Hmph.... not even sure what to say or where to begin
I spend so much time capturing the lives of others that I've been neglecting to capture my own! I'm really wanting to make a change in that department. I think it's time...

Boise Temple at night

20/365

I did something tonight I'd been wanting to do for a long time now! After I got done with my session at the Temple, I stayed and took some photos of this beautiful and Holy building. No flash was used - I had to set the exposure for anywhere between 5 and 30 seconds to allow enough light into the sensors! I loved it!! Enjoy some of my favorites from tonight...

now you might have noticed that these first few ones had a sort of "reddish" hue to the sky. That is because the Boise Temple sits right next to our big movie theater complex (and lots of restaurants and hotels, etc) that all the bright neon lights that were on from there, caused the clouds to be tinted. This next one is of the same (above) spire but I was turned a different angle and got just the solid black night.

ok, now I LOVE this next one! It's just different and fun and unexpected! Loving the starbursts on this one and all the colors (this is exactly how this picture looked out of the camera - no fancy coloring or cool lighting effects done in photoshop - just a slight curves adjustment to add some contrast)

and then another one from this perspective. I was actually on my way back to the van when I turned back and saw all of the street lamps lit and drawing my eye directly towards the Temple!

The hardest part of the evening.... having people coming in and out of the Temple! LOL.. with my exposure set for so long (especially when I would have the shutter speed set to 30 seconds - meaning the camera was actively taking the photo for 30 seconds) that was enough time for people to walk through the photo and I'd have to try again - LOL.. but I'm glad there were that many patrons there tonight!

BUBBLES everywhere!

Day 19 - our Bubbles catastrophe!

When John and I were first married we had run out of dishwashing detergent. John assured me that liquid dishsoap was the same thing and could easily be substituted. He was wrong. So we learned early on, that if you are out of dishwashing detergent either borrow some or run to the store. Fast forward about 15 years to February 6, 2010. I see our sweet little twin girls playing in the dishwasher. Upon closer inspection, I see that they have DUMPED 80% of a brand new bottle of liquid Dawn all over it! I hurry and wisk them into the other room, take some dry towels and wipe off everything I could see. About 2 hours later, the dishwasher was filled and needed to start. Even though I knew I had gotten a lot of it up (all of it that I could see) I figured it'd be safe to lay some towels down just in case. They were needed. It gushed and gushed and gushed just spewing the bubbles like no other! Of course they thought this was fascinating and kept wanting to get into it! I had to have Seth take big bowl fulls of the suds every couple of minutes and dump into the sink or else we would have been engulfted in them! So for those that may have the same thoughts as my sweet husband all those years ago - please put them aside and always use dishwashing detergent!

Day 18

today for dinner I was craving some chicken out on the BBQ! I knew that the girls would want to follow me outside so I went ahead and got their shoes and coats on (and sadly the gas was all gone! or at least I thought it was... turns out my brother in law turned it off from the valve on Sunday when they were over) oh well.
but since we were already outside, I thought I'd take my picture for today - and this one makes me smile. I don't know why - it just does. I'm so blessed to be a twin mom! I love every minute of it!

Day 17 - Challenge

17/365

with the loft/playroom being transformed into Seth's new bedroom, we had to move all of the toys and the TV/Wii into Ben and Nathan's room. This morning, Nathan really wanted me to come up and watch him as he played so the we all headed up. While up there, I decided to challenge myself to something: to close the doors, grab my camera and try to look at this room with the kids in it with a different perspective via the camera. It really was a lot hader than I expected! I was trying all different angles and "framing" and it really got me thinking and best of all I love what I walked away with....
If any of you want to help push your bounds of creativity - I challenge you to do the same thing! I'd love to see it if you do - so link me up if you do!

Day 16

Where has the time gone???
Where have I been??
Only Day 16 and it's almost February :(
Maybe the picture for today should be one of me with a towel at my feet representing me "throwing in the towel" for this 365 project! The past little bit has been absolutely crazy! I have been taking pictures but I haven't had the energy to download and blog about them... maybe I should just post them all at the end of the week? Lot sof things for me to think about but for now here is my sweet little Lexi after dinner tonight playing on the piano :) She makes me happy. She is so sweet and loving and bring so much joy and happiness to me!

I've got some super fun pictures to post (well, truthfully I have to take them first - LOL) but we had a couple of walls built in our house this week resulting in 2 additional rooms here in the home and I.love.them!!! I have some "before" shots and some "during" shots but I need to take the "after" shots to share. We enclosed the loft and Seth has "moved" in so now the older boys each have their own rooms. We also built a wall in our master bedroom - creating a bedroom portion and a sitting room area as well. Now when I say "We" - I mean a professional - LOL. Aaron Solomanson came in and did an extremely wonderful job!! When I post the photos I'll go grab his business card to share his contact info if any of you are in need of any work - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM! John and I have been so impressed!!!
So, we'll see what this week brings and (and how many post it brings with it - LOL)

Day 15 - Risk

Before I get to my 365 project I need to share some feelings about my progress. As we all know - it is only January 17th and I have already missed some days. At first I felt bummed about it and thought I have taken on too much and maybe I should have just done a 52 project (just one a week) but I know I'd be in the same situation with that as well (where I'd miss a week and then it'd be like 14 days without pictures and journaling vs. missing a day or two and still keep on going). Now if my 365 projects ends on December 31st as a 289 project - I'm fine with that! In fact, I'm thrilled with that! So, while I am pushing myself to document my family this year I'm still giving myself the "guilt free" version and am embracing it! :) So... with all that out of my system - I proudly present...

DAY 15

August got the game RISK for Christmas. The boys (and John) have been making it Sunday evening tradition. I can hear them strategizing and scheming behind me as I type this. That makes my heart happy :)

Day 14 - McCall

Day 14/365

Benjamin - 7 years old

So we were invited to head up to a cabin in McCall (to get some winter pictures and LJ's 1 year shots). It was a really nice cabin and John and I dreamed of how much fun it would be to be able to aquire one for our family. How fun it would be in the years to come as the kids got older and married and we could have family reunions or holidays together! Just thinking about it now makes me excited for the possibilites that the future holds! LOL
While I was taking pictues, the boys played around the cabin and then afterwards John took them out to a sledding hill while I took a shower and visited with Krista :)

Day 13

ok, as I'm typing this out I'm chuckling to myself seeing that this is my Day 13 and it's a picture of a hockey mask on Nathan (think Friday the 13th and jason - ooooooooohhhh!)...
And really I didn't do this "on purpose". The boys all got computers for Christmas and we have them set up in an area that I can see them all when sitting at my computer. So imagine my surprise (well, really, I guess I was more startled!) When I looked up and saw this sight! It was a hockey mask that John and the boys had painted blue and orange to wear to a BSU several years ago and he had found it and put it on (backwards - so he could still see the screen).
On a side note, I am so amazed at how computer savvy he is at only 3 years old! Currently his favorite site to play is nickjr.com (specifically the wow! wow! wubzy games).

12/365

Day 12: LAUNDRY

It is never ending. It is always calling me. I feel guilty.

I have done like 15 -17 loads (I lost track) the past 2 days and you want to know the sad part? I still have like 8+ to go!

We got behind (I say "we" because the older boys are supposed to do their own) over the holidays and are trying to get caught up!

My lifelong struggle - Day 10

I struggle. I struggle very much, and I hate it. I'm sure by looking at the photo that I took last night after leaving my meeting - you have guessed that the *thing* I am referring to is my weight.

Truthfully, right now I don't have the (needed) time to write all of my thoughts and feelings on this (since I can hear the girls awake up in their cribs and I need to get Ben up for school) but I have lost weight and gained weight and then re-lost those same pounds countless times throughout my life. Right now I am the heaviest I have ever been (or will ever be!) This past fall when I was insanely busy with my photography business - health, nutrition and exercise all got put on the backburner and were replaced with fast food, premade and "convenient" foods and repeatedly only getting 3 (maybe 4) hours of sleep at night so I was too exhausted for any exercise...
I have been successful at Weight Watchers before (for instance, when john was in Iraq, I joined and so when he came home - he came home to a fit and healthy wife (whom I miss so much!). Anyway, I have been a "member" and attending meetings on and off ever since the girls were born but I finally hit rock bottom. I am finally to the point where I am willing to put forth the effort to make my body feel its best and to treat it properly. I went to the meeting last night (which was the first time back since before the holidays! LOL) and while the scale showed how "baaaaad" I was - I was motivatd even further to DO THIS THING! and that's what I love about Weight Watchers - it teaches you how to live and plan for everyday life. Party's are going to happen. Vacations are going to happen. Holidays are going to happen. I just need to find the inner strength to not let the food overtake in those situations and to "enjoy" the time and celebrations but not go hog crazy, ya know.
alright, I've been rambling long enough and the girls are still up there "chatting" with each other so I'll end on that note....

Day 9

9/365

Yes, it is January 9th, 2010 and I still have our Christmas stuff out!
Goal this week: Get the house put back :)

Day 8

No and Stop it!

day 7/365

I'd like to introduce you to "No!" and "Stop It!" Strangely enough, the girls don't favor the same word right now - which can be good and bad. Regardless, Lexi's favorite exclamation is "No" or "uh uh" while she shakes her sweet little head back and forth. Aubrie on the other hand is a little more authoritative and will come right up to you, stick her had out straight (think of a police man directing traffic) and say "top it" in a very stern voice (and I have to say it's the cutest thing!)
now who knows how cute it'll be in a few years, but right now as they're starting to expand their vocabulary - it's definitely CUTE!

Day 6

so this morning I let John get the girls up (it is always such a joy to walk into their room in the morning and be greeting with two girlies jumping up and down who are so excited to see you!)
they hadn't seen him since Saturday afternoon and you could just tell they were so thrilled to see him! After they ate their breakfast (of which it is all over Aubrie! LOL) they both ran back over to him and wanted to be held. Talk about cutenss!

ps: our of the kindness of my heart I cropped John out of this photo... he hasn't quite recuperated from his Fiesta Bowl experience and it showed! LOL...

Day 5/365

Meet Caleb

Now typically I won't be showing my clients photos for my 365 project (because this was to for me to document OUR life, right?) Well, this little guys is special to me. His mom and I met several years ago when we belonged to the same gym out in Nampa. Shortly after I had Nathan, she announced that she was pregnant (with her 4th). Life didn't go as she thought it would and their little boy (Luke) was born with some major genetic and heart problems. They never were able to bring him home from the hospital. He was here on earth for just 4 short months. Then just the other day I got a digital baby announcement from them rejoicing that she just gave birth to a little boy on Christmas morning! oh, my heart sang! I have seen her struggle with the loss of Luke and I don't know how anyone deals with the death of a child. I hope and pray (and hope and pray some more) that that isn't one of my earthly trials to bear. I was sooooo happy the entire time during this shoot that he is so healthy and that Jen looks so good! I walked away rejuvenated! The little lion that is in the photo was special to baby Luke. What a great and wonderful Christmas gift Heaven gave to this family!

Day 4

Pucker up baby! Yikes! LOL
Ben was in charge of the treat for FHE tonight and he wanted to make a cake (I think moreso because he wanted to sample the batter!)

I was pretty happy with myself for following through on FHE even with John gone to the Fiesta Bowl. The past Sunday our Bishop bore his testimony on how we need to look at our lives (and at the "little" things that we're currently not doing) and be better on it. With FHE, we are hit and miss. We'll go through spurts where every Monday we're there with bells on and then other times when it'll be weeks in between. His testimony struck a chord with me and I am determined to do better on the little things! FHE being one of them!

Day 3

Day 3/365

I'm just at the beginning of this 21 day journey but it has already touched my life! A special gift from my mom :)

Today we switched times at church. We had been going at 8:30am (which let me tell you is VERY hard to do with a family of 8!) Our new time is much better (although interferes with the girls nap times - but oh well..) we know get to meet at 11:40am (no, that's not a typo - it is indeed 11:40am - LOL) John left this morning with his dad, Bill B. Brent C. and some guy named Jason (who hopefully doesn't wear a hockey mask - heeeee!) and are Arizona bound to the FIESTA BOWL! He recently checked in and said that they'd made it safely to Vegas where they were staying the night. They'll make it the rest of the way to Glendale tomorrow, watch the game and start heading back immediately afterwards. They plan to be back home Tuesday night.

Tonight before bed the girls were playing with some of their new Christmas toys - here's little Aubrie inserting one of the cards into her ABC truck :) A couple of things I really like about this photo -- (1) her little pudgy fingers holding onto the little card! I just want to give them little kisses! and (2) I love how the tree lights look! For those dabbling into photography there are 2 essentials to creating a photo like this. (a) you have to opened up VERY wide! I'm shooting at 1.8 in this photo and (b) it has everything to do with the distance from You to your Subject in relation to the distance from your Subject to their Background. For instance, you want to be fairly close to your subject (Aubrie in this case) and then have your subject 3-4 feet away from your background (the tree)

Day 2 - August Birthday

Day 2

Even though August's birthday was on Thursday (New Years Eve) we had his party today. This is the cake that Mayonna Green (Cakes by May) created. August requested a "Snow/sledding/skiing" theme. She always does a great job! My favorite part is in the second picture where you can see she recreated a "Snowball Fight" scene - LOL. After the cake and Ice cream, John took all the boys up to Bogus Basin tubing :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! DAY 1

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!

So I figured that the new year would be the perfect time to pay attention to the ol' bloggity blog! Truthfully, I've missed it! I've missed the interaction through comments with those that read about us and I've missed writing down the happenings of the VOGT's!! and I especially missed having pictures of my own kids! It became glaringly evident at Christmas time when my in laws asked for some pics of the kids to include with their christmas card and... I DIDN'T HAVE ANY!! gasp! It's sad, but true :(

So.... Ive decided to participate in the 365 Project this year and will post to this here blog :) If you're not familiar with the 365 - it's basically just capturing your each day of the year in photos. Now one might think this would be so very easy for a photographer, but really.. I have NO pictures of US! So, this picture a day is for me to record the life of who we are. Who we are THIS year. and I'm excited for the challenge! I have given myself permission that the photos don't have to be "technically correct" or have the best lighting or follow the rules of composition, etc.. .these are for me. here.now. Some might be edited, some others will just be what they are. Some days will just have one photo where others will have multiple. So here we are at DAY 1. Nathan got a little scooter for Christmas and he's been riding like a mad man throughout the house (he has even been known to haul it up the stairs at bedtime so it can be in the same room with him - LOL). Today as he was getting ready to head out with John for bit, he was looking too cute and I wanted to remember this. here.now.

Nathan - 3 years old