Photography

Matt got me and SLR camera for Christmas 3 years ago and I FINALLY learned how to use it on manual. I found a photography class at UVU that is part of their Continuing Education. It was a lot of fun and I actually understand my camera now and it is so nice. I actually can't believe it took me so long to take a class to learn about it. I had no idea how much goes in to photography. I have practiced on Carter a bit, so these pictures are some that I've taken since starting the class.

Carter of course doesn't sit still for more than 2 seconds, but was able to catch a few good pictures.

I thought this flower was really pretty.

Those are just a few pictures I have taken. If anyone wants any pictures I would gladly practice on you for free.

Girls Weekend in St. George

In August the girls in my family went on a girls trip to St. George. We do it about every year and we also go watch a play and the Tuacahn Theater. There is usually lots of shopping involved too. This year was smaller than the other years. Some of my sis-in-laws couldn't make it and I sure missed them.

Mary, Sabrina, me and Emily getting ready to watch Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn.

This picture made me laugh...it sure shows our excitement to watch the play.

Sabrina, me and my cousin Bailey. Her and her mom came with us this year and it was a lot of fun having them there.

The next morning we went to Kneaders for breakfast. It was delicious as always. After we ate we headed up TJ Max and the outlet malls. After that we went and got some ice cream and then headed back to the condo. The next morning we went hot tubbing and then packed up and headed home. It was such a nice getaway with the ladies.

Thanksgiving Point

In July my sister, Sabrina, came with her husband and girls for a visit. While they were here we went to Thanksgiving Point Farm. Their girls and Carter loved seeing all of the different animals.

The had an area for kids to go play and see what they do on a farm. They had fun playing with all of the crops on the tractor.

Afton, Carter and Sadie waiting for their turn to ride on the pony.

Carter wasn't sure what he thought of the pony. He thought it was fun, but was kind of scared to be on it. He's afraid of most animals since they are so big, so it made him a bit nervous.

My sister, Sabrina, and I.

We also went on a carriage ride and all of the kids really liked that.

Matt, Carter and I on the carriage ride. I'm so glad that we were able to spend some time with Sabrina and her family before they had to head back to Vegas.

Porter November 30, 2012- July 5, 2013

I'm not really sure where to even start. Porter was born a healthy baby. We did find out at his 4 month doctor checkup that he was born with glaucoma in both eyes. We had the best surgeon in Utah, Dr. Norman Zabriskie, perform the surgery to fix Porter's eyes. Everything went well with the surgery and he was able to see just fine and he healed quickly. Other than the glaucoma he was a healthy, happy baby. On June 17, I drove to Vegas with Carter, Porter and my sister-in-law to visit my sister, Sabrina, and my brother, Steve. On June 19, Porter got a fever that we couldn't get down. That evening I went to change his diaper but it was completely dry. I was having a hard time getting him to nurse and knew he was dehydrated so I decided to run him to the emergency room. My husband's little sister came with me. The doctor checked Porter and he said that it looked like he was lethargic and had a double ear infection. He believed we would be able to go home by the end of the day. This was at 1:30 AM. Since Centennial Hospital isn't a pediatric hospital he decided to have us transferred to Summerlin Hospital just to keep an eye on him. While we were at Summerlin Porter started to have a seizure. The doctor didn't expect this and decided to do a spinal tap on him. While they were doing that the doctor told Emily and me to go get some breakfast. When we went back to go see if they were done with Porter a lady (I'm not sure what she was a social worker, a nurse?? I'm not really sure and I didn't care at that moment) told me that Porter had turned blue on the table. They said he had an infection in his blood and his body was in septic shock. He was then admitted to the PICU. That's when we were told that he might not make it. He made it through that day/night. But when I talked to the doctor that next morning he said Porter's kidneys look like they may shut down and that he felt more comfortable to have him taken to UMC (University Medical Center). We got him transferred and the doctors there said his body wasn't handling one of the antibiotics very well and that's why his kidneys weren't functioning as they should. After a couple days he was stable it looked like he was doing better and that he would make it. After being at UMC for 12 days and not seeing him improve they decided to do a CT scan. When we got the results back...it didn't look good at all. He brain continued to bleed even though the rest of his body was healing. They said he will probably pass away at any moment. Porter passed away at 12:01 on July 5, 2012. We sure miss him like crazy, but find comfort that we will get to see him again someday.