Photography practice

One day, I started looking at the new Nikon camera, the D300. I shouldn't have. I have owned my D70 for four years now and have absolutely loved it. I didn't think I needed anything better until I looked. Shouldn't have looked. Shouldn't have looked. My brain started obsessing over how I could get it. Sell my first born, sell some stock, sell my camera. Well, I did two out of those three and now own the amazing D300. This camera is leagues above my other one. Technology has come so far. I need to spend a lot of quality time with it and learn all the ins and outs.

This morning I did just that. I took Preston and Paige out to some wheat fields just West of us for a photo shoot. Preston wasn't fond of the sticky, poky things, so it didn't last long. Still, I got some pretty cute shots.




After the field, we headed over to the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. Great place for photos and best of all-it's free! We walked all around. The kids liked the stepping stones. I got Paige to sit in front of this rose bush for this picture. I am loving the new camera. I had a few glitches that I have to figure out. I look forward to spending lots of quality time with it! Preston was ready to go to receive the promised bribe- lunch at McDonald's complete with a Kungfu Panda happy meal toy.







She looks like an angel here.

Greg rides away a wake roll

We had a wonderful Father's Day weekend at the Lake. We headed to Utah Lake at 8 am and didn't get home until 5. We skiied all morning with a friend that taught Greg to ski 4 years ago. Greg has been working on wake rolls. He is finally getting the timing. The kids loved being on the boat and playing in the water. I was swimming with Paige and put her back on the boat. A few minutes later, I heard a splash and saw a foot sticking out of the water. Paige had jumped right off the boat! This girl loves the water. I am continuing to work on jumps. I got some pretty good air yesterday.

Paige rides her bike

Paige has learned to pedal all by herself. I am so proud of her!

I'm Riding My Bike!

Preston hasn't had any interest in learning to ride his bike. Greg found this handle that attaches to the back. The first day we put it on, I got him to go around the whole block while I pushed him. He said "Mommy, I rode my bike and I wasn't even scared!" I think he worried about falling over.

Today, we went for a ride. I pushed Paige on her bike and Greg helped Preston. He pedaled down our whole street on his own. I was so proud of him. Paige decided to help him out.

Paige doesn't want any help washing her hands after going potty. She climbs up on the counter and gets soap everywhere, then gets excited when she sees bubbles in the sink.

Potty Time

Paige decided it's time to start using the potty. I was vacuuming last week and looked up to see her diaper sitting on my bathroom counter. I went looking for her and found her here on her potty. I decided to give it a try on Wednesday and haven't changed a poopy in 3 days. Not bad. I don't know if she is really doing it, but so far so good. She has peed a few times, including on the leather couch. I don't know if I'm ready for it, but she appears to be so we'll give it a go. Way to go Paigey!

Willard Bay

We went to Willard Bay on Saturday with some friends that sky ski. This was my first time there and the lake is huge. It is fairly shallow like Utah Lake. The wind was blowing pretty bad, but we ventured out anyway. We drove over to the the other side of the lake and the wind died down. The best part for me was that I got out for the first time this season. It felt so great to get out again. I was worried about riding Greg's vamped up ski, but it was so smooth. I started practicing my jumps again.









The weather wasn't ideal, but a day on the boat is better than any day at work. Paige and Preston bundled up.


























Greg is putting the case on his foil. We had three sky ski's on that boat! It was a little crazy. Scott is in his 50's and working on his back flips. Jeremy is working on front flips. Greg is trying to get more air on his back flips and working on wake rolls. He did several rolls on this trip out. When can we go again?!!! I have to work this weekend and we are supposed to be in the 80's. Why does it always work that way?

Happy Birthday Paige!

Paige turned 2 yesterday! She was so cute. I love this picture of her
with her present from Preston. That is the classic Paigey face.
I had to work all day, so we had a party when I got home. Grandma and Grandpa Nielson came as well as Great Grandma and Grandpa Crockett



I made an Oreo ice cream pie instead of cake. It was so easy and much cheaper than buying one. I used plain vanilla ice cream, added cut up oreo's, put it in an oreo pie crust and froze it. I froze the candle right in with it. She blew and blew and finally got the candle out.




This is my favorite picture of the night. She has her princess jewelry on and she's playing with her new baby. I love how her head is cocked to one side. Later, she was holding the little baby and singing to her.












Paige is so excited to have her own bike! I know she is kind of young but she is so active. She jumped right on. It will take awhile to figure out the pedals. Happy Birthday my sweet girl!