If you would never pay to have photos of your family taken---then I feel sorry for you

Because you miss out on moments like this... This picture of my sister and my nephew literally made me cry. Hormones and a nasty case of PMS aside... I just think it captures a mother's strength and amazing love for her children (at least until they become teenagers). I heart it.

The dangers of taking photographs professionally...

Yesterday I went out on a shoot. I had my trusty assistant (not real sure on the trusty part, but we'll roll with it) and my semi-willing model. The sun was popping out after a less then stellar looking overcast day. I was ready to rock.

One thing that is fun but challenging for the natural light portrait photographer is scouting out new and fun locations that not everyone's sister-in-law, visiting teacher, old roommate, dog groomer etc is already using. Its pretty tough nowadays to try and grab a little uniqueness for yourself when everyone seems to have gone into photography lately. We're all looking for the same things. So its nice if you can find a little-used location or put a unique twist on a used one.

Yesterday we went out to try a new one for us.

We got permission from the property owner (always a good idea) and started to trek, with all our gear (and baby Cam who came along for the fun) to a lovely field of huge sunflowers. I took the lead. As usual I was in flip flops and as is normal I was cursing myself a "Geniuspants" for not wearing footwear perhaps more suited to the job at hand. Luckily my mostly-trusty assistant was wearing toeless shoes with a heal so I wasn't the biggest goober in the dork parade.

As we waded through some head high corn I got to a place that was a little muddy and I shouted behind me to my lovely model (my niece Alexis) that her mom was not going to like the next section of trail ahead. Timed to absolute perfection, as I uttered the last word, my food went calf deep into a miniature swamp. I uttered a swear word or two and Alexis giggled behind me. As I struggled to pull my foot out of the hole my other foot started to sink and so I flailed and staggered a bit and yanked my foot out of the quick sand---sans flip flop. This is where I then hopped awkwardly looking for a place to put down my bare foot that didn't include thistles. I ended up handing all my gear to Alex as I had to crouch over the "mud hole to China" and stick my arm in to the elbow in order to retrieve my shoe. It wouldn't budge. I finally had to balance myself and yank with all my might. My flip flop emerged covered in dripping mud and accompanied by the sound of a rumbling wet fart. It was... fantastic.

Trekked BACK to cars to get wet wipes and water to TRY and clean my swamp thing arm and then started out again. When we finally got there it was not at all like what I imagined and for awhile there I was disappointed that everything we'd planned was going to come to naught AND I got wet and muddy for no reason at all. Luckily we tried some different stuff and still ended up leaving with some good shots and at the very least an entertaining story.

Besides... if you looked at the picture, I wasn't the only one with a less then dazzling moment. Thanks for making me feel better Alexis!

Hanging with the cool kids---if you like rocks n'stuff

Back again by popular demand....

A couple weekends ago Randy and my sister (along with Baby Cam) went up and stayed in the time share in Park City to enjoy the Kimball Art's Festival

It was nice to get away even if it was only for a couple days.

We saw some of our favorites from last year back again:

We all covet the pieces from Anthony Hansen who makes fantastic metal hearts and other things from scrap from old cars. Really spectacular in person.

My sister found her favorite car painting again and I'm sure imagined a house she could put it in where it wouldn't take up the whole wall.

I had a scary Mom moment where I found myself really admiring some pots.

Randy hung out with Cameron and garnered looks of distrust from passersby. Apparently he doesn't look very responsible. Some woman actually asked him if he should have such a cute baby in his care. Bwa ha ha.

.

My sister found what she called "the best looking piece of art there" in a booth eating a creamy. We tried to get a picture of him but it was like he knew our secret motives and stared right at us almost the whole time. I began to be aware of a strange sense of... awkwardness. We ran away feeling horrified that we were so transparent. I think Lore blushed.

Randy just though we were morons.

We went back to looking at the non-embarrassing type art.




Cam lived up to his moniker "Spitty Cent". He was just chillin', hanging out and rolling on sixes.

Began to realize that we don't fit in with the Park City crowd. Have deemed that there are six things necessary to come off looking like a local. The following in no specific order:


A Dog. Must walk dog everywhere. If there is social gathering must bring dog. If going hiking must bring dog. If going grocery shopping must bring dog. Leave dog in car.

The Car. Must own a Suburu Outback or at the very least a Forrester. All wheel drive is where its at. Lots of room for dog. (We counted 34 Suburu Outbacks from Kimball Junction to the time share. Granted busy weekend... but seriously?)

Indian Jewelry: Apparently we didn't get the memo that southwest jewelry never goes out of style with the granola crowd, despite the fact that you can't give it away anywhere else.

The Fanny Pack: Being hands free is very important while your walking your dog or skinning a yeti.

Must find yeti coats attractive. Self explanatory. Sometimes when going out on the town polar fleece is just not appropriate.

Hopefully these tips can help you feel more at home on your next visit to lovely Park City. No no, don't thank me. Its my pleasure.

Close call

The other day I saw my life flash before my eyes. Or, at the very least, the life of my Gap wool coat.

It was four days ago. I was enjoying a nice conversation with Randy and my lovely sister (blah de blah!). I was just minding my own business when suddenly---something was hurled directly at me.

It happened in the blink of an eye. The only warning was a low gurgling noise, and then the feel of heat and a strange scent.

My baby nephew Cameron had been lounging in my sisters lap about a yard from where I sat. He had spent much of the conversation cooing and making eyes at me. Obviously a ploy to lure the unsuspecting prey closer.

Without any other warning he let loose a projectile of soy scented spit up directly at me. This stuff quite literally launched from the kid. It came out so fast that it soared over the nearest--and usual target of my sister's whole lap--and flew nearly a foot farther in my direction to land with a audible hissing splat inches from me.

I lunged. Within seconds I was up the stairs on the landing shuddering, congratulating myself on dodging THAT bullet, and promising myself I'd wait till he was 2 to hold him.

Thank heaven for my cat-like reflexes.

Holiday highlights... or lowlights. I'm just sayin.

So without further ado:

2: Instances that new Baby Cameron got beamed in the head. Once with a binky, the second with a fun-size Snickers. I admit the former was my fault. My sister asked me to throw it to her and it went a bit wide. At first Cam just laid there with a glazed look on his face, then he blinked and started to cry.

Lore: "Oh I'm sorry, Aunt T is so mean isn't she?? Yes she iiiiis."

Me: "Whatever!! If your mom loved you she would have protected you!"

4: The number of times Randy shoveled the walk on the day I affectionately refer to as, "WhythecrapdoIliveinthisforsakenplaceanyway Day" where we got nearly 18 inches of snow. Excessive? Perhaps, but maybe you should ask our neighbors who got stuck in their own driveway. Bwa ha ha. Suckas.

100,000.000: The approximate number of calories I consumed while eating chicken tetrazzini, fettuccine alfredo, shrimp, pie, pumpkin bread, homemade candies, and all manner of good things in the last couple weeks. You know what? Lets just use that same number for "pounds gained on thighs" as well.

2: The number of SWEET computer accessories to add to my equally sweet new set up. My loving parents got me new Bose speakers that make Itunes and Pandora about ten times more addictive and my wonderful sissy got me a Bamboo Fun. I'm still working on mastering that but it should be good times while editing photos.

3: Vehicles Randy had to get out of snow drifts.

20+: Times I wanted to pick up Kyle and just hug the cuteness out of him while he was wearing his Ironman/Incredible Hulk pajamas and attempting to clock Randy. He's a boy after my own heart!

23: Inches in diameter the pizza we got from The Pie Pizzeria was for fight night. Best pizza in Utah. Hands down. Don't even try to front.

1: Good look at Randy wearing the "Traditional Pass-Around, Red Leopard Print Victoria's Secret Christmas PJ's". Usually a tradition exclusively exercised by my sister and I, this year she hid them in Randy's gift and much to the chagrin of us both, he donned the never-before-worn lovelies.

1:Times too many seeing Randy in the "Traditional Pass-Around, Red Leopard Print Victoria's Secret Christmas PJ's."

2: Number of bottles of D&G's Light blue I received, one from my sissy and one from my Dad. I'm thrilled and I smell SOOO good.

4: Times more movies we have watched since getting the new flat screen. I can't explain it. Your eyes glaze over and it sucks you in. Who'd have though I would be seduced by technology so?

30: Dollars worth of Itunes cards I got from Cheesy and 100 blank Cd's from Foodie. The trend-whore in me is so pleased.

3: Chocolate-cake-in-a-mug attempts. Two were horrible. One was bearable. Zero were worth the accompanied calorie consumption. ::le sigh::

100+: Onces of Pepsi I have consumed in the last month or so. A matter I will surely regret in the forthcoming resolution post.

4: Hours spent at the house by the Direct TV guy when he was setting up our new HD dish and receiver. I thought he'd moved in.

50+: Occurrences that prompted my eye to start twitching while driving this holiday season. What other factor could we add to un-plowed-blizzard-covered roads and explosive numbers of holiday shoppers?? The cell phone. Frustration and foul language ensue.

1: New photographers in the family when Courtney got a her first (adorable) camera for Christmas.

A Gazillion: Amount of thanks and well wishes I would like to give all my friends and family members! I hope you had as memorable a holiday as I did! Thanks for reading my blog and leaving comments. You guys are the best!

There's been a time or two where my declaration that I am the "Aunt to the cutest kids ever" has been challenged. I just wanna take a moment to gloat and to repeat my original assertion. I am aunt to the cutest kids ever. Go ahead... look at these and just TELL me I'm wrong. It will be all lies but just go ahead.

Yeah... what now???

boys and their toys

Yesterday Lore, Brittany, and I took Kyle to visit Randy. The idea was that Randy could take the tractor crazy kid on a ride on the back hoe. I was SHOCKED when instead Randy rattled up in a MASSIVE loader.

At first Kyle wasn't sure what to think about this huge loud thing and started to cry. He really didn't want to do anything but get off of it until Randy asked him if he wanted to go for a ride and run us over to which he answered with a prompt, "Yesh".

Figures.

Off they set on a nearly fifteen minute ride!!

What did we do when left by the side of the curb for that long with nothing but each other for company????



Who else thinks these are hillarious???? What can I say? Severe dorkiness runs in my family.


By the time they got back Kyle was all about the loader. He was dropping the bucket and steering and honking the horn.

Ain't no thing.


He had no sooner gotten off then he was asking to go for another ride. We think he liked it and it was lots of fun for us all to watch.

THANKS RANDY!!!!