Coral Bark Maple, Beauty Bush, Barberry

These were taken in my moms backyard. I think the names of the plants are really fun.

Christmas

Mom ordered a new Spritz maker. Shannon helped me cut out snowflake marshmallows but I didn't eat enough of them so I made these square mellows yesterday with Clara. It was cute, Clara blew in the cornstarch and it covered her face like Micheal in Mary Poppins, but white. Dad and I spent a lot of time setting the table for the 3rd Sunday dinner. I thought it turned out beautiful. The nativity was really dangerous for little Christopher acting out Jesus. He was surrounded by loving cousins.

Five Months

John is a couple days shy of 5 months. I call him Smiley. I just love to hear him laugh and he has just started to work really hard on sitting up. In no time he will be pro.

Pink Roses

Last night at Young Women in Excellence Marilyn, Ashley and Abby were awarded with there medallion and to say thank you to us leaders, they gave us a each a rose. "Not a white rose or a red rose, a pink rose. Because pink is just cool!" quoting Marilyn. We love all the Young Women and are proud of what they accomplish. We had a nice evening and I am thankful for the rose.
I used John Paul's suggestion of turning the lens around. I had a hard time staying still.

Some Rhyme and Reason

Seeing Clara grow up I have been thinking a lot about children's perception. I have been trying to depict not only the awkwardness of a world scaled for twice their size but the spectacle and color of what the world holds. I see a little bit of the vulnerability that such small people endure and a cleanness that suggests to me naivete. Still I find that the images are hopeful, confidant and exciting. For example, notice that Clara looks particularly tiny in the "Tea Cup" photo.

These are taken at Disneyland

Japanese Maple and Hibiscus

Unknown Plants

I took these photos today on our way to the playground.

Hibiscus

Pony Tail

Anthrax

Kelly bought a Yeast for Clara and decided to by "Anthrax" for John. They speculate that anthrax caused the 5th and 6th plagues from the Old Testament. Anthrax normally infects the skin and is rarely fatal. However, if it is inhaled or ingested it can be deadly. There are vaccines for it but if you are exposed with out a vaccination they say antibiotics combat it effectively.

Do you ever feel like Anthrax is staring you in the face?

Christmas Tree

I surprised myself by doing another cross stitch. I have always thought that cross stitch was way too country for me. My friend Cassie from my old ward in Pocatello talked about how rewarding it was to really see it come together and I agree. Its like a puzzle and I love puzzles. I can put it down and pick it up really easily. My Mom, and I think an Aunt, has this pattern that they put up at Christmas. I am excited to put it up.

John's Blessing

At the last minute Kelly's Mom found the blessing outfit that Kelly was blessed in. It was really fun because Kelly got him dressed that day. I thought it was really cute to connect them like that. The booties were borrowed from Jackson and my Aunt Bertha made the blanket.

Of Course it's a Ceiling Fan

St. Petersburg Dress

I remember one time in my portraiture class my teacher pointed out that I only did really tight head shots. I am so glad that she pointed it out. There is a painting by Fernand Khnopff at the Getty called Jeanne Kefer that I thought of when I saw this photo.

John's Eyes

Check it out! His eyes are blue but the eye on the right has a pie shape section that is brown. It is like the genetic code said 7/8 blue 1/8 brown. I think it is cool.
It is not the best photo but it was the photo that showed the color the best.

Corduroy Skirt and Mary Jane Shoes

This was the first time that Clara really wanted and asked to have her picture taken. On occasion she gets the mouse and puts it up to her face and says "Smile!"

Baby Products

In my photo III class a girl named Megan did a project of beautiful color macro images portraying a domestic wife and mother's life. I remember a photo of a wilted iceberg lettuce leaf that I particularly loved. Since I am copy cat i was thinking of her images when I took these of John's baby stuff. I tried even though I don't have a macro lens. The last photo is the reflection of the plastic bag the diapers come in on the wall.

Gerbera Daisys

I love being a part of the Young Women. It is so much fun and they have been sweet to me with not being able to go since John came. They have visited and brought food and gifts. Last night for my birthday they brought over a card with theses flowers and the left over snacks from personal progress. I love them all so much and I am so grateful.
I am kind of disappointed in the way my camera handled the color of the flowers. They are a lot more burgundy and not as magenta. I tried to fix it but it was too annoying.

John Anderson, my Jo

By Robert Burns

John Anderson, my jo, John,

When we were first acquent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld, John,
Your locks are like the snow;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson, my jo!

John Anderson, my jo, John,
We clamb the hill thegither;
And monie a canty day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.

jo=sweetheart

brent=smooth,unwrinkled

beld=bald

pow=pate

canty=cheerful

My Uncle Jimmy told me about this poem. John is fair and brand-new but I can imagine that when he is 80 his wife thinking something like this. Plus he is my jo too!

Blue Strips

More photos of my son. Aren't the slippers awesome. They are alpaca brought over by my little brother from Peru.

John Curtis

We are so happy that John is here. He was born on the 14th and he weighed 6.15 (one ounce more then Clara) and was 20 inches long (one inch shorter.) I think he is good looking and a sweetheart. The delivery went so well. However, by Sunday he had a high levels of bilirouben in his blood and was taken to pediatrics to be put under the bili-lights. I was discharged Sunday at midnight. Monday morning was terrible. I was achy, weepy, exhausted and put into a closet/cave all alone with my son looking all blue because of the lights. Mom rescued me my noon and by that evening I was rested enough to feed him properly. Drama is still continuing. Today his level is still high and we will have to get it checked again. I love John so much and I am very grateful for all the help we have received.

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