Sunday, December 30, 2007

My Ward Sisters!




I LOVE THESE GIRLS!! Each year at Christmas time, we always take a picture of us Ward girls together. I loved how it turned out and I love how blessed I am to have these 3 girls in my life.

A Christmas for Grandpa Ward

After one of our family Christmas Parties, we went to Grandpa Thern's Grave Side. Base had put up a few Christmas trees there. The younger kids had decorated some handmade ornaments for his tree, so they all went to put them on his tree. To me, Christmas is about family coming together to celebrate Christ's birth and all that he continued to do for us through out his life. There was such a great purpose to why He came to earth. I know that the Ward family loves Christmas a lot-it's very special to all of them. Having each member there together is also VERY important to them. The song, "Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I love how it reminds us of all the good He did for us. So this is a song I dedicate to Grandpa Thern. We sure miss you-esp at Christmas!

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am


Oh Mary did you know?




A Country Western Christmas

The weekend before Christmas, Jory and I spent time with his family. There were a few family parties we went to in one weekend. It was a lot of fun being with all of them. Jory has a great family and I'm happy that I can be a part of his family. We had Grandma Donna's Christmas party at the Almo Creek Outpost. It was pretty cozy... Tammy-my other mom- made the most amazing ham and cheesy potatoes. (Seriously, I could sit and eat her food 24/7-it's really that good!)We had a gift exchange and of course I took a lot of pictures. It was so much fun to see everyone. Oh... and I'm sure Jory would like me to let you all know he killed a pheasant. Nooo, I did NOT take a picture of that. Are you kidding me?! My stomach couldn't handle something like that! lol...




Me and Jory. Yes... I'm still obsessed with sepia tone. But it fits the country Western theme eh!



Casady Bug got a camera for her gift. I am so proud of my little photographer. I'll teach her everything she needs to know. Here we are taking a picture of each other.





Gifts From the Heart.



I love getting home made gifts from the heart. They are so meaningful to me. In our families, we draw names for Christmas. This year, Jessica-Kade's girlfriend- had my name. This is what she MADE for me!! I love it and think it is so beautiful!

A New Sister...

I saved this post for last as this is the most exciting thing that happened this Christmas. Kade and Jessica have been together for over 2 years and I absolutely adore Jessica. I think she's perfect for Kade and fits in so well with the family. Unfortunately, Jory and I weren't there for the big moment, but Christmas morning, Kade FINALLY proposed to Jessica!!!!! We are so excited for them. I've thought of Jessica as a sister for a long time, but this just makes it official. I am the lucky duck who gets to shoot their wedding. This event will take place either June or July. I CAN'T WAIT!!! =)



Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Tagged

What is his name? Jory or Jorg
How long have you been married? 3 ½ years
How long did you date? About a year
How old is he? 29
Who eats more? Jory
Who said "I love you" He did
Who is taller? Jory-thank goodness!
Who sings better? Ok, that award is going to me!
Who is smarter? We’re both smart
Whose temper is worse? Maybe Jory, but mine is getting bad.
Who does the laundry? We both do
Who does the dishes? We both do
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jory does
Who pays the bills? We both do
Who mows the lawn? Jory
Who cooks dinner? ???
Who drives when you are together? Jory
Who is more stubborn? We both are stubborn… But Jory more so.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I can admit when I’m wrong
Whose parents do you see the most? Probably his
Who proposed? We just decided I guess.-Not romantic at all, I know!
Who has more friends? I think it might be the same.
Who has more siblings? I do!! I have 6 and he has 4.
Who wears the pants in the family? We both do in different ways


I now tag Hilary and Laura!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Winter Wonderland

Last week we went up the canyons to shoot an Engagement session. We thought that afterwards we would attempt the tripod and self timer again to see what we could come up with for Christmas Cards this year. Those that have received their cards know that we obviously did not pick one of them! However, it was peaceful riding up the canyons and watching in awe the beautiful white snow. There was just so much! I took quite a few scenic pics and love them!








On the picture of just Jor, I was only testing the lighting, but thought that it turned out to be really nice of him. Notice how deep he is in the snow... This is how the Engagement Session was too!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Here's Kitty!

Kitty is growing fast. She is still pretty active and loves to be snuggled. Not for too long though or she thinks you're playing. Anyways, whenever I'm at the computer doing homework or editing pictures, she likes to curl up in my lap and sleep, so that is what the first picture is about.




Jory and I were on the computer together one night and of course Kitty was with us in the room and I turned and looked down and here she was curled up in this little basket! What a weirdo...

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

A New Ride

Goodbye Jetta, Hello Stratus! I bought this car Thanksgiving weekend and I am very grateful for it. I think of all people, Laura and Peter will appreciate this post(our trip to Park City!). So far I am really enjoying my new car. Anyone who's ever seen or had to ride in the Jetta will know why I am so dang happy!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

A Day with Laura and Peter

I was so excited to be able to spend a few days with Laura and Peter! Sunday, Laura and I hung out at my house and talked pretty much the whole day! I loved being about to talk with her in person. This is one of the very few things I miss about Missouri! Monday, Peter came with us to Gardner Village up West Jordan. The little shops are so adorable and have interesting history behind them. I took pictures to document our trip. Sometimes I feel that pictures are the most priceless treasures.















I saved my favorite picture for last. This is Laura and Peter. Aren't they a gorgeous couple? They have been through so much and yet, always seem to rise above and stay so strong. They are such an inspiration to me in many ways.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Ward Family Portraits

We went up American Fork Canyon for our family portraits this year. Normally we have Scott Hancock take them, but this year we decided to try out the self timer and tripod. It was a team effort. We scouted out the spot, I would focus on Jory, then press self timer, run into the portrait and Jory would count. The portrait where Jory is holding me up in the air was all about timing! ;)










Thursday, November 8, 2007

Bamboo Fly Rod

My biggest interest right now is building a Bamboo Fly Rod. Sherry got me a book on how to build one and I've been researching ever since. I started building the rod about a month and a half ago. But first, I had to build some tools: planning forms, binder and an oven.




The process is to take a bamboo culm and split it, plane it, bind it, cook it, replane it, glue it, wrap it and finish it. I'm at the gluing phase.







Another process is building a grip. On most rods cork is used but I am using bark. I got some bark up the canyon and used a hole saw. I cut out some rings and will them together and then I will shape it.
These are the strips ready for gluing. They have been final tapered and will recieve glue and be bound again.