picture this

Emily has had the fun opportunity to participate in a teen photography workshop taught by the sweet Sandi Gentry.  This workshop couldn't have come at a better time.

Emily has had a desire to learn photography for some time now.  She constantly wants to use my "good" camera and is saving up her hard earned cash to buy her own.  We were trying to figure out some way for Emily to learn the technical in and outs of photography when Sandi's class came along.

The pictures below are from Emily's first homework assignment.  She set up the photo shoot, gathering things from our house (and balloons) that she wanted to use.  She arranged to have Megan serve as model.  I was the driver and holder of props.  I tried to insert teaching comments here and there but my independent little Emily nicely informed me that if she needed help she'd let me know (she really was nice about it so I just tried to bite my tongue)  I'm glad I did...I love what Emily came up with.

She still has technical things to learn and master but that will come.  What I love is that she has a creative eye.  I love what she captured through her lens...what she sees.  

Here are some of my favorite shots that she took.  Her homework shots were unedited, these however are all edited with instagram (our family has a current obsession with the look of instagramed photos)  I'm excited to see the progression of Emily's talent as she continues to explore photography.  Can't wait to frame some of her photography! 

a long night, an even longer day

The girls and I packed up the suburban this morning around midnight and hauled ourselves to the movie theater to get in line for the final installment of Harry Potter.  

We hung out in the back of the car looking all sketchy while we sat in the parking lot until about 1:15am.  We then went into the theater to find out from a manager where our line would be lining up.

The picture below is our no nose tribute to the dark wizard himself...Voldy.

Once we knew were to line up & a few more kids showed up they all hunkered down on the cold hard cement to talk about Harry Potter into the wee hours of the morning.  I, not being willing to sleep on cement, took to the comfort (haha) of my suburban.

After my two and a half hours of sleep (honestly, I'm too old for this) I awoke to a sidewalk full of slumbering kids.  I'm not sure how they could sleep...it was cold and wet.  The world decided to send rain today (or maybe it's dementors)

I left them to sleep for 20 minutes while I ran to pick up cereal and milk.  They are currently all up, enjoying breakfast and chatting with all the other Harry Potter crazies that joined the lines while we slept.

We'll see how the next 14 hours go.  I'm hoping that we'll be awake when the movie actually starts.

you never know what you'll get

I love finding random photos on the computer that I didn't take or have never seen.  I kinda love these kids!

random

I just downloaded pictures from my iphone onto the computer and thought I'd post some of them.  Excuse the randomness but it's a glimpse into our life for the past few months.

I think I already posted one of these sunset pictures but you can never have to many sunsets right?  I l.o.v.e living here and am amazed on a nearly daily basis by the beauty of the sunsets each night.  I've taken these photos while driving either to or from home and each time I've uttered a silent prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for sharing it.  I really do love a good sunset - they are gorgeous.  The pictures don't capture how the sky actually looked or made me feel but they still warm my heart.

In addition to digging on all the sunsets we seem to be digging on the Biebs.  Yep, we have gotten the "Beiber Fever"  I know, I know...it kills me to admit it.  

I'm a fan of all music even cheesy pop but I drew the line at JB - I did not like the kid or his music.  But when our friend/daughter/byu student/sister/mini me Andrea was here from Utah visiting she and the girls dragged me (kicking and screaming) to see Never Say Never, Justin B's movie.  

I'm Denise.  

I'm a recovering Beiber Hater.  

I can admit I liked the movie...a whole lot.

So now Justin Bieber is on all our ipods - so as to not humiliate my husband let me make it clear that Derek does NOT have Justin on his ipod only the girls and me.  

The fever has gotten bad.  It's causing us to do crazy things...

We set up a fake Justin Bieber meeting for Emily at Disneyland so that we could fool Megan (who wasn't with us) into thinking we saw him (and that he was really short)  Thanks to Derek, who hates to listen to JB but is willing to be a stand in for him.

I also let the girls convince me to drive them around town for a couple hours on a Bieb hunt because Facebook was going crazy with updates on Justin Bieber/Selena Gomez sightings a couple weekends ago.  He and Selena Gomez were in fact in town but we were not successful in finding them.  It ended up being a fun night of girl bonding even without that Bieber kid.

More rnadomness...

My favorite food place at the moment - Which Wich?  Best sandwiches EVER!

Tried this technique on Megan's nails.  Fun for anyone that loves words, reading, type, etc.

I got that phone call that every parent dreads - Megan and Emily were in a car crash.  The girls were alright but the car didn't fair as well.  Both sides got fairly damaged.  Nerves were shaken and it is now much harder to watch Megan leave to go anywhere in the car but we are managing.  How grateful I was to be home with them the night of the accident, all together and safe.  I can't imagine if there had been a different outcome.

Megan and I took a wet, cold trip to the beach to have some time together to sort through those tender teenage feelings that come from time to time.

I went to Goodwill and found a hanging cauldron...you can't imagine the excitement.  Really, you can't.  I don't know if anyone can understand how giddy I get when I find crazy things at Goodwill (especially something as fabulous as this cauldron)  I didn't know I was in the market for one until I saw it but now it's mine and it's eagerly awaiting its debut at our upcoming Harry Potter party for the release of the last movie.

Derek and I spent a fun "night at the carnival" with the girls for New Beginnings at church.  It was a great activity and perfect way to spend an evening. 

One more random tidbit that I have no pictures for...

Derek was asked to sing with a group of 60 people at a benefit held in Malibu at Jane Seymour's house for her Open Heart thing-a-ma-jig (the word I want is escaping me)  He got to dress up in a tux (ohhh, super fancy for us) and sing back up for Katherine McPhee.  Don't know who Jane or Katherine are? Yeah, for Google!  I thought that was a fun little opportunity.

mormon battalion

In January we took a ride down to San Diego to visit Old Towne and see the newly renovated Mormon Battalion Visitors Center (I would highly recommend this outing - lots to see and do & way fun for the kids)

Here's a quick summary of our day...

Lots of sliding down rails - we all did this (yes, even me) 

Modeling the clothes and supplies that the Mormon Battalion soldiers used.  The boys were so excited to be chosen to do this.

Panning for gold.

Actually got my boys to wash some clothes :)  Maybe I just need to install a hand pump in the backyard to get them to help more with laundry.

Got to check out the beautiful San Diego area from an observation tower at the visitors center.

 

Explored all of Old Towne.

Emily's nickname is Pie - hence the photo.

Megan has a slight obsession with boots.

Way to ruin the adorable picture of Emily.  Chalk me up another good mom point.

behind the camera

I used to take photos a lot.  I was even in a photography class and loved it but months of health problems have kept me from doing much of anything lately.  Some days the fog of illness lifts and on just such a day a few weeks back I grabbed the girls and we headed to some abandoned warehouses that I've always thought would be great for a photo shoot.  The location didn't disappoint - until a police officer showed up to let us know we were in a restricted area.  Umm, oops!

Technically the pictures aren't great.  To be honest, it's been so long since I've really used my camera that I can't remember anything about f-stops, iso, light metering, etc.  I just kinda snapped and hoped for the best.  Regardless of the technical merit I love having these pictures of my girlies!