Today we went into Salt Lake to look for walls. I’ve heard that in some older areas of Salt Lake you can find bright colored walls down alleyways that make for great photos, but you have to search for them. We started to walk, but it didn’t last long because it was 96 degrees outside! On the way back to the van we found your run of the mill brick wall and used it as a Carter baby photo opportunity. Enjoy!

I Love to See the Temple

Just trying something new. I made a brush preset in Photoshop with the words to the song "I Love to See the Temple". This was a photo I took of the Salt Lake Temple as a missionary. I thought it was fun and look forward to playing around more with this feature. Maybe a picture of Carter that says "I am a child of God". On a side note after dinner I'll be working on pictures of Carter from today so there is something to look forward to!

A boy and his ball...

For Mother's Day Tanner gave me these great reflectors for photography, but I've haven't used them yet because it would require another person to hold them while I try to hold down Carter to take pictures. We tried them out today. Some of these pictures have some definite reflector action going on, others are more subtle and some just plain don't have it. Trying to catch a picture of Carter is sometimes like trying to get a picture of a wild animal; sporadic and fleeting. Tanner brought the soccer ball down with us so Carter was thoroughly entertained in between the moments where his bossy mom actually tried to make him sit down. The nerve!

Lesson learned. When you can't get Carter to sit still quickly say "Can you fold your arms?"

Bend it like Beckham

We had a blast last night with the Paniagua’s at the Salt Lake Real vs. L.A. Galaxy fútbol game. Alright so ahead of time I only knew David Beckham, #23 for L.A. That’s okay, Brian, Krystal and I rooted for L.A anyways, but Tanner was faithful to his new home state and cheered for Salt Lake Real. In the end, L.A. won out 3-2. The fans for soccer are crazy! They were throwing things at players and playing drums the ENTIRE game. Tanner and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and Grandma was kind enough to watch Carter for us. He was asleep when we got back, but woke up when I put him in his car seat. Want to know what he said as soon as he woke up? “Bottle”. That kid is addicted; I have no idea how we are going to get him to “kick the habit”. All in all it was a great night with some great people.

Can you believe the view from out seats? The temple on the left is the Jordan River Temple (our current temple) and the one in the back is the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. How amazing to be able to see two at the same time!

Real in red and Galaxy in white. There's "the Beckham" with the pink shoes. Honestly, he didn't do much.

Until the sun went down we were all cooking in our seats. The stadium is quite beautiful.

We were at the very top! It was quite nice to have no one sitting behind us. We were also hot and sticky until the sun went down.

After Galaxy scored. I think we were the only ones cheering. There was definitely a lot more booing.

After the game.

Father's Day Weekend

Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, fathers-in-law, uncles, brothers, Carters babies...out there!

This weekend was a lot of fun. You may notice that Carter is wearing a grey hat instead of his blue one. Sadly, we left his blue hat at Sea World, but because he will leave it on and it is so versatile, I purchased another one. They only had grey in his size. Later in the day we went to the pool and guess who left his new hat at the pool? This forgetful mother! I went back later and it was gone. I actually think, Monday I will buy another because they are now on clearance and they really work so well. Bummer, but it's my fault.

Father's Day has been wonderful. I half jokingly, half seriously told Tanner that my biggest present to him was getting up this morning (because he gets up SO early) to surprise him with breakfast, but he also got some nice brown church shoes with matching socks and belt. We have been trying to get him brown shoes for two years now. Every holiday it came up, but I always ended up getting him something else. He looked great in them today at church. Carter baby made daddy an apron. Tanner has an old apron that he would wear to keep his church clothes clean, but now he has a Carter customized one. I had to paint Carter's hands with a brush to prevent the paint from going everywhere (it wasn't washable) and he loved it. Between the giggles and squishing paint between his hands he would do his best to get his hand in his mouth. It says "#1 Dad" "Love, Carter". Tanner is a wonderful father and deserves more than one day a year I say!

 

  

           

A little San Diego?

*Just a heads up. I only have a certain amount of space on this blog, so in order to continue posting pictures…like this massive one I just posted, I have to delete older posts. I’m deleting older ones towards the beginning and putting them into a blurb book so they aren’t gone forever.

This weekend was crazy, fun and fast! Tanner, Carter and I flew into Long Beach to go to Rob and Alli’s sealing. We arrived on Friday and were met by Lindsey and dad who then drove us down to San Diego. We stayed at a very fun hotel. When we opened the back door there was the beach, marina and playground. Talk about HEAVEN!

After we arrived at the hotel we all headed over to Sea World, which was a blast. We got to see two shows and walk around. Carter loved the dolphins, seals and whales. Before we left we saw the Killer Whale show that had Shamu in it. Each show is held in some sort of stadium and the first 15 or so bleachers are marked as the “splash zone”. Tanner, Carter and I sat in the splash zone for both shows, but never got wet, so toward the end of the show with Shamu Tanner took Carter down to the front to get wet. Oh my goodness, I think Carter will have nightmares of attacking whales. They got SOAKED!

Ryan had gotten in late Friday night so we didn’t see him until Saturday morning…when Carter jumped on his bed. We all got ready and headed to the San Diego Temple (which is absolutely gorgeous, by the way). Tanner and I were able to attend the sealing and it was beautiful. After the sealing we took family pictures and then loaded up. We headed back to the hotel and got some lunch/dinner at a fun Mexican restaurant called “Miguel’s Cocina”. So good. We then packed up and headed to Rob’s house in Escondido for the reception. Their house and backyard are stunning. It was fun to snack, mingle and chase Carter baby around.

Sunday came quick and Ryan left in the morning. After we all had breakfast together and packed up to head to Long Beach. We literally made it to the gate and walked right on to the plane. We couldn’t have planned it better if we had tried. Luckily, Long Beach airport is small enough to rush through! When we arrived back in Salt Lake grandma and grandpa Knighton picked us up and had dinner waiting! They are so wonderful. Now we are at home. Carter fell asleep at 7 and Tanner fell asleep at 8. I guess they were some tired boys. What a weekend!

Just getting to the hotel.

The view from our porch.

Lindsey being the human buffer

He loved the slide.

Ready to see the dolphins. Eventually Lindsey and Dad moved higher up.

"Let's see the dolphins!"

He was glued through the entire show.

Short-finned Pilot Whale!

These seals were too much. They knew if they put on a show they would get fed.

Dad got fish for Carter to feed the seals.

Can you see how crazy those seals got?

Dad being silly wearing Carter's hat.

This is how Carter spent most of the day (on people's shoulders).

Checking out the walrus and the little girl.

Beluga Whale!

Shamu!

Carter and Tanner waiting to get splashed.

Here comes the tail!

Successfully splashed!

I loved doing night photography on the water

This was all right outside our door!

Waiting for Rob and Alli to come out!

Congratulations!

Rob and Alli with one of Alli's sisters. 

The Temple and the grounds almost didn't look real. It was so beautiful. 

Cater's actually dancing on a grate, which is why he is so happy here.

"Smelling" the flowers.

Being goofy with uncle Ryan.

Back at the hotel there were a lot of ducks; much to Carter's pleasure and the duck's chagrin.

I think this is one of my favorite pictures of Carter...and no it is not photo-shopped, he is just a handsome boy.

At the reception. This picture doesn't do their yard, or the view from it, justice.

The couple having a dance.

Details.

Oh my, the boy in the cage (Troy), was the life of the party.  I can't even begin to explain the abilities of this child.

Getting ready to head home.

There were Osprey everywhere! They are my favorite bird.

Heading to the airport. He slept for the entire ride!