Play Date!

Kase and I had our weekly play date yesterday while Storm Cloud ran some errands. We went to the Fun Park first where Kase won the 1,000 ticket jackpot on the fish game. (The most you can earn at one time at the Fun Park) The same thing happened a few months ago when we went. I swear.... He's the luckiest kid. I need to take him to Vegas! Haha. So we had to figure out what to spend 1,000 tickets on. We got a bunch of fun, random stuff which included this over sized tennis ball. We had so much fun playing with it. I'm so blessed to have Stormi and Kaserman live in Logan. I love getting to see them all the time!

days off.

What does Sami Jo Shurtleff do with her 2nd day off in 3 weeks....She sleeps in until ten and eats breakfast in bed. Awww yessss!

happy birthday storm cloud!

SURPRISE!


We had a surprise birthday party for Stormi on Friday! We had so much fun hiding and plotting how we were going to surprise her when she walked in. We decided on having the lights off, Megan and Mom hiding in the hall, and Mikey hiding on our back porch, and Ryan watching TV. Haha. It was so fun and Katlin Storm was very surprised! Success!! We played apples to apples, ate treats, pizza, and yummy Root Beer Floats!

blissssss!

So happy. So happy to finally be able to do what I love. Things are getting busier and busier with photography and I finally feel like I'm progressing and getting better, and finally on the road to where I want to be. I had my first shoot with my new camera tonight and it turned out so well! Check it out at samijophotography.blogspot.com. I have 4 weddings, 3 bridal sessions, 2 engagement sessions, and 2 family sessions these next 3 months. (and hopefully more..haha) I'm so ecstatic!! I've had so much support from my family and Ryan. I feel so blessed.

"Believe it or not, someone once said to me ” I can’t believe people pay all that money for pictures of themselves” Moving past the giant insult to my career and personhood, it got me thinking. People invest in photography to remember life at its best. Life the way it is right now; today. Because it will never be this way again. Styles come and go, and no matter how cheesy some of those photos are, I’m still humbled that they can look at those photos to remember life the way it was. "

I stumbled upon this quote from one of my favorite wedding photographers Josh McCullock. (http://blog.joshmccullock.com/)

Way to be Josh.

missing them.

currently. .

Currently. .

eating. . .a turkey sammich. numms!

reading. . the help. thank you mandi. i'm so head over heels in love with this book. READ IT!

watching. . .modern family, the food network, ellen, jazz games, and i'm planning to watch the documentary "babies" tonight on netflix.

listening to. . .country music. blaring in my car always. it makes me feel like it's summer.

smelling. . .blueberry cheesecake scentsy.

dreaming of. . .being a successful photographer, dancing, april 28th (austin trip), my family being happy, decorating my house how i want, and kobe bryant breaking one of his ankles.

anticipating. . .i will say it again... AUSTIN!!!!! i miss my sweeties clay, jodie, and hallie mae. they miss me too.

loving. . .being married. i am so grateful for ryan. my love for him is through the roooof!, the unique beauty in everyone i see, art, laughing, having a healthy body and mind, and being able to come home to a warm house every night.

creating. . .images.

appreciating. . that ryan and i both have jobs.

learning. . . to do the splits again, fouettes.. etc. yikes.

celebrating. . .storm cloud turns 21! on the 27th! cupcake party!

(got this idea from thecountrychronicles.blogspot.com BEST BLOG EVER!) because sadly, I can't think of what to blog about by myself. haha.

eyes on fire.

This is why I love dance. If only I was as amazing as she is. So beautiful. I saw this routine about over a year ago and still think about how amazing it is! Haha!

just dance.

I dance everyday in our living room. Sometimes for Ryan, but most of the time by myself. I have such a passion for dancing, and I miss performing so much. I love expressing myself through dance. I was on the dance team in high school and haven't performed since. I've been looking for a dance class for a few months that works for me. I finally found one! It works with my crazy schedule and also fits in my price range. It's a Spring time miracle! It's located in this little dance studio downtown Logan. It's a Jazz/Hip Hop class! We even do performances at random events around Cache Valley. I can't wait to start my first class on Tuesday!

:)

see photo blog for Vegas pics. :)



Take a button while you're at it. . :)

Our Last Day!

We went hiking in 70 degree weather. It was SO NICE! Today is our last day in Vegas. I'm going to try to soak up as much warmth as I can! I will make a big post with lots of fun pictures later this week! Have a good day.
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VEGAS!

Off to Vegas for a few days. We are excited for our first "road trip" together and so excited to be with the McQuivey's! We are looking forward to sunshine, good food, and relaxing. This has been a very long and rough week. I don't think I've ever needed a break this badly. Have a good weekend!

I read this quote tonight, thought I would share it. I love Anne Frank!

"...I've found that there is always some beauty left - in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you."

day 30!!

Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today & three good things that have happened in the past.

Oh my achin' rear! The last day of the 30 day challenge. It only took me 2 months to do it! I am proud of myself though. Go me! Haha.

So my day in a pistachio nut shell. In case you are interested.
I've had a good day. . After my 10 hour work day, (that started at 5am. .YIKES) I sent Tony and Ryan off to SLC for the Real Soccer game. . I then picked up Kaserman for our Auntie/Nephew date which consisted of the usual. .. . ya know. . bowling, arcade games, and the pee infested jungle gym..so fun!, seriously. . I have so much fun with that little champ. Then a yummy dinner at Katlins, and lastly grocery shopping! I am now finally home relaxing watching Cupcake Wars, and snuggling in my lovely cowl scarf my sweetie friend Ali knitted for me. Awww life is good. The End.

Enjoy my "selfy" Don't you love my cowl? It's so comfy cute!

I will try to leave out the obvious good things that have happened in my life like getting married and yada yada yada... . . I will try to be a little creative.
Good thing #1- I was lucky enough to grow up in the country. It's such a big part of who I am. I'm so proud to be a small town Wyoming girl. Call me a hick, I will always take it as a compliment.
Good thing #2-I recently got a message on facebook from a girl I went to elementary with. She thanked me for always being nice to her and noticing her when no one else really did. I've always tried to help and love people as much as I can, so knowing that I at least helped one person in the past makes me so happy. Thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me to love.
Good thing #3-Working in the Social Work field. Working with people with disabilities and now with teens with eating disorders has been such a blessing for me. I've met so many amazing people and I have learned so much from all the clients I have worked with.

The End.

I will try to keep this blogging business up! It's pretty fun actually.
Happy March!