Show and Tell-- Inspirational Art Association Christmas Showcase

This post was originally written for my artist portfolio website, but I thought I'd include it here on our family journal because it took a bit more preparation and family effort than some of the other shows I'm in right now. For an update on upcoming shows be sure to check out my other site here.

...

I was so excited to be chosen as part of the 2014 Inspirational Art Association Christmas Showcase at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It was such a great experiance for me to meet so many wonderful artists and work with the association. I think my most favorite part of the show had to be meeting with all the people who came by talked with me about my work. To all of you who did,I just want to say thank you so much! Thank you to those who told me their stories, who engaged with the work, who loved it enough to make time for it, and a special thanks to those who loved it enough to bring it home and make it a part of their lives. I am truly grateful to you and humbled by the experiance. Connecting with you is everything. It's the reason I do shows. 

I also have to take this chance to say thank you to all the people who made it possible for me to work this year. Thank you to all the hard working artists who volunteered for the association. Thank you to the team of moms who gave me space to paint and helped me watch my daughter. Thanks to both of baby-girl's grandmas who flew out to help. Thanks to my wildly supportive and oh-so-handy-with-a-hammer husband who built so many things for me. Thanks to my brother for his technical advice, and thanks to those who modeled, and filled in for me. Thanks to those experianced artists who mentored me. I just cant say it enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It truly takes a village to raise an artist.

The Season of the Turkey

Remember earlier when I said to stay tuned to see that orange tutu again? Well, as promised, here it is. 

Rocktoberfest and other Fall Fun

October has been filled with lots of fun and play for our family. This is an example of one of Phoebe's latest games. She starts by pulling every dish cloth and bib out of the kitchen drawers and then pulls out every baby doll and stuffed animal in the toy box.

Try to Remember a Kind of September...

One of the biggest changes for us this month was that my sister, Julianna, came to live with us while she looks for work and starts school. She and Dad came to visit after a week long drive across the country including stops to a trip into the mountains with one of my dad's brothers and climbing lessons from another. One of the benefits of having family spread all over is that there is someone to visit almost anywhere you go. We celebrated their arrival with a little outing to Wheeler Farm and a VERY short hike (that we thought would be longer) to Hidden Falls . 

Blog updates and obligatory baby pictures

So, we've started making some changes to our blog. You may have noticed the sidebar on the right side of the page. We've rearranged it to make it more useful. If you don't follow us on Blogger or your feed reader of choice, you can get emailed updates when we have new posts.  You may also have noticed that all the posts are looking much shorter.  Actually, you now just see a snippet of the full post.  This is to make it easier to find and read instead of scrolling endlessly. Just click "Read full post" to read the full post.

Wings and Things: Our Afternoon at Conservation Garden Park

Usually, the things that come in the "Value Pak" mailer are complete crap. I generally chuck it straight in the trash, but this week I found myself rifling though it (probably since I had decided to use it as a no-money-fun baby toy). I glanced over the pages as I handed them to her individually for her page ripping, fist waving delight. Nothing special: dentist, dentist, rug doctor, dentist, pet groomer, seriously? another dentist?, Orthodontist (my complements to you Dr. smiley-pants on your originality), pest control, fertilizer, Ooooohh! What's THIS?! Free event at Conservation Garden Park. Food? Animal show? Outdoor Concert? Releasing of the  BUTTERFLIES?! Whaaat!!? Oh, Conservation Garden Park, you had me at hello.

Of Barnacles and Babies

This year, Colin's office decided to throw their annual Summer Party at the new Draper Aquarium. It was a pretty cool experience for us to have free reign over the building after hours. They had penguins, sharks, and my personal favorite--the lovable scamps of the sea--otters. We would have let Phoebe pet a sting ray in the touch tank, but she was a little amped up and we were afraid it might turn into a "Hulk Splash!" episode. She was pretty excited about this octopus and just about had a giggle fit when the larger fish would swim up next to the glass. The ducks were a big hit too (go figure it'd be the one thing we see on almost a daily basis). In the end, Phoeb's interest in fish waned and she decided to occupy herself instead with tried and true toddler games. Her repertoire includes such classics as "Smack the Bench", "Let's Fake Narcolepsy!", "Name that goo!", and "SCREAM AT THE FIIIIISSSSHHH!!!" On the whole though, I'd say we had a pretty good time. 

Fishin' the fishes

I went on the annual Ricks fishing trip in Canada for the first time in 6 years with my dad and brother Nathan, who recently returned from his mission in Portugal.

Carry Me Back to Ol' Virginny!

While Colin was on the fishing trip with his family this year, I decided to spend my time with the baby at my folks house in Virginia. This was a really nice, laid back trip, since this time we didn't come over a holiday or a wedding. We spent a lot of time visiting (All nine kids were at home, and I got to visit with my brother and sister-in-law, my nephews, and both grandmas). Other than that, I spent a lot of time in lazy-lazy-loafing mode, and therefore didn't take very many pictures. Here are a few of the ones I did take:

Fourth of July

This was the first Fourth of July that Colin and I can remember where we have been able to celebrate with out extended family. This year we ended up going up Provo Canyon to have a picnic. Brian did an excellent job as grill master, and everyone else brought sides. Everything was delicious, but I don't think any of us could math the enthusiasm Phoebe had for this watermelon. Is there anyone on this earth happier than a naked one-year-old with a slice of watermelon and free reign over the grass? 

Phoebe at One Year

I feel a bit sad to be posting my last Phoebe month-to-month posts, but at the same time, she's getting a lot harder to keep in that basket!

Fort Herriman Days

One of the things I love about Utah in the summertime is that just about every city seems to have their own "day." Spanish fork: Steel Days, Springville: Art City Days, Pleasant Grove: Strawberry days (we've actually been to all of the above), the list goes on and on. This year Riverton and Herriman both decided to have their "day" together, and we just couldn't pass up the double whammy. The Screen on the Green was by far my favorite part. If you live in the area, I highly recommend  this list of similar events. I recognize that bringing a little one out to something that doesn't even start until after nine is risky business (move over Mr. Cruise), but it I think it worked out for us.

Inch by Inch, Row by Row

Yesterday, while Colin and Phoebe napped, I got the rare chance to spend my afternoon among the plants. No, I didn't run off to cultivate my budding inner naturalist with some kind of rugged solo hike, lumberjacking, or catching a fish with my bare hands (because suddenly I'm the most interesting woman in the world), I just browsed around garden centers and spent some time planting in the back yard. It might sound mundane, but what can I say? I dig dirt. Garden centers are my happy place. I've sometimes convinced Colin to take me to particularly nice ones in the dead of winter just to help me beat the February blues. They are like an oasis in a desert of snow. On the first step inside, when the balmy air touches my skin and the smell of chlorophyll hits my nose, I'm instantly home.

On Pint Sized Fishermen and Invisible Bears: Our Day at Silver Lake

This is Silver Lake at about seven in the morning. 'Aint she a beaut? (That's fisherman speak)

Every year in June, there is a state wide free fishing day in Utah where anyone can fish without a license. This year it was June 7th, and we were bound to take advantage of it. In years past, we have gone to the Utah Lake festival which I highly recommend provided you pile on the sunscreen (last time we went I missed putting sunscreen on my legs and got burned so badly from the reflection off the water that I was regularly asked if I had dumped boiling oil on myself). This year however, we were in for a change. We had heard there was good fishing in Silver Lake and decided to give it a go. It turns out to be a lovely little spot tucked away in Cottonwood Canyon. The cool morning air and the surrounding mountains gave me a feeling like sitting halfway inside of a drinking glass, which I very much enjoyed.

Birthday Fun at the Drive-In

Here are a few pictures from Colin's Birthday. We ushered in his last year of twenty-hood with a day in the park, a movie, the purchasing of decorative maps, birthday dinner, and Colin's favorite Budino (We only make it once a year and this is the day). 

Doughnut Falls

Colin and I decided that Memorial day would be a great opportunity to test out our new hiking backpack (spoiler alert: it was a dud and was promptly returned). This hike is Doughnut Falls which is about 12 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. The falls are named thusly because of the doughnut shaped hole that the falls "fall" through. The hike was cool and shady, which was refreshing as the temperatures are starting to climb in the valley. I was surprised to find that we were hiking half the time on mud or snow patches. It was still lots of fun. Phoebe got so excited when we reached the falls that she started clapping her hands and giggling. I guess for her it’s like the worlds biggest bath tub. Where’s my rubber ducky when I need one.

Phoebe at Nine AND Ten Months

9 months

10 months

April and May have been crazy, so it took us a little while to get this post written. Here are some of the new things Phoebe has been up to:

Happily Ever After: Brian and Mary-Celeste’s Wedding

Ok,so this is the best picture we got of the actual bride and groom. Really we didn’t get that many, but that’s not to say there aren’t many many lovely photos taken by their photographer, but not wanting to mess with copy write issues of a dude I don’t know, I just stuck to the ones we have. So here they are! Aren’t they cute? This wedding took place at the Salt Lake Temple. Whenever I get to watch a sealing in the temple, I always feel extremely privileged to be invited into that peaceful setting to watch two people make their own history. If I had to use one word to sum up this wedding it would be “fairytale.” You’ve got the perfect “castle,” the flowers blooming, birds singing, and Mary-celeste looked every bit the beautiful princess. I’m so happy that these two found their happily ever after.

A Frolic in Fredericksburg Or a Tale of My Sister’s Wedding

Well, I’m gonna start off by saying that I wish I had better pictures of this. Unfortunately, due to Colin’s lack of time off he wasn't able to come with me this time and so I spent a lot more time with a squiggly baby and less time snappin’ selfies.  Colin is planning on coming to VA for later this year and also going on the Ricks family annual Epic Fishing Trip for Manly Men this summer. It’ll be his first time to go in about six years. More on that, you know, after it happens.

Raised bed garden for $40

I built some raised garden beds this Saturday. 

• 5/8 x 6 x 6 ft Cedar fence boards:  $22
• 5/8 x 4 x 6 ft cedar fence boards:  $10
• 2 x 2 cedar deck rails:  $8

2014 General Conference

One of the perks of living so near Salt Lake City is that I occasionally get to attend our General Conference meetings live. Ok, so I think I’ve done this twice in the time I’ve lived here, but it’s always a cool experience.  This time I was invited to attend the General Women’s meeting by my friend Emily Carruth Fuller. She and I were on an artist’s tour of the Ensign magazine the day before with the Inspirational Art Association. By the way, that tour was awesome too. Did you know that they start prepping most issues of the Ensign six months in advance? Think about what that means in terms of finding artists, writers, and seasonal photography. Think about what it means when they have so scrap something right before publishing. It was inspiring to see all the preparation that goes into getting that publication ready to print.

Phoebe at 8 Months

8 months

The Quest for Mobility

I love that stage babies hit right when they are just getting mobile. Phoebe doesn't do a full out crawl yet, but she does  have a few moves. The favorites are the downward facing dog, the inch worm, and a one armed army crawl we like to call "the wounded soldier." Check it out!

Phoebe at 7 Months (with fuzzy cell phone pics)

Kitchen table, finally finished!

We’ve been without a kitchen table for quite some time now.  When we moved into our previous apartment, we underestimated the size of our sofa, and therefore didn’t have room for our dining table.  We’d been wanting to replace it for a while, and this was a good opportunity.  So we sold it, but then never bought a new one. When we moved into our new home, I decided I would build us a new table.  I started in November, but with the holidays, and a cranky baby, it took longer than anticipated.  So here are some photos of the process:

New Years Plancakes

On New Years day each year Colin and I sit down to make plans for the year to come. This year I got the idea I thought we might make it it a little more fun with an idea from my sister Kelly and turn out plans into plancakes. First of all, I love the pun-i-ness of plancakes, and secondly, I love the idea of kicking off the new year (especially if you have fitness goals) with a sugary delightful treat. It also pairs quite nicely with the first day of pajamuary (I think you can guess what that one is). Did I actually make pancakes this year? No. Definitely not. I. Am. A. Failure…

Phoebe at 6 months

We took this one earlier but forgot to post it.

Thinks she has been doing recently:

In The Bleak Mid-Winter

You can count on two things in winter: first,that they days will get shorter and shorter and second, my whining will get longer and longer.  If you ever wanted a fellow heat miser to commiserate with, ask a poet, apparently they’ve felt this way for a long time. They have called winter a Dirge (Burns), an Old Man (Frost) or my personal favorite, an imperial affliction sent us of the air (Dickenson).  This time of year, when the weather lays over us like a wet wool blanket, is always  a bit too still, a bit too dim, a bit too grey for my liking.  At New Years I love to reminisce and plan with what is always too much enthusiasm for the year to come, but somewhere mid-month things get sluggish and a melancholy funk sets in. Usually about time I will never get back, and the long road of work that is still ahead.

Christmas in Seattle

This year was our turn to do a west coast Christmas with Colin’s side of the family. Soon after we arrived we went to go see the Seattle Christmas Ships with Colin’s Grandma Ruth. For anyone not familiar with the Christmas ships, it’s basically the wet version of caroling. Grandma Ruth is lucky enough to live in a part of Seattle where there is an amazing birds eye view of the festival. We all bundled up and went out on the balcony to watch the ships.