the tuckers

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

day ten:
{attitude of gratitude} i am grateful for such supportive friends and family...

you all RoCk!!

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

day eight:

{attitude of gratitude} I am grateful for the gift of patience and learning.

day nine:

{attitude of gratitude} I am grateful that I am now gainfully employed! What a ride it has been these past few months!

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

day six :

{attitude of gratitude} i am grateful for the ability to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.

day seven:

{attitude of gratitude} i am grateful for the education i have received and the ability to finish this masters program.

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

day five:

I am grateful for reliable transportation that allows us to visit friends and family.

Today we went down to Sandy to be with the Adam Family for Brynn's baptism. What a beautiful experience and so much fun to be with good friends.

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

day four:

I am grateful that our home is covered under a warranty...wrong time of year to have a heater play games...it's a wee bit chilly in here...

The fellow who came out to check out the game playing furnace told the warranty company it should just be replaced. It is 27 years old, and though it was the "ish" in its heyday...that day has come to an end. New furnace here we come! YAHOOIE for warranties! {now to wait till next week for it to be installed....and there is snow in the forecast...hoping it stays a bit warm in here...}

{attitude of gratitude}

2011-11-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have much to be grateful and thought that I would take the opportunity to record them during this month of thanks.

day one:

i am grateful for my darling sweetie. ♥

Gailon does so much to keep our home running financially. With me not working, our budget is tighter...but we make it every month! He makes sure that all is well. He makes me laugh! He has encouraged me in my efforts to go back to school...a big step!

day two:

i am grateful for a warm home and the joys of life.

It has been cold here, so having a warm home and all that is within, makes me happy!

day three:

i am grateful for helpful people within government organizations, like DCFS...

I have been working on some paperwork regarding our foster son Joey and a little project I have going on right now. In order to get dates and such correct, I had to call DCFS in Los Angeles. It is amazing how much better a conversation goes with someone who listens, is calm, and willing to assist. I spoke with the caseworker he had when he was with us...so not the same experience. I am just so grateful for those who are willing to go the extra distance to help.

InSpIrEd

2011-08-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have been having a wee bit of difficulty dealing with the fact that I am not employed at the moment, had a contract offered and then removed, and so on.

So as I am finishing up a paper for my gifted and talented endorsement, my computer begins to act a bit wonky. I get frustrated, shut down the silly thing, and go upstairs, lie down on my bed and turn on KBYU because I knew that the devotional for the day is on.

The speaker begins discussing how we need to "Carry On", like the hymn says to, be patient, He knows. I, of course, begin tearing up. I keep listening about how we need to find peace in the plan, there are things for us to accomplish, and He is there to help. Have patience.

Just what I needed to hear...

One of my favorite people is Gordon B. Hinkley. Quotes from him calm my heart. Like this one:

"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

or this one...

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us,...if we put our trust in Him, if we pray to Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

This too shall pass. Everything will work out.

ogden river parkway

2011-07-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

i have been teaching a summer scholars program with incoming fifth and sixth graders.

we, two other teachers and myself, were able to use the parkway as our classroom for the week.

what a grand adventure!

the article about our adventure can be found here....

{time}

2011-07-28T14:47:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking alot about the concept of time.
Where does the time go? It's about time, dontcha think?

One of my favorite places to think is at the beach, so Iwent on a quick trip to Cali. Unfortunately my cutie patootie sweetie was not able to go with me, but I had fun nonetheless. I dragged momacita along with me instead. Thanks momacita!

We went to the Korean Friendship Bell to get a great view of the ocean, kayaking, and surrounding beauty. Ahhhh...!

Next we went to my Grandparent's former home. SO sad to see the loss of roses, trees, and beautiful plants that they had worked so hard to maintain and cultivate.

When I lived in Cali, I had been to the L.A. County Fair but never to the Orange County Fair...so we went. I couldn't believe all of the fried things! So CrAzY!!

Fried butter?! Chocolate covered corndogs with sprinkles?!

Yup...I tried it.
And it wasn't too bad, for something fried and odd... Kool-Aid donuts with a sprinkle of
Kool-Aid powder on top.

Following the adventures of the Fair, we visited with friends and family in the area, had breakfast with Mama Becky and Daddyo Larry, went to the 24th of July activity in Palos Verdes, Hung out with my besties Teesha and Mike their kiddos, and had a great time in general!

Time...on with the adventures associated with this time in our lives.

{learnings of late}

2011-03-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

Much has taken place in the last few months, not all of the peaches and cream variety either.

But I have come to an understanding, kinda late in the game, I know...

...but...

...even though the road may be rough and the way covered with thistles and thorns...

...i have so much to be thankful for...

...wow...

2010-12-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

the passing of a decade! so much has happened in the last ten years!

*graduation from Weber State University*

*marriage to the one and only Gailon Tucker*

*the loss of dear loved ones...papa, grandma sokoloff, and grandpa sokoloff*

*discovery about true friends*

*change in employment*

*change of home site*

*purchasing our first home*

*with so many changes and events of the past decade, here's to hoping and praying that the goals and plans for 2011 come to fruition....*

{goodbye fall}

2010-11-24T13:40:00.000-08:00

I guess that we can officially say that Fall is over here in Ogden.

We had quite the storm last night! I got caught in it at the grocery store and then at Home Depot. But I got all of the fixins for a great Thanksgiving dinner and snow melt! What a combo!! If you need a place to go, come on over! With usual Tucker flair, we will surely have plenty!

The one thing that I have noticed this year is that we have had some of the most amazing sunsets! This one was so amazing, the picture does not fully capture the brilliance of it all! This is straight out of the camera too! BeAuTiFuL!

great photography props and such giveaway!

2010-11-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

check it out!

yup...

2010-11-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

...i am grateful that we have good insurance!

{gratitude}

2010-11-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful that I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are so many times that I rely on Him to help me understand the events around me. I am so grateful that I have a knowledge that there is a plan and that even though I may not like the plan right now, I can find strength in knowing everything will work out in the end.

I am grateful that I am employed and that, most of the time, I enjoy my job! I have some amazing kiddos this year and they make it worth it all!

I am grateful that my report cards are done and that we are on to term 2!

I have much to be {grateful} for..

2010-11-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for a wonderful husband. We have so much fun together, even through the tough times! Thanks cute stuff!!

Another thing that we are so grateful for are our families. Where would we be without loving parents and siblings? I am ever so grateful that my mom and sister are close by! I miss my dad so much, but I am glad to know that he is not that far away!

I am grateful for holidays! What fun it is to remember the fun we had as children! Even in the matching homemade costumes mom made us wear each year!

thousands of words

2010-10-12T19:54:00.001-07:00

the beginning of a beautiful adventure...

a work in progress! i {love} having friends with talents! a good friend of gailon's from work needed something and we needed something ....presto! a match made in fireplace heaven!

almost there! the mantel arrives this week!
CAN'T WAIT!!!

our first jars of tomato sauce that are from our garden!! i learned some really valuable lessons! let's just say that, well, steam is hot and can burn you...oowie!

a sneak peak of the cutest little guy!

friends are so fabulous, wouldn't you say? i can't imagine my life without amazing friends!

........wishing ...hoping ...dreaming....

2010-10-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

so much has happened in the last little bit, i don't know where to start. between the summer ending, beginning a new year at school with older kiddos, being selected to adopt a baby girl and then a change in the plan...

no wonder i am ready for life to take a bit of a break so i can catch my breath.

i am feeling so blessed to have such a wonderful husband! i truly am glad to have him for my best friend. he reminded me the other day that i was his best friend and that we needed to set up a date to wander....oh, i am so ready!!

i love you my dear gailon!

{oh what do you do in the summertime?}

2010-08-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

This summer was a very nice one, given the fact that I did not teach summer school. I had many classes that I took instead....a science course, a semester course in field biology in one week, a math course, computer course, and in a few days a history course! cRaZy!~

I made my first, from scratch peach pie...
....I also was able to go to California for a wedding....
...congratulations morgan and jessie! What a beautiful wedding ceremony

and reception...

....enjoy the beach!

.....be gouged by gas prices! OUCH!

and enjoy the company of friends.

sadly i was unable to see "my kiddos" and their parents...who gets strep throat and the chicken pox's at the same time? seriously?! hopefully all will be well soon...but i missed seeing my t...

fOuRtH oF jUlY

2010-07-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on the third for the Fourth!

~ {in Utah, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, then it is celebrated the Saturday before} ~

We had about thirty people over for a bbq and watch the city fIrEwOrKs from our backyard. I, unfortunately, forgot my camera during the fireworks in the front yard and in the backyard!
But I did get a few of the crowd~

It's hard work swimming and playing with new friends!

{Munching on Cajun Burgers, ribs, BLT salad, fruit salad, fruit, chopped salad, chips and fresh from the garden salsa, and dips. Not to forget the yummies like german chocolate cake, carrot cake, the always needed flag cake with a tucker twist, and the cutest and yummiest star sugar cookies!}

Thanks to everyone for their contributions!!

My little buddy wondering when he is going to get his shot at the yummies!

* i came in to get a picture of the amazing spread, and this is what i met instead! a crowd! *

... picture this: our dinning room table stretched to its largest length and then filled from end to end, and everywhere in between with bowls and platters. got it?...

Only one picture of the BLT salad!

Oh well! Happy Fourth of July!

{one year}

2010-06-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that it has already been one year since we moved to Utah.
So many changes and experiences.
And the best is yet to come!!

{i love you more than all the stars in the sky}

{done}

2010-05-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

I DID IT!!!

I had a goal in mind and beat it!

My final time was 3hours 57 minutes and 9 seconds...and to top it off, I have runner's feet! {BIG} blisters on my piggie toes and under a big toe...ouchie! Next time, more moleskin!

on your mark...

2010-05-14T20:29:00.001-07:00

running clothes set out...check,

music ready...check,

words of comfort from gailon...check,

yummy carb loaded meal...check,

personal pep talk...check,

running my first marathon...priceless... ♥

so many questions, still yet unanswered...

2010-05-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

but there are other questions that have answers that are sure...

i {heart} the vintagepearl.com

2010-05-07T20:52:00.001-07:00

i really love my necklace from the vintage pearl! it is simple and sweet.
today they are doing a giveaway for mother's day...check it out!

we made it!

2010-04-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Mom's farewell to Torrance Beach..."So many memories."

Wow! Some folks will relax wherever they can!

This is only a few of the folks who turned out to help pack the trucks {yes, you read that right! two 26foot trucks!}

Welcome to your new home state!

what a crazy weekend...who woulda thunk...fly to long beach with the bug and jen on friday evening after work, pack on saturday and then drive to primm,wake up sunday morning and drive the rest of the way to ogden... i am so tired!

...i am still kicking...

2010-03-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

wow, things have been way busy! i only have a few moments to catch up with a few of the latest happenings...

* my grandpa's graduation ceremony*
the ceremony went well. it was so great to have some of my good friends there for love and support. as i looked out over the folks in attendance, i was able to see smiling faces that helped me through the song i was singing. thanks!

i loved being able to see besties, go to the beach, and enjoy our family tradition of going to disneyland after a funeral. kinda strange, i know...but it works for us!

*training for the marathon*
i missed some important sessions while in california, but quickly got back into the swing of things. since then, i have run a 6.5 miler, improved my time twice, and even completed my first 5K race! the 5K was a hard one, with many butt-kicken hills, and yet i still completed it in 54 minutes. not too shabby for this fluffy kid!

*mom is moving to utah!*
my mom has sold her home and is moving to ogden. her house wasn't even officially on the market, just a sign in the yard, and she was still able to sell it in less than three days of the SIGN going up...amazing! so we found her a cute little house in a nice neighborhood in the south end of town. she and jen will be moving in in about three weeks.

A Great and Noble One has been lost...

2010-02-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

My dearest Grandpa has graduated.

I was in a photography seminar in Salt Lake City last night listening to one of my favorites, with a phone that had no juice. When I got out to the car during the dinner break, I thought I would see if it would turn on, it did briefly. What I saw made my heart jump...a 911 message from my mother.

I borrowed Gailon's phone and called her, already feeling the inevitable news. Yes, Grandpa has graduated, just a few hours after my last call in.

I was hoping that he would be able to make it through the weekend because I was planning on going down on Tuesday, the earliest I could possibly go. I have so many commitments this weekend, between the seminar we booked months ago, to my running class, Jordan's Eagle Court of Honor that we have been asked to photograph, a mandatory meeting on Monday at school...so many roadblocks to getting home...

So now I am preparing a slide show to honor my Grandpa, a Noble and Great One!

He has taught me so much about the arts, life, and how to have a grand adventure! From plays, ballets, the Cirque de Sol adventures, to enjoying the finer things in life, as well as simply stopping to smell the roses.

I truly miss him...

(pictures borrowed from the slide show, taken by family members, not myself)

~ love ~

2010-02-19T06:38:00.001-08:00

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ~Dr. Seuss.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T05:29:00.001-08:00

... i lOvE...

2010-02-14T05:28:00.000-08:00

i lOvE my family. i am so grateful to have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life!

... i lOvE...

2010-02-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

i lOvE training for my first marathon! i know what you are thinking...her?! a marathon!?? Yup! Ogden Marathon here I come!

... i lOvE...

2010-02-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

i lOvE a good valentine party, complete with cookie decorating, heart bingo, and the funnest game of tic-tac-toe ever!

... i lOvE...

2010-02-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

i lOvE funny kiddos and their jokes...for example, i was told this one today.. "why did the chicken cross the road?" "why?" "because, silly, his teacher told him to."

... i lOvE...

2010-02-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

i lOvE sewing and checking out crafty crafters.

... i lOvE...

2010-02-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

i lOvE my job! kiddos are so funny sometimes. one of my students, out of nowhere, tells me, "Mrs. Tucker, your eyes are so beautiful!" Gotta love 'em!

...i LoVe...

2010-02-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

i LoVe being able to worship how, where, and what i may...

... i lOvE...

2010-02-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

i LoVe my bed...being sick is no fun though...

...i LoVe...

2010-02-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

i LoVe that Gailon has found a job!

{ now to work on that retirement plan...} hehe!

Happy February!

2010-02-04T16:45:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I am a little late with my greetings to one of my favorite months! However, I am still going to catch up with my countdown to the 14 things I love for this month...

...Day One: I LoVe Winter!!

...Day Two: I LoVe green olives. {thanks to mikey, they are one of my favorite indulgences!}

...Day Three: I LoVe candles! {currently my favorite is a red apple fragrance from Partylite...}

...Day Four: I LoVe books!

... i gotta feelin' ...

2010-01-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

Here is one of my new mantras.... i gotta feelin' that today's gonna be a good day ...

~ MeRrY ChRiStMaS ~

2009-12-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful Christmas Day! Thank you Santa for all of my goodies.

Even more so, I am thankful for our Savior, in so many ways.

~winter~

2009-12-24T06:29:00.001-08:00

Call me crazy, but I am really loving all of the fun things winter brings! There are so many lovely things to see and it amazes me how different the weather and nature are here.

I am sure by now that some are tired of the nature close-ups, but not me! So here are a few from an adventure to a place called Perry, Utah.

{i am not sure what this plant is, but thought it was beautiful with the frost hanging on it}

{reminds me of the story, the last leaf by o. henry}

{I thought this one was fun because all i did was tip my head and camera up to the treetops and focused on a branch further away...}

We were invited by some friends, {thanks treto family}, to take some family photos and then go to lunch. We went to a restaurant that we have been told about by many.

One person in particular was so excited and shocked we had never gone, so this photo is for her! {see liz, we did go! yummy!}

snow

2009-12-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we have had our fair share of the beautiful fluffy stuff in the past few days.

Here are some pics from around the yard!

This is a prickly bush in the front yard. Great for holding onto the snow and making a pretty picture, but alas, will be gone in the Spring...

The snow is so deep! It is half way up my shin!

Well, our birdies will have an interesting time getting out the seeds in this feeder! Love how it made a snowball on the top. Most of this snow is from the storm that started last night and lasted through much of today.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!!

2009-12-08T15:43:00.001-08:00

A friend once said they wished for more time, but the reply from another friend was that if we had more time, we would fill it up too...so true.

Much has taken place in the last month...ReAlLy?! A month since I posted...whoa!

~~~~~~~~~~

This year for Tim e Out For Women, Teesha and I met in St. George...we, of course, had a blast! I had purchased a ticket for the Salt Lake City one too and my cousin was going to join me, but she was unable to at the last minute. I went anyway! I know...bRaVe!! But it was truly a unique experience. I was able to pick up a few things I had not heard before. Not to mention, I made a new friend that weekend and started about 30 rows back from the stage and then ended up in the third row! So neat! I was sitting in Chieko Okazaki's original seat, until Sheri Dew came up and told her to move to the front row....what a neat experience!

*************

We had a fun Halloween with my sister and her kiddos. We went to the Treehouse Museum for the Enchanted Woods. {A non-scary Halloween activity that takes them from one story to the next}. We took a Pikachu and a Max with us...The next day we had a visit from a very cute butterfly who decided to color on the back patio and play...

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

We were able to go to California for a quick trip to do a maternity session of a beautiful lady, inspiring photos of a future missionary, and see a few friends for a mexican feast. We had other plans, but they were changed...in Primm of all places. Oh well...

+++++++++

Thanksgiving was at our place this year! Gailon was able to make a marvelous feast! I think he went a bit overboard...but it was oh so tasty! We were blessed to have family around us to share in the giving of thanks.

^^^^^^^^^

We have been amazingly blessed with photo jobs in the last little bit. Since Gailon was laid off in October, we have had no free weekends and sometimes evenings during the week. A major blessing! He puts in at least two to three applications everyday, so we are hoping someone finds his qualifications and charm to their liking! Otherwise it is on to plan B....

##########

We are in the throes of adoption and fostering. We completed classwork, and more paperwork than I could ever imagine! We are hopeful that all will work out on this adventure! We are looking into a couple of agencies as well as private adoption, the time has come...our house is too quiet!

___________

And now to end this long, boring post that has funny little symbols running through it...

St. George Adventures

2009-11-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

What a fun filled weekend!
We were able to go down to visit with our buddies Mike and Teesha in St.George. This was a great place to be for the warm weather, the great condo, half way drive for us both, and for Time Out For Women!
This was our third one together and we always have such a blast! Next year we are going to go to the Las Vegas one and told the guys that they could stay home.
The guys played with the kiddos so Teesha and I could go to the Friday and Saturday events!
{thanks for being the nannies so we could hang out! you two are AwEsOmE!!}

We were so lucky to be able to see one of our favorite performers, Hillary Weeks! Teesha had no idea that she would be there, don'tcha just love surprises!

The weekend was not long enough, but any chance to hang out with them and see those cute bebe's is always a treat.

i {heart} fall...

2009-10-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

there is beauty all around...

...so I took a moment this morning to observe the beauty around us and thank Heavenly Father for all that He has provided us with...

...and I found a few examples right in my own backyard.

Amazing.

what happened to my snow?!

2009-10-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

The weather is certainly changing!

I had Parent-Teacher conferences this week and noticed that the evenings are getting cooler.

There have been a few storms come our way and give us a bit of snow, but it is mostly gone from the tops of the mountains. Everyone laughs and tells me to just be patient...shoveling snow is not all it is cracked up to be. Well...we will see...

Other than that, we have been busy with the house and photography. It amazes me how busy we already are! Every weekend until the end of November is booked with family shoots, as well as several days during the week! It is great to get out and see the many beautiful spots around here, not to mention being able to do something we love.

We will be in Provo tomorrow doing a family shoot, Herriman next Saturday for a family shoot, several here in Ogden, and then down to California for a maternity shoot and three family shoots! Whew...busy!!

Not to mention a little adventure down to Saint George on the 6th of November and Salt Lake on the 13th.... I am as giddy as a wee little school girl!!

Here We Are...{mostly}

2009-09-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well, Teesha, in her kind and loving way reminded me that I have not posted pictures of the house.

We are still waiting for the contractor bids for the remodeling projects we want to do....can't wait!

{We will be re-doing the basement laundry room, the media room, carpet in the basement, the downstairs bathroom, the flooring and counters in the kitchen, flooring in the dinning room, cabinets in the upstairs bathroom, and a bit outside in the yard...whew! that's alot of remodeling!}

The main appeal to this house was the view of the valley and mountains. We knew we would be doing alot of work, but for the price we paid for this "little four bedroom, two bathroom, two car garage, starter house"...well...we couldn't pass it up.

When the first house, that I loved so much for all of its charm and location fell through, this was a good second option.

So for now...here they are....the front of the new TuCkEr HeAdQuArTeRs!

the kitchen in all of its splendor...{soon to have new floors and granite counters}

our lovely upstairs living room {our salesman at RC Willey, Rick, LoVeS seeing us!! soon to have a new fireplace and mantel}

the dinning room with an amazing view of the valley. since we no longer have the ocean view, we HAD to have a valley view! so beautiful....watching the colors change, wow! can't wait for the snow!

of course, every good 1950's era utah home has their food storage room. it is so neato! and of course the deep freeze to accompany it!

the downstairs bathroom {soon to be reconfigured, painted, and sparkly new!}

the media room with gailon's welcome home gift of a tiny 58inch plasma and surround sound...makes watching all of the movies an incredible experience... {soon to be rewired, paneling removed and replaced with new drywall etc, lighted with can lights, and all around spiffied up.} to the right of this picture is gailon's work area/office, as well as the computer stations for the network.}

All in all, a work in progress...but we are certainly glad we embarked on this journey! Come on over, there is plenty of room!!

R.S. Broadcast....don'tcha just love it!?

2009-09-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

There are times in ones life when you begin to realize that maybe, just maybe, you are becoming more grown up...tonight... was one of those nights. As I watched the Relief Society Broadcast tonight, I realized that I am at a point in my life where I can relate to some of the stories and scriptures being shared. ScArY!!

hmmmm....

2009-09-04T19:01:00.001-07:00

i wonder....

Ogden Balloon Festival in Eden

2009-08-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

{this one was fun because it looks
like someone took a bite out of it!}

What a neat festival...get up at 4:30am, travel carefully so as not to disturb the wildlife and cause them to enter in our pathway, wait, and then watch some amazing people do what they do best...blow up some balloons!

It was exciting to watch the crews set up and fill the hot air balloons. I have never been so close! You could actually feel the heat from the blowers as the balloons were prepared. Which was very nice due to the fact that it was a bit chilly. All in all, we were able to see some amazing balloons. It would have been fun to go in one, but we didn't sign-up in time.

Hopefully the rain will hold off a bit tonight and they will be able to do the night glow! That sounds just incredible!

It was so fun watching
and capturing all of this!

i love you papa

2009-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it has been four years....

Another Shelf Reliance Giveaway!

2009-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

One of these days when my food storage and pantry are all organized, this is one thing that will be in place!

Horses, Chickens, and Pigs, Oh My!

2009-08-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Weber County Fair was this past week and in the spirit of being involved in all things community, we both entered the photography competition.

Gailon entered in the advanced amateur/semi-professional division, {because you have to make more than half of your annual income in photography to be entered into the professional, and that is not the case here, yet…} and I entered the amateur division.

Gailon submitted two portraits and one commercial/industrial. I entered a commercial/ industrial, macro, and nature. We were having so much fun with selecting our pictures and getting them ready, the thought of ribbons and such was not even there.

Well, we decided to attend the Fair on Thursday, because my mom was still in town, and had a blast! We walked around all of the little booths, went to the trade show, and watched the rodeo. All of this during one of the windiest, dustiest, freakiest looking sky kinda nights. There was so much dust in the sky, that the sun was clouded over, to the point that you could look almost at it directly! CrAzY!
{just as a side note about the pics, they are straight out of the camera...no tweaking of any kind.}

By the time we got ready to leave, my eyes were red, watering, and in pain. One presenter thought that I was really tired, nope just the wind and dust!

One thing that we have been having fun with is taking in the whole experience of being here. So far we have attended the Fourth of July festivities, Rodeo for the 24th, the 24th of July Parade, the W.C. Fair, been to Smith and Edwards {a catch all store for everything from penny candy to guns, to military surplus and their motto is “We got it if you can find it”}, been on rides around the canyon, swam at Pineview “Beach”, and so much more!!

Oh yeah! The Fair results! Well, I was very shocked to see the results for me, not so much for Gailon. In his division he won First Place for Commercial / Industrial, First Place and Second Place for Portraiture!!! YAHOO GAILON! Way to go!

As I already said, I was shocked with my results:! In my division I won First Place for Commercial/Industrial, First Place for Macro, and Second Place for Nature.

So neat to see that when we walked into the exhibit hall!

The other thing that was really neat was that we were both recommended to go to the State Fair! This is the first time that I have entered ANY kind of competition of this kind, and I feel so honored to have been recognized. I guess this means I ain’t so bad after all! {Plus, now I get a new camera, that was part of the deal! Cannon 5D Mark II here I come!!} Check out Gailon's blog for more pics of our adventures!

We are having fun here in Ogden! We have found some new hang-outs, adventures, and traditions!

This one's for you Jen!

2009-08-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Posted by sara

Motorcyle Adventures!!!

2009-08-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

I must say, one of the major advantages of living where we do is the access to amazing countryside! After weeding for a bit and doing some yard work, we decided to do some exploring on our bikes.

One of the trails that was recommended is Trappers Loop. BeAuTiFuL! {no pictures though! couldn't find a place to hold it...no bags on the bike....yet!}

Fun stuff! Hopefully I will find all of my cables and chargers soon so I can update with pictures!

Free on Friday with Provident Living

2009-07-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

I receive this newsletter and love the products. I have been saving my pennies for the shelving system for my food storage. But an even better way to get things going is through their free giveaways! Check it out! This week is a 72 hour kit for two! And of course, the one thing that is important....toilet paper...it's included!! ;)

home

2009-07-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Wholly macaroni and cheese!
Busy does not even begin to describe how things have been!!! I must say, this move had many more "adventures" than any that we have had before. Luckily for us, this will be the last one for quite some time!

Now comes the fun stuff: contractors, drapery consultants, more contractors, consultation with sprinkler experts, and the list goes on. We are working on finding the cables and such so that I can download pictures from our move and of our projects around the house. So far I have pulled weeds and we ripped out a very angry rose bush, it had thorns all the way to the buds....no fun! We have painted almost every room in the house, had the carpet cleaned, scrubbed almost every square inch of the place, found enough dog hair to rebuild a small dog army {yUcK!}, built shelves in the garage, and unpacked many treasures.

Our ward has been very welcoming and friendly and our neighbors are very sweet as well. Next door there is a sweet little family and their little boy chats with me as I am watering the lawn, sooo cute!

All in all, we are enjoying it here. I totally miss so much about Pedro...{t}... but love being so close to the hiking trails, canyon, and some really beautiful places.

Well, best get back to unpacking....hopefully I can find everything and a place for it too!

JuNe 12.... already?!?!

2009-06-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't hardly believe that the end of the school year is here! As one of my cute kiddos said, "It seems like we just started last week!"

We had such a great time this year...field trips, adventures, drama, all rolled into one neat, little package. I took so many pictures this year, but can't really post them because of privacy issues with the kiddos, you know! :)

Now onto other adventures!

We will be closing on our house on Monday! Can I get a YaHoO!!?
We will then begin the painting and cleaning efforts before we come back to gather up a few loose ends. The movers are scheduled and the gear is ready..well, mostly. I still need to get some boxes and pack up a few items that are in the house...but other than that, we are ready to begin this new adventure! {well, mostly...i am a little nervous! so much change is such a small time frame...we will be fine...change is a good thing...right?...yup! you betcha!!!}

Today we had our end of the year luncheon and I was honored for my "...dedication and service to the school..." BIG surprise when I was handed this award. I am not much for large showings of praise, a little thank you in private will do me just fine! Needless to say I turned a million shades of red and got a bit teary-eyed. I am truly going to miss this group of teachers! They are awesome!! I love the tumbler with the pictures and notes from some of my faves!!!

Wasatch!

2009-05-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

I was just offered a position at my first choice school, Wasatch Elementary! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!! I found out as I was checking my email while the kiddos were finishing their multiplication tests...the room was quiet, with the exception of pencils scratching paper..I read the email...and I, yes I did, started to laugh out loud and whoop and holler! My students were a bit shocked and not sure what was going on. Naturally, I didn't say much, just that a good thing happened. They don't know that I am leaving at the end of the year.

At any rate, the excitement of the journey continues!!!!

Holey Moley!!

2009-04-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

With so much going on, where do I begin?!?

We went to Utah for my Spring Break, just to take a look around for housing and finalize some paperwork for my job. We contacted our good friend, and now Realtor, Ed Treto, to show us a few places. Nine houses later and we had not really found what made us go "There it is! That's the one!"

Saturday morning we were preparing to head down to Salt Lake for a photo shoot, and my Uncle G suggested we check out a particular house he had had his eye on. We drove by it Friday night, made an appointment to see it with the realtors, and fell in love with it! Needless to say, we are buying a house in Ogden! So ExCiTiNg!!! It is a "starter home" of four bedrooms, technically five but one room needs the closet finished, and two bathrooms. It has a nice sized backyard with plenty of room to build a garage/studio and have a great garden. We couldn't be more excited.....and a bit scared. So many changes!

2009-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it is official... I was offered a contract with Ogden School District and we are moving to Utah this summer... Now I know there are those who will be so happy that we are leaving the San Pedro area and those who will weep.

It will be a grand adventure...

< Faith and Hope>

2009-04-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

Conference was great! We were able to start it off with our annual get together with friends from the San Pedro Ward past and present...{thanks nocella's for hosting!}
One of the main messages that I kept hearing was that of faith and hope. Powerful messages to hear at this time. I should give a bit of background...

I received an email on Monday regarding an opportunity that would be taking place on Thursday. I made arrangements to make it down to the San Diego area by setting up a sub and finding my carpool buddy, since Gailon would need to be at work.

Thursday morning came and Teesha met me at the house, and off we went on our adventure. There was one glitch...I had a touch of food poisoning and had already been "sick" twice that morning, but I had made a commitment and needed to be on my way. So off we went!

We began our journey and made the first stop...at the Redlands Temple!

Of course we were going to totally document this whole trip!
RoAd TrIpPiNg!!

But we didn't....

At least we got the beginning!

So, our adventure continued on to the San Diego area, business concluded, two more visits with my friend "John" {get it...}, and back home to sleep until 3am. At that point I decided there was no way I could make it to work and called in for a sub, {actually i got on the website and ordered one...}.

Next time, our road trippin will be more trippin than road! Thanks again Teesha for being my carpool partner and helping me out with the venture!

Can't wait to hear how it all turned out!!!

{thanks}

2009-03-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

"There are people who take the heart out of you, and there are people who put it back."

Elizabeth David

Thanks Teesha for putting my heart back! I don't know how much longer I could have gone on in life without a massage...holey moley! You, my dear friend, are truly aMaZiNg~ and so was your lovely surprise!

~Yawn~

2009-03-20T20:06:00.001-07:00

What a crazy week! Let's break it down:

Monday, well it was a Monday!

Tuesday was busy with work related drama, oh so fun!

Wednesday we had a photography seminar with one of our favorites photographers! She is amazing in all that she has accomplished and with her work. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, albeit a late one.

SO, since we didn't get home until almost midnight, I took Thursday off, thinking I could get in a little R&R, finish a few projects and such, but we had to rush off to a photo shoot in San Diego! CrAzY~ We had a blast working with the Director of Marketing, Art Director, and Sales Manager for the San Diego Area on another book cover! The first one was a hit, so we have been asked back!

Today Gailon is at an engagement photo shoot for a sweet young lady. We will also be doing her wedding this summer.

Saturday we have a family photo shoot for a client who has been waiting for a bad haircut to grow out :{ . Hopefully it is looking more like he wants...

And Sunday, we have a photo shoot for an up and coming model.

I don't know when anything else is going to get done!

Lovin' it!

Facebook friends!

2009-03-16T21:38:00.001-07:00

I have learned much this night! I have often wondered about the folks from my mission, where they landed, what they were up to, and so on. Tonight I thought that I would do a hunt for one in particular. I bravely emailed the person, hoping it would be the right person...and it was!!! Wow, the miracle of modern communication! LoVe It!!!

You guessed it!

2009-03-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

The infamous A-Z Tag!!

Stephanie said I had to so here it is...

A--Attached or Single: Attached. 6 years in April!

B--Best Friend: Do I have to pick just one?

C--Cake or Pie: Ummm...depends on who is making it

D--Day of Choice: Saturday

E--Essential Item: Root Beer Lip gloss from Clinique

F--Favorite Color: Blue

G--Greatest Accomplishment: 3 college degrees, mission, marriage to Gailon, and a few of my friends would even say teaching for eight years!

H--Hometown: Long Beach, California

I--Indulgences: A soaking bubble bath or a motorcycle ride along the coast, or...

J--January or July: January

K--Kids: none...yet ;)

L--Life is incomplete without: So many things!

M--Marriage Date: April 12

N--Number of Siblings: 2 brothers and one sister

O--Oranges or Apples: Apples, I eat one everyday!

P--Phobias or fears: There are a few, none I am willing to divulge!

Q--Quotes: "Be still and know that I am"

R--Reason to Smile: Gailon, flowers, rain, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes...

S--Season: Winter is my first choice

T--Tag 5 Friends: Any five who wish to play along

U--Unknown fact about you: I sang professionally, I even have a professional recording made in a recording studio.

V--Very favorite store: Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Crate and Barrel, was I only supposed to pick one?

W--Worst habit: slouching

X--X-ray or Ultra Sound: Ultra sound ;)

Y--Your favorite food: Mexican

Z--Zodiac: Aquarius

Endure

2009-03-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

If there is one message that has been coming up in many different situations, it is that of the concept of enduring. Be it endure to the end, endure this trial, endure the next five minutes. Endure.

I like to think of myself as a rather patient kind of person. One who can handle a lot. But right now, I am beginning to wonder, how much more can I handle? What next?

This past year has been one of many emotions, from elation to down right yuck. I have truly found out who my friends are and those who were along for a ride of their choosing.
Thanks especially to Teesha, you are amazing! I admire your ability to pull up your boot straps and get it done. You are a rock to which I tether myself to keep me balanced. I mean, everyone needs a friend who tells it like it is, right? One who doesn't mince words, no matter what! I am lucky to have you for a best friend. Always, not just for the moment. AlWaYs!

I am also lucky that I have an amazing mom. She has been through a bit lately, and she still keeps on ticking. Not to mention, she puts up with me! ThAnKs!

And of course, I am lucky to have Gailon. What we have gone through in our almost six years of marriage, wow! And here we are...not in the most ideal of living situations (sorry mom, it is true! moving in with your mom at my age! HoLeY MoLeY! But we are truly lucky to have you during this period of indecision!!) but we are together! And with our newest news, well, we will save that one for later. I am just so lucky.

I guess that is what it is all about, enduring that is. To find the things that you can hold onto and move forward. Continue to progress.

Endure.

And the winner is...

2009-02-22T21:30:00.000-08:00

Uh, I don't know! We were not home to watch much of the Oscars because we were playing with a cute little guy, (thanks Z!) You can see some of the fun that we were having here.
Crazy weather too! I thought that it was going to be cold, due to the few sprinkles and clouds, but no! It was warm and kinda humid at Trumps, luckily it was not windy!!

I must say, I love being able to have so much fun with Gailon! (thanks andrew for being a fellow sherpa!!) LoVe YoU GaIlOn!!!!

Gailon was able to teach a photography class for Enrichment last Thursday. (I guess they found a way to get me to go!!) Anyway, he started a photography club on Flickr for anyone interested in photography that has some link back to the San Pedro Ward. So join the San Pedro Ward Photography Club and start posting some of your work! Just for fun, nothing serious goin' on here!!

Valentine's Day and all that jazz...

2009-02-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

This year we decided to go low key with the festivities. Gailon sent me a beautiful flower arrangement to school on Friday. The office staff loves it when he does this, I hear all of the stories of how their spouse has NEVER sent them anything, or that the only time he did, they were wilted and died the next day.

SO LUCKY AM I!!!! I love this fantabulous man that I was lucky to have been set up with (thanks yenta becky!) We truly have had a great journey so far and look forward to the coming adventures!!

We started our valentines day by going to breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants, Johnny Reb's, and I ordered a yummy green tomato and bacon omelet while Gailon ordered his traditional steak and eggs. We ran around here and there, got our hairs chopped, literally, chatting, and just enjoying the day with each other. We were up pretty late the night before playing games with the Nocella's
( thanks guys!! ), so we went home and watched a movie and fell asleep.

Well, this morning, Gailon woke up not feeling well and I had a cRaZy headache! Since I was released last week from being the Gospel Doctrine teacher, I was okee dokee to stay home too. So we made breakfast and took it easy today. We are both feeling a bit better, thanks to some needed rest and a yummy goat cheese and pepper pizza from Whole Foods, (one of my favorite stores!!)

Off to sleep, again!!

Would you like a side of wind with that order?

2009-02-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

Wow! Who ordered all the wind and rain? Don't get me wrong, I know that we need the moisture, and thank goodness much of this crazy weather has been on non-school days, but HoLeY MoLeY!!

We had one of those handy dandy canopies in the driveway to protect Gailon's motorcycle from the elements, HAD is the operative word here. The wind was just too much for it and it needed to be removed. The wind in the trees in the yard was so strong, I kept looking for the funnel cloud. Thankfully there was nothing to be seen, just the roar of the wind to be heard.

I remember when I was in fourth grade there was a tornado that went down our street, carrying with it a trash can from a few blocks away. As it passed by my classroom window, it pulled the windows open and threw the blinds all over the place. Wild!

Well, it made for an interesting day off, to be sure.

Surprise!

2009-01-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

My darling sweetheart decided to surprise me with tickets to Phantom! Apparently he had this all planned and tickets purchased in October. I recall him pulling aside a few friends and chatting with them, a conversation I was shooed from, as you can imagine.

What fun! This is the third time that I have seen it, my first at the Pantages Theater. I love this theater with all of the art deco touches!

We took my mom with us, of course, and had a great time! It was nice to take a break from all of the real life drama and immerse ourselves in the joy of the theater!

So much to say and so little time...

2009-01-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Wow, let me see, what has been going on lately: jobbing (is that even a word?), planning a bathroom makeover for a very dear sisterfriend, (i know that is not a word, but it fits!), finding out that there are WAY too many people who remember me from school and my mission that have found me on facebook (but i must admit, it is so fun to chit chat and see the old and new photos!), finding out that I am really getting old (i found three gray hairs! oh me oh my!!), and not much else!

Oh, one more thing! Watching the Inauguration with a classroom of eight and nine year olds was truly an experience. We basically watched, well I should say that I watched because they were too busy with the word find and coloring to pay much attention to, just the swearing in. Very interesting to note the reaction of those kiddos that were paying attention, one of awe and interest. Like I told them, if I agree with who is President or not makes no difference, he is who he is and only time will tell what is next. I do not share my political or religious beliefs with my students, and won't here either, suffice it to say that it was an interesting day!

Ain't that sweet...

2009-01-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

After scouts, Gailon usually makes a run for the border with the guys and buys them their "fourth" meal.
Gailon, the saucy guy that he is, noticed this little wonder in his bag. When he got home, he casually told me that he had a little something in his jacket pocket for me and I pulled out the little sauce packet.

He asked me if I would marry him...... I am still thinking about it.....well, umm, hmmm, lemme see here.... YoU bEtChA!!

I feel so lucky to be married to my best friend! So lucky to be able to weather the many storms of life with him and come out on the other end laughing!

Love you!

Here We Go Again!

2009-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

Such a cRaZy Christmas break!

We decided to go to Utah to visit with friends and family and left on the Friday after Christmas. What a beautiful drive! I love being able to leave at the crack of dawn, sleep in a moving “bed”, and crowd around gas pumps with grouchy drivers! No, really, I do! One of my favorite things to do is stop at the outlets at Primm, especially the Williams-Sonoma outlet. We got a few last minute gifts from there and we were on our way again.

We arrived in Sandy to visit with the Adam family first. Then came the Anderson’s. We had a blast going sledding...at 9p.m!! Gailon got some amazing shots of us acting as though our ages were closer to our shoe sizes! LoVe It!!!

{I love the train station in Ogden and snapped this as I was getting into the car after a family photo shoot. Just a little bit of my Papa included in the adventure this year. He's a major train buff! Well, anything that has to do with travel. Love ya!}

Then on to Ogden, where we were blessed to attend a private concert at the Treehouse Children’s Museum. My aunt and uncle were able to secure the tenor from the Utah Symphony, George Dyer, to give a private concert to a few of their closest friends and family. AmAzIng, to put it mildly! His voice and style of entertaining an audience made for an amazing event. Not only that, but Gailon was the photographer for the event! LoVe It!!! I'll have to have him share some of those pictures, or check them out at www.gailon.com

Next big event was New year’s Eve. We were able to spend it with my cousin and her family. We had so much fun playing Sequence. They have a tournament and they are serious about this game! We were a bit intimidated at first because we were new to the game, but we held our own and came in fifth place out of ten couples.

We decided to return on Saturday, much later than we normally would have done before. Lucky for us we were able to spend much of it driving through snow, salt, sand, and who knows what else. Made for an ExCiTiNg adventure, to put it mildly!

[sorry it is so blurry, i couldn't stop shaking! you would be too if you were in beaver, utah at the crack of dawn with the wind chill somewhere around 20 degrees! this is the running board of the car, caked in muddy ice and salt. YuMmY!]

Now it is back to the grindstone, continuing our adventures in photography and life!

Happy New year!

Have Yourself A {Wicked} Little Christmas!!!

2008-12-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

Lemme explain...

My mother has been wanting to see Wicked ever since Gailon and I went to see it. She was a bit bummed that she didn't tag along the first time. So Gailon and I decided that we would take her for her Christmas gift. So we decided to find the date closest to Christmas but before it, because it is closing in January and we will not be here after Christmas. Well, I chose Tuesday, December 23 because I am off from school and Gailon has a somewhat flexible schedule. Turns out that he is not feeling well so I am taking her alone. Mind you she doesn't know about this whole adventure, I just told her to be ready to go by 4.

We leave for the theater and there is tons of traffic, (in L.A at 4:30pm, really?) and I am not sure we will make it there by 6pm. Gailon calls me several times because the Bishop is there with three of the young women from the ward and he is getting nervous that we won't make it either!

(I digress, the Bishop gave the youth a challenge to read the Book of Mormon during the month of August with the Stake. If they chose to complete the challenge, he would take them to see Wicked. Be good for a Wicked reward, hmmmmm. At any rate, we were talking after the Ward Activity on Friday while sipping our yummy hot cocoa at Starbucks about the process for the lottery and discovered that we would be there at the same time, hence the calls and updates on the line...) Whew!

He calls Gailon one more time and tells him that there aren't any extra tickets for sale, you can only get in if you win the lottery tickets or pay $250 a ticket. OuCh!! At this point, we are about 2 miles from the exit in creeping traffic and it is 5:45. I change lanes, say a little prayer that we will make it, traffic lanes open, and we hemify it to the exit, get off the freeway, make it through the first green and then the next!

It is 5:50, Mom knows where we are going at this point, I explain to her the lottery process and have her jump out and get in line. I am looking for a quick parking spot (in front of a crowded theater, yes I was a bit crazy at the moment!!), and found a taxi loading zone that didn't "start" until 6pm! So, it is 5:57 and I throw mom's blue plackard up onto the mirror and run to put my name in. I get to the podium and the gentleman says" Ok folks! That is it, no more for the lottery! Let's pull some names!" I was the last "legal" name to go in! (A gentleman snuck in beside me and begged to put his name in too, and they did! Ah the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well).

They are only giving out 13 sets of tickets for the front row of the theater. They call about 6 names, none of us.

Then... "Kevin ______"! WaHoO!!!

Person number 8,

"Karen_______"!! No way!! Their group is in! I am so excited for them!!

Person ten.

Person eleven. My mom turns to me and says, "I hope they pick your name!"

"Sara Tucker! ArE YoU KiDdIng Me!!?!! All six of us are getting in!

What are the odds?

I purchase the tickets, we make our plans, and then I park the car in a much more secure place. We had a great time! I could easily go again and again! If we did not get tickets, we were going to take Mom to SLC to see it in April. Maybe we will anyway!!

Oh dear, I think that I am addicted to Wicked! Is there a thirteen step program?

On a more positive note...

2008-12-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

We have truly been blessed! We have been very busy with family portraits, at least 5 a week for the last month or so. It is so great to work with the families and their various wishes and personalities.

We have also been given a great opportunity to work on a special project! The Marketing and Art Directors of this project have been so great to work with! What an opportunity!!!! I took a photo of Gailon doing what he does as a way to document this adventure!

So much going on right now! I am so glad that Winter Break is almost here so I can unwind and evaluate things. Maybe sleep a bit too, raccoon eyes are so not attractive!

Merry Christmas to you too! Bah!

2008-12-18T21:15:00.000-08:00

So, we received an early "gift" from Gailon's company, and it is pink. Gotta love corporate games and downsizing... SO we are in a fervent job hunt mode rather than shopping mode. Good thing Mom is a great landlady and does not charge much!!

Blogerney...

2008-12-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

Having fun on my blogerney today and I found these really cool decals.

Scribble It GIVEAWAY!!

And then there was this adorable frock!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

And would you believe another beautiful frock! I am amazed by the talents of others!!

Tree Lighting Wrap Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Better get back to my own creations!!

ChRiStMaS TaG!!

2008-12-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tag Time Is Here!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I LOVE wrapping paper because of all of the fun designs and such. Plus it can be multi-purposed. But I usually do a little bit of both because bags are way faster.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real is the only tree there is!!! Potted to be re-used of course!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the second week of December.

4. When do you take the tree down? A couple days after Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? A teeny tiny bit.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Wonder Woman UnderRoos!! I loved those things!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Gailon! His list is too expensive ;)

8. Easiest person to buy for? My students, well I guess that would be people.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? The one from my childhood.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if I get them done....

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A used bottle of lotion from a student...it's the thought that counts!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? That is what White Elephant parties are for!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My dad’s fudge and divinity!

16. Lights on the tree? white ones only.

17. Favorite Christmas song? All of them! I really like the ones we learned in Primary.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph! (Of course I had to sing it first!)

20. Angel on the tree-top or a star? Star and an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Depends on the family we are with, we do both.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who have lost their Christmas spirit and their focus on the reason for the season.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We do a different themed tree every year. We have done a cooking tree, photo tree, stars only tree, country tree, and a general ornament tree. I just like themes! It makes for a fun ornament collection to be sure!

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Ham and cheesy potatoes.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? whirled peas!

Consider yourself tagged!!!

Happy Birthday Papa!!

2008-11-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today is my Papa's birthday, so we went to the cemetery and lit candles in some yummy chocolate cupcakes! One of his favorite cakes was Gailon's German Chocolate Cake, so we thought that this would work out well.I noticed as we were leaving that the configuration of Venus, Jupiter, and the moon made a smiley face. Not the best picture, but you can still see it.

One of the things my dad and I did was look at the stars and find constellations that we could discuss. Even when I was on my mission or away at school we would do this, so the stars have always had a special place in my heart. Makes me kinda think he was smiling down on me tonight.

Happy Birthday Papa! I love you! I miss you...

Happy Thanks-living!

2008-11-25T16:59:00.001-08:00

Gratitude is expressed in thanksgiving;
but more so in living lives of honor and integrity,
of kindness and compassion,

in awareness of others and their needs,
and an honest expression of gratitude
for all those who affect our lives.
Thanksgiving is best expressed as
thanks-living.
- A. Theodore Tuttle

Just Call Us Grandpa and Grandma!!

2008-11-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know that sounds weird. Our oldest foster son, Chris, called around 11:45pm our time last night from North Carolina because he is now a daddy!His birthday was earlier this month and now he has a little bundle of joy, Madilyn. So sweet!

Blah, Blah, Blah...

2008-11-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

That is what it feels like after two weeks of parent conferences. Many of them were the same, "Your child is doing well here and here, but need to improve here and here. Here is their retention letter for reference..." So many of my kiddos are below grade level. My personal goal for them is to have them at grade level by the end of the year. A lofty goal, maybe. But I think that a goal needs to be something worth reaching for.

We have been so incredibly busy with photo shoots over the last few weeks, from a lunar 40th birthday bash, to many family portraits. I LoVe the photos that were taken this past week with one little boy in particular! SO AdOrAbLe!!! He is so calm and serious, until his daddy tickled him in the right place, or his mommy spoke to him in just the right way. Not to mention the beautiful sunset pictures of a great family! So much fun! I will have to get some of the photos from Gailon to post here. I know that some of them are on his photography website blog.

Other than that, life moves along!

Hello? Is this thing on?!!?

2008-11-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been some time since my last update, but it has been some time since I have had a chance to breathe!! We have been so busy! So here is a quick update as I am on my way out to yet another activity!!!!

First of all, Kimmy came over for a visit! It was so great for Gailon to actually meet her! I thought that this was a cute pose, like she is saying, "Hehe!! I am checking out Gailon's screen!!" and "Hi Mommy!"

Love that little one!!

Next we were able to shoot the Nocella's Family portrait!

Just kidding!! This is not the real one, that one is yet to come!! Updates coming later......

AgAiN?!?!?!?!

2008-10-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

That is a common phrase that we have heard recently. Yes, it is true, we have moved again. Our landlady wanted us to sign a new lease for 2 years with a 20% increase in rent and we were not willing to do either.
So..... we moved into a teeny tiny house in Long Beach, with my mom. It is temporary until we find what we are looking for. We truly wish to thank all of those who assisted in this effort~ Jesus, Roger, Bob, Ivan, William and Bill, Mark, Seth, Flynt, Don, Dan, Andrew W, the neato Coast Guard guy whose name I can't currently recall, and especially Alfonso, Dave, and Trevor for helping with the unloading portion too. And most especially my best buddy ever! Teesha was so helpful in moving, packing, laughing, crying, barfing, you name it and she was there!!
( I hope I remembered everyone! If I forgot you, sorry! We really do appreciate you!!!)

We are continuing the adventure of unpacking and finding a spot for this and that. This move was not a fun one, given the fact that we moved from our beloved San Pedro and are in housing limbo. But my mom was kind enough to allow us to camp out in her house for a bit.

We will still be in the San Pedro Ward, talk about stretching the boundaries! But we still feel that it is where we belong and want to be...

Just another adventure.....

During this move we were able to listen to conference on KBYU. What a choice experience it is to hear from the prophet and our brothers and sisters.
One of my favorite leaders is Elder Perry. It was so great to hear his talk as I was moving because it was all about simplifying our lives. Let me tell you, I am so ready for a simplification of my life! We have amassed so much stuff! Between the household goods and the photography business... holey moley!

I truly appreciated the words of President Monson as well. His parting words, so simple and true, Heavenly Father knows us and is aware of us. Exactly what I needed to hear at that moment of utter exhaustion and frustration.
My cup truly runneth over.

TIME OUT!

2008-09-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

It behooves me to say that I was wrong. I know, shocker!! However I learned something this last weekend, VeGaS rOcKs!! (except for the heat, and smoke, and debauchery, and...)

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the weekend in Vegas with my dearest friends ever, The Nocella's. T and I were able to attend Time Out For Women on Saturday while the boys took a Time Out For Bass Pro Shop.

An amazing time was had by all!!!

This was my fifth opportunity to attend this event, twice in Long Beach, once in Pasadena and San Diego, and now Las Vegas.
I cannot say enough good about these events! I come away renewed and invigorated! We went to Vegas because we missed the San Diego opportunity and I know one of the presenters. It turned out that she was unable to attend due to illness, but her replacement was Sister Virginia Hinkley Pearce. What an amazing woman! Her comments about living a joyful life hit me to the core, as did the other presenters. I absolutely love Hillary Weeks' music and she was the facilitator for the event. She is an uplifting and funny woman!
I think that the opportunity to attend with a terrific friend made it even more special. I was selected to tell about how someone in my life has made their life a joyful one, and I chose to tell them about T. She was selected and was recognized in front of an auditorium of about 1,000 women as one who lives a joyful life. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful friend, one who is there through it all, is positive, funny, and honest! LoVe Ya!!

We took some fun pictures!!
My sweetie at the Rain Forest Cafe! Such a cutie!!

I thought that they said to just smile... duh! The penny squisher!!

Time, oh give me time...

2008-09-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone!??

This past weekend we were busy with a wedding and a 50th wedding anniversary mass and party. I must say that the one part of this photography business that is not fun is when we do the occasional Sunday shoot. We enjoyed doing the 50th party because they are friends of Gailon's from work, but it is still working on Sunday. Not my favorite activity, ya know?!

Nevertheless, we were able to get some amazing shots at the church and then at the restaurant. We are definitely going back to that restaurant for a date night too.

As a side note, when we were leaving the mass, a couple approached us and asked if we were wedding photographers. We replied that we were and Gailon gave them his card. They need a photographer for their wedding at the end of the month and we are setting up the appointment for a pre-event consultation. The priest had a great sense of humor, and asked if we were doing business in the church. I replied that we were not money changers nor exchanging funds, (not money changers, get it?), just discussing. His laugh resonated off of the high ceiling and walls. So cute!

We were blessed to have a good friend from church join us for the Saturday wedding shoot. Thanks Monica!!! It was so much fun having Monica along, we both learned a few things and were able to find some fun ways to take neato pictures. We are definitely calling you on the next shoot! It was neat to be able to work alongside someone who is teachable, willing to do the grunt work, and truly wants to learn! Plus, I had help carrying equipment and that is never a bad thing! Thanks again for a fun adventure on Saturday!! And for carrying the reflectors and lighting bag! you were amazingly awesome!!

Other than that there was not much else for this weekend. How could there be? No time... But that is ok, just nine more days for some R&R!!! With a little fun and spiritual uplift too!

The First Day of School

2008-09-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

One down, 179 more to go!! Teehee!
I have a great class! There are 17 so far (a far cry from 35 last year!) Oh the joys of third grade! I am just loving it! I took my camera to school and forgot to take any pictures, but will do my best to do so tomorrow. I have decided to go with a garden theme and free-styled some flowers and a tree on the door. It is a very bright and friendly environment, if I do say so myself! Anyone is welcome to stop by and check it out!
Gailon came and took the first day photos of the kiddos for their “work wall”. He was also able to take the photos for another teacher too. The students enjoyed having Mr. Tucker there to hang out with and get to know. It will be fun to go to the L.A. County Fair with him too. I let the kiddos know that there first field trip was coming up and they got so excited! The timing of the Fair coincides with the theme we are starting with, Friendship and Charlotte’s Web is a part of it. (Friendship, hmmm…. I think that I could talk about that topic for quite a bit, but that is another post…….)
It cracked me up that there were some who were so excited that there was a leather couch in the room more than all the fun things that I purchased and put together for them! Oh the simple things in life. Several were completely jazzed that they had their own pencil sharpener and 2 mechanical pencils! Remember when it was that easy to be satisfied with something so small? I just love my job! It helps me keep things in perspective…..

We're Back!

2008-08-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! We had a great week in Utah visiting with friends and family. We left early on Monday morning and came home on the following Sunday. What an adventure we had!
Our original reason for going was to return three young men to their home after their adventures with Gailon at scout camp, but we decided to extend the trip to allow for some visiting too.
We were able to visit the Adam, Caywood, Treto, and Alsup families. Not to mention our family members too. So much fun!

Now that we are back, we have had to get back into the swing of things! I can't believe that school starts next week! Where did the time go? My room is mostly done. I just have a few of the pretty details to complete, and were are off and running!

Other than that, everything is status quo. We are continuing to work on building our photography business. I can't believe how busy that keeps us! But it is fun and an adventure that we love doing! We have a wedding in a few weeks and have done several senior photos, as well as missionary photos. Love, love, love it!!

I must say we have truly been blessed with great jobs, a flourishing business, amazing friends and family, and the opportunity to do any and all of these things! What an amazing life we live!

the week in review

2008-08-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Wow! The boys are back from scout camp, I think that they brought half of it home with them too! I am so grateful that I have the blessing of having my own washer and dryer! Laundry for all of them would have been a beast otherwise!

We have been fortunate to have three of the greatest boys hang out with us for a bit before we take them home to Utah. Their mom was so funny when I told her that I was doing their laundry. She promptly told me that I didn’t have to, until I corrected her and told her that I did because I didn’t want to smell camp dirt, sweat, and yuck all the way to their house! She laughed and relented, understanding exactly what I was talking about.

They were able to have many great adventures this past week, some of them are encrypted in their conversations, but I am catching on quickly! And the pictures that Gailon took help to share their adventures too.

While they were gone, I was able to get some planning done with my projects, organize them, and figure out that there are more projects possible with all of the extra that I have collected!! BuSy, BuSy!!

Here is the picture of the month, I guess. I have been reminded that I forgot to post a picture , soooo here’s a couple from our adventure to the Aquarium of the Pacific.

This place has special meaning for our family. It is one of the last places we went to, as a complete family, before the passing of my dad. So we thought that it was fitting to go on his anniversary date, August 13. We enjoyed what we could because it was so busy with end of the season/year for day camps and kids camps. Since we have memberships, we will return and enjoy it often!

As we left the Aquarium, Isis said to grandma, “I am hungry! Let’s eat fish for lunch!” I thought that it was so hilarious! I reminded her we had just spent the morning looking at fish and critters of the sea, and her little seven year old response was, “I know, that’s why I am hungry!” Oh the minds and innocence of children. So we ate shrimp at Bubba Gumps. Max and Isis shared a quarter pound of peel and eat shrimp! Max ate about three and Isis ate the rest.

Yummy!

Another week, another adventure!!!

2008-08-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are in the throes of yet another summer camp! Gailon is off to the wild wilderness of Lake Arrowhead with the scouts. He is there with an eighteen year old assistant, twenty-two year old part time assistant, and an on-again-off-again adult who is there to enjoy nature on his own terms. Oh the joys of being in the scouting “program”….

So where does that leave me? Busy, busy, busy!!! Of course! I am almost done with my classroom, now it is just a matter of getting all of the belongings of others out of the way and I will be done! Whew!

Next, I have been having a blast hanging out with my mom and the little ones! Today we are off on another grand adventure! Since I have slacked in my picture of the week adventure, (Thanks Teesha for the reminder!), I will have to post some of the adventures that we have had over the course of the last week.

Good Advice

2008-08-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

I got this as an email today from my family email list. I thought that the message was very fitting, especially with all that is going on around us these days...

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.

P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME.. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it.. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

Thanks!

2008-08-08T07:27:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all who attended last night! We had a blast chatting, card making, and of course, eating great yummies!!! How can you go wrong with peanut butter fingers, lemon bars, and freshly made cheesecake! Thanks Gailon! (He is already so busy with preparations for camp and still took the time to help me out! LoVe YoU!!!)

Thanks Teesha for a great card making adventure! More ideas for my stamps and stuff!

Stampin' Up

2008-08-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

I will be having a Stampin' Up party this Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm. All are invited to come and hang out, enjoy good food, friends, and a fun card making adventure! No pressure to buy, just come and have fun!
The presentation will be by Teesha Nocella!

"Summertime and the living is easy..."

2008-08-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

...or so the song goes. When does it get easy?

Summer school is over and I have finished my week long class. This class was amazing! I tried to share bits and pieces through a couple of narratives and pictures. We were so fortunate to be taught by some of the local scholars and experience some of the sights. I received so many resources from many books to pictures of old Long Beach and the port. My how things have changed and amazing how so much is still the same. I won the raffle today, a book about one of the first African-American female pilots in Long Beach. Two wins in one week is soooooo unusual for me!

So now I am on to my classroom. That is going to be one crazy adventure!

Mix into that the preparation for the boys to go to Scout Camp, holy moley! Since Gailon and I are the ones that are pulling everything together, we have been running around to get the materials, checks, permits, and turn in the paperwork. I have been to the downtown L.A. offices so many times, I think that I should have my own parking space!
Even though it is tough and takes so much time, I am so grateful that I have a husband who magnifies his calling, who goes above and beyond what is needed to make sure that these boys have a good experience, who takes the responsibility he has been given as the Assistant Scoutmaster to make it happen! And he does it without the expectation that he will be thanked or given any of the "credit" he may be due.
Gailon, you are so amazing to me!!! Thank you for being a great example to these boys of a leader who does what they need to in order to have a program that will work for them! I love you!

Me?

2008-07-30T18:31:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I don't normally do these kinda things, but this one cracked me up! Whatcha think?

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Today's Adventure

2008-07-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today we were taken on a tour of the Long Beach Harbor and Port. We were also told more about
the history of the port and its impact on the Los Angeles/Long Beach Area. A wonderful presentation by the Port folks was given and then we were off on our adventure. We boarded a lovely vessel, were given complimentary chapstick, magnets/clips, brochures, and then escorted to our seats. The tour began and my camera was ready! We went all around the harbor, in all of the nooks and crannies, under the Gerald Desmond Bridge, over to the Heim Bridge and then back to Shoreline Village. So much fun and hard to believe that this is a class that I get to participate in, get paid for, and just enjoy the historical aspects as well! I even won a class set of pencils from the port! Not a big deal to most, but anything free for me, is a treat! One less bunch of pencils I have to purchase!

Photo of the day

2008-07-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe I will post a photo of the day, or week, whichever works into my schedule.

At any rate, today I went on a field trip with my summer class for history teachers to the Long Beach Airport. Very interesting to say the least. I was not aware of the history behind Long Beach and its airport, but now I am! It has been through many changes, beginning with airplane landings being on the beach, to a terminal the size of a small house, to what we have 85 years later. Interesting!

the tuckers

{attitude of gratitude}

{attitude of gratitude}

{attitude of gratitude}

day six :

{attitude of gratitude} i am grateful for the ability to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.

day seven:

{attitude of gratitude} i am grateful for the education i have received and the ability to finish this masters program.

{attitude of gratitude}

I am grateful for reliable transportation that allows us to visit friends and family.

{attitude of gratitude}

day four:

I am grateful that our home is covered under a warranty...wrong time of year to have a heater play games...it's a wee bit chilly in here...

{attitude of gratitude}

i am grateful for my darling sweetie. ♥

i am grateful for a warm home and the joys of life.

i am grateful for helpful people within government organizations, like DCFS...

InSpIrEd

** ogden river parkway **

{time}

{learnings of late}

...wow...

{goodbye fall}

great photography props and such giveaway!

yup...

{gratitude}

I have much to be {grateful} for..

*thousands of words*

........wishing ...hoping ...dreaming....

{oh what do you do in the summertime?}

** fOuRtH oF jUlY **

{one year}

{done}

**I DID IT!!!**

I had a goal in mind and beat it!

My final time was 3hours 57 minutes and 9 seconds...and to top it off, I have runner's feet! {BIG} blisters on my piggie toes and under a big toe...ouchie! Next time, more moleskin!

on your mark...

running clothes set out...check,

music ready...check,

words of comfort from gailon...check,

yummy carb loaded meal...check,

personal pep talk...check,

running my first marathon...priceless... ♥

so many questions, still yet unanswered...

i {heart} the vintagepearl.com

we made it!

...i am still kicking...

A Great and Noble One has been lost...

~ love ~

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ~Dr. Seuss.

Happy Valentine's Day!

... i lOvE...

... i lOvE...

... i lOvE...

... i lOvE...

... i lOvE...

... i lOvE...

...i LoVe...

... i lOvE...

...i LoVe...

Happy February!

... i gotta feelin' ...

~** MeRrY ChRiStMaS **~

*~winter~*

**** snow ****

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!!

St. George Adventures

i {heart} fall...

what happened to my snow?!

Here We Are...{mostly}

R.S. Broadcast....don'tcha just love it!?

hmmmm....

Ogden Balloon Festival in Eden

**i love you papa**

Another Shelf Reliance Giveaway!

Horses, Chickens, and Pigs, Oh My!

This one's for you Jen!

Motorcyle Adventures!!!

Free on Friday with Provident Living

*home*

ogden river parkway

thousands of words

fOuRtH oF jUlY

I DID IT!!!

~ MeRrY ChRiStMaS ~

~winter~

snow

i love you papa

home