I just can't stand it any longer... I hate to be a show off, but I just had to post these pics of my family. Like most of the pictures on this blog, these were taken by my good friend, Megan, who is an amazing photographer. She does such awesome work! Noelle's the dramatic poser in our family (I'm sure you'll be able to see) and for Camille, well she fell backwards off the couch before we began shooting and we're happy she's wearing something other than a swimsuit... as for Taft, well at least he's looking at the camera. Shout out to Meg!!!

These photo's were taken by my great friend Megan Holdsworth.
She's a photographer and you can view her work at
megaphotoblog.blogspot.com

I can feel the season change in the air and I love it! I love fall... it reminds me of our days in Michigan. The leaves, apples, breezy weather, and fall colors were such a delight. I miss those days, but plan on heading home to the "motherland" (UT) for fall break and I know I'll get my Autumn fix then. But as we say goodbye to our summer days I thought I should post some of my favorite summer pics. Most of our summer days were filled with swimming and turning ourselves toasty brown... well as toasty brown as our pasty white skin can get. Of course, sunscreen is best, but sometimes a healthy glow just looks and feels so good!

Here's Jr. Miss Chili Sauce 2007! Camille and I have been peeling, chopping, and stewing tomato's for about the last 24 hours. Camille would slip the skins off the warm tomato's and then I would chop them. She was a great helper and loved being included in one of Mom's many projects.

By the way, this ain't your Grandma's county fair. I can't say much about what I preserve. Nobody cares today how well your peaches are peeled or how precise your tomato's are cut. Simply getting dinner on the table ( Ramen, Mac n'cheese, cheese crips,) hopefully will win me the crown. Sometimes ya just have to say "Get er'done!"

Making chili sauce is a tradition in my family and I'd like to continue it for as long as I can. For those of you who don't know what chili sauce is, it is like a sweet and tangy salsa. If you go to Dave's Diner you just have to have it on your tatties and eggs!

Here's some pics of my favorite things... Flowers! I love them, especially a beautiful rose. Some of my favorites are cherry brandy, king kong, sterling and jade roses. I love creating, but most of all I love creating with my sisters. Their the best even when I create something really ugly, they pretend to like it. If any of us really want the truth, we can always ask Coco!

Tonight we returned from Logan, UT where Brett and I were at a funeral for our friend, Jolleen Iverson. It's been heartbreaking to watch Brandon and his children say goodbye to her. I've cried every tear in my soul today. Jolleen's death really has had a strong effect on me. Maybe it's because she was so young or because she was a mother of young children. I don't know, but I just can't stop thinking about Brandon raising those two precious little girls all by himself. I'm sure I don't have the answers for so many of the questions that keep running thru my head, but I do know that when tragedy strikes us from behind we have more strength within ourselves that we ever would believe. Jolleen's funeral was beautiful and so much of what was said really touched my heart and has given me much to ponder upon. As I go to bed tonight, I offer all my prayers and thoughts in behalf of Brandon,his girls, and so many of the people who's lives were touched by Jolleen.