The long and winding busride

Tim, Kim and Shawn



Does anyone out there know how long of a busride it is to Missoula, Montana? Let me just tell you it's about 11 hours, definately on the long side as far as cartrips go. But that 11 can strech into more like 11 hundred if your sitting next to hyper, giggly girls at 4AM when you haven't closed your eyes yet that night. And lucky me guess what girls I got to room with and chaperone once we got there? So the first picture on my last post is a tribute to the "Giggle Girls" who helped me remember how fun it is to laugh for no reason, and take life lightly. I enjoyed the whole trip, and would definatley do it all over again. Now just a few words about the swim coaches.... (and pictures of course) what great talent they have! I so enjoy watching how they inspire, encourage, care about, and motivate these kids! Swimming is a tough sport! The hours of practice far exceed any other sports I have ever been involved with. I'm actually really glad I didn't have much comprehension about the time commitment before we were "in over our heads" with swimming or I might not have let them join. And what a sad thing that would have been. These coaches help with all around charater development with each of the kids they work with. Of course they work on the technical stuff, the form, speed, etc. but equally important they help these kids set goals, acomplish them, take ownership and become better people. Wow- who wouldn't want that for their kids in this day and age?

Missoula, Montana

Here we are at the farthest away swim meet for my two youngest fish (I mean children). I will tell you some details in my next post.

Do you need a red headed model, anyone?

Here is Eric, a senior that I shot a while back when this blog was still under construction. He is rather quiet spoken, and a little shy to most poeple so who would have guessed that inside he is a natural model just waiting for his chance to perform? What a fun time. Good Luck in all your future endeavors Eric!!

3 day celebration

In my opinion June is the perfect month to have a birthday. Why? 2 reasons... #1 because it's 6 months before/after Christmas and #2 well because of course it's the month that I am born in! Many years ago when I was a stubborn teenager I was of the opinion that only a complete idiot would get married right out of high school & at age 18 no less. I vowed that of course I was much smarter and would never do such a thing. Of course somebody upstairs had a different plan for me & my life. I found myself head over heels and totally in love with the first boy I dated when I got to college. Turns out he was the right one for me. We became engaged and I struggled to set the date, why?... because if I got married before June 16th then I would only be 18! (gasp) So as not to have to totally eat my words we decided on June 17th. Sixteen years later I have no regrets. This year was especially fun because Fathers Day fell on the 15th of June. So that gave us 3 consecutive days to CELEBRATE! Sounds perfect right? Until we learned that Anthony's work had chosen that same time for their annual sales meeting in Park City. Oh well I'm flexible, I guess you will just have to take me along too. And since it's my birthday and you have to work then I want the kids to come so I have someone to play with. Luckily they were quite happy to come along. Today we went to Olympic Park and had a blast. So here are some pictures of us playing while Anthony was working. Happy Anniversary to US!

glimpse in the womb

Meet Treysen! I took these 3 weeks ago, when he was just 7 days old. His mom brought him clear from Tremonton to let me "play" with him in the studio. She did a great job and was totally relaxed and willing to let me try new things. So tell me what you think of the "stork/womb" shot and what I should call it?

A lump in my throat

Wow, I had a tuff night last night. I am an affiliate photographer with a nonprofit organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. From the first time I learned of it, I knew I had to join. We offer infant rememberance photography, to families that for various medical reasons will not be bringing their babies home from the hospital with them. I got my first phone call last night at 2:30am and arrived at the hospital an hour later. The baby had passed before I arrived. I was able to spend the next hour photographing the baby and parents in a quiet little hospital room. Not many words were spoken, for words seemed so inadequate to convey the true emotions that were so obviously felt by all of us in that room. I cried freely on the drive home. I am overwhelmed to have been able to participate in the short sweet life of this little baby. I post this to increase awareness about this amazing organization. In a week or so I will deliver a DVD slideshow with beautiful music and images from last night. I know it's not enough but I am conforted to know I was able to give.

Secondhand Serenade Concert

Ok the kids are out of school, and were starting to get into the summer routine.I wish the weather would warm up about 10-15 degrees so it felt more like summer. None the less one of my favorite summer activities is going to an outdoor concert by a great artist. Last week Sarah asked if I wanted to go with her and her son Scott to see Secondhand Serenade. I had heard one of their songs played a lot on the radio and really liked it. You don't have to twist my arm to get me to go to a concert! However I enjoy a concert much more if I know a least some of the music, so began my qwest to find their CD. Anthony said he had been looking for weeks but couldn't find it in any stores. Kali was begging to download "Fall for You" from itunes before she left for Germany so she would have it with her. Good old Google helped me track it down at Target. I listened to it on the way home and song by song liked it more. Last night was the concert at Thanksgiving Point- a beautiful location- and I so loved it! If your looking for a new CD I would recomend either of them. Here is a picture (complements of Sarah) from the concert. We got separated walking out and then when she finally made it back to the car she said, "I want to show you a picture". The lucky bum got to meet him and take a picture, while Jamie, Mary & I were walking around looking for her!

Brazil in our hearts

Meet Babi... what a sweetheart. She spent the last 10 months as an exchange student here in West Valley. We got to meet her through the Hunter High School swim team. Wow what an incredible attitude for her age. And sincerely a pleasure to be around. Since they don't do Senior pictures in Brazil the way we do them here, she decided to get them done before she went home. So here is my first senior from the class of 2009!!!