Korth Family Photos

Today was a big day, that only happens once every few years...The Big Korth Family Photos...Jon and Donnarae are in town from Notre Dame (Jon's in grad school there) and we decided to get a family photo. Naturally, the only time this could happen was on a Sunday...with almost 40 people, you do what you gotta do...Everyone was there except for Troy's brother Kourtney, and his family...For some reason, they don't enjoy being around us, and it is very rare that we get to see them. We invited them numerous different ways, and our calls and letters (through the mail) weren't returned. We were hoping they showed up, but they did not. We decided to go through with it anyways...
EDIT: Apparently they called and left messages on Sunday afternoon...hopefully we can do a re-take in the summer with baby Phillips as well...

The Set-up...
I posed everyone (well, I tried to) and then set my camera on a tripod and had my dad snap the shutter. A few people were late, and the sun was moving fast, so we had to make a few improvisions...

The Photo...(yes, I say one, because there is ONLY 1...a combination of 5 different photos...thanks to blinking...grabbing boobs...and bunny ears...and no, none of the children did this...only the adults...(thanks for the extra photoshop work...I appreciate it).

Here are a few other photos from the day...









That'll have to do until the next time...

My Grandpa...

My grandpa came home from the hospital yesterday. He is an avid reader of my blog. He has congenitive heart failure. We were worried, and headed out to spend the afternoon with him. We were chopped liver compared to the cute nurses he spent his weekend with, but we tried. All my mom's brothers were there also as well as my cousin Brian. I requested a family picture. They obliged...it was a fun day spent with family. Love you, Grandpa and Grams!

Here they are, the LeGrande Harding Family. Everyone in this family is famous. Seriously. My Gram is a famous artist. My grandpa a famous airplane mechanic. My uncle Kim is known for his incredible park, a member of the school board, craziest YM President to ever have served. John is a teacher at the USU institute. He's a doctor, you know. My mom is a famous world traveler teacher extraordinaire. That leaves Howard - or as they call him in Myton 'hwrd' - apparently there are no vowels and 1 syllable when you pronounce his name in Myton (Myton is a thriving metropolis, in case you were wondering - go ahead, google it). I was once at a store, and someone found out that THE HWRD - from the basin - was my uncle. They were in awe and almost bowed to me. It's true. He's well known ALL OVER the basin...next time you're there, ask anyone you know about 'Hwrd'. Then, there's the matter of Chickety Split cups. 28 years ago(at least), my dad gave my Gram a bunch of Chickety Split cups. 28 years later, she still has them. Gram is also famous for being frugle. Go ahead...just ASK how many rakes she has...you never know when you will need more than 20, right Gram? Here is proof the infamous cups are still in use (although, we almost had to wear protective gloves to handle these)
I took a 5 minute(it was 8 degrees) stroll around the house, and snapped these few photos. I'm not a very good landscape photographer, but I gave it a go.

Robbed...

I was robbed.

I had just finished up with a photoshoot on a Saturday at Wheeler Farm with a super fun family. It was FREEZING...literally, I don't think the temperature got past the teens that day. A lady ran up to us, asking if I owned a Honda Odyssey. I said yes, it's mine (she repeated the license plate) and she got this really sad look on her face. All I could think of on the inside, was please tell me you just totalled my car - it's as old as Kyle - when she said, I'm sorry, someone broke your window. I immediately broke out the phone, and called Troy (who was golfing on this freezing day) and instructed him to call our bank and deactivate my debit card. I got to my car, looked in the window, and saw my wallet sitting on the seat (I had gotten gas on my way to the shoot). I noticed that my cute red purse which I had tucked neatly under the center console, was gone. I thought, the fools, they reached over my wallet and took my purse! It may or may not have had checkbooks in it, but it DID have my Garmin Watch (my satellite watch I use for running) in it. I paid about $200-$300 for it. Trying not to remember the exact amount.

I remember feeling stunned, yet calm. I knew there was nothing that could be done and knew there was no reason to freak out about it. The police officer was kind, and filled out a report. The father of the family I had taken photos of searched the nearby trash cans and then helped another nice man try to 'board' up my broken window with cardboard and plastic for my very cool 25 minute drive on the freeway home.

When I got home, I layed in my bed and cried. I was so cold after shooting in the cold for over an hour, then dealing with the car for so long, and I just felt violated. I felt like I always cause money problems over Christmas. Last year, I wrecked the van on a snowy day into a curb, causing $800 worth of damage to it. I really wished that Troy could be the person to get robbed, not me. The kids wanted to know why I was crying, and Troy being the sensitive person he is, told them it was cause I was a boob.

Sunday morning one of our friends came to our door EARLY and told Kyle not to tell us, but that he was going to vacuum out the glass for us. He had hauled over a huge vacuum in a tiny festiva and got started. Troy was in the shower, and I was still in bed after taking Kristin to the ER in the middle of the night for an asthma attack. I was mortified that someone would come do that. Have you seen my garage? It's not exactly tidy. Troy told me to get over it, and to accept service. I am very grateful that person vacuumed out my car.

The following Monday we got a new window. The cost was $133.00. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

Tuesday, I went to the grocery store, parked my car, then halfway into the store, ran back and moved my car, because I thought it was parked in a bad spot and may get broken into.

Wednesday, I got a new purse, that is COMPLETELY empty. Everytime I pick it up, I am convinced someone has stolen my wallet out of it...

Everyday since...I feel no security...I stay up late, thinking that the robber has my address...I lock the doors, I double check - in the middle of the night...I carry my purse with me EVERYWHERE...

My window wasn't just broken, my purse wasn't just stolen, my Garmin watch isn't just gone...

I was robbed.

Thanksgiving

I know, I know...it' 1 week away from Christmas, and I'm just getting around to what happened at Thanksgiving...this fall season I have been swamped with photo shoots. It's good, but has definitely kept me busy...since I'm at the computer editing photos so often, my kids don't like it when I'm 'blogging'. And neither does Troy...

This Thanksgiving, I had the grand idea of going to Idaho. Troy's grandparents live in Blackfoot. I have only been to Blackfoot twice in my life (once for Thanksgiving 11 years ago, and once for Grandpa Korth's funeral - when I was pregnant with Kyle), and my kids have never gone...this summer I have come to realize the importance of family, extended and immediate and am trying my hardest to strengthen ties...so, going to Idaho seemed the perfect thing to do. I have loved being able to take my kids to MY grandparents farm, and Troy hasn't gotten to do that. It's not that we haven't been invited, we have, we have always just had conflicts that have prevented going up when everyone else has gone up...so, enough with the excuses...I kind of had my mother-in-law invite us for Thanksgiving, and then somehow the rest of the Korth Family decided to follow suit...let's face it, I don't think I was the only one who felt guilty...

We arrived, and the kids went outside to ride Grandpa's Train that he has painstakingly made...it is incredible. The kids were IN HEAVEN! Kinlee wouldn't get out. Literally. Then, grandpa pulled us around on the hood. It's the hood of an old truck that you lay on. THEN...grandpa got out the cherry picker - a rectangular cage that gets lifted up by a tractor. Heaven...bliss...the kids only came in to eat, and then were back outside. Here are some photos... there are a million, but I don't know what ones to leave out...everyone wanted copies, so here they are...I do have a few favorites, they will be last...you can scroll down to see my description of them...
















My favorites...I know what you're thinking, how rude we all are to make grandma do the dishes...don't worry, we all helped (especially Cherice...she gets the award) but I made everyone move when I got my camera out. I love the authenticity of these...

Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for a perfect Thanksgiving, we will not wait another 11 years to visit...Korth Siblings...it was a super fun day with you all...(it is always best when we are only together for a few hours at a time, isn't it?) LOVE YOU ALL!

Boys had a busy weekend!

Well, I must document the craziness of the past few days. On Saturday morning, I woke up and Troy told me he was going to shave a 'Y' in the boys hair. Their hair has been way too long for awhile and I had been telling Troy that he just needed to shave their head, cause I just was too busy to get their hair cut. Well, Jake came out of the shower and showed me this:

I said, "HOLY HELL!" and the boys thought that was hilarious that I would swear. Here is a photo of both of them. Before they went to the game, I had to run a few errands. We ran into some friends, and they told me that the hair MUST be blue, and offered up their can of blue spray to do the job. They not only sprayed the boys hair blue, but they taped off their heads, so JUST the hair would be blue. Dedication, I tell ya!

They went to the BYU v Utah game, and came home and told me they were famous! They said EVERYBODY (including the kid selling drinks through the stands) asked if they could take their picture. They begged to go to church with their hair in the "Y-hawk" as Jake dubbed it, and we let them (minus the blue)...then they got to go show their grandparents, and then it came off. FINALLY! I was so sick of looking at it. Now, here are my two baldies!

This morning, I took the boys to the orthodontist, and Kyle got braces to pull this crazy tooth down, and Jake got some appliances to make his mouth bigger. Jake is missing his front 3 teeth, and has been for sometime now (since February). Apparently it is like a log jam up in his gums in regards to his teeth, so until we widen his mouth, they won't come down. Here are photos of them at the ortho...
Jake has appliances in the top and bottom of his mouth. Poor kid...
Hopefully the boys will survive the braces...
DISCLAIMER...most of these photos were taken with my phone...sorry for the horrendous quality!
In the next few days, I will post about our Thanksgiving in Idaho...stay tuned!

Haley is THREE!

Today my baby turned THREE! I can hardly believe this past 3 years has flown by so fast! 3 years ago, we were in Virginia...2 short weeks after Haley was born, we boarded a flight to move to Utah...I can't believe we have owned our home for 3 years! CRAZY!

Anyways, here are things about my silly sassy girl...
1. Lately she has added the word 'bum' to the end of every sentence. It drives me crazy.
2. She cries whenever I leave.
3. She likes to snuggle.
4. She LOVES Dora, and it's awesome to watch her watch Dora. She does EVERYTHING they ask her to do and is convinced it is real!
5. She sings. Her favorite song is "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
6. For her birthday, she got this silver puffy vest and silver boots...she wants to wear them everyday! (we celebrated her birthday on Tuesday)
7. She is happy with the simplest things.
8. She loves her brothers and sister.
9. She constantly asks when Daddy will be home...
10. We sure do love this little diva.

Here are a few photos from our 5 minute photo shoot in front of our house.

Leaving, on a jet plane...

I just got my boarding pass...headed to Portland tomorrow morning! I can't wait! Seeing New Moon tomorrow night with my Nielsen Girl Peeps, taking photos Saturday (a few spots left if anyone is interested) and a girl party Saturday night! If anyone wants details and an invite to the girl party email me! SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and for anyone who sees my girls in the next few days, offer to do their hair for Troy...actually...they have the primary program Sunday morning...will someone bring rubberbands and a comb to church? PLEASE?????????

WARNING!

I am on the snowy roads again...I suck at driving in the snow...it's time to lower my auto insurance deductable for the season! Don't worry, I usually only run into curbs, but thought I better let you all know that I don't know how to drive in the snow. I may need help in the next few months getting my car to and from the shop. ...sigh...Here's hoping to a better winter driving season for me!

'Tis The Season...

...for snow. Last night it started snowing. It was our first snow of the season (last time we were in CA). I was prepared. Old Navy is having their 50% off outerwear sale right now, AND I have a 30% off coupon for EVERYTHING (if you want it, let me know, and I will forward it to you)...so, the kids got new coats. I have been amazed to find that coats for my boys are no 'pass down-able'. One a season...they are completely hammered by spring. So, I got them all a coat...for a great deal. Kristin was SO excited for this faux fur coat...naturally, she posed for me...and I couldn't resist...I LOVE this girl...




I know there are technically only 2 photos, but I couldn't decide what one I liked best, sepia (my own - trying it out), BW, or color...what do you think?

On a side note: for one of Kristin's homework assignments, she had to go around the house, and count how many photos she was in...NOW...if you've been to my house, you would KNOW this would be a daunting task...that is my decor...photos...the boys had to help...I think she got to the upper 50's....sheesh...craziness...

Just wondering...

How much the school district would charge me to send my boys back to school 1 week early....????? (They are off-track for 3 weeks) They are driving me insane! Monday can not come soon enough!

Our first day of...

Was spent at the beach.




We all had so much fun, we came home, swam in the pool, took naps, ate dinner, and went back to the beach for the sunset. It was absolutely a nice, relaxing, gorgeous day...



...tomorrow we hit Disneyland...
(Thanks mom, for being the one to snap the shutter! - you are WAY better than a tripod)

I am on my way to Oregon!

Just planned a trip to Oregon! I will be there November 20-22. I will be offering mini-shoots on Saturday, November 21st for those of you who are interested. The cost is $150.00 for a 30 minute session and you will receive 12-20 high resolution images on CD.... I will take family shots as well as individual shots of your kids. Contact me if you would like to book a slot! Just for fun, here is one of my favorite shots I took last year when I was there...

My favorite kids...

They did good...don't worry, they were HEAVILY bribed..$5 each, gum, and a quarter for candy machines...sorry...family shots will go out in Christmas Cards...let me know if you want on my Christmas Card List! I couldn't decide if I liked the 'honey' finish on these photos, or just regular color...what do you think?









For the record, I did NOTHING to Kyle's eyes...those are his natural baby blues!

Still here...

Okay, I'm still here...and still busy. In fact, I was running around trying to do so many things at lunchtime, Kristin finally said, "Mom, I'm gonna close my eyes, when I open them, the bread is going to magically appear!" Well, that finally caught my attention. (the bread DID magically appear) I seriously stink as a mom these days! I think life is slowing down just a tad! To see what I've been busy with, you can become a fan of my photography on facebook! Here's the LINK.

Kyle had a flag football game today. He scored a touchdown. I wasn't lucky enough to attend. The weather was horrible, and yesterday Kristin came down with strep throat. Even though she got her tonsils out 6 months ago!

Jake has been struggling in school. So much, I have met with his principal and teacher a few times in the past week. Things are looking better, and I'm glad I spoke up and did what I had to do.

Haley is a stinker. Like always! Really, she's a good kid. Happy to play. Her new love is Dora. The only thing she'll watch!

Troy is great.

Well, that was a little bit of an update...I will try to do a real post...well, real soon!

I'm still here...

My My My...

I have been so busy. Seriously, chicken running around with his head cut off...BUSY!

I went to Vegas last weekend to shoot a wedding with Erin. It was fun. It was a short trip, but fun. It was fun being a second shooter. I didn't stress about the shots, just got what I wanted...you can view some of my favorites on my PHOTOG BLOG.

I have been busy with photo shoots, and Young Women, and Volleyball, and Flag Football, and Soccer...phew! I've also gone to the temple weekly the past month. Have volunteered in the kids classes, and turned 32. WOW. I am OLD!

It was a fun day! Boy, being on Facebook, so many people wished me Happy Birthday - I have to say, that was fun. My kids were awesome. They woke up early, and without being told, started making me cards. Troy gave them permission (on his way to work) that they could wake me up at 7:30. They came in singing offering their goods. How cute are they? My mom took me to lunch with my girls at Gardner Village and I used her birthday money to buy me(let's be honest, my kids) some new barstools, that I LOVE! THanks IKEA!, a few friends kidnapped me, and we went to the Cheesecake Factory...all I know, is that I need to go back, and get some Red Velvet Cheesecake...seriously? TO DIE FOR! Another friend also threw a breakfast for me! She made YUMMY pumpkin chocolate chip waffles...I want some more of those! Troy managed to make it to lunch with me (I know, it was a 2 day affair) and my Women's Volleyball Team won again! We are currently undefeated. I love volleyball. I don't suck, either. It's so much fun playing a team sport with some GREAT women! Unfortunately Troy and I haven't been able to play tennis much. I'm hoping we can squeeze it in tomorrow.

I also got to see a few friends from BHS (Bakersfield High School) Liz, and Amanda...we got caught up on facebook and decided to meet for lunch. It was so much fun! Here we are (14 years later) at Chick-fil-a. (photo is from my cell phone)

So, that's the quick version.

Things to look forward to:
Next week I have 2 weddings that I am taking pictures at.
San Diego at the end of the month (Brothers, be ready, Family Photos on the beach Friday night...don't even TRY to get out of it).
Doing some shoots for long lost friends...can't wait to see their families and catch up.
Conference. It starts tomorrow...definitely need a pick-me-up.
More Volleyball.
I LOVE my girls in YW.
Peter and LeeAnna and their girls getting sealed.
Hmmm...and the majority of these are just in the next week. I'll try to be better at catching up!

One last photo - my girls at Gardner Village. They do this big Witch thing throughout the month of October. My kids all love it. If you haven't been, you should go!

Girls Trip Part 4 - Last one, I promise

Okay, we spent time at the beach playing - without the chinese dresses on, so I have to document that...I LOVE these photos...

Girls Trip Part 3

Okay, I just had to add more photos. This first one I LOVE. We were waiting to watch Fantasmic, and had eaten by the river, and were saving a table and chairs in order to watch Fantasmic - for over 3 hours. Seriously, so worth it! Some of us would go on rides, while the others waited in our seats. I snapped this photo at Sunset -clouds had rolled over, giving me darkened skies. I LOVE it! I may have to frame it. If you don't know, it's overlooking Splash Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion. The bonus is that on the right is the Pirate Ship. Oh, by the way, Fantasmic is my FAVORITE part of Disneyland. I get all giddy when I hear the opening music...GO MICKEY! I tried to get a photo of Mickey, but didn't get a great one! I am posting it, but maybe I'll get a better one next time. These photos were just taken during a normal day at Disneyland...
Kristin wouldn't go NEAR Cruella.


They had to check to make sure it wasn't real...


This is the pouty lip I get whenever I tell Haley I am leaving.

Funny how Kristin has no problem with Chip and Dale but won't stand by Cruella, and Haley is scared of Chip and Dale but is okay with Cruella. I love this series. I think it's funny how Chip (of Dale - don't know the difference) was bowing cause he got Haley to cry. Thanks for rescuing her Dave!

I only have one post left in the Girls Trip Series. Just a few more from the beach. I know, you can't wait!

Girls Trip Part 2

After our day on the beach, we had 2 days of Disneyland! The first day my brothers joined us, and the next day was "Princess Day". Both days were GREAT! Because I know the secrets of Disneyland, we got on all rides with no crazy waiting in line. I feel so blessed. My girls really are so great! They didn't throw a fit. NOT ONCE! THE WHOLE WEEKEND! My mom buys my kids whatever they pick at Disneyland - one thing. They look in stores, check things out, then my boys usually pick $5 sucker, and the girls a baby minnie doll or something - nothing ever really big. So, Kristin saw that by the Princess Faire, they did face painting. She asked if she could get her face painted. I told her if it was more than $10...NO. I went and asked, and it ranged from $12-18. I went back to where my mom was waiting in line, and I told her, and my mom said, "Let's do it!" She took Kristin to get her face painted. Kristin takes things VERY seriously. She picked out her "style" and got her face painted. She came back to where I was waiting in line, just BEAMING. She was so excited about her face paint! Haley had to have it done too, but not as much as Kristin. Kristin was on cloud 9 all day. She even leaned over to my mom and said, "Grammy, since you got my face painted, you don't need to buy me a treat. This is all I want!" HELLO!!!! What 5 year old girl says that? I am just so grateful that my girls were so sweet, gracious, thankful, for their fun weekend. What a lucky mom I am! My mom had bought each of my girls a princess dress from Costco a week before we left. (They were $18 each. In Disneyland, the cheapest princess dress was $65.) Kristin picked Cinderella and Haley got Snow White. I did Kristin's hair like Cinderella's on Monday morning. I tried to put a bow in Haley's hair, but she had it removed before we left the hotel room. Oh well, it was a nice try. We were off. We headed to the Princess Faire where we met the princesses. How lucky were we, that Cinderella and Snow White were 2 out of the 3 princesses that were there at that time!? We decided to eat at Ariel's Grotto. Totally expensive but the food was divine. Seriously. My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed it! On with the pictures! Here are my photos from our "princess day".

Girls Weekend Part I

Our girls weekend started out Friday afternoon. We drove to Las Vegas where we met Erin and Elyse for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. The girls LOVED seeing each other, and playing. I enjoyed eating dinner with Erin! I wish I would have remembered my camera! That night, we took the girls swimming at the hotel pool. Haley was a daredevil, and decided that she'd just jump into the pool. I had to save her, but that still didn't stop her! That girl has NO FEAR! The next morning we headed off to California! We checked into our hotel, and met my brothers David and Jason at the beach. David recently got back from China and had bought my girls these cute dresses! I LOVED them, and naturally had to make a photo shoot out of it! Here are a few photos...







Okay, now for my almost favorite photo...but first an explanation. We ate at a little Thai place in Corona Del Mar. It was yummy. As we left, this dog was just tied up to this bench. I don't even like dogs, but I LOVE this photo...for all you dog lovers out there... Stay tuned for more of the adventure...(I only watermarked these photos to protect my girls, if you are a family member who wants a copy of this photo, just let me know!)

Haley starts preschool!

Yep! Little Haley started preschool last week. She doesn't turn 3 until November, but when every other kid in your family goes to school, it was something she wasy DYING to do. My friend, Jen, started a preschool this year instead of going back to teaching, and I jumped at the chance to have Haley go to her preschool. Her cousin, Makenna goes with her (I don't know yet if that is a good thing or a bad thing...time will tell...those two stinkers...). Haley loves it. It's only 4 hours a week. Just perfect. So, that means, 4 hours of every week, I have time to myself. I am using that time to help in my other kids classes, but I am determined to use that time how I want to...I try to get up early on Tuesdays and Thursdays and get all my stuff done, so that I could take a nap, watch a movie, do a project, or just do what I WANT to do instead of what I HAVE to do...I'm sure you know, that I usually do things I have to do, but it's okay. Here she is. On her first day, she got to color her own tshirt. I tried not to help. I am a firm believer that she should do it on her own...it's not my project, it's hers...I'm totally okay with the outcome! (I did write a 'Y' on the tshirt of one of the stick people, and when Haley brought it home, Kristin commented on how impressed she was that Haley knew how to draw a 'Y' - apparently in our family that is just something you learn at an early age.)


I am leaving for the weekend. It's our first annual girls trip! My girls and I - along with my mom - are headed to the land of sunny beaches and mickey ears! Yep, Disneyland! We are doing whatever my girls want to do. My mom bought them each a princess dress to wear to Disneyland. We can't wait! Stay tuned for fun photos!

The Farm...

A few weeks ago, I headed out to "The Farms". Really, it's a little teeny town, called Myton, where my mom grew up. My grandparents live there as well as my aunt and uncle and a few cousins! I went out to help my aunt with some stuff, and get some much needed 'away' time. Away from the computer, the phone, and other 'stuff'. It was a splendid few days. My kids were in heaven hanging out on a farm. They had kittens and Haley was in love. We also went down to the park (where we went to girls camp) and the kids played in the water...why Kristin is so fascinated with frogs, I don't know! I also took some photos of my cute cousin, Megan. You can see some HERE. Anyways...enjoy the pics...isn't Kristin's hair so cute braided? I really need to learn how to do that!