2 Nieces

I (Julie) have many nieces. Let’s count…1,2,3,4,5,6. Yep, 6. They’re all so much fun and I love them all a lot. Here are two of them, Sarah and Brianna.

 

Rob and I were setting up the lighting for my brother’s wedding and asked these two to step in as models. They were happy to oblige and so cute!

 

Family can see a few more shots of Sarah and Brianna here.

Rob: The Master

In honor of Rob being gone for the next few days hiking King’s Peak, I’m posting his graduation pictures taken…uh…almost 3 months ago.

He finished the work for his Master of Science in Engineering degree last August, but commencement wasn’t until May. Man, can I just say how BLESSED we are to have him done?! It’s a long, long, road. I remember sitting with him on the floor of his parent’s house before we were married planning this educational road. 5 years? 5 YEARS?! Well, 6 years, 2 kids, and thousands (and thousands) of dollars later, he did it.

Next up, his Professional Engineering Certification next spring.

Rob has been working for URS in Murray for a couple of years now and loves it. He is a staff geotechnical engineer and specializes in seismicity. He loves the work and he loves the people. We’re very grateful for the stability and ethic this company employs.

I’m very proud of Rob for working incredibly hard. He’s a smart cookie and I’m happy that he is able to have a career that fulfills him, stretches him, and makes him happy.

Congrats, Rob! I love you!

You can see a few more pictures of Rob’s big day here.

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Ugh. This is a hard post. But in keeping with the precedence I’ve (Julie) set to write some memories for each of my siblings’ birthdays, here I go.

Brian would be turning 33 today. I have many great memories together and I’ve already posted quite a few. I’m (still) in the process of writing down each and every memory I have with my big brother. It’s been long and arduous, but I’m getting closer. I’m hoping to have everything written down in the next couple of months. Then I have hopes of turning all those random thoughts into some sort of readable memoir.

So with that in mind, I’m not going to write anything specific today. It’s already been a downer of a week and I don’t want to make it worse. But I love Brian very much. I think about him and miss him quite often. I send my love and prayers to all my family members and other loved ones who may be having a difficult day, too.

The Happiness of Women Declining?

I (Julie) was reading the paper a couple of weeks ago (yes, I’m 80 years old) and came across an article regarding a large study on the happiness of women. Keep in mind that the data was taken from a cross-section of ethnic and socioeconomic groups in several industrialized countries. This study showed (among other things) that women’s happiness has declined steadily since the 1970’s. Huh. Interesting.

There are many theories presented as to the reason for this, including:

• Woman “prefer egalitarian, low-risk societies” that went out during the Reagan era”;
• Overscheduling and overparenting;
• A cultural obsession with physical appearance;
• The feeling of inadequacy for not “having it all.” “If the women’s movement raised women’s expectations faster than society was able to meet them, they would be more likely to be disappointed by their actual experienced lives.”;
• The demands of working mothers, particularly single mothers. Going on to say that the “de-stigmatization of single motherhood threatens the interests and happiness of women.”

I might add a couple of my own theories, including:

• More widespread and greater sin;
• Along with “having it all”, DOING it all and BEING it all.
• Most of the previous theories come with the heavy burden of debt;
• Selfishness. The “ME” syndrome.

Now, I suffer from all of these theories on a regular basis, as I can only assume most of you do also. I think we tend to hide it pretty well, though…at least the breadth and depth of it.

Some of my problems or stresses are situational, a larger portion of it is my personality, but the greatest portion of it is my attitude. I don’t like it when Rob says “you just need to change your attitude” but it’s absolutely true. I’d rather change it myself than be compelled to do so from some catastrophic event or something (gee, that’s a good reason, huh?).

I guess the point is…well…I’m not sure I have a point. It’s not like I’m an expert or anything. But I am a woman and a mother at that. It’s hard. Most days are both mind-numbingly boring and overwhelmingly grueling all at once. But like I said, I probably just need an attitude adjustment. After all, my husband and kids are the best things that have ever happened to me. And there are bursts of ultra-shining moments I wouldn’t give up for the world.  I love my family dearly and hope to get this whole thing figured out someday (I said “hopefully” but it’s not likely).

**Did I expose myself too much in this post??** I like to think of it as honest and although I’m pretty sure other women can totally relate, especially given the data, I’m sorry if you do (even if it does make me feel a little better ;).

Some Quick Notes

• I had some interest in the address for Le Nonne. It’s 129 N. 100 E. in Logan.

 

• Another funny potty story (sorry). We were out and Nate had to use the bathroom but he hates the loud public toilets. So he said, “Mom, I’m going to cover my ears and you can hold my pee pee down, okay?”.  Uhhhh, no.

 

• I refinished a small bookshelf. It was a lot of work to sand that baby by hand. I ended up begging Rob to do it after the 5 minutes I spent trying.  It turned out pretty good for a first try, but it’s the wrong color :( I’m not sure if I’ll get the urge to do that again anytime soon.

 

• Thanks again for all your book suggestions a few weeks ago. I want to read a few of them but a friend has A Fine Balance all ready to lend to me, so I’ll go with that first. If it goes well, maybe I’ll start reading some of the other suggestions.

Love for Le Nonne

Rob’s cousin is married to an authentic Italian. His food will prove it. They own a restaurant in Logan called Le Nonne (The Grandmothers). I could tell you all about it, but you might think I’m biased. So here’s a 2007 article from KSL that will explain it perfectly.

One of the places in Italy to find phenomenal food is to go north, to Tuscany. Well, last week I found phenomenal Italian food here in Utah by going north, to Logan. Logan is home to one of the best Italian restaurant I've eaten in anywhere, a lovely little place called Le Nonne, which means "the grandmothers" in Italian.

Le Nonne is the endeavor of Tuscan-born and raised PierAntonio Micheli and his wife Stephanie. And together, they've created a truly magical slice of Tuscany up in Logan. I remembered Chef Micheli's nummy gnocchi from his old Salt Lake restaurant called Il Capricio. And that homemade gnocchi is still the best I've ever eaten. But before diving into that exquisite gnocchi I treated myself to Le Nonne's beef carpaccio: slices of filet mignon so thin you can see through them, topped with fresh arugula, a squeeze of lemon, olive oil, and shaved parmesan.

Chicken and beef choices at Le Nonne are plentiful and served in generous portions by a skilled, friendly staff. I highly recommend pollo al funghi, which is pounded, lightly floured boneless breast of chicken sautéed with champignon mushrooms and finished in a marvelous Marsala sauce. And I also loved my order of tagliata. That's a plate of thinly sliced New York steak medallions topped with fresh Italian herbs, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil.

So for authentic Italian cooking that would make Italian grandmas proud, you'll need to head north to Le Nonne in Logan.

May I just suggest the bruschetta?? Oh. So. Good.

The whole family was at the restaurant last Saturday to celebrate the marriage of a cousin. While there, I took advantage of the setting to take some shots. I like what I got, but I wish I would’ve gotten a shot of the other dining room and the back patio (with live music on the weekends). Beautiful.

 

Le Nonne

Married!

My (Julie) brother got married last month and Rob and I took the pictures of the ceremony and reception. Cammie had a friend do her bridals, so you won’t see any formal portraits here. Mark and Cammie have been together for almost 2 years and have a super sweet daughter named Racheal.

When they were deciding on a date, my mom called the meteorology station to inquire which day in the month of June had the least chance of rain (historically, speaking). They were planning an outdoor event in my parents’ beautiful backyard. But, as you all know, June was very wet. Sure enough, June 20th came and it poured all day. The festivities were quickly moved to the church and ended up being perfect anyway.

Some of my favorites are the black and white “getting ready” shots. I’ve always loved the photojournalistic style. Candids really are where it’s at. Rob and I follow (online) a number of top photographers from around the world (why not get inspiration from the best??) and one thing all of them have in common is the ability to capture the emotions of the moment. I think black and white is especially appropriate for this because it draws the attention to the faces and dilutes the distractions from the heart of the shot.  

My other favorite shots are, of course, the details. Still life is beautiful. One thing that I don’t particularly like among many photographers is the use of extreme shallow depth of field…especially when it comes to flower or nature shots. Flowers are so intricate and one of the supreme creations on this earth. Why blur?? I like to get as close and as sharp as possible so the real gorgeousness can be seen and appreciated.

Here’s a slideshow we put together for the couple. Family and friends can see the rest of the pictures here.

A big congratulations to Mark, Cammie, and Racheal. We love you!

Want a Free Foto Friday Print?

 

There is still a little time to register for our Foto Friday Print Drawing.  Swing over to the photography blog to see the requirements.  What are we asking?  Just a little link love on your blog, facebook wall, or twitter feed.  If you mention us on one or more of these services and email me about it by Thursday at Midnight you will be entered to win a free print of choice from our Foto Friday Collection.  The print size ranges from 5x7 to 11x14 depending on how many services are used to link to us.  How cool is that?!?!?!  Check out the details here and get that link love coming.

Foto Friday Turns One

We have been doing Foto Friday for a year now!  Check out the photography blog for the year in review and to win a free print! 

One Year of Foto Friday

Anyone? … Anyone?

The other day I (Julie) wrote a really long and involved post about fake chicken. Man, it was a good one. At the very end I was trying to insert a picture (a very disturbing picture of a bright red chicken sans feathers) and Live Writer crashed. Of course, I forgot to save my well-written post. I was heartbroken and too upset to start over. Maybe one day when I get annoyed to my brink again with fake chicken I’ll write it again. So sit on the edge of your seats.

The real reason for this post is to try to get myself out and socializing more. My brain is turning to mush and I need to do something other than the norm.

I have a couple of activities planned that I’m inviting all (or any?) of you to join with me.

1-I need to get the kids to the zoo. I’ve waited way too long and now the heat is stifling, which I abhor. But they’d have a blast.

2-Ballet Under the Stars on July 10th at 8:30pm at the Murray Park Amphitheater. Wow. Who knew amphitheatre had an h after the p. Interesting. $8.

3-Rob and I have reserved a campground at Sunrise above Bear Lake for August 21-22. We can probably fit one other small family in our site or you can get your own. We’d like some other kids around Nate’s age so he has someone to play with in the water.

4- Adrienne, Dustie, and Whitney, it’s about time for our annual girls’ dinner out. Or maybe an overnighter where we can split the hotel bill and and do what girl’s do best. PAARRRTTAAYYYY!!!!

5-Rob’s gone with the scouts the week of July 20th and I don’t want to be stuck home the whole time with just the kids keeping me company. So I’m looking for something to do or somewhere to go. Must be cheap…or free. 

Anyone have any other fun things to do? This request includes things with the kids and without. Thanks!

PS. I’ll fee like a big loser if nobody comments.