Provo Gala {2011}

I am a lucky girl!  I was able to be a sponsor for the Provo Gift of Sight Gala this year.  The gala benefited Charity Vision, enabling underprivileged people to receive eye surgery at incredible costs.  This fabulous event included music, dancing, hors d'oeuvres, and even Santa and Mrs. Clause rockin' out with the guests.  And guests could even sit on Santa's lap!  (Mind you, all guests were adults!)  :)  What a great night.  If you didn't get a chance to go this year, you definitely need to check it out next year!  Here are just a few pictures from the night.  Check out even more on my Facebook page.

One of the items on the silent auction table.

Rockin' the night away!

Calie {Portraits}

Take a cute girl + an awesome orchard and this is what you get: a great photo shoot with a great girl!  I enjoyed trying out some new locations and I definitely enjoyed my time with Calie.  Thanks, Calie!

Dipos {Family Portraits}

This family was a fun family to shoot!  And since some of its members remind me of some of my own family members, I felt right at home.  Thanks for the fun photo shoot, guys!

This one is just too adorable.  I love his coy little smile.

These sisters are just too cute!  Their laughing and playing together is evidence of their awesome relationships with each other.  Makes me want sisters of my own!

I have an infestation! {Of Cherry Mice, That Is}

I love Christmas time!  For some reason, the season gives me a little extra boost to get in the kitchen and make fun treats.  My first cooking adventure of this year was Cherry Mice!  Aren't these little critters just adorable?

I don't know about you, but I don't particularly mind having an excess of these little guys running around my kitchen.  Want to know how the make 'em?  They're SO easy!

What you need:
Dipping chocolate
Maraschino cherries WITH the stems
Almond slices
Hershey kisses
Sugared eyes


Melt your dipping chocolate according to package instructions.  Lay out cherries on a paper towel and blot off the excess liquid.  Lay out some waxed paper to put your mice on.  (TIP: Unwrap your Hershey Kisses and have them ready to go BEFORE you dip any cherries.)  Dip the cherries in the chocolate and lay sideways on the waxed paper (so the stem becomes the tail).  Immediately attach a Hershey Kiss and then the almond ears while the chocolate is soft.  Using a toothpick, dab two small blobs of melted chocolate onto the kiss and place two sugared eyes on the blobs.  Let the chocolate set and you're ready to serve!  (Any remaining cherries that don't get eaten right away can be kept in the fridge for a few days.)

Amy {Maternity Portraits}

Can I just say that I love what I do?  This photo shoot was just a spur of the moment thing, and I absolutely love love LOVE the pictures!  Isn't this just one of the most beautiful pregnant women you've ever seen?  You gotta love that mama-to-be glow.  And what a perfect model.  She was a natural and so incredibly photogenic.  Thanks for letting me take your picture, Amy!

Aitkens {Family Portraits}

This was the second photo shoot I got to do with this amazing family, and this time we ventured up to the Utah State Hospital for pictures at what is commonly known as the "Provo Castle."  It's such a fun area and the building has such character.  Unfortunately, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees during our shoot so we were all freezing at the end of it; but they were smart and brought hot chocolate for after the session!  What a smart (and completely practical, by the way) idea.  


I'm so glad I had the opportunity to take more pictures of this little family.  The kids are just too cute!  (And you can see why when you look at their parents.)