My sweet two year old ....

 There are advantages to having a cute little two year old, and photography equipment. And oh yeah, knowing how to take an excellent photo.  So, with both of these photos it was completely impromptu.  The first one I had set up just to practice with my flash and using the backgrounds and where I should place the light.  She was in her pajamas still and I think she might have even had "stuff" on her face.  She's still stinking cute!   













This bottom one is from right after doing a newborn session for a friend.   Esther saw a piece of hard foam equipment that I had in the room and she moved it over and said, "Take a picture Mommy!"  she wanted me to, so who am I to say NO?   Right, so I worked with it.  Now I really want to take off and do more "studio" types especially during the cold months so I can keep busy.    So just remember if you want to schedule a session contact me and lets work something out.   (wendy@wlpmemories.com)

That smile!  It's kind of her "I'm a stinker, but know I'm cute" smile and I wouldn't have it any other way.    Here's to having a cute little two year old running around.

Friday Ramblings

So ....

It's a new year and all and we've been going crazy around here. 

This is a Friday so I want to get back to my Friday Ramblings posts that I used to do.


Christmas:  Went better than expected.  Why?  Well, I (Wendy) came down with some strain of the flu on Christmas Eve and slept in my bed all day.  The older kids tried to pawn the baby onto me, but I simply explained that I was too sick to do anything for her or any of them really.  So they took over and watched her until Chris came home around 12:30pm that day.   I realized that I was sick, had no energy and that whatever wasn't done would have to be done by someone else or just go on the wayside this year.  And pictures pretty much did.  I snapped a few but haven't really even seen what I got yet.   But come Christmas day, we still celebrated by opening presents but we did it much later than usual.  And ... the best part I got a Christmas nap -- and that NEVER happens.   Poor Ethan and Kaylee were also sick at that time too.  Luckily now, we're all doing much better and fairly healthy except for a few sniffles and random coughs here and there. Here's a picture of us from our ward Christmas party back in December

New Years:  We didn't do much, mainly because we were just over having been sick, and those whom we would have done something with had gotten some sick kids also.   However, we did have our niece Ashley over and she spent the night and I think Kaylee and Katherine really enjoyed their time with her.  They watched (and Chris and I bombed the party)  Snow White and the Huntsman from Redbox, and then they just do what teen girls do ... talk a lot, giggle, play some games, not get any sleep, and actually wake up earlier then they ever do normally the next morning.   It's a new year, and I've set out to make some more improvements.  

Photography:   LOVE IT!!  I've had the chance to do some photo shoots over the last several months, and I'm hooked again!!  NOt that I ever became unhooked, but being preggo and having a newborn baby to care for for the last little while kind of put me in the "slow down" and do nothing with photography mode.   I have done a lot of newborn sessions and one from just last Saturday that I really enjoyed ...

To view more from this session or any other pictures I've taken please visit my photography blog.

So I finally decided on a name to go with for my 'business'... Wendy Lynn Photography.   I'm hoping to really get up and going (meaning making some $$ ) come Spring and through to next Fall.   Here's a link to my photography blog ....  It's definitely been a journey, but one that I've enjoyed.  I've also decided that I want to do a High School Senior Rep program starting this spring also.  And you can read all about that here.    So please keep me in mind when you find yourself needing photos taken.   Newborns, children, High School Seniors, and I'd like to venture into doing more couples pictures like engagements.   I know a little plug for my photography work, but it's something I really enjoy and is almost like an addiction, but a good one.  *wink*

SCHOOL:   We have been at a new school for this school year and the children have settled in quite nicely.  There is still homework which is good, but the load isn't as heavy as it was.   And that has relieved a lot of stress form the child it was really affecting.  Katherine tried out for the intermediate ballroom dance team at her middle school and made it for this next semester.  However, currently we're working on her schedule to see if we can fit that class in, but so far no luck.    Kaylee has been in band and is picking up on the clarinet so quickly.  We love to listen to hear practice.   And the other kids are adapting just as well. 

No Cable:  We've been almost a year without cable, and it's been NICE.  I do miss it sometimes but only sometimes.   We didn't have the kids whining to us about "I want this, I want that and have these lists for Christmas that are insanely loaded down with all this JUNK.  We've been working on trying to get the house more tidied up and looking good all the time.  (And I say this as my house looks a bit of wreck)  
The kids have really picked up on reading and of all the things that Chris thought his kids would need an intervention with when he was younger, he never thought he'd have to tell them to quit reading.  We have one kid that will stay up late into the night reading.      So we are making frequent visits to the library to make sure that these kiddos have fresh new material to read. 


And finally our HOUSE:  This place was perfect for us nearly 12 years ago when we bought it.  We had just two little girls who were nearly one and nearly two and had only planned on being here maybe 5 years. You know just until Chris was done with school.  Well guess what?   It's not so perfect for us anymore and we won't be in a place financially to upgrade for a few more years.  So if you really and truly thing we're needing it NOW.  I agree.    Since we've moved in we have added 4 more children and the children don't stay little for some reason, they get bigger and thus their space needs become a little bigger too.   So, if you'd like to see us upgrade sooner rather than later, please pray for us, or .... throw some business my way.  (Remember up above where I am hoping to make some money this year)  that's the business I'm talking about.  Spread the word --- PLEASE!    The sooner we can save up for a down payment the sooner we can upgrade our living situation.  We have a 3 bedroom, one bath home with just under 1200 square feet.  We're feeling just a bit REALLY cramped.   

Look who's a year already!

I can hardly believe she's already 1! 

I decided to do an unplanned photo shoot with her this morning that

lasted for about 10 minutes.  And I finally feel like I have a keeper image! 

I wish she would have one of those all out smiles, but she's still

cute like this. 

Maybe next time!

I love this little girl! 

Ka'aumoana Family

Just this morning, I met up with the Ka'aumoana  family, and had lots of fun in the COLD.  Even being cold they had great smiles.  This family is the third of four familes that I am photographing as part of a casting call.  So here's a sampling of what thier session turned out like. 

Wordy Wednesday Nov. 10

Just this last Friday evening, and Sunday morning we made attempts to take our family pictures.  Yours truly operated the camera.  So for being done using the timer, and not being able to stand behind the camera the whole time... I think for the most part we got some decent pictures.  Of course we might have or might not have spent lots of time with our children telling them to cooperate, which might have or might not have been met with much resistance.  But eventually things worked themselves out .... and we got a few here's a sneak peek.  I've also had lots of photo shoots going on lately.   It seriously is so much FUN!!!

Chris wanted to do do a picture with "Daddy and his kidlets"  So I took one for him, and this is one of my favorite pictures!! 

A little update.

So much has been going on lately... but I have a few minutes so I want to update the blog.

Ethan started preschool with a neighborhood friend. He screamed and cried the first 10 minutes the first week, and then today when I took him he said, " Mom, I'm not gonna cry". And guess what... he walked right in and never cried! It was a completely different story today then it was last time.

This last weekend Chris and I were fortunate enough to do a double date with an old roommate of mine and her husband. We met at Souper Salad up in ..wherever that place is, and had a nice time catching up. ( I love Souper salad by the way and there isn't one down here in Utah County where I live)

Afterward, we headed back to their place, and watched the new Karate Kid with Jackie Chan - It was a cute movie ... but man I can't believe they would have a kid with an on screen kiss who's like 12!! Oh my gosh... it was crazy.

But we had lots of fun, and were definitely in need of it.

I've been busy like crazy trying to get people willing to let me take pictures of them just so I can get some "practice" time in. But I've managed to get four families of varying sizes to agree to let me put them through that kind of torture! But it's okay I'm expecting a new lens and want time to practice using it.

I'm still working on the yearbook this year... and then I'm FINISHED with it. No more ever again. Too many people like to complain, and then we get too many people trying to get us pictures that "STINK" and don't look very good, so it isn't helpful at all.

This year, we're venturing away from doing the Lifetouch way of doing yearbooks, and preparing them on our own using Photoshop and such programs. Really, I don't think it'll be that hard, except when others try to tell you how to do it, when they themselves don't have any experience doing such a thing. Besides, if I have to get volunteer hours in at the school every year, I'd much rather spend it, doing something I enjoy ...such as coaching sports !! I've agreed to do this again next year, so that hopefully the team will actually have a schedule and be a part of the league. Oh well, about another week and half left with this, and then Volleyball will be over. So I need to make sure that a picture gets taken of the team before much longer.

Can we say Team picture Tuesday or Wednesday??? Yeah, one of those might work.

But the more I'm involved with the school, the more I feel like I'm doing something good!!

Anyway... here's a sample of the High School Senior that I did a few weeks ago... I'm looking for a few more so if you live near Utah County in Utah.. and know someone who wants a relatively cheap session... just the cost of prints, give me a call or send me an email.

I'm having lots of fun!!  Developing my talents.  

Hear Ye. Hear Ye....

Just trying to get a few cute "costume" sessions in !!  These are always so fun, and way cute!! 

Contact me NOW, to reserve your spot.  This will be somewhere near Provo/Orem Utah location. Hey, I'll let adults be the subjects also.  So it doesn't have to be just kids!!  Spread the word!!

Email :  wizzardmom@gmail.com    

A Sneek Peek of Celeste

I'm having so much fun photographing these sweet babies that are only days or weeks old.  I just

can't help but think that they just came down from Heavenly Father.....

They are so sweet and precious and yes they CRY, and need to be FED, and get TIRED so they

SLEEP, and after they are FED they POOP, and they CRY some more,  All just facts of life,

but they are all part of these little babies.  They have dry flaky skin, splotchy red faces, sometimes they

are bruised and alien looking... but one thing I can't ever forget is how SPECIAL they are.

And the other thing I can't forget is the awesome families that these little children are born into.  People who

love them, and care for them and always want what's best for them.  So without further random life talk ...

HERE IS CELESTE she is two weeks old, and definitely a beauty!!

My future Major Leaguer...

For the last several weeks we've had fun watching T-man play tee-ball.  He's had great coaches

and has had a team full of kids that have really come along the last several weeks.  Matter of fact, my son was standing in the "pitcher's" spot, and the kids are asked to get the ball after it's hit and throw it back to the "pitcher" who then throws it into the catcher who then places the ball onto the Tee. Well the ball was hit toward 1st base and then the boy playing first picked up the ball and threw it to Thomas.  Thomas held out his gloved hand and CAUGHT the ball being thrown at him by someone other than his Dad.  It was so cute to watch and all the onlookers saw him catch the ball and he got lots of cheers!!  I think him catching the ball surprised him big time!! Right after Thomas caught the ball he brought his gloved hand down, and looked over at us had a HUGE smile plastered on his face, and then with his right hand he gave us a thumbs up!!  Needless to say the boy was ELATED for the rest of the time.  It was fun watching him.  He is getting better at catching since he's been getting extra practice in with his Dad nearly every week.  So we told him we would do a Photo shoot with him so we could get his own "trading cards" printed and these were some of the shots we captured last Saturday.  We'll do some more this coming Wednesday so we can get him with his Yellow Jersey side on.  So he's now down to two games left and that leaves us with providing snacks on Wednesday nights game. 

Meet DJ

Have I told you lately how much I love BABIES!!! Oh boy, this one was really fun to take photos of.

Okay here's a sneak peek at this new little boy. He was born on the 5th of June and is so darn cute. Swing on by Cream of the Crop Photography to see more on him.

A sneak peek ...

I can't resist... but I wanted to share a picture or two of the little darling girl that I took pictures of today.

I'm having so much fun!!! So this is what I've been busy doing lately. Be sure and swing by Cream of the Crop Photography and Design and take a look at some of the other stuff. If you like what you see, let me know. And if you have suggestions... I'll accept that too.

Baby Emmeline

This was my first "official/unofficial" photo shoot!  I was way excited, and more than happy that my friend agreed to let me "harass" her baby!!   Definitely a learning experience, and one that I'd like to experience a few more times.  So if you wonder why I haven't been blogging on her regularly... well, I got my new DSLR camera for my birthday about a month ago, and have the desire now, to try and learn all that I can and try to develop a business with this in the not to far future.   I have a blog over at  www.creamofthecropdesigns.wordpress.com that has some more photography samples.  Plus in a few more days I'll add some more cute baby pictures like these for your viewing pleasure.   So seriously ... let me know what you like or don't like.   ♥  ♥