Beautiful sunset in Barbados, purple is my fave color too!

Dinner at the Cliff restaurant in Barbados, we were standing next to our table! That is an awning below us, it was on a low cliff, go figure!

Skiing in Verbier last weekend, snow melting it was so warm!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update on us. . .our ski season is officially over, probably will not get up for another trip this season. We had a great time going up to Portes des Soleil in the French Alps and to Verbier/Valais in Swiss Alps. Very spoiled having so many amazing resorts in our "backyard," definitely taking advantage while we are here.

John and I went to Barbados for a last minute sun getaway, was beautiful and really enjoyed a good dose of Vitamin D I was lacking from the Geneva winter! After Barbados, I went back to CA for a couple weeks to deal with some house stuff, see fam and friends.

And, now we are looking forward to having my parents come out for a visit. They arrive on Friday and will be here in Geneva with us for a week, then the 3 of us are off to Rome for the weekend while John is away on a bach party in Hamburg, Germany. My parents will then meet up with a tour in Rome for a weeks exploring of Italy!

After my parents visit, it is officially the beginning of our "busy" season . . . .weddings, slow year for us! 5 weddings (all in the UK), 3 bachelor parties (Germany, Wales, Italy/France), 2 bachelorette parties (Bath, England and Spain). And a 30th birthday in the middle!

John and I are coming out to CA for a bit mid July. . .some friends from London are coming out to visit and we are going to do the Highway 1 Road Trip up and down the coast and John is going to meet with some lawyers, etc. to hopefully move along the 'moving out to California permanently plan.'

Hope all is well with everyone else, hello Spring!

Lots of Love,

Dana & John x

Summer, Jonathan and the girls spent the weekend in Florida visiting Grandma.

Brian and Debbie made their way down there a couple weeks earlier.

We had a wonderful time doing lots of...

eating good food,

playing games,

going to Sea World,

catching up and reminiscing with Grandma in her darling new home,

and having chocolate cake of course.

Thank you for being a wonderful hostess and spending your time with us Grandma. The girls will have wonderful lasting memories of being with thier Great Grandma.

Thank you Uncle Dean and Aunt Maria for being so loving and gracious and welcoming us into your lovely home.

Go here if you would like to see more details of our fun weekend.

Can you believe how cute this little bug is!! Piper Deskins 3 months.

Welcome home Mom!

Dining area just inside the entryway.

Entryway leading into the living area.

Entryway table: "Family-One of Life's Greatest Blessings"

Living Room

Living Room as viewed from the Master Bedroom.

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Guest Room

Laundry Room

The time is finally here...
My Beauty & Motherhood show
at the Kayo Gallery!
Everyone
come join me for the
Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll
and my Open Reception
at the Kayo Gallery
Friday, Jan. 15th
6-9pm.

Hope to see everyone there!

So finally...

here is the painting of Grandpa in is Standard Oil uniform,

that I painted for dad.

I hope you all enjoy!

Love you~

(p.s. this one is my fav ;)

Here is the painting I was commissioned by Jess to do of Scott and Grandpa; for Scott's Christmas present.
Jess chose this photo because it was a GREAT photo showing off grandpas big hands!...I agree; therefore I felt a lot of pressure to do those hands perfect (which was scaryyy because hands are my weakness!)
This painting was fun and new for me to bring out my creativity and my coloring skills. Because this is originally a black & white photo; I had to make up a whole color pallet. I wanted to do this old time muted photo feel... as if it was a black & white photo that had bee painted, like in the olden days.
Uncle Scott opened it the day before I left to St.George (the whole family wanted me/the artist to be there when he opened it). He LOVED it...(I was relieved) and he made sure to let me know it wasn't "Cock-a-doodle"...(a word he uses to describe someone's crafts that he thinks is crap or pointless (hahah Jess, says all her things are "Cock-a-doodle" according to Scott....which is sooo NOT true).
I truly love this painting and loved painting it...the subject matter alone is something that is dear to me. It was inspiring and I admit I may of cried when I was painting his chin :)
I hope you all enjoy!
Love you all!

(p.s. sorry the picture quality isn't that great....I may have to have Jess take better pictures...also the colors are a lil' off...his tie in the picture of Scott is the true color)

December 18, 2009

Family @ Whitney's Wedding Reception

Whitney Marie Brasher & Joshua Russell White

18 December 2009

Bountiful LDS Temple

Hey everyone Stephanie Toland here....
just wanted to show everyone what I've been up to this semester in school.
This is my newest Beauty series and it's going to be shown at the Kayo Gallery in downtown SLC in January
(I will post details about my show when it gets closer).
I hope you enjoy! Love you all!

Self portrait

Hey everyone I am doing a
12 days till Christmas giveaway
on my blog!
I am giving away cute lil' oil paintings everyday till Christmas.
If you want a chance to win one...
go check out my blog--->HERE!
Happy Holidays
and Love you all!

(here are the 1st 6 paintings of the giveaway....last 6, coming soon)

Mom (or Grandma depending on whose reading this) is moving to Kissimmee, Florida in January 2010. She has purchased this lovely little home down the street from Dean & Maria and is looking forward to her new life in the sunshine state where it is seldom cold but rather warm and muggy just like she likes it, but best of all, will finally be close to her favorite child. All are welcome to visit her any time at your earliest convenience.