Graduation Time....or The Moment I Feel Old

The time has come and gone when high school seniors for the year 2012 have graduated. I got to do a few pictures for seniors this year. They're always some of my favorites because they're at a place in their life where they have so much personality and (think they) know what they want from life. Definitely fun.

But this time, I just felt old.

I started teaching elementary in the fall of 2005. They were 6th graders. That means that this year my first group of students graduated. How did that happen? Hard to believe that they're grown-ups now when they were so little just yesterday.

One of my former students, Charlotte, was graduating. The other odd thing about shooting for Charlotte is she used to live in my childhood neighborhood so I'd known her for a long time. Then taught her. And now her dad is married to my sister-in-law, so technically I'm her step-aunt. All so strange for me!

We started with a few pictures in her cap and gown. (Those things are so strange. Who came up with the design anyway?)

After getting out of the awkward gown, Charlotte relaxed and we had more fun.



So here's three cheers for 2012 seniors.

And many prayers that I stop aging so quickly!

Moriers at Gardner Village

I realized that I haven't posted a few things, so it's time to catch up!

I was lucky enough to take pictures for the Moriers because of a Young Women fundraiser. They had an auction to raise money for camp and I donated my services to help. The Moriers bought my package! Well, really it was Lindee, and Drew, her husband, was a little upset about the money she spent on it, but you can't be upset with this beautiful lady for long.

We went to Gardner Village and had so much fun walking around and finding neat little corners and walls for pictures. They smiled some

And then they really smiled when their grandparents tripped behind me

(And all along I thought I was pretty funny. Reality check.)

We finished up with the family as a whole, and then the kids turned on the charm.

And that's a wrap!

Miquen and Kipper at International Peace Gardens

Definitely two names I've never heard before, but also, definitely two fun people. I'm related to Miquen. I'm her aunt because of Jeremy and it's a pleasure to be such. Miquen first buttered me up by telling me what a great job I do on photos, and then she asked me to take their engagements. How could I say no? Her dad suggested the International Peace Gardens. I hadn't been there in awhile but loved going back, a reminder of all the great places to take pictures:

from benches,

to great walls,

to the dock, my favorite for the day,

a fun trail (wagon provided by me),

to so much more.

Can you tell we had fun? Because we did. And I'm definitely going back there again soon.

Tracee's Senior Photos

Did you know it's almost the end of the school year? My, how the year has flown by, especially since I'm not teaching! Tracee needed some senior photos quickly, and I was happy to obliged. Plus, I got to spend time with her sister-in-law, my friend, Stefanie too!

We started out in a current favorite spot of mine, historic main street Magna. Stefanie showed me some new spots so it was fun and new.

We were about to begin when I realized that Tracee has some of those glasses that tint when out in sunlight. So we played a game for much of the day of her taking them off, hiding them from the light for awhile, and then I'd snap some pictures before they'd go too dark again. Pretty dang funny.

Then we experimented a few with her glasses off. What beautiful eyes!

No glasses seemed perfectly natural to me, of course, I had never met her before that day. We took some of both, no glasses and glasses. Hopefully she can see herself in both.

We went out to a RR track by the Great Salt Lake. While we were taking pictures on the track, a train actually passed by. Thanks to our good watch out, Stef, we were safely out of the way in plenty of time. After the train danger had passed, it seemed appropriate to enjoy a concert on the tracks.

Happy Graduation Tracee!

New Superman Henry

It started with Cory, but the whole family is inundated with it now.

Superheroes.

Their little boy, Jack, knows all the names. Has all the action figures. Has clothes to match.

So when new baby Henry was born, I knew he needed to take up his proper place in the family.

I present Clark "Henry" Kent and......

Super "Henry"



I'm so happy to meet this little boy. He's going to fit in perfectly!

Crib Transition

I remember the days when I'd listen for Jackson to cry from his crib. I'd go and unswaddle him and get him up.

Then came the days when he'd unwrap himself by pushing his arms and kicking his feet.

Next came the days of turning to his stomach and getting up on all fours.

Gone are those days. I've taken down the mobile. Because now, even after just one peep from this little one, I find this instead.

But oh, how I love those smiles he shares when I walk in the room!

Jackson

Usually I think that Jackson is still just my little baby. Today I looked over at him as he was using a box to stand up that he really is getting so big. 8 months. Everyone says it goes by so quickly, and it really does. I've enjoyed it all, though...except that one phase where putting him to down for a nap was an ABSOLUTE PAIN!

I figured Jackson would be an early walker since he has always loved being on his feet. When I would go to burp him over my shoulder, he wouldn't just lay against me, he'd push on his feet to stand instead. Later he would just enjoy standing on our laps. Then he would rock back and forth while standing on our laps. We'd call him our little sumo wrestler. "Finally", at 7 1/2 months, he decided to take off. Fairly unsteady at first, only making it a couple of feet, but now he moves so well. He turns and pivots. When he falls down he has figured out how to catch himself so he doesn't bang his head/face on the floor.



I'm trying hard to keep up.