Hey Ladies!

Who likes shopping? Spas? Shoes? That's what I thought! Mark your calendars and make sure to attend this springs Womens Expo at the McKay Events Center at UVSC. And if you need free tickets, contact me! To quote the Web site,

"There are those great fashion shows, beauty products, home items and decor, exercise helps, seminars from nationally prominent women, money saving ideas, career guidance, scrap booking, women’s health, makeovers, hairstyling, bags, food demonstrations, gift ideas, heavenly spa samplings, door prizes, vacations, family activities, good food, friends, fun and more!"

So plan on attending. I'll be at the Utah Valley Magazine booth, so be sure to stop by and say "hi!"

Logan is far

I spent all day yesterday (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) shooting my friend Rachael's wedding in Logan. It was a beautiful day! Slightly chilly, but perfectly clear blue skies. Here is one of the photos I was able to edit and print out for display at her reception. More to come soon!

Sad day

My favorite (and only) brother Geoff left today for Baltimore. He'll be living there doing summer sales in the extended program. That means 6 months of no Geoff. I think I'm going to cry. Plus, it snowed today. SNOWED! It's a sad, sad day.

Getting to know me...

Saw this on Elizabeth's blog...

twenty years ago I...
1) was a chubby little girl
2) was living in the blue house on 200 East
3) was an only child, although Geoff was well on his way

ten years ago I...
1) stopped eating meat
2) started coloring my hair
3) was a Canyon View Jr. High Falcon.

five years ago I...
1) was varsity cheer captain (of a nationally ranked squad!)
2) graduated from Orem High School
3) started at BYU

three years ago I...
1) fell in love with Jason
2) was accepted into the Communications: Print Journalism major
3) lived in the yellow house, best ever!

one year ago I...
1) got married! June 2, 2007
2) bid adue to the Brimhall Building at BYU forever
3) was spending a lot of time at the doctor getting blood drawn, turns out I was anemic

so far this year I have...
1) been to Disneyland multiple times
2) watched too much television
3) been called as a Mia Maid assistant advisor

yesterday I...
1) went to the Canyon View Stake Young Women Leadership training meeting
2) took pictures at Interiors Unlimited
3) made artichokes

today I...
1) will prepare a lesson and go visiting teaching
2) put the finishing touches on my dad's birthday gift
3) fold the laundry

tomorrow I will...
1) go to mutual and make picture frames
2) take pictures at La Villa salon in Lehi
3) say farewell to my brother as he leaves for summer sales

in the next year I may...
1) buy a house ??
2) pay off the car
3) really get my photography business off the ground

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day, so go do something to benefit Mother Nature. Jason and I have recently invested in "green" re-usable shopping bags for grocery shopping, that way we don't have to use harmful non-biodegradable plastic grocery sacks. We've also started carpooling to work in our hybrid car.

Photo by me

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today my wonderful dad turns 50. I am convinced I have the greatest dad in the world. He is so devoted to his family and would do anything for any one of his kids. I've always been a daddy's girl and couldn't be more proud of my father. I appreciate his hard-working personality, and I love when he calls me princess. I love the way he has opened his arms and his heart to Jason. I love being around him. He is such a strong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an amazing example of righteousness to me. He lives his testimony like no one I know. I honestly can't say enough good about my dad, I love him so much!!

Here's my card

And how awesome is this? My talented brother Geoff came over tonight and helped me design my business cards for my photo business. Pretty hu?

Kali and Eric

Head on over to my photography site to view Kali and Eric's wedding that Rebekah Westover let me second shoot with her.

Weather

On Monday we went swimming.

On Tuesday it snowed.

Today we're looking at a high of 45 degrees-- if we're lucky.

With such an indecisive Mother Nature dictating Utah weather, it wouldn't be hard to convince me to move here:

Baked Ziti

Found this recipe on Kelsey's Kitchen and Jason loved it! I did this sans beef and added a fresh diced tomato for texture instead.

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. ziti
½ lb. lean ground beef
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C. tomato sauce
½ tsp. dried Oregano
½ tsp. dried Basil
1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook for about 8 minutes. The ziti should be slightly undercooked and chewy. Drain; set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the beef with onion and garlic. Stir in the tomato sauce, herbs, and salt.
4. Mix the ziti with the sauce and cheese in an ovenproof dish, saving some cheese to sprinkle on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

How cute are my parents?

I mean really, is it any wonder they had such good looking kids?

Annie is brilliant

So I'm totally cheating, I'm posting something that isn't even my own. But I just read this on my friends blog and she hit the nail on the head. If you are about to start your freshman year in college ... or even if you've been out of college for years, READ THIS!! Seriously, the best handbook to college and life.

Click here to partake of Annie's wisdom

Today is my lucky day

Last week I entered a drawing at Kaleidoscope Boutique in Provo. Today they called to tell me I won $100 gift card. It made my day. Well, my week really. They have the cutest clothes and accessories and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I'm still busy and stressed and frazzled and ready to go insane, but I am also giddy thinking about my guilt-free shopping spree.

In other news, the magazine goes to the printer tomorrow or Monday, so until next deadline... we'll be returning to regularly scheduled blogging.


Image found here

I'm busy ...

We're sending our May/June issue to the printer on Friday, so work is way busy trying to get that all put together. I've worked the last two Saturdays in a row, and I'm working this Saturday too. I have a lot to blog about, some great photos from a birthday-filled weekend and a beautiful wedding I helped the fabulous Rebekah Westover shoot this Saturday, but I don't really have time right now so I'll leave you with a teaser from Eric and Cali's wedding at Log Haven in Salt Lake that Rebekah so graciously let me shoot with her.

Is this a nice way to tell me I'm boring?

Took a quiz here, turns out I'm vanilla.

In other, more exciting news, yesterday I shot a wedding with the fabulous Rebekah Westover. I may post pictures today. Be excited, be very excited. I also have pictures of my cute Granny opening birthday presents last night, and I suspect I'll have pictures of my mom and Carlie opening presents today too. So, brace yourselves for a picture overload!

A confession

Guess who's going to be at the Provo Freedom Festival Stadium of Fire this year? Yes, that's right, chart-topping teen sensation Miley Cyrus, AKA Hannah Montana. Guess who else?

Me.

The 14-year-old in me is so excited. The 22-year-old in me is slightly embarrassed. I confess, I am a fan of this Disney Channel pop star. I know the lyrics to a lot of her songs and have seen her show more times than I can count. Please don't judge me.

Bridal Shower

I'm throwing a bridal shower for one of my best friends on April 12. Invitations .... check. Decorations ... check. Food ... check. Cute picture book of the couple for guests to write their best wishes and or advice in ... check. Games ............... HELP!

Now I've been to my fair share of bridal showers and I've played a wide variety of games but for some reason I am having a hard time coming up with games to play at this shower. If anyone has any great, grand, wonderful or even mediocre ideas, please share. I'm at a loss.


This is the cute little book I made for Rachael's shower. It's a 20 page soft cover book with their engagement pictures throughout as well as places for the shower guests to write their advice and well wishes.