Updates: Photo Loaded

Ok- so I've been busy right? lol

Thought I'd catch ya'll up on what's been going on.

It was Kayleb's birthday on the 11th- he was totally excited of course. the kid has been asking fr his birthday to come for like 6 months, so i'm glad it's gone. But here are some pics of his day.

Then we made a trip up to Montana to have a family reunion on ricks side. We haven't seen them since before we moved to GA- so it was esp. fun to see all of them. Rick made us take the "scenic route" (aka 2 hours out fo the way) to see his old town and house etc. Turned out to be one of the best ideas because the country was so beautiful! that 2 extra hours turned into 4 because we stopped for pictures so much! lol There was this old ghost town calld Granite that sits literally on top of the mountain outside this town Rick used to live in. So we made our way p the mountain and finally got there (after scaring me half to death) and got some pics of this major cool ghost town. Built in like 1830 something, it was a silver mining town- supposedly one of the largest towns in all of Montana back in the day. Totally cool though, i loved it.

Then as soon as we got home, it was Jayce's birthday. Little baby turned 1 on me andalthough it was a milestone for him, it also signified as a milestone for rick and I in being able to get through this last year and still survive! lol It was tough and Jayce wasn't the best baby to start out with, but he sure has turned into the funnest little kid ever! He is just so happy and funny, I just loe being able to play with and hold him every day. And btw- Jayce LOVES balls. he just lights up everytime he sees one....so he got 6 for his birthday. lol

Then last, my little brother has left for his mission. (In our church, the 19 year old boys sere church/service missions all over the world for 2 years) He will be training fo 3 weeks here in Provo and then he leaves for Calgary, Canada for the next 2 years. What I will miss: he has the BEST sense of humor, could always make us laugh. He was extremely talented- if he decided he wanted to do or learn something, he researched and practiced until he got it. examples: balloon animals, ping pong, piano, and most of all the ukulele. The kid taught himself to play th sucker andhe is simply amazing and was always playig it EVERYWHERE. hilarious. Oh- and at the bottom, that is Kim, Ty's girlfriend. She's practically part of the family already and they are getting married as soon as my brother steps off the plane. lol we've threatened her life so she ca't date anyone else while he's gone. (she has no interest anyway... she loves him too much. lol)



Anyway- he will be missed for these 2 years, but I am very proud of him for putting his life on hold to serve and to teach what he knows to be true. ISn't he just a cutie?

OK- that's it for now. We are STILL looking for a house. We did find one that suits our needs, and it's pretty cute - it's OLD- but we're running out of time and options at this point. So i'll keep you posted on that. toodles!

Shoot me now please....

Yes... story of my life. And although I choose to be busy this month, still doesn't make it any less tiring and stressful.

And to top things off- Thursday morning (as I'm driving to the airport) I open a letter from our management place we rent from saying that we have to move out on July 31st because the owner will be moving into this condo on August 1st.

Yes- you heard right....... we HAVE to move....AGAIN.....in 6 weeks.

On one hand- i'm stressed out beyond belief and how nice of them to actually give us a descent time notice. (NOT)
on the other hand- i would like to find bigger place and possiby a house, but chance of finding that place in this amount of time is slim.

so now that our minds were made up to stay- it comes as a blow. I want my kids to stay in the same school mostly. but alas... guess we need to be kept on our toes and reminded of the awesome power of prayer and faith.

I'll keep you updated....as much as I can. lol :)

am i alive?

yes i am... barely.
June is the death month for me this year... and for a few good reasons.
the last week of may- i went to Buffalo, NY for a scrap convention (work). Then i got home the Sunday, just to turn around 2 days later and headed to Arlington, TX where I just got home on Sunday. During this trip... i managed to break my middle finger- yes you hear right. It got smashed pretty good while i was tearing down the grid for the booth. aw well- things happen rght?
And now what you ask...... I'm going to Pasedena on thursday morning for yet another convention. Good thing i get to see my good friends-otherwise... wouldn't be fun at all.

Then next week- (i get home late saturday night) i drive up to Idaho early Sunday morning to spend the day with my family. My little bro. is goign to serve a church mission up in Calgary for the next 2 years and he'll be leaving in 2 weeks.
Next wednesday- we then head up to Montana for Rick's family reunion. although it will require about an 8 hour drive... it will be worth it. We haven't seen any of that side of his family since before we moved to GA... so it's been years. too long in my book.

we'll stay for a few days and come home that following sunday. I'll stick around for a few days at my family's house to spend a little more time with my brother and then head home just to turn around and make yet another trip to Chantilly, VA at the end of the month.

NOW...... i take a breath.
once i get home... i'm crashing, burning, dying, sleeping, and doing NOTHING. I'm exhausted right now- hate to think what i'll be like in 3 weeks once it's all over. Good thing I have a wonderful support system and an awesome husband to boot. :)

but yes my dears... i am alive.... barely. lol

This is my new BFF

I took these this morning- Seriously... IN LOVE. There will be many a photo shoot here. *sigh*

Sprinkler Fun

My poor deprived kids have never run through a sprinkler. THat's right. We've always had a nice pool and the beach, but no sprinkler. (I know.. it's a crime)

SO this past weekend my family came into town and we headed over to my grandparents place and let the kids have fun. It took them a while to catch on, but they ended up loving it.

I got this nice sequence shots going- so funny.

Then I got a few cute shots from the other kids. (my baby was obviously loving the water)

SO then we opted to just let baby have a licorice. You can tell he totally ejoyed that as well. lol

Fun times!

My son likes corndogs

'nuff said. lol :)-

Lomography

So there's this FANTASTIC site for all things digital photography. If you ever want to learn anything- go here.

I sat down today to try and figure out how to create a lomographic picture. I've been fascinated by the visual appeal of lomo photographs- but didn't think I could do it on my regular SLR- figured you had to have special film or a special camera. YOU DONT!!!!! (Lomo photography is pretty much the look of old-timey pics. They have darkened edges and higher contrast- they're supposed to look like pictures did back in the day when color first came out.)

so here are my trial runs- before and after. aren't they so cool? I do believe I'll be doing this to most of my pictures from now on... just because i can. lol

Calling all Picture wanters.... :)

I'm building my photography portfolio and I need subjects :)
If you are in the Utah Valley area (or close by)- or up in Idaho, please let me know and we can schedule a time to get together.
I'm offering WAY CHEAP rates- just to get me going.

You'll get no prints- but you'll get a CD of your pictures and the rights to them.

If you're interested, let me know asap- I have flyers and advertising venues that need to be up and running in the next few weeks.

email me at amberwinward@gmail.com if you are interested.

First Haircut!

little boy had some loooooooong hairs. Too bad there were only some round his ears and on top of his head- but still.

So here's the process and the result. He's just so friggin adorable! :)

My Baby boy: The nut

SO little boy is 10 months now- i know... CRAZY.

Husband and I had a little fun last night taking pictues of him while doing all his little quirky things. He's just so much fun right now and is just a hoot to watch.

he just started doing this funny thing- he'll get up on his hands, then go up on his tip toes into a piked position. THen he'll rest his head on the floor and jst sit in that position for a minute. it's so funny.

Rick got the picture of him doing it last night, so you can see what I mean. (and I should mention as well that Rick took all of these pics. pretty good huh?!)

just thought I'd share a few cute pics of my baby from the night. Isn't he adorable? :)