Photography Classes

Well, last Thursday I started my Photography classes that my sweet husband gave me for Christmas. I have been wanting to take these classes forever, but like some mom's could never justify spending money on myself for something that we didn't really "need".
First class, Digital Basics. A lot of the class was review because I have been using a digital camera for over 10 years now. It all started with my brothers digital camera which held a floppy disc, I thought that was the coolest thing EVER! Technology sure has advanced, now the floppy disc has turned into an SD card. Now I have a Nikon D3000, my first DSLR. I bought it with hopes of being able to take professional like photo's. I have a very large family and thought if we can save money by having one person in our family who can take photo's well that would be great.
I did learn that their is no self destruct button on my camera and it is alright to play around with the settings, which was my first homework assignment. I have been trying different settings, to see how they work and to see what kind of amazing photo's I can come up with!
I can't wait until this Thursday's class Photography 101.

Kaitlyn

Michael

Quynn

Quynn and Oliver

My handsome Grandson

Dakota and Tiffany

Ollie giving Mommy kisses

Dakota

Over my kitchen sink. I normally cannot get the lights to show, but now I have figured it out!

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Cold and Flu Season

I am starting to notice a pattern here. You'd think after almost 26 years of being a mommy I would of caught on much sooner. I guess I'm a little slow. 

Every single year right about January/February my family gets sick. 

Usually it starts with one of our school age children and works it's way to Michael and I. 

However the last two years it has turned into pneumonia for Michael and that is way too scary.  I sometimes have a tendency to not feel real sorry for him because I always say "Honey, maybe you should go to the doctor" and like most men he says "No I'll be ok". And I think to myself..... I've been a Mom for close to 26 years of 5 children, maybe, just maybe I do know what I'm talking about! 

Well, this year is no different. Dakota came home last Thursday feeling horrible and running a fever, I gave him some NyQuil and he slept. A couple days later he was feeling fine. Then Saturday Kaitlyn started running a fever and as much medicine as I gave her she still didn't feel better and the fever was still there. So Monday morning I called the doctor and got her an appointment, so I told Michael I'm leaving work early to take Kaity to the doctor, maybe you should come? He tells me the same thing he has every other year "No, I'll wait". Classic answer coming from him. So I say to him "And what is it you're going to wait for? I'm guessing you want it to turn into pneumonia?". Well that's all it took and he asked his boss if he could leave. Although he didn't have an appointment, the clinic where we go also has what we call here in Utah "Instacare", everywhere else it is Urgent Care. Kaitlyn and I went to her doctor and Michael waited at Instacare (which always takes too long). 

Well we found out that Kaitlyn is sick, but it wasn't what I suspected. Low and Behold she has not only a cough and cold, but damn she also has pink eye! 

EWWW! 

I know how contagious it is!

And Michael has a viral infection, yep it's the one that usually turns into the pneumonia. But this time we caught it in time to start antibiotics and cough medicine so he doesn't have to suffer through another bout of full blown pneumonia. In my mind I'm thinking "Michael your wife is so damn smart", but instead I said "Aren't you glad you came to the doctor?" 

Now Kaitlyn and Michael are medicated.

And Mommy is armed with disinfectants, sanitizers, vapor rub, Clorox wipes and much more. 

I am so tired of the illnesses, I have wiped down everything in my house and washed all the bedding. I'm trying everything to get rid of the sick bugs!

This is how I will fight the cold and flu season!

The Birthday Party

 This year I made a resolution that I am going to start making more and more birthday cakes. I spent a lot of money on classes and supplies and I really should use it. It's true, you really need to practice and keep with it to stay good at it. I was not happy with the way this cake turned out, but everyone else liked it and it did taste pretty good. I really need more practice. I got the square cake pans for Christmas and really want to get creative with them.

The top layer was white almond flavor cake with lemon filling and the bottom layer was white coconut flavor cake with cheese cake filling.
I have a friend that is getting married in May and wants me to make her cake, oh I need more practice.

Ollie thought the cake looked yummy, I caught him trying to taste it before we sang Happy Birthday.

Ollie sure wanted a piece of that cake!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn Ann Keepers Long!

I took Kaitlyn and two of her friends from school to see the movie Gullivers Travel and then the two girls spent the night! Oh the giggling girls are so cute sometimes.

Kaitlyn's 10 years old now!

 Well our Baby Girl Kaitlyn turned 10 years old last week!

Hard to believe that she has graced our family for 10 years now!

I love watching her grow into an amazing young lady! 

Michael and I are so proud of her and the young lady she is becoming.

We decided to take some pictures to remember what she looked like when she turned 10 and to put on her invitations to give to her friends that she was inviting to her party!

Her laugh is contagious!

Don't let her fool you, she's not one bit shy!

Now all of our children are in the double digits!

Happy Birthday Kaity!

A Merry Keepers Christmas

Thank you to my youngest brother Trent and his wife Audrey for hosting the first annual Keepers Family Christmas party. I am sure this will be the first of many and oh what a blast it was! So much laughing.     

My brother Trent, the Host!

My daugher Tiffany and my nephew David (who resembles Elmer Fudd with that Hat on).

Miss Blair loved playing on the stairs at Uncle Trent and Aunt Audrey's house.

The beginnings of the food

My brother Troy

Cheesy Grinning Dakota

Tiff and Elmer again LOL!

Kaitlyn

Quynn

David and Dakota, only 7 months apart they have always been buds!

My big wonderful LOUD family! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Trent and Todd checking out Trent's new 3D TV.

Silly Blair and Oliver, why is it kids love stairs?

We had a great time! Audrey put together some video's of the family and a slide show of pictures of our family. It was wonderful. 

I have to say, Michael grew up an only child. Most of his life it was just he and his Mom. At first I think my family kinda scared him, and then he realized my family's love is so unconditional and we have so much love for one another and so much fun together it's amazing, and we really know how to have a great time and it is never ever about money with us. We can have a great time staying home completely broke. 

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my family.

Christmas Morning and Day!

As usual, Christmas morning came very early.

Much thanks to Kaitlyn as she makes sure no one over sleeps Christmas morning.

Dakota got the Skateboard that he had been dreaming over in the CCS catalog. As you can tell by his smile, this was a great gift!

Michael was pretty excited about the Kindle! He loves to read and this was something he had been wanting for sometime.

Silly Kaity!

I think Dakota is in LOVE!

Both Michael and Dakota got the FLIP video cameras.

Cute Kaity, posing for me! I got a new lens for my camera and I just had to try it out!

Miss Blair had to come over and show Grammy and Pop Pop what Santa brought her!

It's a "Monacycle"

I love the new lens for my camera! Just think what it will look like on a clear day in the valley? My husband got me the new lens and photography classes too. I am so excited to use my camera to it's full potential.

Ian and Trevor (Michael's boys from his first marriage) came over Christmas night. We had a great time with them! It's been awhile since Trevor has been to our house, I tried very hard to make this happen and make it good! When they went home that evening I felt good about the visit and so did Michael. They sure have grown!

Kaitlyn got her first digital camera, she loves it. She took a lot of pictures and videos.

Our first Christmas in our New Home

We are so excited to be spending our first Christmas in our new home. 

Although it was a whirl wind getting here, this is where we now belong. 

I am excited that our stockings can now be hung on our fireplace mantle, our Christmas lights now have a place to hang (without Michael getting hurt trying to put them up).
What a joy and an accomplishment!
Christmas Eve night my kids all came over as we traditionally do every year.
We had a great time eating and opening gifts.
We always open gifts youngest to oldest and the little kids love it that way! 

Ollie opening his first gift, at 2 years old he has really gotten the hang of this whole present thing!

Grammy and Pop Pop got Blair a Kitchen Set, by the look on her face I'm guessing she liked it. Priceless!

Miss Quynnie wanted a pillow pet so bad that she cried when Ollie and Blair opened theirs, boy was she happy she got one too!

Kaitlyn, the clothing fanatic. She sure liked the new pants her older sister Tiffany got her!

Courtney got Dakota the perfect gift for the kid who is hard to buy for. 9 bags of Hot Cheetos! He LOVED it!

Alex showing his new shirt from Mommy and Pop!

How did I know Courtney would love the Parafin Bath? With her successful completion of school, she is quiet the nail artist/manicure and pedicure specialist!

I think Tiffany was pretty excited about the spray tanning set Mom and Pop got her!

The kids having fun playing Just Dance 2 which Kaity got as a Christmas present!

I love watching my kids and grandkids playing together!

Ollie and Blair having their own fun!