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 :)

Weekend in Seattle

So this past weekend I tagged along with one of my good friends Omi for some photo shoots in Seattle. Wow was it a culture shock for me. I've been to Seattle once during the Living Legend days at BYU--and of course we didn't get out much. It was just show after show. So, it was as if this was my first time in Seattle. We stayed in downtown Seattle and it was beautiful. The architecture there is amazing and it was far more cultured and liberal then I had expected. I know, I know--I so need to get out more. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and so much prettier then the ones here in Utah. The city is full of joggers which made me feel like I was back in Provo Utah again! Obesity doesn't seem to be a problem in Seattle--there's "organic" everything. I've gotta say the streets drove me crazy and poor Omi was the one driving the whole weekend. There were one ways, round abouts, you'd be driving in one lane and then it would all of a sudden end--it was insane. We spent A LOT of time on the road trying to figure out where we were going, but it was sooo much fun. Omi also took me to eat a crab pot right off the shore and it was sooo onolicious. My only criticism was that the dipping cups for the butter weren't big enough for me--I was basically drinking that stuff. I also met some amazing people in Seattle. I helped Omi with a bridal shoot for the beautiful Rose Ramsey--I hope I make it out for the wedding and the Warner family is such a beautiful family. All the best with the move back to Hawaii. I also had the honor of meeting Pua and Mapuana. You gals rock! Thanks Om for all the laughs. I had a blast!


The only shot I got of Seattle was of the beautiful Seattle people I met so here is the Warner family!

ABC's of Me

ABC's of Me

Fill in your answers and tag 15 people. Thanks, Nimo!

A - Age: 28

B - Bed size: King size

C - Chore you hate: Bathroom--so I make Uela do it

D - Dad's Name: Vini Tumu Purcell, dad, grandpa, papa

E - Essential start your day item: Straightener

F - Favorite actor(s): I just saw Fast & the Furious so right now it's Paul Walker

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'7

I - Instruments you play(ed): Violin since the TVA days in Laie

J - Job title: Wife & Mommy 1st, Delta agent 2nd

K - Kid(s): 1 beautiful babygirl

L - Living arrangements: Married with 1 child

M - Mom's name: Patisepa Laveiseaso Fafai-Purcell, Grandma & Nana

N- Nicknames: Bubbles, Bubbs (this was only with the Livng Legends group at BYU--don't ask me lol), mommy, mom, babe, baby

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: 7 months prego--fluid was low

P - Pet Peeves: I aboslutely hate when people save their chewing gum--on a plate, behind their ear (yes I've seen that), on their hand--I hate it! My other pet peeve? I'd have to agree with Nimo- Negative people. Move it along if you're walking around with a dark cloud over your head!! I also hate when people can't be happy for others successes--we're all entitled to it, it's up to you!

Q - Quotes you like: "A day without love is a day without life!"

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 2 sisters-Lora and Sala, 2 brothers-Vini and Hyrum

T - Time you wake up: When im working- 4am When im off- as late as possible!

U - Underwear: A must

V - Vegetable you dislike: Lima beans

W - Ways you run late: Devyn and her oh so fabulous hair, but most of the time Uela ;)

X - X-rays you've had: Teeth and ankle

Y – Yummy food you make: Hmmm, chicken casserole. This one is a hard one cause sad to say, Uela does all of the cooking

Z - Zodiac:I'm a Capricorn

Just because a post is so much better with a picture

Con't busy week.....Saturday

So I had to dedicate a post all on its own to my niece Journey. She is Sala and Ron's oldest and the oldest grandchild in my family. Journey was baptized and confirmed Saturday, April 11 by her father. Yay Journey! Wow 8 years has flown by soooo fast. Journey is a special member of our family. She came to us when Sala was young and we all felt almost immediately that we were among an angel. Journey is such a sweet spirit and is a great help in our family. She is the oldest of four and is very motherly and nurturing. Hmmm, sounds like a great babysitter for the near future! :) Journey is in 2nd grade at Monroe Elementary and is a very bright and intelligent girl. She's a sporty-kind of girl. This year she was the only girl who played in an all boys Junior Jazz basketball league and I've got to say--she kicked some butt. Journey also has a beautiful voice and we love to listen to her sing. Congratulations Journey, I love you!