Super Stars!

I think this had to have been one of the funniest sessions!  This family had me cracking up the whole time!  The dad could be one of my brothers with his craziness!  Beautiful family.  It was awesome to have Grandma and Grandpa join the fun too!! Thanks a million for letting me take your pictures!

December Weather

This family was so positive and cheerful even though they were super cold!  The weather said it would be clear.  It didn't say it would be too warm, but no mention of snow.  That morning was beautiful.  One hour before I took their pictures the skies changed drastically.  I thought we were going to make it, but right as we parked on location, the snow flurries began.  I think the snow adds a little character to the photos, but it would have been more appreciated had it waited about 30 or 40 minutes to begin. I think we would have all preferred to run around and keep warm, than stand still and smile for a camera!  Cute family! Check out all of those big brown eyes!!!

One Boy, Four Girls!

What a cute family!  Sugar and spice and EVERYTHING nice.  Dad is surrounded by girls---even the dog is a girl!  I hope they had as much fun as I did.  They picked out this fun location.  It had lots of character, and they definitely brought life to it!

Rise Above the Storm

     I wish I could share with you how much I admire these two, but I will simply say I have seen them rise above the storms.

     I got the text asking if I would be able to take their pictures for their sealing on their one year anniversary.  Certainly!!!  In the back of my mind for the next 10 days I tried to imagine how I could capture this special day for them and help make it perfect.  I couldn't wait.

     Saturday, November 12, 2011, I woke up early in a bit of a haze, and then I became quickly aware of the rain beating on my windows.  Oh no!! Not today!  Maybe Logan won't be as bad, but I knew today was going to happen despite the weather.

     The closer it got for me to leave, the worse the weather got. On the drive over, the snow began to fall. Fluffy snow would be better than rain, but this wasn't so fluffy---well, maybe if it was falling down, not blowing sideways!

      I arrived at the temple and got all bundled up.  I walked over to the front doors and waited for them to come out.  As I waited, I looked around to see where I could take pictures that wouldn't be so wet, and silently prayed that I would be able to do a good job for them.

     Soon they came out and they had big smiles on their faces.  She thanked me for coming, and with umbrellas in hand--we began.

     We took some photos under a tree and some in slightly covered doorways.  Their family was waiting patiently so we could get a group shot.  Everyone was freezing and snow was settling on the tops of their heads.  I struggled to be creative with the group and just decided that as long as we could see everyone's face, that would have to do.

     Angie and Travis went back in the temple to change into regular clothes and I went in the foyer and began to wipe the snow off my camera with my skirt.  It was nice to be warm for a minute and get feeling back to my fingers.

     Soon they came out smiling again, and they showed no sign of frustration with the weather. For the next 20 minutes I tried to do my best.  It was very cold.  Lots of snow interrupted shots. 

     After they left I loaded up my stuff in the van, cranked up the heater, and began drying my camera again on my skirt. The temple looked so beautiful with all the snow, so I decided to drive around and take some shots of the just the temple. 

     After a little while, I looked to the North and spotted blue sky!  Amazing!  We had just witnessed what I would call a blizzard, and now I could see blue!  So I decided I would try to capture this transition in the weather.

I apologize for the cars being in here. This was the one picture I had of the blue sky beginning to show it's face just there at the bottom of the temple.

This one is where the black clouds were disappearing--making way for the sun and blue sky.

The horizon with the blue sky rolling in.

This is in the same place I took the earlier picture, but now there is bright sun warming the grounds and bringing cheer.

I cannot believe this is the same day only about two hours later!!!

I was so happy to see the sun!

And the amazing sunset at the end of a spectacular day.

I am so grateful for the lesson learned this day, and to have witnessed this miraculous change.  In life, I know we all experience hard times and storms.  Darkness can rage around us.  We can look at the darkness and give up and let it swallow us up, or we can embrace the beauties and miracles of that too.  The lessons we learn from difficult experiences in life shape us and make us who we are.

I am especially happy for the blue skies. Sometimes we have to search for the blue, but I'm glad to know there is sun.  Life happens, despite the weather--make every moment count.

And I love this quote:

""Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."~Vivian Greene

Travis and Angie--Thank you for your cheerful example of strength, hope and courage in rising above the storms.  What a wonderful day!