Good by 2015, Hello 2016

      

             2015 started off rocky for us, but as the year progressed... so did we. We have been in Utah now for 1 year. I can say over and over how much we miss the South, but we are just now starting to really like Utah. It's December 31st. and we have seen a lot of snow... and right now the temperature outside is 5 deg.  For some reason, Tennessee had a "Spring" Christmas... 70 deg. weather, storms and tornadoes...  I am glad all of our friends back home were safe.

           Devin has an amazing job that I am sure anyone would love.  He works for 

Bored Shorts TV... or as many people know them as  Kid History. You know, The funny YouTube guys...  I say Devin plays all day, the truth is he works his butt off!  Not much playing.  He's pretty much the back bone of CVX with filling spaces for vendors and making sure booths are filled up. 

      I had the blessing of my Aunts, cousin, daughter, son and hubby going to the Temple and doing my moms work. It was an amazing feeling.  My daughter, Parris was able to do my moms baptism. It was so wonderful to witness this blessing.  Loved the time with my family that day.   My mom is missed every day. 

           Logan had the opportunity to sing at General Conference in October. Six children from our ward were chosen.  It took a couple of months getting the kids from our area all together for practice. It was beautiful listing to. It was so sweet seeing all the children from our area sitting on the stand  with the Profit,  Apostles and area authorities. Listing to them sing brought chills to me and they sounded like angels.

     Jacob started track and Cross Country and loved it. He can not wait until the new season.  Parris is in Dance and loving that. She is so happy when she's dancing.  Elizabeth got go see he friend Alana and be a flower girl in Tanja's wedding and Ethan... that little man turned 5, is excited to start school in 2016 and spent 3 days in the hospital this past year for an awful virus as well as having his tonsils, adenoids taken out and Tubes put in...  

         My Photography business has picked up and at times I could not keep up. I have been very blessed with all the families who have contacted me for sessions. 2016 is going to be a great year for my business.  We also have a family Vlog on Summit and Vine on YouTube. If you have not seen it, stop by and take a look. We are going to start making that channel grow. After all, my husband now works for one of the biggest YouTube Channels now.... :) 

   https://www.facebook.com/shannonyoungbloodphotography/


  https://www.facebook.com/TheYoungbloodLife/?ref=hl

Teen Fashion.?

   So, our daughter will be 14 next month.  Time flies and children grow up way to quick.  I remember when Parris was wanting to wear dresses every day, would wear the cute outfits I picked out for her. I could buy her anything and she would think it was the best thing she had! 

.... So, what happened?  She went from hugs and kisses, tea parties, coloring time and playing with dolls. Now, she is taking French,  studying Math Honors, being the 8th grader she is and not the little doll playing girl.  She's growing up to fast....

   Did I mention that with the age she is in comes. { Wait for it } 

D. R. A. M. A

   Yup, not only has her style of clothing changed, but so has her attitude.  I feel like I am on a roller coaster, sometimes, daily. But... maybe I need to *try* to "understand" where she's coming from.  Because we know, I have never been her age, and I get nothing she says. 

   Anyway, back to style, and how much her style has changed... not attitude.   When did high top Converse come back?  I have never liked them... but it seems like EVERY teen girl is wearing them. Parris went to see her best friend in Tennessee.... knowing I would not buy them, she bought them.  No big deal...   Next, what is up with EVERYONE wearing flannel again, I really thought that went out too. Nope, apparently, it's all the rage!  I don't get it! 

   She still wears what I call " cute clothes " You know, adorable sandals, skinny jeans, dresses with denim jackets...  I guess I am just venting on the two I mentioned. 

    I don't tell my daughter what to wear, ( well, maybe for picture days I do ) but this look wishes my "little girl" with no care in the world, wearing what ever I picked out, would come back.   Until then, I will let her have her style, dress how she feels and every now and then give my opinion. 

4 year old play with Play Doh...

My son, Ethan wanted to make his own Youtube video for Play Doh...

This was the outcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe5C1hPHGqw

Mini Family Reunion

It's been way to long since I have seen A LOT of my family. Tonight,  we had dinner at my Aunt Robins house.   A few of my aunts and uncles came. ( I thought one one was going to be at Robins)
My Aunt Anna-Lisa and her family, My uncle Tim and Paul, my Aunt Catie and a few of her family showed up. It was great!  Tons and Tons of little cousins running around.
My kids were meeting cousins they have never met, Great Aunts and Uncles ....

I was always VERY close to Robin and Anna-Lisa when I was little. My biggest memory was with my aunt Robin, She was swinging me in the bathroom when I was little.  I also remember the time I started to wear make up. I was at my grandmas house, in the bathroom with both Robin and Anna-Lisa watching them both get ready for some place they were going, watching them  put makeup on... I would sneak into their makeup Caboodle when they left the house and try to do my make up like they don't know if they ever knew that. For some reason I always remember PM Dawn or John Sacada would  be playing.... or White Lion.  I've always looked up to them...   It's so nice to live so close to them again.

Glad for these " Little Dinner " gatherings that happen.  So grateful to be living so close to both my family and Devins family.