Christmas 2016

 I can't believe that Christmas is over.

This Christmas was the best. I loved spending so much time with my family. We did all the traditions and added a few more. I could sit here and type out all the little details, or I can remember those and give you a few highlights in pictures.

Dad, Heidi, Jennie, Mom
Temple lights 12/23/2016

Jennie and Heidi
Christmas Eve with matching pjs

Jennie and Beckett
Isn't his seven dwarfs onsie the cutest!
From yours truly ♥

Now only 354 days until Christmas 2017.

Christmas Eve

This year our traditions are taking a detour. If you need a refresher of all the traditions, click HERE. Instead of our normal night, our festivities are leaking into the day. You see, my grandpa is in a rehab facility and so to keep him involved we are meeting at the center. We'll do the nativity with him and then we'll go back and start the rest of the night. 

These past couple of weeks I have been thinking how truly blessed I am to have gotten to know all four of my grandparents. And the fact that they are all still living. I have taken that for granted my entire life. For 21 years, they have been there. Every step of the way. That is such a rare blessing. It hurts my heart knowing that there will come a day that I won't have living grandparents. But that is why I am grateful for my testimony. I know that I will see my family again. Isn't that just the most glorious thought? 

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet. Just wanting to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. 

These pictures are from last year. I never got them posted due to wisdom teeth removal. Also, our house looks a little different ;)

Roommates Reunited

I moved out of my apartment in April of 2014. It was a sad move but also a good move home. I was sad to say goodbye to my crazy roommates but I was excited to spend lots of time with my family.

Since I moved out, I have stayed in regular contact with Melissa, and I texted Brittani maybe five times. But two and a half years later, I saw four of my five roommates and it was as if no time had passed. We caught up with each other's lives and laughed at all the memories we had made. There are too many (some featured here on this blog) to type out.

Why did we all get together, you may ask. BRITTANI IS GETTING MARRIED!

We got together for Brittani's bridal shower and it was amazing. It is funny that we used to always joke "Ring by Spring" and now Tori is married (and has a baby), Brittani is getting married, and Camille is heading down that path. It is so exciting how our lives are changing.

Camille, Heidi, Brittani, Melissa

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is my dream to be in the choir (maybe one day, ha). Every year we try and get tickets to the Christmas Concert. Last year we didn't get tickets and I was so sad. So this year when we were lucky enough to get tickets, I was beyond excited. This time of year is stressful with all the holiday shenanigans and finals, but it is always worth it to sacrifice a night to go to this concert. 

I kid you not, twenty seconds into the concert, I was crying. The Spirit just filled my heart to the brim with gratitude. I felt so much love I could burst. The music was spectacular. The guest artist was amazing and funny. One of the songs sung was "Little Drummer Boy." It was just MoTab and kids dancing in the isle. Let me preface that I understood this song before Friday night. But this song took on a new meaning for me. I knew that all I have for Christ is my drum. That is it. At times I feel like my drum is broken but because it is all I have, it is enough for Him. I was in tears, again. I feel like I didn't explain that well, but that is probably because I can't explain it. It was a feeling that can't be put into words. 

I am so glad I got to share this experience with my sister and my mom.

Heidi, Jennie, Mom

Heidi, Jennie, Mom, Jordan, Leisa, Jeana, Roland

 Also, out of 21,000 people, we found my Aunt Leisa, Uncle Roland, Jordan, and Jeana! How crazy is that?

Temple Lights

My cousin Madi, who goes to school in Idaho, came to visit for Thanksgiving. This was kind of a big deal because her family lives in another state so we don't see her very often. When she comes to town, we always try and get together. We went to the temple lights the same night they were turned on. This is a big deal just because I either don't see the lights till two days before Christmas, or I don't see them at all. The lights this year did not disappoint.

Walking around temple square will always be one of my favorite things to do downtown.

Here is a list of why I love looking at the temple:

-to admire the work of our ancestors

-to remember the covenants I have made

-to remember the first time through the temple

-to count my blessings and count the temple twice

-to remember God's hand in my life

and

-to help keep an eternal perspective.

Madi, Heidi, Jennie

Selfie with the temple.

Jennie, Madi, Heidi

One Nation

A few weeks ago, history was made.

I don't do politics, so I am not going to say anything on that subject.

But I will say that my social media hasn't been pleasant. It has been a lot of finger pointing and name calling. It is extremely negative and I don't like it. We are all so blessed to live in this nation where we get to vote. It is awesome that we have a say in our leaders. But over this past month, I have felt like we are divided as a nation. I feel like both political parties are being the stubborn spouse who doesn't want to compromise in the relationship.

With this state of mind, I attended a concert that was put on by the American Heritage Lyceum Philharmonic. It is a group of the elite high school kids in the orchestra world. I walked into this concert knowing it was going to be patriotic but that was it. I didn't have any expectations passed that. The concert was called "One Nation." It was put on to honor the Veterans for Veterans day. This concert took place during the Civil War. There was five singers and the orchestra. There was a beautiful story line of two brothers fighting on opposite sides, a woman whose lover was fighting, a woman whose son was fighting (in the south), and a black man who wanted to join the fight.

Even though this concert was taking place during the Civil War, I found it extremely applicable to this day. We aren't in the extreme situations of the 1860s but we are divided as a nation. We need to remember that we are one nation. We need to fighter together not against each other. The cliché saying "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all" is true! Our country is strong, no matter who is leading it. It isn't our leader that defines us. It is WE who define this country.

So listen to this song.

It is sung by Roderick Covington, who preforms on Broadway. He is currently the head hyena in The Lion King. (HOW COOL IS THAT!? HE LEFT BROADWAY TO SING IN THIS CONCERT!)

His voice. The emotion. The music.

I can't stress enough the feelings I felt during this concert. I wanted to shout from the rooftops for everyone to go and see this concert. We can all use a reminder of how great this nation really is.

BONUS: I met him and got to tell him how amazing he was.

Heidi & Roderick Covington

He even offered his comp tickets to see the concert again. If time was on my side, I would have. In a heart beat.

Girls Night Out

A few weeks ago, I was at my night class. I was feeling downtrodden. It was just after midterms, and I was exhausted. I needed a break. A moment to get away. So I texted Jennie asking if she was down to leave the city with me. She quickly responded yes. I started planning, during my class. Months ago Jennie and I talked about doing a night at Snowbird. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I looked up the deals they had on their website. We booked a room at The Inn. We spent roughly 22 hours on a mini vacation. No homework. No responsibilities. Just the two of us, food, and lots of Netflix.

When we arrived, we checked in, got settled, and off to a photo shoot we went. Since we were in between summer and winter, it was a ghost town. Most of the people we saw were workers. It was a huge contrast to when we go up with our family (during Oktoberfest). I kept nerding out over the lighting. We didn't have a lot of time to play since the sun set so quickly but I still got some of my favorite images.

For example:

  Once the sun set, we got hot chocolate and went back to our room.

The lighting was interesting, so I told Jennie to sit in the car and just chill. This is what happened:

Of course it isn't a perfect photo, but I was just playing. It was so much fun to shoot for fun. I don't get the opportunity to just play with my camera. So this weekend was needed for my mental health but also to help unleash my artistic side.

 Back to being outside, look at the views.

Nature is seriously amazing.

The world around me is a huge testimony builder. (Side track to our first snow storm this year. The mountains being frosted with snow is my favorite! They look majestic and the snow gives them dimension.)

The rest of the night was spent watching Netflix and eating a lot of food.

The goal was to spend the night living like a Gilmore. I think we lived up to that goal.

The next morning, we had breakfast at The Forklift.

Holy it was delicious. And because it was the off season (look at all the empty chairs), we got our food with very little wait time. I think I am still dreaming about the French toast and bacon that I had.

After breakfast, we went back to our room and started watching Christmas at Cartwright's on the Hallmark Channel. Even though I could guess the plot line, it was still cute and I am slightly sad we didn't finish it. But I got a new pick up line that I am going to have to try ;).

All in all, it was the perfect 22.5 hour vacation. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we are adults and have to act like it. Hopefully we can do another getaway soon.



My Photography

I am feeling extremely blessed!
I need to express my gratitude for photography and how it has blessed my life.
Ever since 6th grade I have loved photography. I was lucky to grow up with a Grandpa who loves photography as well. He has taught me so much through the years. I love his hand-me down photography equipment, and being able to borrow a lens or too.

Jennie at the Exchange Place, SLC, UT

This passed year, I have had amazing clients. They have been patient with me and my learning curve. I wouldn't be who I am as a photographer if it wasn't for them.
I am proud of the work I have done. Looking at my growing portfolio gives me this sense of accomplishment. It is exciting to see the growth from each session.
I have grown so much as a photographer in the last nine years. Photography has been a great artistic outlet for me. Besides, it is still my dream to grow up to be a stay at home mom while running a photography business.