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The Night We Showed Our Kids the Las Vegas Strip February 28, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Family, Trips , 2comments

Last week, I attended a conference in Las Vegas called, “Wedding & Portrait Photographers International”  (it’s known as WPPI).  It’s where professional photographers meet for a few days to network, teach, and learn.  We also get to see what’s new and up and coming in the in digital and print world.  It was very helpful to talk to other industry professionals, and can I just say how much fun I had at the Nikon booth?  Talking to an actual Nikon representative is a much more informative experience than talking to an employee at the local camera store.  After listening to the Nikon rep speak geek to me about the Nikon D3s, I’m 100% positive that is the next camera I need.

POSITIVE.

I’m not sure how/when that will be happening, but I NEED it.  :)  (Too bad it’s like a million dollars!)

David and the kids accompanied me, and by “accompanied me” I mean, they spent some quality time at the hotel while I  attended the conference.

We stayed at the MGM Grand, and I had high hopes the weather in Vegas would be warm.  Does 50 degrees sound warm?  It did to me initially, so we got in the heated pool (it was heated to 75 degrees, which is NOT that warm by the way) and after 10 minutes were all suffering from mild hypothermia.

Mother of the year I tell you.  :)

I’ve been to Vegas more times than I can count.  I used to fly to Vegas every other weekend when I was a district manager for Allyse’s.  One of our bridal stores was in Vegas, so I got to know the city pretty well, but it has been a few years since I’ve been there and it was the first time my kids had ever been.

I’d never really thought about it, or realized it, but Vegas is a very adult place.  :)  I’m not talking about the obvious reasons either, I mean everything is catered to those 18 years and older.  Needless to say, we stood out like tall blond Barbies in the middle of China, walking around with our kids and STROLLER.

Music was playing everywhere, and naturally my kids had to dance in the middle of the hallway, with hundreds of people dodging them.  (I have a fun video of this . . . the looks on peoples faces is priceless!)

Among David’s many talents, he is also known as the “toddler whisperer.”  He got our kids to take a three hour nap in the hotel room (this was a huge feat considering how much Dallin LOVES sleeping in foreign places!) which allowed us to show them the strip!

Our kids are so innocent, they loved all the lights and had no idea they were in “Sin City.”

The lights at the Louis Vuitton store were very cool, (I’ll post a video from our phone if I can figure it out.  I’m technically retarded in some areas.) and guess who was there selling their stuff?  THE GIRL SCOUTS!

Oh, how we love Girl Scout season!  We bought a box of Samoa Cookies and we enjoyed their deliciousness during our jaunt down the strip.

Do you see this table?

It is hand carved.  AMAZING I tell you.

This chair was in the same store, and it was too interesting not to photograph.

Look!  We’ve seen the Eiffle Tower!

The water/light show at the Bellagio is a MUST. The water dances so beautifully with the music, it was the highlight of our walk.  (Buying Girl Scout cookies was our second favorite event that night!)

The kids were enamored with the water show.  It is incredible.  Really.  (I have a video of it and I will post it if I can figure out how to.)

This is the Venetian Hotel which is also really beautiful.  Each hotel is like a city: massive and self contained.

The artwork in the Venetian is really incredible.  Walking the strip is a must at least once in your life.  Just know that Vegas was made for walkers, not for strollers, so you might spend some time looking for elevators.

The highlight at the end of our walk was finding the tram and letting our kids take a train ride.  They were BESIDE themselves and I was SO HAPPY I didn’t have to walk our overly tired kids back to our hotel which was like 10 miles away.

I have a couple of funny stories to share still, but they will have to wait till tomorrow.  Come back!   :)

Called to Serve! February 26, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Church, Family , add a comment

Look who just got their mission call!

David’s parents just received their mission call to serve for 18 months in the Washington, Tacoma Mission!  They leave in less than a month!  This is very exciting and fast!  Congratulations Dennis and Gloria!  We will miss you!  (Especially Hannah!)

One Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed February 25, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, Princess Hannah, Trips , 2comments

After sitting patiently in her car seat for 4.5 hours on our drive from American Fork to Las Vegas, David mentioned to Hannah that as soon as we arrived at our hotel she could jump on the bed.

Looking at her face, we thought she might explode with excitement!  Only 30 more minutes of driving before she could be in bed jumping bliss!

We told her, “HOTEL BEDS WERE MADE FOR KIDS TO JUMP ON THEM!”

The extra soft beds did not disappoint!

She jumped . . .

And sank into the bed . . .

And jumped some more . . .

And more . . .

And sank.

She even jumped the next day . . .

It never gets old, I tell you.

She told us repeatedly, “THIS IS THE BEST VACATION, EVER!”

I think jumping on the bed sealed the deal.  :)

I have more to share on this trip, so come back soon!

She Said What?! February 21, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah , 2comments

If you want me to put you to bed daddy, I can.

Sometimes when  you’re sick, you just need your mom!  (Explaining to David why his services are not needed when she’s sick.)

Dallin asked for another book, and I told him it was OK.  (A very confident and decisive older sister helping Dallin get ready for his nap.)

UGH!  Mom, he is TOO MUCH!  I CAN’T DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE!  YOUR TURN!  (Giving up on putting Dallin to bed after about 30 seconds.)

Pretzels can make you blow up like a balloon.  Daddy told me.  They have a lot of carbs.  (Well, looks like she listens to us!)

IT’S A LOT OF WORK TO HAVE TOYS!  (Said with much exhaustion after cleaning up the mess she made!)

On a random note, I’m headed down to Las Vegas for the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) convention this week!  See you all in a few days!  I’m going to bask in the warmth of Vegas while I can!

Goodbye Sweetie! February 18, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Little Man Dallin , add a comment

Look at this face.

He possibly has the most kissable cheeks that ever existed.  If not the most kissable, then the most kissed checks ever.

The other night, Dallin stood in the doorway waving fervently to his five year old cousin, Savannah, as she got into the car to go home with her parents.  As she climbed into the car, Dallin yelled, “BYE SWEETIE!”

Yes.  He said, “BYE SWEETIE.” Is now a good time to remind all of you that he is TWO?  I’d like a farewell like that when I leave the house!

He still has a hard time with his L’s, so it’s not like he’s really old enough to refer to someone as “sweetie” but there you have it.

For a good laugh, we have Dallin practice his L’s and he will say “la, la, la, la, Wesher!” regardless of how many times we try to get his to say “LESHER” he just insists on “WESHER.”

But, “sweetie” is clear as a bell!

Wishing I Was In Beijing February 17, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Asia, Photography, Thoughts, Trips , add a comment

I had planned to be in China right now.  Beijing to be exact.

My good friends, Leigh and Ray (Leigh went to medical school on Saba.  I first met Leigh at her house early in the year 2007 and we instantly bonded over our love for trash mags, and TMZ.  YES.  I JUST ADMITTED THAT.  AGAIN.) are in Beijing adopting their son.  He is now eight years old, and they have both had a miraculous journey to get to this point.  Leigh asked me last year if I would accompany them on their trip and photograph their journey, and of curse I was in!  Unfortunately, international adoptions aren’t free, and due to extra last minute expenses with the adoption, an all expense paid trip for me to photograph their adoption in Beijing had to be nixed.

We were both so sad.  :(

Since China, is well . . . China, (aka COMMUNIST) Leigh does not have access to her blog or facebook while they are in Beijing.  I have been receiving daily emails (along with 100 other people of course) documenting their journey.

I cry during each email.  A LOT.

There is no doubt that God has his hand in all things.  Leigh and Ray are such a great couple, I’m so glad they finally have their son!  I will post a link to her blog when she returns from China so you can read more of their story!

Ice Castles in Midway February 16, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Utah , 4comments

Have you been up to Midway to see the ENORMOUS ice castle?

You haven’t?   YOU MUST GO!

It sits right where Swiss Days is held and hopefully it melts before then!  :)

The castle is about 40 feet tall (probably a little shorter since these pics were taken thanks to the warmer weather we’ve been having this week!) and is really quite a site!  David and I took the kids to go see it last week (after I wrapped up another food shoot for Inn On The Creek) and it was cool!

These castles are lit up at night with various colors so David and I are going back to see it!

Go!  Before they melt!

Valentines Day 2011 February 15, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Holidays, Little Man Dallin, Princess Hannah , 2comments

Our Valentine’s Day preparations started a few weeks ago.  Hannah hosted a Valentine’s Day party with her little friends earlier this week and do you think I took pictures?  Um . . . NO.  I was too dang busy helping a bunch of four year olds craft cards!  Also this week, I taught Hannah how to properly make a  ”Valentine Box” and she took copious notes.

How to make a Valentine Box:

As you can seem she followed my instructions exactly.

Last, make a slit for all Valentine cards to enter.

Hannah decided to become a professional Valentine-card-maker, so she spent hours and hours making Valentines.

Honestly, I don’t know who all these Valentines are for, but she took her job SERIOUSLY.  I had to make a few runs to the store for more craft supplies for her.  During one of her Valentine-making-days, she sat at the table for almost NINE hours.

My butt is numb just thinking about that.

During her marathon card making session, she said to her Grandma, “Why don’t you make Valentines everyday?”  Gloria responded, “Because I don’t have time everyday.”  Hannah then spewed out this reply, “WELL I DO!”

Yes.  Anyone who can sit in one area for NINE hours doing virtually the same thing has some time on their hands.

Each card is crafted differently . . . each is one of a kind!  :) Here are a few samples still available:

Most of the cards are decorated on both sides so no space was wasted.

Anyone want a Valentine from Hannah?  WE HAVE PLENTY.

We started off the day with gifts for the kids.  Dallin got a very messy Play-Doh® set that kept them busy for a while after breakfast.  Hannah got a jewlrey making kit and the second she opened it I knew I hit the jackpot.

We spent some time making bracelets and necklaces, and really, I don’t know why I haven’t made jewelry with Hannah until now!  SHE LOVED IT!

What could be better for Valentine’s Day than custom made princess jewelry?

I took the kids down to my sister’s Kindergarten class to drop off a Valentine to her, and then we made a few more deliveries to my parents and such.  WE STILL HAVE CARDS, so if you didn’t get a Valentine, or just want a Valentine from Hannah, please, let us know.  She has one waiting here for you!

According to “Daily Mile” I Have Five Friends February 14, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Exercise, My Handsome Husband, Thoughts , 1 comment so far

Hello!  I’m here!  Did you miss me?  :)  I missed you!  ALL OF YOU!  Happy Valentine’s Day!  (Hannah has been spending nine hours a day for the last few days making Valentine’s Day cards . . . NOT KIDDING.  Each one is a totally new concept, so as you can imagine, one Valentine takes about two hours to make, and I’ve had to make a few runs to the store for more craft supplies.)

Lately, my life has been extra full, and extra dull at the same time . . . not a good formula to get my blog on.

But, I’m back!

Did you notice the new widget on my sidebar?  Um.  Yeah . . . so I started running.  Sort of.  I felt so GUILTY sitting on the couch watching House Hunters International day after day, while my husband ran mile after mile.  It doesn’t help that he’s lost a total of . . . wait for it . . .

31 POUNDS!

I know what you are thinking!  WHERE IN THE WORLD DID HE HAVE 31 EXTRA POUNDS HANGING AROUND?

I’m not sure, it really is a conundrum.  His cheeks lost a bit (both sets!) and also his waist is all I can figure!

Not one to be left out, (Hello, did I not mention he lost weight while watching TV and movies?)  I decided to get my butt off the couch and enjoy my shows on the run.  As you can see, I don’t really run fast . . . but I’m getting my heart into shape, and soon, I will be picking up the pace.  As a little side note for any of you “runners” or “exercisers” out there, David just read a book by another doctor who was a runner and it was fascinating.  (To him of course, I didn’t actually read it. I’m just the messenger!)  This doctor stated that you should only exercise your heart between 50%-75% of your maximum heart rate.  So basically, my maximum heart rate is 187 (you take 220 minus your age to get your maximum heart rate, or you can get a more accurate maximum heart rate with a cardiac stress test) and I keep my average heart rate during my runs between 140 and 152.  This is well within the 50%-75% range.  Why is it important to exercise and keep your heart rate in this range?

BECAUSE YOU BURN FAT.

Hello.  SIGN.  ME.  UP.

Anything more (like if I were to have an average heart rate of 170 and up) and you burn up your glycogen reserve.  THAT MEANS YOU BURN ENERGY.  Please, do not sign me up for that one!

David talked me into signing up for Daily Mile, which is like a watered down version of facebook.  I have five friends on it.  TOTAL.   I know three of them personally, and two internet friends.

What I’m saying is . . . PLEASE JOIN ME!  I have no friends!  I mean, facebook tells me differently, but apparently, I have no exercise friends on Daily Mile!

And I would like to leave you with this last little nugget of info . . .

David came across this video about sugar (specifically fructose) and how it is “Pure, White, and Deadly.”  Even if you don’t think you’re eating sugar, you are!  IT IS IN EVERYTHING!  This lecture is so interesting, it held my attention for 30 minutes at one time, which is like 1/3 of the way through the video!

Enjoy!

This Week in Pictures February 7, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Family, Little Man Dallin, Parenthood, Princess Hannah, Thoughts , add a comment

Last week I mentioned the train show we went to as family.

Oh.  My.  It was kid heaven.  Dallin thought he’d hit the little boy jackpot . . . everywhere he turned, there were more trains!

This one was very intricate and make out of Legos.

OK, moving on . . .

I drove past this ice castle in Midway on my way to a food shoot.  OH.  My.  HECK.  It was incredible.  Amazing really!  I can’t wait to take the kids there and take pictures!  It looks like freezing cold temperatures are good for something!  ICE CASTLES!

OK, moving on to my darling, hilarious kids . . .

My parenting skills have gone on auto pilot since Hannah learned how how navigate www.sproutonline.com, www.nickjr.com, and www.starfall.com.  The motherly-older-sister in her guides Dallin online as they discover shapes, numbers, colors, and dinosaurs.

It’s pretty awesome really.  (I really should start paying her an allowance!)

Hannah takes her computer time so seriously, she asked us for her very own password to login.  A PASSWORD PEOPLE.

I was all, who in the heck is going to mess with your account?!  (She’s four!  Her account has software protection!)

Well, she is four and half and would like us to respect her request, so she is the proud owner of a password.   Need to log off, change users, shutdown the computer, or restart it?  Just ask Hannah, she can help you.  Want to find out what her password is?  Just ask her and she will give you a lecture on how you never ask what someone’s password is!  (Trust me, you never want a lecture from this kid!)  A few days ago I made Hannah take a “time out” from the computer and she acted like it was the WORST thing  that could ever happen to her.  EVER.

Then she asked me when she was going to get a REAL computer and she made sure I knew what a real computer was, “Mom, you know, like I need to get online and check Sprout.com and do my reading on Starfall, and I need to help Dallin with his letters.  So . . .I need a  REAL computer.  Mom, my pink computer that I got for Christmas last year is NOT real.  It just plays games and it is NOT real.  Mom!  Did you hear me?  I need a REAL computer!  Not a fake one!”

“OK, I think I got it, let me see, you want a REAL computer?”

Next up?  Self portraits.

Dallin really can’t stand waiting for his pictures on the LCD screen.  He thinks they should be there in real time, so as you can imagine, pictures are very frustrating to him.

But . . . we just figured out how to take self portraits on the iPhone where you can turn the camera around to see yourself before you snap the pic.

This is Dallin’s new favorite feature.  I have 235 more pictures just like this one.  :)

This is Hannah’s ballet class through the looking glass.  (She is in the very middle with the pony tail.)

Looks like all that stretching is working!

Lastly, I straightened my hair over the weekend.  I only do it like every five years, so as you can imagine, my kids were speechless when they saw me.  Seriously, SPEECHLESS.  They both wanted to touch it.  I sort of felt like a blond haired woman in Tokyo.

They were intrigued with my straight hair, but after looking at this picture, I think all they could see was my forehead.  Dang!  I need some bangs!