Back in Provo

When I was on the plane flying to California to drop my nephews back home I was excited to get back to Provo. Then when I caught my flight back to Utah and I was looking out the window at the mountains all of the sudden I didn't want to be there. I miss Virginia already. I LOVE life in Virginia and being with family. The farm is so peaceful and out of the way that it came as welcome relief to the rest of the summer.
Currently editing J's engagements. I had done a few earlier so they could get announcements out and now I'm finishing them! It's always fun to go back to your work because sometimes I get discouraged that all the pics are terrible, but then realize they're not that bad!

mini golf

Last week we went on a midweek, awesome double date with one of G's really good friends from home and his almost fiance. We ran into them over July 4th weekend and decided we'd plan something for that week.
I really wanted to go mini golfing, so we handled the activity and they decided on a dinner place. We went to Zupas (YUM!) for dinner. During dinner we heard some good stories from their adventures in high school. One of them had to do with camping out in front of the church on the last day so G could be on time to seminary for once.
After dinner we headed out to Trafalga, which I just remember from when I was little and being with cousins. We started out mini golf track and the competition was fierce:



I got a hole in one on the first hole and was so excited, but it went downhill from there until my second hole in one (yeah that's right, TWO):

It turned out that the girls lost, which was really sad, but we made the most of it. At the end I got another hole in one since I got my ball into the pond. Perfect! Of course the obligatory photos in front of the castle. Some made it in there better than otherse.


We ended the night with some arcade tokens and winnings, which included nasty jolly ranchers. We all had a lot of fun together and I love mini golf!

Happy 4th

Some snapshots (most are stolen photos) to sum up the weekend:

Love is in the Air

So it's wedding season in Utah right now - probably crazier than any other place on earth. I took some engagements for my old roommate. That was the first time I'd met her fiance too and we had a lot of fun. While we were in the park some confident little girl came up to us and gave us bubbles, which was really cute. I couldn't wait to get them on my computer and start messing around, so I thought I'd share a few fun ones. And a shout out to my assistant/2nd shooter who is a gem!

The Y

So I decided I wanted to hike and since it was last minute I decided to just go by myself. I've never hiked by myself so I kind of wanted to try it out and bring my camera along in an effort to pay attention to details. For anyone who hasn't been to Provo there is a big cement, white painted Y on the mountain above campus. Every year they light it for homecoming. There used to be a tradition of an assembly line up the mountain to paint it too. From far away it looks like this.

So I set off and found out my first mistake pretty quickly which was going in the middle of the day when the sun was out. (I found out later when I got back to my car it was 98 degrees) The Y hike is deceiving - it's short, but it's all steep switchbacks so it's harder than it seems.

This small group of girls I kept leap frogging ended up turning back, which is ridiculous because it's not THAT bad. There were points where I felt like I was going to barf between the dry air, heat, and incline, so I took my time to take pictures along the way.






Along the way at some switchback turns you see signs like this, but it doesn't give you any idea of how much longer you have to go.

Then I decided to try and take a self timer of myself. After many unsuccessful attempts I ended up with this, squatting cause I kept cutting my head off. It looks like I'm naked, but I swear I'm wearing shorts and a tank top.

It was about halfway when I had stopped to take pictures and then this guy stopped near me hiking alone also. I tried to keep myself busy waiting until he started again, so I wouldn't have to hike near him, but I could only take pictures for so long. So as soon as I stopped, like I figured he would, he starts a conversation with "Are you a photographer?" Now it was either try and make an excuse to get out of walking together, but none seem valid - saying you're turning back would be embarrassing and you both have the same destination. So I started walking and once I did he did too. Seeing how I was stuck in this situation I made the best of it and tried to make conversation. I do like to meet new people, but I kind of wanted to do my own thing. He said he hikes the Y every day and I wonder how many people he's met.

So we finally made it to the bottom of the Y. It's always fun to look out over Provo and be able to pick things out like campus, the football stadium, my house, etc.

Looking up the Y - It's pretty big when you're right there.

The parking lot far below, but not too bad though since I could still pick out my car.


By the time I got back I was exhausted and drank a lot of water even though I had a water bottle with me. The guy I met walked the whole way down with me too. Going down is one of the best parts because you see everyone making their way up and get to lie that it's closer than it is to help them stay motivated. It's hard to be when it's 98 degrees.

Provo Tabernacle

When my roommate sent me a text with a photo of the Provo Tabernacle smoking my heart broke. We'd had stake conference there just a month before and that building has such a spirit by itself. That building was the work of the pioneers built between 1883 and 1898, but then remodeled in 1917. The wood work and architecture was beautiful. Inside there was a balcony and a gorgeous organ. Hopefully they'll rebuild it. It was the most beautiful building in Provo.

The tabernacle burning at night: click here

The day after, still smoking: click here