2012 +

Happy 2012!

This is probably the most popular day of the year to blog. Or Journal. Or work out. Or.... {you fill in the blank}.

I have High Hopes for 2012; However, before I post the obligatory Goals/Resolutions/To Do List, I would like to do a "The Firsts of 2011" Post. I like to be able to look back and see some of the New Things I did. So without further ado, and more or less in Chronological Order-

11 Firsts of  2011:

-Attended a Photography Workshop

-Made a Someone's Birthday last an entire week

-Performed at a Valentine's 'Jazz Club'

-Started a New Business

-Became a Manager @ Work 

-First Wedding Photo Shoot

-Went to Girls Camp as a Leader

-First Time on the Bus

-Won a Pie Eating Contest

-First Kiss

-Had a Younger Sibling move home from college

There you have it.  Now on to 2012:

Goals (Because the word 'Resolution' automatically makes me NOT want to have anything to do with it...)

-(Every Year on almost Everyone's List) To be more Physically Fit.

-To Read All of The Standard Works

-Pay off Student Debt

-Journal at least 2 times a Week

-Do 2 Photo Shoots a Month

-Read 3 'Classic' Books {Gone with the Wind, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath-You know. Any Suggestions?)

-Visit Utah

-Practice Vocal Techniques and Singing for 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Practice the Piano 20 minutes 5 times a week

-Be better at keeping in touch (talking on the phone is not a current forte of mine...)

-Go Back to School

-Learn Another Language (Ok, so this is Not Likely, But has always been a dream of mine- I've dabbled in Spanish and Italian...But I want to become Fluent in another Language- I'm taking suggestions/requests.)

-Take Cello Lessons

-Learn to make fluffy pancakes

Here's to 2012! What happens this year is up to you!
{♥.}

Bradley Reception

The Second Wedding Reception I was able to Photograph was my Best Friend T's. I've known T since I was 11. {That means I've known her longer than I haven't known her.} She is the truest of true friends and oh-so-Fabulous! I've never seen her so happy in all of my life, as she is when she is with B. The reception was elegant and the sweetest moment of the night was when B pulled out his guitar and they sang a duet; a song that B had written T and had sung to her every Sunday over Skype during their long distance engagement. If that isn't romantic, I don't know what is! Without further ado, here are the Bradleys!

{The center pieces}

{Please sign in}

{The most DELICIOUS strawberries!} 

{Twirling} 

{Whole Family} 

{Sisters, Sisters} 

{Love Birds} 

{T's Dad and Niece- She loved helping me take pictures} 

 {Happy Together}

{Meeting Guests} 

{In line}

{T's sister, L} 

{T explaining the significance of the song} 

{Together} 

{Details} 

{Singing} 

{Cake Cutting} 

{Sweet Hand Holding} 

(Bouquet Catchin'}

Congratulations T & B!


{♥.}

McCleery Wedding and Reception +.

In May I had the opportunity to photograph a couple of weddings- The first of which, was S & B's. Let me 'splain somthin' to you.... My family and B's family are one family. We do tons together...and we love it. We've all been friends since forever. S's older sister is one of my dear friends and her sisters have become mine. Basically, I photographed my Brother and Sister's wedding & reception! S was stunningly beautiful and B was dashingly handsome. The ceremony was wonderful, and when I walked into the reception hall, I was breathless; it was phenomenally decorated. The reception was a blast- These people KNOW how to Party! Take a look!

 {Sister S, R and C}

 {Mom McCleery}

 {The Bridal Party- waiting for the Bride}

{S and Her Dad}

 {The Ceremony}

 

{You may Kiss the Bride} 

{The McCleerys}

 {The Reception Hall}

 {CAKE!}

 {First Dance}

 {Awwww.}

 {Daddy Daughter Dance}

 {Mother Son Dance}

 {MORE CAKE!!!}

 {Dancin'}

 {More Dancing}

 {Garter Toss}

 {Two Brothers and a Cousin DIVING for the Garter...}

{Walking out}

Congratulations to the McCleerys!
{♥.}

A Letter

Dear World,

Hello from the long lost land of Berlynn! Haha. Ok- bad joke.

This year has flown by. I can't believe it. Everyone says that it just goes faster and faster. Maybe it's because we adjust to eternal time the more that we are alive? Who knows.

Anyway, This past month has been great! We had four {Count them, FOUR} Graduations this month! First S from EAC, then B & M from Desert Sky, and Today D from Deer Valley! Whoo!!! I'm so proud of my siblings! {Mom may have shed a couple of happy tears.}

And it's been a wedding filled month! Last week was the McCleery Wedding, which was BEAUTIFUL. And Tomorrow- Well Tomorrow is BIG. Tomorrow, I get to take the pictures at one of my very best friend's open house/reception. I. am. SO. excited. And so so so happy for the Bradleys! More to come on that!

On another note, Young Women's has been great! I love those girls so much! It's so fun to see them grow! Haha! They Crack me up! Girls Camp is coming soon, and man, our cheers are DIVINE. ;)

I'm pretty excited for life to settle down a little bit. I feel a little tired after this week! But I'm so happy to have had an opportunity to make so many memories! I hope that you are all doing well. May God be with you!!!

{♥.}

TwO-ThOusAnd-eLeveN

Two Thousand Eleven has been kind of crazy. Haha! I've done a ton- I can't believe it's going by so quickly!

Since I last blogged, I have:

1. Started a bootcamp class- I LOVE it.

2. Visited Kaight & Liz in Lake Havasu City.

3. Gotten a Sweet Letter from Sister Nora Hansen and another from Sister Ally Snow.

4. Gotten a Promotion.

5. Done a few craft projects.

6. Worked like Crazy ( I eat, sleep and breathe New Balance.)  {PS: Have you tried the Minimus Shoes? They are FABULOUS.}

7. Taken a Photography Workshop

8. Accompanied a flute player at Solo & Ensemble.

9. Taught Photo tinting to my Beehives.

10. Watched 'North & South'.

I'm sure there are SO many more things. Hopefully, I can blog more about these things soon! For now that will have to do, as I want to put a new background on the blog. :)

Peace out Homies!

Oh and P.S. Please Pray for those in Japan and Hawai'i  affected by the tsunamis and earthquakes.

Swingin' Singin'

Friday was the 'Antique Valentine Jazz Lounge' Performance- Can I just say that IT WAS A BLAST?! I had SO much fun! The decor was Fabulous, and the performances were Swingin'. I got to sing 3 songs- 'At Last' by Etta James, 'Tenderly' by Rosemary Clooney, and 'My One and Only Love' by Ella Fitzgerald. I was so glad that my friend Amanda & My mom were there! We took some Really fun pictures and There was even a professional Photographer there. They went All out! It made me realize just how much I love to sing. I've missed it! Anyway, Here's a few pictures.

 {This one was my Favorite! It needs to be twotoned and we need cowboy hats. Ha!}

{♥.}

Christmas Day Fireworks

I gave the Brothers Fireworks for Christmas...So Christmas Night Looked like this.

{ I caught it just as it was exploding!}

That Was how good my Christmas Was- How about yours?

A New Year.

Some are probably expecting all of my New Year Resolutions on this post. Well, that's not the case this year. I figure, that it is only an important NYR if I can keep it without being reminded or an attitude of  "I'm-scared-of-the-judgments-of-others-if-I-don't-keep-it". And you know, I think it will hold a higher accomplishment value if I can do all of the things I want to this year for myself; not for others. So while I need the support and encouragement of dear friends and family, I would like you to continue just being there for me. Thank you so much for your love! I have felt it strongly this past year.

And now, as 2010 has closed {with all of it's jobless-ness, moving, finding myself again (which is tough!), and all of the other negative things} I will leave those negative things behind, remember the finer moments of 2010, and hope, work, and pray for an even better 2011.

Finer Moments of 2010:
-Cleaning the Sink @ Angie's with my Roommies.
-Sledding & Watching Movies on the Bigscreen @ the McLaughlin's in Idaho.
-Directing the Ward Choir with LOTS of help and support of others!
-Singing in the BYU Women's Chorus & Being on the Publicity Committee when we 'Sold Out' a Solo Concert.
-Having Friends Come Visit me in Utah (Oh HEY Katie Williams!)
-Mom Coming up for Women's Conference
-Movie Nights/Going on Midnight Runs with Roommies and Nora.
-Blogging
-Road Trip to SLC to see Merica & Jaron get married and getting to see the rest of the Martin/Jansons too!
-Going to see the Gila Valley Temple
-Teaching Swimming Lessons
-Getting a New Job
-My last talk with Nora before she Went on a Mission.
-Going to Parker to Hang out with Kaighty Scott
-Visiting Ally Snow on Her Birthday
-Hanging out with the Brittney Chapman in Mesa
-Going to Josh & Kayla's Wedding Reception
-Shooting some engagements for Ben & Mallory
-Flying to Utah and Spending a week re-united with my BFF's (Honey, WHERE is my SUPER SUIT?!)
-Getting to see the Taylors
-Watching a FABULOUS BYU football game-We won!
-Having Sheri Ward come and visit AZ
-Thanksgiving at our house
-Running a 10k, doing one the next monday, and then going 10 miles the next monday after that.
-Having a Game Night at Grandma Gail's and Papa Tom's with Mary too!
-High School Lunch table Reunion.
-Singing in the Ward Choir and doing the Descant
-CHRISTMAS!
-Fireworks Christmas Night
-Going to Olive Garden with my Family to hang out and laugh our heads off.
-Going to see 'Tangled' with Mom & Stephie right after Olive Garden.
-Having a Girls night at Grandma Janet's
-New Years Eve Party at our house

I'm sure that SO many other moments could have been on that list. 2011 is going to be a Grand Year. I can feel it!

I hope that 2011 is a year of happiness for you too!

{♥.}

Mr. & Mrs. Janson

My cousin Jaron got married last month- I love his new wife Merica- She is adorable. {And she has “smiley eyes” as Grandma pointed out.} I loved being with them all day long. I sat with my cousins John & Julia and we had Jenny’s kids Allie & Leah too! Naturally, I pulled out the camera as I would not be caught dead without my mom’s camera at a wedding.  Allie spun and twirled and completely loved being in front of the camera. She is SO cute. And Leah is so sweet! She just sat there contentedly cuddling with Julia. Then J&M came out of the Temple- {HAPPINESS!}. Next came family photos and posed photos. I kept snapping the candids. I got a few good ones. :) Then came the Luncheon – Merica and her sisters and Jaron all sang. My favorite was Jaron singing “You’re My Everything” by Michael Buble to Merica- I’ve never seen Jaron like that. {Aw, He’s all growed up!}  Then came the Reception- More candid shots… by this time Jaron asked me to take pictures and Aunt Wendy asked me to send them to her. {Note to self: I still need to do that!} J & M are such a beautiful couple. I hope that they are doing well! I ended up snapping pictures all day- and editing them all the next day. {I love Photos!} I think some of them turned out really well.  Spending the day with J & M made me hope for a day of my own like that someday. I want to be married in the temple to a man that I love with all of my heart. It WILL happen! I know it! {And that, makes my heart smile.}

Leah

Allie

Daddy & Mom

M&J

Julia, Leah, John, Allie, Jenny

J&M, Grandma & Papa

{ ©.}