*snap snap*

The past few months I've dusted off my camera and snapped quite a few family photos.  I think I am going to bite the bullet and take some 'official' classes and start a mini-photography-side-job.  I already have a name picked out and a vision in mind!  Stay tuned.  I really enjoy getting creative and I know I have a long, LONG way to go until I'd call myself an actual photographer, but here are a few family's that I've snapped pics of over the past few months.  For once, I didn't torture my own kids and tortured some other people's kids (and dads, whom never, ever love getting family pictures).  Hehe!

My favorite part of this family shoot...the snowball fight at the end!  I love candid shots the best! 

(taking kids pictures can be hard, but taking 6 kids pictures...ha!  They actually did a great job!)  

I love my Nana and Pops!   

 We took these pictures on this blue wall because it's the same wall they had their engagement pictures taken! 

I did not take this last collage, but while I'm on the topic of photography collages, I thought I'd add this one as well, since I forgot to add it in an earlier post.  These were taken last Fall by a friend who is fantastic!  We used them in our Christmas Cards this year.  We were supposed to have family pictures but Dan was in the middle of an emergency dental case and couldn't make it.  When he had finished at work, the rain had started.  One of these days we will get us all in there!  Thanks Emily for snapping my kiddos!  Photos are some of my most favorite treasures!  

  

The hardest part about this post was not posting a bazillion pictures.  It's hard to choose which ones I like best and sometimes they are too small to even see the cuteness when they're in a collage.  Oh well, I tried my best! 

When I grow up...

I love the way ringing in the New year makes me feel.  I am overcome with feelings of Hope, Optimism, Possibilities, and Motivation.  I must admit that 2013 wasn't the easiest year, it wasn't the hardest year, but it certainly had it's ups and downs.  Starting a new business for Dan, starting back in the work field myself after taking a 10+ year hiatus, trying to figure out some health issues,  trying to find balance for each family member's life spiritually, physically and mentally, just to name a few. But as per the norm, the good always far outweighs the bad. As I scrolled through the pictures that I've downloaded over the last 12 months, my mind is flooded with SO many good memories.  I feel truly blessed to have a healthy family, a full fridge and pantry, comfy/warm beds, a beautiful home just to name a few, and to top that all off, I can honestly say that I think I have the three greatest kids in the world.  They are the 'cherry-on-top'! I also have a pretty fabulous dog too.  We have also enjoyed being back in Idaho where our story originally began. It seems as if we have taken so many paths, lived in so many great places (where we were able to meet so many amazing people), yet they were all necessary detours to get us back 'home'.  We survived and we are anxious to see what 2014 has in store for us.  We have great hopes and have made our '2014 goals'. My big goal for the year is to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  I am determined to finally take the time to figure it out.  I think schooling is in my near future.  I am hungry to learn again.  I am not however, looking forward to the studying and exams that accompany going back to school.  I have a handful of ideas that I think I would like to pursue...I just need to meet with a counselor and make some plans!  I am not and never have been good at making decisions.  Here's to a New Year and New Beginnings!!!

Our New Year's Eve was great.  It was very laid back with board games, bowling, sparklers, banging on pots and pans, yummy food and lots of Just Dance competitions.  We had one little one who wasn't feeling well, so we weren't able to go to our friend's party, but, I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere but home!  XOXOXO