digital camera workshop

I have a greater respect for professional photographers. I signed up for a Groupon event for a four hour photography workshop and "safari" to the Oregon Zoo for practice. With the zoo closing and me taking forever using the manual setting, I switched back to the auto settings for the rest of the animals. I learned so much and realize just how much practice and good lighting it takes to be a great photographer.

Matt refuses to be my model and this is just another reason to get a dog or baby.

happy easter!

We spent all day on this.

more days like this please

We started the day sunbathing on the deck, walked the trail near our house and ended it firing up the grill for dinner. I almost forgot how good it feels to be tired from the warm sun.

the award for the most beautiful newlywed couple of the 70's goes to... my mom and dad

happy 34th wedding anniversary, mom and dad!

friday night

It has been nonstop sunny, so it has been a good Friday.  Tonight has been about Five Guys, watching the Lakers game, listening to Matt yell at the TV, Matt rewinding the game and making me watch good plays or bogus calls the refs make, old Will Ferrell SNL clips during the commercials (my favorite) and later we are going to see Atlas Shrugged. I've never heard of it, bur he says the book is good.

A little glimpse of what it is like taking pictures with Matt.

Mad about the Lakers game and covers his face with the remote.

Watching old SNL clips, so he is already smiling.

Is actually pretty good about taking kissing pictures.

Pretending to be mad I didn't take a good kissing picture the first time.

You know how some girls ask for their picture to be retaken because they don't think they look good in them? I don't have that luxury. I have to take whatever I can get with Matt.

while in provo i have been...

Liking it more now as a visitor than I did as a resident.
Distracting Rach from studying for finals.
Filling my Cafe Rio canteen every chance I can.
Soaking in the more reliable sun.
Reminiscing.
and missing Matt.

bridal shower!

We ate, chatted, opened gifts, and watched an interview of "almost-newlywed" questions I recorded with Manti. We first heard Rachel's answers to the questions at the shower and then watched how Manti had responded. Manti was a great interviewee. There were lots of fun girls and it was a fun shower.

I'm so happy I could come out to Utah to spend time time with my beautiful sister and to kick off the first of many wedding celebrations.

Dad ordered these absolutely beautiful flowers for the shower/our mom, for their 34th wedding anniversary.

We recreated the Peep "sunflower" yellow butter cake with chocolate fudge icing that our mom had made before. Even though no one got it, it was delicious.

Coincidentally, one of Rachel's friends brought a beautiful bouquet of sunflower cupcakes in a flower pot. So cute.

Decorations I made. The wedding colors are aqua, coral and khaki.