Time Out for Women

Isn't this scenery BEAUTIFUL????  I took this picture in Spokane, WA just yesterday and the scenery around this area really took my breath away.  What a fun place for a photo shoot right now!

One of my close friends, Tessa, invited me to come with her family to Time Out for Women.  I had such a good time with these women and I felt so grateful that they let me come along.

Springtime

This is one of my favorite views on the my parents' property.  It is just outside their house.

The fruit trees are blooming...

I was thinking while we were in Walla Walla for Easter how since my dad is usually working when we come to visit, I don't tend to get very many pictures of him.  Here he is in his farm attire.

 Rachel =)

Stewart and Rachel

Brandon and Crystal teamin' up.

Stewart

My gorgeous mom!

Brandon played some tennis with my three youngest siblings for a couple of hours while I went on a walk with my mom.  The nice weather was so refreshing!!

We did a fun little Easter egg hunt on Sunday afternoon and my dad was looking around the bushes when a huge bird flew out from under a shrub.  The bird was sitting on this batch of real bird eggs!!

Rachel, Brandon and Stewart after the hunt.

Things we love about Tri-Cities, WA

There are MANY things we love about the Tri-Cities.  One of them is the weather!!  We have actually (for once in our marriage) seen what Spring is like.  It is beautiful and becoming one of my favorite seasons.  We drive down the streets to see all of the trees blossoming and I love it.  I have been meaning to get out and try and take some pictures to capture that beauty but have been so focused on my degree that I have not made much time for anything else. =)  A few other things we love about the Tri-Cities include (1) having a temple so close and (2) access to many more stores, etc. 

Miss You Photography!

So I love this picture but also hate the fact that part of it is blurry. Looking at it now, I realize why it is so blurry and what I needed to do different with my camera when I took it initially. The other day I took Brandon to a few antique shops here and had my camera. A lady inside the store asked if I did senior pictures. I told her no that I was not a professional photographer but I totally wanted to ask her if her daughter wanted to be a model for me so that I could practice for free. I am really hoping that when I finish my degree by the end of the month, I will be able to make more time for this hobby. I know I have LOTS of work to do but I really enjoy it and every time I shoot, I remember how much fun it is.

Easter Weekend

We made a quick visit to Walla Walla yesterday evening and stayed through today. There's just nothing that beats being home for the holiday, right?

I have been kind of lazy in taking pictures lately. So I don't have very many as of late but life is good and we are definitely keeping busy.

Party in the House!

Last week was my siblings' spring break and my family took off work and came to the Tri-Cities for one of the days to do some fun things. My two little sisters, Rachel and Crystal, got to stay at our place and we had a little girls party that night. I helped them make the rice packs they are holding in this picture. I definitely consider living close to family one of my greatest blessings.

Life As We Know It....

So the other night Brandon caught a picture of me asleep over my studies. Many people ask me what I am up to since Brandon now has a full-time job and I no longer work. I started my Masters of Science in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership just last summer of 2011. I am really excited to say that I will be done with this degree by mid-May (next month)! The entire degree has been online and has taken much self discipline. It is through the University of Idaho. I am currently working on finishing up my last three classes and my research. I LOVE being at home, even if it means I am reading and writing all day. The workload for the degree is quite heavy. So it really is a full-time thing for me but I really feel blessed to have been able to further my education at this time in my life. As for what will happen when I graduate next month, I keep trying to convince Brandon that I could just craft and find fun things to do the rest of my life but unfortunately that is not in the cards. I will start looking to apply to jobs this month. Oh joy... =)