - this one is on the "to do" short list. I haven't even cracked the box yet.

I'm really having a good time and can't wait to see what the future holds for my little business. Thanks for your support!

On starting a business...

You know, it's so great being married to the perfect person (perfect for me, that is). When you're married to the perfect person, they know when you need a little push to help you succeed. They know when you need to unfold your wings and jump. They know that if they can help you do that, they will. Even if YOU don't know you need to unfold your wings and jump...

For years I've looked at professional photography blogs and thought I could DO that, I know I could...  But then doubt takes over and my worry monster tells me that I'm not good enough and I don't have what it takes and nobody would ever hire me for crying out loud! Well, one day Tadd came home from work and told me a present was coming in the mail for me,  a brand new professional camera, the next day a brand new iMac with upgraded RAM and memory, then a lens and tripod... and told me "Now little bird, unfold your wings and fly" And with that, my own little photography company was born. Today I sat down and filled out the paperwork to file with the county for my very own Assumed Business Name!  Then a million other things and I will be officially in business.

Thanks to my dear husband for believing in me, and making it all happen, I love you!

Now if I could just figure out how to upload RAW images to my blogger account, we could all enjoy a few pics of cute little Amelia. That's next!

A little rain goes a long way....

Growing up in the semi arid climate of Utah, we were pretty accustom to dragging the hose around the yard and garden every day, making sure everything got sufficiently soaked. The Utah heat was too dry and intense for most anything to survive except sage brush. When I moved to the midwest, I fell hard and fast in love with the lush foliage that seemingly sprouted without the least bit of coaxing.  I've been happily avoiding my hose since moving to this great state. And yes, I regularly kill my hanging baskets. Hey- I'm raising kids here, not plants.

Enter the drought of 2012. We arrived home from our trip to Yellowstone and our lawn was DEAD.  Not only is it yellow, but it's crunchy! I can't even run and grab the mail without my flip flops to protect my delicate feet from the cactus lawn. Note - my neighbor does obsessively water her lawn during periods of drought, as seen in this photo.

Why yes, this is another babybird, Henry can seek out a baby bird a mile away. 

Enter a few good rainstorms, and look!! It's like magic.

Grass so soft and green I can plop my baby down and not worry about her getting dry grass slivers. We sure do love our midwest rainstorms.

First and Third

Where did this fun summer go? Call me crazy, but I'm just not ready for my kids to go back to school yet. I've really loved spending the summer with them this year. Alas, we find ourselves in the third week of August and it's back to school time once again. Maya began third grade and Harrison is in first.

Harrison is a little excited, no- REALLY excited. He can't seem to keep normal look on his face.

Now Maya's at it, can we just have ONE good one kids?

I love these kids!

The first day was rough on Harrison, he came home from the bus and cried "THAT was the LONGEST day of my whole life." He really wanted a different teacher than the one he was assigned, so that makes the day drag on as well. Thankfully day three was better and he came home NOT crying today.

4th of July in South Dakota

When Tadd was young, his family spent the 4th of July with Aunts, Uncles and cousins in South Dakota. The relatives still gather there, but this is the first year we've made the trip out. It sure was fun!

Lake Madison, SD

Patriotic parade!

Henry had the coolest parade vehicle!

Maya was having a blast!

So was Harrison, literally. He spent the entire evening blowing off bottle rockets.

Still hot! So hot that Grandma sits in the pool with Amelia to cool off!

 What a fun vacation! We saw so many people we've missed and loved over the years. We can't wait to go back.

1880's Town, South Dakota

After Yellowstone we headed on I90 toward South Dakota, we had planned a stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder house, but Tadd's Grandpa passed away unexpectedly and we had to change our plans. We had promised our kids a "pioneer experience" so when we passed the signs on I90 for 1880's town, we decided this would be our stopping place for lunch and a little tour. It turned out to be a fun place to stop for a bit.

Love that timer on the camera!

Right where they belong.

Harrison thought this train caboose was pretty cool!

My girl does not do well with heat, she's about to melt! Did we mention it was about 110 degrees and HUMID?

Amelia doesn't mind the heat though!

At the sawmill.

The old fashioned school house.

Buffalos and Geysers

When we got to yellowstone, first thing we did was head to Old Faithful, isn't that what everyone does? It did not disappoint, we were amazed (oh, and HOT, it was so hot!)

Waiting for the big show! With Candise & Jarom.

...And here she blows!

This actually wasn't Old Faithful, I think it was the honey pot? Anyway, it was actually more impressive than Old Faithful!

Doesn't this look like a nice refreshing pool behind us? Yeah, if 200 degrees is refreshing!

Did I mention it was hot that day? the sun was so bright, and the steaming hot pools of water didn't help!

Amelia was still happy though!!

...and another geyser!

Look! A buffalo! We thought they were tame, but the same week we there, a tourist was gored by a buffalo. Scary!

Beautiful!!

Lower Yellowstone Falls

Since we were already so far from home, we thought "why not go to Yellowstone!" So we did... and it was so fun! We went to Yellowstone falls, there really are no words to describe how majestic the falls are, it's just something everyone needs to see once in their lifetime!

Harrison inherited Tadd's cautious nature when it comes to heights. It took some convincing to get him so close to the sheer drop.

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We took a little hike down to get closer to the falls.

Fishing with Grandpa

First on the kids list when we get to Utah (after a 24 hour drive!) is to fish with Grandpa! My dad is so kind and patient with the kids and really enjoys being with them. It's such a blessing to us! One evening  Grandpa took the kids out....

Harrison is thrilled, really! He has an especially tender relationship with my dad.

See those mountains in the background? I grew up looking at those out my bedroom window. Beautiful!

Even Maya had fun!

Timp Cave Hike 2012

My poor sadly neglected blog! Whatever have I been doing this summer besides NOT blogging? Well the next few days I'll be posting lots and you'll be seeing just what I've been doing... Up first...

Hiking Timp cave! Well, I stayed back with the napping baby, but the kids, Tadd & my sweet dad did!

Look at this gorgeous trail!

Inside the cave, it's chilly in there, you need to bring a sweater.

After the hike, sweaters are off! It was a warm day.

I have very fond memories of hiking Timp cave with my dad when I was younger, it's fun to see my kids get to do it with their dad AND grandpa!

Hop along little birdie!

Remember last year when Harrison found the nest of baby robins in our bush? Remember how bad he wanted to hold a baby bird but could never quite catch one? Well this year he got his chance, and it made his week. Henry spotted a nest in a nearby tree and in his 4 year old excitement shook the branch hard enough to knock the baby robin free.  Harrison scooped the baby up quick as could be before it hopped to the road, it's probably only a day or so away from learning to fly, so it didn't really need rescuing as much as it needed to be corralled away from the busy road! Harrison happily obliged and kept the bird safe (safe from the cars and from Henry!)

Here comes summer....

We got our buzz cuts, final school report cards, summer clothes on order, and warm weather ahead....

Bring it on!! We're ready for a great summer here.