The Real Me

I don't have a lot of pictures of myself. This, of course, is because I am usually the one taking the pictures.

When we were in Texas the first week of June we headed to the beach for a day. I was snapping pictures of everyone and my sister-in-law Stephenie said, "Let me get a picture of you. You look really good."

I smiled and let her take a picture with the thought that I could always delete it later. Why? Because I was almost positive that I didn't look anything close to really good. I had spent half of the day out in the ocean. I was tired and my hair was damp and salty. I had no make-up on and I was wearing a swimsuit. None of that sounded really good to me. But then I saw the picture and was surprised that I liked it. I mean, I really liked it.

I think this picture captures the essence of me at heart. In real life, whenever I'm all made up with my hair curled in place - like I am when we have our family photos taken - that's not the me I'm most familiar with. I like the person I see in this picture because I'm tired and happy from a well-spent day with family. I'm vulnerable (meaning: in a swimsuit for the first time in years) because I'm with people I trust and love. I'm reminded of the girl who practically grew up on the beaches in southern California and reveled in the warm sand between her toes and the sounds of the ocean.

An added bonus of this picture is my handsome Baby X on my lap, exposing all of his chubby goodness. I am totally in my element. To me, this picture exudes my blissful life.

You're right, Steph. This picture is really good. Thanks for taking it.

Vote For Me!

I love getting new family pictures every year. Our family is constantly growing and changing and it's wonderful to have that documented in photographs. Look at the difference that one year can make...

I also love photography - the way a certain print can capture a memory or invoke an emotion.

Like some of these. (click each word to take a peek!)

Our good friend, Jason, has a talent for both family portraits and photography. Not only does he capture the essence of our family in pictures every year, he also takes some photographs (more pictures at that link! Click away!) that are absolutely breathtaking.

Wouldn't you like to own one of his photograpic masterpieces? I know I would! Here's what we have to do...

Jason is having a contest on his blog and the winner will get a free photo. I won't lie to you - I was one of the winners the last time he did this. But hey, I'm competitive. And I want to win again! I really, really want to win. REALLY.

Will you help me? All you have to do is click on this link and leave a comment saying, 'Gerb sent me'. If you could do that, you would make me eversohappy. Pretty, pretty please? In fact, go ahead and do it now. I'll wait right here for you.

(*waiting*)

Are you back? Awesome.

Thanks for helping a girl out.

Now, if you want a shot at it, you can go solicit your own votes!

There are 2 winners, after all.

I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be one of them.

Family Photos: Part 2

It has become a tradition in our family to do two sets of pictures every year. One set is to put on our wall and the other is to have fun and create some memories for our kids. Last year was a 70's theme. To be honest, we weren't sure how to top that - but Allen came through with an idea that we all got excited about.

The best part for the kids in this year's fun pictures? They were told to go play outside and get dirty ALL DAY LONG on the day of the photo shoot. The best part for me? No one's hair needed to be curled.

Plus, crying kids? Snotty noses? No problem.

(in case you are unaware, you can click on the pictures to view them larger)













Want to see more? Click here.

Want to get your own set of awesome family photos? Click here.

Family Photos - Part 1

We got our new family pictures done recently and we love how they turned out!

The whole crew

Coolister

ElemenoB

Thumbelina

The "big girls"

All-a-Boy

Cowgirl
Princess
The "Little Girls"
Curly
Hubba
Little O
In true form...

Want to see more? Go check out the rest (and some of my favorites!)
at our awesome photographer's blog.

I am thankful to have a friend with an amazing talent for photography!
All photos are by Jason of Backroads Photography.

Autumn Leaves

Today I am thankful for kids who love autumn as much as I do.

In Utah autumn is just a blink between summer and winter so we try to enjoy it fully while it's here. We play in the leaves, bake up pumpkin-infused treats and eat them until we almost turn orange, and marvel over the brilliance of the changing colors on the mountains that surround us.

The photo above is by Thumbelina, taken a couple of weeks ago just down the road from where we live. It is our favorite local tree, towering over a vacant field. In the autumn it transforms from green to the brightest of yellows and then slowly creates a blanket of leaves at its base until the winter winds have blown every last one away. The day Thumbelina took this picture she was admiring the sunset and suggested we see how it looked behind this tree. The word breathtaking comes to mind.

And then this morning I found a little orange booklet on the table, a Halloween book which All-a-Boy has been working on in his class at school, containing the following poem which he authored:

Leaves jump from the trees,
Diving into a suicidal fall,
Autumn has arrived.
Autumn brought its cold winds,
Autumn has brought its gray skies.
I hear the wind knocking at my door,
Like an anonymous guest,
Waiting to be let in.
Clouds hang overhead,
Threatening me with their ice and snow.
I smile.
Autumn is amazing.

Amazing, indeed.

Be A Pal...

UPDATE: This lasts until November 15th - get over there and check it out! You are going to want family pictures to send out with your Christmas cards, prints to display in your home and Alphabetography creations to give as gifts this year. So go get it done, already!

I have a friend who is an amazing photographer.

In fact, he took our family pictures this year. (See? Amazing.)

He also takes some awesome pictures that you will want to frame and put up in your house.

In fact, I want to put one up in my house. And you want to help me.

(I'm using the force, is it working?)

Here's what we have to do. First, go check out his website by clicking HERE. Then go leave a comment on his blog telling him what you think and what pictures you like best by clicking HERE.

And here's the IMPORTANT part! When you leave your comment, be sure to say "Gerb sent me".

If you are really my friend, you will do this. (No pressure or anything.)

And if you decide to get all your friends to do it, too, and you're the winner, I get to come eat cookies at your house and see where you put your picture.

Deal?

(You: Deal.)

Ready, set, GO!