I keep checking my blog for new posts, but alas, all signs of “new life” and new projects are notably absent. I guess I should give in and write some posts to freshen up the place. 😉

Truth is, I started out 2014 with a lot of ambition and energy, and once my precious new baby arrived in the spring the blog took a back seat and I took some personal time to focus on family. I’ve relished my time snuggling my precious baby and playing with my big kids. I’ve also enjoyed creating art with and for my kids- so my creativity has been put to good use. I scaled back my photography sessions to a bare minimum for all of 2014- this was difficult for me but also necessary. I also spent a large portion of the year caring for my father when he was diagnosed with lymphoma last summer. He passed away at the end of August.

I enjoy a reasonable amount of privacy and personal (family) space, but yet there is so much I want to share! I am excited to blog a little more frequently and have committed to some fun goals for 2015. This list includes:

• Finish scanning and labeling hundreds of family photographs (I actually have a significant portion of this completed!)
• Compile a photographic/ written biography about my father.
• Create a “family yearbook” for 2014- hubby and the kids have been helping to remember the highlights and memorable experiences. I also want to document 2015’s yearbook content “as we go.”
• Finish remodeling our “fixer upper” 1930s bungalow house in Sanpete County and get it sold! (Our primary residence will remain the same-we’re not moving any time soon!)
• Read the Book of Mormon.
• Interview my mother and mother-in-law … (I recently interviewed and recorded stories about my father-in-law). This is a big one on my list!
• More art projects with my little ones–they absolutely love anything that has to do with paper, paint, wood, fabric, wool and photography. I can always count on an artist companion any time I start up a new creation.
• Date my hubby . . . his new year’s resolution was to take me on 24 dates this year! I am happy to support this, as the past 14 years have been heavily devoted to our babies and not having many opportunities to go out on a regular basis. Our first date for 2015 was a bowling night- we bought each other bowling shoes for our anniversary and christened them last week!
• I want to learn how to compost and keep up our garden this year. We have a nice garden space, and a good sized yard, but my hubby usually does the majority of gardening. I want to involve the kids and I more. Also, I want to plant more herbs and learn how to harvest them.
• Improve my sewing skills- zippers still frighten me, but I think I can take this one on. I plan to make a birthday dress for baby and surely another quilt or two.
• Take pictures- I look forward to booking some clients this year, but it will continue to be a scaled back version of what I used to do in previous years.
• Ride my bicycle (get some exercise!)
• Soak up every precious minute with my little ones who are somehow growing bigger  even though I squeeze them tightly! Our baby girl will be ten months old soon. She thinks it is acceptable to grow up right before my very eyes. The nerve!

Our 2014- from left (January) to right (December) was dotted with many happy memories along the way.

My sweet four year old just made my day with her sincere compliment, “Mommy, you are one good cutter!” Little does she know how hard I’ve had to work at my cutting skills. I still remember my kindergarten report card including a strong suggestion that “Amy needs to work on her cutting.”

Throughout the past year one of the favorite shared activities I enjoy with my four year old is when she brings me scissors, a sheet of paper and a special request for an animal to be cut out. I freehand cut out the shapes and she draws a habitat and colors the animal, then glues it on the background. I have to say her coloring skills and creativity surpass my cutting skills any day! We have volumes of this collaborative art process to show for it- so fun!

Baby C. is six months old . . . can you believe it? Me neither. Here are some studio shots I captured to commemorate her half year mark:

See more of baby C.  on the Tilt Photography Blog.

Here are some shots from a family outing last week in search of fun, new places to shoot. DH enjoys photography as well, so he is willing to go along with it. Even better, he brings along a second camera and tripod!

I can’t wait to do a session in this place:

{the kids packing our camera gear in the wagon– such good sports!!}

{and a lovely shot of the creek, taken by DH. I love the lighting in this one!}

I keep trying to post some photos that I adore . . . and blogger won’t upload them. I am trying desperately to figure out the solution to my woes. Any suggestions? It made me question whether or not I had exceeded my storage limit, which I have not. Hopefully I can post some new photos soon . . . they’re piling up here!!

~Amy

I’ve been out of town- up in the mountains, actually. Sorry for the lack of posts, but I promise I’ve got plenty to share! Just playing catch up. More to come later today- and our Thursday givaway is still on. I will be posting the prize “up for grabs” a little later today. But for now . . .

A babe in a bonnet- precious K. in her blessing gown and bonnet was a great sport for her photo session. She was so expressive and sweet, and I loved how each family member has such a connection with her. Even the family poodle wanted to be in on the action!

{My title for this one: “Are you kidding me?”}

Growing up and showing some real talent with the electric guitar, my nephew allowed me to snatch this quick shot. I love the urban acid action on it– I think it lends itself to a nice, grungy, electric guitar playin’ kind of look.

{C.- I think you need a large poster sized version of this for your room. Just say the word!}

{Even a vegetarian can get a little excited over something this cool!}

{My little gal is quite the rock climber . . . “Look Mom, no hands!”}

{Here’s an assortment of desert textures & colors from our little family hike. While walking past a rock covered in lichen, A. pointed and said, “Look, broccoli!” (see photo above: center of bottom row)}

{I love a kid witha great imagination. This souvenir did make it home in the sippy-cup holder part of the carseat.}