A Little Sunshine

Today I am...

Enjoying the sunshine,

Looking for shapes in the clouds,

and

Wishing on dandelions.

Oh, and Dolly and I are puppy-sitting her puppy cousin Millie, 

the cutest little Cockapoo around.

It's a pretty great day!

L

Happy Memorial Day

Dolly wishes you a Happy Memorial Day!

Totally unstaged. I promise. One day Dolly was rustling around in the back room and I figured she was up to something. I called her and she came out waving her new-found treasure with pride! Of course I had to snap a photo! She's a very patriotic pup!

Grateful today for all those who serve our country and have fought for our freedom, including my brother-in-law John! Thank you!

With Love,
L

Lana and Brandon

I can't believe I shot Lana and Brandon's wedding almost a year ago! I SO wish I had known as much about photography than as I do now! I've learned a great deal and I think I've improved a lot over the last year! I'm a work in progress;)

Today I get to go to a baby shower for them! Lana and Brandon are going to make such amazing parents! I can't wait to meet their little one soon! Hopefully that means I'll get to take some more photos... Lana and Brandon, plus one!

With Love,

L

For My Danny

Yep, it's your lucky day. I'm posting two completely random, yet fantastic music videos for your viewing pleasure... Um, because it's Friday and I felt like it. I love how much joy these videos bring to my Danny. He can't get enough of the Rusted Root video. It's so completely random and hilarious! I think the New Soul video is so clever and cute, but Danny mostly likes it because of the guy playing tuba in a swamp. See for yourself.

Enjoy!
L

Down on the Farm

Saturday I spent most of the day over at Danny's grandma's farm. We hosted a little Girls Camp activity on the farm in the afternoon and enjoyed a family BBQ there that night. It was so lovely! After endless weeks of rain, it was a perfectly beautiful spring day! I even saw three deer scampering about in the meadows.

I must say, I just love that first photo of my little nephew Eddie with his hand on his Daddy's back... and the one with the sun setting behind my neice Audrey is just magical! She loves to pose for the camera and I certainly don't mind! Capturing moments like these is why I love photography and scrapbooking! Oh yes I do!

The evening light down by the lake is absolutely stunning! I'd LOVE to take more photos there, so let me know if you are up for a little photoshoot down on the farm! I'm telling you... it's a PRIME location for amazing shots!

With Love,
L

READ!

If you're in the Utah County area, June 4th from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM BYU is hosting the Utah Festival of Books. I'll be there running a booth where guests can come and make a simple bookmark. The event is free and there should be a lot of really fun activities going on!  Hope you stop by!

L

It's Been a While...

So, I know.... it's been a while since I posted any paper-crafted goodness. Sorry about that. Just a quick page to say, "Yes I really do scrapbook!"

A long time ago Danny was just a friend. I remember the moment perfectly. My friend Cindee at work said, "You know, he sounds like he would make a FUN husband!" Well... thanks Cindee for putting the idea in my mind, obviously it stuck;) She was right, he's my best friend and a very FUN husband too!! For a girl who often worries about worrying too much, he reminds me to laugh and enjoy the little moments. There's nobody I'd rather enjoy life's adventures with!

With Love,
L

One Year Older...

My little Doll Doll turned one year old yesterday! She is such a good little friend and I LOVE her!

Dolly's favorite things:

1. Eating

2. Begging for food

3. Looking out the window

4. Playing with Mauri

5. Sleeping

6. Playing with her stuffed animals (George Rac-Cooney, Justin Beaver, and The Fantastic Mister Fox)

7. Scrapbooking (chewing up my supplies and making little collages on the floor)

8. Doing tricks for treats 

9. Playing fetch

10. Spending time with me. (It's true. She loves me.)

Happy Birthday Dolly Bear!

With Love,

L

Lights, Camera, Action(s)

Before...

After...

 Before...

 After...

Those of you who know a bit about the current world of digital photography are probably familiar with Photoshop actions. They are basically a quick and easy way to edit photos. You can buy them or download them for free from a variety of sources. (Pioneer Woman, MCP, Paint the Moon, etc...) You need to have a basic photo editing program like Photoshop Elements to use them.

I've downloaded a few, but haven't ever ended up using them. It just kind of takes away my sense of pride in the work I do. I like being able to control the entire process from shooting to editing and finally to a putting it all together on a scrapbook page.

So... I decided to learn how to create my own Photoshop actions. I gave the photos above a trendy vintage look and I must say I LOVE the final result! Now I can't wait to print these up and create some happy pages to share with you!

With Love,
L

Lincoln

In the words of Mauri, "Isn't that baby Lincoln so CUTE?!" I had to show the picture of her in her little pink big sister scrubs. That was the look on her face the first time she saw him through the nursery window. Priceless. I never really believed in love at first sight until I became an auntie!

Love you already!
L

Lil' Cowgirl

I was going to post some photos of baby Lincoln but my camera cord is hiding! Sorry about that. I thought I'd show these cute little photos of miss Mauri in her tutu, cowgirl hat, and sunglasses. She's pretty much the definition of adorable. She chose the outfit herself too, which I LOVE!

I've been helping Jeni decorate Lincoln's nursery in a cowboy theme... can't wait to show you when it's done!! (Bandana pennants, old barn windows, and cowboy photographs--it's going to be so cute!) The day before Lincoln was born Jeni, Mauri, Dolly, and I gathered up two wagons full of cowboy/cowgirl stuff to take over to the field and photograph. We ended up with some great photos for Lincoln's room...but of course I couldn't resist snapping some quick shots of miss Mauri too! Props to Jeni for traipsing about in a field pulling a wagon just hours before going into labor. Perhaps it sped things along just a bit;)

Not only is Mauri an adorable lil' cowgirl, she's such a sweet big sister! She has been so darling with little Lincoln. She kisses him, sings to him, and walks around saying, "Isn't that baby Lincoln so cute?!"

When we were little, Rob would take Brett and I on adventures in the field across the street. It's only a matter of time before Mauri has Lincoln out there in the wagon with her! I'll be there with my camera ready;)

With Love,
L

Blinkin and Blogger

First of all...

Baby "Blinkin" (Lincoln) has arrived!!! I'm hoping to get photos soon! He has had some troubles with his lungs but I hear he's doing better today... Tender Mercy!!

Secondly, Blogger and I have not been good friends this week. Sorry for weird things like the last post appearing, disappearing, and appearing again several days later; Weirdness...

L

Miss Mauri

Mauri is going to be a big sister any day now! We're all excited to meet baby Lincoln! I know it will be a bit of a transition for miss Mauri, but if the way she cares for her little baby dolls is an indicator of things to come, she's going to be a wonderful big sister. She's such a tender and loving little girl. When we went to the farm she needed to bring her dolly, Baby Addy, along for the adventure. She made sure her little dolly could have a closer look at the piggies and ponies, and also helped her bend down to stop and smell the flowers. She has a beautiful heart.

Mauri's love extends far beyond even her most her favorite toys. A few weeks ago, when Danny was out of town for our 1st anniversary, I spent the afternoon with her. I guess I was looking a bit down, because she looked up at me with such loving eyes and said, "My Lynley sad?" I told her I was missing Danny but that I was happy to spend my day with her. She looked around, grabbed a book, and snuggled up next to me. With such tenderness she smiled and said, "Want to read Mauri's book?"  We began reading together and she stopped to look at me again. "Lynley still sad." She thought for a moment, reached out her arms and said, "Wanna dance?" I swept her up in my arms, and we danced until my heart had no room for sadness.

Baby Addy is one lucky little dolly, Baby Lincoln is going to be one lucky little brother, and Lynley is one lucky little auntie.

I love her more than words can say.

With Love,
L

I Love You Mom

Today is my sweet mom's retirement party. After twenty plus years of teaching, she is ready to stay home and be a nana to her grandchildren. Mom, you have inspired me in so many ways. You are a remarkable woman. You have changed so many lives for good. Your gentle spirit and goodness has shaped the lives of hundreds of children, and I'm just lucky enough to be one of them:) Enjoy your day!

I Love You mom!

With Love,
L

Once Upon a Thursday...

Once Upon a Thursday...
Princess Mauri and her beloved Papa and Lynley journeyed far and away to the land of little animals, the petting zoo.

 They saw wondrous and magical creatures such as goats,

cows,

a pony that greeted them with a happy hello,

a proud pheasant,

 and an unkempt lama.

The princess even rode a royal stallion!

 She hasn't stopped talking about "Her Royal Pony" ever since. The princess was very pleased with the outing, as were her people. They had a magical day together, even in spite of allergies and the distinct aroma of the enchanted land!

The end(s)

Who's Counting?

lovely self portrait in the mirror: pink ruffle shirt: $3.00 at thrift store.  

This weekend I...

Made 15 cards in one day

Blew my nose 567 times (approximately)

Sneezed at least 87 times (I've got a serious sinus issue going on)

Prepared and gave 1 lesson in YW

Received 1 bouquet of flowers from my big brother

Enjoyed 1 delicious GF cake in a jar from my soon-to-be sis-in-law

Cried half a dozen times 

Went grocery shopping to 2 different stores (gluten free shopping takes extra effort)

Went to 1 wedding reception

Fell asleep on the couch 4 times

Made my new favorite rice recipe 2 times

Dropped my cell phone on nose 1 time (really, I did.)

Threw Dolly's ball 56 times (approximately)

Was grateful for my husband, family, dear mother, and mother-in-law countless times

L

Look at You Grow!

Not much time to write this morning becuase I'm off to the petting zoo with Mauri and Papa! I've got my camera in hand and I'm not sure who's more excited, Mauri or me;) Just wanted to post this page I've been working on. It makes me SO happy:) I took this picture last summer and Mauri is already so much bigger and more grown up! She's a delight and I am lucky to be her Aunt.

With Love,
L