This miracle sure feels like 3 kicks in the gut...

This morning at 12:30 am my kind, strong & courageous Grandpa, Charles Leland Wright left this earth.  Wednesday he will be buried and receive full military

honors, tributes from the Sandy City Fire Department and the Mormon Battalion.  

But the real story started 20 days ago when Grandpa’s youngest son Dean, who was mentally handicapped and had been raised by his parents for 55 years died due to complications from a surgery.  Over the next several days the family

prepared for Dean’s funeral, however during this time Grandma’s health was declining.  Much to our dismay by the time Dean’s funeral took place Grandma was doing so badly that she was not able to attend her son’s funeral.  Grandpa stood proudly in her place and as he sat at her bedside after the funeral he pinned his boutonniere to her nightgown, knowing it had been difficult for her to miss the services that day.

Grandma’s health continued to decline, and 15 days after Dean’s passing on November 28th she too parted from this earth.  I’m sure after 55 years it was now Dean’s pleasure to attend to her on the other side.

I was there the night Grandma passed.  After grandpa expressed his love to her, he then told his sweetheart he had no intention of staying here without her (and Grandpa has always been a man of his word).

Our family & hospice lovingly attended to Grandpa daily, but each day he became weaker and slept more.

Today, just 5 days after Grandma’s passing and on the morning of her services, Grandpa joined her, and Dean.

Our hearts have been broken three times in 20 days.  I can’t help but wonder who these three angels were in my life this whole time.  Did I know how special they were, or how strong their bond was?  I find much comfort in knowing they went together so quickly, it’s miraculous actually...  Even if it feels like 3 consecutive kicks in the gut.

 

My Hero

Bowler-082-edit2-web, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

It is only fitting that this little guy be wearing a cape in his picture. Although I love HIM and think he is the cutest cape-wearing superhero around, it is his MOM who is my hero. She is a crazy awesome photographer and even more than that she is a crazy awesome mother of 4 and wife to business owner/Bishop (need I say more?)

We recently did a photo swap for eachother. To put it lightly I got the MUCH better end of the deal. You can drool over her beautiful work here: http://www.hazelbeephoto.com/#

Thanks Haylie for the awesome pictures and for being awesome.

There is cause to CELEBRATE!!!

Here is a picture of my computer screen with a little extra commentary from me:

Let's start out by saying I NEVER win anything. ever.  But, it doesn't stop me from trying and believing someday my lucky day will come.  Well friends... it came, and it came BIG!  I entered a contest on a photography website last week.  I wish I could say I entered an awesome photo that brought an entire panel of judges to tears.  No.  It was powered by random.org.  A little less cool? Yes.  But let me tell you what WAS cool about it:  In order to enter the contest I had to leave a comment on the site.  I decided I might have better luck if I brought a true winner into the ring with me.  So for my comment I put, "I WHANNA WINN!!"  (Nacho Libre).  Well guess what?!  Shelley & Nacho won the GRAND prize!!  I told my husband this was as exciting as when I was on David Letterman.  He quickly disagreed. (but he also doesn't care much about photography stuff.  Which makes this prize MINE ALLLL MINE!!  Waahahaha!)

In the next week I will be the extremely proud recipient of almost $2,000 in photography goodies!  I hesitate putting the amount...  I don't want to brag (or get robbed) but I DO want you to understand the extent of my excitement!!!

So... I think it is only appropriate to share some love with another lucky duck. 

I have decided to give away a photo shoot!

If you are interested in winning "like" my facebook page: "Shellophoto"

and leave a comment under the contest picture.  This will also be completely random, but baked goods might help your random chances!  Kidding. (sortof)

This will be a half hour shoot in the Salt Lake Valley for up to 7 people.  If you don't need a photo shoot you can give it as a gift to someone else.  Deal?.. Deal.

Oh, and MANY thanks to http://www.everythingbloom.com/ for being moved to tears while admiring my photos randomly picking me and Nacho.



Ahh, Young Love...

Kathy-Template, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

I can't tell you how much fun I had working with these love birds. They are just as beautiful inside as they are out. I have loved and admired Kathy since I was little. She is an inspiration to me and I'm ridiculously happy for the both of them.

It's a BIRD, It's a PLANE... It's TANNER!

I seem to think there is nothing more hilarious than "photo-shopping" someone's head on the body of a cartoon character, a superstar or famous athlete.  Or how about putting the head of an avid BYU fan (my neighbor) on the body of a decked out U of U fan, print the pictures and mail them out?! Check. The possibilities are endless!  So when Tanner came home telling me he needed to decorate a 2-liter bottle that would be launched into the sky for his 4th grade field day it only took me about 2 seconds to grab my camera and head into the backyard for a "superman" photo shoot.  Does this ever get old?  Not on your life! It happens to be just as great the 10th time as it was the first time when we put his head on the body of Andre Kirilenko for his valentine box in 2nd grade!  So here he is, my 10 year old superman. 

I also decided to post this lovely photo in honor of the CRAZIER than life last-week-of school we have been having.  I think I should have put my picture on the head of Wonder Woman after attending countless talent shows, water parties, award assemblies, dinosaur fairs, birthday parties, field trips, & swimming lessons. 

Phew...we have been busy. 

I have OODLES of photos to edit and lots of gorgeous pictures to post in the coming days.   The blog has been slightly neglected, I'm excited to get it up to date.

But... not today.

  

No Trespassing, No Photographers!

That is what the sign (actually MULTIPLE signs) said when I arrived at our planned destination for this photo shoot. AHH!!! I needed a plan B and fast. What was sure to be a tragedy in my mind ended up being a beautiful surprise. My lovely neighbors allowed me to use their property and I could not be more happy with the results. The scenery was stunning. And it SURE doesn't hurt that THIS class of 2011 is lookin' mighty fine! We got spirit, yeah, we got spirit, yeah! Woop, now I'm just getting carried away.

p.s. Double click to see more from this session.  This is a brother and sister. I tried my darndest to not make them look like a couple.

Silly Girl

us-websize, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

Me and sweet Ave enjoying a warm day on the trampoline.  It was sunny so we couldn't keep our eyes open for the camera.  It wasn't until I looked at the shot that I realized she was sticking out her tongue.  Ha, ha!

I've got an itch...

for pictures with green grass, warm sunlight and beautiful faces!!! Today's session actually made me believe that spring might just be here! Bring it on!

Double click on the picture to see more of this cute session.

Custom Projects / Baptism Invitation

Custom Projects / LDS Young Womens ideas

Here are a few custom projects I did recently for different Young Womens/LDS events.  I love to hear the details of their great ideas.  Because heck, you never know when I may need to come back and copy someone's great idea!

This first one they did a combined New Beginings and YW in Excellence.  Everything was based on a sports theme with all leaders in Referee shirts.  They decorated with pennants in the value colors and served popcorn and hot dogs.
 

The next one was all done in a Movie theme.  They even had a "red carpet" and had previously made a video which was shown depicting the girls displaying their projects for the year.

Remember when it was warm?

family3 copy, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

Maybe if I post some of my spring and summer sessions it will make me feel warm...sigh.

America's Next Top Model...

originally uploaded by shellophoto.

When I first started editing these pictures I thought to myself, "hey, I want pictures like this of MY two year old!"

Ha, ha! Although I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my 2 year old, she isn't a fan of pictures, and she CERTAINLY wouldn't pose!! This little sweetie was a natural in front of the camera. Too, too sweet!