The In-Laws

Here's the whole gang!  These are my in-laws (don't we have a better word in the English language for this group of people?  It sounds like I am only bound to them BY LAW... like I'll go to jail if I dis-own them).  Anyway,  those of us who married into this family have a running joke that we "won the life lottery" when we joined this family!  And yes, it's true.  In the 15 years that I have been a part of the gang I have recognized more & more how lucky I truly am.  As the family has grown I've only felt even more blessed to be called an Oliverson.  Aw sucks,  I sure do love them!

And a big thanks to my good friend Kelsie Monson for snapping our picture!

Little Red Riding Hood

In our version of the story Little Red out-runs the wolf and makes it safely to Grandma's house :)

I just couldn't wait to post these pictures of my baby girl.  My wonderful Mom made her costume in ONE day! Yes, I said one. I adore it.  Thank you Mom, you're the best!   (Double click on the pics to see them better, the collage is a bit small).  Happy Halloween!

I am a terrible blogger...

I know, I know.  I stink at blogging.  Let's just say the last few months have been busy.  Really busy.  When I stop and think about the blur of the last little while I almost can't believe we came out breathing on the other end...  Three of my 4 kids had birthdays (who planned that?!) -  I did lots & lots of photography (scale back next year Shelley) - I attended 3 family funerals (who planned that?!) -  My 9 year old landed himself in the hospital... again. (I've decided he is a turtle.  He MUST visit Jordan Valley Hospital once a year to return to the place of his birth).  Oh, and don't forget those two little things called Christmas & Thanksgiving! (holy cow).  But really, I'm sure that sounds a lot like the lives of everyone.  Life is busy for for all of us.  The difference is, some people are good at blogging about it and I'm not one of those people.  But, I want to be.  So hopefully in the coming months I can either catch up or just start fresh.  :) ... It's only 1 of about 35 new years resolutions though, so don't hold your breath.

Here is our holiday photo from 2011 taken by the lovely HazelBeePhotography.   Happy New Year!  I love my family.  The End.

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.



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.

  

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!

Ginkgo Biloba

Vernal 60 edit_edited-1, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

You're looking at him. My handsome little bottle of ginkgo biloba.
If your memory is a little foggy, you seem to forget important events, places you are supposed to be, who you are... I highly recommend toting this guy around with you. TWICE in the last two days he has reminded me of VERY important items I would have otherwise been mortified to admit I had forgotten. One time in fact he was in the middle of reminding me of something when I almost cut him off to say... "STOP changing the subject and go do what I asked you to do" when instead (thankfully) I waited and listened... Good gravy! I think the look on my face was worth more than a month's worth of allowance (not that he gets allowance, he'll be the first to tell you). HE had saved the day and he knew it. I knew it. Bless you my first born. You make me look good sorta good.

And I don't even like Cats...

Simba_edited-1, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

There was once a time when I said my kids would NEVER watch Teletubbies or Barney. There was once a time when I swore I would NEVER push my kids around the grocery store in one of those hideous shopping/race car combos. And I have ALWAYS said, "I don't like cats". Guess what changed ALL these things?... My kids loving them. There is something about the joy on their faces that makes you reconsider all the pacts you've made with yourself.
This little meowing feline is named Simba. He is the kitty offspring of Mr. Fuzzy Pants (affectionately named by Averie a few years ago. Apparently MR. Fuzzy Pants is more like a MRS. Fuzzy Pants). Both cats belong to our backdoor neighbors. Little Paige LOVES "Sima". She stands at our back door and says, "Simma... wher aww yoo?"
This day in particular Simba was sitting on our back porch and I happen to have my camera handy. There is something I love about this picture. It's probably that little one-year old voice I hear when I look at it.

My Other Kids...

JLT 2953 copy copy, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

Seven. If you count these three lovelies, that makes 7 for me.

Meet my sister's kids. I would claim these little gems in a heartbeat. In actuality my sister and I share a brain, handwriting, and a voice, so I could really step in at any moment and be their mother, they may not even notice (unless you count that whole motherly bonding bit). But I really do just love em to pieces. Before you know it I'll be squeezing their cheeks and crocheting them hideous sweaters for Christmas. What else is a favorite aunt to do?

Stop it.

paige 008_editedweb, originally uploaded by shellophoto.

I have begged and pleaded, but to no avail. This little girl will NOT stop growing up and it's killing me.

I think I'm funny...

I don't know if others (Ryan) appreciate my sense of humor as much as I do. I'm sure a psychiatrist will someday say my love of humor and sarcasm is my way of hiding my deep-rooted pain and anguish (not really). But I just plain like it when things are light and fun and not too serious.  In fact, I avoid at all costs crying in public. "Someone" (Nikki) once told me I pull an ugly face when I cry...

ANYWAY... all this funny, not crying bit went FLYING out the stained glass window on a lovely day this summer when our good friends and neighbors invited us to their temple sealing. http://lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html They were being sealed to their 3 grown children. I tell you what... I even surprised myself... I think the last 17 years of avoiding crying all came gushing out at the same time! It was honestly one of the top 10 greatest experiences in my life. I love these people and was HONORED to be a part of their day.