THE VAUGHNS

GUESS WHO'S 1....

2011-06-15T21:31:00.001-08:00

Yes. It has been 1 year! I can't believe my little Colton is 1. He went from this...

To this....

In 1 year he has learned to run.

He says Mom and Dad.

He climbs.

He eats...everything.

He laughs and loves to be swung around.

He loves to swim. Literally, is not afraid of water and going under. He loves the new waterpark in Juneau.

Happy Birthday Colton!! I love you. My youngest boy.

ROOSTER OUT TAKES

2011-05-31T19:02:00.003-08:00

To finish the whole project, I needed something good...something funny. I needed to throw in a live creature... known as a rooster. I heard so many different cock jokes during the filming process. We changed the location of the rooster and put him in many different places. You couldn't imagine the looks I recieved. But in the end, the question was, what is the story with the rooster?
(Make sure you turn the volume up...)

THE MAIN EVENT: CMR FIELD PART 5

2011-05-31T15:09:00.001-08:00

The rescue mission. Isn't this what it's all about?? "First one's in, last one's out"...the team is composed of 7 members...with alternates available if needed. They work together, checking gasses, checking the ground, checking each other, and ultimately push each other to achieve 1 goal...a rescue mission. The Mine Rescue teams are, "The light at the end of the tunnel" for families, community members, and anyone affected by a mining disaster.
Check it out...

Thank you.

MINE RESCUE PART 4: BENCHMEN

2011-05-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

Benchmen make sure the equipment used in a rescue is going to work properly (because we don't want the rescue equipment to fail).

mine rescue part 3-ropes

2011-05-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

(photography by Bethany Vaughn)

MINE RESCUE PART2

2011-05-31T10:37:00.000-08:00

PART2-
EMT.

(photography by PK Imagery)

MINE RESCUE

2011-05-31T09:52:00.000-08:00

His day of work starts at 4am when the alarm goes off. He get up, get dressed in the dark, grabs his lunch backpack (that is covered in black). From there, he catches a boat. The 40 minute boat brings him to admaralty Island. Once the miners reach Admarilty, they ride a rickety old bus 13 miles to the mine site. He goes underground at 7am.

Into the long, dark hole in the ground where a crew of miners would eventually disperse into different drifts of the mine.

Being a modern day miner, you work with big pieces of equipment and drive them miles into the mine. There is equipment of all types. Bolters, Drillers, Muckers. Then you work with ventelation, that moves the air through the mine. You also work with explosives. In this age of mining, You don't find pebbles of ore, it's 28 ton truck loads of microscopic fragments, that eventually will be processed to be bricks of gold, silver, copper, ect.

During the shift, there is always a chance, that something could go wrong. There could be a ground fall. There could be a fire. There could be a large amount of gas that could cause an explosions (mainly in coal mines). Something could go wrong...and it's the people you work with. The people you have rode that boat with, and worked with for 12 hours a day, 14 days in a row that could be hurt. Which is why, mine rescue is an act of heroism.

Mine Rescue is a crew of employees that train for this. They train to rescue missing miners. They are trained to respond to every situation, and put their own lives on the line for others. Their moto is "First ones in, Last ones out." Why do they do it?

I had the opportunity to be the photographer for the Mine Rescue Competition in Juneau Alaska. There were 9 teams in attendance. Even 1 from Russia. At the end of the competition, I was honored to be part of such an amazing family of heros. Heroes that alot of people would pass by on a daily basis and not know that they were heroes. Well, here is my spin on Mine Rescue. Enjoy part 1.

The rest will be coming soon....

FRUSTRATION

2011-05-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

Colton had his first popcicle. In the video, he had the first taste, and then it fell back into the package. Take a look and watch his reaction.

COLTONS FIRST STEPS

2011-05-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

LETS SEE IF THIS WORKS. Yesturday, Saturday May 7th, Colton was standing and getting anxious to take his first steps. I quickly grabbed my camera, and sat beside Andy. Sure enough, Colton walked for the first time.
Check it out...very exciting.

SWINGERS AND HITTERS

2011-05-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year. Spring...(finally). I wake up, and the sun has already been up since 430am, and everyone is moving. Some days I wish I could sleep in a little, but the truth is, most days I kind of enjoy waking up and getting things done.

Spring also brings...you called it...baseball season. We will, yet again, be out at the field every Saturday. I will be in the stands being a "baseball mom" with 3 kids at my side...

Morgan is playing softball this year. She was in tball last year and I have to say, softball is 'MUCH more enjoyable! I ponder back on the days when I played...

Trey is on Majors this year, representing the Mariners. (Go Mariners!) Yes, we are Washington fans.

THE 4 YEAR OLD

2011-04-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

MY MATTIE. SHE IS NOW 4...yes, 4 big years old.

THE OFFSPRINGS

2011-04-14T19:03:00.000-08:00

WE as parents all have them. Momments of reality that are children are just like we were once. Energy, crazy, loving, sensitive, creative, silly, and terrible. Some of us think we were perfect angels (like my husband)...but our parents beg to differ.
Today, I was outside around 2:45pm when the school bus does their daily kid drop. I heard crying on the otherside of the gate and peaked over to see what was going on. I saw a circle of kids...you know "the circle of kids all looking at a kid crying on the ground" type of circle. Something inside of me triggered and I imediately ran inside to get Andy. I said" Andy, you got to get outside right now. There is a kid crying."
He jumped up in kinda a confused state but knew I was serious.
I ran across the wet ground with only my socks and Colton in my arms wearing only a shirt and diaper on. It was urgent to get to the situation as a concerned parent in the neighborhood after school hours.

2 boys in 1st grade were crying. One of them is known to be a bully. I stopped them like a police officer and said "What is going on you 2." The boys said "he was hitting with sticks and I asked him to stop and...it was a game at first...blah, blah, blah."
I said "You 2 were playing a game HITTING each other with sticks? Are you soposed to play with sticks? Is it fun to hit each other? No. It's not because then someone gets hurt." (I was using my councelor mom voice). I didn't notice that there was this much older lady walking a dog standing there also until she began to speek.
She said to me (she was talking to me like I was a police officer)"...she said "These boys have been told to not play with sticks. They have been doing this everyday and not listening."
I said "Is this true? Boys, is this true what she is saying? Is she lying or telling the truth?"
They said "yes. she's telling the truth." in unison.
The lady with the dog then said "AND they are playing in the street too. There going to get hit by a car."

The boys had their heads hanging down and I said "you guys, stop hitting each other with stiiicks. And stay out of the roooad. Can you do that? It's not safe so just stop doing it. ok?..."

My husband was long gone to even hear what happened. Matter of fact, he left the second I started to speek to the boys. He didn't want to get involved because...maybe it's a normal reaction to just walk away. I handled the whole situation that even the lady with the dog couldn't do. Kids can be stupid and go out of control...if they aren't controled. My point in telling this story is simple: If you see something in your neighborhood, stand up. Kids need to know, there is a big bad wolf watching. Like the 20/20 specials "What would you do?" would you walk away? Or standup??

So now, for your viewing pleasures, here are a couple pictures of offsprings in my family. Extended family that is. Cousins all coming together, to show...their character and momments of what we once were.

That's all folks...ya all!

COLTON 10 MONTHS

2011-04-14T14:09:00.001-08:00

Colton is now standing on his own. He screams for his momma when he wants food. He also just got his first haircut.
He now has 6 teeth...and I'm still nursing. (Yeah, I can't believe I am either). He gets his mouth thumped hard enough that he now knows not to bite. But, from time to time, he looks at me with his big blue eyes and tests my strength.

This boy completely fits our family. We are a country lovin', gun ownin', outdoors playin' type of family. My little boy is growing up in an all american family. I think he is pretty lucky.
Oh yeah, and even though he is only 10 months old, he will learn the value of work and helping around the farm...I mean house. And he better learn to stop biting.
Grandpa, he needs more camo for his birthday.

SURPRISE VISIT WITH MY SISTERS

2011-04-12T21:19:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I actually pulled it off. I'm talking about a surprise. Generally, surprises are hard for me to keep a secret, but lately, I have been in the surprise kinda mood. I was in Phoenix this last week to be an assistant wedding photographer. Sunday morning, I flew out of Phoenix, and landed in Boise to surprise my sister Ashleigh. I hadn't seen her in 4 years! Yes, 4 whole years without seeing my sister has been hard to say the least.

More of the story tomorrow. I love being with family....

FOR THE JOB OR THE EXPERIENCE?

2011-03-29T20:27:00.001-08:00

I had to share a glimpse into the images captured last night. The bride and groom got married 2 weeks ago at the top of the mountain. The wedding was a dream. I'm going to sit down and write about my experience, but right now, Im really tired and ready for a nice, quiet night of rest.

Last night, the bride put on her dress and we rode up the mountain. There were these wicked storm clouds in the sky ~~but~~ and the view was A.MAZE.ING! I can still feel the adrinaline running though me. It was my dream. I pictured these images since December 2010, the first time she asked me to be the photographer...I guess sometimes its not about the job, it's about the experience.

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"

2011-03-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

I find myself a little cheesy lately. With the "oh, it's a wonderful life" type of feel. Sometimes I do think things are wonderful, but not everything is.

Like the fact that my 9 month old baby has been sleeping in a playpen in the middle of my livingroom because he won't sleep through the night. He thinks he is starving. I had to move him out of my room to get through this...so I'm not so quick to go and pick him up. I don't know who has a harder time with this: Me or him? It's hard for me to ignore the sound of a baby crying.

Also, the fact that I notice the back bedrooms (including mine) has been the catch-all this whole winter. Piles of clothes, books, toys. All clutter that you wouldn't even sell at a yardsale type of clutter. Now that it's spring, I can finally see everything that has built up in these 3 rooms. Yes, 3 whole rooms.

Also the fact that my husband works ALL the time. That isn't so wonderful. It definately isn't wonderful that he is exhausted when he is home. (My husband is an underground miner if you didn't know already). Get this: he works from 430am-6:30pm, 14 days IN A ROW....underground. Long, dark, miserable days. I worry about him every day.

Another fact, girls are emotional. I don't know how to deal with emotional girls. Mine are extremely sensitive and I just don't handle it in a compassionate way. I think my girls SHOULD be tough. Handle a little criticism without breaking-down in tears. Her brother even called her a "drama queen" the other day and she said
"Mom! Trey just called me a DRAMA QUEEN and I'm not! He's a big bully and is being sooo mean. Humph...."
What do you say to that? "Trey, stop calling your sister a Drama Queen."

As a mother of 4, I search for those moments of "Oh, it's a wonderful life" only to find them in my quiet hour. When I'm with my husband sitting in the hot tub alone, when my baby wakes up in the morning after a full night of sleep, and when my daughters give me a big hug and tell me "You are the best mom ever" . It keeps me going.
It keeps me positive even though I know darn well... there is a dirty diaper waiting to be changed.

THEY GROW LIKE WEEDS

2011-03-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I remember random people coming up to me with big grins on their faces saying "you have gotten SOOO big....I remember when you were a little baby.."

I remember looking at those people thinking "yeah, ok. So what? I don't even remember you so why are you so happy to see me?"

Now, I find myself going up to other peoples kids saying the same thing "You have gotten SOOOO big in the last 2 years. What happened?"

Now I know why those random people had a big smile on their face. It's not happiness, it's shock.
Shocked that they are getting older too, and that kids...well, they grow like weeds.

Colton is now 9 MONTHS OLD. (what?) Yeah, 9 months. Where does the time go. He crawls all over the place at a very fast pace. He pulls himself up and even does a little dance.

I can't figure out why people call him a little girl? It happens all the time. Random strangers stop to see the cute baby and before they walk away, I hear them say "She is so adorable!"....
what? I now get angry because it has happened so many times. I might just shave his head.

He is growing like a weed and changing every single day. Literally, tomorrow he could be walking.

A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

2011-03-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

Recently, I got invited to be a photographer for Lori Tupous 49th birthday party. This was a surprise party for her thrown by her daughters. They blindfolder her in the snow, told her to walk into her bedroom, and take off her clothes....and this is how it all began. After that, it was all fun and games like musical chairs and a special birthday dance. Everyone had a joke and I found my self trying to join into their family jokes, but mine weren't so funny.

This boy was so funny and always posing for me. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but the brother behind him has the look written all over his face. Priceless.

As a photographer of this special day, I saw love and laughter. They laughed, danced, told jokes, ate good food, and just spent time enjoying each other. Lori received heart felt cards and phone calls from other people that loved her too. I too, wish her a happy 19th....
Love Beth

FINDING THE LIGHT

2011-03-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is a photography post so I will make it very vague. Photography is the "study of light". There are shadows, midtones, and highlights. You can look into the shadows and still see light. You can look into the light, and still see a shadow (most of the time).

Pictures are flattering when there is more composition in the lighting, vs just 1. Have you ever noticed when you take indoor pictures that the picture is a little flat and you say "that's a cute picture" just to move onto the next. But, when you put the subject up to a window where there is light, it changes the whole feel of the picture and makes you say "wow."

I would like to teach some of you how to "find the light" from your backyard to the inside of your closet. It's a matter of teaching your eye how to focus.

CLASS: SATURDAY APRIL 16TH- "FINDING THE LIGHT"
PLACE: SIMPLE BEAUTY STUDIO
COST: FREE
EXPERIENCE: NONE

MARCH....ITS MADNESS

2011-03-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

March. The month we all start seeing a little more light and feeling a LITTLE more heat. When I say us all, I mean all us Alaskans. I find my self singing the theme song from the wizard of Oz "Come out, come out, where ever you are...." because in the movie I start to see more and more people emerging from their homes.
It's spring break here and there is still alot of snow on the ground. A couple weeks ago, I took the kids sledding. It was warm outside (in the high 30's).

Mattie wasn't feeling well and layed down on the log before I hauled her down the hill

We had the Friends come with us.

Trey is getting so big. 11 years old. Next year, sledding wont be so fun for him I'm sure. He will be too cool.

SILLY BANDS

2011-03-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Silly Bands. The rave of 2010. My kids got introduced to them when their Aunt Karrie came to visit back in September (or was it October?...it was a long time ago to me). Anyways, I find silly bands in my laundry, on the floor, in the hot tub sucked up to the filter..everywhere. I guess that is what happens when kids get a whole bunch of little things. They love them....but lose them by the end of the day.

Now they have silly necklaces. They are the same thing, just bigger. Mattie loves to wear these necklaces.

Got to love the silly bands....

SCIENCE FAIR

2011-03-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

Trey was in the 5th grade science fair at GV Elementary. This is where the 5th grade students strut their stuff and come out of the closet, showing they do have a brain. Trey created a lemon powered fan. (Really? Lemons can create power from the citrus? Wow. I didn't know that...)

What is it?
*Trey: A lemon powered battery.
How does it work?
*Trey: All the acids go together into an electrical system and it sends all the electricity through the wire, to the generator, and spins a piece of plastic with string.

How does the acid in the lemon create electricity?
*Trey: 1 of the acids in the lemon are zinc. Zinc is one of the main things in batteries. with all the zinc in the lemon, the nail and the penny transfer all the electricity to the wire. The wire sends it to the generator.

In conclusion, could president Obama use lemons to run vehicles?
*Trey: No. 1 lemon creates 3/4 of a volt. You would need 125 lemons to create 200 volts. A car battery holds 12 volts. You would need 6 lemons according to the calculations, but it doesn't make sense. Would it be possible??

Other science experiments included dissolveing egg shells, baking soda volcano (which Trey helped create also), decomposing ...(as seen below)

floating eggs

Potato powered battery

And here is the baking soda volcano.

The lemons creating light

This is a replica of the first plane.

Baking soda volcano ingredients.

The science fair was fun.
What was your favorite part?
Trey: That we got to share our inventions.

DARE

2011-03-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

D.A.R.E.
It stands for Drug Awareness Resistance Education. It started in 1983 and now being implemented in 75% of our nations school district. It educates students on drug abuse, gangs, and violence and teaches them the importance of resisting the involvement.

Trey sat next to his teacher Mrs. Peel. She has been his teacher for 2 years now.

With all the police around, his teacher still chooses to show her true feelings towards her and Treys relationship...she loves him :)

Trey graduated the 5th grade dare program on Monday. My hopes are that he listened in the class. But ultimately, kids learn more from their parents.

I SUSPECT WE HAVE A PROBLEM

2011-03-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

We purchased a new home in July of 2010. Being a new homeowner has it's ups...and it has it's downs. One thing we improved this. month is updateing the kitchen with new granite counter tops and installing new hardware on the existing cabnets. One week after the completion of the project, we descovered we had a big problem...a leaky roof.

It drips water in numerous places. So, we called a roofer and after investigation, our "newly installed" (installed in 2005ish) metal roof was installed incorrectly.

Why would someone spend the money to put a metal roof on and have it done incorrectly? The insulation is packed up to the top so there isn't any where for the air to go...which causes problems with condensation and mold, which ultimately leads to a rotten roof. (good times, good times). Or, did the previous homeowner pay someone to do the job, and the builder cut corners to receive a larger profit. A Nice metal roof should last 30 years, and this one is already on it's way out.

Trying to find out who built the roof is going to be fun because I think I know who did it because he was the 2nd roofer to come over to my house for a second opinion. He didn't say he built it, but you can tell when he wouldn't even climb up on the roof to look and just wanted to leave the whole time with not alot of answers. (hmmmm....a little suspicious in my investigation).

LIGHT WRITING

2011-03-06T21:44:00.000-09:00

On Thursday at UAS, the photography class went on a field trip. For the fieldtrip, we were learning how to light write. Items needed for this assignment was a camera, a tripod, and a flashlight.
Right outside the door of the classroom is a lake that is frozen solid (for the time being.) The class went out on the lake, into the pitch black, and learned how to light write. It's really easy and fun to do.

1st-find the "bulb" setting on your camera. This means that you control when your shutter opens...and when it closes. The bulb is a fun setting to play with with night photography. Lets just face it, night photography is cool in itself, but to add extra, funky colors from just a flashlight, is awesome.

Message me if your interested in learning how to do this. Alot of fun!

ITS HARD TO SAY GOODBYE ISN'T IT???

2011-03-06T09:17:00.002-09:00

The rooster has gone. Are we sad??

Oh, maybe I should say this also...he went back to his owners. They took a trip to Florida and we had the rooster for about 10 days. It was interesting to say the least. Every morning the rooster would wake up when the lights came on, and do the "cock-a-doo-dul-doooo". After a few days, I got use to the alarm. It wasn't so bad. I felt like I was on a farm or something.
One exciting momment was when Mattie was walking with an apple in her hand and the rooster flew up, trying to steal it from her. Kinda scary, but funny at the same time.

By the time it was time for him to go home, I think we were ready too. I would love to have chickens...just outside.

IS A CHRISTMAS LETTER TOO LATE?

2011-02-25T23:01:00.000-09:00

Its coming to the end of February.It's frozen outside, with an blue skies and sunshine. We have seen single digits here in the past 2 weeks. Christmas seems like it was so far away, and I never sent out my Christmas cards...(wow. I'm on top of things)

We sure have enjoyed some pleasant sunsets this last week.

Having 4 kids all at different stages, has put wrinkles on my face and gray hairs in my head. I better give a quick update on each of the kids.

Trey is now 11. We have had our struggles this last couple months. 11 year old boys think they know it all. I hate to see my own children struggle and not tell me why. But then on the plus side,Trey is growing and wants to try new things. He now likes the guitar and has all of a sudden, grown a strong interest in "Harry Potter." He doesn't want to put it down.

Morgan is 7 and is the top of her class.

Her teachers say she is well above standards. Her best friend is a boy named Paul. But...I know that he is just a friend. She explained it all to me how he is a boy, and her friend...which makes him her "boyfriend." Cute..

Tonight, I snuck in to the girls room and watched them read a bed time story.

Morgan read...and Mattie just listened sucking her thumb.

And then I got caught. (I'm really not that sneeky)

..and Mattie can speak more Spanish than the average American. She lives, breaths, and sleeps Dora the Explorer. She is also my most energetic child who keeps me laughing and shaking my head, all at the same time.

Colton has learned to Crawl and now has 3 TEETH (another 1 popped through today!)

He is such a fun little boy. Always happy and excited. His biggest problem is that he crawls and pulls himself up on things, but doesn't have good balance yet. He tumbles to the floor quite often. It's so sad when he falls.

For the past 10 days, we have been rooster sitting. He is an indoor rooster, that walks around the house and sleeps in a kennel. He definately has a personality. Duke does not like the rooster much.

And we are about 80% done with our kitchen remodel. It's looking really nice and I love the counter tops.

Can you believe February is almost over?? Man, where has the time gone.

LIGHTS, PROPS, AND A SUPER PIRATE

2011-02-22T07:51:00.000-09:00

Lighting. This week in school was all about lighting. There are different ratios to light a subject...using a bunch of different numbers to get the lighting you intend. This understanding has opened up a new door for me. I now have a better idea of what I want for my studio.

Carson came over on Saturday. He is a baby...THE CUTEST BABY... that I have taken pictures of before and everytime, they turn out amazing. I think he is a very photogenic kid and makes me want to squeeze him everytime. I also got asked to be the photographer at his birthday which the theme is "Pirates." Here is 1 picture just to let you have a little peek into what I'm talking about here.

You see? Squeeze those little cheeks and pinch those toes.
Lights, props, and a super pirate. Arg......

HOT AND COLD FLASHES

2011-02-17T15:56:00.000-09:00

The cold and flu season has hit. Some people get the puking flu, others get the body aches. We have been staying indoors trying to stay warm. Reading this post, you might get hot and cold flashes.

My mom and I had the opportunity to take a flight over Juneau on her last day here. It was amazing to say the least. Blue skys, white mountain tops, and ice fields for miles.

Brrr....heres a nice warm fire to warm you up.

THE ULTIMATE SURPRISE

2011-02-17T15:14:00.000-09:00

Has it really been 2 weeks since I have made a post? What can I say about that. 2 weeks goes by fast. The last 2 weeks, there has been alot of activity. I hosted a family in my house that I didn't know, completely cleaned and organized my filing cabinet, completed a couple photo shoots, (that's just the smaller things), and did I stop to smell the roses??...yes I did.

On January 28th, Morgan turned 7 years old. Treys birthday is on February 6th and he will be turning 11. Grandma Lloyd flew up to Alaska as a surprise. I knew about the surprise for some time, but the kids had no idea. They hadn't seen her in almost 2 years. We set it up. Grandma was hiding in Morgans room and when the kids got home from school, Andy acted like Mattie destroyed her room and THEY had to clean it up....

So, grandma waited in their room next to the closet. (I know she is going to hate this picture, but its so cute. I love the excitement for the surprise)

We could hear them outside, but it took them forever to get inside. Trey walked in and Andy asked where Morgan was. He said she's coming (Morgan is the slowest child. It took her 10 minutes to crawl up the stairs.) They both walked in the door, and Andy gave them that look...the mean look. He said "You better get into Morgans room right now and get it cleaned up!!! Mattie messed it up and you 2 need to get in there right now."
Morgan started to cry stating "I shouldn't have to clean...it's my birthday." Trey gave us that look like life sucks and continued walking. I was in the bedroom too waiting with the video camera. Morgan walked in and went straight to her bed. Trey walked in and looked at me and then he turned....
Shocked and utterly silent, he looked at Grandma Lloyd and ran to her with his arms wide open and the biggest grin on his face. Morgan then saw what was behind her and was like "what's going on?" She then found out Dad was joking and there was really a big surprise hidden in there room.

Grandma Lloyd stayed with us for a whole week. These kids are spoiled.

EVERYDAY LIFE

2011-02-17T13:38:00.000-09:00

February. Already? Man, time sure does fly when you start getting old. Doesn't it seem like bed time just isn't long enough? A lady at Treys Elementary school suggested that we all need to "stop and smell the roses" from time to time...I said, that sure would be nice...but that's a luxury.
Im in College again. Advanced Photography. I am learning more than I knew I could learn. I'm learning about colors, light, and editing. This last week, for example, we learned how to turn a photo Black and white 9 different ways. The week before, we learned about all the color spectrums and how they work together (or against). Then, on my own, I had a breakthrough learning a function that existed in my camera. I won't explain it, but basically it's using my sensor screan to perfect a picture. Literally, I can look at the screen on the camera and see what it's going to look like, before I take the picture. I call it "photograpy perfection mode". Too bad you have to have a higher end camera to experience this mode.

So, here are some pictures from this week of excitement. I'm calling it, my Everyday Life in High quality imagery.

COLD....TAKE 3

2011-01-17T12:28:00.000-09:00

Cold. It shows location of cold, color of cold, and subject is cold. I think this will be my final.
(It could be an advertisement for an Alaskan beverage...yes. Anyone want a drink?)

HUMBLE

2011-01-17T11:49:00.000-09:00

Dear Readers- This is an account of my experience at church and is a story about someone who had life struggles and touched my heart. You might want a tissue.

*A relief society is a organization of women that help other sisters and families through charity.
*BOM is a shortened version of the word Book of Mormon
..........................................................................
It has been about 2 months since we have made it to church. I have been a member of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints" my whole life. Born, baptized at 8, completed girls camp...the whole shabang. I have been in many different wards and met people from all walks of life. For me to miss church isn't that "big" of a deal. The gospel is something I have learned about my whole life and it's hard to get all the kids ready some Sundays. 2 months was a little longer than normal.

So on Sunday, we ventured out into the winter storm to make it to church. The roads were so bad: (snow on top of ice and snowing ice.) I was petrified, as I clutched onto the stearing wheel going about 40 down the highway. Trey was yelling at me to turn around, and then he did the craziest thing: rolled over in his seat and closed his eyes. But, we made it safely.

I walked in the building (it was time for class at this point), but sacrament was still going. Reverence filled the building. I was still shook up from the trip over with 4 kids and my adrinaline was in full swing. It was abnormally reverent this Sunday; no kids out in the lobby except mine (who were constantly asking in a loud voice "where's my class at??") We ventured to the back row of the overflow section and sat down for the last 10 minutes..

In relief society.
I walked into *relief society greeted by many faces. A couple of them noticed I changed my hair. The president of the relief society jumped up to ask me if I would give the prayer. I wasn't feeling the spirit. I felt like a visitor almost. I was comfortable enough to tell her that I really wasn't feeling the spirit enough to pray. I asked her to pick someone else and I went to sit down. Class started.

This lady gets up to give the prayer. I'd never seen her before. She was new to the ward. She was a heavier set lady in her mid 30's, with redish color hair that needed a cut. Her whole top front row of her teeth were missing, wearing a dress that was worn in. I could tell she had lived a pretty rough life. She looks around the room and.....
She said "Before I pray, could I please tell you a story."...her hands were shaking and her face was so humble. She starts by saying she hasn't been a member of the church very long and she wasn't quite sure she could pray.
She starts. "When I was in high school, I had a really rough life. I couldn't find happiness...made alot of bad choices"
She continued her testimony and I started to bawl my eyes out. I pictured my aunt Ragina standing up there and I felt for this lady more than she knew. (At a young age, my aunt Ragina died a 2 years ago from a long struggle with drug addiction.) She couldn't find happiness and looked in other places. She said she got to a point where she asked for help. Then a girl from school handed her a *BOM, the lady took it home, and ultimately It had fallen behind her dresser. (*that's where they normally land the first time your handed one...*that's a joke) So she continued...
She said she never opened the book. Her life went on...In the story she skipped over chapters, shaking her head calling the chapters "struggling years." I knew what she ment. I had seen it. My aunt Ragina struggled, her whole family "struggled." A struggle doesn't just last a day, it lasts for a long time to a person...especially a struggle that involves drugs.
She said "One night I was sitting there and I asked for an answer. This time almost immediately, there was a nock at the door. It was 2 men dressed in black suits (aka the Mormon missionaries.) They handed me this book, the BOM. I knew this couldn't happen twice by coincidence, there was no way.." She continued on by saying how she followed this path and she felt this was the answer to find her "happiness." She got baptised in October and keeps her book at her table and reads it all day. Whenever she needed an answer, it was right there. She was trying so hard to find her happiness, and now she had found it.

THE PRAYER

It was now time for her prayer...she wasn't sure how to pray. It was so sincere. "Thank you for everything you have given me. Thank you for my house. Thank you for giving me heat for my house..."I saw a glimpse into those unknown chapters (the ones she just shook her head at) and saw someone that was truly struggling.
she continued and I started to bawl again...
later in the prayer she said it again, "Thank you so much for heat in my home." ...Heat. I can't imagine living without heat. Something so little of a worry to me but something alot of people in the world pray for. To me, running out of heat just means go get more oil. But to others, heat is something you look for to escape the winter.

What a humbling experience it was for me to hear this ladies prayer. She made me realize how much I take having the gospel in my life for granted. I do, I take it for granted because I was born with the opportunity. I have a BOM, and mine is still behind my shelf (*joke). And the fact that there are people with greater struggles to find happiness.

I did go to church this day and Im glad I did. I'm glad I told that relief society president that I couldn't say the prayer. I'm glad that this lady touched my heart with her humble words. And I'm glad I had a friend sitting right next to me to tell me "she loved me."..as I was probably the only one in the room bawling my eyes out. I felt this ladies spirit, saw a dead family member (in memory not literally), and now feel even more greatful for the gospel.

BLACK, WHITE, AND GRAY

2011-01-17T00:05:00.002-09:00

Winter is full of color. 3 different colors: black, white, and gray. You look out and see cloudy, yukky, dark days with little to no light. When photographing this type of weather, why not focus on those colors? You have to realize your not going to have the pretty green grass all year round, it's just not going to happen. Winter is dark and cold colors, and with that said, why not photograph it how it is.
Heres my take on it.

It's winter...in all it's glory. Printing them in black and white shows time. You can always look back and say "yeah, you remember that winter of 2011"...."that was one crazy winter....

THE STUDY OF LIGHT

2011-01-15T14:03:00.000-09:00

*black dog on black rug is related to the exposure. It is what you want to meter your camera to, to get the best exposure.
*a ward is a church family
.........................................................

The meaning of photography is "the study of light." It's not about the subject, it's about how...the light falls on your subject. How useful of a tool it is when you "see the light". It's the luminosity of the color and the aim of the light that changes the feel of the image.

I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to photograph this family I know from the *Ward. I set up my studio in what we called "The Blue Room".

...so I anxiously waited for the family to arrive. I maped out some poses, excitement was in the air, and soon the doorbell rang. They walked in looking fabulous, all in black and white. Well, my background was all black. (*black dog on black rug concept). Through the camera lens and the lights, it looked like this.

A dads love for his little girl...

Sisters

ANOTHER GENERATION

I think my studio will be focused more artistic and focusing on the subject, more than the background. It shows personality...or it could show love...
I loved the fun, yet peaceful feeling that came out in the photographs. The contrast makes me focus on the expression more.

COLD...TAKE 1

2011-01-14T23:30:00.000-09:00

COLD. What do you think of? I think of cold breath, exiting your mouth on a chilly winter day.
I think of Ice. It's so simple to think of so many cold things just by looking out my front window. Our first assignment of the class is to create an image that represents "Cold." Here is the first thing I tried.

(he didn't say what term to use Cold at ...so this is "Cold Hearted")

I'll do some more OUTDOOR ones tomorrow but I think I will submit one of these too.

It's all about your prospective...

UAS ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY

2011-01-14T08:18:00.000-09:00

Well, I did it. Yesterday, was the first day of class at UAS and I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. I enrolled for the Advanced Photography class for 2 reasons. 1-I know there are things that I could be better at and 2-education is the key to success.
Some of you might not agree with #2. I understand education isn't EVERYTHING but in my career choice, it is a big chunk of success. In most careers, it's a big chunk.
The total cost was $614.00 for a 3 credit course. 3 credits. They told me that in this day and age, at our little branch of UAS, a graduating student would pay an average of 22,000 dollars for a graduate...and now it takes 4-6years. That is alot of time.
To break it down even further, that would be $5,500 a year for 4 years, OR $458.333 A MONTH. This is just an average joe, getting his education. Not including food, shelter, books, and beer (...I'm just saying. Did you also know students pay more for beer in college than food? Seriously, it was in my economics class in college.)

PUTTING AWAY
How, would a mother of 4 kids afford college for all of their kids? If I started now, I would need to put away 152.00 a month for Morgan, 260.00 a month for Trey, 122.00 a month for Mattie, and 100.00 a month for Colton
TOTAL= 634.00 a month for the next 8 years (at the least.) I better go find me some gold!
(...ANDY, THAT'S YOUR DEPARTMENT.)

Snowmobiling (for the Beauty, ride, and show)

2011-01-13T14:14:00.001-09:00

Sunday, January 9th 2011, I had the opportunity to go snowmobiling with my dear friend Kristina. Andy was suppportive and stayed home with all the kids. I got away solo. I was completely free. I brought my camera on this adventure because that's what I do when I'm free...create images of what I see.

Outside, it was in the low 20's. Everything had ice crystals formed and the air was frigid. 2 of Kristinas kids came for the ride, one was 11 the other 6. As we are driving down the road, the 6 year old asked me:
"Do you take pictures all day long?"
...I said, "Yeah. Pretty much. I'm a little different. You will come to find that out in your life." Nuf said.

DAN MOLER AT THE BEGINNING

We pulled into the parking lot and I noticed there were quite a few vehicles there. This is a main trail that many snowmobilers use. I sat infront of Justin (Kristinas husband), as we started up the trail. The first 50 yards up the trail was pure ice...and we got stuck. Justin told me to get off and walk up the hill. 15 minutes later, us and 6 other sleds had made it up the icy hill...we were on our way.

Within 5 minutes, my perspective of snowmobiling was starting to evolve. It was amazing to go through the mountain, passing snowcovered trees, going so fast you can feel your stomach in your throat. There was untouched beauty right there on all sides of me. Then, Justin would start to go really fast and head towards a jump, (without a second thought) and I was SCREAMING like a little girl...(no, more like a mouse that just got trapped in a mouse trap. I don't have the best scream of excitement) Yes, it was a rush I tell ya.

LIVING ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

(click on picture to see full panorama)

There are these people that call themselves, sledheads. These people live for the winter sports, thrive on the rush, and love the sound of the engine.

It's quite an easy going group of people...which is why I could be one. They took me to the top. The top of the mountain...in the middle of winter...in Alaska. The view was something I had never seen and was amazing. It was about -50 with the wind blowing sideways (this is just an guess). Ice was on the trees in different shapes and the sky was as blue as blue can be.

I knew at this point, it wasn't just the ride, it was the destination that made this sport a choice activity.

JUMPS
And then, I got a show. (Beauty, ride, then show. Who...I SAID WHO would ask for more?)

Ok, well I did ask for 1 more thing. A picture of me, a warm cabin, and another trip.

A tickety-boo

2011-01-07T22:09:00.000-09:00

A tickety-boo. What does that mean exactly? Is that the new COOL word on the street that means "you rock" or does it mean it's like a ticking bomb, ready to explode? An anonymous viewer rated my blog as "tickety-boo". Whatever it means, it has me interested.

Here is something Tickety-boo. I completed Once a Month Cooking. Yes, this is a very daunting task when you have 4 kids. Literally, I started at 8:30am and didn't finish until 8:30pm. 12 hours of cooking. By the end of it...I was thinking "boom." I'm not very organized in the kitchen...which made this hard. I also washed about 500 dishes and cut up 20 onions (all different shapes and sizes.) I would get one recipe put together, and still the stack of recipes didn't go down.

On the "tickety" side of things, dinner tonight was a breeze. Pull it out of the freezer, pop it in the oven...paint my toenails...steem some fresh brocolli, and WOLLA! My labors had paid off. Stress free dinner. There were little dishes to wash, and the cleanup was a breeze. Tick-Tick-Tick...

Here is the question I ask myself. Will I do it again?
I can't answer it yet. It tramatized me to no end. I even had nightmares lastnight that I was chopping onions and frantically trying to remember to do something... that had to do with cooking. Because I'm not organized in the kitchen, I'm not sure a whole day of cooking is worth...a whole month of not cooking. Does that make sense?

Tomorrow, the whole family (minus Colton) will hopefully survive an outing to the ice skating rink. A tickety-boo.

WALKING ON WATER

2010-12-28T18:17:00.000-09:00

I had hiked the glacier many times.
I have rafted the glacier many times...
I touched the ice bergs from the water...

and now I can say I have walked ON water...and sledded down an ice berg after today.

4 years. And I haven't ever been to the glacier in the winter? Ok, so that is a little wierd considering the fact that it seems like a very popular place for families. I even ran into the Phelps family when I pulled into the parking lot. This place made our little hill by our house, look like the bunny slopes.

20 minutes after we arrived, I wanted to go out to an Ice berg. All of us, ventured across the ice with our sleds in hand.

Here we were, standing under a berg that was floating in the water earlier this year.

Colton started to Cry right when we arrived at this point. He was hungry and cold.

But, I wanted to try 1 more picture. He wasn't having it at all.

Colton cried and cried. I figured it was time to go. So I loaded him up in the sled and pulled him. Normally, he would stop crying at that point...but not this time. He cried for 45 minutes straight...as I pulled him and Mattie back across the frozen ice field. People were walking by me and I just shook my head. It was one of those momments I thought...I'm a little over my head. Taking all 4 kids by myself maybe wasn't a good idea.

The night before Christmas

2010-12-27T15:53:00.000-09:00

Twas the Night before Christmas and all through the house.

Not a creature was stiring....just mom and dad wrapping.

The stockings were hung on the wall, then pulled down to the chair.

For santa Claus is now done,...good night to the world, I'm snoring like a bear.

(poetry by me....can you tell?)

CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION

2010-12-27T15:28:00.000-09:00

I watched a History Channel Special on the History of Christmas. At the conclusion of the show I learned how The American Traditions of Christmas came to be. I highly recommend renting it from Netflix or your local store because of the fact, you will have a realization that the celebration of Christmas is... all about Tradition.

No matter how you celebrate it, it's important to keep the tradition you share alive in your family.

One tradition in my family (the Lloyds side) is to open 1 present on Christmas Eve. It is always pajamas. That way, you wake up in the morning in new clothes for your Christmas celebration. The kids are the most excited about this present because it sets the tone for Christmas morning. They then go along there merry way to their warm beds...ahhhhh. (that's my favorite part. JK)

Morgan was the first to go this year after a game of inny, minny, minney, mo.

Then Mattie who waited very patiently (which is hard for her). She was so excited about her Froggy pjs.

Then Colton went. Trey was last. I bought Mens smalls for him because the kids XL looked really fat.

Yes, I picked out my own.

Merry Christmas Eve...

SLEDDING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

2010-12-27T13:11:00.001-09:00

Our new house is within walking distance from the big sledding hill. Christmas eve at around 3pm, we bundled up and went to the hill. It was starting to get dark, but getting out of the house was very much needed (for me and the kids.)

Colton got a sleigh ride to the hill. I found out he really doesn't like hats on his head. He screamed if the hat fell over his eyes. The cold didn't bother him at all. Completely calm.

4 kids sledding. The hardest part is getting everyone ready. One of them cant find their gloves, another can't find their shoes. I have even created "winter bins" for each of the kids but their gear doesn't always make it to their destination. This day we started getting ready around 2:15pm and it took 45 minutes to get out the door.

Trey pulled Mattie and Morgan pulled Colton. I took pictures. As long as everyone is doing something, it minimized the amount of complaining.

Morgan is healing really well from her surgery. She is now eating again...which is very good. She was the one that cried to go sledding and was full of energy when it was time to go. Everyone did fight over pulling Colton...even Mattie.

We made it to the top of the hill. It was dark. So, in the dark, we sled. That's what we do since it is dark more than light. The snow, rain, dark....nothing scares us away. (Unless it is blowing sideways).

I know what your all thinking "What is on her hood?" My daughter sat too close to the fireplace. I guess she was cold...

When I was a kid, my parents took all 6 of us kids sledding up in the blue mountains. It was an all day event. I remember the hill was huge and as the day went on, more families would go to this same hill in the middle of no where. We were city kids, so I'm sure we didn't have anything really nice for winter gear...which is why I remember being FREEZING COLD and barely making it up and down more than once.
My point: Good winter gear is the key to a good sledding trip.

Where it looks like Trey is pushing Colton, he really was just moving him back and forth for the ride.

After about 1 hour, it was time to pack up in the dark, and walk back down the long hill and head back home. It was Christmas Eve after all and time to unwrap our 1 present before Santa came.

DECEMBER

2010-12-22T23:23:00.000-09:00

AFTER THE OPERATION: SLEEP...

Halfway through the month, we had to slow down and take time to care for a sick child. Morgan had surgery this month. She had her tonsils taken out. They were extremely large and caused Morgan to snore at night. She also talked louder than she should.

My Best Photoshoot Yet

2010-12-06T17:32:00.000-09:00

I'm feeling really good about my capabilities (finally). I finally feel like I am in control of the camera. We had our struggles, but now I think I have won this battle. Figuring out how to take a picture of EXACTLY what I see is now a reality.

Here is a picture from my photo shoot today. It was a beautiful place, an awesome family, and all around a good time. It was easy. I didn't feel much pressure. I manually white balanced and set the exposure to what I wanted. I even had time to be creative...I am starting to feel more and more confident.

more Jinglebell Cuteness

2010-11-24T09:40:00.000-09:00

FIRST SNOW

2010-11-24T09:29:00.000-09:00

THE FIRST SNOW TOUCHED DOWN NOVEMBER 23RD. I WOKE UP AT 4AM AND SAW THIS SIGHT RIGHT OUT MY FRONT DOOR.

This was Coltons first time in snow. He didn't cry, he just sat there and stared. Then he reached for the white stuff, and after about 5 minutes, had enough.

THANKFUL

2010-11-23T23:26:00.002-09:00

Last fall, I went to my parents house in Washington DC area. We traveled from DC, to New York, to Gettysburg PA in hopes to see as much of the American history as possible. We arrived in Gettysburg around 5pm and started the tour. One stop, to the next...to the next, learning of all the battles fought in this one little town over the course of 3 days.At this point we reached the battle of the Bloody Angle.

This was a bloody battleground. The entrenchments behind you would have been shoulder height, rain would have been falling, and the mud here slick and slippery. You can see from the terrain how a Union soldier, moving along the valley and trying to keep from exposing himself to fire from the Confederate line extending to your right would have been naturally funneled to this position.

The monument on the left of the picture marks a second ridge. The other side of it was also shielded from Confederate view, but the moment they crossed the ridge they were exposed to fire. This is where many Union soldiers died, coming out of the low ravine and into the hail of Confederate fire.

At this position, Union soldiers would have huddled in the mud and rain, before climbing onto or over the wall, to shoot at or engage Confederate soldiers in vicious hand to hand combat on the other side.

This picture is just one of the battlefields. 620,000 soldiers died over a course of 3 days, for our freedoms. When we got to this point last fall, the sun was setting. The red sky, the view, and the reality of this war, struck me and nothing said thankful for another day of life, like this moment of time.

It's almost Thanksgiving. What do I think about that? Well, I survived another year here in Alaska and will now be celebrating the Traditional Turkey day in my 2nd Alaskan home. The snow today gave me a little excitement. It reminded me of the joy the season brings.

It also made me remember I would love to be around family right about now. It brought me to memories of Cooking in the kitchen with my sisters...singing christmas songs from the Afterglow Christmas CD...my sister Tiffany cooking like 15 different pies at once. And Jordan, being a silly old kid that just makes me laugh. My family, the Lloyds.

With all the thoughts of Christmas, I also pondered the idea of taking all the kids to Grandma Lloyds house someday.

They would all love it there, with all the museums and food right around the corner...and making cookies even if it is 11:30 at night.

And curling up to a story that Grandpa Lloyd is reading outloud. My parents always loved the laughter and joy children brought into homes...and I want my kids to feel their love in return.

I also think about my grandma Marilyn who passed on earlier this year....
I miss her.
_____________......

She...made the best food. Seriously. Grandma could cook now! My first memory of grandma was her tall cupboards and at the very top, was the jar of gumballs. It wasn't playing in her backyard that I remember, it was the gumballs. And her giant heater that I would sit infront of and watch the artist painting guy on PBS.

I'm thankful I know the story of the Pilgrims and now it is my job to make sure my kids know it also...(I know I'm off of the subject a little, but Morgan said she doesn't know the story at all and she is in 1st grade. Do they really think that Thanksgiving is all about a Turkey dinner?...there is a story behind, that's all I'm saying)

I am thankful. Thankful for all my wonderful examples and memories. The Traditions. The good food that was prepared for me my whole life, so that I can share in the Thanksgiving Spirit. I'm thankful for the family time. The nap after turkey... And the late night pumpkin pie. I'm thankful for freedom and for the people that have fought to keep the United States that way..
.and I hope it all sets the tone for the spirit of giving. Christmas.

FROZEN IN TIME

2010-11-17T16:49:00.000-09:00

Todays storm has been chilly.The temperature in my truck read 28, but with the wind it was more like -28. Here are some pictures of the crazy wind and subzero temperatures that have frozen the waterfalls and showed us,winter is here.

Icicles form where the moss was dripping water.

Waterfall starting to freeze

Frozen in Time

Sunkin' treasures

The wind was picking up and throwing the ocean water in the air.

NORTH FACING WINDOWS

2010-11-14T13:52:00.000-09:00

I'm indoors. I want to use the natural Juneau light. What I look for is the North Facing Window. This window has the best light. The difference between this window and any other window is...well, there is a big difference. I see more detail in the subject... that is flatering. The natural light allows your camera to have a faster shutterspeed, which is what catches movement, and reduces the amount of camera shake.

Colton and I hang out quite a bit. So he is my subject.

Focus on his eyes.

Or his profile.

Or the car he is playing with.

Whatever your focus is or whatever you intend the picture to say,with natural light, you will beable to have a flattering picture.

IF ONLY IT WASN'T DARK

2010-11-14T10:11:00.000-09:00

IF it wasn't too dark outside, these would have been our family pictures.

This would have been a sight to see. (About 15 goats)

This would have been an awesome picture. Good thing we can try again

THINGS I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR...

2010-11-13T09:17:00.001-09:00

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way....

That is the sound of me ringing my bell for money outside of the mall because it is Christmas time. I had this goal to be done before Thanksgiving. However, the truck is currently parked and the shop said it will be 2300.00 to fix (rip off), Morgan is going to need surgery on her tonsils the first of December, and ...I still have to put food on the table. (Thank you Rachel and Sean for giving us a box of Cari bu meat and the Willis's for the Moose). I don't know how much I can do for Christmas (which is sad to me), but I need to remember, there are others alot worse off than we are...and I shouldn't worry.

With that said, I still have a WANT list to Document. (I feel so selfish). But it is completely different than most years. I think I have changed since I have turned 30.

1-Home Depot Gift Card
2-Pots and Pans
3-Studio Lights
4-I REALLY WANT A HOME DEPOT GIFT CARD (Are you reading this Andy??)
5-Clothes. Preferably a gift card to Ann Taylor Loft.

TU-TU ADVERTISEING

2010-11-13T08:54:00.000-09:00

My friend Sarai, has made hundreds of tu-tus to sell at the local market for "the day after Thanksgiving"sale. Her reason for doing this was a couple months back, a can of pepsi spilled on her fairly new Canon SLR...and fried it. (Yes, I sympathize with her) I hope she sells every single tu-tu, hairbow, and wand---so I am putting together an advertisement for her.

These pictures are not only my first photoshoot with my Canon 7D, but my first photoshoot under indoor lights. This is why they look so good, 2 professional aspects of photography. I now need to buy indoor lights.

Im in love with the quality. I don't know if the outdoor Juneau light will ever compare. We will see....we will see.

1st days of the CANON 7D

2010-11-12T20:04:00.000-09:00

I recieved my new camera in the mail...the Canon 7D. It is awesome!!
The first day, I tested out all the different things on the camera. In different light, and pretty much figuring out everything about it.

I still don't know everything...but the more I practice, the more I am impressed with this machine.

It absorbs much more light and detail.

Im learning how to set everything to a custom setting.

Not every picture I take is AMAZING. It takes alot of trial and error. And that is what I have mostly, trial and error.

We even had our first snow this day...

Brrrr....lets go back to that hot tub shot.

That's more like it. Staying warm.

THE TRUNK---OR---TREAT...2010

2010-11-12T18:49:00.000-09:00

The kids and I attended the annual Trunk-or-Treat at the LDS church Friday before Halloween. Mattie was Dora, Morgan was Hannah Montana, Trey was a Hairy Gobblin, Colton was a puppy, and I was (again) an escape prisoner from the Psychiatric ward.

I had bought this huge party tent from Sears about a month before because it was on clearance. I couldn't pass it up for 99.00. This was an opportunity for me to put it to use. I arrived 2 hours early to set it up. I looked at the box and knew, there was NO WAY in heaven that I was going to put this up by myself. So, I ran into the church building and all the missionaries were getting out of a meeting...so I asked them if they could do me some service.

It took 8 grown men to put it up....8. They got it put together in about 1 hour and I was so grateful. I wouldn't have been able to do it.

What a team. I'm glad they could do service for me.

Trey helped out with Colton. He is such a good big brother.

Morgan just dropped her coat in the water. She wasn't very happy about it.

Colton rode in the stroller a good portion of the night.

Our trunk-or-treat here in Juneau is very popular. There is the chili cook-off (which is pretty much a potluck) and a very safe place.

Good times. Good times.

HALLOWEEN 2010

2010-11-12T18:11:00.000-09:00

Once the temperature starts to drop here, and we loose more daylight hours, I know it is getting closer to Halloween. Halloween was on a Sunday this year--which ment a 4 day Halloween weekend. Oh joy,4 days to collect candy by the bucket full and have children so hiped up on sugar. Sounds very stressful to me. I mean come on, that is alot of candy and alot of sugar....in my children...in 1840 square foot of living space.

Mattie was Dora the Explorer. I preplanned it. We were going to dye her hair black and wear colorful clothes. Here she is before the transformation.

Here she is after. When we got to the trunk-or-treat however, no one knew who she was. I felt so bad because she was excited about being dora...and no one knew who she was. Someone actually thought she was a prisoner. (*ahhhh....) I guess I should have done it a little better.

Colton hung out at home before the big trunk-or-treat. He is growing...like they all do. I wish he would just stop growing.

Mmmm...fresh homemade rolls for dinner. I love this that I can rise them on the fireplace. My whole house started to smell like bread. The smell of bread is something I love. My mom use to wake up in the morning and the smell of breakfast cooking would pull me out of bed. It was so comforting to wake up to that smell.

Ok, so Trey was a hairy gobblin. Would you be scared.?

All of us before heading out the door. Andy lucked out and had to go to work. I know he really wanted to go...

FRIENDS

2010-11-12T14:31:00.000-09:00

These are our friends...

The Friends...

They are very Friendly...

There last name just happens to be Friend also.

I was excited to take their pictures because they are a mining family (like us). But they are a little more than us, considering their extended family is part owner of the AJ Mine. Or something like that. We headed up there about 3pm...and then I realized, it was daylight savings so we lost 1 hour of daylight.

It is a little harder shooting in the dark. I think only a hand full of pictures turned out. We will have to try again. Maybe in the spring when everything starts to turn green.

gymnastics

2010-11-12T14:14:00.000-09:00

Mattie and Morgan are both in a local Gymnastics class on Saturdays. The class is full of very active children that need to run it out...especially mine.

Morgan just started 2 weeks ago. Morgan isn't as active of a kid as Mattie, but she really wants to do it. Matter of fact, before class last week the kids were playing tag. One boy tagged Morgan and said "your it!" as he ran off skipping away. Morgan looked at them kids like, "are you crazy? Do you really want me to RUN after you? This game isn't fun."...that's my Morgan. Not really the most flexible, athletic, child. But, she is smart and watches. One day, she will get it.

Mattie loves her gymnastics class. I believe that girl is part monkey. When she gets to the bars, she can run up to them, grab them, and swing her whole body. She is very strong. The balance beam is her biggest challenge. It's not walking on it, it's jumping over a ribbon on the balance beam that she looses her confidence on.

THE BRIDGE

2010-10-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I did a photoshoot on a bridge. This was the first time I actually looked at the background I had and realized all the potential of the setting. I see the picture now before I take it...which is kinda cool. This is what makes it art.

This is the Edwards family. Sporting the Red, White, and Blue because they just got back from supporting Joe Miller, a candidate running for Senator of Alaska. They are such a cute family. 2 boys, and 1 girl.

The business is finally kicking off and moving along for the christmas season. I'm having a great time with it and am learning about managing a business. Today I should get my new camera...should. I hope so. I have been waiting all weekend for it to come but I'm afraid it got on one of the UPS planes that had terrorist bombs on it...

GLACIER 2010. SIMPLE BEAUTY INSPIRATION

2010-10-28T23:33:00.001-08:00

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT US ALASKANS GET TO EXPERIENCE RIGHT OUT OUR BACK DOORS.

BUT TO OTHERS, THIS MIGHT BE PARADISE THAT YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE OR PICTURE ON THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.

THIS IS ONE OF MY INSPIRATIONS. THE PLACE THAT CREATED MY SIMPLE BEAUTY.

THE PLACE THAT NEVER GETS OLD....(UNLESS IT RAINS)

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HAD TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF TRAFFIC TO TAKE THIS PICTURE. THE MORNING FOG-AS IT SITS OVER THE WATER. YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES AHEAD OF YOU WHEN YOU STAND IN THIS SPOT...AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN.

FALL. WHEN THE LEAVES ARE GONE, AND THE GROUND JUST WAITS FOR THE SNOW. WAITING FOR OUR GOOD OLD JACK FROST TO COME...

I LOVE HOW MAGNIFICENT ICE BERGS FLOATING IN WATER LOOK. THE TEXTURE, SHAPE, AND COLOR.

SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE WHAT INSPIRES ME...

ANIMALS IN ALASKA! (RUN FOR YOUR LIVES)

2010-10-28T23:00:00.000-08:00

LIONS, AND TIGERS, AND BEARS...OH MY.

WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF INTERESTING ANIMALS.

IT WAS ANIMAL DAY AT PRESCHOOL. ALL THE KIDS WERE DRESSED IN AN ANIMAL THEME CLOTHES.

I LOVED THE KITTY CAT COSTUME. SHE IS SO CUTE!!

OH NO! THIS WAS A DINOSAUR. SHE MUST BE ONE TOUGH LITTLE GIRL.

MATTIE DECIDED TO BE THE ELEPHANT OUT OF ALL OUR SAVED UP HALLOWEEN COSTUMES. IT WAS TREYS COSTUME ONCE. SHE IS LOVING HALLOWEEN SO FAR THIS YEAR. THIS WEEKEND, SHE WILL BE DORA THE EXPLORER.

MORGAN WILL BE HANNA MONTANA AND TREY IS THE HAIRY GOBLIN. TOMORROW IS THE BIG TRUNK-OR-TREAT AT THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AND I AM SETTING UP A COUPLE BUCKETS FOR "BOBBING FOR APPLES."

IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE BUT...GOODBYE

2010-10-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

I DID IT. My new camera is on it's way. The Canon 7D. This is a huge turning point, the turn to Professionalism quality. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to my other camera. But it's going to be like trading out my crackers for prime rib.

18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
8 frames per second continuous shooting
1080p HD video recording with manual controls
3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
19-point AF system (all cross-type)
1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder
Wireless flash control
Environmental sealing
HEAVEN IN MY HAND
CRISP CLEAR PHOTOGRAPHS
ARE YOU READY FOR PHOTOS??

ORGANIZING TIME

2010-10-23T22:16:00.000-08:00

It is approaching the Christmas season, wether I like it or not. Don't get me wrong, I love the season and am excited for it. It is coming so fast in my life. You see, I want to get my photography buisness going so there wouldn't be as much pressure for Andy to work so much overtime and other reasons. I also want to get projects done around the house. These are 2 very time consuming things.

Daily chores and raising 4 kids doesn't go away when I'm working on these projects. Some weeks, I forget to go grocery shopping or do the dishes. I let all these things slide by, and I start to get lost in thought and it feels like there is too much going on that I just don't have time. I never realized how much TIME my photograpy takes away from my family until I sat down last night and calculated it all out. For 1 photoshoot, it takes roughly 8 hours from start/end. Projects around the house could take up 4 hours/day, and still be unfinished.

I need to get organized again and make it a way of life. Sitting down, looking at organizing my TIME will help me to get things done and not overbook my week. My time is so extremely valuable that inorder to continue to do photography, It needs to be worth it. I should spend roughly 2 hours a day with the family away from the computer and chores. Is 2 hours a day too little? By the time they get home from school, there really isn't that much time left in the day.
It all boils down to Focusing on what is really important and managing my time better. If I have to stay up later to edit pictures, that is where that time will be. If I have a project around the house, I need to plan to have everything else done before I start. That way, there isn't a single distraction.

Here is to organizing time....the never ending saga

8AM in October

2010-10-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

October has been nasty. 2 storms with 40mph winds and lots of rain has left us all to think that it will just get worse from here on out. Then, this morning, I was pleasantly surprised by the calm fall morning. I walked out the door headed to bring Mattie to Pre-school and I could see the sunshine. All the mountain tops are snow covered and the trees are bare.

It's fall. Time to get ready and bundle up.

MY BABY IS AMERICAN MADE

2010-10-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

Proud to be Americans...yes we are.

HANDYMAN

2010-10-10T18:15:00.001-08:00

Do you want a housecleaner to help you get your house cleaned back up? Or, do you ever wish there was more than one of you that you could pass off duties to while you sit back and relax? I found a better solution...it's called A HANDYMAN.

I wanted a wall built around my hot tub. Andy gave me this sigh like he was too exhausted to even think about it. I then tried a new approach called...Phone a friend. She loaned her husband to me for a whole day as my handyman.

I cleaned and went about my day...and watched him work and built this beautiful wood wall.

The stairs....and side view. I don't see my neighbors anymore!

Hot tub Right outside my door and I won't see anything from inside. No neighbors, no street lights shining in on me...just pure cedar wood and the tops of trees.

I got this outdoor mat from Home Depot for free. Yes, free.

We handpicked every single picket. Picking out nice pickets is very important in building any fence. Or it might be uneven or rot away sooner than you would like.

The highway to heaven....right at my fingertips....ahhh. (Stinking kids left their fingerprints all over the door..)

THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE PT2

2010-10-10T17:35:00.001-08:00

This was the cast American families fell in love with. Michael Landon and Mellisa Gilbert...stars and role models. Many families would sit around on Saturday mornings on NBC and watch as the drama unfolded on "The Little House on the Prairie." I'm sure Wikipedia could explain it a little better.

Little House on the Prairie is an American Western dramatic television program, starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, about a family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota during 1870s and 1880s.

The show was a loose adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling series of Little House books. It aired on the NBC network in 1974 to May 10, 1982. During the 1982-83 television season, with the departure of Michael Landon and Karen Grassle, the series was broadcast with the new title Little House: A New Beginning.
References: -Wikipedia

16 Bean soup was my selection for dinner. Here's what I needed.

INGREDIENTS:
2 C. 16 bean mix
12 cups water
Chunk of Ham cut up into bitesize pieces
ONION
Onion salt, salt, pepper, 1 garlic clove

PLACE IN CROCKPOT FOR 6 HOURS

SEASON TO TASTE.

Recap: Would I buy it? Yes. For the simple fact that it is cheep and filling. The flavor wasn't as bad as I thought. Today, I would incorporate it somehow in my meals. It's got to be somewhat healthy and it is very cheep. If I was starving? It really would be delicious.

MY JUNEAU STORM ADVENTURE

2010-10-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

The storm from the front and behind

Fall leaves finding their final resting place

The Great Light peeks through the clouds

Police helping during the storm.

THE STORM

2010-10-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

Today was the first game of the playoffs. Trey is a lineman on the Cub Vikings and Morgan is a Cheerleader. There was this huge storm with rain blowing sideways and wind up to 40mph. At one point, the cheer tent blew off the ground, hitting the coach in the head sending her to the hospital.

It was insane...but the football team STILL KEPT PLAYING. I couldn't believe the coaches wouldn't call the game. 7,8,and 9 year olds were out there for 2 hours, playing football...in a huge storm...and they wouldn't call the game. It was crazy. Treys hands and face were swollen and purple by the end of the game, and DRIPPING wet.

After the game I dropped the kids off at home to sit in the hot tub, and I drove around to get some cool storm shots.

The crazy storm.

DAYCARE PHOTOSHOOT TAKE 2

2010-10-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Some of my frequent clients throughout the years have been my neighbors daycare kids. They have given me many chances to gain experience with kids...busy kids that is.

More pictures coming soon...Daycare is a really fun place to be...

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

2010-10-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

Out of the blue I thought, If I were living during the time of the "Little House on the Prairie," and I could only go to town once a month for goods, what would I get?
....
I'll let you think about that for yourself because I have had very interesting answers. There all good answers, but I needed to find out for myself. So, in appreciation for the long running television series, I'm making all food storage dinners...don't really know how edible it will be but we all know...it will all make a terd.

Day 1 was this soup mix called "Creamy Potatoe Soup".

just add 12 cup water to 4 cups mix.

It's actually pretty good. Surprisingly, I would buy it.

SIMPLE BEAUTY

2010-10-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

BTW- I Got my Logo. AND HERE IS MY FIRST PHOTO with my watermark.

Go to: www.simplebeautyphotos.blogspot.com

A CHILD, MY CHILD

2010-10-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

Morgan is a cute, silly child. She pressed her face up against the glass window watching Trey and I put some towel hooks outside. What is interesting is this picture and the next are the same picture,just from a different angle.

Does this one make you smile?

What about this one. It made me cry...because I love this little angel. She is now 6 years old and growing up. She is the kindest, loving child that just wants to be loved.

AUTO AND MANUAL

2010-10-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

My new decorations for holding outgoing/incoming mail. I love them...but my main point of this post is I switched from using AUTO FOCUS mode on my lens to MANUAL FOCUS yesturday. Here is the very clear difference in the 2.

(before)

(after...)

Hmmm...I think I like the after. I might just be a religeous Manual Focus person from here on out.

QUIET EVENING

2010-10-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

My point of view is a quiet evening is hard to come by. When they do come, that time is well appreciated.

Don't we all need a quiet time?

It's fall. Somedays, we just want to stay inside and RELAX.

JUST TO MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER

2010-10-05T14:18:00.001-08:00

Family night at the Vaughns...starts with Ice Cream Sundeas.

There is no wrong way to make an ice cream sundea because it all tastes sooo good!

Oh look, it's this cute little girl again...Matties best friend.

And this was mine.......the one in the yellow bowl....What? no! There not both mine...(I'm so busted)

Mmmm....this was way too much fun. I love all the little girls that were here. They all have such a personality and they all worship the ground Morgan walks on (Since she is the oldest).

The dog whisperer was invited to this party. Seriously, the first time Duke saw Ruben, ruben just gave duke this look (it was like an eyebrow raised or something)...and duke sat and was in a trance. Ruben almost put Duke to sleep too...so amazing. I wish I could do something like that to Duke.

After the ice cream sundeas, the kids had energy to burn. I seemed to be the target in the picture.

It's good to get together with friends. That's what I find is a survival in the world of motherhood.

Discovering myself

2010-10-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

I have been really working hard on photography now that it's fall. Something about turning 30 that tells me I now know who I am...and I finally like it. My new home is bringing out the creative side of me and I love it.

I pulled out my old photography book to take notes and I found final pictures from my class. After looking at them, it brings me back to that time...when I was there, taking the photo. I'm talking about the feeling you get when you look at a picture and can remember the exact feel in the air and the moment when time stood still long enough for you to capture that image.

I am talking about how a picture can make you smile..or cry..or feel love. Something more than just a portrait. This is what I yearn to create.

My hobby is now becoming a reality...I am an artist because I love it. It's the only thing that is me, besides my family. Do you remember say you wanted to be something when were little? Well, I do. I wanted to be a cowgirl and then a princess for a short amount of time...not an artist. But... the seriousness has just recently hit me. I am working towards being an photographic artist and I will be known as Simple Beauty...and my goal is to try hard to capture what is really simple beauty...

Got to go...colton is crying from his nap.

Colton age 3 1/2 months

2010-10-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

Colton is now 3 1/2 months and has just started smiling and laughing! It's sooo much fun. He plays with toys that hang above his head and talks all the time. His voice is so precious as he coo's and awes.

Yes, I am a proud momma.

But wouldn't you be?? He is an angel.

This is a mothers Simple Beauty. A childs... first smiles. I know it makes my heart skip beats.
Colton weighs 12pds 9oz.

TO DO LIST

2010-09-20T08:09:00.001-08:00

So many thoughts going through my mind. Do you ever have that? Where you know you have alot to do, don't really know what, until you write it all down. So here I am, writing it down so first thing in the morning, I know what needs to be done.
-Cook food for Tuesdays luncheon for 30 people
-cook food for Andys hunting trip
-Clean the blue room
-mow the lawn
-stain the back deck before the rain returns
-get the house ready for the coupon class on Thursday
-pay bills
-set-up hair appt. and doctors appointment
-Buy mouse traps (I just saw a mouse in my kitchen.)...not good
-setup photoshoot time for 2 people

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT FINANCES

2010-09-15T10:31:00.001-08:00

A lemonade stand is a great way to teach kids about running a buisness. It involves advertising, customer service, good location, and a great product. This is where you teach them about earnings and profit (in other words, you have to pay for the supplies first, before you count your profit.) But formost, it teaches that in society, you can make money and earn it if you try.

My kids have a facination with running a lemonade stand. All summer long I have heard them ask "Mom, can we have a lemonade stand today?" My answer was always no because I just didn't have the time to sit down and explain everything that goes into it. However, with this awesome fall weather that feels like summer, they got another chance.

We set up the lemonade stand. It was at a really good location on the main road. The recipe had real lemons and and was presented in a really nice dispenser.
The price per cup was 1.00 for a 12 oz. red cup. They started the sale at 4:30 the first day. Before long, people were coming left and right. There were numerous people that bought 4 cups. After 2 hours, they sold 32.00 worth of lemonade!

...so we did it again the next day.
The next day, same scenario. Except this time, 2 neighborhood boys came to help. After 2 hours, they sold every last drop of lemonade. They made 30.00 this day.

All together in 2 days, 2 hours each day, they earned 62.00! Who would have thought lemonade would be such a money maker. I didn't. But I guess if you plan it out right, anything could sell.

Other favorites from Merenci.

2010-09-12T08:40:00.004-08:00

Here are some of my favorite moments in Merenci before heading to Chandler, AZ.

THE BEGINNING OF JULY

2010-09-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Did you miss me? I figured it was time to write since my life has somewhat slowed down. July was...hmmm, whats the word I want to use...a tornado. A storm you see coming but cant stop it and then after the storm leaves, it still rains a little before it stops. Yes, a tornado.

MOVING
So, it all starts June 28th when we got the keys to our new house. I wont go into too many details but to say cleaning for 2 days straight and moving is no fun. Then the night of the 29th, we had our walk through with the landlord. It was pretty ridiculous when he pulled out his flashlight and started shinning it on the walls to see if there were any nail holes. And this was only 5 minutes into it. So, the walk through lasted 10 minutes before we walked out. We then watched Treys last baseball game which was so close that it went into overtime for 4 innings before the Royals lost the game. Great Game...That night we had to pack for the trip which consisted of rummaging through boxes to find things needed. Colton didn't sleep much that night either...

June 30th, 4am. Head to the airport.
8am: Get on the plane. Sit on the plane for 1 1/2 hours...just to get off and wait until 10am because the plane was broke. Flying with 4 kids is a journey in itself...and then throw in delays. (Personally, I think my kids did better than most adults. ) Eventually, we did get off, headed for Phoenix. The next morning, we got up and Drove to Merenci, Arizona.

MERENCI, ARIZONA
Merenci is this small mining town where Andys family on his moms side lives. I hadn't ever met this side of his family. Let me tell ya, I now know where Andy gets his redneck side from. The houses we went to had animal mounts all over the walls, not a spot empty.These 2 guys are Uncle Harry (Top), and Uncle George. They are the hunters. Along with Andy...
At the barbeque, I sat through 5 hours of hunting stories. I actually enjoyed it when Colton would cry so I could go inside and nurse him. They are great people, I just don't think I'm THAT country. I still have city girl in me...

The next day we took a drive to the creek. Im thinking "Oh, a creek. Sounds like fun. A short drive down the road." Well, we started driving...
and the drive didn't end.
Up the mountain, around the corner,
far out until you see nothing but hills. 2 hours later, we see this sign following a dirt road that said another 22 miles.
What! I was starting to wonder what was so spectacular about this nice, flowing creek.After a while Andy and I had them stop at a stream running through a road.

We never did make it to the creek, but it sure was a nice time to stop with 80 degree weather outside. Great spot for a picnic and a little swim...in the road.
I appreciated the great hospitality from Andys family. We went to breakfast at a cafe every morning and visited in the evenings. The grandparents held Colton and enjoyed every second of it.
It was all very relaxing and a good time to unwind and let the kids run. Then, back on the road with all the kids in hand... Headed to Chandler, AZ for 2 days.

SUMMER

2010-08-10T21:45:00.003-08:00

I sit here in bed as the house is completely silent and all I hear is the sound of the fan in the background. Colton is FINALLY asleep, but I'm sure he will wake in just a short while. I'm pondering on summer this year...and wondering were it went. Most summers I am out enjoying the season, but this summer has been a summer of change.
Lets see, Colton was born shortly after school got out. Then 10 days later, we had to move into our new home. The next day we flew out to Arizona and traveled to San Diego.

It was really nice to beable to spend time with Andys family this summer. It rained the whole time in Juneau, so it didn't bother me too much that it was in the middle of July. In other words..we didn't miss too much. In San Diego, all the family stayed right on the beach in 2 beach homes. Then, we all attended the wedding for Andys Aunt Connie and Steve. What a BEAUTIFUL wedding and reception it was. The reception was on a boat with 3 levels and it cruised around the bay for 2 hours. Couldn't ask for a better wedding.

Back to Juneau we went, just to start painting the house. Andy had to go back to work, so it was just me and the kids to get the house ready...before we could unpack. This is NOT an easy task. I am SO EXTREMELY grateful for my Juneau friends, you don't even know. They came to help me in my biggest struggle...to conquer this task of painting and unpacking. But right now, 30 days later, I can finally breath and say...THIS IS MY HOME. I love my home, and I will love it more as all the endless possiblilities start to turn it into a dream home. But for now, it is amazing how much I love the space.

So, summer hasn't been the whole backyard bbq and boating, but it has been interesting to say the least. School is starting for the kids in less than 2 weeks, so I think we will take a couple days this weekend and go camping. This might be interesting with 4 kids, but it will be good.

PS-I looked in the mirror yesturday and I have wrinkles! Yes, wrinkle lines around my cheeks from where I scowl at the kids. This is sad!

A DAILY GIFT

2010-08-04T18:24:00.002-08:00

Colton is 7 weeks old today. He doesn't sleep much during the night, but more during the day. He eats constantly which is why he is growing rapidly. I'm not sure how much he weighs, but he is in size 3 diapers now.
He just started to smile a little and focus his eyes on people and objects. He definately knows who his mamma is and when I leave the room.
Yes, Colton loves to be snuggled and held. Hopefully that will change as he gets older.

SIMPLE BEAUTY

2010-08-02T14:27:00.004-08:00

I have a photography website I thought I would share with all you. My business name is Simple Beauty and the blog will consist of my journey through photography and things I learn along the way.

So, add it to your favorites list because it might be fun to watch. And I will most likely have some giveaways in the future.

vaughns-simplebeauty.blogspot.com

INFO ON OIL SPILL

2010-06-25T10:20:00.001-08:00

Here is a link to some very interesting info on oil spills in world history.
Oil spill link

TURNING 30

2010-06-25T09:16:00.004-08:00

I woke up this morning and realized...Im 30. It finally hit me. Wow, I survived the ups and downs of the 20's. I don't think the 30's will be all that bad. It will be alot of parenting, adjusting to Juneau, and HOPEFULLY, have some good getaways with my wonderful husband (I love you honey!)

,
So, on my birthday I got the chance to getaway. It was to lunch with friends at a local restaurant downtown called Terentinos. They even sang happy birthday to me which I cringed in embarrasement, remembering the days at red robin.

After lunch, I told the girls I wanted a group photo. They thought that just ment a snap shot...until I pulled out the props and the tripod. They should know by now, I don't do snapshots. We walked down to this little park and set up. My camera, all set-up on a tripod with a remote timer, and us 4 ladies posing for it was quite hilarious.
You see, here in Juneau, there are 3-6 cruise ships that port here, which brings people. There were so many people walking by us wondering what we were doing...because there wasn't anyone behind the camera....and here we are, laughing and posing. It was sooo funny...

Good times girls, good times.

1 week old

2010-06-24T00:56:00.003-08:00

Colton is 1 week old today. He now weighs 7pds 5oz. Colton eats all the time and sleeps inbetween. We have now moved onto size 1 diapers, but are still in newborn clothes. He is a perfect baby. I never get sick of holding him and watching him sleep.
We have also given him his first bath. Some kids like it...but Colton, not so much. He just doesn't like his clothes off. Or to be cold. Or to be changed. It's a rough life..

IT'S A BIG WORLD

2010-06-21T17:47:00.003-08:00

In the hospital, it was nice and quiet. Time to spend with just Colton and I. Sometimes it's a little quiet and you get a little creative with your time. We watched a little TV, talked on the phone, and snuggled in bed.

"It's a big world"

SPECIAL DELIVERY

2010-06-19T20:34:00.004-08:00

COLTON TROY VAUGHN ARRIVED ON JUNE 16TH AT 9:16AM. HE WEIGHED IN AT 7PDS 8OZ, 20 INCHES LONG.

He is the new love in my life. He melts my heart.
He already has dad wrapped around his fingers.

Welcome to the Vaughns family baby Colton! You have many photos coming and many more bear rugs to lay on.

NUGGETFALLS

2010-06-14T12:12:00.001-08:00

overdue

2010-06-12T04:21:00.004-08:00

Do you ever just want to throw your hands up and scream in frustration?
40 weeks plus 2. Still no baby.
What is even worse is I haven't had good contractions.
Whats even worse is they don't induce here until your 2 weeks overdue.
What's even worse than that is the mental struggle that goes with it all...aka the waiting game that never ends.

The weather is raining and blowing sideways...literally.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Ok, so sometimes you just got to let it out. It's 4am and I'm overdue. I probably wont answer my phone today because I have no hope and no good news. But I thank you for your comment your probably not going to leave me on this post...but thanks for reading my frustration. Give it 24 hours, I will be more positive.

OH, DID I MENTION....Have a great day.

BASEBALL

2010-06-08T20:26:00.002-08:00

A parent took some pictures of Trey pitching at the game Yesterday. Then I had fun tweeking them. I had a action in photoshop called "old western" and I love it.

Doesn't it just look so rustic and Old Western? I just love it with the baseball pictures. It reminds me of babe Ruth.

KINDERGARTEN FIELD TRIP

2010-06-07T15:06:00.006-08:00

I am impressed with the fieldtrips the kids in the Juneau school district get to experience. They are filled with outdoor activities and some very special trips that I never did. For instance, Treys class went on a 4 1/2 mile hike to a glacier. And Morgans kindergarten class went on a Whale watching Cruise. Here are some pictures from her class trip.

Waiting for the bus on a beautiful Juneau day.

the boat we rode on

inside the boat we had maps and a great view in all directions.

I love being out on the water. This is typical with whale watching boats, to have one following close by. They radio to each other where the whales are.

Morgan tried to spot whales with binoculars.

We ventured out onto the deck where it was windy. Morgan thought it was funny how the wind was pushing her back.

The class in front of Point Retreat on Admiralty Island.
(I know, I spelled Kindergarten wrong...)

And you are probably wondering where the whales are? Well, we found sea lions floating on a bowie and a pod of killer whales.

See what I mean, very unique fieldtrips here.

10 years ago

2010-06-07T13:14:00.003-08:00

It will be my birthday this month and I will be turning 30....
yes, the big 3-0.
I didn't think it would really be that big of a deal turning 30 but it kinda is.

1- 10 years ago I was 20 and looking good. Now, I definitely have to work harder at it.

2-10 years ago, I had alot of energy. My engine just doesn't run as smoothly...It needs more tune-ups. My getup and go-jo is a little rusty.
3-10 years ago, I had a new baby boy. Now 10 years later, I am having another baby boy :))
4-10 years ago, I was single and stupid. Now I'm married. (I'm not answering the other one)
5-10 years ago, I would spend my time working at the television station and living off of 1200.00 a month and still getting by. Now, I live off of much more and am still just getting by.

39 weeks

2010-06-04T16:08:00.001-08:00

1 more week...hopefully sooner. This special delivery is heavy and uncomfortable. Come on out and join us little guy.

GARDENING

2010-06-04T05:09:00.003-08:00

Is this how we all feel about gardening? Like it would be so much work to make that beautiful garden? In the end, will anything even grow?

If you try, just think of all the organic fresh veggies you can get. I SAY CAN...I didn't say will. Just grow what your environment will grow. If you have alot of sunshine, you can grow tomatoes and sun loving veggies. If its wet and moist, there are a list of veggies that will grow.

I would love to have apple trees and a cherry tree, but the chances of that happening here is pretty slim...I'm not getting my hopes up. BUT, we can grow berries. (I would still prefer the apples), and rhubarb. We can also grow cabbage and lettuce really well.

Another thing, if your ground is dry, you need to add moisture...constantly. If it's wet, make sure you have your garden in a spot that it gets the most sunlight by monitoring your yard for the most daylight.

I don't know much, but I do love to garden if I have the chance.

PHOTOSHOP REMODEL

2010-06-03T13:40:00.005-08:00

I remember when I was a youth, I would go through better homes and garden magazines and cut out designs that I loved. I always loved to remodel my living space. One time, I saw my moms bathroom and started remodeling it--ripping down wall paper and then continued onto the shower. However, because I couldn't replace the shower with a new look, the project came to a standstill until my parents rescued the effort...

Yesterday was the engineers inspection of the property. This was my chance to get in there and measure and take tons of pictures. When I got home, I uploaded the photos and started to play with the colors of paint.

Do you remember this picture from my last post? Photoshop makes it so simple to select that exact color from the picture and magically... my house... has that color of paint.

(before)

(after)

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(after)

(before)

(after)

(before)

(after)

Now...how do you get the paint store to get the right color??

Decorating

2010-06-01T16:22:00.002-08:00

Part of moving into a project house is painting. The house has these amazing vaulted ceilings and cedar walls. It's a little more rustic than I like. It's going to be interesting to work with, but I think I have found some very good colors that give me hope.
These are just colors and designs that I think will look good with the existing kitchen. Peach or tan? I can't decide what color it is but I think it works well with all the wood.

I love the earth tones. They are clean and light.

This master bedroom is something that I'm sure will work. I love the 3 tones of paint that work so well together.

We will see...I might just be dreaming of the clean, open looks these have. But it gives me hope.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

2010-06-01T09:23:00.004-08:00

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. What a great holiday to celebrate our veterans and the sacrifice they made for our country.

Hang your RED-WHITE-AND BLUE with a smile.