laughin' lalo

Cabo San Lucas

2012-01-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

Finally! Our house is set up thanks to Amy and Christina who came down from Kingman to help us out this weekend. More on that coming but first

The last bit of honeymoon blogging!

I loved Cabo, I love Mexico in general but I really liked it here. Lots of beautiful colors and people. We had a blast walking around exploring the little town, and we didn't get to tired walking up hill after hill because of being at sea level.

SO NICE!

Taking pictures underwater is hard!

It was fun but I'm glad to be home!

Crusin'

2012-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

After Scottsdale....*sighs* MORE VACATION!

Andrew's company (D1 sales) took their employees on a 5 day cruise to Cabo San Lucas. Wives were optional and Andrew paid for me months ago to attend with him, lucky we were married!

I didn't like cruising because we had been gone already for 2.5 weeks I was kind of done, plus I saw throw up on the deck and that kind of ruined things for me. Hopefully next year will prove to be more fun and I will appreciate it more.

All shots are 400 iso film with my trusty Pentax k1000

Cruise ships look like palaces for mermaids.

Crusin'

SO MUCH FOOOOOOD!

Cabo San Lucas!

More to come soon!

Scottsdale

2012-01-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

We went to Scottsdale where we hung out for 5 days before our cruise, we were pretty bored and ended up getting sick with sinus infections (sexy) but still managed to have a bit of fun!

We went downtown and took the free trolly which was awesome!

Lots of artsy things around Scottsdale

These oranges were for "decorative" purposes only and tasted TERRIBLE!

Ya pretty much.

Honeymooners Pt 2- Aquarium and the Ghetty Art Museum

2012-01-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

I kind of forced Andrew and I out of the little love bungalow we shared those first few days because I knew we were close to things and I wanted to enjoy those things. Andrew was kind enough to think of a few places we could go!

San Diego

The Birch Aquarium!

Only 10 bucks for students and we had sushi after ( we were unknowingly mimicking our first date)

Inspecting the fish

Our last day Christmas eve was spent at the Ghetty museum in LA

The Ghetty is this huge art museum and was totally Andrew's idea, however because I'm old my back had seized up and I literally couldn't walk for long periods of time. Ugh! I hate to admit it but I had to use a wheelchair in order to enjoy it! This was Andrew's idea, my idea was to sit down every ten minutes and attempt to "stretch it out". I tried to walk most of the way but the chair was much more comfortable and Andrew was more than willing to wheel me around so I took advantage of it and made plenty of elderly jokes to ease my frustrations.

Honeymooners Pt 1

2012-01-16T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here are the few pictures I have of our wedding at the moment, my wonderful bro in law is not only VERY busy but his computer is down for the moment and it will be a little while before I can get some of our wedding day pics up here.

Thanks Scott!

More to come soon on the wedding!

Now for the honeymoon!

Andrew's parents rock ( soon I will post a blog of pure gush over them). We were placed in a couple places the first was the Welk resort near San Diego. It was nestled in the mountains and the room was amazing! Very comfortable with a little kitchen and everything. We loved it! During the day which started around 1pm we would head out to places in San Diego.

Our first stop...The beach

Ocean Beach

If you click on a picture it should make it bigger...

Sometimes when the light is perfect and there is a little girl with a dog and you have a camera, the only thing to do is....get an amazing shot!

Beachy

Lots of feet pics because it's really the only proof that I was there.

More to come soon! We have Scottsdale and the cruise!

Pre Wedding Photos!

2012-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

As most of you know I got married! Wahoo! More about that later we have to go in order!

Andrew and I got outta dodge as soon as finals were over, we left on December 17 for Murrieta CA to prepare for our marriage on the 21. Here are a few shots during those long days before the wedding.

Lots of family get togethers! This is the Kerr side family party

One of my favorite babies (now my niece) Chelsea!

Cute Megan!

Look at those eyes!

Elizabeth (my niece)

Seriously the coolest brother in laws EVER~ Scott and John.

There was quite a bit of down time so Andrew took me around the valley to cool places like orange groves and winery's.

I got to sleep in the Captains room at Andrew's parents place, it's the best room in the house (for guests).

Coming soon! Wedding and honeymoon! Or should I say honeymoonS!

Last Stretch

2011-12-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I currently have no pictures to post because it's been a flipin mad house these last few weeks.

Our first reception is coming up and I am eternally grateful to those who have helped me pull this thing together! I seriously could not have done it with out the help of my beautiful co-workers like Ann who made my dress so exceptionally and spent 50 hours of her own time putting it together for me, it seriously is the most beautiful thing I've ever owned and I will never forget her for doing that for me. My future sister-in-law Kirsten who even though her own life is complicated and busy, had the time to not only co-plan my bridal shower with our good friend Sara Mann but also to make sure things were planned for the open house and found a beautiful place to hold it as opposed to Andrew's bachelor pad, which is where we originally planned to have the party. My dear sweet future husband Andrew, who paid a large chunk of money to get me moved in early to our house so I didn't have to stress about living with crazies.

I'm thankful for teachers who can read my emotions and know I'm about to freak out and help me/do the most difficult final project designs I've ever had to put together. Phil Ahyou is probably one of the best professors I have ever had and will always have the highest respect for him, even though he can be a bit moody he's a good man, a good dad, and a good husband... and I appreciate good husbands, good teachers, and good people.

School has not been easy this semester, though I'm sure I wont do badly I haven't exactly dealt with the stress with finesse. There have been many freak outs in front of peers, teachers, dumpsters, and Andrew. All of them have been pretty supportive, even the dumpster.

I have so much help with this wedding, I have been blessed and seen the Lord's hand in this journey. Andrew and I have worked hard for this, and we deserve to be with each other for eternity. Andrew goes through the Temple tonight for the first time and I am so excited to be with him. I feel like this is what we've been working for the whole time, the temple is so important to me and I wouldn't marry him if he couldn't take me to the temple and vise versa. I'm in awe I get to marry my best pal. I'm excited to continue to learn about the gospel and have someone who values the same things I do. We are excited to start a family when the time is right and we talk often about being parents and having a good life for our children, we are also well aware of the different backgrounds each of us have and I like to think our kids will be quirky, smart, crafty, fun, goofy, honest, obvious, loud, funny and a million other things I don't really feel like listing :)

We have 1 week until we head out for CA, and 12 days until we get to be married, and be lazy.

OH TO BE LAZY!!!!

Thanksgiving: Mountain hike and other stuff

2011-12-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Split Pomegranate below and Amy's painted horse above

Alena wanted to go on a mountain hike, so I took her up to the white cliffs! SO FUN!

Modern Petroglyphs

Please sit back and marvel at 1: the low depth of field and 2: the fact that I didn't edit this photo at all.

We had a relaxing trip! I miss everyone!

Thanksgiving: Me and mine

2011-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

I have never gotten to hang out with both of my Bff's at once! It didn't even feel weird to have my worlds collide.

Amy thought it hilarious to put bacon in between my toes and have her PIT BULL eat it. It was actually quite funny, Buffy is the sweetest dog ever.

My beautiful AMY!

Andrew is very important to these snow people.

My handsome future husband!

Thanksgiving: The Girls

2011-11-30T15:32:00.000-08:00

ANdrew and I went to AZ for our Thanksgiving break! We just loved hanging out with Amy's girls! So naturally I took lots of pictures! Andrew had Pneumonia when we left and in one of the pictures you can see him hacking to death.

He's OK now!

One last crappy roommate update: Angel gets evicted.

2011-11-22T15:36:00.000-08:00

OH MY GOODNESS. I am so happy this is happening!

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of her getting evicted because it was done via phone call. but I promise you if any force is needed to kick her out...there won't be any pictures because I'll be too busy forcing her out.

LOVE LAURA!

Japanese Restaurant Logo

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hey....Look what I can do!

I designed a logo for class, Shamoji means "rice paddle" in Japanese but has a sweet connection. The rice paddle is passed from mother to daughter as a representation of the passing of duties.

I thought it was quaint.

One last crappy roommate: UPDATE- Angel gets arrested.

2011-11-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

That's right folks my roommate got arrested yesterday because of...are you ready for this it's a shocker!

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Don't worry I was at my bridal shower when it all went down.

The story goes she freaked out on my roommate Jo and shoved her, Jo who is what I like to call a dormant gangster chick, went berzerk and punched her twice. Then I guess they kept fighting back and forth before Angel finally called the cops. Angel's story kept changing and when she mentioned she had a few warrants they cuffed her, almost immediately.

To make matters worse I guess our landlord was here showing the house to a potential renter when she was arrested.

OH and by the way....

I have pictures ;) *Hopefully this is good enough for you J'ness!*

Angel getting arrested!

And here is the Utah County information on her arrest...They make it so easy to copy and paste.

Someone actually bailed her out!

Arrest Detail

Return to Search

	Arrested:	11/19/2011
	Arrest Agency:	Provo PD
	Booked:	11/19/2011 12:56:54 PM
	Booking No:	269407
	Released:	11/19/2011 7:14:56 PM
	Status:	Booked Out

Name :	VANGILDER, ANGELA KAY	Height :	506
Address :	PROVO, UT 84606	Weight :	135
DOB :	04/1982	Eyes :	BLU
Birth Place :		Hair :	BLN
S/M/T :	NONE	Sex :	F

Other Court Not Listed Case # 111400010/MTPLEASANT		Bail:	$1,012.00 Bondable
76-5-102 Assault		Not Holding On This Charge
SWEET...Sweet VINDICATION

Caught up

2011-11-17T23:10:00.000-08:00

Man life is hectic right now, I'd like to think I've never been so busy in my life. I can't sleep so I'm going to get caught up with some things. (mostly for myself but you of course can read it, I'm ok with that.)

I miss taking my camera out and shooting a roll of film in a day, I'm going to shoot tomorrow and hopefully get some of my famous film pictures on here! Shooting film is such a release for me, I'm so excited to start developing my own film again next semester. This time it will be large format film and I will work very hard for my images, and I know I'm going to love every minute of it.

My classes are so taxing and so rewarding, I can't believe I'm this far.....I have so long to go.

Work is amazing, I seriously could not get through the day without my best friends! Clients and co-workers they are my support in most things and always cheer me up in the morning. I have the best boss's who treat us well and help where they are needed. We are so lucky to have that.

Andrew is my life, and we have been through hell (for lack of better words) our relationship has shifted from one extreme to the other in a matter of months and that in itself has been a huge strain. We have had to learn to love each other in an eternal sense, and with that comes struggles and compromises. Andrew has made such a huge change to allow me into his world this way. We are both learning how to love one another correctly and with respect. It's very hard, but very worth it. We have grown so close to our God in heaven and so much closer than we'd ever thought to each other. I'm so lucky to have such a great guy, I'm amazed everyday that I have someone who loves me so much for who I am...all of me no matter what.

I have health issues due to what I believe is stress, add all this to EVERYTHING ELSE makes me quite cranky. But I'm thankful for happy days when health is good.

I am so sick of my current living situation that if I weren't getting hitched I'd be getting outta dodge quick! I miss my roommates, the real ones. The ones who ALL moved away in the fall. They were pretty great you know, I wish I spent more time with them.

This is my favorite time of year, I feel that the summer has lasted longer than it should and blessed us with warmer weather (I hear it snows tomorrow) I enjoyed the tail end of it this last week.

My bridal shower is Saturday!!! I'm so excited to see my friends!!!!!!

Now here are some photos!

Indian Summer

Pretty days

Sweet Friends

Walking

Sweet kitty

Drawing Class

Andrew's ring spinning

Lots a birds!

Loves!

Funny bad pictures

2011-11-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

These aren't "BAD" but I wouldn't use them on our invites, but our children will SO know how goofy we were.

My personal favorite

Never really see the bad pictures?

2011-11-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

So I've been thinking of dedicating a few posts to the not so flattering (but hilarious) engagement shots. I'm so very thankful to Skoticus for doing our photography as our wedding gift, because he knows us both so well and because it's free! (well mostly I did help out with his wedding a bit)

The next few shots tell the story of Andrew being athletic for a moment and getting hurt in the process. Of course, Scott being an awesome photographer got the whole thing! It was pretty funny when we saw them all!

"Hey Andrew, you should jump and grab the wooden beam!'

Something's wrong

Here comes nervous!

Ahhhhh!

It's REALLY BAD!

Let me take care of you!

More to come soon!

Photo Project: Give Andrew a Couple of Camera's and See What He Does With Them.

2011-11-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

Andrew recently left for a church trip back east to see some of our LDS history. He was gone for a week and I certainly wouldn't let him leave with out at least 2 camera's one of which was my fisheye lomo.

He did an excellent job!

And there were a few shots left....and of course we had to use them!

I couldn't think of a better reason to smooch!

Trixie

2011-10-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

OH my poor rat. She has been pretty sick the last few months and I decided I would help her give up the ghost today, because whatever she had was starting to really pack a punch on her little old blobby body. She was a good pet, and I euthanized her at home tonight using a homemade co2 chamber and some benadryl. I cried a lot but stayed with her until her last breath. I know it seems weird because she's is JUST A RAT! but she was my sweet pet, she was always happy to see me ( I think it was all about the treats). I don't think I'll get another rat for a while, if my kids want one then maybe. I just get too darn attached!

Here is to 75 long rat years!!

So long my sweet girl! You were the cutest rat ever.

Wedding Stuffs Update

2011-10-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Andrew doesn't read my blog (or anyone else's) so I'm not worried about secrets escaping. Plus I tell him everything ANYWAY so I'm sure he'd find out sooner or later.
I'm a terrible secret keeper.

I FINALLY finished my bouquet this weekend! Let me tell you, I know why people charge 400$ online it's hard work! But worth it.

First you start with a pile of brooches.

Then for each one you wrap 22 gage wire either once or twice to create a strong stem, then wrap in green floral tape.

After you got what seems like hundreds of brooches wrapped and taped its time to assemble!

After you get it all pretty and round you wrap it in more green tape! I put little white flowers underneath to hide the stems, I also had cool glass leaves that I added and the rest I'll use for boutonnieres and corsages for Andrew and our parents.

After green tape comes the ribbon and pearly pins!

All done! *sorry for the quality of photos all I had was my computer at the ready*

Semi assembled

Wrapped and ready to go!

Wedding Dress

I went wedding dress shopping and it was ~~a shenanigan~~ fun! Bless Wendi, Smashley, and Ann for coming along and telling me I looked pretty. To be honest we found some really beautiful dresses! But they were ALL sleeveless, and though I'm getting married in the Temple and couldn't go strapy anyway, I couldn't help thinking of all the chubby girls who hate their arms. Even if I was able to wear sleeveless I would want sleeves because my arms aren't cover girl tone. People of the wedding world PUT SOME SLEEVES ON DRESSES!
The dresses were mildly affordable at 5 and 600$ but to add sleeves was another 300$ tacked on to that. Plus I couldn't really find my "dream dress" and though I loved the way I looked in a corset I just couldn't see my self enjoying my special day and breathing at the same time.

As you may know I wanted a 50's style dress. I always have loved the pouffy skirts with petticoats and pockets. They're darling! And usually modest. Enter Ann, she saw my distress on dress shopping day and took charge (I love that woman) she offered to make my dress from a pattern of my choice. And here is what we found!

The solid blue green one in front is what I choose. I LOVED IT! We bought fabric on Thursday, a swishy cream polyester for the base of the dress and a cream lace to cover the top, and a cream sash to flatten it out a bit. Basically it's pretty similar to Kirsten's (future sister in law) dress seen here so same ingredients different presentation. Mine will be more lacy and more party than classic. We both have similar styles so it's been interesting planning our weddings and trying to keep it unique. Though I think Kirsten wins, her wedding was phenomenally vintage. Mine will be simple with a few glitzy elements, though as things get closer I get more ideas.

Engagements:

Well we had them! Here are a few that Scott posted on his blog. I should be getting them with in a week or so!

If you want an invite email me at applecomb@yahoo.com

Loves!

More Scott and Kirsten....

2011-10-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

OK!

So these are the last I'll post because I know that Scott will be able to do a much better job editing these than I. Basically they're the appetizer before the main course!

Highlights of Scott and Kirsten's wedding!

2011-10-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

OH boy...I hope I don't get in trouble for this but I must post a few of the thousands of pictures I took today!

Mostly for Amy Wilson (bff) who called me this morning wondering where the pictures were! I told her the wedding was today!

Today Scott and Kirsten got married! It was wonderful. I'm very tired, but it was truly a great celebration, and I now know why photographers cost hundreds of dollars. It's hard work! But worth it for family ;)

My future husband!

I'm known for awkward pictures :)

I don't really know what's going on here...

One last crappy roommate...

2011-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Recently I had an experience with one of my very new roommates which could possibly go down in my history book as either one of the most interesting experiences or enough to piss you off that you go bat-$#*! crazy.

I was the latter.

Now most of this story happened when she first moved in the beginning of September, and as I try to keep my blog tasteful there are times where I just need to vent. The woman makes me so crazy mad I just want to spit at a stranger or her for that matter.
I didn't want to blog about this because it's kind of un-classy to do such things but after tonight I just GOTTA!

She moves in and immediately makes one roommate so mad she moves out the same day. Red flag
She decides to let her cat roam around the house alone her first weekend here while away on some road trip to who knows where....Her cat is in heat.
She comes home and I try to get to know her, some how the conversation turns to weight and she starts talking about how important it is to her to be skinny, and how she used to be REALLY fat LIKE REALLY HUGE just a bit bigger than me. When I retorted that I'm not my body and kind of felt a little put off, but she reminded me she knew lots of fat people and some of those fat people were smart. Lucky me.
During this conversation I mention in jest that I should be on bi-polar medicine and sometimes I can be high anxiety...*Mistake*

She starts writing annoying notes and I protest to another roommate about how much I hate notes, the next day upon coming home from another 15 hour work/school day and getting in the shower and out without a towel, I dash to my room dripping and within seconds this girl is at my door demanding to talk to me. She's in my face about talking bad about her behind her back, I tell her to her face that I hate notes so then I'm not talking about her. BUT SHE KEEPS GOING! Just round and round about how she pays rent (she's been living here a week at that point) and deserves to be told things to her face (I'm rarely home) la la la....well the argument escalates because she's escalating me and I'm vulnerable because I'm not dressed. Finally she says "I don't know why this is such a problem for you, obviously this is due to your mental condition"
WRONG THING TO SAY.

So I get right up in her face and precede to hiss at her to get out of my room and my space.

She does! And promptly calls the police.

Yep. I had the cops called on me!

Best. Day. Ever.

She is of course the victim, after she tells the officer all about how I threatened her physically and she generally feared for her life. I was asked to talk with him and by the end of the whole ordeal he was joking with me and giving me marital advice. When I came back in the house I looked at my victim and thanked her so sweetly for calling such a nice man.

Her cat bit my cat and now he's sick, and she yells at me every time (very hatefully) that nobody saw her cat do it so I can't say that it did,Even though when I got home Em was inside and covered in fresh blood with a tiny puncture wound in his head. Not that this matters to me, they're cats and her cat is a jerk so whatever.
She leaves every light on and the T.V on all day and our power bill has gone up a ton and brings home strange men at 3 am.

I feel as though this is some kind of cosmic joke!

Dear Laura,

It has come to the attention of the heavens that you're getting hitched! Congratulations! To prepare you for this next chapter in life we have given you a most precious gift, a difficult roommate. Please use this gift because it is temporary, kind of like a coupon, expiring the middle of December. This gift will give you lots of stories to tell your friends & co-workers, meanwhile making you bat-$#*! crazy.

Lots of love!

-The Universe

This may be my petty blog, BUT I'm feeling petty and VERY annoyed with her at this point.

Petty party...table for 1...

Project Practice: Spending time with the cat

2011-10-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

My poor kitty! We recently got a new roommate who also has a cat, and I had mentioned that they may fight but she assured me her cat would keep to itself...well it didn't. They got into a little kitty altercation and Emerson got bit, I didn't think much of it when I picked him up on monday for a snuggle and got covered in blood, I did wash it but then pretty much forgot about it....and it got infected.
I noticed he didn't smell as nice as he usually does last night and saw that it had gotten really inflamed he also seemed lethargic and so I figured it had gotten infected. I took him to the vet this morning and they cleaned the wound which promptly burst draining a bunch of icky rancid fluid, they gave him a ton of antibodies and medicine for me to administer. He still has a fever I think and is sleeping a lot, man I hate that other cat! She has scratched me a few times when I scooted her out of my room! Anyway, tonight was Priesthood session so I got some homework done and hung out with Em.

In the time it took for me to wake up from my 3 hour nap and prepare to actually do something, it had just rained so I took a few pictures.

I love Scott's camera! I violently dislike the fact I have to give it back.

I do however like sunsets, webs, big spiders (outside!) and fall colors!

OH AND PEACHES!!!!! I LOVE PEACHES!

Boo!

School!

2011-09-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few projects I've been working on since I've started school!

I designed a pin for Skillsusa I could only use 4 colors, black and white counted as a color. SO what did I decide to do? A RAINBOW TROUT! I think it turned out pretty good.

I designed a notepad! We got to cut and glue it, I have a total of 50 little note sheets that I made! Pretty cool ;)

Up next? A calendar! WOOT

In typography I'm learning all about the beauty of font

I designed a monogram

And a Typo-gram!

I'm not sure what is next for this class, but I'm really liking it!

School is OK, lots of pressure to design and design good!

Project practice: Homemade vanilla and pie

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's super easy making your own vanilla! I had gotten Andrew some vanilla beans and rum for his birthday, mostly because I knew by the time the vanilla was ready to use I'd be his wife and totally entitled to use it whenever! I was going to find a cool bottle to put it in but couldn't find the right one, the name of the vanilla was to be "yo ho ho vanilla" but I settled for "The Kraken" instead because it came with a cool illustration of an octopus and I love octopi.

So 4 months later we will have some goooood vanilla!

There are a million tiny seeds in the pods and they smell delish!

Homemade peach pie with rum and vanilla seeds...seriously SO GOOD!

As far as the camera goes? I'm having issues with lighting and finding the correct flash to use in what lighting, I guess I'll just keep practicing!!

Project Practice: Quinceanera

2011-09-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I went to a banquet to celebrate with his co-workers and receive awards etc. On our way out there were a bunch of teens outside looking FABULOUS! I couldn't help but get a few pictures of them (with consent of course) they were attending a quinceanera ( kind of like a latino sweet sixteen party only you're turning 15)

I promised them I'd have them up by morning!

I loved this girl! She was so cute and reminded me a lot of my sister.

OK even though I'm getting married, and probably about 15 years older than this boy....He's a flipping DREAMBOAT! No wonder the girls couldn't keep their paws off him ;)

Project Practice: Hot Air Balloon

2011-09-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about Provo is occasionally a hot air balloon will land in your yard! Or in my case they landed in the park next to our house. I was minding my own business in the loo and heard the familiar WHOOOSH of the fire component of a hot air balloon. SO naturally I rush downstairs and throw on something modest and rush outside with a camera. Luckily I had Scotts camera and was able to pick a good lens in time to get some good pictures!

There was a birthday party going on and all the kids ran over to help :)

Wendi Bird

2011-09-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

~~Scott has given me his camera!~~ Scott has lent me his camera to practice with a digital tool because he and Kirsten like my style of photography and would like me to do their wedding photos in a couple of weeks *bites nails*. So the next few blogs will be "project practice's" which is nice because I'm crying poor and film is a bit expensive right now and since I'm blowing hundreds of dollars on wedding stuff I need to scrimp where I can so having his camera around is a blessing because I still get to shoot and still get to share it with the world!

First project:

Project bird

Scott has some kick A lenses!

These swallows are some serious divers!

Project Wendi

At lunch one day I accidentally dripped eyebrow wax into Wendi's hair so instead of cutting it (which I insisted upon) we got it out by lotions and washing! I love these ladies Ann and Wendi they make work so much more fun!

Random Photos

2011-09-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of pretty pictures I want to show you!

Time well spent...sort of.

2011-09-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I recently went to the Latin festival over Labor day weekend, Labor day is kind of a special day for us because that's when we first "met" or became bonded as friends anyway so every year since we have gone (only 3 yrs.) So this is of course time well spent!

Then the next week I went with him to "nerd out" at a Magic the Gathering tournament, where I signed up to play a real nerd (not Andrew) this is where time well spent earns the "sort of" I stayed an hour and lost well.

The walk home was pretty!

Arizona on a Whim

2011-09-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

The first week of school I kind of freaked out.

Starting school, continuing with a stressful job and being engaged kind of took a toll on me emotionally and I just needed to leave. To be honest all I could think about was spending time with my Amy (not pictured because she HATES IT) and her beautiful girls (above) So I literally just left one night, I packed my bags and cried all the way to AZ, I wanted to have some good quality girlie time with my favorite babes from Kingman, Amy, Alena, Scarlett, and Holly. And that's exactly what I got, we made blueberry pie, gleaned cactus prickly pears and pomegranates (which were SUPER sour), hung out at the cellar door, did a lot of antique-ing etc. I guess I just needed to be with people who loved me, I needed to be surrounded and I needed to gather strength from my roots. I felt like a water starved plant, who knew I would be satiated in the desert heat. I didn't want to leave AZ but I knew I had to come back to my shabby life and do some house cleaning. I'm still trying to catch up from missing classes one day, I gave my engagement woes to the Lord, and I've decided that work isn't all bad at all. Life has been refreshed as it were, and I'm ready to take on the semester and plan a wedding!

Such a sweet moment that Amy caught, this is me crying about my problems to Amy's darling blue haired grandma.

I can't even begin to tell you my Prickly Pear anguish, they were hard to get! But made delicious ice cream!

The cats always claim my car at my parents house

The donkey "Boo"

This was a feather stuck in a web.

Amy made this cute suitcase for me,
it's me gleaning with my rat Trixie! SO CUTE and creative to boot!

I'm glad I went home, but I'm also glad I'm back in Provo. Sometimes it takes looking at things from a different perspective (thanks Rob) to really appreciate what you have. I love Andrew so much, I'm enjoying school, and work is so much more bearable with good boss's and friends for co-workers. My life is spectacular.

I have the best people around!

Cookbook

2011-08-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I went out this morning first to the farmers market then off to the flea market at the Star Mill in American Fork. Today was a special day because Star Mill was hosting some sort of Beatrix Potter day where they had a sweet lady dressed up as her, soft bunnies, sweet raspberry munching mice, carrot cake, and cupcakes. After you read the mini biography posted along the book shelf, Beatrix asked you questions about her life and you won prizes for correctly answered trivia. I won her diary and Andrew won Timmy Tiptoes which I totally wanted.

These pictures thanks to Kelly

Star Mill

Outside there was a little flea market going on and we found a handwritten recipe book from the pre-60's ish. The lady who was selling it mentioned it was her grandmother's and for 3 dollars it was ours. Sometimes I wonder why someone would sell something seemingly priceless, this was your grandmother's handwriting, in fact that's what I loved about it! The woman assured me she had lots of her grandmother's things so I'm OK with having it, I still gave her a big hug (she totally didn't want to but I made her) and I hope she knows it will be taken care of.

Upon looking at this darling book I noticed all the recipe's were from other women, a recipe would read "Mrs. Smith's Chocolate Fudge for Ice Cream" or "Agnes's Jello Pie" (jello is a common ingredient in this little book) What struck me most was the community feel, if we need a recipe nowadays we look it up online or on our phones, instead of calling Agnes for her prize winning jello pie. I think I'm going to make it cool again to share recipe's, I want to have a recipe book of my own and with only the yummiest comfort foods for my family, and it all being somewhat secret because I'm not posting it all online for the world, it will just be part of my world. I wish community wasn't such a novelty idea, I wish people trusted each other, I wish I had better handwriting, and I wish my hugs were accepted by strangers.

I'm excited to try some of these recipes!
Agnes's Jello pie looks to die for.

Oh, wedding stuff.

2011-08-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

So occasionally I actually blog and write about what is going on in my life mostly for my own record keeping because my handwriting looks so much better on screen than it does on paper.

First thing, I always pledged to myself I wouldn't be that girl that brings up her wedding or fiance anytime possible in conversations. I'm usually pretty bored with girls and their "wedding ideas" but my ideas ARE SO WONDERFUL I can't help but to share them with the world or anyone who would possible listen. So essentially I'm totally that girl, or letting myself slowly become her anyhow.

Turns out after you've been engaged for almost a month and set a date that all of a sudden you have a wedding to plan, no matter how simple the ceremony or open houses are going to be.

I guess here are the basics, Our date Dec 21 in San Diego CA

Our colors are going to be:

Deep red, cream and a light gold.

I won't be having a bouquet of flowers but a bouquet of brooches. I know that sounds a bit weird but hey, it's me!

It will look something similar to this...
Most of the brooches I've collected so far are gold, silver and red hues, most are coming from ebay but I did find a good deal at the Old Mill today on some glass leaves that will look pretty woven into it. I always knew I'd make my own bouquet I just never thought it would be out of brooches! I just loved the idea though.

As for the dress? I'm having one made by a friend just a simple design of a party dress circa 1950-ish and I will be married in a new temple dress. I just don't really like wedding dresses to begin with, white is not my best color I will always find a way to get it dirty.

We still need to get some pictures done, save the date's sent out (yeesh) and started on our invites in about a month or so. Not to mention a bazillion other things I'm probably forgetting, we did register though! At bed bath and beyond and Target, that was fun and we didn't even bicker much on style choices! The best part of this whole deal though is I get to marry my best friend and ~~finally get a little action~~ graduate to the next level of life.. marriage, home and family.

I work for Alpine School District

2011-08-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

They threw us a party!

We were fed breakfast, put on a school bus, given prizes, shipped to UVU, cheerleaders greeted us, given more prizes, inspirational speeches and all in all a great morning!

Andrew and I on a day trip

2011-08-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Seriously, Andrew's family is AWESOME! I had so much fun visiting them and getting to know the family and friends. This marriage thing is pretty rad and to be absorbed into the Morris family is a real treat. Andrew and I had most of the Saturday to ourselves and we used the time wisely, first we went to Balboa park and looked at all the beautiful things they had there, Andrew even paid for us to go and tour the photography museum which was wonderful. After Balboa we went snorkeling in la Jolla cove in San Diego, it was so beautiful I wish I could have taken my camera with us. It was my first time going but it was SO gorgeous and Andrew held my hand during the first bit because I was having a bit of a panic attack, it's just not natural for you to breathe underwater, add the dangers of ocean water, the cold, and sea lions 20 feet from where you're diving, I wouldn't be surprised if you had a hard time breathing as well.

OK the picture below you may want to click on, this is a pitcher plant and it captures bugs and eats them, there is a very large beetle in this plant. PRETTY COOL!

Then SNORKELING!

Andrew is flippin adorable.

So cute.

Elaine Brewster

2011-08-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

Last week on the day I left for California, I had my first real photo shoot (by real I mean paid)

Elaine plays an instrument called a dulcimer or a "Hammered Dulcimer" if you want to get technical. I had met Elaine at the pioneer museum a few months ago and she had asked me to take some pictures of her with her dulcimer I happily agreed to and didn't hear from her for a few months. Then out of the blue she called and in less than 5 minutes we set a time and date!

This woman was so cheerful and beautiful, a very easy shoot indeed!

THANK YOU SKOTICUS FOR LENDING ME YOUR MOST AWESOME CAMERA AND LENSES!!!!

Elaine really loved these peaks.

Bad Case of Entropy

2011-08-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Upon returning home from a trip to CA for Scott and Kirsten's engagement party and driving for 10 hours (I think) My dear friend Heather decided that while I was gone it would be a good opportunity to play a prank.

I guess I deserved it, and she wrote me a love note...BUT STILL

Could there be anything more obnoxious than bright pink peanuts covering your room, a CLEAN room might I add, because I didn't want to come home and worry about that?

I'll just sleep on it tonight and clean it up tomorrow.

Emerson was just as confused as I was.

Life

2011-08-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

These rolls of filled film give visual insights into my life over the past few weeks, some of which are just boring flower pictures but I really love flowers. I love the contrasting colors and brightness even on a cloudy day, some pictures are of the people I spend most of my time with although I didn't get any with Andrew mostly because by the time I see him it's dark outside.

Enjoy!

Scott and I went to Kjerstin's wedding one weekend to take pictures, I being his assistant, but Scott is SO good I wasn't really needed though I still had fun.

Oquirrh Mountain (said like Oh-kerr) Temple

I love this picture of Kjerstin's family, I love it because everyone looks happy and only one person is seemingly paying attention.

Beautiful Kjerstin!

The family decorating the couples car with oreo's on a hot day...and other stretchy things makes for some strange smells as they cook.

Mimi's cafe

Meals on Wheels!

An old friend Chrissy, she was having a bad day so I took her out for dinner and bought her a new shirt and I got a matching one BFF!~

Chrissy dresses so quirky!

Om nom nom

Looting at work...cherry plums!

My gorgeous future sister in law!

Heaven is in her eyes!

Project Rain

2011-08-06T22:50:00.000-07:00

Recently we received a ton of rain, I couldn't help but to run outside and waste a roll, here are the results!

This project paid for by Scott and Kirsten

I'm engaged!

2011-08-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

Andrew asked me on Wednesday night and it was perfect! Got down on one knee and everything!

I couldn't be happier!

My ring is an antique, at least 120 if not 140 years old, and I can't even express properly the happiness I feel and how lucky I am to have Andrew, nobody loves me more!

Things on digital and not my heirloom!

2011-07-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

So when I can't get a good film picture or I'm just terribly impatient I get a quick fix from the digital camera I have laying around (thanks Derek!) anyway, I've been meaning to post about a few neat things!

First, Skoticus sent me a link regarding a teleidoscope and the cool things you can do with it and a digital camera. I had no idea where to find a teleidoscope but about 2 months later, I found one at old navy for .75 cents!! YES PLEASE! here are the results!

Pretty neat huh? Just like any other cheap toy though I lost it somewhere in the vicinity of my room...

For my birthday we made freezer paper shirts and I made one for my Andrew and one for Rob!

Robs death star! I was crafty and carefully splattered white paint to make it look like little lights.

Andrew's cool cassette tape! It's really cool in real life 'cause it's 2 different colors.

Now for the SWEET FIND~

Today while running an errand for our secretary at work I found out that one of my precious clients likes yard sales! So we stopped so we could look around and I found these vintage platters for 2 bucks...

Anyone who knows me knows that I like OLD things and the older the better!

Hand painted wood platters from Hawaii made around the mid 1950's? Maybe 60's

My weakness's are little note cards, kisses from Andrew, and old platters. SERIOUSLY!

These platters came with a story too, heirloom to another family these were precious to a wife whose husband had served in Hawaii, her daughter (now in late 50's) said she used them all the time. They were always filled with crackers or little candies, I'll try to do this stranger's mother a favor and continue on with the tradition. They are lovely aren't they? I'm sad she felt they were only worth 2 dollars, and even then I paid 1.75, I was a quarter short.

Foam Day in Lehi

2011-07-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the 3rd annual Foam day in Lehi city here in Utah, I met up with my friend Julie and her sweet family to enjoy festivities and take some pictures.

So the "Foam" is what firemen use to put out fires, this slick and sudsy alternative to just straight water was just what these kids needed on the hot and humid summer day. I really didn't know what to expect but I loved the small town feel of everything I enjoyed watching the watermelon spitting contest and giant blow up water slides. Even though there were lots of people it seriously felt like a stake get together and everyone seemed to know one another.

I think this is Julie's kid!!

Carson!

Julie!

After all my exposures were spent, I put my camera away and joined in the fun...fully clothed. I can say now that I walked out of the park sopping with thick foam and proud that I still have some kid in me as well as spontaneity. It was worth every minute of it!

DECEMBERISTS

2011-07-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

Recently Andrew, Scott, Kirsten and I went to see the Decemberists put on by the twilight concert series in SLC. The last time I went wasn't too bad because we had scored VIP tickets and got free drinks and seats! My only complaint with these concerts is the huge amount of people who show up, and the quality of air. I hate to sound like a snob but when you stand in one spot for hours trying to score a good view and then tall people come and stand right in front of you pushing you farther back right when the good band starts, it ticks you off a little. Even though I almost passed out because of the smoke and heat and swollen ankles (seriously!? What is up with that!) I felt pretty stupid having to leave a bit early to get some water and missed out on one of my favorite songs, but I think I'm not really cut out for jumbo crowds like that! Anyhoo, here are the pictures! You will notice that I obviously was kinda bored and took a lot of the crowd and people around me.

Andrew "saving space" for Kirsten and Scott

I love little moments!

Andrew wearing my sunglasses and a very happy Scott int the background

Pretty tattoos

I like this one A LOT!

My B-day party!!!

2011-07-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for Skoticus to get these to me before
I posted anything about the party. I knew he would be
taking a few pictures but THIS is awesome! I was so spazzed out the whole
time trying to juggle everyone I didn't really take any pictures all I have are the
ones I took the next day while Josie and I did our freezer paper shirts!

Rob and Jness made the garden cupcakes! I made cupcakes
with candied rose petals and mint as well as the cake bites.

Thank you to all who came!!! I can't really type anything about
the pictures from Scott 'cause I stole em, and blogspot isn't alowing space for typing.

P.S

The picture of Andrew makes me swoon.

ENJOY!

Out in the garden

OK Here are the ones I took the following morning! Josie working on her shirt! This was the hardest "stencil" because it wasn't really a stencil, I just traced it in illustrator but it was definitely one of the coolest! Kirsten did a fantastic job on hers and I loved Josie's as well!

I cut out all of these little mustaches and glasses by hand! SO WORTH IT! We all had a blast with them .

Summer Concert and Harry Potter pictures!

2011-07-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

This roll sponsored by Skoticus and Kirsten!

VIP passes make you feel cool, but only Kim actually LOOKED cool.

Random strangers from around the concert

LOVE THIS ONE!

Harry Potter! Well eating and waiting for it to start

The "other" Bellatrix (I was dressed up like her too)

AAAAnnnd I just love these flowers. They look like they have fuzzy hats on.

Hung Over

2011-07-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

So being LDS or "Mormon" most of my non-churchy friends know that we don't "party" or drink as it were, but I would like to dispute this "partying" accusation with a "Oh, we party and we party hard!"

On some occasions after a particularly fun night I will wake up the next day with a headache, dehydration, stomach upset, old make-up plastered in the corner of my eyes, loss of memory about what happened the night before, messy hair, and the ever embarrassing "did I do that?!" all of which alcohol and drugs were not present. However what was present was...junk food, walking or dancing, people TONS OF PEOPLE, screaming and laughing very loud even for me, and of course great friends to share it all with until the wee hours of the night.

Last night was the final Harry Potter midnight release, I tagged along with Rob, Jness, Kim, Raymond, Michael, Tacy, and Krista for a night filled with music, costumes, way too much vitamin water, and a navajo taco that is making me think about doing a grape cleanse for the next 3 days. I'm hung over from fun! If I feel this crappy now I can only imagine what it feels like to actually be hung over from chemical stimulants, because naturally I feel awful.

But it was worth it! I did have loads of fun, I will be posting pictures soon. As soon as I get dressed and get down to develop my film I'll have pictures....which may not be till tomorrow...

Gardening, Gleaning, and new friends!

2011-07-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well it's about mid July already and it feels as though life is whirling past and people, days and activities are just a blur on this carnival ride that I call my life.

Most days are the same I work during the day and have fun with my guys then home for either a nap, garden duty, kitchen duty etc. I like to have my chores done before I can "play" I like my room to be clean and the kitchen and all my laundry put away before I head out for a good time. NOT that these things are actually done, (thank you entropy) but rather in spirit they're done as I head out into dark blue clouds and humid air for a quick bike ride to the slushy hut with Josie before another empty threat of a storm hits. I'm just waiting for the summer to end and school to begin, all my school stuff is set up and my job is (at least I think) is OK with my crazy schedule and I don't have to quit just yet. This is actually beneficial to me because I need a good paying job a bit longer before I can schedule my classes during the day and just work somewhere at night. The schedule I have now is NUTS! And I don't know how I'll wing it come fall but I'm sure I'll manage, but most days I'll be working and schooling well into the evening and trying to balance all the other wonderful things in my life.

So enjoy these few pictures of my most recent adventures! I'm waiting on a few more pictures from my birthday before I gush over how awesome my friends are, then I'll post more pictures of the party and talk about all the goings on and tom foolery.

This roll of film is sponsored by Skoticus and Kirsten... two very dear people to me ;)

Garden!

My flowers are finally coming in, including the two sunflowers one of which is about 10 feet tall. The one pictured here is only about 7 feet but it's flower is open so I like it better.

I was standing under this plant, there were at least 4 more sets of leaves before the flower!

Andrew made us dinner on Sunday, and it was AMAZING!

I wonder if he knows these usually end up on my blog?

Bike rides with Josie are the best!

Waiting for slushies

Gleaning today was Mulberry and Tart Cherries, both of which were made into syrups for home made soda's.

Cute girls that helped me pick berries

Pretty face!

Polaroids from the party...

2011-07-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

Best in show goes to the Ogdens!

The Rest of the Fourth weekend

2011-07-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Concert and gallery stroll

Some of my favorite people!

Freedom Festival!

Dinner at Kirsten's house!

Andrew was feeling nostalgic after dinner so we walked around some of our old haunts, one included this field next to a house he lived in. I always loved this crazy field!

The next day we went to the balloon festival but it was cancelled due to a thunder storm. I had lost a bet with Andrew about how to pronounce "Cuisinart" I bet breakfast and he bet 10 really good kisses. So I bought breakfast and still got all my kisses ;)

I HATE this face, it's so creepy and he knows it.

Then Scott and Kirsten stole a few shots while Andrew and I were out, I left my camera at his place 'cause we were swimmin.

"Kissing is disgusting"

STORM!!!

Week in activities=1 roll of film

2011-07-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

I'm getting better and spreading my film out! I have one roll left (saved for fourth activities) I will be posting more soon.

Andrew's roommate had a bday party last Friday and it was next to a skate park in Taylorsville UT. At the time I just thought it was another Salt Lake Valley town, but upon asking a few roughnecked skater dudes if I could take a few photos of their tricks I realized I was in a harder part of town and only stayed for a couple of shots.

Basically the same trick...

The following day the Relief Society had a Tea Party....Hats, cucumber sammiches, and lemonade.

On Friday July 1st my work had it's annual Independence day BBQ! Ann and her family came as well as Lindsey (weenie) and Khloe, Jessica and Natalie (not pictured unfortunately)

THEN!!!! GALLERY STROLL THAT NIGHT! With my friend Renada, Courtney, Jess and Darrin. SO FUN!

I'm exahausted! And I have the whole day with Andrew tomorrow, and a roll of film! Tomorrow is gonna be the best.

Gallery stroll photo project

2011-07-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Loving Life!

2011-06-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my Amy today and we were discussing how I felt about turning 30, she thought I'd be feeling "like I'm about to lose my virginity and I may not want to but it has to happen sometime". I don't feel quite like that but it is something similar. Something that keeps running around in my mind as the day of my birth encroaches on the holiday weekend is....I'm happy.

I'm happier than I've ever been, I feel sound, content, balanced, and loved. These are my days! These are the days people talk about, these are the days I've been waiting for.

I'm happy, truly happy.

Countdown...

2011-06-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

So I'm turning the big 30 in exactly a week, and to prepare for this I have been trying to take things more with a tossed up hand and a MEH! I'm having a party on the 8 if you want to come! We will have activities like a photo booth and making shirts also yummy goodies!
I hate feeling like there is nothing to do at parties but talk. In preparation for this party I had to take some photos of myself in order to send out virtual invites via facebook and here are a few that I ended up keeping.

I have no idea what else to do with them! My idea for the photos was to insert a conversation bubble so that's why I'm off to the side in a lot of them.

The Glean Queen

2011-06-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again!

The time where I go to different places and take fruit off of trees that don't belong to me. There are two different ways of getting fruit, morally and immorally.

Morally: Conveniently finding a black berry bush behind an abandoned building. Have friends who have parents with giant apricots, and have so many they are using them as ammunition in epic apricot fights. Having friends with cherry trees in their yard. On campus is TOTALLY free game. If the branches are hanging over the side walk ALSO free game, and alley ways.

Immorally:

Dressing all in black and in the middle of the night stealing the coveted elephant heart plum from your neighbors yard, they're too busy to notice that the plums are ready and YOU WANT THEM. Noticing that Cook's greenhouse is selling their strawberry starts 2 for one and also noticing the strawberries are ripe. "Helping" Cook's by eating the ripe strawberries without buying the plants and embarrassing the friends that came with you.

I'm happy to tell you that I morally got enough cherries for a yummy cherry pie which I will share with friends later today. Look out Rob, I'm bringing a ladder next time!

Grainy

2011-06-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Lets discuss 800 speed film...better yet the science behind it. When you go into dark places and a flash isn't available you should use higher speed film, a film's speed is the measure of sensitivity to light and how quick the silver halides react. Higher speed = less light. The silver halide is what you see when film looks "grainy" or a bit fuzzy for lack of a better term. When film is expired, the silver halides start to lose their value and increase in "happy accidents" which is pretty much what I strive for.

This roll was my first 800 ISO and the pictures turned out okay, not my favorite but artsy enough to satiate that need. You will notice in darker situations the grain is more apparent because I like to think they had to work harder. :) Enjoy!

Rob J'ness and I went to Summerfest in Orem last week

I hang with them a lot.

We (Rob & J'ness) had a BBQ with our friend Lauren In West Jordan who just gave birth to this cute thing below, her name is Alison and she's a gem. I liked to smell her head! Om nom nom nom BABIES!!!

Lauren's husband is crafty!

Lauren trying to avoid pictures...

My good friend KayCee got married Saturday and I went to her reception in West Jordan, as I pulled up her bridal party was decking out her car with the traditional sexual innuendos all in good fun of course.

Isn't Kim just GORGEOUS!

I'm in love with this crape paper blowing around in the wind!

The culprits! The bride wasn't too impressed, but she didn't know at the time it was some of her best friends pulling the prank.

Here is the grainy parts, the reception had low lights and cute little girls willing to dance among bubbles, how could I not partake!?

I love this one

This one too!

KayCee!

This one was so grainy I had to flip it to BW so you can at least see some value.

Well folks that's it! I think I really like the grain, I may even go higher with the film speed. If this 800 looks like that, imagine what 3600 ISO can do!

Super 8

2011-06-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I went and watched this movie last night after a BBQ with friends. Almost immediately I noticed the movie having a certain quality about it that I haven't seen in a long while. Since Andrew and I are a good 5 years apart in age, and had different upbringings he didn't notice anything particular about the style of filming and direction. This thing had Spielberg written all over it! Lens flares that stretched across the screen, a cast of quirky kids with a mouthy innocence, a monster, and lots of trombone shots and other iconic "Spielberg" shots. Did I mention they use vintage movie camera's? SO COOL.

The thing I loved most about this movie was the cute bantering between the kids and the adventure they have. It really made me feel as though I was watching another Goonies or Indiana Jones, the whole film FELT like my childhood. The graphics were pretty cool and in true Spielberg fashion lots of suspense and jumpy music, I almost feel like this movie was a shout out to fans.

I laughed, I was scared, and overall the movie was very entertaining. So if you're in the mood for a stroll down movie memory lane, this is the flick for you!