Family Photos

A few weeks ago my super awesome friend Nikki came out to Roberts to take my family photos for me. She is so wonderful - and we had fun! She lets me do my own photoshop work on them...so they might not look as good as her versions will...but it will be fun to compare!

I wanted us to wear bright colors this time...and boy did they turn out bright! It was a fun summer look though. I already have a fall looking photo on my wall, and I'm not going to replace it any time soon, so I wanted to put something a little more fun in our play room. I think one of these will work! And it's nice to have updated photos every once in a while - thanks so much Nikki...we love ya!

Yep - this IS me kicking the crates...I know...I need help.

Flab to Fab

For FHE this week we talked about goals - setting them and working for them. Each of us picked out 2 goals we wanted to accomplish by New Years!

For one of my goals, I chose "drop 10 pounds!" I have more then that to shed, but I have to start somewhere. And I figured that if I posted it on the blog, it would be even more motivation to get my "rear in gear" - I'll try to post my progress. (if there is any) :) So...wish me luck! And if you have any super great advice on how to drop weight fast - please do share! I can use all the help I can get!

I love this photo

While we were at the splash park the other day, I got this great shot of Deagan. I had accidently overexposed it and thought I'd have to trash it...but I did a little editing and now I LOVE it! I love how all you can really see are his features. Is this one cute boy or what? :)

I am having a blast with photography. I am learning new things and have actually been somwhat busy this year. It's been perfect - not too much, not too little. I average about 2 sessions per week, which is exactly what my goal was. And I'm not really even having to work for it - people just call! So I must be doing something right! If anyone is interested, you can check out my work at www.taramillerphotography.com And if you even want photos done, just give me a call!

New Chairs

I have loved these little chairs for years - the first time I saw one I thought "oh, how cute! That would be so fun for kids!" And now, years later, they still make them and I still think these chairs are so cute! I got them at Target - ON SALE!!! My kids love them! They just sit side by side when watching a show - I think they feel like big kids on them. Our theater room isn't quite done yet, but once it is, these cute little chairs will go in it.

Sippin' Straws with Daddy

While we were in Oregon, my friend Emily gave me a recipe for smoothies that we have been loving! So we made them one night and the kids wanted some. Not their own though, they wanted daddy's! So in went 2 more straws and they sipped together. So I hope Emily wont mind, but I am going to share this smoothie recipe with you all.

1 whole banana

3/4 cup berries

1 can of pinapple and the juice

1-2 tablespoons of Grenadine syrup (cherry flavoring syrup)

1/3 of the can of cream of coconut (this is the most important item)

enough juice to make it smooth & mix well

Enjoy!

Splash Park!!!

We enjoyed what I think was our last day of summer this past weekend. We went to the Splash Park in Rexburg with the family that lives across the street from us. I think the kids had a great time! It's one of those types of places that you go to watch your kids have a lot of fun! It makes me wish we still lived in Rexburg. I loved it there - and they have so many family friendly little places there! Anyway, Brie really got into it and even tried the slide this time! I think they'll love it even more next year!

bring on the callings!

When we first moved in, we were told by someone at church to expect about 3 callings. Our ward is fairly small - actually, I think it's large, there just aren't very many active people that go.

Well, Steve got put in the Young Mens Presidency and I think he really likes it. It's a nice change for him from Scouts. And they put me in as an Activity Day leader. SO FUN! We didn't have any activities over the summer, but we have our first one coming up soon. It'll be fun to work with the girls and get to know them better.

Just about a week ago I was asked to fill another calling - the Nursery! I figure that I'm in there anyway (trying to get my kids to stop crying) so why not!?!? My first week was CRAZY! I think every single kid was crying!!! It was in the water or something. But the other woman in nursery and I chatted a lot about new ideas and what we want to do, so I think it'll work out great!

So now I think it's Steve's turn for another calling! Bring it on!

I'm in L-O-V-E

I am SO completely in love...with my new lense!!! It does beautiful shots, awesome depth of field, and the price makes me love it even more! So check out what this baby can do. Notice how I chose Deagan's eyes to be most in focus, then it gradually blurs out from there? LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! (and you have to love the hot sexy glare Deagan is practicing for when he becomes a model and makes me millions!)