I love Oragami!  I love creating something out a a simple piece of paper…Im not sure why I just do!  It is really fun!  My awesome brother got me a “Origami a Day” calendar for Christmas, so my desk is littered with little birdies, boats, and other animals.  The other day my husband decided to fold an origami from the calendar.  he chose to do a pig…then later, after he went to work he texted me, “dollar pig!”   When he got home he produced this little guy.  I thought it was cute so I wanted to share it with you!  :)

What is something you like to do that is out of the ordinary?

This last Saturday I was invited to go watch my co-workers child do a demonstration for Boise Throwdown.  I had never seen it before and did not know what I was in for!  Some of you might know, I was really into Gymnastics growing up.  I loved it.  Because of a move I did not get to continue my training like I would have liked to.  This demonstration, however, was everything I wanted gymnastics to be!  I use to dream about this stuff!  I always had a “I can take care of myself” attitude, and because gymnastics is what I knew, I have had more than one dream in which my cartwheel turned into a roundhouse kick and I saved the day…BUT THEY WERE REALLY DOING IT!!!!  It was not a dream!

If you have not ever seen the Throwdown preform and you are in the Boise area…DO IT!!!  you will be in awe as 5 year olds do backflips and 13 year olds that could take out a linebacker with one kick!  :)  WOW!!!!!  Here are a few photos from the demonstration.

These kids move FAST!!!!!!  I did not want to use a flash and distract them so allot of photos have motion blur, had this been a paid shot I would have set up proper lighting to eliminate it!  :)

and las but not least…Kayjah, she is just starting out at Throwdown, but did an amazing job and will soon be fighting like the rest of them!!!  I am proud of all of you!!!  GO THROWDOWN!!!

Yesterday my son and I had a fun time exploring our yard.  I thought I would take some fun photos and give them different black and white treatments.  We explored the garden, the neighbors car that he is going to fix, and the fence!   I love doing this, because it reminds me why I love photography.  While I love capturing emotions between people, what I really love is bringing beauty to things that may go unnoticed!  

After taking these photos I felt refreshed and ready to bring on the weddings and portraits!  I want to encourage you to take time today to do something that inspires you!  :)

Yesterday I went to go take photos of my friend from college and her growing family.  Emily chose to go to a playground, which was a great Idea and got awesome photos!   

Amos is working in Alaska and was home for a three week break, so I offered to take their family photos while he was in town.  The day was perfect!  A little overcast, but still just enough light peeking through  the clouds.  

We made shure baby and daddy got some time together…

Then, of course mommy and baby got a turn!

Then we headed back to the Kirks house to get some great pictures of daddy’s cool Dodge truck!

Thanks Kirk family!  it was allot of fun!!!!  I hope you like your photos, and I am glad that Amos got to come home!  ;)

For those of you who dont know…I LOVE my DOG!  his name is Edgar and he is a lab border collie mix.  He is our oldest son, and a very important member of your family.  Elijah, my two year old, would not know what to do with out him! Edgar is the “life of the Party” personality.  Though when new people are not around to try to entertain, he spends his days trying to take naps in between adventures with Elijah.  He loves to bark at squirrels and alerts us anytime anything is remotely near our land.  He is an over all great dog and very patient with Elijah!  I love my DOG!!!!!  so with out further adue…here is Edgar’s newest portrait.      

I love my church!  I love it for many reasons, but one is that they are the only church I have ever been to that has an art  gallery that allows anyone in the church (an even those not in the church) to enter!  The gallery runs quarterly and has always been a highlight for me, as I browse  the many forms of art and enjoy each one of them!  A drawing from a 5 year old, or a painting from a professional, or a impressive sculpture, the VineArts gallery has it all!

This quarters theme is “Abundant Joy” and I finally decided to enter!  I have two photos hanging up there, Ill show you one, but you will have to go visit to see the other!  : )

the gallery is open during the church business hours Tuesday through Friday 9-5 and Sundays 9-12:30.  Please stop by and enjoy many forms of great art and see what “Abundant Joy” looks like to others!  you will not be disappointed!

DId you all see it?!?  The season six premiere of LOST kicked off this Tuesday, and I was not let down. Seth and I have been BIG LOST FANS for awhile now.  We did not watch the first season on tv, but rented it one day from Hollywood Video.  I was instantly hooked!  I dont know if it was the mystery, the easiness to relate to the characters , or just he great writing that hooked me, but I defiantly became what some may call addicted!  :)  I have sense exposed many people to LOST!  We have turned LOST into our date night, and have even rearrange our work schedules so we could watch it.  Honestly I like it all, even season 2…if you watch LOST as faithfully as we do, you will know that is serious LOST loving right there!  ;)

Season Six marks the final season of LOST and I could not be much happier.  I am happy it is ending, that we will finally get some answers to this love hate mystery that has had my mind boggled for 6 years!  Yet I am sad that it is coming to an end, and am not sure what my family will get me for Christmas anymore if they can no longer buy us the LOST season of the year on DVD!  :)   Love ya mom and Sis!  ;)

Well with something as epic as the premiere of the end, we had to have a party to share the excitement with some of your other LOSt fan friends!  : )  I wont give away any secrets of LOST incase you did not watch it yet, but let me just say WOW!  I was not disappointed!  :) I will share you some of the yummy food we made, and give you the recipe too…I know another event is coming this sunday that everyone watches on TV, so it might come in useful!  ;)

This is my vegetarian (not vegan, but could easily be made so) 7 layer bean dip!  This would be perfect for a super-bowl party!   in fact if you made this, you would be a hero!  :)

the recipe:

2 cans of beans ( i used one can of refried beans and one can of black beans, but any kind would work)

1 package (1lb) of morning star veggie crumbles, or any other form of “ground meat” (you certainly could use real meat, but I promise you no one will know the difference, and it will save you some cholesterol if you dont!)

1 Tbs of cilli powder

2 Tbs of Cumin ground

3 cloves of garlic

salsa

guacamole (I made my own, but you can buy store bought stuff if you want)

sour cream

shredded cheese

olives (sliced)

tomatoes (diced)

green onions (chopped)

cilantro (chopped)

1. Blend the beans until smooth, layer into the bottom of your casserole dish

2. brown the “meat” and add the chilli powder, cumin, and garlic, minced.  Fry until the garlic is golden brown. (this is mile, add red pepper flakes, or more cilli powder to kick the heat up)  Add to your casserole dish.

3. Add a layer of salsa

4. Add a layer of guacamole

5. Add a layer of sourcream

6. Add a layer of shredded cheese

7. Add a layer of the fresh ingredients ie olives, tomatoes, onions and cilantro

8. Serve!

You can change the taste of this dish my making one layer thicker and one layer thiner.  and example of this is, my husband does not like sour cream, so I make that layer thin, but make the salsa thicker!    it is delish!  ;)

Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone who came to our LOST party!  we are happy to share LOST with you all, but you are all welcome at our house anytime, you dont have to wait for LOST!!!  :)

Last Saturday, I went downtown, and found this…

Ok, ok, Ill be honest…I knew it was going to happen and I went down to take a few pictures.  how did I know?  Well because I am part of the Boise Flash Mob of facebook. So what was this all about.  Well the Boise Flash mob, will periodically pop up and do something out of the ordinary.  From Pillow fights to slow moving, to anti-protests, they are there to brighten your day with the unexpected, and have fun while doing it!  ;)  What’s the point?  there really isnt one.  Just have fun and give onlookers a good story to tell!  But as a participant it is fun!

When I arrived at the Boise City Hall I could feel the energy in the air!  People, strangers really, all gathered together to have a good time, and say “Everything is Fine.”  Even though many of us had never met in person, there was something that made the City Hall feel alive with excitement and friendship.  As I stood across the street, I started hearing “Black Lab” being chanted over and over, I couldn’t believe it, they were cheering for Edgar!  why?  because that is what they do!  It sure put a smile on my face.  other cheers consisted of “Cross the Street,” “Blue Hat,” and “Ride your Bike!”  Pretty much anything that passed by, was cheered for….but our main cheer…”What do we want?…NOTHING…When do we want it?…WHENEVER!”

My favorite sign…

So from this I hope you all, “LOL” and know that “Everything is OK.”  Bust most of all I hope you

Relax, have fun and “dont panic.”  Life happens, but overall its not that bad!  Have a Great day everyone, and be on the look out for Boise Flash Mob to strike again!  ;)  If you want to be a part of it, go be a fan of the Boise flash mob on facebook…and while you are there become my fan too!  ; )

I got a new lens today!  Im so excited to try it out on some great engagement or family sessions!  I have been messing around with it a little today, and I think it might be my new favorite lens!

Here is a cool photo I took with my new lens…and my favorite bible verse.  Enjoy!

Guess who turned two!  JESSA!!!  You may remember this cutie from their family shoot.  Well, today we made the drive to Payette Idaho to celebrate a special girls birthday!  There was cake, there was ice cream, there were balloons, there were games, and there were friends.  Jessa had a great turnout to her 2nd birthday.   She laughed and clapped as we all sang happy birthday, and blew out her candles!

I love this moment I captured between Jessa and her mom…

Jessa is a great girl in so many ways.  At two years old she smiled and said “thank you” to each person as she opened the gift from them.  That is until she got her very own laptop!  

Cody, Lisa, and Jessa~ Thanks for hanging out with us and letting us tag along with your family!  I loved meeting your nieces, sisters and parents.  All the children in your family are so cute!  It was great to see you all too.  The age of two is fun, and Jessa is precious!  you are both doing a great job with her!  We are excited for you to come over for the LOST party!  Are you all caught up yet??