Goodbye September, Hello October

Wow.

Where in the world did September go?

Now that we are almost half way through October,
let me catch you up on September. 

Lagoon Night. 

Cannibal was amazing. Nerve wracking and just enough butterflies to make you want to do it again. I am total adrenaline junkie.

I have some serious heart eyes for Utah. This shot is from Silver Lake. I was scouting out photo locations and fell in love with this mini forest.

Concert at the tabernacle with Jennie. Not pictured Mom and Dad.

Hale Centre Theatre with Mom for her birthday present. We have awaited this night all year and we were not disappointed.

In September I ditched the android train and jumped onto the apple bus. I was worried I wouldn't like the switch but I am three weeks in and still haven't had buyers remorse. I would say that is a good sign. 

And of course, here is a little Beckett dose for you.

This little guy lights up my life. His smile melts my heart every morning before I have to go to work or school. I love waking up knowing he is at my house. 

Labor Day

 Now that Labor Day has come and gone, I figured I should probably blog about it.

Savanna (SJ) bought a new car! So she texted asking if I was interesting in going for a drive on Labor Day. Of course I was down for a drive.
We drove to the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. Drove passed Cascade Springs, into Midway, naturally taking the long way home through Guardsman Pass, and down Big Cottonwood Canyon.
We stopped at a few different spots for photo opportunities.

SJ and the new Jeep

Savanna & Heidi

 

 To end the day, we had some family friends over and played volleyball, pickleball, and ate Disneyland Copycat Corndogs. I didn't get pictures of the festivities, but I did get one of the sunset.

Snowbird

Another Anderson Family Tradition!

My Grandparents have a timeshare at Snowbird.

We go swimming, hang out, and celebrate birthdays!

It is always a party when the Anderson clan gets together.
Our Snowbird weekend typically falls on the first week of school. So Snowbird is the official closing of summer. Kind of sad, but also a nice transition into fall.
Now if I could only get up into the mountains more often.

Jennie & Heidi

fun pano of the trees

Dad, Brandt, Meme, Keshia, Joe, Heidi, & Jennie

First Week of Senior Year

Hello Ramblers!

I have some exciting news, I am a senior in college! 

[insert screaming and jumping up and down]
It was an eventful first week. I wrote my schedule on a sticky note. Professional, right? Anyways, for my night class, I had it in my mind that my class was in the LA building. Well, it wasn't. My class was four buildings over. I was mortified that I was going to be late. I am rarely late. I was able to speed walk my way across campus in 9 minutes. Lucky for me, my professor started class a minute after I got there.  Night class has a few downsides, but a few perks as well. One perk being, the sunset.

I'm excited for this semester. I can tell it will be a good one. Stressful but good. 

Turning Point

Who am I?

This question has been on my mind the past couple of months.

How do you explain yourself to a stranger?

How does your family and friends view you?

Are you living a life, that once you meet your maker you can say you are proud of who you've become?
* * *

My life has become very repetitious. Which isn't a bad thing. Most the time I prefer it because of my personality. But with the repetition, you lose yourself.
At least I know I did.

* * *

This summer I am taking three classes for school, working, and attending church. Those three classes are consuming my summer, and I am trying to work at DFCU and as a photographer. I got in a groove of finishing my classes for the week just in time for the next week to start. It was/is an endless cycle. 

 For a month or so I didn't feel like I was progressing. In any stage in life.
So what did I do? I went to the temple. I received personal revelation that life as I knew it was changing. I listened to a prompting and within days everything was in motion.
One second I was texting about an appointment with the Bishop and next thing I knew I was in his office to talk about receiving my endowments. I was on cloud 9, and he noticed. I left this meeting with direction. I was so excited for this next step. Of course I was nervous because this is a huge step, but the right one nonetheless.

I started attending the temple prep classes and reading the Preparing for the Holy Temple pamphlet. I have gone through the class before and I've read this pamphlet many times but this time, I saw them both through different eyes. It really is amazing how the Lord works. Even though I had done this prep before, it feels different when you have a date in mind and a temple picked out. It was a testimony builder for me. I was learning more because of my readiness to enter the temple.
* * *
Seven weeks went by. I had chosen my date and which temple I wanted to go through. The next step was telling those who would attend the endowment session with me. I think that telling Brandt and Meme was my favorite moment leading up to the temple session. They didn't know I was preparing for the temple, so it was a total surprise. Watching their faces light up will be a moment I cherish for the rest of my life.
* * * 
The week leading up to the "big day" was the hardest. I wanted to tell every single person I saw that I was going through the temple. But I also wanted to keep this little piece of gold all to myself. I felt ready, but at the same time I was scrambling to read everything about the temple. My feelings could be described as: anxious, excited, nervous, and comfort. All the extremes. Talking with Shaelee was a huge comfort, since she just went through these feelings last week. She gave me great advice that calmed my anxious heart.
* * * 
I have completed this journey, even though my journey has just begun. I am so grateful for all the support I have gotten during this time of my life. I am excited for what the future holds. This experience was something I can't put into words. So grateful that I can go back and remember the important promises made on this day.

Tyler, Christina, Keshia, Joseph, Brandt, Meme, Grandma L, Mom, Dad, Heidi *Not Pictured Grandma and Grandpa A. Strongly missed Grandpa L.

Mom, Dad, Heidi

8.6.16
Mount Timpanogos Temple

Shaelee is Married!

My best friend is married!!

(Those are the weirdest words to type.)

Shaelee is my first close friend to get married, and I am so excited for her and what the future has in store for her. I have loved watching her love story unfold over the past year. I wish her and Carson every ounce of happiness.

I was lucky enough to take her bridals, which you can see HERE!!

Marnie, Shaelee & Heidi (Bridals)

Shaelee was married in the Payson LDS temple. 

We had a yummy wedding luncheon at a Country Club in Farmington.

To top off the day, there was a reception at a cozy barn in North Salt Lake.

Marnie, Shaelee & Heidi

Shout out to Marnie for driving across three counties for all the wedding festivities, including a pit stop at the Salt Lake Temple for another sealing. 

Carson + Shaelee

♥July 30, 2016♥

Beckett's Blessing

This kid is so loved and he doesn't even know it yet.

I have always dreamed of being an aunt. And roughly 7 weeks ago this little boy came into my life.
When his parents stop by, my life stops. I drop everything to come and be with him. Even if I have to let others hold him *wink*. 

Beckett Brandt Anderson was blessed on 7.3.16.

He was the perfect baby. Slept through his blessing and still didn't fuss when everyone held him instead of being fed.

I love you little Beckett. ♥ Aunt Heidi.

Humans of Salt Lake City

I have a dream. A huge bucket list item.

I want to be on Humans of New York.

I realize how unrealistic this dream is. The biggest step back being: I don't live in New York. But, one day I was in Salt Lake City taking Jennie's senior pictures. I was in the middle of taking this picture of Jen, and this guy with a camera got a little close for comfort. 

Jen and I were both slightly freaked out that this man was just watching us. He then asked me what lens I was using and what setting. I noticed his camera was a Nikon so I knew I could trust him. (ha). He then asked us if we had heard about Humans of New York. I was like "dude, not only have I heard of HONY, I am a huge fan." And that is when I put the pieces together. I knew that he was the guy who ran Humans of Salt Lake City. I started following his page when he first started out. I thought it was cool that a guy from SLC was trying to bring the New York Vibe to our little city. And if you know me at all, I jump over every opportunity that includes New York. 

Anyways, he asked if we would like to be featured. 

umm....

Is that even a question?

He first took a picture of Jen and I, and he interviewed Jen. She talked about her plans after graduation. She wants to go on a LDS mission and then work with Cancer Patients. 

And then he took a picture of me and interviewed me.

'As a photographer, I want people to remember a particular moment, like something they're trying to capture because it won't happen again...time is fleeting and we need to capture the magic while we can. I usually like landscapes but I like people too. I'm here now to photograph my sister as she gets ready to graduate high school and I want to capture her in the best light possible.'

 

Sometimes I still freak out when I think about being on Humans of Salt Lake City. I love the idea behind these projects. First off, everyone's story is different, and these interview show how unique every person is, but it also shows that you aren't alone. When these stories are posted, people comment with their stories. It brings the community together in the weirdest way. Second, it brings familiarity to a place where you feel anonymous.