Temple Square

Melissa and I have been missing our photography classes so we got together and went up to Temple Square Thursday night. I was surprised to see so many people there after Christmas.

My Primary Class

I have only had this Primary Class for less than 2 months but I have grown to love each of them. They are quite a lively class, except for the sweet and quiet Emma and Grace.

I will miss them as I move on to a new class for 2012.

The Three Missionaries

It's not very often you have 3 young men you know enter the MTC on the same day. My good friend TeriSue had her son leave. He will go to the Ventura, CA mission - Spanish speaking.

Jandie's good friend Brayden also left - he will be heading to the Detroit, MI mission.

Finally my nephew Roger also left - he will be going to the Orlando, FL - Spanish speaking mission.

This is the first missionary to leave for all three of these families. I was surprised to see how this affected me knowing how hard it is to say goodbye to your son for 2 years. My heart ached for each of them on Wednesday. My prayers are with all three of these missionaries and their families. They will be great servants of the Lord.

Two Weeks in Africa - Two Days in Paris

Cole had the opportunity to go to Mali, Africa through the geology department at UVU. There were 3 professors and 3 students that traveled to Africa to help the people in the villages with their water.

Cole's job was to assemble the equipment to get satellite transmission near each well.

The satellite receiver had to be higher than the surroundings so he did a lot climbing.

While in Africa he stayed at the University in Bamako and in the villages in Ouelessebougou.

The media was there filming what the UVU team was doing to help the people. They also met with high government officials while staying at the University.

Their Air France flight got cancelled so they ended up with a two day layover in Paris. Poor Cole.....

He missed Thanksgiving by 3 days so we had a mini Thanksgiving when he got home on Sunday. It's nice to have him back home safe.

Jandie gives her first haircuts

Jandie is almost done with her training where she can start cutting hair. She did her first haircut on Cole last night here at home. What a good brother....

It took her a long time but she did a pretty good job.

Jandie's good friend Brayden was next. He'll be going into the MTC on Wednesday and wanted a shorter haircut.

It was a late night when she finally finished but she did a pretty good job.

Randomness

I wanted to post some wonderful pictures of Thanksgiving but I didn't get any wonderful pictures....we did have a nice Thanksgiving with plenty of yummy food. I made Lion House rolls and 3 homemade pies with leftovers to enjoy!

One of my favorite things about wintertime is the amazing sunsets we get. I can't resist running outside and snapping a picture or two.

I just completed my Intermediate Photography class a week ago. We had to do a panorama picture for one of our assignments. I was running out of time so I went up to a park that's just north of me and took 4 pictures just after sunrise. I love the mountains that we have here in Utah so I guess it was a good choice for a panorama.

Jandie has had her share of pictures taken of her lately with all the practicing I've done. The other day when she got home from work I told her to go freshen up and we went out and I took some pictures of her. She was dressed for the occasion but not really in the mood. This is the one I thought turned out the best.

Cole will be home tomorrow from his trip to Africa and 2 days in Paris so I will have lots more to post on his trip when I get my hands on all the pictures he took.

Having some fun with my 50mm lens

Jandie Starts Cosmetology School

After much thought and research Jandie finally made a wish come true today as she started Cosmetology School. She will learn not only to cut and style hair, but learn nails, facials, eyelash extensions, colors etc. As she learns each of these things she will need pass them off on a guinea pig...I mean friend or family member. So if you're a willing participant and want a free service let us know :) Jandie has always been good at things she's wanted to do, so I have a lot of faith in her. Congrats Jandie!

My girls in Black & White

One of my assignments for my photography class is to take some black & white photos. It's been a lot of years since I took any of these. I got a roll of black and white film when the girls were like 4 & 8 years old. I'm so glad the film days are over.

I Love Fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the beautiful colors, the rustling leaves, pumpkin cookies etc.

In between conference sessions on Sunday we went for a drive around the Alpine Loop (along with half of Utah county....) it was so beautiful!!! It gave me a chance to practice taking pictures in manual mode for my beginning photography class. Here are a few of my favorites.

(click to enlarge)

America First Credit Union

Jandie was finally awarded her Young Women Recognition award yesterday. She earned it about a month ago but trying to get Jandie and the bishop there the same week was tricky. Jandie also started America First Credit Union today as a teller after a week of training up in Sandy. She scored a 100% on her test. The two pins she has on will go on her name badge when she gets it.

We're proud of you Jandie!

Lyndie was also promoted to Lead Teller at the Orem America First Credit Union.

Cole worked there too, but is now working at UVU as a professor's assistant in the Geology dept.

Amateur Photo Shoot

Lorna asked me to take pictures at Shawna's wedding reception along with TeriSue. I have always wanted to get into photography and bought my first DSLR camera back in January. Learning this hobby has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I was so glad TeriSue was the "real" photographer because I really didn't know what I was doing. I took 156 pics in a 3 hour period.

Maybe someday I'll know what I'm doing...

Congrats to Shawna & Josh, they are such a cute couple!

Jandie turns 18

Jandie turned 18 years old yesterday. She wanted a spaghetti dinner and blueberry cheesecake for dessert. Lyndie came over and spent the evening with us. During the day she went Laser tagging with Brayden.

Happy Birthday to my baby who is all grown up...

Staycation

Dennis' week of vacation finally came and he decided he wanted a low-key vacation this year so we took day jaunts through the week and at out a lot. (YEA for me - no cooking!)

Tuesday we went to Park City and rode the Alpine Slide and Coaster. It was a blast, that coaster goes pretty fast and was great fun! On Thursday we took a picnic lunch up to Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was so beautiful! We took the Guardsman Pass Road and got out at the end and enjoyed the beautiful views all the wildflowers.

Jandie trying to keep the sun off her sunburned face.

I finally used my new camera on a tri-pod with the timer.

It was really weird to only have one of our kids on vacation with us this year. Cole had field work all week and was actually in Big Cottonwood Canyon that day too. We saw the UVU van parked off the side of the rode and Den left him a note that said "Cole Rocks" on the windshield. Cole is a geology major.

It's been a nice break from the routine.

July Trips

I had a last minute opportunity to go on a scrapbook retreat at the Wilkins home in Wales. Cindy and I were the only ones that could go but we had a good time scrapbooking. We didn't do our hair or makeup while we were there hence the far away picture :)

Cole's month has been busy with field work for his Geology degree at UVU. His first trip was to Mexico where they trying to locate a place to drill a well for a village.

Lyndie & Nate wrapped up their California trip at SeaWorld.