Thanks biggest looser!

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

Thanksgiving!

People keep asking how our Thanksgiving was, and the only word I can use to describe it is.. eventful. So, I had my whole week planned..
Monday: shopping
Tuesday: Laundry and cleaning the entire house
Wednesday: Pies (and more cleaning)
Thursday: Thanksgiving.
I even had a time schedule for Thursday of when things were supposed to go in the oven, be prepared and served. Everything went amazing smoothly until Wednesday around 10 pm.

Brandon's brother and his wife (Cody and Audra) were driving up from Northern California and had planned on staying with us Wednesday night. Well, at 10ish Brandon's dad called and told us that they had hit a dear about 5 and a half hours from here. After talking some sense into Dave and organizing some concrete some plans, Brandon and Dave left to go get Cody and Audra. They left at 11:30, pulled over and slept at 2:30 and were back here around noon-noon thirtyish. Well, since vegas I can't sleep without Brandon. Brandon calls it "Bad-guy-phobia"... so I slept about 4 hours (5am-9am), but I wasn't as weary as Brandon and Dave :-) Truly we were happy everyone was safe. To add to the eventfull day litterally 5 minutes after I put my turkey in the oven the oven started sparking on the inside.. of course chandler was standing there screaming. lol. THANKFULLY we were watching Mike and Julie's (our neighbors) guine pig, so we had their keys, and I was able to use their oven.

Holidays are all about crazyness, right? We were thankfull everyone was happy, healthy and safe. Dinner went on when we planned and everything was great! WOW this is long.. here's some random pictures.. I'm sorry I didnt take any good ones. I think Brandon took the batteries out of the little camera to put into a wiii controller :-)
This is Cody, Brandon's brother.. I said they were random, don't act so surprised.

Thanks Rachel!

I thought this was just too true. :-)

If Facebook were real life...

I want...

Where would you want to live?

POrtland, OR

Rexburg, ID

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Oh so much to say..

Okay, first! It has been like forever, but I promised pictures of our apt, and mom keeps asking how my painting turned out. So, here you go!

Our little bathroom down stairs. Mom and I saw the paislies idea at a model home. Her's are white with brown walls--I think her's are cuter :-) Our bedroom...The kitchenand our living room.
There's also another bathroom upstairs and chandler's room, but I haven't gotten around to doing his room yet, and the bathroom is pretty boring. :-P We love having two floors! It was kind of weird painting rooms with out my mom.

Second.. in the words or Rocky, "No cake, no ice cream.. Happy birthday!" not really, there was cake and ice cream. I was happy to have friends around, and I am always happy for my birthday. Brandon made it so special for me. I love him!


Chandler would hide behind the blinds and then pop out and scare Brandon. They thought it was great fun. :-)

OKay moving on... Halloween was a little more exciting than last year. Here are some pictures of our chicken Chan-man!
I loved the little butt on it!


He loves to go out side...We carved pumpkins too, but I forgot to take pictures. So I am putting up pictures of our neighbor Julie's pumpkins... because they are really pretty amazing.
We are praying for Prop 8 in California, and personally we continue to support traditional marriage values. Hopefully there will be less contention once the elections are over. My mom sent me this that I loved very much and thought I would share. It's kind of long, but worth the time..

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

'This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the
prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

'Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they
will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.'"

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1978)

Can you believe it was 30 years ago! Let us not complain about the heat!

We also pray for Nathan, he was beat up in the mission field last week.

Finally, school is going well. Although difficult, Brandon is a beast and we love and support him. It started raining on Friday and it really hasn't stopped. It hailed today, which is the closest thing to snow I have seen in almost a year :-) BUT, who cares because here comes the holidays! Happy thanksgiving!

Seniors

It has been a while since I have posted about my photography stuff, but I was just so impressed with this guy that I had to share.

He was so EASY. He did what I wanted him to do before I asked him, and he did it better! Anyway.. here you go.

I loved his "smocks"

Tate=Cereal

Those of you who are familiar with my family understand completely the complex relationship that my family has with, our friend, cereal. I thought I would share "traditions" that I am now currently carrying down. (Brandon, bless his heart, becomes more Tate every day). As of this morning this was our cereal collection:
Now, it's not the shear volume of the collection that makes it so Tate like. In case you're counting it's 11 total (I had to throw 2 away). Oh no.. I can never come close to comparing to dad's 32 boxes in one trip size. It is however because each box was purchased at 18 cents per ounce or less, because next week I will need to buy more cereal, and because we eat cereal once, twice and sometimes (in Brandon's case) three times a day.

Having them all out of the table reminded me of my childhood (weird?). We used to fight over who got to read the back of the box. They used to be interesting. We built little forts around our place mats so we didn't have to listen to or see each other. And we ALWAYS had three bowls of cereal in the morning. Because, when I was growing up before you could have a second bowl of "sweet" cereal, you had to have a "plain" (corn flakes, raisin bran, rice crispies.. something with less cereal). AND when you're hungry, you need two and if you eat the plain you might as well have the sweet... after all you earned it :-) If we helped mom bring in the groceries, we got to have a bowl of cereal. And once we started seminary, we would not eat in the morning and then come home and eat a bowl.. it made everyone very upset. EVEN on Christmas morning we had cerial. It just came in those little boxes (we often took on vacation) to make it more special.

But, in case this wasn't enough...If anyone had any question that we are related to Nadine Tate this should answer your question:
We had ants in our cereal.. I had to throw two boxes away, which is kind of sacrilegious around here. I had to do something to save my friends... In my defense, I'm not mixing the flavors yet.

And yes.. I did raise my price per ounce limit three cents sometime this past summer.. food prices, you know.

Guilty Pleasures

Today at walmart Chan-man and I both indulged a little in our own personal ways. since Brandon started school today (yay), we were in no hurry to get home, so we wandered down the toys isle and chandler picked out a ball with dogs on it. Usually he wouldn't be able to take it home, but today, like I said, we indulged a little.

As for me... well, I am a firm believer in letting every holiday have their glory, but I just couldn't help it.. the Christmas stuff is out (I even resisted last week when I was there). NO I didn't buy anything, but I couldn't resist walking down the isles and wondering what things I would eventually be able to talk brandon into getting for me. It's back in the garden section at walmart, so I was alone mostly. There was one other lady with a look on her face that said "I can't wait". I imagine it was similar to mine :-)

Then we came home and ate green beans and gold fish.

What's your guilty pleasure?

Sand Lake

We went to sand lake with Brandon's parents and his brother's family. It was fun.

Chandler was so proud of himself for being able to put the hat on :-)

Maddie had this little AVT.. super cute. Chandler loved it! He drove it into the sand and then it would stop going and he would get mad.

Tag..

Thanks Sarah.. before I start.. i tag: Anneka, Ryan, Rachel, and Adam (I'm just curriouse if he'll bite)

8 Things

8 Things I'm passionate about:

1. My family - Not to copy everyone, but I love my men (Chandler and Brandon) and I love my brothers, and my parents and my sisters. And yes, I love Brandon's family as well... especially my sister-in-laws.
2. My Savior. I figure this includes the church, my testimony, the gospel... etc.
3. My Friends - New and old.. okay everytime I say that i think of that girl scout song.. does anyone else remember that? "Make new friends and keeEep the old. Some are silver and the others are gold". Hahahaha. But no seriously. I love my friends from home, and my Idaho friends (who we miss dearly) and all the people here who have been so kind to us.
4. CHRISTMAS! but you all already know that. :-) I start to get excited about the end of April, and then it fades a little because I get into the other holidays.. but oh man once those Christmas songs come on the radio, well, you know. I think other people who think they like Christmas as much as I do, just don't understand the depth of this relationship that Christmas and I have built.
5. Education. Duh. I am extremely passionate about giving every student the opportunity for a better life through education. Because I don't want to write a book about it.. we'll leave it at that.
6. Traveling. I love to go places and see things. Yes, I even enjoy the airport. Even with all the craziness and security; I just love the feeling of excitement.
7. Shopping. I think I have some g-ma Tate tendencies. I love to buy things, almost anything.. it's pretty horrible. I get a shopping high. This probably contributes to my love for Christmas.
8. Photography. It's a relatively new passion, but I love, love, love it!

8 Words or Phrases I say Often
1. ummmmmmmm
2. crap
3. oh man
4. no, don't, stop (Chan-man)
5. Honestly
6. Seriously
7. Shut up
8. Yes! I totally know!

8 Things I want to do Before I Die

1. Go to Italy!
2. See every one of my kid married in the temple
3. Sky dive
4. build a house with a pool.. not me, you know what I mean.
5. I have always wanted to host Thanksgiving
6. I really want to be on a game show, and win something
7. I really want to renovate something (I'm pretty addicted to HGTV) :-)
8. Have lots of kids.. :-)

8 Things I Currently Want or Need

1. A house.. with a deck, and a pool, a yard, fire place, maybe a big basement, with a big wrap around porch, where it snows sometimes. I really like those craftsman style houses.
2. Cuter clothes. Including some chunky heals, in not sure what color.
3. This is really random, but I want a head board for my bed.
4. A kitty. :-)
5. A bigger, second car. It would be so nice.
6. I want it to be Christmas time already!
7. A little table to go in the weird space in my kitchen. :-)
8. I kind of want cycling shoes.

Craig's List

Dear Crazy People,

I am so glad that you decided to list your "slightly used" furniture on Craig's list. Unfortunately, we don't believe you (or care) when you say, "easily worth 1,500", so it wont convince us to spend $500 on some logs you obviously nailed together. And, personally, I don't care how much it cost you. More importantly, it is not okay to list the reasons that you are parting with your furniture. I don't care if your grandma died and you have to move to Africa....doesn't make me want it more.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE when you have no responses to your "LOG BED---GORGEOUSE", don't raise the price! I am not sure what the reasoning here is, but it is a common mistake, in no way does it make it more desirable. If you do relist, let's not relist 18 times a day, just annoying. thanks. Lastly, we come to Craig's list looking for a deal.. if we wanted to spend $1000 on a new bed, we would go to a furniture store.

Thanks.

Bethany

Huckleberries

Back in college Sister Gee used to make raspberry-huckleberry jam that was unbelievable. No really, I remember people fighting over it. There are some of you who know what I am talking about. That was the beginning of my love afair with the mentioned berries. And actually it was when I realized that they were an actually berry and not something made up for a puppy's name (huckleberry hound).

So for the first time (first time for me) this past Saturday we went huckleberry picking! It was amazing that we could just pick the berries off the bush and keep them! There were millions of them too!! We brought two friends (and their daughters) with us who's husbands are in the mists of finals, and kind of have to be out of the house for them. It was so fun!

Chandler learned to pull the berries off the bush, but later he learned that it was easier to take handfuls out of our buckets. :-)
Doesn't he look kind of huckleberry drunk? The kids started getting tired so Emily went down and put the girls in the van to watch a movie.. chandler and I soon followed. We picked down by the cars while the kids sat in the van.. This picture is hilarious. Nottice the girls are like, "what the heck is your problem?"

He was asleep like 30 seconds after he got a binki.

I feel I need to cite Emily's blog because I stole a buncha her pictures.. Thanks!

Stephan and Marica... FINALLY!!

Sorry about the wait.. the internet is so slow here! It just took my along time to finally upload all the pictures and get them on my site. Here's a few on my favorites.











Here's the link to the website:
http://bethanyphotography.synthasite.com/s-and-m-wedding.php

Christmas count down.....

HAHAHHAHA... It reminds me of when we used to make those paper ring chains.

Ode to Fall

I love the change of seasons and everyone knows how much I love the holidays. For me the beginning of the fall season means the holidays are coming soon. Besides that I love the crisp weather and the changing leaves (something we didn't get in California). Every year when fall rolls around I remember Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seatle when she says, "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." I always wondered if I could make a bouquet of pencils look cute.. Maybe I'll try. I love that movie btw.. always reminds me of Holli.

Anyway, this fall is going to be a little different. I know I have made this comment before, but I am not going to back to school. Since I was 4 I have started school in the fall. And this year I wont. I know that many of my Idaho friends don't start in the fall for the first time this year too. Guys isn't it so weird! My Cousin talked about registering for classes on her blog and I was totally reminded that I didn't do that this year. HOWEVER, some people are returning to the books. My brother started law school, Brandon starts the 1st of October, my little brother and sisters are back (I think).

The other thing I love about fall.. "dark colors and slimming lines," Jackie: 70's show. So true, and who doesn't love that. AND sweaters!

Okay, I'm rambling. The point is I love fall!

Stefan and Marica

Here's another one! This was at Rohdendron Gardens.. It was a pretty cool place. Chandler and Brandon had a good time feeding the ducks while we did our shoot.

Stefan and Marica took a while to warm up to me...it's never easy having someone that close to you telling you to keep kissing. :-) They're getting married tomorrow!!! MY FIRST WEDDING!! wish me luck. I'm not nervous yet, but I am sure I will be!

Here's the link:



On another note.. we're all moved in (besides a few things that need to go on the walls). I'm going to paint, so I'll post pictures when it's really all done. We are happy here though, and we love our apartment. Our new ward has been unbelievably friendly. There are a few women who live in the complex who's husbands are students and they stay home all day too.

Life is beautiful

Plus the Holidays are coming soon!!!!!!!

Crystal and Mike

I have been debating on how to do this, because obviously, not everyone is as excited about my photography stuff as I am... so I thought I would just post the website so those of you who want to.. can check it out :-)  

OKAY.. Crystal and Mike. My very first officially paid gig. They were fun-goofy and fun to work with.

Click on the picture for their session slide show.

One year old(er)

YAY chandler's one! I can't believe how slow the first 6 weeks went and how fast the wrest of it went! We had a little birthday party.
He got this truck that has buttons that make noise. And he liked it so much that he wouldn't eat his cake. We did presents first thinking that he wouldn't be interested in his presents once he had cake, but it was the other way around!

You might not be able to tell, but he's yelling because he wants his truck back!

Brandon's parents through his a little party too. AND he got another truck! Then, Brandon's grandparents came and Grandpa Barnette had made him another truck.. We have been blessed with MANY trucks! :-)

Yesterday, I finally took chandler out to do his one year pictures. But first a day one picture.
Okay, here's a few of my favorites from yesterday. If you can't tell, I like black and white :-)

Man, he's so freakin cute! Anyway, one year down an eternity of joy to come!