As Long as I'm Living

Part of Katie's bedtime routine is to read a book or two.  A few nights ago I pulled out a new book that I've been saving to read to my child for about... oh... 10+ years.

I made it to page two and then had to take a break because my voice was choking up and my eyes were full of tears.

But I persevered.  I made it a few pages more and was doing better.  But then the last three pages happened.  And I am not even kidding when I tell you that I had tears streaming down my face, while I tried not to SOB with Katie in my lap listening to me "read".

Tyson was just watching me and trying not to laugh.

I finished the book, we said a goodnight prayer, got hugs and kisses, said "Goodnight.  I love you.  See you in the morning." and I closed the door.  As Tyson and I are walking down the hall (and I still have tears that are leaking out and down my face - because I'm awesome like that) he tells me that he remembers his mom reading that book to him and crying as she read it too.

Katie,

I'll love you forever.

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

 

All About Katie

The other day we were given "homework" from Katie's daycare.  This week is "All About Me" and we were instructed to make a poster about Katie.  Yesterday, Katie helped me make her poster: coloring on it and choosing each of the stickers and telling me where she wanted them to go. 

She loves it and kept pulling it down from the chair that I had it (trying to keep it out of the way).  She would lay it on the floor and then flop on top of it and touch all of the pictures and stickers, naming each of them.

I thought that I would share it.

Snowbird

This past Saturday, Tyson, Katie and I got to go play up at the Snowbird resort with my parents and my sister Audrey (and her two boys).  It was my dad's company party and we got day passes for all of the activities that they have up there.

We had big plans to hit a bunch of the fun things for the kids, but it turned out that Katie was too little to do almost everything and my nephew Luke would wait in line and then change his mind just before it was his turn.

He's a funny kid.

Katie went down their version of an Alpine Slide with me.  When we were on the chairlift to the top and while we were waiting in line, she kept telling me that she didn't want to ride it.  She changed her mind when she saw our sled and noticed that it was blue.  She held the brake with me and said "Wheeeeeee" the WHOLE way down.

But, the Park City slide is SO much better (at least 3x's as long).

After lunch, we rode the tram to the top of the mountain.

I love this picture of my nephew with Grandpa.

Up at the top.

It felt SOOOOO nice!! (30º cooler at the top than at the base.)

Luke on top of the mountain.

I will be running DOWN that road in 2.5 weeks for a half marathon.

I loved taking pictures of the different signs up at the top.  In this picture, you can just barely make out Grandpa, Audrey and Luke on their hike to the top of that ridge (below the right side of the signs).

After the tram ride the kids all needed naps (I did too after my morning long run), so we packed up and headed for home.  It was a fun little adventure and it would have been even more fun if it wasn't so blasted hot.

I'm officially over 85º+ days.  I would like some 70º days.  And some 65º days.  And mornings in the 40s so that I can enjoy running again.

I am NOT a Professional

OK, you Salt Lake Valley peeps that read my blog - who wants free mediocre pictures of their kids/family/selves?  I need more practice.  Like major.

I've only been taking pictures around Daybreak Lake and yes, I should probably branch out farther, but it's close and easy for me to get to, especially on nights when I'm still waiting for Tyson to get home from work 5 minutes before I'm supposed to be taking pictures.

(Side note: I need to do a whole blog post on Tyson and how after 8 years he is FINALLY a full-time UPS driver.  I need to get pictures of him in his browns.  He's cute.  But being the newest guy in the center means that he gets the crappy routes and always has to help other people that are behind.)

I am not a professional.  I make lots of mistakes, but I also take LOTS of pictures.  Like, 5-10 of the exact same shot.  Because I'm cool like that.  I honestly don't know how to take pictures of kids.  They freak me out.  So can't guarantee that you will even like any of the pictures that I take for you.  But they would be free, so doesn't that make up for it?

I have the most entry-level camera, a borrowed lens, I don't have Photoshop (I have the cheap $80 version - and I don't even really know how to use that very well), I am awkward and don't know how to pose people, so I cheat and show pictures of other poses that we can try to copy.

A couple examples of the pictures that I've done.  Seriously, they aren't all that good.  Well, OK, they are fine.  I'm proud of them, but I'm the photographer.  So that just doesn't count.

Anyway, if you are willing to help me out, just let me know (here, Facebook, whatever).  We can do some now and do some again in October for fall pictures and in December for Christmas pictures.  And every other holiday.