What Shall We Give?

I really enjoyed watching this video this morning on my friend Christie's blog. I always need little reminders like this during the Christmas season.

From our ghetto living room studio...

These are the pictures that Paul took of me and Emmett when we were taking our family photos last Saturday. Now you can really see my hair. I would say these photos are most accurate as far as showing my hair color goes. Click HERE to see a few of the pictures I took of Paul and Emmett.

November Video - "Have a great day!"

This melts my heart every time! Emmett had 10 adults waving goodbye to him at Kohl's today as they attempted to get him to say, "Have a great day!" just one more time. I am the first to admit that once is never enough. I make him say it at least five times a day!

November

A.  Emmett loves watching for the garbage man out the window.  Just this month he figured out how to put his mega blocks together and now plays with them everyday.

B.  We had a nice cool morning a few weeks back so we headed out for a little adventure.  Emmett loved this trail and the dirt he got to play in.  I loved watching him run down the trail so fast he couldn't help but giggle.

C.  We enjoyed having Paul's parent's down for a visit this month.  The highlight was going to the San Diego Zoo.  This was my first time there and I was shocked at how big it is!  I am glad we decided to take the double decker bus tour first and then walk to our favorite exhibits.

D.  Emmett got Roseola this month (a rash and fever that lasts for a few days).  I tried getting a picture of his rash, but it didn't turn out very well.  We babysat a friend of Emmett's one evening and as you can see they played great together!  Emmett is really into watching TV now.  He thought he was so smart when he pulled his chair up 1 foot away from the TV.

E.  He goes down the slide all by himself and look how big he is in his stroller!

F.  He loves to swing at the park, but for a limited amount of time.  The picture on the left is him signing "all done."

G.  I took him to a park where I knew there would be a lot of leaves for him to play in.  I think he enjoyed it.

H.  All dressed up for church one Sunday.

I.  We had Thanksgiving dinner with our friends Randy and Jacque and the missionaries.  We took Emmett to the Urgentcare at 9:30am that morning and found out he had two ear infections along with his bad cold.  The Dr. said he was still highly contageous so Emmett spent most of his time in the pack n play while we were at Thanksgiving dinner.  We stopped at the Cummings on our way home, which is always fun.

Other news...  Paul got second place in the biggest loser competition at work!  He lost 23lbs!!  I have been taking Emmett to a music makers class and he LOVES it!  I do too!  It is so fun to watch him learn the songs, play with friends and to hang out with other mom's during the week.  Emmett escaped from the nursery today when all of the other parents were picking up their kids. A nice girl in our ward found him downstairs in the gym!  She was walking him down the hall to find me when I spotted him.  Of course Mr. Independent wasn't one bit upset by the incident.  We put up our Christmas tree last night and are really in the Christmas spirit this year.  I am learning to not associate the weather with holiday's and it is really making them more enjoyable in CA!

Photography Blogsite

I just finished setting up my official photography blogsite!  Hurray!  (It took me forever!!!)  Anyway, go take a look and add it to your reader.  I just posted my most recent photo session.  lorisheetsphotography.com

You can now become a fan of Lori Sheets Photography on Facebook!  Click HERE to go to my fan page.  (I think that link will work.  Let me know if it doesn't.   I am new at all of this stuff!!)

PS I have been meaning to mention on here that I created a blog for my little brother Scott who is serving a mission.  My mom is updating it regularly with letters and pictures.  For those of you who are interested visit http://www.missionaryscott.blogspot.com/

October At Our House

You can see a few more pics from this month on my photography blog.

September and October Videos

The Backyard

For the rest of our trip you could find me sitting on the back porch chatting with my grandparents (Cherished memories, I love hearing them talk about "back then.") while Emmett played and played in the yard. (I am totally guilty of backyard envy!)

I had a wonderful and very relaxing time! This trip was everything I hoped it would be and more. My parents didn't get much mention in my posts, but they are the best! They always take such good care of us. I am grateful that Paul encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunity to go see my grandparents and introduce Emmett to them. We are sad that we missed Scott's farewell talk, but are grateful for the more relaxed time that we were able to spend with him a few weeks earlier.

The Farm

Always a favorite! I feel so lucky to have an Aunt and Uncle who own a farm.

Emmett had a blast with his cousins! Here is a video of them later that night on the air mattress...

The Lake

I don't remember the name of it, but it was very pretty and oh so peaceful! I love putting on a jacket and spending an afternoon in the mountains!

(Amy is the best little Aunt Emmett could ask for!)

The Trampoline

Amy is sitting behind him.

We always enjoy our time with Paul's parents!

My September Vacation

Back in September I made a special trip up north so that Emmett could meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa T. I hadn't seen my grandparents in a couple of years so I jumped at the chance to visit them at my parent's house. (They live out in the midwest) It was so nice to spend almost a week with them. They really seemed to enjoy being around Emmett.


The other equally important reason we took this special trip was so that we could spend time with Emmett's Uncle Scott before he leaves on his mission...

Of course we also enjoyed seeing Paul's parents, Matthew, Grandpa M., my parents, Mark and Amy, Dave's family, Grandma and Grandpa N. and the Wayments! (Did I forget anyone? I hope not) We are so blessed!

My next few posts will be about this trip.

The Children's Museum

We had a great time at the Children's Museum last week. Emmett seemed to love it all! He is just old enough to really enjoy it. I loved watching him dance on the stage...

Baby in the House!

I had the pleasure of babysitting my friend Becky's sweet little Kevin last week. It was so fun to watch Emmett interact with him and try to be a baby too. It quickly became apparent that I don't have a baby anymore:(

(You can see more pictures of Kevin on my photography blog.)

Me and my Emily's!

Two of my closest roommates (and friends) came to visit 2 weekends ago. We laughed and talked and laughed some more. We spent the day at the beach and then came home to watch the General Relief Society broadcast. We were exhausted after the beach so we watched the broadcast on the computer from the comfort of my bed. Both of these girls are expecting babies in the spring! I am SO excited for them and can't wait to get together again soon!

(Please note that this is a picture of when Emmett almost got washed away.)

Guess who...

will be serving in the Denver, Colorado North mission!

We are so proud of you Scott!

He will enter the MTC on October 21st

We love conference weekend!

(and not just because we get to stay in our pajamas all day;)

I Am Loving This!

(Another beautiful family! Visit my photography blog to see more)

For those of you who are interested my current rate for photo sessions is $70. This includes a 1-2 hour session (within 20 miles of my home) and a CD with approximately 30 edited images. I am also offering custom holiday card designs for an additional $20.

I book all photo sessions on Saturday mornings or evenings. I will not be scheduling photo sessions during the month of December. Email me at lori.sheets@gmail.com if you would like to schedule a photo session or have any questions.

Thanks!

PS Thanks for all of your sweet, encouraging and supportive comments! They really mean a lot to me. I feel so blessed to have such awesome friends and family! I promise that I will come and do official photo sessions in Utah someday!!

A Peek at Last Weekend's Super Fun Family Photo Shoot!

I have decided to start posting my most recent photography work on a separate blog, lorisheets.blogspot.com. Head on over there to see more!

Things that have got me thinking...

(PS I realize this is a very liberal video)

RS Beach Day - August 28

Celebrating 4 Years

Free photo sessions in Utah!

Calling all Utah friends! I am taking a last minute trip to see my grandparents, which will include two days in the Salt Lake Valley. In an effort to build up my photography portfolio I am wondering if any of you are interested in a free photo session. I realize this is totally last minute, but if you are interested email me by this Tuesday evening at lori.sheets@gmail.com!

4 years!

How can 4 years go by so fast and so slow at the same time?! Sometimes it sounds like a lot and other times it sounds like oh so little. It feels like we were married just yesterday yet life before Paul seems like it was ages ago. I can't imagine who I would be without these past four years. I have learned so much and have grown in so many ways. It's a beautiful thing to love and be loved! Lately I have been reminded of how many wonderful things we have ahead of us. There are so many things we have yet to experience together. We are still learning new things about each other and what makes us most happy. In the grand scheme of things 4 years is just a drop in the bucket, but to date it has been the most significant four years of my life.

(Photo taken at 7:30am this morning before going to The Original Pancake House for breakfast)

Thanks for making them so wonderful love! Each year has proven that life with you only gets better. We have so much to look forward to! I love you!

Love,

Lori Ann

Recent videos of E

E Update!

Emmett is so cute about saying prayers. We started praying with him a few months ago when we would put him down to bed. Over the past few weeks he has really caught on to blessing the food. The other day when we were at the grocery store I gave him a sample cookie from the bakery and continued shopping, when I looked back down at him he was staring up at me with his arms folded and his cookie was sitting on the seat next to him. It was the most adorable moment! I had to stop in the middle of the grocery store and bless his cookie before he would eat it! Who is this kid?!

On Monday night we were ready to start FHE so I started singing "If you're happy and you know it." Emmett immediately ran to the piano and climbed up on the bench. When I sat down to play it for him he was squatting on the piano bench next to me. When the "clap your hands" part came he would bounce his little bum up and down to the beat.

He knows about 25 signs now and is continually surprising us with new ones. I am so glad that we got him the "Baby Signing Time" DVD's. Watching him learn and communicating with him is much fun! Right now his favorite things are bubbles, books, balls, cars, water, yogurt, string cheese, going down the tube slide head first, swinging, and of course playing on mommy's computer (this is the "game" I let him play).

Saturday Swimming

We attended 2 pool birthday parties this weekend. E didn't get to swim at either of them so we took him swimming late Saturday afternoon.

Timmy The Turtle

He's cute in his own little way, don't you think?

Cilantro Recipes

I can't remember which blog I found this salsa recipe on, but it is AWESOME!

D's Famous Salsa

2 (14.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 lime, juiced
1 tsp salt
1/4 c. canned sliced green chiles, or to taste
3 T. chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 can jalepenos (If you like it hot)
1 tsp of cumin (I added this on my own)

From my friend Christie's recipe blog:

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

Cafe Rio Chicken

From Paul's Mom:

Black Beans

1 Large can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1-1/2 c. tomato juice

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

2 T. olive oil

1-1/2 tsp salt

2 T fresh, chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, saute garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro.

Lime Rice (like Cafe Rio's)

1 T. Butter

1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlice, chopped

3 1/2 C. water

4 tsp. chicken boullion

1/4 bunch of cilantro chopped

1 tsp cumin

1 small can diced green chilies

1/2 tsp lime juice

1/4 tsp salt

1-1/2 C. long grain rice, uncooked

Saute the butter, onion and chopped garlic.

Meanwhile add the water, chicken bouillon, cilantro, cumin, green chilies, lime juice, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the browned onion and garlic to the boiling water then add rice. Reduce heat, cover adn simmer for 30 minutes.

Yields: 71/2 cups prepared

(Can anyone tell me why the spaces aren't showing up between recipes when I publish this post?)

I am craving a bike ride...

(Stumbled across this old bike in Santa Monica last weekend.)

Charlie's 1st Birthday Party!

The Details:

The Guests:

The Fun:

The Birthday Boy:My friend Emily did an awesome job planning this adorable party around Charlie's favorite book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" Each child was asked to wear a certain color, which coordinated with an animal in the book. Can you believe she designed all of those hats on her own?! She has got skill! We had such a great time celebrating Charlie's 1st birthday!

French Bread

Paul thinks I'm wierd for putting these two pics together... I just think it's funny.

What do you mean you don't have beautiful eyes?!

The other night Paul and I were discussing how I can build up my photography portfolio and he said, "You know what you need to do? Find someone with really pretty and unique eyes." My response was, "Everyone has really pretty and unique eyes." He said, "I don't." I said, "I'll prove it to you!" So, here's your proof. As corny as it sounds I really believe that every one's eyes are beautiful in their own way.