Starting Up!

As most of you already know last week I was in Maryland at a photography workshop. We did many exciting things one of which was creating a blog for our business. You can check out mine by clicking here.

Read more...

Exciting Things!

This past Sunday I arrived in Maryland and since then have been interning under the oh so fabulous, Kristen Leigh, and learning with fellow interns Irene and Jessica! We're having so much fun!! I hate sneak peaks but I'm doing one anyways. Here's a first look at exciting things to come!

Read more...

Four Teenagers

Anna's birthday isn't until tomorrow but last night we celebrated! I can't believe that my youngest sibling is a teenager! And Mom and Dad can't believe there are four teenagers in the house at one time!

Ellen was the self designated "decorations coordinator" for the event. She did a great job! Maybe you should consider that as a job?!

Do those M&M's look different to you? They're strawberry peanut butter flavored! My first reaction was..."Ga-rooooosss!!! Who on earth would eat those?!" But I tried them and they weren't half bad. They won't ever be as good as regular M&M's, but they're tolerable.

Birthday Girl!

One of God's most precious gifts... close friends!


So the Gabriella and Mariah are super creative and came up with a fantabulous [I like making up words ;)] card for Anna.

They used candy for to fill in words of a poem that they made up!


Happy Birthday Anna! I'm so excited for all that the future holds for you! Trust God, surround yourself with close Godly friends, follow your dreams, listen to Mom and Dad [they hold your college tuition money in their hands!], and be yourself! I love you!

Read more...

Portrait Session

Meet Seth

He's five

Love those eyes

He loves to play baseball, football, and soccer



The End!

Read more...

Our Adventures in Colorado

I'll start off by saying we were there for one of the two weeks because a kid at the camp got the Swine Flu and the Health Department said everyone had to go home. Ellen, Dad, and I felt fine the entire time, and never got it.

Anyways, onto the good stuff. The camp far surpassed anything I could have imagined. Here are some highlights:

-Friendships. Despite the fact that we were only there for a week Ellen and I both quickly clicked with a group of girls. They felt like long lost sisters. We've been able to keep in touch since Summit and I love that! Everyone was really focused on Christ and it was such a great atmosphere to be able to share about my faith at the meal table, in the rooms, and classroom. I hadn't met any of these people before and yet it was so easy to start conversations and get to know them. I also had a great small group, that I loved sooo much and had alot of fun getting to know!

-Studies. We had amazing classroom instructors. Summit offers the best of the best, and boy oh boy do they know their stuff! We had a lot of classroom time and even though I was typically tired my brain was like a sponge trying to soak it all in.

-Landscape. Colorado is God's country, end of story. Seriosuly though if it wasn't such a long ways from our house I'd move there. Even though it was mostly rainy while we were there, I enjoyed spending time outside and looking at the magnificent mountains.

-Olympic Training Center. We got to tour the Olympic training center near Denver area. I love love love the Olympics and so I enjoyed looking at the training centers in person. Someday I'll go to the real Olympics... someday!!!

I'm excited because our Summit t-shirts are coming in the mail soon. Also, because Ellen and I are going back to Summit for two weeks this August for the last session. I was a little apprehensive just because our first experience was so amazing and I don't want to go back and be disappointed but I think I'm making the right choice.

Three trips to Colorado in ONE summer! Wow... I'm blessed!

I'm in Michigan and don't have any have Summit pictures on my computer but will get some on Facebook soon.

Read more...

Family Session

This afternoon I did a photoshoot for some family friends! The rain held off and we had a wonderful time at a park by our house.

Read more...

It's About Time

This post is longer than most but so much has been happening and I don't want to leave anything out!

Summit was even more wonderful than everyone said it would be, besides the fact it got cut short [that story will be in a different update, sorry for the cliffhanger]. It was so beautiful in Colorado and if it wasn't so far away I would move there.

I wanted to bring the mountains home to replace the mounds of dirt or "hills" we have here in MN.


Earlier this week our family dressed up, and went to the "Chanhassen Dinner Theater", to see "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." It was a blast! The food was delicious, we had great seats, and the play was very well preformed and incredibly funny!

No, my eyes aren't normally this dark; red-eye reducation just got a little caried away.

Steak, potatos, and veggies? Yes please!

We were basically on the stage. It was great!


Add it to the history books, as of June 4th, Dad is 50!!! It's official both of my parents are "over the hill." We celebrated Dads birthday by surprising him at work with his other employees, Mom made a special dinner [of his choice], and we went out to see the movie, Earth.

Dad chose steak for his birthday dinner. Steak twice in one week = a good week!

Ladderball! That could come in handy at my open house if it doesn't rain ;)


We've got a busy week coming up. Uncle Brian, Aunt Judy, Sarah, Timmy, and Jared are coming on Thursday to help with graduation prep!!! Can't wait! Also, the day after my graduation party the family is leaving for Michigan for our annual two weeks vacation. The family has been doing a ton of work helping to prepare for the graduation party. I'm sooo thankful!

They've all been very faithful watering our brown lawn as well the new grass seeds we just planted.


Please ignore the quality of these pictures, the small digital camera we have is from the stone age and needs an update!

Read more...

Leaving

Tomorrow morning Ellen, Dad, and I leave for a two week worldview camp [Summit] in Manitou Springs, Colorado. I'm excited to leave, be in the mountains, and become equipped for whatever the future holds. I know the next two week will be filled with fun, learning [70 hours of classroom!], new friendships, and many surprises! Pray for safe travels, and eagerness to learn. I'm sure I'll have many updates for you when I get back.

Read more...

Where I'm Headed

For the last few months I've been prodded with one particular question. But it's not only me, it's all 2009 graduates. The question... "What are you doing next fall?!" At first this question didn't bother me but as the school year has come to a close and graduation is quickly on it's way I'm being asked this even MORE and we'll just say it's getting old. So here's a blog update to answer a few of the common questions.

Where are you going to school? The Association Free Lutheran Bible School [AFLBS].

Where is it located? Plymouth, Minnesota. Roughly 20 minutes from my house.

How long will you be there? 2 years.

Are you living at home? No. Not only is it required that I live in the dorms but, Joel has begun making plans to move his drum set into my room.

How did you find out about the school? The Bible school is a part of The Association Free Lutheran Congregations [AFLC] which is the denomination our church is a part of. I’ve also known about the school for awhile because many of my friends have gone there.

Is it really expensive? No. It's roughly $9,000 a year including room, food, classes, etc...

Why did you choose this school? Because, my Christian faith is very important to me and I want to focus on God two years before I continue onto another college. Some of the credits I earn will go towards my future degree, but my main purpose isn’t the academic credits it’s diving into God's word and drawing closer to him. Another reason I want to go is to find strong Christian friends. This may sound a little cheesy, and you many be thinking... "Go to college to find friends...?!" But here's the deal. Friendships are really important. I was talking to a friend yesterday and there were a few seniors from our church last year that have fallen away from God in a big way. Why? Because of the people they're hanging around. Sure I could find strong Christian friends if I didn't go to this school, but I know that by going to school with them and constantly being in the Word we'll be a lot closer, and I also know that these are friendships I'll treasure for the rest of my life. Woah, that was a long answer...

Who will you be rooming with next year? Her name is Brianne she is from North Dakota and I've know her for roughly 2 years. She's super fun and we're both really looking forward to rooming together! Next year will be her second year.

What’s next after AFLBS? After two years there, I’ll get an art degree for photography. Also, possibly a minor in some kind of web design or something. This is just the tentative plan and knowing me, will probably change within the next 2 years. God willing, photography will start coming together soon, and I'll have a business up and running within the next two years. I'm starting a business at age 18 and our country is in a "economic spiral downwards!" I try convincing myself that I'm crazy but it's a dream and what kind of person would I be if I didn't run after my dreams?

So that's that. If anyone has anymore questions leave them in the comment box and I'll be sure to answer them!

Read more...

I know I'm not supposed to be fearful, but...

...Joel's Driving! Is it just me or does this scare anyone else?

I don't know why he has such an angry face. Maybe it's the fact that he doesn't like his picture taken. All I know is that he loves driving TOO much [at least that's how Ellen, Anna, and I feel]. At least once a day he's begging Mom or Dad to take an unnecessary library run, or trip to the grocery trip, just so that he can drive.


This picture is even scarier. Mostly because he's driving MY future vehicle!!! I hope it lasts to the fall.


Lately he's been asking my parents if he can drive out to Michigan when we go in June. The family has voted:

1- Yes
3- No's
2- Maybe

Read more...

Never Done

Although Mother's Day is over a mother's work is never done. I'm sure moms everywhere can relate to this comic although true rendition of the day in the life of a mother.

Click Here!

Read more...

Details Details Details

A week from sunday I leave with Ellen and Dad to fly out to Colorado for a two week worldview camp called, Summit. I'll return on May 30th exactly two weeks before my big graduation party. In the week before I leave for Colorado I have made many lists [ I LOVE LISTS] detailing everything that needs to get done. Everything from renewing my license, finishing up a college application, doing math\science, shopping for summer clothes, to finish planning my graduation party.

Meanwhile, Mom had been gently prodding me with questions... What kind of food? Color schemes. Invitations. Guest lists. Decorations. Games. The list of details goes on and on. Yesterday I said,

"Enough. I don't care what happens you make all the decisions!"

I hate making decsions. If I can barely plan a graduation party without going crazy there's no way I'll make it through months of wedding planning in a few years [I hope my future huspand\mother-in-law lets me elope!].

So much to do so little time is what I've been thinking lately.

Here are a few quotes I found about time, I really liked them!

“Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.”

“You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future”

“Lost time is never found again.” -Benjamin Franklin

Speaking of wasting time... what am I doing up at 11:40 pm... WRITING A BLOG! This was not on my todo list. Funny how things like blogging and facebook mysteriously become priorities when they shouldn't be, isn't it?!

Read more...

My Guinea Pig

Considering that I'm into photography, I'm continually looking for models, someone I can practice on. Fortunatly, I don't have to look far since I have breathtaking siblings who will model for me. This is my sister Ellen.


Gorgeous. Wouldn't you say?!






Sister #2... Anna. Coming Soon!

Read more...

Actress in the House

This past Saturday the youth of our church had a fundraiser: The 2nd Annual Mystery Dinner Theater. Six kids in the youth group, including Ellen, have spent the last few months memorizing their lines and practicing their parts. Finally, on Saturday we all arrived bright and early, decorated the basement, setup the stage, cooked the food, and welcomed all the guests. Everyone in the play played their parts perfectly, and no one forgot their lines. The premis of the play centers around a church bake sale, and a mystery arises when a duplicate loaf of "Lillian's famous date nut bread" appears.

The play was filled with humor, smart remarks, and suspense! Here are a few pictures.




Prizes for the audience fit the bake sale theme in the play!

Creative decorations hanging from the ceiling

Bright yellow flowers can brighten any church basement!





Ellen's character was incredibly sassy and sarcastic... she fit the role perfectly!

Ellen was found guilty of making the dulpicate loaf of bread, here she reads her final statement:


The day was a huge success. We all had a ton of fun and we able to raise a lot of money for camp this summer.

Read more...

Chef Julia [kinda]

You must understand something. I don't cook. A few months ago Mom left for a few days. After eating pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner I was eager to eat something else. So one morning I made, or attempted to make, pancakes. Easy, right? Not so much. Not one turned out. They were either gooey or burnt.

Cooking has never really been my thing. But this past Thursday Mom asked me to make supper. She was rushed, tired, and stressed. The last thing she wanted to do was make dinner. Without thinking I blurted out, "YES, I'd love to make supper!" A second later she was gone and I stood in the kitchen thinking... "What had a I gotten myself into?"

In the end, much to my disbelief, everything turned out! I don't think any cooking adventure of mine has ever turned out so well! The meal was a sucess.







My one mistake. Forgetting to take the butter off the hot stove! Half of it melted before I noticed it.

Read more...