Happy New Year Everyone!!

I've had one crazy year and looking forward to another crazy year. I hope that it's filled with all the good crazy & none of the bad crazy. I've had this little dream list swimming around in my head about the things & people & locations that I want to shoot before I die. So I decided to write them down & call it my New Years Resolution 2009!!! And I ain't kidding about my resolutions, 2 years ago I made resolution to start a photography company. It took me 6 months to buy a camera but look at me now!! I haven't really thought about any other resolutions except for the ones I'm always thinking about (be more healthy, aka lose all my wobbly bits, & go to the Temple more often.) Those resolutions sort of lose their vigor after 10 years in a row. Anyhow, enjoy my list...

1. Portrait or Maternity shots up Big Cottonwood Canyon while it's snowing.
2. Bridals on the Red Cliffs in St. George
3. Bridals in the the pool at Casa Blanca (probably will never happen, but you can't stop me from dreaming.)
4. A St. George Temple wedding.
5. Newborn shoot in a field of flowers
6. Portfolio shoot for a dancer in some rundown location. (jazz or ballet would be a dream!)
7. Kids dressed up like the Nativity Scene. I saw one with 4 kids. They were dressed up as Joseph, Mary, The Angel & of course Baby Jesus. Darling, Darling, Darling!!
8. Commercial shoot for a children's hair bow company or some other cute kid's accessory
9. Commercial shoot for a men's underwear company - just kidding (sort of)
10. Tasteful boudoir shoot at the Hotel Monico in downtown SL
11. Group & individual portraits for a children's dance studio. (seriously this may take the cake for pure photography bliss!!)
12. Portrait of an 7-9 year old for their baptism & design an announcement. (I just love this age!!)
13. Second shoot at a wedding. I've only been the primary photographer. I think I'd just learn a ton!!
14. Lorin's Tat Sleeve when it's finished. (Lorin, you promised!!)
15. Bridal at the Old Cottonwood Mill
16. New baby urban style downtown
17. To shoot the Logan, Manti, DC, San Diego & Hawaii Temple.
18. Portfolio shots for a hair stylist (several different models w/ different hair styles)

Anyone in?!?!?

Here is the photo of the St. George Temple I shot over Christmas. It is for sale on my Fine Arts Blog, and more StG Temple pix to come sometime before Valentines.
That's all for now!!

Erika & Eli

Erika, How fun was that!?!?! What a special, special little guy. It was so fun to catch up with you. I have so many fun memories of us running around the "U". To this day I keep a perfume bottle in my car (I remember you were always spraying perfume in that new Saturn you bought - inspiring :) Out of all the things we did together, perfume in my car is what stuck with me :) Can't wait to see you again Saturday.

The Luckiest Folks You Will Ever See!!

Y & A, while I was driving to your home with my mom (BTW, thanks mom for being my assistant. That was way fun to have you there!! Sure love you!!). Anyway, while we were driving I was thinking to myself what a darn lucky kid to be placed with your family. Some people just get all the breaks. Then I met him, and honestly I don't know who is more lucky, you or him. Like I said, some people get all the breaks. :) I'm just thrilled to the bone for you both of you. Congrats!! To see some announcement ideas just click "designs" at the top of the page. I custom design announcements depending on the photo you choose. If there is something there you like we can certainly do something similar. More to come soon!!

Guess what Nash did on the bed? I betcha you can guess.

Finished for now

Miracle Baby!!

Danell & Tony, little Max truly is a Miracle Baby. My mom asked me how long you have been waiting to adopt a baby. I didn't know what to tell her, other than as long as I can remember. Goodness you've been married at least 10 years now. Danell, I still remember the good 'ol days of DEX & skinny dipping in your pool in Green Valley. When life hardships were what boy might have seen us. Isn't it crazy how life turns out? Your strength, courage & perseverance is such an example to me. I haven't been able to think of your little family without getting teary. I love you so much!! Congrats and I'll see you again in Feb!!

Thayne Iverson

Thanks Creston, Jen, Emma & Baby Thayne. Jen, it was so fun to get to know you better. I've spent a ton of time with the Iverson's over the years, I just love Taya's family. We used to spend Christmas Eve & other holidays with the Iverson's (it worked out great for Ryan - both families at one place). Over the last few years our little side of the family has really grown & we've started doing more with just the Decker side so I really haven't had a chance to get to know you very well. Your little Thayne is darling!! Congratulations!!

My Family Christmas Gift

(Mom & Dad)

There was some debate in my family about how to do the adult family gift exchange. We decided instead of drawing names this year we would purchase one group gift & then play the white elephant game with all the gifts. Well, it started out a little crazy with Tyler opening the first gift while we were trying to nail down the game rules. Ooopsy. Tyler was crying because someone yelled at him to stop, Dax & Lia were fighting over one the gifts Mimi had given, & the adults were all yelling over the top of them the rules they thought were best. We decided tonight that game would have been a lot more fun without the kids in the house. Even with all the chaos it was a ton of fun. My gift was these pictures in a portfolio book. Taya ended up with the book after stealing it from Taz. I ended up with a giftcard to eat out - I stole that from Ali (I actually think she's still mad at me for it.) What a fun day!! Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope your Christmas was just as crazy & delightful as ours.
(Taya & Ryan)
(Tyler)
(Lia Loolers)
(Presley)
(Taz)
(Katie)
(Me)
(Dax)
(Ali - on the far left. This one is hard to tell, she totally fits in:)

The Smiths

Thanks Mary for referring your sister & her darling family!!Doug & Ann, Merry Christmas. I had a great time meeting your family. I am so glad it wasn't the forecasted 19 degrees. I hope you holidays have been full of fun & surprises. Yesterday was I running around with my mom getting all the last minute things finished. It was a mad house. We did see the coolest thing on our drive home from Walmart. We were in a total traffic jam & the car in front of us let in a guy who was pulling out of the bank. The guy pulled out into the stand still traffic, he jumped out of his car & ran back to the car that had let him in. He went up to the ladies car window waving money & telling her Merry Christmas. Now we couldn't tell how much it was but it money with color and he was driving a Lexus - so I'm sure he was totally rich. he he he. It was so cool, except that we were the next car & my mom claims that she would have totally let him in. Just our luck!! Even without the generous give-away we had an awesome Christmas, it's just so fun to be together.