HOLY MUSHROOMS & Maija's Wedding

"Holy Mushrooms Batman!"

Would Robin, from the famous Batmas series, pose this statement if he saw what I saw growing on the lawn of the Seattle Temple? I ask you, would he? I believe he would. There, popping out of the sacred grass on the sacred property of the sacred House were two mushrooms growing for attention. And, yes, you may think the personification of mushrooms is silly - but I say they were growing for attention! Luckily, I had my camera and decided to document this interesting event. Were they poisonous? I think not noting their location. So, we picked them and ate them for dinner. Then...after 6 hours of being in the emergency room...

Just kidding. We didn't pluck and eat, we stopped and clicked a picture for documentation. I thought weeds and awesome grossness like mushrooms had to be anything but holy. But, alas, mushrooms must be holy because of their existance on the Temple grounds.

We were in Seattle for my cousin Maija's wedding. She and Nathan had gotten enganged on Valentine's Day here in the city. He seems to be a pretty upstanding young guy and has a bright future ahead of him. I took a lot of pictures that day and am really excited how some of them turned out. I used my new lens that my parents had gotten me two Christmases ago. It's awesome!

Let's start with Maija's ring. The center diamond is gorgeously surrounded by tiny diamonds that go all around the band. It fits her personality and looks amazing...

Next, let's go to the bride's parents. My aunt Karen (Dad's sister) and uncle Arden were gracious and let us stay with them during our short trip. They have a beautiful home that has a great feeling to it. I cauht a couple of good shots of them interacting during the big day, but this one is my favorite...

Next, it is the whole Thomas family. From left to right: Nathan, Anja (Dowdy), Nathan Gray, Maija Gray, Karen, and Arden. What a great clan!

Ha, this is one of my favorite shots I got! They both look mad and I can't help but laugh. I can only imagine what is going through their minds!

Another day, another HOT day.

I got up this morning with a resolution at 6:30.

I am resolved to get up 3 to 5 days a week and swim laps

for my weekly exercise. It has been 12 long years since I have

swam laps repetitively and with resolution. From the time

I was 7 until I was 10 I swam at Stiener Aquatics Center

(or that is what it was called then). I miss the fun and

challenge of getting in shape and then the endurance

that comes with training in the water.

I didn't want to quit swimming. I loved it. Ever since I was born I've been

a fish-girl. But, alas - womanhood struck me and freaked me

out. So, now that I have "conqured" the joys

of womanhood, I want make up for the time that I lost in the water.

This past weekend, my two cousins (owners of Two Sisters Photography)

took family portraits of our small four-some.

Anyone who wants to can check them out on their blog at

http://www.twosistersphotos.blogspot.com/.

They turned out awesome!

Thanks Kirsten and Elisa!!

NEWSFLASH!!! -

Rob and I got a new camera in celebration of our 1st anniversary...okay so that is

not as exciting as

it could be - to anyone else - but to us (me) it's

super exciting!!! It's a Cannon SD1200 and it's green!

We love it and I made my two dogs

my practice this morning. I was at my mom's

house and just happened to have

it with me. :)

Cloe was pretty cool about posing.

Cali was more skeptical.

Ciao!

A Little Girl's 1st

This is Kylie.

We celebrated her 1st birthday on Saturday. She is such a well-manored little girl it's so cute! Her mommy, Rachel, put together a cute fun princess party for her and all who were there. Below are a few of my favorite princesses at the party:

This is Princess Chasie of the clan of Johnson.

Princess Camerynn of the Bailey Clan in Salt Lake City was also there to cook the weeners and assist Princess Kylie in all her cake endevors.

Adjusting her crown to perfection was Howieanne of the Millcreek Township.

Pricess Robertice was there as well from the accursed land of Holfeltopia (located near Holladay). She lost her crown and her dignity. How shamefull for the accursed land of Holfeltopia (located near Holladay). Better luch next time Robertice!

*We had such a blast at the party! Thanks Cameron and Rachel! Food was great, company was excellent, and the cake was awesome! I love going to birthday parties for little kids because they all end up in a scene like this...

Holding my Breath

I am sure my last blog and the one before that sounded cranky. Sorry about that. Rob and I have had one HE!! of a month of June. It has been non stop in hospitals, no sleep, and work, work, work - oh yeah and that little thing we call school! I still feel like I need to vent, but heavens knows I've done a lot of that lately. Thanks to the Lord and all our wonderful family we have mede it through June without many bruises and scars. Luckily, the Summer Semester of 2009 is a month from being done and then we can get into that luscious era of Autumn.

I love Autumn with all of it's colors and theraputic smells and coolness in the evenings. Hopefully it will not stay too warm too long! Every year I hold out for Autumn. Like I'm holding my breath and closing my eyes until it's safe again. Autumn is so warming to the soul and lovely to the eyes!

So, for a few more months I'll hold my breath, but I will try not to close my eyes (too tight). I don't want to miss anything in life.

Something to ponder on: What I have thought about the last month is this: Make sure you do what you want to do when you want to do it. Life and time is too precious to put off.