Merry Christmas

One of our favorite traditions is going to the mountains and cutting our Christmas tree. This year we went up near our cabin scouting out trees. The snow was already getting deep, so I'm glad Jaden, my little 2 y.o., fell asleep in the truck so I didn't have to drag him around in snow up to his waist or carry him everywhere. The rest of us had a great time picking out that perfect tree.

We parked the truck and headed up the hill to scout out the trees.

Payton found one, but I think its a little tall.

Zack is just thrilled to catch snowflakes on his tongue, laugh and sing Christmas songs.

We finally found a perfect one for the house. Lumberjack Jeff gets out the chainsaw to cut our great tree.

Because we were so close to the cabin and we are having our extended family Christmas party there, I talked Jeff into cutting one to put up at the cabin too. I can put a real tall one there. After a little more searching, I found the one I wanted and Jeff went to work cutting #2.

Ta da! Isn't it just perfect? Now to drag them down to the truck.

I got the 2 boys to pose in front of Dad for a quick shot.

I actually thought to hand Jeff the camera and get a couple of shots with me and the boys.

I definitely need to remember to have more pictures taken with me in it. Especially with the kids. I know I'm not recording enough of us together in pictures. I love this shot fogged up glasses and all. It really captures their personalities and the fun we had. I sure love them with all my heart. They are very special to me. I'm so lucky to have the wonderful family that I do. At this time of year I think they are especially in my thoughts. I hope that you and your families have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Old Fashioned

I love taking pictures of old things. Here 2 shots (of different tractors) that I really like. They just have so much character. What a different time that must have been.

I have been thinking a lot about all the people I have worked with this year in my photography business. I just want to say thanks to all of you for your support and your trust to let me experiment and learn and hopefully you all got some pictures that you like out of the deal. I know my photography has grown a ton this year and I hope to be able to take it to the next level this coming year. I really want to spend more time learning and doing and challenging myself. Also thanks to everyone who lurks and watches my blog. I love it when people comment. It helps to have critique and I love knowing what people like (and don't like) about my work. I wish you all the best and hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Alana

Fall Never Last Long Enough!

I love the fall colors in all their brilliance, they are just gone too fast. I shouldn't complain though, this year especially we got to enjoy a lot more of them than usual spending so much time in the mountains. I am really grateful for the time we were able to spend there. There's always a trade off, like everything else that piled up at home, but I'm not sure I would trade it. There is a special feeling that comes when you immerse yourself in nature. I understand why God sometimes used mountains as temples to communicate with people on earth. There is almost a sacredness or a closeness to God that is unlike any other place on earth - at least for me. Maybe their pure awsomeness reminds me of how small I am and that there is a much bigger plan playing out than my little troubles. It seems very cleansing to spend time there. I feel very grounded and renewed. When I'm there, I feel like my whole soul relaxes. I know the renewing energy was greatly appreciated and desperately needed this year. Today I just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the beauty and incredible diversity that God has created for us on this amazing planet!
Alana

Editing Frenzy

I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been so far behind, for so long, I'm not sure what normal life is like anymore :). I decided to take a few moments to myself today and since I'm in an organizing mood, I started going through all my photos from this year. I realized there are tons that I wanted to edit that I haven't even gotten to yet. (a lot of my kids that I haven't even touched yet). What started as an organization project, turned into a photo editing session and I cranked out a bunch. Here's the proof that even though I was somewhat absent from my blog this summer/fall, I really did take some pictures during all the chaos. So you'll note that by the weather and seasons of the pictures, they are are from a while back, but I still thought I'd share some of what I have been working on today.
Alana

The Grand Tetons

Here are a few of my favorite shots from my Mother in law's front steps on Thanksgiving. Wow What an amazing view! It is always amazing to watch the peaks change as the light changes throughout the day. I only wish the moon would have come up right behind the peaks instead of over to the north. It was such a crystal clear day, I couldn't help but dig out the camera for some shots. Enjoy!
Alana

Logan's Sneek Preview

I know Logan is dying to see a sneek preview of his senior photo shoot we did recently. Logan has worked for us for quite a while and is always so dependable. He loves our kids and is always a fun to be around. It was a pleasure to be able to take his senior photos. He put in so much time this summer up at the cabin working for us, I was glad he chose to do his senior pictures there - very fitting. Logan I hope you like them and there is more coming. Here's your preview with a few of my favorites so far.
Alana

Our Stellar Jay

What a beautiful morning. These photos were taken after one of the first snows we had. There were still some yellow leaves on the aspens, but we woke up to snow. There was a beautiful sunrise and it was lightly snowing. The flakes highlighted like diamonds by those first beautiful rays of sunshine as they spread across the mountain tops. It was just spectacular. This gorgeous Stellar Jay hangs out in a pine tree right off the deck of our cabin and I have loved watching him. This particular morning as he was out flitting about, I decided I just had to get some photos of him. His black head contrasts so beautifully with the brilliant blue body. In the third picture it is actually snowing but you can't tell in a photo this small. Hope you enjoy.
Alana

One of my Favorite Quotes

"...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

~ from "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson

Our Elk

Here are some more shots of what I've been busy with. We had some tremendous elk this year and it was so fun being able to get such good photos of them. Here are some of my favorites I thought I'd share. They are such magnificent animals! They are very regal and pround. It is just fascinating to watch them. I never get tired of watching them or hearing their haunting bugles as they echo down the canyons. I'm already looking forward to next fall to listen and watch them again.

Busy Beautiful Fall

It has been such a beautiful fall. Especially since we have been able to spend so much time at the ranch hunting. The season has gone so well. We have met some of the most outstanding people. We couldn't have been more lucky. I have thouroughly enjoyed it all. We have been terribly busy, but I just wanted to pop in and show you a few of my favorite shots. We are almost done with our hunting season. I promise I will blog a bunch more when we are done. Thanks again for supporting me and viewing my blog. If you're stopping by for a peek, click below the post on the word comments and leave me a note, I'd love to hear from you.
Alana