new backdrops... yeah

I'm going to apologize in advance... these aren't the sharpest images... but they are cute. I had too much fun playing around then my battery died... darn battery. Can you believe Larkyn in 7 months old!?! Whoa how time flies!

So Amy and I went and got backdrops yesterday... yipee!  I am so excited for this year.  Now I just need that darn lens...  Let me know if you are intereted in having you pictures done.  I have pretty competitive prices and some great incentives. 

chicken alfredo pasta

This is actually a recipe I got from my sister in law {Jen} and then I have added all my little quirks to it...  Enjoy!

all you need:

10-12 oz of pasta {approx}

2 chicken breasts

1-2 mushroom caps {I buy the pack of already cut mushrooms at the store}

1 1/3 cup whipping cream

2/3 cup milk

1/3 cup butter {i use a lot less... that is what the recipe called for}

1/4 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp salt {again this is what the recipe calls for... I add minced garlic, probably 1/2 tsp more black pepper & oregano, and then my secret weapon... creole seasoning.  WE LOVE FLAVOR IN OUR HOUSE!! =) }

2/3 cup shredded parmeasan

ok now:

-boil pasta

-I boil the chicken, but however you want to cook it... have at it then I shred the chicken and add some pepper too it. 

-sautee mushrooms in a little butter or olive oil {ok... more Haylie here...  I add minced garlic to the mushrooms here and some black pepper}

-mix the cream, milk, and butter in skillet... add oregano, garlic, pepper, salt and my secret weapon creole seasoning

-Bring to boil and then simmer until sauce has thickened.  Stir in your cheese, mushroom, chicken and pasta!

Voila!  Now you have a dinner in approx 20-25 min and it should serve 4 adults.  Logan eats alot so in our house its more like 3 adults!

p.s. people... I dont claim to be a master chef or anything of that nature.. this is good food to us so don't hate me if its not your fav.  also... the lighting in my house really bites... so again the photo isnt very nice.  - thats all!!  =)

shoot for the stars...

For 2010 I have decided to push my photography skills and learn more about my camera, photoshop, lighting... the whole works.  I have been studying a lot the past couple weeks.  When I say studying I mean... going back to the super basics!!  Its been so long since I actually worked to capture an image so I decided that a refresher course would be the perfect cup of tea {getting to know your camera 101} ... I am super excited for this year! 

Here's a couple shots I got of Larkyn... My lens isn't the best so my shutter speed was way slow and my aperature was too high...  Hopefully I'll be able to buy a nice lens soon!  Both pics were taken with natural light in my living room.  I played up the blues in the first one... and it looks like I had a backdrop =)  AND I shot these in RAW and looky looky I finally figured out my photoshop & bridge {it really helps when you acutally download the updates}   

I am super excited for my upcoming shoots and if you know anyone who is interested let me know.  I will soon have a small studio and I will always always shoot outdoors!  I love natural light!!  I am going to look for backdrops tomorrow with my friend Amy... wish us luck!! 

p.s. these pics were of Larkyn's first scratch...  LOL!!  I had to take a pic!

Here's to...

Wow... 2009 was a year to remember!  Life gave us the greatest joys and the greatest stresses at the same time.  Don't get me wrong... I love Larkyn, I love being a stay at home mom, I love my husband who lets me do pretty much whatever I desire {which is a little bit of everything}, I love everything & everyone I have in my life.  I'd say that 2009 was the most humbling year that we have ever had as a family.  I have had to learn to put others first {which I haven't done in a long time}, I have learned to have faith that things will work out, I have learned that hard work is the only way out, I have cried more than ever, I have learned what true love is, I have swallowed my pride and accepted help, I have learned what it means to be a true friend, I have gained 60 pounds and only lost 50,  I hope that everything we have learned as a family stays with us. 

So here's to...
Being a GREAT wife & AMAZING mother
Getting out of Debt
Being a better Friend, Daughter, Sister
Owning a SUCCESSFUL photography business
Designing clothing & putting myself out there
Cooking more from scratch
Working harder to be healthier
Running more races
Expanding our family {hopefully}
Learning how to build frames and other home decor
Setting the best example I possibly can
Serving those around me
Getting to know my neighborhood better

2010 is going to be a great year!  I will be expanding my photography business, so please watch for all my promo's, its gonna be fun, crisp, beautiful and colorful!, my friend and I are going to be pushing our childrens clothing and accessories, and I want to try to share more of  my cooking, cleaning, spiritual, beauty, and health tips... so if anyone has anything they want me to touch on let me know! 

Here's to becoming a woman extraordinaire!!

Faces of Larkyn...

The other day I decided to play around with my camera {its been a long time}...  seriously I think I have been given a daughter that will not smile for me!!  What is up with that??  How I am supposed to practice getting great shots when I end up with a booboo lip and popeye??  :)

Merry Christmas

It's that time of year again... when all the madness and shopping begins.   It's Christmas!  This year Logan and I are not buying Christmas gifts, we didn't even put up a tree.  This was brought on by a number of things {that I will not bore you with} but I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and for the growth that we have had as a family. 

We have had a great December, for the most part, and we have been able to focus more on Christmas and the true meaning behind this wonderful holiday.  We haven't been stressed out about what to buy each other or other family members, we haven't nearly killed each other, and the time that would be spent shopping our hearts out is going toward better causes. 

This year we have been focusing more on our Savior's birth and the life He lived.  This man known as Jesus gave every second of his life to others.  Not only did He serve others, but He did this with a smile on His face and with pure love. 

At the Christmas Devotional given by the 1st Presidency, President Monson urged us to take a step back, relax, and remember. 

Every year we always get caught up in this Holiday, and the true meaning of Christmas almost seemed forgotten in our home {well to me anyway}.   It has always been fun to get showered with gifts and to spoil other family as well, but it's been fun to bring back the spirit of Christmas to our home.  It's been a relief not be be apart of the hustle and bustle this year.  I hope that Logan and I will always remember the things that we are going through and I hope that we will be able to look back and reflect on the things that we have learned.  I hope that we will be able to teach our children the importance of Christmas and about our Savior's birth, life, and legacy.  I hope that giving our time and talents will be the most important thing to our family for years to come. 

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Larkyn - 6 months!

I can't believe my baby girl is 6 months old.... Mindy Young Photography took these adorable pictures and there are too many to just pick one! Mindy does such a great job and she was marvelous with Larkyn.

I love my little chub a lub so much.  She is so stinkin' cute.  So far she can... 

Sit on her own, laugh, squeel, dance (wigglin' her head and shoulders), sing in the car, splash in the tub, eat food and some how manage to get it up her nose, tries to wave, says ma ma ma, da da da, ba ba, and lots of other ooh's, she can blow raspberries (I think that's what they are called), she loves her jumper, the BYU chant with dad :) , drool everywhere, smiles at everyone, and the best of all gives hugs and kisses (tries anyway ;) ). 

I will never forget the overwhelming feeling I had when the doctor placed her in my arms 6 months ago.  She is such an angel and brings so much happiness and love into our family.  She is my sunshine on a dark day.  We are so lucky to have her sweet personality in our home! 

The Hot Tamale

So we are going to be selling our red car... aka the Hot Tamale.  This is a sad departure for me since this is the car I bought in high school.... so many memories.  LOL. 

It is a 99 Pontiac Sunfire and it is in decent condition.  We are asking $700 (o.b.o.).  If you know of anyone that is interested please let me know or feel free to stop by.  I can be reached at 801.390.2288 or Logan (probably the better person to call about the car) 801.358.4550.

Tootles! 

Haylie Lyn Photography

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five years

This past Friday, Logan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!  WooHoo.  I feel like we have accomplished so much and grown more than I ever thought possible.  We went to dinner to celebrate (I know super exciting ha!) and we were talking about everything we have done, bought, learned, loved, and given.  We never in our wildest dreams would have pictured our life the way it has been!  Logan said that he thought we would have had more that one child by now (where was he when I wanted to have kids??  LOL)  We have been through many many challenges and I am sure we will have many more. 

I am so thankful that Logan took me to the temple to be sealed for all eternity.  He is my knight in shining armor.  I love him more today than I did that beautiful day 5 years ago.  I wouldn't be who I am without Logan and I wouldn't have learned all that I have.  Logan is the most forgiving person that I know... and for that I am extremely grateful.  I have made so many mistakes, but he always sees the bigger and better picture.   Logan always makes me feel beautiful inside and out.  I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband!