Thanks Gived

...I mean "Gave" of course

...or is it "Given"?

I forgot to tell how fabulous Thanksgiving at Grandma K's was.

It was absolutely fabulous!

There... that wasn't so hard.

These are the table settings my Aunt Karen had me do.

They turned out pretty cute. Nothing too fancy.

That "silverware" is actually plastic. Awesome!

No Thanksgiving is complete without these amazing orange rolls.

In fact, no life is complete without these amazing orange rolls.

Remind me to share the scrumptious recipe with you sometime.

Aunt Peggy made these pumpkin pies. Yum!

I love this wall.Madre is the one in the top left portrait.The others are her beautiful/handsome siblings.My grandpa is a photographer and took all of these.Someday I will do the same for my kids!
Indeed, the best part of Thanksgiving was being with my family.I don't see Madre's side of the family as much as I should,so it was a much needed reunion.
I love my family!
Hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous!

That's What It's All About

I'm not referring to the Hokey Pokey.

Thanksgiving brought the marvelous flood of happiness and excitement for the holidays and I simply can't wait!

I can't wait for our annual Christmas Movie countdown. We watch a favorite Christmas movie every Sunday till Christmas, ending with "It's A Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve. I love that movie! Others favorites include: Muppet's Christmas Carol, Miracle On 34th Street (1994), The Santa Clause II, The Nativity, Scrooge, White Christmas, etc.

I can't wait for the semester to be over so I can just spend time with my family and drink in the warm and happy spirit of Christmas.

I can't wait for Christmas parties with family and friends.

White elephants, talent shows, Santa Clause, and laughter...lots and lots of laughter.

I can't wait for holiday shopping. I find it strangely addicting meandering through the crowded malls and stores in search of gifts for friends and family.

I can't wait for Christmas stories that Madre reads to us all bundled up in blankets by the fireplace. She's the best narrator ever.

I really can't wait to see this or these! Christmas would not be the same without them.

I can't wait for snow! Snow forts. Snow angels. Snowmen. Snowball fights. Sledding.

Amid the hustle and bustle of outrageous and fantastic traditions,

I can't wait to reflect on the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I went and saw this last night with Andy and it was amazing. I cried a little!

I just love this time of year and am so grateful for our loving Savior and his humble birth.

That's what Christmas is all about:

Happy Holidays to you!

Heart's Home

O, il mio cuore,

these make my heart ache!

*sigh* ...amore...

But, don't you fret,

I find solace in the fact that I tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

You know what that means don't you?

It means that I will undoubtably return to Rome

...which, as you know, is in Italy!

And I love Italy!

(shocker)

I must go back and retrieve my heart.

And see the temple!

And fall in love with an attractive Italian man

Who also happens to be an Italian opera singer and culinary chef

With a deep passion to live in Utah (and visit Italy often)

And is significantly less hairy than most Italian men.

That is all

:)

Hey, I can dream can't I?

(heck yes I can!)

Someone

Today, Jalene asked me a question.

It was a question that made me cry a little,

But mostly out of happiness for her.

Jalene is in love.

As are a lot of my friends.

And it's kind of weird that they're almost all married.

It makes me hopeful and happy!

...and a little bit lonely.

Though, never alone.

Is it strange to miss someone you've never met?

Or to love someone you've never talked to?

Dear Someone,

I look forward to meeting you,

Or to realizing that I've known you much longer than I ever dreamed possible.

Don't stop searching, I am here, growing patiently,

And praying for you.

Dan & Megan

I love this beautiful and hilarious couple and I am so happy for them!

Happy Ever After, Dan & Megan!

Season of Hope

I woke up this morning to the usual sounds of Madre making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Too early," I thought as I rolled over and readjusted my pillow.

I did not want to get out of my toasty bed. Not one little bit.

Winter was here. And with it, my natural inclination to hibernate till Christmas morning.

Dad came in to ask if I was riding with him to school.

My response, "I'm debating between sleeping in or working out."

As a solution to my inner-turmoil, Dad pulled the covers away.

He's big into exercise and fitness.

I whimpered a little at the rush of cold air.

Then, I told myself that he was right and reluctantly began to gather my things.

We drove on the slippery roads to school in a winter wonderland,

And reverently, commented on the fresh blanket of snow covering the trees,

"Magnificent."

I craved Christmas. The family part. The school-less part.

I closed my eyes real tight and took in a deep breath as the heater kicked in.

Pavarotti sang "Nessun Dorma" over the speakers.

Dad loves "Nessun Dorma"

Me too.

It reminds me of Italy. I sure like that place.

The entrance of the new season made my heart come alive and it seemed to sing along,

"...di speranza"

Dad dropped me off and I went about my regular exercise routine.

Finding a treadmill without a fan.

Finding a TV that wasn't playing sports.

Then, I thumbed through my ipod,

And rather than selecting my usual upbeat playlist, I flipped past it

And pushed 'Play' when I came to Puccini

"...di speranza"

image source

What Are You Thankful For?

I'm grateful for:

church

The Savior

Heavenly Father

testimony

ancestors & grandparents

parents

siblings

siblings-in-law

nieces & nephews

aunts, uncles & cousins

friends

love

health

education

weekends

institute

art

holidays

soft, warm bed

toothbrush

camera

clean room

food

clothing

house

blogs

crackling fires

Italy

shoes

pink fuzzy robe

chick flicks

sense of humor

music

books

chocolate

ipod

creativity

coat

Food Network

laughter

Sundays

nature

puppies

LIFE

etc. etc. etc.

I watched this today and it put me in a grateful mood. Hoping it will do the same for you!

What Are You Grateful For?

Really, I want to know.

Leave a comment.

I Am Grateful For You!

Pictures Past

Today, I was momentarily bored. So I browsed through memories on my photography blog. Having that small business was a stretch for me from the beginning. In fact, it's never gotten easier. It's only been a little over a year now that I've had Lindsay Kay Photography and it has pushed me completely out of my comfort zone and enticed me to climb higher than I ever dreamed possible.

I love photography (in case you didn't catch on). My beautiful baby, my Nikon d90, is basically my other appendage. One day, someone will interview my n&ns and ask them, "What do you remember most about your Aunt Lindsay?" and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they said, "Is she the one with the camera attached to her face?" Oh gosh I love them, don't even get me started.

Anyway, going through the many shoots I've done, I have compiled my favorite shot from almost every one of them, for your enjoyment...or at least mine:

*click the asterisk above each picture to see the full shoot

*My sister Heather's bridal shoot. The first bridals I ever took and I dare say my favorites.

*Heather & Joseph's engagement pictures. Personally, taking good pictures is way easier when they're of your family.

*Sabree's beautiful senior portraits. I barely know this girl, but I feel like we're best friends. Stinkin' cute!

*Jalene made this shoot easy. Cello, model! I love this picture.

*Brad & Madison, the first engagements I ever shot. Where my journey all began! Aww, presh!

*The cute li'l Jensen family. This one speaks for itself!

*Morgan & Amy! I love the lighting in this picture (and throughout the whole shoot) but I mostly love these girls!

*This shoot was my brother Steve and his wife Sarah's Christmas present last year. Did I mention I love those kids?

*The Chamberlains! These little men are just adorable and that red door is pretty dang shnazzy!

*Beautiful, Fayth. That was the first wedding I ever did! Oh the memories!

*Heather = Personality. Need I say more? Fun shoot!

*Great shoot. Great style. Great guy. Yes, all my friends are models.

*See what I mean? Love Adam! Love this green wall (tennis wall, go figure).

*The Joseph Smith Memorial Building may be a cliche location for bridals, but the lighting in there is amazing! So is Rachel!

*Heather married Kyle who also = Personality. Fun day!

*VHS musicals have a tender place in my heart. This picture is awesome. That show was basically a high school broadway!

*Beautiful eyes! I love taking pictures of children! This was a fun shoot. Go figure, it's family.

*Speaking of family, here is the aunt and uncle (my cousins) of little miss blue-eyes above.

*AND, this is my other cousin, Lige! He's hilarious and basically just an awesome guy. Going to be a great missionary!

*Sometimes as a photographer you are limited on location and "scenery". I didn't necessarily do a great job finding a breathtaking backdrop for this picture under the circumstances, but the couple made up for it.

*This was my first family shoot. A lot of editing involved in this picture, but it turned out. The key is to try to do as little editing as possible while trying to achieve a brilliant outcome. Still learning that.

I don't know how much more I'll do with Lindsay Kay Photography. I love photography as a personal passion and hobby, but I don't think I've ever fully appreciated it as a business. School is consuming my whole life like a greedy ravenous wolf, but ya know what? I love it! Graphic design is perfect for me and I'd like to think that I'm perfect for it, too. At least I'm trying to be.
Anyway...random thoughts.Creative ventilation...you know?
Happy weekend, y'alls!


<---do you like?I can't decide if this signature looks too much like the Disney logo...thoughts?

All Smiles

Extra! Extra!There is something better than watching a Pixar movie...Wanna know what it is?Watching kids watch a Pixar movie!See for yourself:(this is what they're watching)

The same goes for Loony Tunes!

I have a video of that somewhere too.

Cute kids! I love being an aunt!

The Chamberlain Family

Remember this cute family? Well, I finally caught up with myself and here are some other great pictures from their lovely family shoot. Aren't these boys adorable?