I'M MOVING!

After hours and hours,

a few tears (both happy and frustrated ones),

minor setbacks, lots of prayers, some diet coke,

and a TON of incredible support from my genius family members,

I'm FINALLY ready to introduce you to etrephotograpy.com!!!

I am so so so excited for 2013 and all of the incredible clients I'll get to work for this year!

It's totally fine by me if you'd like to be one of them by the way.

You make my world go round, literally, and I want so sincerely to gift you the caliber of product that blows your mind, makes you smile, and reminds you of who you love and how blessed you are.

Link to my new home by clicking on the awesome new logo above.

Mr. & Mrs.

"I have spent many years in opposition. And rather like the role." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Life in the Smith home is full of opposition.
Don't worry though, it's a beautiful thing.

Best Time of the Year

“This Christmas season and always, I pray that we will see the marvelous gift of the birth of the Son of God through the blessed eyes of a child. I pray that in addition to giving good gifts, we will strive to become good and grateful receivers. As we do so, the spirit of this season will enlarge our hearts and expand our joy beyond measure.” -President Uchtdorf

 

I hope that if you celebrate Christmas like we do,  that you'll take a moment this next week to think of the royal Christ child and let your heart be filled with joy at how glorious his birth truly was. 

It allowed for the atoning sacrifice to take place, and was the first step toward us gaining salvation. 

Best gift ever!

Now on a much more commercialized Christmas note, 

LOOK AT HOW CUTE OUR CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOS TURNED OUT THIS YEAR!

 

I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite!

Firsts from the D700

A package came in the mail this week! It was for me, and it was fantastic.

I thought I'd share some of the first images I've captured with out newest family member...

We went to ACE, just the three of us...and bought some paints. 

We're moving this month, and figured that the pre-moved-in stage is a much better time 

to spruce up our hand-me-downs. Why am I hyphenating so much?

 It's not quite finished yet, but definitely leaning toward improvement!

In slightly more exciting news, we went to the Provo Rooftop Concert Series last night, 

and cheered loudest for Book on Tape Worm

 This twin of mine is currently dating this most wonderful Miss Ciera, who plays cello
in the honest to goodness MOST phenomenally talented band.

 Thank heavens for Friday nights, and the generous do-gooders of Provo who host great events, and for summertime and dressers and new cameras and handsome husbands!

The Greatest Adventure // Irish Beach, CA

**WARNING**

WAY too many photos of the family vacation are posted below.

All of which are glorious 

(but as a very involved first party with a lot of direct involvement in the adventure, I may be biased). 

Seriously though, sorry right now for how long it will take you to look through this post 

if you're in it for the long haul.

This was my view of the sunset from seat #6. Headed out of the Salt Lake valley, and into a very looong night on the road.

 

Arriving was divine beyond description.

Yes, I got a little trigger happy with the family photos at the beach...but the beautiful coloring was calling to me. Don't worry, B. is still part of the family...he was just busy reading DAT books.

 I warned you.

 We spent an afternoon in Mendocino just up the road one afternoon, and I probably sang "...Mendo-cinooo county line" about 100 times no exaggeration. I should do Willie (and Mendocino) a favor and at least learn the rest of the words.

The redwoods were conveniently positioned directly between where we were, and where we were headed. Those trees talk...totally being serious right now. They sound a lot like giant moose or elk or forest monsters fyi 

so don't be afraid next time.

 Beaches are bomb, hands down no question. Especially ones with pelicans.

 

 I even let someone else take the Canon reigns for awhile, which I'm grateful for because look how happy I get to remember the beach making me!

There were gnarly old cemeteries spotting the coastline left and right, so we decided to wander through one on an especially foggy afternoon. It was eerie OBVIOUSLY, but so silent and soft and peaceful at the same time. Definitely a good place to rest for reverends and teddy bears alike.

The beach (along with it's slimy tide pools) was just down the path from our temporary abode. 

The view...really... beat it, I DARE you.

We had one REALLY sunny day during the week, and utilized the crap out of it...

My best husband ever picked me a bouquet of wild flowers which is p.s. the sweetest thing ever and I highly recommend having husbands worldwide give it a try.

 Our sunny day ended with a spectacular sunset that our makeshift tripod kindly captured. It was seriously such a fantastic week spent with people I'm so very very fond of. If you haven't deserted this post by now, you might as well consider yourself one of the family.