Merry Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas day spent at home with family ... details to come later.

remembering NEWPORT

WARNING: a crazy amount of photos ahead ....

In August we were able to go visit my parents in Washington. For the weekend we decided to head to the Oregon coast to a place called Newport Beach. We had a wonderful time and three days there was not long enough.

Above us is the condo we stayed in. We were on the third floor and had an amazing view. We also go our exercise hiking up and down those stairs every time we wanted to go to the beach.

My mom and me. One thing about the Oregon coast is that it is always windy and always cold but I still love it.

We were able to enjoy sunsets ...

and sunrises.

My dad and Brad were also able to go on a deep sea fishing excursion for a day. Brad caught one ugly fish but had to through it back. I guess it wasn't big enough to keep. He had a lot of fun. My dad on the other hand spent most of the time at the back of the boat ... I think that is where I must get my sea sickness from.

The bridge in Newport, and my cute sister.

We were also able to visit the Newport Aquarium.

And a lighthouse at Yakima Bay on the way home.

It was a much needed vacation and we had a wonderful time. Hopefully next time we can stay a little longer and explore some more. Having my parents live so far away definitely has its perks. I feel like I get to spend more quality time with them since they've moved. Plus its a good vacation spot.

remembering the SUBWAY

At the beginning of August we were able to head south to do some hiking. Our good friends got a pass to hike the Subway in Zions and invited us to join them. The hike takes you down through a narrow canyon slot that requires some climbing and swimming skills. We came out of the canyon tired and exhausted and we still had miles to go along the river before we could make the ascent to the parking lot. I remember thinking 'I will never do this again'. I woke up the next morning and nothing would move. Every inch of me was sore and I could walk normal for days. Even sitting down was a chore. But looking back I would do it again. We saw some amazing things and it was worth it to be able to spend a day with my best friend.

Coming out of the Subway at the end of the canyon. I'm smiling because I didn't know how much further we still had to hike to get back to the car.

backing up to JULY

For the Fourth of July Brad spent some time in Idaho with his brothers. I ran a 5K with a friend and then went to Logan for my grandparents annual breakfast. Later we met up with each other at Brad's dads house in Logan for an evening BBQ. It was a day well spent with family.

Brad took this fabulous photo of the river that is on his grandpa's property.

They aren't looking for people ... just rock chucks to shoot. I'm not even sure what one looks like.

This beautiful girl turned sixteen in July and had quite the hawaiian party to celebrate. I started babysitting her when she three. Her family lived two doors down from me and then bought my parents home when they moved to Washington. They are like a second family to me and I was so happy to be there to help her celebrate.

The next day I was able to celebrate my birthday by taking another plane ride. This time my landing was a little different ...

I've always wanted to go and Brad was so sweet to make my dreams come true. It was quite a rush and I would love to do it again. Brad refused to do it with me but once we were there he started thinking that he might want to so next time I'm hoping he joins me.

Brad bought a mountain bike this summer and had a lot of fun riding. His brother loves to ride and so does a few friends in our ward. He has had so much fun with it and will continue once the snow is melted. For now the red beauty is in our basement hibernating.

backing up to JUNE

We kicked off the summer by heading to Montana when Brad's youngest brother Wade returned home from his mission. It is the first time I wasn't wearing a sweatshirt or jacket the whole time. We had a great time and now Wade is here in Ogden living with Layne and Manda. It's been really great having in around and the boys sure seem to love it.

{Layne, Manda, Wade, Kera, Brad}

I did a lot of flying this past summer and it all started in June when Greg Poe took me for an aerobatic stunt ride. Probably one of the top ten coolest things I've been able to do. We had a lot of fun flying through Ogden canyon over to Ogden Valley where Pineview Reservoir is.

Dax is getting me all strapped in to I don't fall out when we go upside down.

Headed towards the canyon.

Flying over Pineview Reservoir ... one word AMAZING.

my new friend

Meet my new friend Gates. We had some good times and some scary times together about a month ago while working on my latest project.

Sadly he lives in Wyoming, but maybe next year we can make some more memories. It's probably for the best that I'm not around him too much without some medication in me. I found out the first day that I was indeed allergic to horses and it wasn't just a sudden cold. But thanks to my other friend benadryll we were able to have a pleasant time together.

And it is all because of these giant creatures that Gates and I were able to become such good friends. Any guesses as to what they are?

finally ... an explanation

I've definitely been neglecting our blog and many other things the past six months. The majority of my summer was spent infront of my computer at work creating a new source of revenue for a newspaper company that is slowly becoming everything but a newspaper company. However, we were still able to have a few adventures ... more on those to come soon.

As for that new source of revenue .... the big guys in the big offices like to call them documentary videos. They are about 50 minutes long and have been a bit of a challenge for me. I created two this summer {one in June, one in July} and I am currently working on third one right now. I have been able to meet a lot of really fun people and do a lot of really fun stuff.

Here's a preview of the two completed documentaries

The Sky is No Limit click here {2009 Air Show at HAFB}

75 Years in the Saddle click here {A history of Ogden Pioneer Days}

sunrise

I got to see the sunrise at work today. Not necessariliy a bad thing ... I now get to go home early and hopefully accomplish a few things on my ever growing "to do" list.

very big project

I've been working on a very big project at work. I'm hoping to be done and get things back to normal soon. This project has required some sacrifices starting with this ...

{that's me in the front}

and this ...

After it's published Monday I can give you a closer look.

Photo update

I've been putting this off  for a long time and then my list of things to update keeps growing. So I decided I would do a quick photo update and and hopefully start fresh. The past few months have flown by and we have kept busy but I only captured a few moments with the camera. I've been working on a few projects that are fun, but details will have to come later. I can hardly believe it's May. Anyways here I go ...

Brad turned 29 this year and he wanted to have a BBQ so we did. We had some friends over and had a great time. It was the first of many we will be hosting at our house this summer.

{Yes he is using a torch to light his candles ... we couldn't find the matches}

My mom and little sister came down from Washington for a visit. I didn't get to see them very long but we were able to go out to dinner and enjoy some good food.

A couple of months ago {back in Feb?} I got a new office and desk. I share it with a few of the other video machines but I'm usually the only one in there. I must admit that I now have the best view in the whole building ... everyone agrees and for the first few week I got quite a few visitors. I may work a lot but this view of Mount Ogden makes it worth it.

Our friend James also had a birthday and we celebrated with an ice cream cake and a rousing game of speed scrabble. If you've never played you should it can get quite interesting.

We also started having Family Home Evening once a month with friends in our ward. We always have a a good time and it's been a great way to get to know everyone. Definitely a fun group to be a part of.

Back at the end of February my cousin Jessica and I went to the Rascal Flatts Concert. This was only my second concert {my first one was N'Sync back in high school}. We went to dinner and had a great time. Our seats weren't back either. 

Here's a fun fact about Jessica and I:

When we were younger we didn't get along, I thought she was bossy, I don't know what she thought of me, but now we always have a good time whether it's doing pedicures, watching old movies, or making cards.

We were able to get a couple of fabulous days of snowmobiling in March. I was afraid I wouldn't get a chance to get away but luckily the snowed stayed around longer than usual and I even got a slight tan during the ride.

It doesn't get better than this ...

And not much worse than this {except it did but I don't have a photos because Brad was in the picture taking mood for that one}

the Crisis of Credit

If you have 11 minutes to spare from your day then this is worth watching. It's nothing new but still informative and entertaining at the same time.

CLICK HERE to watch the Crisis of Credit

Later on ... updates on our exciting life.

promo video

This past week was pretty busy at work. Here is one of the more fun projects I shot. The Standard-Examiner sponsors a 'Battle of the Bands' competition every year. One band from each high school in Weber and Davis County get together for one night of fun. Well they all came together last Tuesday for a photo shoot so I made a promo video at the same time.

for more videos go here ... StandardNET

if you love cats

Every week I do a profile video about someone in the community. A couple of weeks ago I was doing a video about an animal control officer for Ogden City. While I was hanging out at the animal shelter I saw this. So if you love cats and even if you don't then you'll probably enjoy this.

for more videos go here ... StandardNET

bridal fair

So here's the reason I've been a bit out of it lately. A few weeks ago I decided to get a booth at the bridal fair that the Standard-Examiner puts on. I talked about it last year and Brad convinced that it would be a good idea ... I just wish I would have started thinking about it a little earlier. I kept everything simple ... 

1. because that's me and my style 

2. because I didn't have much time.

The event was this past friday and saturday and I had a good time. I wore the same wrong shoes both days {you would think I would have learned} but it's only because I had to wear black and white to match my booth of course and the only dressy black shoes I have happened to be my high heeled boots. I had a hard time walking on saturday night but all is well today and I think it was worth it. I met a lot of really fun people and hopefully I'll see in the next few months if it pays off.

You can't really see my backdrop very well because I only had our little point and shoot camera with me but Brad did an awesome job making it and no one else had anything like it. He helped me set up, clean up and even joined me friday evening and tested out his salesman skills. It was a lot of fun and I'm so glad that I have a supported and talented husband. 

New Years Eve

We went to Kella and Bryce's house for New Years Eve. We had fondu {a favorite past time of our family} and played games. We also made fresh limes {syrup + limes + sprite = fresh limes} and Brooklynn kept calling the limes balls and carried them around almost all evening. She was pretty funny and kept us entertained.

Our fondu pot once all the fun was over

Here's Brooklynn with her lime and Brad juggling them

Christmas

Christmas was good this year. The week started out not so fun. The Monday before Christmas I had to have more veins lasered and the doctor beat me up pretty bad {not on purpose I'm sure but the bruising lasted a good week and would make most people pull a 'yikes' face ... thus the reason I'm not posting photos of that event}.

We went to Rich and Ginny's for Christmas Eve where we ate delicious food and played uno attack where fun was had by all.

Christmas morning we headed to Layne and Manda's where we were joined by Momma Molly to eat aebleskivers and open gifts. We spent our time just enjoying one another's company and before we knew it we had to go north to Papa Scott's. Once in Providence more food was consumed, more gifts were opened and a rousing game of 'Apples to Apples' was played at the table. The day had been nice and sunny and as the sun went down the snow came and didn't go away. By the time we left around nine thirty we were quite happy we had decided to drive the truck. Sardine Canyon was a mess and the freeway wasn't any better but we made it home safely.

It was a long day and I spent  most of it sitting down with my leg in the air but we enjoyed the time that we were able to spend with family.