I love you so much my gif. 

I can't believe you're 16!! wooohoo!

I am so blessed that God gave me 

a little sister

who is also my best friend

so kind

max's idol

a total babe

who leaves me little blog messages

and seriously way too cool

too gorgeous 

and talented for only 16 years...

instead of another little brother. 

Kenz, you amaze me. I love and RESPECT you so much. You are the most beautiful girl I know, inside and out. You have a heart like no one else.  I mean that. 

thankful

for my healthy, sweet, beautiful boy
my best friend, my husband
my crazy family
and that I was able to spend the holiday eating at ONE table with 40 of them
during our little getaway to Sandpoint
which is far more beautiful in the winter than I remembered.

I feel so blessed.

my sister is silly

/>

well hello everyone!!!!! this is jessicas sister Mackenzie!!!! just wanted to say hi. jessica left her blog logged in on my computer so i felt it would be patheticly dumb and lame if i did not take this once in a life time chance to write something!!!! well i love this girl and her fam!!! they are the greatest people ever! i love seeing them and thanksgiving was wonderful! for those of you that live in UTAH.... just wnat you to know that i am jelous...!!! well thanks for putting up with me!!!! love you jess danny and max!!!! 

                Love,    

        Mackenzie E. Rands

p.s. my sister took this amazing pic!!!! 

my lisp is back

check out today's studio 5 clip- you might be on it!

also, please notice my cheesey smile as we open. for sure my best moment.

Thanks Brooke and Darrin and everyone at Studio 5 for having me back. It is always a pleasure!

YAAAAAAAY!

It's finally here!!!

Join us tonight.

WHYYY??

because it is going to be crazy fun

because we have been bustin' our booties to put it all together

it will REALLY help little Karson

I AM AUCTIONING OFF A BIG FATTY PHOTO PACKAGE

there is plenty, and I do mean PLENTY

of other good shiz to bid on if you no likey the pictures I take

the music will be AWESOME!!

I will be there, and I am awesome.

I will hug and kiss you on both cheeks (you know, like the Europeans)

I will be super thankful. 

They will be super happy to see you.

You will be super glad you listened to me.

info HERE

and YES it is after the b-y- freaking -u game. 

the next person to ask will promptly be punched in the face following my response.

consida yaself warned.

because its fun.

max loves to hide in here...

EVERY DAY after we take a shower.

and loves to color!

a max kettle original.

COUNT DOWN TO SATURDAY!

I can't believe the concert is almost here! I can't wait for it to finally happen after MONTHS of planning. Most of you already know the situation from my previous posts about him, but in a nutshell, Danny and I have been on a committe to plan a benefit concert and auction for our little love Karson Riggs, who has SPINAL MUCULAR ATROPHY type I  

PLEASE come to this amazing evening! You don't have to personally know the Riggs to come bid on our MANY fun items (more to come on that..) or just enjoy a concert put on by the amazing Brenn Hill!

For pre-sale tickets, call 

MAREE COTTAM at  801.791.2281

Also, it's not too late to donate ANYTHING to the auction!

Everything helps!

contact me at jesslkettle@yahoo.com if you're feeling generous (and I hope you are).

and here's one more link

www.karsonskause.blogspot.com

halloween

Halloween in Florida was SOOO much fun! We felt oh so authentic being pirates one the beach.  I will apologize in advance for the number of pictures I am posting, it really must be some kind of sin to be this obsessed with your child... and halloween. oh well. 

I got so excited to dress him up that I woke him up from his nap. oops!

the get-up, minus the 'stache and chest hair

WITH the body hair. 

my two favorite pirates!

digging for gold

the  a d o r a b l e hat that he would NOT wear for the life of him. not for ONE second!

just us

 like my tat?

these two scallywags really love eachother. it melts me!

he was just a little protective of his sword!

 

Later we did our trick or treating at a big shopping center kinda like Gateway. This kid looooved the suckers. 

but it kinda wore him out. =)

After we got home, it took Danny DAYS to convice me I really had to take this all down. =(

I had SO much fun making these silhouette plates with Caroline! The whole process was kinda annoying, but they turned out pretty cool. The middle one is my Maxter, the others are an owl, a bat, a witch, and a skull and crossbones. 

The glitter skull was my other little pride and joy, I just covered a plastic skull with glue and dumped black glittler all over it. Next year I want to do it again with pumpkins and burt orange glitter. 

We got pretty attached to the owls and birds everywhere...

just stuck some ribbon and lace on these candles to add a little somethin'

and finally some candles for my antlers!

we also had the BEST Halloween package from my mom waiting for us. It arrived the day after we left! Sad. I will be able to use all of it for next year though! Arent these the best pajamas? THey glow in the dark. Even cuter with the bottoms... But this get-up is pretty great too huh?

Well if you weren't Halloween-ed out before, you DEFINITELY are now!

life's little distractions

there are about 50 jillion things that i actually really neeeeeed to blog about,

like BRITTANY coming, 

or halloween (and the decorations I slaved away over), 

or maybe florida, 

and especially, especially the p r o j e c t  [click on it] i've been working on for three months

(and that I really really really hope you all come to! because it will be amazing 

and make you feel good.)

but it's getting to the point of being overwhelming.

so i did what i always do in just such a situation...

stay up  WAY too late

play on photoshop

with something completely frivilous.

enter new funky framed silhouette.

awesome.

dear mr. president (elect),

congratulations on your sucessful campaign. boy, it was a rough one for all of us and I for one am glad it's over.

listen, while I didn't exactly give you my vote (don't feel bad, Mr. McCain didn't get it either), I now feel it my duty to give you my support, or hey- at least the benefit of the doubt! you seem like a smart, capable man, and I really REALLY hope that your plans for this country work out. I can't say I agree with you on everything, and to be honest, I think the idea of raising capital gains taxes is down right nuts. And sure, I will question your decisions from time to time, because that's MY job as a citizen. But while we don't hold the same view on all the issues, I DO believe that you are going to do your best to do what you think is right for this country. I DO believe that your heart is in the right place. I DO believe that you have what it takes to pull this country together and that you will touch and inspire millions. I am proud to be an American citizen and to see the first black president move in to the white house. Plus I think your wife is going to be a swell first lady. =)

Please know that we will pray for you just as we have prayed for presidents past. As I'm sure you already know, you're going to need it. Though we're hurting right now, this is the most amazing country in the world, but hey, you know that too. Take good care of it. Take good care of us. I think you will. Yes YOU can.

Jessica

p.s. let's at least try to stay somewhere in the middle ground on the moral issues, k? I'd sure appreciate that.

p.p.s. if you happen to run into Sarah Palin, tell her I hope this ins't the end of her appearances on SNL. I actually really like her.

naughty max skips his nap

After we got home from Florida, my little stinker had a tough time adjusting to the time change. After refusing his nap, I brought him into our new office/guestroom to see if he would lay down while I go some work done...

He looked so ridiculously adorable cuddled up in the quilts and pillows that I had to pull my camera out. He immediately started posing! I was cracking up. He kept pulling this big cheesy grin and giggling. 

Now how could I stay mad at my little nap-skipper after that??

I couldn't of course.

back to reality

we're home! florida was so much fun. i have to say i wish i could have stayed another day or two. lots of updates to come on the beach, halloween, disneyworld... i miss it already. 

in the mean time, enjoy my favorite picture of max from the trip.

who doesn't love little tummy rolls?

old hallows eve

Happy Halloween everyone! My little pirate and I are looking forward to some fun on the beach to celebrate. And we'll just see what else Port St. Lucie has to offer for Halloween... hopefully something involving candy I can sneak from Max's bag...

We are having a lovely time, but right now it's killing me that I am away from my so very festively decorated home and all of Max's costume adorned friends! We miss you and the trick or treating fun that must be going on without us. =(

p.s. I have discovered that the key to a happy and successful four hour flight with a one year old is just a weeeeeee bit of Children's Benadryl. =)

Don't judge me.

outta here. happy and sad.

We are leaving this week for the happiest place on earth (the one in Florida). I am so excited! I have been taking a few too many many pictures and working a little too much. I am REALLY looking forward to playing with this kid non stop!

and giving him lots of love and attention. 

ON THE OTHER HAND. I am really sad. really really sad. Because our best friends JUST got here!! And we only get to see them for about 36 hours.

they look like fun, don't they? =(

At least they're sleeping over so we get to soak up the fun for every possible second. But how sucky to leave  when they are still going to be here??! stupid schedules. 

I mean how do you kiss this face goodbye? I was really glad we got to take some pictures of him tonight. Talk about gorgous! I just wanted to eat him up every second today. 

And he loves me too. Of course. 

For some reason I love this shot of Max. I took it with the 17-55 f//2.8 lens I rented for the day and I am now convinced it needs to be at the top of my Christmas list. 

The wide angles are so fun. 

 I think he's saying, "take me to the beach. PLEEAAASE?"

okay. =)

sweet child of mine

Max is in such a fun stage right now I thought I would write a few things down about him. This kid is absolutely hilarious. He is constantly keeping us entertained these days! He loves to laugh. Recently, if we play a game or make him giggle somehow (even if it's just making eye contact, me spontaneously laughing and him laughing at me back), he likes to do it over and over. And once it winds down, he looks at me and does the sign for more. He just wants to laugh with us! He loves to read books and his favorites are the "piggy book" and curious george. Or "jiij" as he likes to say. Sometimes when we're in his room, he picks out a book and  slowly backs up to me and sits on my lap for me to read to him. It melts me. =) He loves to be chased. He loves his "nana blankie" (the circle quilt Mari made him) and loves to point at the picture of her on it and talk to her. He loves his NANA. period. =) He is a major daddy's boy and can't stand being separated from him! If Danny even goes outside without him, he is so upset. He is talking a bit more, making animal sounds and all that. He often says "baaa chuuu..." in a singsongy voice and we have no CLUE what it means, but it's cute anyway. He also says nana for Nana and banana, baa for ball and balloon, mama, daddy, deder for Heather, Boot for book and boots, a buch of other things. And he still signs for more, milk, and all done. He does a lot of pointing and grunting too, which is pretty cute. He also nods yes and no, which we really love. He is scared of cars (yes!) and doesn't like to be riding his little car in the driveway when one of our neighbors pull into the cul de sac. He is also afraid of the vacuum and just can't seem to get over the fear! Even though we have let him help us push it, if he isn't being held when its on, he can't take it. 

He is teething right now, the last of his canines are coming in. For Max, this means that he acts completely normal, but doesn't sleep well. So he will NOT go to bed at night. Just. WON'T. do it. SO for the last few nights he has stayed up until 11! The funny thing is that he is so happy. He wants to play and laugh and cuddle and read stories, but not sleep. No way. On top of it all, he has a little eye infection of some kind and has been getting bad eye goobers at night. 

A couple nights ago I got in the hot shower with him at almost midnight to help clear his eyes. He fell asleep in my arms and I just stared at him and held him close for the longest time. I can't believe how beautiful he is and how perfect each little feature is in my eyes. I couldn't ask for a sweeter boy and I can't imagine life without him. I can't believe that he has grown into a toddler and it kills me how quickly time is passing. Wasn't his first birthday just weeks ago? How can I have a TWO YEAR OLD in just another few months?? It isn't possible. 

And then, the thought of another. I guess it's probably about time to think about a sibling for my little guy, but how can I possibly love another the way I love him? There is just no room in my heart for anyone but him. When I think of every fun baby moment and stage, of course I want to experience it all over again. But with him. Can I just start over with the one I have?

Max, I love you. A million times over. You are my best little guy and mean the world to me! I only hope we are always as close as we are now and that I can be worthy of being your mama. THank you for your unconditional love and for the things you teach me and show me about yourself every day. Please stop getting so big. Okay? I can't wait for Florida next week and for December to come- that means no work for mommy, and lots of play time with you. You're my world

hey plauteau girls

Did you know Kirstin got hitched to the man of her dreams? 

Find out who over here.

a little project

So I have been feeling bad about the fact that I don't have a lot of religious art in my home. I know it is important, I would like to, but I need something that I think is beautiful and works in my home too. I know this is a very proud, un-christlike reason for not hanging religions things, but it's how I feel. I would love a carl bloch sketch or something, but for now I have decided to take some vintage pics of the temple to frame for my house, and maybe even sell on etsy or give as christmas gifts. We'll see how they turn out first though. =)

Here's just one I have so far from a shot I took at a wedding. 

last chance!

2008 MINI SESSION

one (maaaaybe two) spots left for the urban location pictured above.

besides all of these fantasic bright colors, there will be some beautiful natural brick and

rock locations to die for. e-mail me if you're interested, and hurry... it's this Saturday!

Did I mention it is supposed to be almost 70 degrees on Saturday? Talk about LUCKY!

missed it. again.

see this baby?

i ALMOST bought it. it sat waiting for me at the centerville D.I.  about a month ago. The problem is that is was $45, which for a crappy little old desk seemed like a lot at the time. Especially from D.I.! nothing bugs me more than the deserets getting all high and mighty on me- marking up old pyrex and milk glass to $10? please. 

Anyway, I passed. After a week, I kept thinking about it and decided to go back to see if it was still there. after all, it was the exact size I needed, and it would look so cute painted a pretty blue green or olive. to my disappointment, someone less indignant toward the d.i. jacked up price had snatched it up. bummer. 

Then I saw its twin a week later. At second hand chic. for $100. SERIOUSLY??!

feeling stupid now. 

I have been looking everywhere for this exact desk. Checking craigslist and ksl religiously. I had almost given up when I saw the above pic on KSL, posted just 7 hours ago for $15 !!!!! I called three times in an hour. 

She had already sold it. 

sob. 

So if you or your grandmother (the latter being the more likely) have this desk and want to get rid of it, or if you SEE this desk while out and about, you should contact me first. 

because the two of us are meant for eachother.

k. really if you have this desk and want to trade for a larger white one with a little crackle. call me or e-mail me or run as fast as you can to my house. I am dying.