Photography

I think I've decided that a new hobby of mine is photography. I've always really liked it but it wasn't until recently when life got turned upside down that I've been more interested. There was a photographer in our ward that gave a class on photography about 2 weeks ago for our Thursday night Relief Society. I learned quite a bit. Here's what I have so far.

This is Grand Central Station in NYC (Taken before I went to the photography class)

 

 NYC (Again taken before the calss)

 This is one of my FAVORITES, this is the 9/11 Memorial. This HUGE square fountain sits where Tower One used to be. The reflection is the new tower that is now standing even taller than the Empire State Building.

This is where the pictures start that were taken after the class. Jake and I went to the park one day while Cayden was in Montana with my Mom.       June 16, 2012

July 2, 2012

I have really enjoyed being able to explore and find out what works and what really doesn't. I want my pictures to be able to speak for themselves. I want to be able to take pictures of details so we can always remember the little things that make us smile. I have had so much fun!

~Love To All~

Brave



My parents took us to see Brave on Monday night. We LOVED the movie. Jacob was a little restless and both boys were a little scared from time to time. But overall we had a great time!

My favorite time during the evening wasn't even during the movie. ;) As the movie was starting and the "Disney Castle" came on the screen Cayden shouted "Hey that's the temple we went to!!" He used to always say the Disney castle at the beginnig of movies was the temple but he hasn't said it for a long time. It was fun to hear it again. I'm glad that he loves the temple so much and is excited even when he thinks he sees one. 

Cayden thought it was silly to pose for a picture here and Jacob was just being defiant. ; )

~Love To All~

"We are here, we are here, we are here!"

I know we have been absent for a while. I'm sorry. Life without a computer is hard. We had our hard drive crash twice and lost everything twice. And with no computer I just got out of the habit of blogging. Lame I know! Luckily I'm terrible at deleting pictures from my camera so I still had what wasn't backed up on my camera. So here is our life in pictures over the past 6 months. Enjoy!

We had a sibling New Year (minus Kimmy) because my parents and grandparents were in Arizona with my Great Aunt spending lots of money.

 In January my dear sweet Stella decided she was on her way out so we traded her in for a 2010 white Dodge Caliber that strangely was named Polo.

 During the months of Dec, Jan, and Feb. we got A LOT of snow.

 We got to go see Phineas and Ferb LIVE. The boys LOVED it. (We all did)

 Jared and I celebrated our "Sweets" Anniversary at the Hammonds Candy Factory.

 Cayden got a black eye playing at burger King.

 Jared made a movie!www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORURP7vDPHU

 We flew kites on St. Patrick's Day. The leprechauns came and messed up our house but left kites and chocolate coins behind.

 We had a lovely Easter!

 We found a new trampoline place that's right up the street!

 We went to the Scout Show. There was a life size Angry Birds game there. The line was long but we couldn't pass it up.

 Jacob got pneumonia.

 Cayden completed his first year of Preschool and had a blast at field day.

 Our Montana crew came to visit. Cayden sure missed his buddy Spencer.

 We went to the new Splash Park on Memorial Day.

 And then had a MASSIVE game of Croquet!

Ok, I think that catches you up. Mostly. I will dedicate a post to the New York Trip. The beginning of 2012 has been great. We still haven't found a house yet. We will probably put our house hunt on the back burner for a while. Life has taken an interesting turn and we have to see what the Lord's plan is for us at this time. All is well here in beautiful Colorado. I'm looking forward to a wonderful summer with the boys.

~Love To All~



Then and Now...6 Years of Happiness!

This was us then.....
And this is us now.....

The past 6 years have been full of so many things. Happiness, excitement, silliness, craziness, joy, giving, sharing, dancing, playing, learning, disappointment, tears, sadness, and fear. But above all, no matter what has happened, we have done all of those things with LOVE. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful man at my side to be my husband and the father of my children. I can't imagine my life any other way.

I LOVE YOU JARED!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

~Love To All~

Christmas Day 2011

Our Christmas morning began when the boys woke up around 7:20. I was glad they actually slept in. Yes, 7:20 is sleeping in at our house. We headed down stairs and were happy to see that Santa came (despite some bad behaviors from a certain 4 year old on Christmas eve). We emptied our stockings and loved the little gifts Santa had left in them. After our stockings were empty we got ready and then ate our breakfast of oatmeal and caramel rolls. It was pretty yummy. After that we finished getting ready and headed out to church for Sacrament Mtg. The meeting was nice and we got to sing some of my favorite Christmas songs. After church we headed home to open presents.

Its nice to have Christmas pictures with everyone actually dressed.

Cayden got to open the first gift. He was happy to get something he'd been wanting for a LONG time.

Jacob opened the next present. He was excited to unwrap something that he had discovered in my room a few days earlier. Little Stinker!

Jared got a lot of camping gear in preparation for his winter camp out.

We had quite the Christmas mess. ;)

After we finished opening all the new toys we let the boys play for a bit. They had fun with their new toys but Jared and I just kept wondering where everything was going to fit.

After the boys played for a bit we headed over to my mom and dad's house. Since its all big kids in their house they waited for us to get there before they opened presents. Cayden and Jacob loved being able to open more gifts and loved helping to pass out gifts to everyone. Once presents were all opened we played some more and then had dinner. The dinner was delicious and it was nice to sit and spend time with everyone.

After dinner we busted out the BINGO game. It isn't Christmas without BINGO. We always have fun. This year Cayden decided he was going to help Jared call. It got confusing at times when he wasn't really sure what the ball said. But everyone was patient and soon he got bored and wanted to go watch Phineas and Ferb. So while we finished up BINGO the boys could be found watching Phineas and Ferb (which is quite popular in our home.)

All in all we had a WONDERFUL Christmas. The day was perfect. It didn't go by too fast and everyone had a positive attitude. The boys got along and shared their new toys happily. Love was all around. And most of all we were able to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours. ;)

~Love TO All~

P.S. Thanks to my big brother Mikey for letting me use his computer to blog since ours is still under the weather.

Christmas Love

I just love our Christmas traditions. I love playing BINGO for fun. I love shopping for other people and wondering if they are going to love their gift as much as I hope they do. I love the feeling of giving and love that is all over the place. I love spending time with Family. I love reading of the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve and then singing carols with my family. There is just such a feeling that is so indescribable.

As we were driving to my parents house on Christmas Eve Jared reached over and held my hand. I thought my heart was going to beat out my chest when I said the simple words "I love you" to him. Its really amazing how much feelings can be amplified at this time of year.

Not only is my love for my family amplified but so is my love for my Savior. I teased my little brother for getting teary eyed while he sung Christmas songs. However, as I sat in church singing the words of Away in a Manger "Bless all the dear children in thy tender care" I couldn't help but cry. At the time I thought of Him protecting and blessing my sweet little boys but the more I thought about it I realized that that phrase encompasses ALL of Heavenly Father's children.

I am so thankful that our family is continually blessed and watched over. I know the Lord knows us and has a plan for us. I am so thankful for my knowledge and testimony of the gospel and the joy that it brings into my life. I am thankful that I chose to be sealed in the temple to someone as amazing as Jared.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and felt as much love as I did.

~Love To ALL~

P.S. as soon as we get out computer up and running I'll post Christmas pictures ;)