Around Here// Birthday Boy

Happy 30th birthday to my sweetheart Danny! He's not into big celebrations, but I hope to make today a special day for him. We're planning on dinner together tonight and little family party on Saturday. I will attempt to make a cake without ruining it this year. (For some reason I have the worst luck with his birthday cakes).

Oh... and I'll be going to the doctor to see how little Max is doing today too. He gave us another scare yesterday and we've wondered if perhaps he is looking to join in on the birthday fun. That could put a hitch in our party plans, but I don't think we'd mind. One way or another, today we will celebrate!

L

Life Through the Lens// An Evening Out

My sweet Danny took me to a great new restaurant, Zest in downtown Salt Lake City, to celebrate our third anniversary. The menu was entirely vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan! I can't explain how nice it was to be able to look at a menu and to order whatever I wanted. I may have cried, it was so wonderful. The food was incredible, and the restaurant had a cool hipster vibe. Of course I couldn't resist the fantastic photo opportunities!

I am just so grateful for my thoughtful husband! He is so good to me. We followed up dinner by seeing a performance of West Side Story at the Capitol Theater. Oh, how I love musicals! Danny planned a perfect evening out, suited just to my interests and needs. I love him so very much!

L

Life Through the Lens// One Month

Golden blossoms and thoughts for our boy...

L

Scrapbooking// La Jolla// Color Combos Galore

I joined up with Color Combos Galore to play along with their monthly scrapbooking challenges. 

Here is the inspiration board ...

Color Combos Galore

And here is my page...

Supplies Used: 

Cardstock and Patterned paper: Crate Paper, Bazzill Basics, American Crafts, Sassafras; Thickers: American Crafts; Chipboard buttons: My Minds Eye; Candy buttons: Basic Grey; Label Sticker: My Minds Eye; Pearls: Crystal Stickers; Washi Tape: Love My Tapes; Chevron Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Paper clip: Close to my Heart; doilie; tickets; typewriter; bakers twine

I love yellow and pink together! It's such a fresh and cheerful color combination! The mixed textures and patterns in the photo of the bedding inspired the combination of patterned papers, textured cardstock, and embellishments I used on my page. 

PS: My bakers twine got slightly askew when I was photographing this page... but I am too pregnant to bend over and fuss with such things right now. Oh well.

Thanks for looking!

L

Life From the Passenger Seat// Day of Rest?

Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest, but somehow it's always one of the busiest days of the week. Last Sunday, in between sessions of General Conference, we took the opportunity to go for a little drive. It was lovely! The sun was shining and the trees were all in bloom. It was so nice to enjoy a slow paced, leisurely afternoon together. On the other hand, life kind of feels like one great big busy Sunday right now... I'm supposed to be resting as much as I can--but staying down seems like the last thing I want to do.

We had a little fright earlier this week, and it looked like Baby Max was on his way the other night. If things continue progressing as they have, he may indeed be coming sooner than his expected due date. We have five weeks to go until May 18th, but the doctor said to be prepared for anything from a day to three weeks! Yikes! We're trying to prepare for any scenerio. We want to be ready for an early delivery, while still remaining open to waiting out the entire five weeks--so as not to drive ourselves crazy if three weeks pass and he still hasn't come.

So, yes. It's getting very real, and it hit us just how much we still need to do before Max's arrival. Yesterday we purchased a diaper bag and a coming home outfit for the baby. (Hello cutest tiny outfit ever!) Tonight we will be getting our whooping cough vaccinations, buying a car seat, and putting together our hospital bag. We're getting ready, nervous, and very excited all at once. (Insert squeal of nervous excitement here.) Ready or not...

I'll keep you posted!

L

Life Through the Lens// New Life

It's my favorite time of year! Everything is coming to life and the world is colorful again! My camera and I are very happy to take it all in. It's quite symbolic that in just a few short weeks a new little life will be born, and our new life as a family will begin. Knowing that Max would be coming in the Spring kept me going during such a long chilly winter. I knew the lovely spring blossoms would usher in this new season of our lives, and I've been anxiously looking forward to their arrival for so long!

Over the weekend we took a few photos down at the farm--I snapped a few shots of the blossoms, and Danny played photographer for a mini maternity shoot. He's such a good sport... and quite the talented photographer!! Though I'm a bit self-conscious about sharing photos of myself, I thought I'd share a few, because this is our story right now; and it's a part of the story that means so much to me.

I think I love this season more than ever.

L

Scrapbooking// Be Merry Today

I've been pretty  busy with scrappy deadlines this week. I'm excited to share that I have a layout getting published in an upcoming issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine! I'm pretty excited to be published with them again! I also have a few wedding books I'm creating for Peachie's Photo Parlour. I'm trying to complete everything as quickly as possible, so I won't need to worry about it when the baby comes. It's been busy, but fun!

Often my inspiration for new pages comes while cleaning up my work space. This page features some of the pretty papers I'm using for one of the guestbooks I'm working on--Obviously I love the concept for their book: soft vintage pinks, feminine details, and ruffles--actually pretty similar to how we decorated for our wedding... Anyhow, I loved the pretty palette so much I just had to create a quick page.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Close to my Heart; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, Studio Calico, My Minds Eye; Letter Stickers: Mini Market by October Afternoon; Date Sticker: My Minds Eye; Brads: Close to my Heart, Studio Calico; Pearls: Crystal Stickers Pearls by Mark Richards; Washi Tape: Love My Tapes; Wood Veneer Chevons: Studio Calico; Ticket and Journaling Card: Close to my Heart; Distressing Ink: Tim Holtz; doilies; sequins

Thanks for looking!
L

Around Here// 6 Weeks & Counting

I asked Danny's sister to snap a photo of us at our family Easter party. I realized we haven't really got any pictures of us together with my growing belly. Before we know it we'll be holding our little guy in our arms!

Just 6 weeks until our due date--though I still feel a bit nervous that he may be coming early. Although I don't feel too well these days, I am begging him to hang in there as long as possible so that he can be healthy and strong. It's already proving to be a very busy month for us, and I think the next few weeks may just fly by. We'll be taking it one day at a time.

Oh, I just can't wait to meet this little boy! He already has my heart completely.  

L

Life Through the Lens// Down on the Farm

Danny pointed out to me that I must really love that silo, because apparently I take a picture of it nearly everytime we're down on the farm. I guess he's right! I just love seeing the way the evening light illuminates that familiar landscape. The lighting and colors change with the seasons and I think it's always quite lovely.

Aside from the obvious (family/children/pets) do you have something you never tire of photographing?

L

Scrapbooking// What A Treat

In case you're new around here, I should warn you, I may never run out of State Fair photos to scrapbook. I kind of love the fair, and perhaps I take way too many photos there every year. It's just always so full of interesting things to see!

When I saw this vintage floral paper from Crate Paper, I knew it would be perfect paired with these photos. A pretty floral, some gingham and polka dots, and a few layered pennants... Doesn't it all just look like it belongs at the State Fair? Makes me want to eat a candy apple and ride a Ferris Wheel right now! Oh, how I love the fair!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Close to my Heart; Patterned paper: Jenni Bowlin Studios, Crate Paper, Echo Park; Journaling spots: Jenni Bowlin Studios; Alphabet stickers: Mini Market by October Afternoon; Buttons: Close to my Heart; Brads: Close to my Heart; Pearls: Close to my Heart; Wood Veneer Pennants: Studio Calico; Stamp: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts; Black Ink: Close to my Heart; Distressing Ink: Tim Holtz; staples; thread