My love for nature

I was so happy to finally be able to spend some time on my true love in photography...nature photography. I've been collecting quite a few pictures and these aren't everything yet. Hopefully I can get some time for more soon.

These first few pictures were taken at City of Rocks, Idaho. Jon and I went with the youth there for Youth Conference and it was great! I enjoyed it immensely! The beauty there is astonishing!

(I lied...this one picture is from American Falls Reservoir the next place we went with the youth.)

Living here in this little valley of Inkom we see many wonderful sunsets and sunrises of both the sun and moon.

This was a quick pull over on the side of the road because I can't miss this shot. It was taken in Idaho Falls.

When the flooding happened in the spring the birds were in heaven. We had more birds in the area than ever! That also meant lots of baby birdies...a lot of these geese are babies...so sweet.

I took this picture up Harkness Canyon in McCammon before a family shoot. I think the little things in nature can be so beautiful.

Same time as the above picture. Our fall colors this year were amazing!! And they lasted so long! I was in heaven.

I took these duck pictures forever ago. I took them when I came to take pictures of the Idaho Falls temple. I love how the ducks just hang out with people. They are so used to them.

Christmas 2011

The Nativity

We started Christmas Eve off with the Nativity story. Since there weren't enough kids, and one that didn't want to participate, the adults had to chip in and help. It was fun getting dressed up!

Our lovely narrator was Jon's sister, Gretchen.

I was the angel; Madalyn was Mary but didn't want to get caught on camera (teenagers!!) so she hid in her costume the whole time. :) Andrew was Joseph; McKay & Jon were shepherds.

The Wise Men were Maryn, Erik, and Joshua.



Christmas Morning

Christmas morning came quickly and boy were we spoiled!

I had this box built by a cabinet maker friend of ours, Paul Tate, for my wonderful Jonathan. I think Jon loved it, he sat and stared at it for several minutes. :)

I made this rag quilt for my sweet mom. She loves it, but she's gonna need to wash it a few times...the lint drives her crazy!

I forgot to get a picture of me...since I'm always the one with the camera in my hands! I was given lots of fun things! Jon got me a computer, new pots and pans, other kitchen stuff, my mom got me a couple cute scarfs (I love scarfs!).

Above and beyond all this stuff! We recognize that Jesus Christ is our greatest gift of all!! We are so blessed to have him!

Ugly Sweater Party

Here we are in all our glory in our best ugly sweaters! Our winner for the night was Uncle Erik! The sweater vest looked great on him!

We played a bunch of minute-to-win-it games which were fun!!

A little bit of Jon

Jon is always up to interesting things. Thought I'd share some...

Jon has been working hard to erect a hay shelter these last few months. He finished the roof a few days ago which was a big accomplishment. (Scares me when he's up there though.) This structure is the basic frame for our future barn. It's gonna be great!

One day when we had some family over we discovered that Andrew and his cousin McKay were playing in Gunner's kennel in the back of the truck. Jon thought it would be funny to give them a little scare. So he snuck up to the truck and you can see little Andrew poking his head out in the second picture. Next thing you know "Roarrrrrrr!" Andrew flew back into the kennel it was hilarious!

When hunting season starts to roll around so does the mountain man beard. Look at that sweet smile!

It needs a little grooming now and then...

....not that kind of grooming! Yikes!

Jon's Wood Badge Course

Jon was able to be on staff for a different Wood Badge course than me. His was in November at the Hoback. It was so beautiful right there by the river. I was able to do the portraits for his course which was great.

Here is the whole clan! Jon is on the bottom right and Caleb is on the front row by the log.

Jon made some good friends with other people on staff. This is Matt Holtman whom Jon admires a lot.

Every Wood Badge course does a service project at the place they have it. Their project was to replace some of the seating at the fire bowl. It was an enormous project and left Jon wiped out but proud of the accomplishment.

Caleb had the special experience to be a Youth Rep. There is a scout that is assigned to each of the 8 patrols. Caleb was assigned to the Antelope patrol. Caleb loved being a Youth Rep!

Receiving the green neckerchief with the Wood Badge council patch is an honor in the scout world.

There are a couple activities where the Youth Reps are in charge. Here Caleb was in charge of teaching a game. The patrol had to use sections of PVC pipe to carry a marble from one place to another without seeing it.

Jon receives his beads

Wood Badge has become a pretty major event in our family's life. I went a couple years ago and then Jon was able to go last year. Both of us this year had the amazing opportunity to be on staff. The only hitch is you have to have earned your beads to be a staffer. Good thing Jon earned them the night before Wood Badge started! So this was his beading ceremony.

This is Matt Holtman who was Jon's troop guide and who Jon asked to bead him. Matt is a great guy and Jon really admires him. Here Matt was reciting an amazing poem. I couldn't believe he had it all memorized, it was long and wonderful!

Matt prepared the neckerchief before hand for the ceremony.

Then Matt put the new neckerchief and leather slide on.

Jon was beaming and was so proud of the accomplishment! And so was I!

What a great opportunity to mingle with great people!!

Heidi turned 30!

What a great idea to throw a fancy party for your 30th birthday! Everything was great! Beautiful decorations, great food, wonderful company, amazing dress and handsome tux! Great job Heidi on planning a really great party!

I love her dress! It looked so good on her!

My fabulous sister-in-law Katie made this stunning cake. It was very delicious!!

Here are the ladies! From left to right: Me, Katie, Janette, Heidi, and Jen. We have way too much fun together!

Did some pictures of couples for fun. Left is Josh's parents Dayle and Gary, on the right good friends Katie and Cary.

More good friends. Left is Jen and Lance McMaster and on the right are the Smiths.