When in Rome

Awww. When in Rome...wait.  I should say...when KINSEY is in Rome.  Yes, my sweet girl had an amazing opportunity this past month.  Kinsey has a good friend that does a lot of traveling with her father who is a pilot.  They invited Kinsey along this time for a whirlwind trip to Italy.  A five day trip jammed pack with all things Italian.  They saw all the sights, ate good food, and had the time of their lives.  Thank you to Savannah and Robert for this wonderful opportunity.

Doesn't my girl look like she fits in in this beautiful city?  Kinsey mentioned that she and Savannah seemed to be getting a lot of attention from the Italian men, which frankly, worried her. "Chiao Bella, Chiao Bella" heard as they walked by.  Guys taking pictures of them, etc etc.  That brought back some memories.  I went to Rome when I was 17, and I do remember that those Italian boys did seem to like the blond American girls.  Luckily I have a smart girl that took it as a grain of salt and didn't get into any sticky situations.  And they had great chaperones. But they sure are cute. 

The first communication I got from Kinsey after she got to Rome was a text that said, "We are in Rome.  It's so beautiful.  We are sitting outside our hotel eating Gelato with a view of the Colosseum". I could just picture her doing just that.  I am just so happy for her. 

It was so hard to send Kinsey off to head across the ocean..AND NOT GET TO GO WITH HER.  I was dying to know what she was feeling, seeing, and experiencing the whole time.  Luckily these girls have a great eye for photography, and they took great pics and they tell a great story. I had fun messing with these photos and realized that Italy sure would be a great place for photo shoots.  Anyone wanna go?  

Sight seeing, sight seeing, sight seeing. They saw the Vatican, museums, Trevi fountain, the Colloseum, the spanish steps, the Pantheon, Circus Maximus,  etc, etc,  So much in the short amount of time they were there.  They had great weather and walked all over that beautiful city. Lots of wonderful sidewalk cafe's and shopping as well. 

Kinsey is the kind of girl that works hard, does what is right, is a good friend, and has such a sweet heart. She has not had the easiest past couple of years with the problems we have had in our family, and she asks for so little.  So I am so happy that she had this opportunity.  What a sweet friend Savannah is to bring her along on this adventure. We are so grateful to her and her father. 

C.U.T.E. what more can I say

A few days before Cooper's 4th birthday, I had a photo shoot planned for a client. I had everything set up, and then got a cancelation due to sick kids. No problem... I grabbed Coop, changed his clothes, and put my backdrops to good use. This boy is so cute, and goofy and affectionate, and funny, and I just wanted to capture some of his almost 4 year old charm.  My other kids always tell me that they know that Cooper is my favorite.  What they don't realize, is that at 4, they were all my favorite.  

Cooper James...turns the big 4

How could my baby be 4?  Seriously?  This whole "youngest one growing up" thing is going to be hard on me. January 29th was Cooper's 4th birthday. He is at the cutest age (all his ages have been cute) and we still enjoy him every day. He is many times the entertainment for our family.  All he wanted to do for his birthday was to go to Chuck E. Cheese with his best buddy Gavin Rose.  They got to have a sleep over the night before, and then they had a great time eating pizza and playing games. 

These two little boys were honestly the best boys ever.  Just John and I took them to Chuck E. Cheese, and we had such a fun time with these two little guys.  They are young enough that they just loved every part of the experience and didn't have any of the whining, competition, or the negativity that maybe older kids might have.  They were fun to watch. 

Happy 4 year old Cooper. He was so excited to turn 4.  I always told him that he could not grow up and that I was not going to let him turn 4.  All day on his birthday, he kept saying, "Mom, I didn't do what you said...I grew up".  Such a sweetie. 

Cute girls

Kennedy and her friend Brooke Lowe got to have a fun night together recently. They went to a church activity where they had a etiquette night and a little dance instruction for boys and girls their age.  This was at Brooke's Grandpa's ward, so they didn't know these kids, so it seemed like a fun way for them to meet new kids.  Brooke came over early and I did both of their hair.  I thought they looked so grown up and so cute that I just had to post this picture.  Brooke's mom Becky (one of my best friends) and I were so excited to hear how the event went.  Well, I could have predicted Kennedy's review of the night.  Even though she had fun, her comment was, "Umm, sort of awkward, and the boys were so short".  She is not really the kind of girl to gush over this kind of thing. Well...at least not yet.  I think maturity levels of 12 and 13 year old boys are girls are REALLY DIFFERENT.  Part of the reason that there is no need to date until the age of 16 (which is the rule in our house).  

National Honor Society...Go Kinsey!

In January, Kinsey was inducted into the National Honors Society.  So proud of this girl.  The presenter pointed out that being inducted into this society is really the highest award you can receive in highschool.  You have to excell in 4 areas.  Scholarship. Service. Leadership. Character.  So proud of my highly motivated loving and sweet, straight A student.  I swear, her AP program at school keeps her so busy, but she does it willingly knowing that it is a means to an end.  College credit, plus puts her in a good place for scholarships.  It was neat to see her walk across that stage.  Good Job Kinsey.  So proud of you. 

Some time together

John's birthday was on December 30th. Many years this ends up being too busy of a time to really do much extra for his birthday, and this year was no exception.  I actually had a wedding shoot for the whole day and night of his birthday...which I even made him help me with (he really is an excellent assistant).  But to make up for that, we went away together for a night a few days earlier. My parents were wonderful to watch the kids for the night and to entertain them.  Pretty sure they didn't miss us at all.  John and I had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying each other.  I'm so thankful for this boy of mine and it was perfect to be able to spend some time alone with him. He always makes birthdays so special for me, so it was fun to whisk him away at a time that he didn't think we would fit it in.  LOVE YOU BABE!

O Holy Night

The night before Christmas eve, we attended a beautiful "Live Nativity" put on by our church, in which the girls participated. It was held in a large barn on the farm of some of our friends. Kinsey and Kennedy were shepherds this year. We were truly touched by the music we heard, the Christmas story we heard, and the spirit we felt as we watched the Nativity that night. I am always so touched by what Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have had to go through. Holding that baby in her arms and knowing what he would have to go through in his life.   I am also always so moved as I think of that "Holy Night" and what miracles happened then. The birth of our Savior was such a significant thing.  I picture Heavenly rejoicing that must have accompanied the night. This is what Christmas is about to me and this is the feeling that I want to bring into my home during the season.  It was wonderful to bring my parents to this event.

 My friend Sara Rose, her husband Matt, and her sweet brand new baby Eva were Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.  They were beautiful.  Baby Eva slept through the whole thing.

We had a really wonderful Christmas eve and Christmas day. Like I said, having my parents here made it so special.  We had a big Christmas party a few days before with a bunch of our friends, so Christmas eve was just us, and it was really special.  We delivered gifts, had a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, talked and talked about past Christmas memories, and had some time where we remembered our Savior and the real reason for the whole season. 

Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids pajamas on Christmas eve. After we told the Christmas story,  my mom recited "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from memory.  I didn't even know she could do that. It was such a neat moment that I will never forget.  Magical.

Excitement! 

Here we are in front of our house.  JUST KIDDING!  But it is just a house in a normal neighborhood, yet every year they put up this light display.  We love going to walk around their yard each year.

Manatees and Pancakes

How many people get to say those words in the same sentence? Manatees and Pancakes? Well...these two things sure went together for us one chilly day in December. We spent the day in DeLeon Springs Stake Park, which is about an hour north of us. There...in the stake park...presides manatee after manatee in the cold of the winter (they come to the warmer waters of the springs in the winter)...and also one of our favorite restaurants. The Sugar Mill Pancake house. This is an old Sugar mill that has been converted into a pancake house. The CHARMING AND AMAZING thing about it is that you make your own pancakes, on a griddle that is built into your very own table. The "lodge-like" building is rustic and cozy (we sat by the fire), and has a beautiful view of the river and the springs. We love making our own pancakes (any kind of fillings you want) right at our table, and enjoying the ambiance of the old mill. My parents loved it as well.

Come on...you have to admit...this is pretty cool!

The grounds of the Sugar Mill are beautiful with the exterior of the mill, and the beautiful river and springs. A great swimming spot in the summer. We were not sure if we would see Manatees or not...BUT WE DID! I knew I would not be able to portray with a photo how very cool it was. We stood in one spot on a little dock, and saw 5-8 matatees right there, feet from us. I can't imagine how many were just beyond us. Probably hundreds. It was really fascinating to watch these animals.

Magical moment watching these huge creatures nibble on the greenery...just feet from us.

Kinsey wanted to stop for a photo op, and I have to say, she did a pretty good job when she turned the camera on me.

Florida Snow!

See...it totally snows in Florida. Just look at these pictures.

Okay, so maybe these are suds being blown out of little birdhouses high above the street, but to us...it is SNOW! Every year we go to the town of Celebration to enjoy the nightly snow, the cute shops, and the beautiful Christmas lights. Such a charming little town. My parents loved the snow and liked the idea that you don't have to shovel up after it. Cooper is always wishing Florida had snow, so I know he especially enjoyed it.

It was a beautiful cool night, with very mild weather. Perfect to walk around in. And yes...that is a purse that Carver is carrying. More shocking that him holding a purse is that fact that he is actually "helping" his sister by holding it for her. Hmm. What's up with that?