Hellooooo!

Anyone out there?

I just found out my blog is working again. It's been down for a while and I haven't been able to post any pictures. I'm thinking I'd better use it while it will let me, even though I don't have any very fabulous photos of my family to post!

Here are some pictures from day one of the 2012-2013 school year. This is the first year in my mother-of-school-children-years that I actually didn't want my kids to go back to school. This summer was so relaxing and I loved having them all home. I used to think mothers who said that were crazy. Hmmm. Go figure!

After school cookies and milk on day 1:

 Kolby loved his first day of 2nd grade. Loved it. He said his teacher is the BEST!

 Kyler - looking slightly horrified - but he said he absolutely loved his first day of 4th grade. 

He ALSO said HIS teacher is the BEST!

Kaden had a GREAT first day of 7th grade! The only thing he didn't like about this new Jr. High experience is that his locker is on the bottom - below some girls who are always standing at their locker, checking out their hair in their locker mirrors. Yep. Sounds like 7th grade to me!


Kenyon let me take his picture, but somehow the file was corrupted. Darn! (He's sitting behind Kolby in Kolby's picture - you can kind of see him.) He liked his first day of high school but could have done without the 5:30 am Drivers Ed class!

 And this is poor Kodak on the first day of school. She's a bit loopy. The poor little thing was hit by a car and broke her leg in two places. The day before the first day of school, the vet had to re-break the leg because it wasn't healing correctly. Poor Kodak. We hope her leg will heal quickly. 

We sure love this girl, even when she has to wear the cone of shame.

Tooth Fairy Loot

It's been a while since this actually happened, and I'm finally getting 'round to posting. Kolby lost his first teeth and had his first visit from the Tooth Fairy. When you're the youngest, you think this day will NEVER come! Finally!!

OH What a Beautiful Morning!

Kenyon is in the play Oklahoma!

Here is my first attempt at the poster. What do you think?

I took the picture of these two cute leads tonight after a grueling dress rehearsal. They were both exhausted but were such great sports. I tell you what, this is going to be one CUUUTE play! Gave me chills tonight. Talented people amaze and inspire me. Can't wait for opening night!

Family and friends, if you'd like tickets, let me know which performance you'd like, and I'll get them for you.

I hope "everything's going your way" this week!

POST SCRIPT:

After a few minor adjustments, this is what I have:

I asked a neighbor (who does this kind of thing for a living,) for help and implemented his suggestions. I added a bevel and drop shadow to the words, and I feathered Josh and Kahaia to try and blend them better with the background. I also added a windmill. What do you think?

Making Progress...

 (Kitty: "Just act normal...just act normal...just act normal...")

 

If there were sound, you'd hear a little growl...(and it's coming from kitty...)

 

I'd call this a success!

bark bark bark bark bark

Meet Kodak Jepperson...

the eight week old Labradoodle who is the newest member of our family.

We are all so THRILLED to have her in our home!

...well, MOST of us are thrilled...

(That's Koconut's favorite feather by the way)

Let's hope these two learn to get along. Lately they've been fighting like...well...cats and dogs!

(The girls in the chicken coop aren't too sure about her either)

(The fish actually seem to like her better than they like the cat :)

(Yes, we live in a zoo...)

It's not easy photographing a slobbery, clumsy animal 

who wants to snuggle whenever you get on the floor!!

But the good news is that she tires out easily.


 ...It's probably because she wakes up at 5:30am...

Don't you just love her!?

Project 52: Week 1

I'm starting up late on this, but I want to try taking at least one photo a week this year, trying out some kind of a new technique or set up. (Or maybe I'll just take a shot of something fun.) Here's one I took of Kaden this week. (But don't tell Kenyon...because that's Kenyon's guitar :)

This is a lighting technique  I've been studying called "Rembrandt lighting," where one side of the subject is in shadow. Very moody and thoughtful.


And here's a set up the kids wanted to try tonight...making the studio look like a bed. They were having too much fun. I'll miss this some day...

(Note to self: use a bigger backdrop)

Having fun can be so exhausting.

Best Face of 2011 Photo

I am entering this photo in the Iheartfaces weekly photo challenge: Best Face of 2011." 

It's one of my favorite pictures from this last year. Love this little cutie!

Our December...

Kaden completely blew me away at his Christmas violin concert. 

When the orchestra started playing, I expected a horrible screeching noise to issue forth. 

Isn't that what 6th grade orchestras sound like? Nope. The sound was absolutely beautiful. 

I cried through the whole concert. I'm so proud of Kaden for learning to play the violin. 

I think it's pretty cool.

***

Kenyon, #24, has been a force on the Springville Jr High team. 

We've had so much fun watching him, even if the team has yet to attain their first victory...

I'm the mom...win or lose, I love watching them play. 

Only 12 guys made the team this year. Kenyon tried out with confidence and made it.

We were all so excited for him.

Go Springville Red Devils!

Kenyon's adoring fans (Thank you Larissa, Davis, Mom, Dad, Lance, and everyone who

travels the distance to watch Kenyon play.) You sure make great athletic supporters...er...

***

We took our annual overnight trip to Salt Lake to eat at the Lion House, (the long line is worth it to us - sorry Camie and Jeff!) see the beautiful lights at Temple Square, stay overnight at the Marriott, and ice skate at the Gallivan Center. Fun times.

***

Now that it's time to put it all away, I thought I'd post some pics of how it all looked this Christmas. 

At the rate I'm going, it may not get put away until Valentines Day, so let's keep the sparkle going, what do you say!?

 

***

We had a yummy Christmas Eve dinner, followed by scripture reading

and a (very) late night showing of the latest Harry Potter movie.

Sometimes when I read blogs of other people, I feel like maybe we're missing something. 

Everyone's families seem perfect yet at our house, there is still a whole lot of sibling rivalry going on. But Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the whole year. 

I think it's pretty much as close to perfect as our family ever gets.

***

And then there are the wonderful early morning hours of Christmas...the magical moment when everything that was supposed to get done has somehow gotten done. 

The house is lit, clean, wrapped, and silent...

***

...and then, of course, comes Christmas morning...

Our Christmas Card this year

(front)

 

(back)

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.

***

And finally, a BUNCH of pictures from our annual Mutual Dell 

Griswold Jepperson Christmas Vacation:

(We sure missed Uncle Clint this year.)

Tooo much fun...

***

And THAT is our December in a nutshell bunch of photo collages.