{Swingin'}

Tryin' to get back into the "swing of things."

It's interesting how life does have a rhythm. Sometimes that gentle rocking motion comes to a sudden halt and we need a little encouragement...a nudge to get back. Into the "swing of things."

So, with that said, happy swingin'.

PS I heart my kitty....Howard.

dEaR SaNtA,

Dear Santa,

I know your really tired...but I've been a really good boy this year. I didn't chew on any furniture and only pooped on the floor one time...and that's only because one of the boys slipped me some food. I really didn't mean to. You know how gassy and sensitive my stomach is. I'm getting better at not napping right behind Mamma when she's doing dishes...so she doesn't trip over me anymore. I'm real good at protecting the house, Daddy, Mamma and my kids. So, I wanted only one thing for Christmas...is there some device that would deter psychotic kitties from me? They're kinda buggin' me...I thought they were cute before but now all they want to do is chew my tail up and stick their claws in my face...and if your feelin' really generous, a way to let Mamma know that it's humiliating what she puts me through...

...please hurry...

Love, kisses and slobber,

Sam

more cRaFtY Christmas...

There were two projects that I OH so wanted to do with the munchkins...

The first were these cute little Ginger Cookie Ornaments I found from Creature Comforts blog. I must say they make me really hungry for cookies when I look at them...I found that my kids at ages 5 and 6 had a hard time finding the right pressure to use on the little white puff paint tubes...JEEZ, why didn't I think of this before...I have a hard time finding that sweet spot too! You know, so the paint doesn't let loose like a person who's had one too many artichokes for supper. Needless to say, they gave up after a couple, but because of the random blobs, it's easy to spot the one's that the boys' made and that makes me happy!!!

I still need to give them their "hangin' ability" but here's what ours look like almost done...

This other blog I spotted had these AMAZING Christmas cards that the kids can TOTALLY make!!! Parker LOVES to paint so I let him have at it with some diluted cheap tubes of acrylic to give the cardstock that water color look...I know I didn't get really creative on the colors but I just LOVE the palette that the other gal used...so I decided to stick to what worked :)

Anyhoo, we're really enjoying all the fun crafts this season! I think me more than the kiddos haha! I'm hoping to get to our paint cookies on here soon, so I can get ya'll that recipe and some pictures of the kids' creations :)

Christmas-y tHiNgS

This year was gonna be different.

After seeing this video, right after last years Christmas, I bawled my eyes out and promised myself and my family that I was never going to let the 'stress' and 'consumerism' control my Christmas.

And I'm so excited to say that this year it hasn't!!! And it's been SO wonderful!!!

Although, my thighs probably aren't benefitting, I've been baking and making yummy Christmas things in the kitchen with the munchkins...

I've been doing fun crafty things with the kids...like, I don't have my nativity scene yet...because it's oober expensive and Willow Tree NEVER goes on sale...so my kids helped me out and made me TWO!!!

If you want to try this with your kiddos, here is the coloring print out...I'm not gonna lie...these nativity scenes are pretty little. So, needless to say, I ended up doing alot of the cutting. But watching my kids faces as they saw this 2 dimensional craft turn into a 3 dimensional one, was SO worth it. They were just so amazed how a little folding and glue could make something SO cool!!!

So, I am enjoying every minute of this blessed time of year. We may not have many presents...but we have LOTS of PRESENCE this year and my children aren't disappointed at all! :) This next week we start our break and are going to try to make an ornament a day...here is an AWESOME blog where you can find some super cool ornament ideas!!!

Oh, and because I just COULDN'T resist, because I love my fur babies probably as much as my skin babies, here is my black kitty getting very comfortable in the boys' school basket...I guess he was ready for the break too :)

*updated to add: here is the recipe to the tuxedo brownies in the first picture :) SOOO Yummy! If you are pampered chef nut like me, it will call for your mini muffin pan, tart shaper, and that huge icing decorator thing...BUT, you really could practically use whatever to smash the little brownies down when they come right out of the oven...just not yer finger...Yeah, I was not thinking and tried that...and then for the filling...pipe it in with whatever your have on hand :)

OH! And I nixed the white chocolate and milk for the filling and added a little red food coloring to it then, here's the fun part, smash the tar out of some candy canes and sprinkle over the filling as a garnish...and voila! A pretty Christmas treat :)

mIsSiNg...

blogging.

your sweet comments.

new clients friends.

my brunette strands :)

Yup, I went blonde...on top anyway...the bottom is super dark...what do ya think???

{aDaMs FaMiLy}

You will probably remember Jolena from an earlier post. I had taken her out for some pics because what mom EVER gets some fun profile pictures of herself...anyhoo, before I left Montana I was able to spend about an hour with the whole fam...capturing their huge hearts for each other...

This family is one that inspires me. They are full of adventure and the love that explodes from each one of them is simply wonderful! The kids are pure, sweet and silly.

Heath and Jolena are still madly in love with each other. I love how their munchkins are confident and there's a feeling of safety as mommy and daddy are completely in their "love bubble." So awesome!

I could go on and on about how much I absolutely heart this family...since a "picture says a thousand words," I'll just let the images do the talking :)

Lovin' on "Sissy"

I just couldn't resist posting this image...

...because it makes this next image that much better :)

...wonder where they get that silly streak from???...

The Love Bubble

LOVE YOU ADAMS FAMILY!!!

PrOpS DaY!

.Pretty. .Rad. & .Outstanding. .Photographer.

Am I allowed to make up my own acronym? Is that legal?

I am SO excited to feature another photographer on the bloggie today! This photog is someone who has a style that is way cool!!!

Connie B from connie b photography is not only is drop dead gorgeous herself, but she produces images that...well..."me look at long time." I drool over the color in her shots...it's stinkin' amazing! Through her blog, one can truly see her heart and her passion for what she does...

I LOVE the way she sees people: Beautiful. Pure. Fun.

I love the way she summons such yummy color in her shots!

I love that she keeps her priorities in order...

Her family is precious to her and it is inspiring to me.

Thank you so much Connie B for your willingness to be on the blog...it truly is an honor!

What was it that inspired you to start your own business?

I've always been an entrepreneur in that I like to look for ways to make extra money. That was my initial thought when starting this- why not make money doing something fun!? But really, in 2006 I wanted to be a photography minor in addition to my major but I never did because I ran off and got engaged. I've always loved photography so one day, sitting bored in my apartment I decided it was time to be more serious about it. A month after that, after taking pictures of my friends, they called me saying the printers needed written proof from me so they could print their pictures. That was just the kick in the pants I needed- I figured if people were noticing some talent (with a crappy point and shoot mind you) I needed to start investing some money for nice gear so I could really learn what photography is all about.

Where do you continue to get your inspiration from?

The world around me! Sounds cheesy but it's true- Whenever I'm out driving I find myself saying "that'd be an awesome location" or I daydream about fun photo shoots I'd like to do. If it weren't for my clients too- and the wonderful feedback I get from them and people around me, it might not be as easy to continue working my butt off. So, I really do have to give a lot of the credit to my nice clients, friends and family for all their support.

Do you have a fave piece of equipment that you use for most shoots?

I will always bring my 85mm f1/8 to a shoot. I love it- seriously changed the way I feel about photography. I actually shot a lot on the standard lens when I first got started (mostly because I didn't know any better and didn't have piles of cash stacked up in my spare bedroom) and I will NEVER do that again- great fast lenses make a world of difference!

Have you ever had something hysterical happen during one of your shoots? Would ya mind sharin'?

I wear the wrong shoes to every.shoot. So I always go home injured in some way. That's not really hysterical though- I think better than that would be the few times someone came up to me, in the middle of a shot, and asked if I wanted to get in the picture and they would take it. Wha? ...I've decided it's because I'm young(er). Although, I still can't believe that has happened more than once- do they not see this ginormous camera and all my equipment!? Sure makes a girl feel un-legit. (;

If you sit down and talk for an hour with ANY person in the whole wide world...who would it be?

Hmmm. That's hard.. I would actually have to say the president of my church, Thomas S. Monson. He's just such an incredible, strong, spiritual guy and I would love to learn some things from him, one on one.

I asked Connie B if she wouldn't mind sharing some of her Suh-Weeeet images with us and so here are some images for your viewing pleasure...if you love Connie B just as much as I do, leave her some love :)

Which image is YOUR fave?

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

I think this next one is my fave...I LOVE how she used a wide aperture to make the berries on the trees in the foreground just right :)