Spring flowers in our yard

I love this time of year! We're already losing a lot of our blossoms, though, due to a mild winter followed by a cold snap. But that's okay. I'll enjoy them while I can.

Hello again

Our precious daughter is now 8 1/2 months old and has been home from the NICU for 3 months. She came home on Christmas Eve. :) She weighs 11 pounds, 8.5 ounces now- 10 pounds, 5.5 ounces more than she did at birth. She is smart and funny and so, so sweet. She was able to come off oxygen last month and she's doing well.

Unfortunately, I'm still sick. I started getting sick when I was 6 weeks along with my pregnancy, and 13 months later I'm still very ill. I'm working to figure out why and what we can do to improve my health. I've been well enough off and on lately to take some pictures, and I'm really enjoying it. I wish I could share shots of my daughter, but I do want to keep her off public internet spaces. So instead I'll post a shot of the beautiful cherry blossoms outside her doctor's office today. I hope to post more often as my health allows, and even though I'm sure no one reads this blog anymore, I'm doing it for myself and my family and don't mind if no one else sees these pictures. Photography is a bright spot in my days, along with my sweet girl of course, and taking pictures sure brings me joy during such a hard time.

Happy spring!

Zuri and Mama

The weather in Utah is heating right up this week! It was a toasty day, but with a pleasant breeze, on Saturday. We popped up to the Hogle Zoo to see the Lego displays they've got right now. Baby Zuri and her mama were having a snack and it was the sweetest little scene. I just love watching animals interact, especially a mom and her little one(s).

Hello, hello!

Blogging has been the last thing I've wanted to do lately, and even photography has fallen down the list. I have so much going on mentally, emotionally and physically... But today my husband and I drove up Provo Canyon and even though I've been there a million times, in all four seasons, today I saw it with different eyes. I was inspired and humbled. We have a wonderful Father who loves us and has provided us with our beautiful earth.

 

Spring afternoon in Arizona

I've missed taking pictures! I've been mourning the miscarriage, and just been feeling overall sad and tired. However, we were just able to take a quick weekend trip to Vegas and had a wonderful time. We saw my grandparents (Vegas is a halfway point for us to meet up), had a few really delicious meals and did some shopping. The drives each way were quick and safe. It really cheered us up!

These were taken in the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona on the way home. It was a beautiful afternoon!

Watching the snow fall

I've been resting a lot this week, not feeling well. The other day, the snow started to fall and I opened the living room curtains to watch. It was very quiet. It brought me a lot of peace, which was much needed!

Linking here:

Visiting our deer friends

Last Sunday, my husband and I took a drive and saw about 40 beautiful deer over by the state hospital. Today we returned around the same time and I took lots of photos with my zoom lens so as not to disturb them. Most of them were very close to our car, though. Many of them walked right next to or in front of us. It was so quiet and peaceful in the snow!

Linking here:

Snow!

Let's all pretend it hasn't been 3 weeks since I updated this blog, mmmkay?

It's snowing! Finally! And I'm up early for a change. Now it feels like Christmas time. :)

Linking up here:

Wet but happy

It's snowing at home, but here with my family in Washington it's raining as usual! I'm here for another few days and I've had a great time with my parents and my "babies..." Baby #1 turned 18 last weekend! I can't believe my little brother is a grown man now. HOLY CRAP.

This photo isn't anything special. It was just taken on my phone, and I didn't try to make it fancy. But it shows how so many days are here with my family. Luckily, we have a cozy home here and I can listen to the rain outside from my little sister's bedroom, where I'm typing from right now. :)

Linking up here:

Halloween bonfire

Last night we had a wonderful bonfire with my best friend and her family. We spent hours just relaxing, eating treats, talking and singing and having an overall lovely evening. I LOVE photographing fire. It's so cool! Plasma is such an interesting element. And no two pictures look alike!

Credit goes to my husband for the heart picture... I got the idea and set it up, but he snapped it of my hands. Thanks, honey!

Linking up here:

More beautiful fall colors!

I took two pictures today that I absolutely love. They remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful area, especially come fall. The first is of part of our backyard. That's what I see out by bedroom window every morning. :) The second is a lovely old LDS meetinghouse in downtown Provo. I drove by it today and had to stop because look at that fall-colored ivy! 

Happy Sunday!

Linking up here:

I've been neglecting my blog!

Now that I'm well enough to take portraits again, I'm hoping to start posting those! For today, my husband and I drove to see some fall colors in the canyon. Absolutely beautiful. 

Linking up here:

Sundance Saturday

My husband and I took a lift ride at Sundance yesterday, a summer tradition. It was a perfect afternoon. I brought my big camera but took most of the photos on my phone, using Instagram. I love that app!

Sundance is so beautiful at every time of year!

Linking up here:

Lagoon

I'm back! After a 3-month hiatus in which I had stomach surgery and pre-surgery and post-surgery illness, I finally feel well enough to take pictures again! It feels wonderful.

My little sister is here for a few weeks and on Saturday we took her to Lagoon, a local amusement park. It was hot and busy, but a lot of fun. This was the most physical activity (8 hours walking in the sun) I've done since my surgery so it was a celebration of sorts. And I'm still sore. :) Happy Monday!

Cherry blossoms!

I'm so excited that spring is finally here and it seems that overnight our grass turned green and trees started blooming. It's beautiful! I took these in a local shopping center's parking lot. I need to take some of the flowers in our backyard.

A snowy night with my girl

This photo is actually from tonight, but I had to share it with this week's Simple Things Sunday group (on this site). My little sister (who is 13 years younger than me) is visiting for 3 weeks for an early 16th birthday present. Tonight we're getting some snow and she was so excited to see it! She stayed outside for a few minutes trying to catch it and reveling in it. It was adorable.