Christmas Questions

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping presents and I love opening wrapped gifts. There is something about tearing off that paper that just excites me! It wouldn't be Christmas without it!
2. Real tree or artificial? I am all over the fake tree, real trees are too messy, yuck! Our tree this year is only 2 feet tall and Erik bought it for me on our first Christmas together, maybe next year we will upgrade to a bigger tree...then again maybe not.

3. When do you put up the tree? It's not an exact science, it just have to feel right!

4. When do you take the tree down? After I recover from Christmas Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yep I love it! My mother-in-law makes the bests eggnog...of course she only makes it on Christmas day and whenever I ask for the recipe she just laughs (there isn't a recipe).

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I would have to say that I loved the year that I got a bike! My brother Tim and I both got them and we loved them, we would race up and down the streets for hours. I also loved the year that I got "pop" guns! I loved those! (Thanks Mom and Dad.)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have several...Here are a couple that Erik and I picked up in Africa last year!
8. Hardest person to buy for? I don't know...my sisters maybe?

9. Easiest person to buy for? Jack...it's hard not to buy stuff for him!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I ever got a bad gift for Christmas...except maybe the year I ended up with "Head" (I tissue dispenser made from a dolls head) from the Whiting Family White Elephant Gift Exchange.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? If I get around to doing Christmas cards they will be emailed...I know lame...next year maybe I will get around to sending real cards.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love Christmas movies! Especially those cheesy made for TV Christmas movies! I just love them. Here are a few that I have in my library right now.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December! If I shop any earlier than that I can't wait and end up giving the gift early (or forget that I have it and buy it again...I did that once).

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes! That's what White Elephant Parties are for!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love food! The thing that yells out Christmas to me though is Waffles with Strawberries and Whipped Cream! YUM! I can't wait for Christmas morning!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored! I had to use this picture of the colored lights on our tree because it had my favorite Christmas Ornament on it! It has a string on the bottom and when you pull it the legs and arms go up...I loved playing with it as a kid.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Right now I would have to say that it is "The Chipmunk Song" by Alvin and the Chipmunks. I can't say for sure why I like this song except it expresses sediments similar to my own. "I just want a Hoola Hoop" and "I've been good but it won't last/ Hurry Christmas, Hurry Fast."

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? HOME!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Joe, Bob, Johnny, Fred...that's all I can remember.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I guess you could call this an angel, I like to call it Angel Moose, or is that Mooses, Meeses, or Meesen!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? On Christmas Morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? All of the ad's and whiny kids!

23. What I love most about Christmas? Hanging out with family, friends, and talking the reason for the season.

Mozambique Moments

As I was trying to organize some of my pictures, I came across some of the pictures Erik and I took in AfricaWe spent a lot of time with the people in the villages! Since Erik could speak Portuguese he got to be good friends with many of the people. These two guys were crazy and drunk most of the time. They loved to get their picture taken after we would show them the pictures on the LCD screen they would just laugh and laugh.

This is me and one of my favorite kids from the orphanage! For the last 3 weeks whenever we would go to the orphanage, he would run to me and wouldn't let me put him down! It was really hard to leave, he knew we were leaving and he wouldn't even look at me! I was bawling and he wouldn't give me a hug until right before we left!

Both Erik and I can twist balloons, so for one of the activities we made a bunch of balloons for the kids! Most of them were swords and we had a giant full on sword fight with all of the kids! It was really really fun! (P.S. Check out my legs...oh my whiteness...when we first saw this pictures we thought that I was wearing white socks/nylons or something...but I don't own white nylons (and I wouldn't take them to Africa if I did) and I am wearing sandels!)
If you think you are close as a married couple...if you think you can survive anything, then sleeping on a bed this size for SIX WEEKS, shouldn't be to hard! :)

Christmas in July

Last June/July Erik and I had the opportunity to go to Utah with Erik's Mom, Dad, and those siblings left at home. While we were there we decided to dress up and act out (okay so we only dressed up for the picture) the Manger Scene. We had a good time!


Wahoo! Christmas is right around the corner! YAY!

My Wedding Film Job Openings

Hey everyone!

Just letting you know about some fun job opening's we've got for videographers. There's no experience needed, we will train you.

We are looking for women (although guys work too, we are a crew of mostly women) who would like to work around 2 weekends a month (during our busy season which in the Spring is March-June). , shooting video at swanky upscale weddings!

The time commitment is usually from around noon-10pm on Saturdays, although each wedding varies and on occasion we do have Friday weddings.

We also have two meetings a month to train and review for upcoming events, those are held on the first Tuesday and the third Thursday of every month and run from 6-8pm.

So if you/or someone you know is looking to make some extra cash and have a smashing time at weddings with our fun crew let me know asap!

Thanks! Stacy Guthrie
stacyguthrie@gmail.com

Family, Family, Family

Yesterday we decided to do an impromptu family photo shoot with our family! Here are a few shoot for you all to enjoy.

My First Bath

We gave Jack his first bath tonight! He kind of liked it!Kind of not

Tag...You're It!

Well, thanks to Halima I have been tagged and now you all get to hear 6 random facts about me!
1) I love being a MOM! Even though I haven't had a full nights sleep in long while, it is so fun! Jack just keeps getting cuter and cuter!
2) I love books! I could read all day (and I have) if I didn't have other things that pull me away! I just finished my last book and I am on the hunt for a new read! Asking me to pick a favorite book is like asking me to pick a favorite finger...I just can't do it! But I will say that I love The Harry Potter Series, The Twilight Series, Ender's Game, and any other novel that is a quick easy read!
3) I love Exclamation Points!!! I always over use them! Even when I know it should just be a normal period I will use and exclamation point! (See I did it again)
4) I don't really cook! My husband Erik does most of the cooking in our house! Someday I will step up and try to do more, but for now he cooks!
5) I HATE Peanut Butter! After Erik eats a PB&J sandwhich I make him brush his teeth before he can kiss me! (it got really bad when I was pregnant)
6) I have super long toes! My toes literally put me up a shoe size! My Aunt used to tell me that I could probably play the piano better with my toes then my fingers (because I would practice more with my feet than my hands).

Most people I know have been tagged already...and so I don't have anyone new to tag! Sorry! I hope you all enjoy my random facts

One Week Old

I am ONE WEEK OLD today! YAY! In the last week I have....
1) Gained weight! (I started out at 8 lbs and 11 oz and when we went to the Dr. he said that I have gained 2 oz).
2) I have successfully hit both mom and dad when they have tried to change my diaper!
3) I can hold my head up ( for a little while...give me a break alright I mean I'm only a week old)
4) Made mom do 4 loads of laundry (just for me)
5) Slept for 3-4 hours at night (I figured I should give Mom a rest)
6) Had my picture taken more then I care to remember! (Someone needs to take the camera away from my parents!)
7) Sneezed 4 times in a row....I am working my way up to 5!

Jack Edward

Jack Edward decided that he wanted join our family and at 12:25 on Halloween Morning he made our family of two a family of three! I have to say (although I am sure that I am a little bias) that he is the cutest thing I have ever seen!
My computer is giving me an error each time I try to post pictures, but if you click here, it will take you to Darby and Jon's blog and she was able to upload some pictures! Hopefully I will be able to get some up here soon! Thanks
Stacy, Erik, and little Jack

Hawaii Pictures

I know this is way late, but I am finally cleaning of my cards (in preparation for the baby), I just had to post a few picts from Darby and Jon's wedding from way back in Febuary!I love that picture because Alli and Dan look like they could be the cover models from a magazine!
Here is Erik singing "Pearly Shells" to the camera! Isn't he so cute?!
Here we are just chillin' taken pictures...don't we look cute?!

I have more pictures, but I most have ran out of space on this post!

Baby Shower Postponed...

Hello out there to everyone! I just wanted to let you all know (if you were planning on coming) that my baby shower which was going to be this Saturday Oct 13th, 2007 will be postponed until Tuesday Oct. 16th, 2007 @ 7 PM! I hope that you can all make it! If you didn't get an invite (you probably should have) I am so sorry, please come anyways, I want to see you all!
It will be at the
Halbert Residence
We are registered at Target!
If have any questions or would like to go in on the group gift (I don't know what it is :) ) You can call Terry (that's my mom).
If you could all help and spread the word to anyone else who might be coming to the shower that would be great! (We are trying to contact everyone and I don't want to miss anyone)
Thanks,
Stacy

Uncool blog post

This is a copy of a post from Darby's blog, I just to help pass on the word and if anyone wants to help or send their love please let us know.

I know it's uncool to do this on a blog, but I want to make sure everyone is in the loop. For those who don't know I am in the Filichia's ward so I'm just letting you all know the news. Late yesterday afternoon our good friend Tim Filichia jr. passed away after a car accident up between flaggstaff and Paige. I don't know many details, but will be sending out and email with the emails I have - if you want to be included my email is darbyelizabeth@gmail.com or I should be able to post most of the information here.

There is a fund that will be set up tomorrow to aid in funeral costs.

darby

Prego Pictures

Well here it is! The long awaited pregnant picture of me! And it is in front of our house! YAY! I know it's not the best picture but hopefully I will be able to get another one up here soon!

Why there should be food replicators...

Like in Star Trek! This post was inspired after reading Amanda Porters post on weevils in her cookies.
The other day I descided I was going to cook mac and cheese...you know the good home made stuff. My mom had 3 bags of Macaroni, grabbing one I started to make my meal! As I drained the water off of the noodles I realized that there were little brown things floating in the water! YUCK! Weevils! Having already made the cheese sause I dumped the noodles in the trash and grabbed another bag of noodles from the pantry. Once again I noticed little brownish things that didn't belong. I was about ready to break down and cry when I found the last bag of noodles. Carefully I looked in the bag and dumped the noodles in the pot and found that...finally there weren't any bugs! YEAH!
Well, I finished the mac and cheese but I had a hard time eating it!

Carpet is ordered! YAY

We ordered our carpet today and in 2 weeks we will have it in! YAY! That means that in 2 weeks we will be moving into our new home! YAY! That also means that we have a lot of work to do in the next 2 weeks.
We thought we were doing so good but after Erik painted 1.5 rooms with the paint, we realized that we didn't like it so much...it was far to orange for my liking. Oh well, it just means that we have to (or I guess Erik hast to, because Stacy can't paint) has to repaint. Stacy doesn't mind but Erik....
Anyhow, I am hoping to post pictures soon of our house and since there have been so many request I will post a pictures of me (Stacy) showing off my baby bump. That way everyone can see how fat I am getting. Not that I mind I am just lazy and haven't gotten around to transfering the pictures over!
Happy Wednesday!

Family Fun

One Sunday we had some extra "old school" super 8mm reels and wanted to finish them off, and we had a great time!

Click To Play

Offically Homeowners!

Well, yesterday Erik got the most expensive birthday present...and we are officially homeowners now! YAY! We have some work to do on the house before we can move in...bummer... but in a couple of weeks (cross your fingers) we will be moved in! YAY! Pictures are coming soon!

Sunday Afternnoon

We were playing "Quiddler," a spelling game, on Sunday afternoon, and those of you who know Erik might be suprised that he wanted to play, I was too! He normally skips out on those types of games, however he totally slaughtered everyone! Hummm.... wonder why here he is totally checking out my cards.

Our House!

We found a house! YAY! We made an offer and it was accepted! Okay so the shot above isn't the house we found, but I though it would be fun to post this shot of a sand castle (although "castle" not the right word)...shack would be more appropriate I think! Anyhow, Erik created this while we were in Hawaii in Febuary! Here is a shot of Erik looking oh so cool with the sand shack!

Africa Memories

Every so often on our blog we are going to share an Africa Memory and so I hope that you don't get too bored.
Have you ever been so focused that you become oblivious to the things around you? This happened to me last summer when Erik and I were in Africa. We went to a Wild Life Preserve, which is kind of like a zoo except no cages. We were walking and as is my habit, my face was stuck behind the camera and I was snapping pictures like crazy! While we were walking there was an ostrich and our guide was explaining how dangerous they can be and I obliviously kept adjusting my lens trying to get the perfect shot. After I got this shot I went to look at it through the LDC screen and then made the mistake of looking up. I was about a foot away from the ostrich! With a little scream that never made it all the way up my throat I jumped back and nearly fell on my kaboos! Luckily Erik was there to catch me, although he nearly failed in this because he was laughing so hard.

Leaks

Have you ever had the feeling that something was going on but you couldn't quite get it? It's like the stage between wakefullness and dreaming, when someone asks you a question but the answer is just out of reach! Or have you ever walked out of the house in Arizona only to have your feet burnt because you forgot to put on shoes? Or the feeling that you are forgetting something and then you look down and realize that you aren't wearing any pants? Okay so not all of those things have happened to me, but I was sitting at my desk (I work from home) and I was trying to figure out why my computer monitor had spots on it! We had been out of town so I couldn't figure it out. Oh well I said to myself it's not a big deal. Later that same day, I was again sitting in front of my desk reading a piece of paper when, BAM! I was attached! A giant smelly water droplet hit my paper. I looked up and what do you know...there is a leak. Of course it is just my luck that the only place that it is leaking happens to be right on top of my computer.
Now I am sure you are thinking...monsoons...but that is not the case! It was actually our AC unit! Crazy eh?! The problem is now fixed and I can get back to work....or just back to blogging...

Shameless Plug for Work!

This is something that my work is doing and it is AWESOME! Check it out!!

Photo shoots

If any of you are interested, this is something my company is offering..... to see the photos go to Darby Elizabeth Photography Blog



Darby and Amanda are going to be offering really fun shoots for families/couple/small children who want photos ready for Christmas and Christmas or holiday cards. Or if you just want to get some killer family photos done!

The packages will be $200 and will look and be just as fun as all of our other shoots, include the digital negatives, a 1-1.5 hour shoot and have a 60 day online viewing page where you can order photos, cards, ect right from our pro lab! All shoots will include photos of each group and individual if wanted.

If you think you may be interested you can email us at darby@darbyelizabethphotography.com, please put CHRISTMAS SHOOT in the subject line!

We are so excited about doing these shoots and can't wait to get started. We are hoping to shoot in August and September primarily in order to get the photos back in time for cards!

-darby

ps. We are in the process of putting up a bunch of fun examples of our family work you can view them under the Category "Here comes santa clause" to the right on the darby elizabeth blog

Franklin Einstein Guthrie

Well Erik and I had a fun and relaxing weekend at the Earnest J Whiting reunion last weekend. Almost all Whiting reunions take place at the "Homestead", one of the few remaining orginal 160 arce homesteads left in the white mountains!
I wish I had some pictures to show, but I forgot to take my camera, oh well! It was raining all weekend which made it nice and cool. I love it when I need to wear a sweatshirt in AZ in July! It was raining hard enough to even discover a few leaks that need to be repaired on the cabins!
We had a great time waking up and helping to cook breakfast for the 100 or so relatives that were at the reunion. And while helping my mom and her sisters decided a name for our baby boy who is due on Oct 31st, Frank Einstein Guthrie! They think that they are so funny...and I have to admit...it is pretty clever.

House searching

Erik and I are are in the mist of house searching! It is a fun and exciting time and we can't wait until we are in a house of our own. We have been living in my parents basement for the past year and it is time to get out! We are excepting our first child and I can't wait to have a room to decorate for the little tike! When we finally get into a house I will post some pictures!

First time Blogger!

Hello Everyone! I don't really know what I am doing but figured it was time to jump on the blogger bandwagon! So here goes nuthin'!