My Life

1.  Last night when I was off teaching a PHOTO 101 class, my second oldest kid pratically gave himself a mullet.  Did I leave it, and make him face public ridicule at school?  What type of mother do you think I am?

2.  I decided to sell my house.  As of this very moment...so I really shouldn't even be spending time typing on this blog...I am cleaning, organizing and touching up things that should be touched up.  Say what?  You wanna buy it?  It's 2400 sf, 1/3 acre, 5 bed, 2/5 baths...and a stellar kitchen. 

3.  There are two people that I love dearly that had major surgery in the last week.  I'm such a great friend (sarcasm here), that I didn't even know about the surgery until days later.  NOTE:  To all my awesome friends out there, I am making a goal to stay more in touch. 

4.  I bought a new ukelele in Hawaii and I love it...just no time to practice it.

5.  WEEDING OUT:  I have a massive load of children and baby photography props.  Because we're selling our home, that means, I need to weed out.  If your interested, I'm selling a studio lighting set up, baskets, tutus, backdrop setup, and a ton more.

I'd like to take credit for this one. . .

I've been frantically editing so I can finish off Tiffany and Tuks wedding shots, and then move into editing the awesome families in Washington.  As I scanned my files, I came across this one.  The strange thing is, I don't remember taking it.  And then I remembered.  I COULDN'T HAVE...I was laying in the road to get a wide angle.  This shot was taken by MARK!  Is this the bomb or what?  I left the shot pretty raw so you could see the SOC from Mark.  I did boost the contrast, but other than that, this is Mark's original work. 

Talk about beautiful Bokeh!  Dang, maybe all my business will go to him now. 

Mark is the Man: the Conclusion

. . . I found a giant pile of my stuff--The odds and ends that I've collected and filled my office closet with over the last few years.  My lighting kit, assorted baskets of various sizes, tutus, neatly folded quilting material, and much more was stacked at least five feet high in the center of the living room. 

Did I freak about the mess?  Heck no.  I used what smarts I had left after such a long drive and deducted that the items before me were all taken from the office. My office.  Thus, I should then go and see why.  I ran into the office and found this:

If you look really closely, the nice little sign reads, "You Found It."  Since we bought our house three years ago, I've been drooling over Judy's (my asian friend's) beautiful closet.  Her father had taken the closet and turned it into a 'built in' bookshelf with beadboard and cupboards!  Sigh.  Mark, my dearie, took a photo of her closet and recreated it (for the most part) in my office.  Now I can display all my prized books on this beautiful built in bookshelf...and I can hide all the crazy junk in the cupboards at the bottom...once they have drawers. 

Mark is the man!

Mark is the Man: PART 2

. . . I found a manila envelope taped to the door with the explicit directions to read the contents therein before I proceeded to walk through the home.  I peeled open the envelope and slipped out a white piece of paper.  It read:

I've hidden a gift
for you to find
somewhere in your home
so fine.
You only get it
if you find it today,
so don't dilly dally
and get on your way.

Now since now you're curious
I will give you some hints.
It won't do hair,
clothes, or stairs.
It will help you through
when you have time to spare.

You may be wondering
why I would do this.
Well I really want to tell you
with one long (Um...I totally am editing out this word, lest you think naughty thoughts)
But since I am at work
and I can't do that,
Just know I missed you
while you were gone from me.
And I wanted to find a special way
to say how important you are for me.

Doing this project
helped me feel closer to you.
As I banged my fingers
and cursed some too.
I want you to know
that with all my heart,
I will love you forever
and never want to be apart.

So quit wasting time
by reading simple rhymes.
Get on it and use your kids
to go get your prize.

Of course I dropped that paper right then and there, and bolted through the house like a kid on Christmas morning (ok, whatever...like me on Christmas morning...fine.)

I rounded the corner of the dining room.  When I ran into the front room, my chin dropped to the floor.  I found a giant pile of . . .

Mark is the Man

I've been gone for what seems like forever.  Two weeks ago I packed up the kids, drove to Washington, spent a day there, then flew to Hawaii.  After touring the islands, getting a speeding ticket and shooting a ton of awesome family shoots, I finally came home.  Though it wasn't so easy.  I flew in two days ago to Seattle, did a few awesome family shoots there and then spent 12 hours driving home today with 3 crazy boys, one very sad little sis, and a mother in law.  Believe me...by the time 3 hours came and went, we'd all had enough, but we had to endure to the end. 

I pulled into PG, so grateful to finally be home and found . . .

I'll post more later. 

sigh. 

Mark Rocks.

Australia's Wildlife

I'm sure the number one thing people do when they go to Australia is look for the wildlife.  We certianly did.  Like any tourist, we forked over big bucks to see Taronga Zoo.  While we were there, we got up close and personal with some of the animals...he he.

Umm, pardon me Mr. Koala, but I'm happily married . . .

Me and my Buddy

It's amazing how similar monkeys are to humans.

. . . even down to the emotions.

Do you see what I see?

The day I bawled my eyes out in church because I missed my sweet baby Ruby, I saw this in the middle of Auckland, New Zealand! 

Thanks God, it's me Erin. 

Aw Sheep!

New Zealand,

I love your sheep.  They are fluffy and their bums look like great round balls of cotton. 

Mr. Sheep, how are you? 

I'm fine thanks.  Thank you for the picture.  May we meet again someday. 

Luv, Erin

Becca Fitzpatrick + Costco = Crazed Book Fan (me)

My writing buddy, Peggy the pen master, and I trekked it over to the American Fork Costco on Saturday to talk with the newest New York Times bestselling author: Becca Fitzpatrick.  I picked up her book at 12:30 with the intention of reading just a few chapters.  HELLO, I was wrong.  At 4:00 in the morning I finished the fast-paced, thriller/romance.  Of course when I heard she was going to be at Costco, I had to meet her.  Here's why:

1.   She was totally down to earth and not at all freaked out by my overly-excited hug.

2.   She looked very authorly.  Which then I got to thinking . . . If I changed out my housewife, frazzled mom look, and started wearing knit tops and cardigans, would I write better?

3.   Can I just say, GREAT HAIR!  Dang, I would love to have her locks.

4.   Her book grabs you from the get-go.  Really.  From the first page, I couldn't put it down.  And now that I've purchased it, and had her sign it, Hush Hush has just been placed on my "Do Not Touch" shelf.  Which means, Sorry, ya'll can't borrow it.  Or touch it.   

Tiff and Tuks : New Zealand Wedding Photography : by a Utah Photographer

We flew in last night . . . and more or less, came home for ten minutes before I was off to the doctor.  After the euphoria of seeing my sweet baby girl and wonderful boys wore off, the killing pain in my lower back took over my attention.  Diagnosis:  Urinary Tract Infection and Kidney Infection. 

Suck.

No, double Suck.

After a shot in the butt and a heavy duty antibiotic prescription, I came home and sorted the shots from Tiff and Tuk's wedding in New Zealand.  Sigh.  They are beautiful people.  And their wedding was equally beautiful.  From the first moment I met Tuks, I thought he was amazing.  The pefect match for smart, funny, talented Tiffany!  

Our time in New Zealand flew by.  We met wonderful people like Ana, and Anna, and Paige (the girls) and the awesome Salanoa family.  Then after just under a week, our time was over and we had to leave for Australia.  Thanks all you New Zealanders for educating me on how to say the letter Z.  (You guys say "Zed" for Z instead of "Zee" for Z...too funny.)  I only drove on the wrong side of the road 3 times...sorry Tiff for nearly taking your life.  And I gorged myself on all your great Lollies (code for Candy).  New Zealand Rocks. 

Luv, Erin

Without further ado, here's your sneek peek:

The Reception . . .

Held at a beautiful, quaint, art gallery in the heart of Auckland, the reception was absolutely stunning.  From the relaxed tunes of the band, the beautiful arched ceiling, to the simple yet elegant table decor, I loved it all and tried to capture a bit of everything.  Tuks sang to Tiff the most beautiful arrangement of songs, and I was in love.  Dang, that man can sing!  Tiff looked radient and shined.  The reception was simply magical.

Bruno Family : Utah Family Photography

Ok, holy photography bonanza Batman!  I just finished editing my last shoot before I jump on the plane tomorrow for a Wedding shoot in New Zealand.  I feel like I can take a huge breath of fresh air.  Well, except now I have to start packing. 

On a side note, Thanks cool Bruno Family.  I had a fun time hanging out with you all on the rickety bridge, and hiking through the boonies.  You guys were awesome to follow me into the wilderness.  Your pictures rock, and I love them!

luv, erin

Funn Family : Utah Family Photography

I had such a "Funn" time with the Funn family.  Ok, ok, so that was a bad pun.  But really, they were too funny.  We went up the canyon, and I was a little nervous because Utah's been unseasonably cold (ok, well maybe not really, but I think it's too dang cold for likin').  Anyway, I was saying that when we got up there it wasn't too bad.  Lance and Tiffany and all you crazy kids.  Thanks for jumping when I said jump, and rolling in the dirt with me.  That was awesome. 

Luv, erin

Diamond Family : Utah Family Photography

Beki and Bo.  I've known you two for years, and you crack me up still.  You were so easy going and fun to shoot.  It suprises me that you have six kids, since when I think of you two, I still think of our early years.  Beki, I loved your headshot.  It's going to turn heads.  How could it not with a beautiful face like yours.  Thanks you guys for the super fun and fast shooting.

Luv, erin