Photography Class

My bestist friend in the world signed up to take a photography class at UVU with Rex Allen. It is the same one Tracy and I took about a year ago and I was way excited for her. Then I got to thinking, I love Rex (he is an AWESOME teacher!) and I love to spend time with Melanie and Hey- Alexis would like this too… so I signed up Lu and me to join her.

Class was fun, as always. I still hate that photography involves numbers and math; if you know me you know I don’t do numbers! So when he would throw out “math-like” questions Alexis would answer and point out how she got it so fast, sad to say she helped me out with that kind of stuff. When I am shooting I just go to the settings I like based on what I want… apparently there is a mathematical formula that makes it work (I always knew that but did not put too much thought into it, I hate numbers remember.)

My other favorite part about the class is listening to the questions brought up by people who have NO CLUE how to use their equipment and they are sitting there with the top of the line Nikon and a lens that is worth more than all my equipment combined… and I have a few lens’s that are not too shabby. For example:
Blonde Student “Ummm… I got this blinkey light and I think I need to reset my camera, cuz, umm, it won’t go away”
Rex “That is because you’re trying to shoot in a lighting level that your camera can’t do, you just need to change your setting and it will go away. “
Blonde Student “aaaoooo”

Or this is one of my favorites:

Same Blonde Student “Is that the Nikon (Blabla bla bla –I don’t own Nikon so I did not care about the details on the model number) Flash? cuz mine doesn’t swivel to the side like yours!”
Rex “Yes is does.”
Blonde Student “Umm, no it doesn’t”
Rex in a sarcastic tone “You just push this button right here on the side that says PUSH and it will turn.”
Blonde Student “aaaoooo”

Oh and if your said Blonde Student, just because you own a top of the line Nikon and all the lenses that make everyone around you hate you, that does NOT make you a photographer. Buying the best will NOT make you better.

Speaking of that (prepare for a soap box moment), just because you own a Digital SLR camera it does NOT make you a photographer… you take pictures. I do not care if you took the pictures for your friends engagement or a neighbors family pictures in their back yard… you’re NOT a photographer. When you start getting paid over 200 dollars for doing the same thing, then you can call yourself a photographer. And if you are that good and you’re not getting paid then you’re just a person who owns a camera and let’s people take advantage of you.

So if you’re interested in learning more take a class form Rex Allen, owner of the Allen’s Camera stores, he is very high energy, easy to learn form and very personable.

Here are a few of the shots Lu took as part of our weekly assignments that included shutter speed, aperture, portraiture, 20x20 area, unique lighting, macro, and a few others (only a few are shown below.)

This one is actually mine from our 20x20 area assignment, I thought it was kinda cool in a weird wheel on a train in the middle of no where kinda way.

First Solo Flight

Court and Britt went to New York this summer for a few days. The process of getting them to the airport was quite the experience.


1. They had to have valid Identification Cards. Good thing I have that nanny again. To get an ID card you need proof that you are who you say you are (i.e. birth certificate, social security card) and that you have a permanent residence within the state of Utah (TWO pieces of mail with your name and address on it.) After several hours of lines, waiting, told about the mail, looking for mail, returning, waiting… they finally got their IDs. (THANK YOU BECKY!)

2. I had to drive them to the Airport. Britt was so nervous the entire ride that she talked NON STOP. It went something like this “Oh MOM, did I tell you… blah blah blah… OH LOOK that sign has that lady that lived with monkeys in the wild, I learned about her in school... blah blah blah… Know What?! Umm... well the other day… blah blah” It was painful. I actually turned to Court at one point and told her “I am sorry; you have to sit by her on the plane too.”

3. Check in. Delta requires that all minors under a certain age are required to have an adult supervise them. First you fill out a form that states that if the receiving party is NOT at the gate when they arrive at their destination then they will be returned at my expense. I t also says that I am not to leave the gated area of departure until the plane has left the ground. Ok, understood. Better to be safe, I am fine with that. (I called Donovan and threatened him and told him he BETTER be there!!)

4. You pay more for Minors flying alone. Delta requires an additional $100 at the gate so that the minor(s) get seated near the front where they will be monitored by a stewardess and be escorted on and off the plain first. Britt though that meant she got to sit in First Class, she was disappointed when I explained that she did not get First Class seats.

5. Going through security. Court was very prepared for her flight. Her carry on contained a small stash of in flight snacks which included marshmallows and licorice. Apparently when looking at the baggies filled with these two items on a black and white screen as they went through the x-ray machine it looked questionable. After several guards were called over to “review” what they saw on the screen we were asked to step aside to the secure area. Courts bag was slowly emptied, all while Courtney was feeling confused and nervous not knowing why HER bag was under so much suspicion. When the security officer pulled out the food items he had a small laugh to himself, strolled back over to the x-ray tech and confirmed with the other guards that it was indeed Marshmallows and Red Vine Licorice that they were looking at. We repacked the back pack and were sent on our way.

6. Getting to the gate. First you pass a Cinnabon, they smelled divine. Then you get on the walking, escalator, moving floor, thing that Britt thought was so COOL! Then you pass another Cinnabon and then you get to their gate. We found a spot to sit, and THEN they decided they were hungry and wanted something to eat… I bet you can guess what they wanted. Yep, overpriced Cinnabon.

7. Waiting. While waiting for the flight Britt continued to talk and talk and talk. Court sat quietly, occasionally making a comment about another passenger or person in the airport. I read my book and updated Facebook on the status of the morning. Before you knew it the girls were called by name to board the plane first (that extra $100 being put to good use) and Britt had a look of panic. No turning back now.

Their first solo flight. I hear Britt figured out the in-flight TV options and had them mastered before they were half way there; that kept her from talking the whole flight. Donovan was waiting for them when they arrived and flew home with then a few days later. I hear they had a great time.

My White Trash Side: Demolition Derbies

It is seriously no secret that I have that side of me that is so white trash. I mean that ripped jean, flannel shirt wearing, mullet loving, watching NASCAR with a coke (not a beer) in my hand, kind of white trash. So after experiencing the Demolition Derby last year I was more than hooked, I just cannot believe it took me so long to finally go to one of these.

These pictures were taken at the Utah County Fair in Spanish Fork. It was an enjoyable evening if I can say so myself.

I was able to talk Tracy into going to the derby in Salt Lake and the State Fair. It did not have as much action, but it was fun to watch (especially that embarrassing moment in the mini car competition.)

Strrawberry Days

I know, I know, Strawberry Days were back in June. Seriously, I haven’t blogged in months so don’t get on me about the order or how late these posts are!

I bet if my sissy were to update HER blog she would have great pictures from the carnival... that is just how she is, you know the type, takes great pictures and then won’t share! (unless I go to HER house and get them, Ugh!)

Strawberries and cream at the rodeo... mmmmm. Brittany looks like someone told her that they just ran out and we only got 3 for everyone to share.

This little guy waved at all the Rodeo Royalty, cheered for the bull riders, and got excited with each event that we saw. I think he is goanna be a cowboy.

The Hogle Zoo

Early on in the year I purchased a season pass for the Hogle Zoo, I was really excited that we went quite a few times. Here is a collection of pictures from our many visits.

One of our favorite animals to visit was Baby Zuri an African elephant that was born last summer. She is so playful and fun to watch.

On our very first visit Cameron saw a Giraffe. It was so funny to watch his reaction. He was instantly excited by these huge creatures. After that day each time we returned as we rounded the corner towards the giraffe enclosure he would get excited. Cameron has quite the collection of small plastic animals, but of all his animals, the giraffe is obviously his favorite.

On our first trip to the zoo we saved the train ride to the last thing as we were leaving... but that was a bad idea, the train broke down and Kyles little heart was crushed. After that experience we got the train ride out of the way first thing. ** Note to self. NEVER, EVER overfill the tires of the stroller at the zoo, this will result in at least one tire popping and having to use the zoo wagon.... (they suck!) and everyone that has to pull the sucker will have a sore back the following day.

He looks Just Like Brittany

Cameron is so stinking cute. His long blonde surfer looking hair, his dark tan skin, and his stocky build makes him stand out. He is more than generous with hugs, blowing kisses, and he will wave and say hiiieey to any passing stranger. So it is not uncommon for people I do not know to make comments about him.

At the daycare center that he goes to I have on more than one occasion had someone tell me that they would gladly trade me their child for him, well that is not going to happen, so I politely decline the offer. Recently I have been hearing a new comment “He looks so much like Brittany!”
Really? Brittany.

OK, so let’s look at this. Both Cam and Britt have dark eyes and skin… and that is where I get stuck. His hair and cute cheeks are like Courtney, so why don’t they say he looks like her?

What do you think?

I think he looks like me… but who am I to judge (oh ya, I’M HIS MOM!)

OK, so I thought why not put this to the test. I put Cam’s hair in piggy tails to see if I thought he looked like Britt. He was not so happy about the new style (good thing he is not a girl!).

Kyle freaked out and started pointing and laughing at him... telling him he looked like a girl… but he did not say WHAT girl, so he must not have thought of Brittany either.

So with the girl hair is he more of a Brittany or a Courtney?

One more look at Cameron’s piggy tails. They did not last long after this picture was taken.

And a small reminder of why I have a fear that he looks like Brittany. Can you imagine the boy version…

Bear Lake

For the past few years we have had the opportunity to go to Bear Lake and stay at my cousin’s cabin. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that they invite us up, for the past 3 years this has literally been my only “summer vacation” with the kids.

This year I packed twice as much as past years, it was a good thing Becky came with us because we used her Jeep as our trunk... and it was PACKED! There were treats of bad weather reported for the whole week leading up to the day we had to take off, so to be prepared I packed summer clothing and the sweat pants, sweat shirts, and comfy warm socks that I wished I had packed last year due to the storms and were stuck in the cabin all week. This year there was no need to bundle up, the days were beyond beautiful and the nights were cooler with a few sprinkles.

I love the memories that we are making and I know that they look forward to going every year (I hope we never wear out our welcome!).

It has been almost 2 months since we went to Bear Lake and yet Kyle still asks almost daily when Boyd is going to get a new boat for him to drive. I guess he was not happy when we told him on the last day that the boat broke.

Cameron looks like he is playing football/rugby but…

It is actually his version of keep-away!

Get him Mason!

The kids entertained themselves with a fashion show for us. Whose idea was it to put the little black boy in the afro wig?

Is that little Miss Elijah under all that hair? Isn’t she just a cutie?

Bear Lake Day Spa, Free Mudd Treatment for a limited time only!

Oh my goodness what a cute little kid!

On a bicycle built for two, three, four,... oh whatever the kids sure had a good time on their bike ride.

Thank you Boyd and Sarah! We had a great time!

Good help is hard to find

Finding just the right person that you can trust to live in your home, take care of your children, clean, cook and well… be EVERYTHING else a Nanny should be is not easy. But I found the perfect person!

Becky.

She is everything you want in a perfect Nanny. I have come home after work to find that the table is set and dinner is ready to be served, the house clean, not a single piece of laundry needing to be washed and my children behaving!

Since Becky has moved in the kids rooms have been sterilized and don’t have that “funk”, you know that smell that is a cross between BO, stinky feet, and some kind of rotten food. The laundry is always done, and the boy’s whites are beautiful white. There has yet to be a stain she cannot tackle!

The funny thing is I did not hire Becky to be my nanny. I didn’t even ask her to do the dishes. She was a good friend that needed some support and I told her “as long as I have a place to live, you have a place to live.” I figure it was the least I could do.

She has had to learn to put up with the arguing, the noise, random boys hanging out, fight night, goofy parties, and so much more, but she is fitting right in.

Knowing that Becky was around this past summer while the girls were home was comforting. That meant no boys in the house, less trouble for them to get into. She enforces the rules of the house that I have made, the girls are not too happy with that, but they are learning that rules are rules. She took the girls to movies, lunch, to run errands and shopping throughout the summer. I was a little jealous. She made sure chores were done and she did her fair share (and some) of doing chores too.

Within a few weeks of Becky going to my ward she fit right in. She says what she needs to in Sunday school, gives her two bits in Relief Society and attends the ward functions with us. Her presence did not go unnoticed, she already has a calling in the Young Woman’s and the girls are extremely excited!

I think over the past few months that my kids have grown to really care about Becky and I can tell that she cares about them too. I am so glad that she agreed to move in with us because even thought she thinks that we are helping her out, she is helping us out even more by being part of our house hold.

So if anyone asks who is the new girl living with Lore, well that is Becky, she is the nanny, the friend, and part of the family.

The 4th Matters

The 4th of July is one of those great holidays that matters, not like those fluffy holidays, such as Valentines Day. It is a holiday to celebrate our country, our military, and our families! So I was super excited to have the kids this year and do all the stuff I love to do, but don’t like to do without them (make sense?)

The annual 4th of July Water fight is one of those things. I LOVE to take pictures of it, I do NOT want to get squirted by a 500 PSI Super Soaker in the face. Every year this thing takes place in our cul-de-sac and this one was huge! Water balloons, pools, squirt guns… and right there in the middle was little Cameron… so confused by this whole thing.

After all the water, the BBQ and goofing off we settled down to an evening of UFC fights (OK seriously, who scheduled fight night the same day as the 4th of July).

We did take in a few of the city Fireworks from the side yard, they are shot off at the school down the street so no need to go any further. But due to some issues they had a few strays go towards the crowd. All we could hear were the screams and we were thinking… um that was not “That” cool… whatever.

The coolest part of the night is the “RING OF FIRE” I personally want to thank David Guilott for this awesomeness!