Taking Off

I am officially "taking off" with a lifelong love of mine!  Thanks to KRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, who took Mylie's pictures while visiting Oklahoma, I was inspired to just do it, to get started on something I've always loved--photography.  I'm still in the learning process and know that I will always be learning new things in photography and photo editing.  So to help me "fly" I am offering a Holiday Special.  Click HERE to see my work and rates so you can book a session with me!

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!

Slivka's second annual Halloween Party was a success!  We were required to come in costume, (though one family arrived as themselves).  And by darned I was going to be something better than I was last year!  And not only that, but our family was going to match.  Here we are, in all our Oompa Loompa glory.  Thanks for all the votes, we won the costume contest!

 

Valerie spent countless hours on their amazing Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy, and Tinkerbell costumes.  They were certainly the most incredible.  Richie kept saying they got robbed in the costume contest.  I guess I would say ours were the funniest which won more votes, and theirs was the best.  I think Valerie was fine with it though since she got to see Richie do an awesome cartwheel when we heard the results.

How stinkin' cute are the Incredibles?  I had a hard time deciding on who to vote for.  The costumes were great!

I'm lovin' the parrot on the pirates shoulder.

Pippy Longstocking, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Richie.  Huh?  That's right.  Sterling was Richie for Halloween.  Can't you tell?  BYU shirt, and a hat that says "Audiology Rocks."   The only hat Richie has EVER worn since I've known him!

I have to say that I think this little lady makes the cutest Piglet in the world.  Ain't she adorable!?

And I must admit I think there is no better Charlie Brown than this lil' guy!  I somehow missed the nerd and the WHO from Whoville.

Ohio Baby!

In October I met up with some of my best friends for a Girls' Trip (plus our kids).   We met at Lauren's house in a teeny tiny town in Ohio called The Plains.   I knew we would have a great time together, but I certainly had even more fun than I imagined!

We visited an old, enormous, abandoned insane asylum called the Ridges, ate some disgusting AND delicious food at an eclectic Indian Restaurant in Athens, shopped the no name shops along the red brick roads in town, visited a dazzling art museum in which all the art was created by disabled people, walked the rows of inviting food and folk music at the Farmer's Market, had a delightful picnic at a lake that stood as still as glass, played at the park, and took insane amounts of pictures.  I couldn't believe the beauty of Ohio in fall.  The leaves were so vibrant and beautiful that I couldn't stop ooooing and aaaahing at their magnificence.

This picture was taken by Lauren's husband, Trevor

We also drew each other's names from a hat and had 20 minutes to shop for that person's "birthday present" for 2009.  Later we gathered together and had a party for us all and exchanged gifts and giggles.  Not to mention we made enormous amounts of food and treats that made me gain at least 5 pounds during the week. 

Lauren summed up nicely on her blog of some of the things she learned from our "extravaganza"!
1.) A good dose of laughter is healthy – I need to do that more often
2.) Stories are always so much funnier many years later –especially when told from another’s perspective
3.) You can never have too many cooks in the kitchen
4.) There’s something about food and happiness that go together really well
5.) It doesn’t matter if you buy matching clothes if you all live in different states
6.) All kids LOVE and need their mommies
7.) 6 adults + 5 kids in one small house with one bathroom (and one bathroom plug) works out just fine
8.) 1:00 am talks can be very enlightening
9.) I'm not sure if personality tests are all that accurate  :)
10.) I need my girlfriends

I agree with Lauren.  I need my girlfriends.  I love my girlfriends!  I only wish all the girls could have come...it will happen in the future.  What a great week!

Photo Shoot

Mylie had never had her pictures taken professionally until last week! My mom knew of a fantastic photographer, so we scheduled to have Mylie's pics taken. I was so excited I had to go get her a new outfit. I don't have the pics yet, but I attempted my own photo shoot with my boring camera. For not having a great camera, these pics are pretty cute. I can't wait to get the amazing ones though! I wish I was a photographer!

Before, During and After

My mom and I took on a big project one day while we were visiting. Since my parents just moved into a new home, my mom has much work to do--painting, decorating, etc. (Although I think it already looks fabulous!) Anyway, all the walls were white to we took on the task of painting the kitchen, breakfast nook, and utility room. We started around 9 am and didn't finish until around 11 pm. What a day, I LOVE a finished product! Here are some before, during and after shots.

Oklahoma

Mylie and I flew to Oklahoma to visit my family for a week. We had so much fun! Mylie adores Papa, Grandma Jo, Aunt Cassie, and Aunt Lisa! She loved spending as much time as possible outside throwing rocks, banging rocks on rain gutters, throwing and fetching balls, riding her little bike, and bouncing on the trampoline. She also loved going to the park with Papa and watching the ducks at the pond. What fun! We love visiting our family!

My Projects

I've taken on a new hobby. Sewing. I inherited a wonderful sewing machine and was very interested in learning to sew. My friends Karli was excited about this too because she wanted a sewing buddy! She taught me how to sew these cute little bloomers for Mylie, and also a little dress that I don't have a picture of yet.
I was inspired by a couple friends to make a quiet book as well. This has really been a fun project that keeps me busy (as if I'm not busy with Mylie) and gives me something to create and have fun with! Can't wait to finish, but then what?! I'll need another project! Guess I'll have to take on wood carving or pottery or something like that! Or I could get back in to blogging more often again!