VIOLETSKY photoblog...FINALLY!!

So I finally got a photoblog going...well, sort of. Nothing fancy, yet but I just procrastinated way tooo long! As long as it's up, I'm content for now. You can follow my photography on www.violetskyphoto.blogspot.com but I'm determined to keep this blog going with my family happenings!

Thank you for all your support!

Tupea Family 2009

I had a fun weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado but the best part was shooting this fun family. I've known the Tupeas for awhile--being that it's my brother in laws family, we're forever linked lol. Thank you for the mini vacation. Devyn says she wants to live there "forever and ever!" hehe.

ps-Pls excuse the different sizes for the watermark, I'm working on it but it's 2 am so I'm going to bed! lol

Baby bump-Krystle Young Yen

There will be another baby added to the Young Yen family. Krystle (aka Ola) is hardly my sister-in-law, I look at her as one of my own sisters. She holds a very special place in my heart and I'm getting emotional just blogging about her. The summer before her senior year of high school, Ola came and stayed with Uela and I. Devyn was almost a year old at the time. While Uela and I were busy going to and from work, Aunty Ola looked after Devyn--fed her, changed her diapers, bathed her, read her stories, put her to sleep and then cleaned the house. There was a time when Devyn thought I was a stranger. All she knew and adored was her Aunty Ola. To this day, Devyn is still so attached to her. I can hardly believe she will be a mother any day now! That's right--almost 9 months pregnant and she's still rockin' it out--gorgeous! I would love to think that I trained her well to become a special mother, but the truth is, she had long acquired the heart and patience it takes to raise a child and I was fortunate enough to have her help me take care of Devyn. Thank you so much Ola for all you do for Devyn. I LOVE YOU!

I adore you "DAD!"

Being that today is father's day and my daddy is my favorite person in the world, I just couldn't go without posting. I'm proud to say that I'm a big daddy's girl and I think all 3 of us girls are. I don't think anyone could have had a better childhood than we had. Our family loved each other. Dad was and still is a devoted husband and father. He loves his family with all his heart. In our house love was not a word that was easily spoken, but it was practiced constantly every day of our lives. Everyone that knows dad knows that the grandchildren are the joys of his life. When grandpa's home, the kids are free to run thru the house like a pack of elephants--even with flames burning out of grandma's ears. lol

More than his family, Dad loves his Heavenly Father. Anyone who spends any time around him knows his love for the gospel and especially for the members of his ward. He is a quiet and very humble man with a great sense of humor. No matter what happened we learned to laugh at our many misadventures. Dad is known as the biggest jokster and whenever there's a roar of laughter, its a given--dad is there. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and I believe it because we seldom needed medicine growing up, but we always had plenty of laughter.

Dad instilled good values and work ethic into his children. He truly believes in the "Golden Rule" and made it a way of life. Many times I see my Dad tired from a long, hard day's work reach out a helping hand to a friend, neighbor, or ward member in need. What he has he is always willing to share with others, especially the elderly. He has a very special love for them. Dads favorite thing to do is cook and deliver to the elderly members in the ward. His cooking is off the hook!

I know I can always depend on Dad. I have such confidence and trust that he would be there to take care of me. He never lets me down, not once. I know how much he loves me. That kind of love comes from only one source, God. Dad is a very spiritual man with a heart of gold. What he does in his life is not for the approval of man or self-glory, but out of PURE LOVE. Next to God, Dad is the greatest example to me of Pure Love. Dad I love you for the person you are and all you continue to teach me. I don't ever remember a time you weren't there for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The FABULOUS Glorianna Purcell

Glo is a true beauty! She is also my first cousin, so this was a special shoot. It was so much easier for me because she is a natural. One of the things I adore about Glo is her kind and soft demeanor. But as soon as the camera went on, her alter ego appeared--so fierce, it was infectious--I loved it! lol Your amazing Glo and I can't wait to see what your bright future has in store for you.

Julius & Rosa Ulugia

I love this couple. They were sealed back in February and well--it snowed that morning so while they were trying to gather the troop for pictures, everyone ran for cover and left. But as soon as the weather warmed up, we played dress up again 3 months later. Rosa and Julius have been together for 11 years since junior high and after both returning home from LDS missions, they finally sealed their Happily Ever After. There isn't anyone in the world more perfect for our sister Rosa than Julius. They're a wonderful match. That day I witnessed their incredible love for each other, with one glance Rosa's way, he causes her to blush, lower her chin shyly into her chest with a large smile and melt into a puddle of love. And in that moment, I wanted to take it all in, enjoy the feeling, and savor the look in his eyes. I was so overwhelmed with the simplicity of happiness. Thank you for allowing me to document your amazing LOVE!

Devyn and her Uncle Vini

Today the Elder officially joined the army of God. We dropped the Elder off at the MTC and it sucked! The flu bug hit the MTC hard--17 Elders down and only 5 beds--so we got the phone call that we were only allowed to drop off and basically get out! The MTC was being quarantined so there was no devotional, no long goodbyes--which maybe was a good thing, no watching the old school video, and no one but missionaries even allowed to touch the MTC grounds! Did I mention it sucked! Well the Elder was sooo excited and smiled the whole time while we wallowed in our tears. Devyn was in primary children's ER last night from swallowing two coins--that's a post in itself--I'm just so grateful she was good to go before Vini entered the MTC and we were able to be there. I couldn't stop thinking of my brother today but I came across these pictures and they put a big smile on my face. I LOVE YOU Elder Purcell!

Elder Purcell-San Bernadino California Mission

His final week here has come and I don't think it has sunk in for any of us. I decided that I refuse to have a mug shot picture of my brother for his missionary plaque, so we had fun with his shoot and got to spend a little time together. I love you Vini!

High School Prom Glam-La'au Tanuvasa & Lauga Tupea

So it's that time of year again--where the high school kids put on their best wear, heels, hair and charm for the best night of their teen life or the culmination of their entire high school experience--you guessed it, PROM! We spend our whole lives imagining the big high school prom. What will we wear? Who will we take? Will there be some sort of breakout choreographed dance a la every high school movie ever made? And then it's over and we remember it forever. For some, it’s a fantastic and memorable affair. For others, it’s a waste of 6 hours and a few 100 dollars that we’ll never get back. But either way, everyone has some pretty vivid memories of that milestone night. So I couldn't say no when I was asked to capture some of these memories for La'au and Lauga. These two high school sweethearts are part of the wonderful youth kids in my ward. Lauga is also my brother in laws sister. It was of course entertaining, especially with the crowd they had to pose for :) Thanks you two for being such good sports--next time Hobart is not invited.

I'm in the process of creating a photo blog--so stay tuned!

Sushi or Death?

Sushi is one of our favorite culinary indulgences. The different combinations of flavors, colors, textures and subtle aromas are a delight that we look forward to whenever we can. Uela is a sushi fanatic while I on the other hand--well, I really enjoy it but can LIVE without sushi for awhile. Devyn much like her dad, also eats sushi like french fries. We have experienced sushi from east to west in Utah :) and a few in Los Angeles, but one day I hope to go to Japan for more diverse approaches to sushi, perhaps even a culinary tour of Japan might be in the works at some point before I die.

The sisters gathered our husbands and headed off for a sushi experience this weekend. Of course for us it isn't complete without eel sauce, spicy mayo sauce and the boring old soy sauce--is it still even considered a sushi experience with all that dipping sauce? :) Nonetheless, it was great company and tasty food. But why is sushi so popular among westerners? Hmmm, maybe we love it because we try to be so politically correct, or we all need something new to spend our money on. Whatever the reason, I still love you sushi. My favorite resource for tasty sushi is Kyoto down on 1080 East and 1300 South. Yup, that's right--right here in the S-L-C! Uela begs to differ, he prefers Joe Sushi in L.A.

Omiphoto Spring Shoot contest

This past Friday, I attended a workshop done by my good friend Omi. I'm in the pursuit of photography and I'm just starting out. I've been blessed to have Omi help me out, she is an awesome photographer. We did a little spring shoot and we sure did get SPRING--it rained. We had beautiful models and there were about 6 of us that were being schooled by Omi. I'm a little nervous--ok A LOT nervous about putting my work out there for everyone to critique, but we all had to submit one shot for everyone to vote on. I met all these wonderful ladies--thanks for a fun night. Big thank you to Omi for her wisdom--I love you! Go by her blog and vote for your favorite http://www.naomimasinaphotography.blogspot.com/. I'm #3 :)