"Baby A"

There is no end of what you can know in the world of photography and I am so excited to learn new things all the time of how to take better pictures. Truman surprised me on my birthday the year that J was born with my camera so that I could capture the special moments with our baby who was and is such a miracle in our lives. I take pictures of our family moments often, but I only wish that I could have known how to take better pictures when J was born. There is nothing like a newborn baby and oh how the time goes by way too quickly. I was so fortunate to take the above pictures with my sweet friend who has been wonderful to give me some lessons on what she knows with photography and we were able to take our other friend's baby pictures. I have been so excited that I have a couple of friends with new babies so that I can practice taking baby pictures.

More of Apple Hill...

Apple Hill

Last week, J and I went with my sister and her three kids to Apple Hill. It was a perfect day! I just love fall. These are my adorable nieces, Lauren and Haylie. I love the doors that are behind them.

Neighbors

These adorable kids were our neighbors for three short months. When our realtor took me to see our house for the first time, their family was out playing on the front lawn. Although I did not know that this would be the house that we would put an offer on I felt hope to have such great neighbors and thought this better be a good house because the neighbors had me sold. We had some frustrating neighbor problems at our old house and this was one of our big requirements in a new house-to find a good safe neighborhood (and fun neighbors too). They asked me if I was LDS and so we found out that we both go to the same (Mormon) church. We did get the house right next door and you can imagine the comfort that gave me just to know that we had great people so close to us. We had some fun times visiting out front while watching the kids ride their bikes and scooters, etc. They even gave J a Barbie bike that she calls her "Darbie" bike. Then about a month ago, they announced that they would be moving to Chicago. We have been so sad as last Thursday they ventured out on their journey to their new city. So far away. It is so sad to drive by their house and to know that they are not there. Life has some hard lessons and it is so hard to make new friends and have them move away. We have only known them for a short time, but we already feel like they are special friends. I know that we all miss them.

J's First Day at Preschool

I have not blogged about our move yet and I will have to post some pictures later, but with the move came a few new changes for our family and one of those changes was moving into a new ward. We started to hear wonderful things about Miss Susan's preschool from friends in the new and old ward and I called her after the school year had already begun fully expecting to get on the list for next year and she happened to have one opening. J has 8 children in her class and she loves going to school! I'm the one who had a hard time. Miss Susan even made an accommodation for J's friend to be in class with her and we also found out that Miss Susan's mom was one of my favorite professors in college.

Gabrielle and Jordan

I am so behind with our blog, but better late than never right? My niece, Gabrielle, is engaged and we are so excited for her. She met Jordan at BYU Idaho and we love him. J loves being with Gabrielle and Jordan and she loves all the attention they give her. In this picture, J is reading "Who stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar" and it is so cute to hear her tell the story in her little voice.

Fun with Friends

A couple of weeks ago I was able to see these two special friends. It does not matter how long we go without seeing each other, we just pick up where we left off. Amber (right) and I were in first grade together and then she moved and we were never at the same school again until college. Marielle and Amber are cousins and they are so much fun to be around. We had some fun group dates together in high school and then we all were in college together. When I was a nanny, I got Amber to work with me and we worked our school schedules out so that our nanny family could have full-time help. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my nanny family and how much I treasure that time I got to spend with their family. Amber and her kids and J and I went to visit our nanny kids last week and how wonderful it was to all be there together. She is such a special friend. Marielle is one of the sweetest people I know. I have always admired how special she can make anyone feel when they are in her presence. She has developed such amazing photography skills and I love to see her share her talents.
I am just so grateful for wonderful friends in all walks of life.