Watch out! We have a 1-year old!

Happy 1st Birthday, Parker!

That was seriously the shortest year ever. I can vividly remember our time in hospital last year. I am just so grateful that I only had to leave my little miracle at the hospital for 3 extra days.

Here we are celebrating already. We had a little monkey party and I think it turned out pretty cute. Try entertaining 11 kids aged 1-11.

We played a few games so the older girls wouldn't be bored .

We played Face the Cookie from Minute to Win it, which Heather won:

No wonder where she gets her skills: Tyler dominated in the adult division:

Parkers Cake and the cupcakes for everyone else:I haven't been able to get that hat on him long enough to take a photo since, so I am considering myself lucky to have gotten this oneOf course, the aftermath of the cake masacre photo: (although it wasn't much of a masacre, he pretty much just poked holes in it and maybe licked his fingers once)Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated Parker's birthday with us and helped me go through the pizza, cupcakes and banana splits! It was crazy (as is any event involving the Scott clan), but Parker had fun and he got some fun toys and cute clothes. He got a zuzu pet from Aunt Stacee that he is starting to warm up to. He was totally freaked out by it at first, but he's getting used to it. And the most annoying, laughing, dancing monkey ever, Thanks Grandma Suzy and Papa Tori. It's actually ok in moderation. I swear, grandparents think they're so funny to give obnoxious, messy, or noisy toys to their grandkids, just to irk their adult children.

44 minutes until the end of 2011...

New Year's Eve at home again. Lame. Kasey is at work and the kids are too little to drag out. I can wait for them to grow up, but when they do, we are totally having a New Years Eve party! Some of my best New Year's Eve's were when I was in Elementary school. Back when I had a bedtime that I got to stay up past. Having sleepovers and banging pots and pans. Seriously, kids make holidays so much fun! I Can't say I'm thrilled or sad to see the last year go. It was a pretty good year:

In Febuary, we got to add this little monkey to our family

Phoenix was in big sister mode instantly

In June, I got an awesome birthday present: A job on base! It has been such a blessing to me and our family. I am not worried about getting enough hours to pay the bills anymore, I get 40 hours every week! I haven't had that in a long time. It is so cool to see what goes into building airplanes and such a thrill to see them take off up close.

I got to shoot a few weddings, Saw the new new Twilight movie, and decided to try my hand at decorating for weddings (I have yet to book one, but I will get a little practice on at least one in 2012. I also got to teach the gospel to a wonderful group of 5-6 year-old girls.

I'm super excited for 2012! There's so much to look forward to! One of my bestest friends is getting married! And I get a new niece and a nephew this summer! I have a whole new primary class of 8-year olds! I get a raise soon! And of course there's Moab, my summer boutique, camping at Sourdough, My birthday and 7th anniversary, The Hunger Games movie, and Thriller! It all starts in just 9 minutes! It's looking to be a very Happy New Year, indeed!

On the 7th Day of Christmas, My parents gave to me...

So I decided to try out the 12 days of Christmas on my kids this year. Last year, Phoenix wanted to stop and play with each gift she opened, so I decided to give then their gifts one day at a time so they can appreciate them. On the first day of Christmas, Phoenix was so naughty that she didn't get her gift. I didn't really plan ahead for that, so I guess she'll just get it on Christmas. Otherwise, it's going well. I have to give credit to Kyle for giving me the idea when he did it for Kellie last year.

Jayk, Rylee and Phoenix looking for elves in the Christmas tree.

On Saturday, Dec 17th, the Scott family ventured out into the winter weather to see the lights at Temple Square. I must say that I'm pretty proud of this photo: Even Iron Man loves to see the Temple

Kasey and I have a photo of us in front of the fountain that was taken 7 years ago, when we were engaged. Now every time we go to the lights, I make him take another one with me.......7 years? Seriously?

And we still love each other! Good thing too, because 7 years ain't nothing when you're in it forever.

After freezing our tushies off for an hour, we got the VIP treatment. We got to see Temple Square from Gateway Tower West's 9th floor. Heated window sills? Yes, please!

Giving Thanks

Ok, so rather than annoy everyone with a daily facebook post about the things I am thankful for, I will express my thanks here. I could list way more than just 24 to cover each day til Thanksgiving, but I won't go that far.

1. The gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
2. My Husband
3. My Children
4. My bed (although I don't get to love it as much as I'd like to)
5. My home
6. My AWESOME job.
7. Even though Kasey is miserable at his, I am thankful that he has a job.
8. That I have great relationships with my parents, sister, and the majority of my in-laws.
9. That I can always afford the things that we need and I know that I always will be able to if we
pay tithing.
10. Modern medicine that saved the lives of my son and a few nieces when they were born
11. Missionaries!
12. My luck, I win stuff all of the time
13. My cameras and the ability to do what I enjoy.
14. Also, that I am able to make money off my hobby.
15. Great friends that love dearly (besides my BFF sister and S-I-L):
16. Kylee Call
17. Staci Simmons
18. Maryann Flink
19. Emily Richards
20. Clean water
21. My health
22. A great ward and friendly neighbors
23. TV (material, but true)
24. My CTR teaching calling, I love my girlies

Sorry, borring post, but I'll stop there. Basically, I try to be greatful for every little thing that I used to take for granted and I realize that some people don't even have the tiny things that I've never had to do without. I'm thankful for things that I don't een realize I am thankful for.

Shooting People

I have been shooting photography for nearly 6 years now and I still get way nervous before a photoshoot! If I am photographing children, I worry that they won't be happy or cooperative (probably because that's usually the case when I'm taking my own kids' photos). I worry that the weather will suck. Most of all, I worry that I will not be creative enough to get a big enough variety of shots for my customers, especially if I am shooting at a location that is new to me. I always go to the location 20-30 minutes early to "case" the place.

However, when all is said and done, I am always pleased with the results. My customers return for other photoshoots and refer me to their families and friends, which I am totally grateful for.

I am grateful for other photographers who give me advice and suggestions for new locations. I love to look at the work of others to get ideas and inspiration.

I shoot for fun and my profits pay for new props and equipment. I won't ever do it as a business because then, I doubt I'd love it as much. I feel like I'm getting better each time I shoot and I know I haven't learned all that my camera has to offer.

No one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike!.....

It's October.......which means, my favorite night of the whole year!T-H-R-I-L-L-E-R

Seriously, I think about and look forward to Thriller way too much throughout the year

I go with my mommy and sister every year for my mommy's birthday.
Lookin' good, Frandsen girls!

So as I am heading down the stairs to my 5th row seat, I spot this little hottie creeping around. I get my picture taken with him and we go our seperate ways. When I get home and look at the photo, I wonder if it could be Eldon, my Thriller boyfriend. So I ask him on Facebook and it was totally him! Seriously? He is my fav-o-rite ODT dancer!

We had a (non-paying) ticket holder flake out 1/2 hr before the show started,

so Justin brought Rylee to the show! This was taken after the show.

I think she was so scared, she couldn't even smile

I took this at curtain call, so I didn't really break the "no flash photography durring the performance" rule
Eldon again! He is such an amazing dancer and super hot to boot!

Me and Kellie - Also, a fantastic dancer and super hot to boot!

Maryann, Staci, and me. Friends since kindergarten. 24 years and I just can't shake em!

Although it came and went too fast, The show was great this year. Every number was great. The Children of the Corn is my favorite routine! But I cannot deny the beauty on the stage durring The Lost Boys. I think that was Eldon's only number where I could actually see his face. Love Hallowen! Love October! Love Thriller! Til next year................

Phoenix is 3!

Here's my gorgeous little 3-year old!