year in review {part 1}

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We are all bundled up at home... the snow is falling outside and my girls have declared it 'pajama day'. I've been thinking over the last year... and I cant believe it has gone so quickly. So much has happened and I realized how blessed we've been. Wishing you all the best in 2010! :)

Jan 2009 brought a trip to Oregon. It was a grueling 14 hour drive on snow packed roads. However, the highlight of the whole trip was going to Seaside. We lucked out and had a 60 degree day at the beach! (and that never happens in January on the Oregon Coast!) Here are a few of my favorites...

I snapped this from our car... somewhere in Eastern Idaho.


Taken at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. (which was just amazing!)


Then some while we were on the beach at Seaside. I especially love these next few... My father in law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's this year. Im so glad that we have these photos. :)




And then some of the girls just playing on the beach. Ohhh do I wish I was on the beach now!!




And... overlooking Canon Beach. :)

love + joy

love + joy to you this holiday season.
xoxo
jen

winter...

Wordless Wednesday | ...the non silent version

Wednesday again? Really? Wasnt it just Halloween? I know I still have candy around here somewhere.

Christmas is just 10 days away! I've been busy being Santa's helper this year. I took on one too many projects (but I love it that way) and now Im furiously working and hoping I'll be done before Christmas.

I love this time of year... there's just something magical about Christmas time. The feeling is almost tangible. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

[edited to add: I just got Jenilyn's comment. Its tuesday. TUESDAY! Please, if you see my brain, let me know. I've misplaced it again. Hey... on the plus side- I have an extra day to get ready for Christmas!]

xoxo
jen

wordless wednesday | superhero - a day late.

Project: Home

So... I was thinking one day. (My dad will be shocked. ;) just kidding. Love you dad!) Anyway... I was thinking about home. I wanted to do a project. I wanted to shoot for me. No rules. To shoot my interpretation of 'home'.

Im a born 'n raised Salt Lake City girl. And quite honestly, I love to travel. Love the white sand beaches of Hawaii. I love the sights and sounds (oh... and did I mention the food? *drool*) of New York. I remember coming home from my first NY trip. I stepped off the curb at the SLC airport. And I was hit by silence. It was so different from the place I was only 5 hours prior.

So... its my little project to photograph home. Im starting with one of my favorite things: Salt Lake City Farmer's Market. They hold it every June-October in a huge park downtown. There is live music, fresh farm grown produce, talented artists and crafters from all over the state selling their goods. Its a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning! I love buying fresh produce. Mmmm... there's nothing like fresh strawberries and peaches!

ps... these were all inspired by this old photograph my grandma gave me. Its not a great scan, and I wish you could see the real photo. But you get the idea right?? ;)

Five on Friday | the random edition...

So. This Five on Friday... I first read about it on Chelsey's blog probably about... ohhh... 2 months ago. And every friday I intended to post. Really. And then I needed to fold laundry. Or, tame the downpour that so happened to be under our sink. Then after three million other excuses (that you probably dont want to know about) I decided to join in too.

So... here it goes. :)

1. Do you read Nie? She is like a breath of fresh air. And after her accident, and the challenges she contiunes to face- wow- what an inspiration she is! Well... a while ago, she talked about the Sweet Tooth Fairy. A cupcake shop in Provo. I was down there recently, and I just had to stop in. Just to see what it was about. Is there anything better than a va-NIE-lla cupcake? I think not. In fact, for a minute, I thought I was in heaven. Its that good. :)



2. Cleaning the kids' playroom. I think I disappeared for a few days there. But, I made it back in one peice. Thankfully.

3. The cold. Im learning to embrace it. Well, as much as I possibly can. I even took Amy outside. We lasted about 10 minutes before calling it quits, and coming upstairs for a cup of hot cider. But I did get this shot. *sigh... it makes me actually like winter. Just a little bit.



4. Anthropologie. Oh, Anthropologie. I love you. And I find way too much that I like. Like the $6,000 couch.

*image from the anthro catalog

5. To-do lists. I make one every single day. Im lucky if I cross off one or two things. Then... I forget I have one. And I get sidetracked... So I try again the next day.

Wordless Wednesday | Happy Holidays!