Emma's Tutu

How cute is this? I found this super cute tutu at TJ Max the other day, and just had to have it! Today I did a little photo shoot with Emma... I think she had fun! These last few images are my favorites. I love the beautiful smiles, and the way the picture is framed. She was such a cute little model today. I love this one best of all (the above). I'm not sure why, but I think she looks so sweet.

Little Girls

Beka has started to smile! It is SOOOOOOOOOOO cute! Her whole face just lights right up! Unfortunately, the I had the wrong lens on my camera Sunday morning, and most of the pictures are really bury... but she's so cute, I can't help myself and have to post them anyway. The same day I took the smiling pictures of Beka, Emma looks so pretty that I shot a couple shots of her too. So pretty. Also, a couple of days ago, I babysat Faith. The two girls had so much fun. After we took a LONG walk, I gave everyone a little snack. The girls were so cute, they wanted to sit together. I couldn't resist, and snapped a few pictures of them. I do have one question though: why is it when I ask my little girl to smile, she makes a weird face instead? Sigh, oh well she's still cute!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Queen of Her Own Throne

So we have embarked on the exciting and messing journey to diaper freedom with Emma. She's decided that she is ready to use the toilet. We have encountered one small problem: Riley. He uses the toilet and removes the smaller toilet seat, making it one more step and those accidents seem to happen. The other problem we were having was that she was scared to climb up on her own. This is a problem when I'm busy feeding Beka. So the solution: Emma now has her own potty. It's pretty cute. When she does her business it plays a little tune. I asked her to sit for purposes of this picture. She is really proud of herself. She had just gone all by herself! She pulled down her underwear and pulled them back up all by herself too!

Go Emma! Go Emma! Go Emma!

What I've been up to

OK would someone please tell me what happened to January? Where did it go? hmmm, well I know I was working... A Lot! I score kept 21 basketball games, and started teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a small school called Journey. I'm teaching middle school science with 3 seventh grader boys. We are preparing to enter a model bridge building contest so four younger (6 graders) have joined us. It's been fun and stressful trying to work on my timing, and trying to fill an hour and half class. Add to this my new calling as primary pianist, and life has gotten much more complicated! I hadn't really practiced since way before Allen and I got married... oops.

The Lord seems to have decided that time to stop burying my talents! Boy has the Lord put that into my life this month. I had not been using many of my talents, just coasting though. Yeah, well he put an end to that this month. With having to practice playing the piano during the week and having to play in front of people and for people, it's forcing me to get over my public playing anxiety... and having to prepare the lessons for my class has forced me to dig out my old text books and start thinking like an engineer or at least a scientist! Dang, I thought I was all done with physics! I'm realizing that I have a lot of talents, and the Lord wont let me stand idly by and not work. We have been so blessed to have wonderful grandparent willing to watch the kids while I work! Thank you guys SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

I've also been trying to work on my goal of using my sewing calender this year. Some of the project I haven't done, but have substitute with other things. This isn't a very good picture, but I the project was fun. It's a car organizer. I put it in the back of the van for Riley. In primary they are encouraging the kids to bring scriptures. They are collecting money (one penny per scripture) to get one of the kids in primary a subscription to the Friend. We got Riley a small Book of Mormon and I made him this scripture tote. He LOVES it!

I also made these way cute hats for the girls. I'm currently working on one for Riley. Minus the pink flower and ruffles. I'm going to add a bright green strip on his. We spent last Saturday geocaching at Red Rock. There was still a little snow! We also did some of this: Riley got a two wheeler bike. He is learning how to ride. However, he rides SO slowly that Emmaline and I can keep up with him pushing our strollers!

What a crazy month, huh. I also did a photo shot for the Devlins which turned out super cute. I've been inspired by my friend Erin to learn more about photo shop and photography. I want to improve that talent too! I've been honored by my sweet friend Rachael to take her engagement pictures and wedding pictures this year. I'm also excited to do family photos of my family, extended family and friends! How much fun is this going to be!

Riley's been taking horse back riding lessons with Grandma Peterson. She takes him Tuesday afternoons. He's learning how to use the reins and how to make the horse go. The horse he's ridding is a little 14 hand mare named Misty. Misty is mostly blind but incredible gently and well trained. He is in heaven! I can't wait to see him ride.

I just hope things slow down a little for February (don't think they will, already had 6 basketball games and have 3 more tomorrow) and I can try to enjoy the journey! That's my goal this year: to enjoy the journey, not get so caught up in what's going to happen, what should be happening, and what my kids should be doing (and aren't), and to stop stressing over things I can't control. I pray that it makes my life and the life of my kids a little bit happier

Just because I can

Last night I did a photo shop tutorial it was so much fun, I may have to take some pictures to use as backdrops and play! Here's the finished product. This is my cousin's little girl. Fun huh?

Peterson Family Picture

Ok, last one tonight. I also was able to take pictures for my family. They were a little tricky (Riley was feeling very uncooperative) But we got some good ones anyway. Ok, so my mom has a new baby: Meet Ceri (I think I have the name right) He's totally Mom's dog, as you can tell by the picture!

Beka's Blessing Day

It was so wonderful to have everyone come to Beka's blessing! She was so such a sweet baby, no crying, screaming, or laughing. Allen was very grateful! After the blessing everyone meet at Mom and Dad's for lunch. I was able to get some beautiful group pictures:

Beka's Blessing Dress

OK, so with the new backdrop and stationary lighting I can now take portraits that are as good as the ones I got a JC Penny's. Allen told me that was one of his reasons... that and I had said that was something I would really enjoy. And I do. Well, with everyone being so sick, and not really wanting to spread it, I did Beka's blessing pictures. I thought they turned out beautiful! The dress Beka wore was made from my grandmother's wedding dress. Her daughters (my mom and aunt) wore it for their blessings, my sister and I wore it, and Emmaline wore it for her blessing.

Christmas!

December flew by! What on earth happened to it? Allen had finals and then it was New Years. I just want to hit on a few highlights. Christmas week was VERY busy... and then one night Emma woke us up with a fever of 103. We were concerned, but kids get fevers.. What got us concerned was that she was having trouble breathing. So we took her into see the Doctor and he gave her a shot and some meds and she started to feel better. Then Riley came down with it (and he wont take meds) It was a very LONG week. Thankfully Beka seems to be fine. Thank heavens for beastfeeding. The first smile we got all morning! She was thrilled with her princess bedding! Beka's shirts says: My first Christmas This is the puppet show I made. I was really happy with the way it turned out. The kids were excited too! As for me, Allen got me backdrops and stationary lighting for my photography! It is so amazing! Enjoy the slide show!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sewing projects

For Christmas Santa brought me a calender full of sewing projects. There's one for every 3 days. I thought it might be fun to share my results... The good, the bad and the ugly. The first project was pretty cool. Quilted coasters. I have to admit, I made a bunch of mistakes, and ended up only making one coaster. But the one is cute... So here it is Kinda cute. I want to make a couple more so I have a set... but for now this is good enough. My cutting skills are a little shaky, and so my triangles weren't all the same shape, but all in all it turned out well. I promise an update is coming.. I have a ton of cute pictures to post... but for now, I'm off to a quick shower and to bed.