Smudged Photography

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Anniversary Adventure

Two weekends ago ...May 16th to be exact, was mine and Jess' one year wedding anniversary!! We decided to go on a little camping/roadtrip adventure and to be honest - we had no idea where we were headed. The Thursday before our anniversary, we packed up a weekend's worth of clothes, food, camping equipment, and his brother's four-wheeler and hit the highway. It was so much fun to go off the seat of our pants and not really have an idea of where we were vacationing - we just looked at the map and picked our next destination.

Our first night we got a little lost, well .... at least I will admit we did. We drove up the Spanish Fork canyon and by the time we got up there, Jess had to look at all of the elk and deer for a good hour or two - so it was pitch black outside by the time he realized we needed to set up camp. So there we were at 11 0'clock at night trying to put up our tent using the headlights from our truck to see our way around. It was stressful, cold, and a little scary... but we laughed the whole time... that is, right up until Jess told me we were in bear country. Needless to say, I didn't sleep a wink the first night. Every noise I heard outside our tent, I would wake Jess up to make sure he heard the same noise I did.

We had no idea where we had camped the first night, just because it was so dark and freezing! So when we opened our tent the next morning, this is what we found!

A gorgeous scenery, our tent covered in frost, and a grumpy husband... because SOMEBODY kept him up all night listening to bear noises! =0) Hmmm... who could that be?!?!
***Notice our red-neck camping style! Whoop - whoop! We didn't care, we had a blast together!We drove farther south the following day, through Helper, Price, and into some state park (I can't remember the name) We went four-wheeling, shot clay pigeons, and drove around looking for a SAFE place to camp the second night.

In the picture of me above is the cliff we found to each lunch at; it was so peaceful and beautiful up there to just relax and have a little picnic on the edge of a 6,000 ft cliff!

I was Jess's "assistant" during our camping trip, which pretty much meant that I threw the clay pigeons for him with a hand-slinger thing.... while he had fun practicing his aim! Then it was my turn! Jess set up the clay pigeons in the trees and bushes, and I actually hit EVERY SINGLE ONE! (but not on the first time of course!).... but it does mean that I earned my right to go deer hunting with him this fall,... how exciting!!!!!!

Our favorite part of the entire trip came towards the end, on our actual anniversary day, Saturday. Some of you may have heard that we were planning on being sealed in the Manti Temple on our one year anniversary. Which is true, we were planning on it, until we decided to wait until this fall because my sister's due date to have her baby was only a few days after our anniversary. We were too worried that her labor and our temple date would fall on the same day, so we decided to give everyone the opportunity to see my sister have her baby and wait until the fall to be sealed. It was a rough decision to make - but our anniversary still turned out wonderful and this is why.....

We still made it to the Manti Temple, only it was unfortunate we were not able to go inside. It was such a neat experience for Jess and I to see this temple. As we turned around a hillside and drove into the tiny town of Manti, the temple stood out beautifully and the light that radiated from it was incredible. We took pictures on the grounds and it was truly a testimony builder for us to recognize how badly we really want to go inside.

The entire time I was there I was humming to myself, "I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday." It was a very emotional experience for me and the pictures we took there have helped us so much to remind us of our goal.

This last picture is my favorite that I took... See below.

I'm an AUNT!

Tytan was born today at 9:01 am weighing 6 lbs. 11 ounces and is 20 inches long! He is beautiful in every way, he looks so much like my sister and I cannot describe how much I admire her and how proud of her I am right now.

Her water broke at 3 o' clock in the morning and my mom called to tell me she was putting towels down in the car and driving McKinli up to the ER because she was getting ready to have little Ty! She had her epidural around 5 am and was pushing by 8:30 am. (She only pushed for a half hour... what an easy labor! Only six hours from the time her water broke til the time she had her little peanut, and hardly any contractions! Can you believe it?!?) Matti and I hung out in the waiting room while my mom had the privilege of watching her first grandson's birth. I am so glad my mom was able to be in the room and be there for my sister.

My sister was so incredibly brave... I cannot believe my little sister has a baby, she will be such a wonderful mother! Great way for her to celebrate her first Mother's Day this Sunday... as well as my mom with her first Mother's Day being a grandma!

Stay tuned.... many more pictures to come! We are so happy Tytan is finally here and that him and McKinli are healthy and happy!

A Pea in a Pod...

... A Bundle of Joy, McKinli Fennell is having a BOY!

So for those of you who don't know, or haven't heard yet, my little sister McKinli is having a little pea pod and she is less than a month away from having her little boy, Tytan. Last Saturday, April 18, I threw my sister a baby shower and it was such a fun day for her.









We invited a bunch of her friends from school, her co-workers, all of our extended family from the Taylor and Fennell sides, and family members from the father of her baby. For those of you who came and supported my little sister at the shower, I wanted to thank you all personally for coming to the shower and showing you support. It means more to McKinli and our family than you will ever know. Support is the one thing my sister needs from people more than anything else right now. McKinli is a very strong-willed girl and I know that the trials and rough days ahead will make her stronger and better because of the good choices she is now making - especially the decision to keep her baby.

Anyhow - the shower turned out really well. There were people constantly coming in and out of my mom's house (where the party was happenin') and McKinli had a grin from ear to ear as friends and family gathered to show their love and support.

My mom helped out tremedously with party favors, food, and a fun house! She is such a great party planner and helped to make it a memorable day for Kinli....



There was tons and tons of good food, and my mom created the coolest looking baby basinett out of a watermelon and an assortment of fruit. She also created sugar cookies as party favors that were decorated in the shape of a onesie that all of the guests were able to take as their dessert.

I am in the process of creating my website and blog for the photography business I have recently been working hard at... so once that is up and running I will let all of you know so that you can see the fun pictures I took of McKinli for her maternity photo shoot out at Antelope Island on the beach. The pictures turned out great and I will give you a little sneak peek at some of the pix... just because I'm feeling generous today... haha! =)

BUT PLEASE, SINCE I AM LETTING YOU IN ON SOME OF THE PHOTO SHOOT PIX, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT OF YOUR HONEST OPINION OF WHAT YOU THINK OF THESE... I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK! Thanks everyone!

Fireproof

** Turn off my music before watching this clip**
This is seriously one of the best movies I have seen.... EVER!!!! Jess' dad had the whole family watch it one night, and I honestly thought it sounded so lame... but after Jess and I saw it, we went out the next week and bought it! We loved it! My family watched it as well and it is such a good movie, whether you are married or single - you will fall in love with this movie! If any of you live close to me that wanna borrow it, just lemme know cuz you are more than welcome - its such a good show!

Ten Months Married!

It shocks me that Jess and I have already been married almost a year... ten months today!!! That means we have been together almost 5 years... which absolutely blows my mind! It has been the best five years ever, and I am indescribably grateful for the amount of love and patience Jess has shown me - I am so lucky to call him my husband.

I decided to post some pictures of our engagements for our 10-month mark today because they were taken about this time last year. Also - we won't be in town on our one year anniversary, so I figured I'd better post them now while I have a bit of extra time.

Jess is everything I could ever ask for in a best friend and companion. He sets such a remarkable example for me to follow and anyone who knows Jess can agree with me when I describe the sincerely giving man that he is. I have never met anyone in my life who serves more than Jess. Anytime someone calls to ask for his assistance, he is there at the drop of a hat. And more than that, he offers to help in situations where people haven't asked for his help either - he thinks of others far more than he is ever thinking of himself.

I am so anxious for the day when Jess and I are able to start a family together because I already know the type of father Jess will be. Jess is so good around little kids, especially his nephews. He still knows how to be a kid, and makes great relationships with everyone he meets. Jess has so many good friends and is constantly calling them just to see how they are doing. I believe that really shows the character of a person and I know his friends will second with me on that.

These last ten months have RACED by right in front of me, but I am so glad I can savor every moment with Jess and that we can enjoy each others company. I love you LOVER and I cannot wait for May 16, 2009 - the huge step in our journey together FoReVeR!!!

Matti Moo is Fifteen!

My little sister Mattisyn is 15 years old today and I wanted to make a short post about her to let her know how much I love her and look up to her, even though we're almost seven years apart! She is seriously one girl who has her head on straight and knows what she wants. She is bright in every way and genuinely cares about people. Matti and I have always gotten along and had a very close bond as sisters. I can call her any time of the day just to see how she is doing and we chat for the longest time!!! Well even though her b-day was on a Sunday this year, we still had fun together as a family celebrating Matti at my mom's house. Here's a recap of Matti's fun day:

Matti, my mom, and my other sis McKinli

Jess showing off his moves on the court!.... or drive way =]

McKinli and I surprised Matti by decorating her room with streamers and making a birthday sign that we put on the garage door when Matti and my mom came home from church.

Happy Birthday Matti-moo! One more year and you'll be cruisin the streets and catchin some hot dates! We Love YOU!