The group in Hawaii

Here are the two group pictures we took in Hawaii. This is everyone who came. We for sure missed the ones who didn't come, but thought you'd like to see everyone who was there.

This last picture was taken at Duke's restaurant...isn't the view behind us beautiful??!! I know it's hard to see in this photo, but it was basically grass, sand, beach. We all just kept saying how we couldn't believe we were really there.

Even More Hawaii...

This is a picture of Hideaway Beach. I don't know if that is the real name, but that's what we called it. So beautiful. The snorkeling was amazing, and right off the beach. This is the beach where I got to see my first sea turtle when I went snorkeling. Amazing. Incredible.

One of the nights we headed to a mall to see if we could see a performance of Hawaiian dancers. It turned out we were there on the wrong day but I snapped this picture of my mom and Ben because they matched. (Not on purpose)

This picture I took at Duke's restaurant. We went to Duke's to celebrate my Dad's birthday. The food was delicious and the view...incredible.

Here's what I ordered. I couldn't even tell you the name of the fish. I couldn't pronounce it, let alone spell it. It didn't taste fishy at all and it just melted in my mouth.

This is Darrel and I at Duke's. Darrel was talking to our boys on the phone and was a tad bit distracted.

Just some more beautiful flowers. I liked how these flowers had two little mini flowers in the middle.

This tree was right behind the LDS church where we attended church on Sunday.

This tree caught our eye the first time we passed it on the road and finally one day, we just pulled over and took a picture of it. Can you see how it grew out of the ground, turned sideways, turned down toward the ground, and then went straight up to the sky? SO cool.

This next picture is mainly to prove that I really was on the vacation. I did most of the driving in one of the rental cars (we had two mini-vans). This particular picture was taken by Danny who was a picture taking maniac if you ever handed him a camera.

Darrel and I at the scenic view point in between the South and North Shore of the island. I believe those are Karo fields behind us. (If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me)

MORE Hawaii

K - I know that there's two pictures of Danny and none of me and Darrel, but more are coming and I promise some will include us. :)

Hawaii!!!

Soccer parties and graduations

Johnathan and Zach both had soccer parties and Zach graduated from the preschool that he attends with his friend, Seth. I have to say when I attended the preschool graduation it was nice to go as just a parent of one of the children instead of being in charge of the whole thing. Zach looked so cute in his graduation hat and I loved being the mom who was taking a crazy amount of pictures. This was bittersweet for me. I do want Zachary to be able to go to kindergarten but I DO NOT want my baby to grow up. I can't believe that this is my youngest child. This is nuts! I guess we'll have to get busy one of these days and have ourselves another baby :) Enjoy the pictures from the party and graduation.

End of soccer season

Johnathan had his soccer party last night and Zach had his this week also. It's always bittersweet to come to the end of a soccer season. By the time the season is over we are always VERY ready to have it over so we don't have to figure out how we're going to get everyone to practice, and juggle three to four games per Saturday. Plus by the end of soccer season in Las Vegas it gets SUPER hot and games are not so much fun anymore. On the other hand we love the parents of the other players and it's fun to get together and chat with them once or twice a week. There's a certain camaraderie that comes from having your children play on the same team. Johnathan and Zach have both been playing on the same teams for two seasons now and so you start to really for a bond with the other parents on the team. We appreciate the friendships that have all come from our soccer team families. We will miss them but hope to see them again next season when we start the madness all over again. :)

There's always a rainbow

These last few weeks have been a bit emotionally difficult for me but I'm here to say there's always a rainbow after the rain. I am very blessed and so lucky to have what I have and to be where I am. My family and friends are so amazing. I am blessed and I love my life and I just wanted to share. I took this picture out my parents' window after a huge rainstorm. The picture does not do justice to how beautiful the rainbow was. I didn't have my zoom lens on my camera so I couldn't get any closer but the rainbow was incredible. Just imagine it being about ten times this colorful and amazing and you'll be close. Always look for the rainbow, because it is there...waiting for you to see it.

A wonderful weekend

The first weekend in May I went to Utah and spent a glorious weekend playing. I spent some time with my family, and some time with my friend, Brenda. Brenda and I drove up to Park City Saturday morning and then Midway Saturday afternoon. I've never been to Midway. That is a beautiful little town. I think I fell in love in about 15 seconds. The rolling hills and beautiful green valleys were amazing. I took some pictures of the scenery as we drove home Sunday morning - it was breathtaking. (see below) We had a wonderfully relaxing Saturday and then on Sunday I was able to listen to Brenda's awesome lesson in church and then spend a fun afternoon with my parents, my brother Ben, my brother David and his family, my grandma and our good friend, Heidi. Since every other weekend in May I am being a single mom because Darrel is out of town for one reason or another, this first weekend was so much fun and much needed. Thanks to all who hosted me and let me just relax and enjoy a weekend of friends, family, love, and wonderful scenery.

Singing for the birds

Zachary likes the movie Enchanted. He especially likes the part where the girl sings for the birds and they come and help her clean. A couple of weeks ago we were cleaning the house to get ready for our company and all of a sudden I realized that Zachary had opened all the windows. He kept singing/humming this tune I didn't recognize. I finally asked him what he was doing and he said he was singing for the birds to come and help. I tried to suppress my laugh because I realized he was dead serious. He thought for sure the birds would come. I asked him if he would please sing for the camera and see if the birds would come. He did. He was bummed when they didn't come. About a minute after singing for the camera he decided that they would come if I sang, because I am a girl. I sang, I didn't video that part, the birds didn't come. He was very disappointed. He's such a funny kid...

Okay, I know, I've been bad. I have to apologize to the six people who read my blog...it's been over a month since I posted. Over a month!!! I can't believe what a slacker I've been. I've done a bunch of stuff and taken pictures of most of it. I just need to get my rear in gear and keep y'all updated. I only have a few pictures to post today. I have some of Easter, Spring Break, soccer, random, etc. Maybe you'll get a retro post at some point, maybe we'll just have to go from here...I'm not sure yet. I'm taking baby steps so I don't overwhelm myself on my first day back :) I know, I'm such a lame-o. Enjoy a post from April...before it becomes May.

We are a soccer consumed family right now. With three kids in soccer we have BUSY Saturdays. The first picture is of Zach during a game, but the point of making it look like that was for a vinyl poster. Darrel and I are working on some cool concepts for my photography and we're trying out this idea of sports posters, more like banners. Anyway, we're playing around with some ideas and this is what we came up with...soccer action shots and then tweak the background to look like that. I think it's a radial blur (if I remember right - we tried so many things on the same day, it's all a blur -ha, no pun intended). So, tell us what you think. Would you buy a big vinyl banner of your child to hang in their room if it looked something like that??

Second picture I thought was just a cute one of Zach eating an orange. Whatever. It has nothing to do with anything except his beautiful eyes.

I give you my solemn promise that it will NOT be another month before I post again.

Some wedding photos...

Last Friday I went to St. George and took some "groomals" for a couple. Apparently this is the new thing...to take the pictures of the bride and the groom before the wedding day so it's more relaxed for everyone involved. I thought it was a great idea. This couple was amazing to work with and so much fun. We started in ancestor square and finished up at the temple. All these shots are from our temple session so enjoy...

Givaway...of sorts

Okay, I totally stole this off Jerolyn's blog (word for word). I wish I had the same creative writing skills she has but at least I'm owning the fact that I am totally stealing her words. I was one of the first five people on her blog to comment and I'm so excited. Maybe by posting this I'll actually have five people comment on my blog :)


Pay attention kids!

Here's the dealio:


The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me. My choice. For you.



This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I make will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be photography, I may sew or stitch(ha,ha) or bake something. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do or make whatever I want!

The catch?Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your own blog and offer the same deal to 5 of your own lucky blog readers. So, the first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!

Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it.

Good Luck!!!

This is one of the most beautiful things I have seen and heard in a long time. I just had to share it.

The start of soccer season...

Well, it's here....soccer season has begun. It was not a great beginning for either one of our teams but we have great faith that it's only gonna get better from here. Before I go on about our games I just have to say, doesn't Johnathan look so much older in this first picture. I cut all my boys hair this morning and then we went to soccer games and I took pictures. When I downloaded these pictures to my computer I noticed how much older Johnathan is looking...well, and Zach for that matter. I can't believe how big my boys are getting. With my birthday coming up this week, I guess I'm just feeling old.

Anyway, sorry, back to the games. Both our boys lost today but they both played hard and we were super proud of them. I got more pictures of Zachary's game than Johnathan's game because I had to leave Johnathan's game in the middle to go take pictures of some kiddos at the park (they went well, you can see a few of them at portraitartbyangela.blogspot.com if you'd like).

So, without further ado....here are the soccer game pictures from today.

GO Johnathan

Zachary looks so intense in these next couple of pictures. He was REALLY into the game.

Look at the agression going on...you go Zach

Here is Zachary giving me a thumbs up after one of his three goals

Love the tongue...

My big boy

I'm not sure what the fingers mean, but he thought he was cool.