a thousand words

the escapees

About a month ago, I was e-mailing my college friend MaryClaire in Utah. She was feeling cooped up because of the massive amounts of snow they were receiving there. As a California girl, she needed a change of scenery... so I talked her into coming for a visit! She talked Jenny, another college friend, into making the trip with her.

the snow escapees, jenny & mc

They arrived last week to beautiful, sunny rainy southern california. I was so sad the weather didn't cooperate, but we had a great visit anyway. There is something so comfortable about old friends. It was so nice to chat about old memories and make a few new ones. I especially loved getting to know their kids better, and watching all our kids play!

I pulled out my camera once right before dinner... we were keeping the kids busy while we made jenny made lasagna. MaryClaire's kids, Parker and Natalie, were napping at the time. I don't have one photo of them! :(

Jenny's Jackson

Charlotte laughing at MaryClaire, trying to get me out of her face!

Berk's drawings for his new friends

Berk and Jackson really hit it off. Jackson seemed to enjoy the "big kids". It was sweet to watch them laugh and play together. Jackson let berk pick him up, help him down the slide, and chase him around. I loved watching them interact.

MaryClaire and I tackled a project I've been wanting to do for a while (more about that in another post), and Jenny left me with a few new easy recipes. hooray!

Jenny's Easy Lasagna

1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 # ground beef, cooked, drained
1/2 c. water
6 lasagna noodles, uncooked (regular noodles, not no-cook)
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1 c. mozzarella, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sauce, meat and water. Spread 1 c. of mixture to bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Top with layers of half each each of the uncooked noodles, ricotta cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Repeat all layers; sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake 1 hour. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting to serve.

Jenny's Ceasar Chicken Sandwiches

Ciabatta Rolls
Chicken Breasts
Provolone Cheese
Tomato
Romaine Lettuce
Your favorite Ceasar Dressing
Salt, Pepper
Olive Oil

Salt and pepper chicken & then cook in a pan with a bit of olive oil. Broil Bread open face with cheese on top for 5 minutes. Assemble cheesy bread, chicken, sliced tomato, lettuce and spread on dressing. enjoy!

girls weekend seattle style

Back in September of 1996 I started my freshman year at BYU.  I had no idea what to expect.  Well, that first year of college exceeded every expectation.  I stayed up way too late, studied far too little, and made some of the most wonderful friends of my life.

There are twelve of us David John Hallers (and one Chipman Haller :) who manage to stay in touch. We keep a website at myfamily.com where we share pictures and news throughout the year.  I am so blessed to have these women in my life.  They are such a support to me and keep me laughing too.   

Each year we get together for a girls weekend away.  This year, our sixth year(!), we all met in Seattle.  Annie hosted us in her beautiful Magnolia home.  I was the papparazzi all weekend.  This is what I have to show for it. 

what a happy weekend.

I can't wait until next year...

another sweet charlotte

so, I do realize I am suppossed to be playing july catch up in order...

but I cannot resist posting these photos.

last weekend was divine.  I stole away to seattle to be with 7 of my college girlfriends.  {much more on the girls weekend festivities to come... I am working on a slideshow!}  One of my friends, Sara, brought her baby Charlotte along.  Yes, Sara and I have babies with the same name.  Great minds think alike!   

It was said many times during the weekend that Charlotte is a practically perfect baby!  I think I heard her cry once all weekend.  I couldn't resist turning my camera on her. :) 

What a doll!

a keeper

meet hailey.  everybody say "hi hailey!" 

she was my second victim/model for class.  isn't she darling?  i could just keep hailey at my house forever-- but I think her dad & mom might come looking for her... :)   she's as sweet as she is beautiful. 

we wandered around downtown sc together.   I was loving her turquoise converse.

the light is so warm and yummy here:

the last shot of the afternoon.  thanks hailey!

edited to add a color version.  because I can't decide,  what do you like better?

breakthrough

these past few weeks have been so amazing for my little hobby.  ok, my obsession.  photography. 

i am taking a 12 week online photography course with the fabulous Wendy Schulz.  with her assignments, the class message boards (only 6 people in our class!), and our bi-weekly chats on hello, i feel like i am learning a ton.  there are times when my mind can't take any more information!  i highly reccommend her class to anyone interested in that sort of thing...

here are some shots from my 3rd assignment. these were a breakthrough for me technically.  i am struggling mainly with exposure, but am slowly learning from my many mistakes.  i love looking at these.  it doesn't hurt that my subject is a supermodel! 

thanks for the help, megan...  i hope you like them.

wanted house guests, part II

my buddy 'ol pal, maryclaire, came for a visit too! check out her blog here. 

during our college days, we lived parallel lives for a time.  have you ever had a friend like that?  after college, I got married and mc went on a mission.  our lives were different for a while there.

since maryclaire had her darling baby, parker, we've seen more of each other (maybe because she's not working anymore?!?)!  i love it.  it's fun to be moms together, compare notes, and once again be on the same page.

we did normal stuff with her here.  the grocery store, watching american idol, the zoo, checking out model homes, and chatting up a storm. my camera didn't even make it out until we were about to put the kids to bed one night.  there is so much technically wrong about this photo, but it captured a moment. 

say hello to mr. parker man amongst my kids!