Simply Craig

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my sweet little family as I listened to President Henry B. Eyring's talk,  “Our Perfect Example.” He said: “Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.” Those words really struck me. As I've studied the scriptures and tried to better understand and develop Christlike attributes (especially  charity and love)  I've realized that some of my greatest examples are right here in my own home. My children. These LITTLE people teach me all the time. They are so quick to forgive. They have a natural ability to love others without first looking for differences. They don't seem to hold on to offenses the way we adults sometimes do. They have a sincere desire to help and serve. And they love so freely. Sometimes I think I'm supposed ...

Hi ALL! I haven't updated in a while. It seems like everyone around us has been getting sick, and eventually it caught up with me too. I'm happy to say I'm finally feeling better and up and running again! This ol' chalkboard has become a pleasant little addition to our kitchen. It's been a menu board, an art gallery for the kids, and most recently... A place for our  quote of the week. During family scripture study, we were talking about how every member can be a missionary and some of the simple ways we can share the gospel in our everyday lives. We read these words from President Gordon B. Hinckley: “If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth.” One of the kids suggested that perhaps one of the best ways we could influence others was simply through our actions and our words. That started a good family discussion. We talk...

I had the pleasure of photographing two little birthday boys last week. I absolutely  love  this age. They're sweet. They're playful. They're full of personality. And they're at that wonderful stage where those little expressions seem to change from one second to the next. So much innocence wrapped up in two absolutely adorable little faces. Happy Birthday, boys! I'm so glad I got to capture a little piece of who you are right now.

Shooting for the moon proved successful! The moon looked absolutely brilliant last night. I couldn't resist grabbing my camera, attaching my telephoto lens, and zooming in for a closer look. It's amazing how something we see so often can suddenly stop us in our tracks. The craters. The shadows. The texture. All those tiny details that can't really be appreciated with the naked eye. There's something so magnificent and mysterious about the moon. So far away... Yet through the lens of my camera, somehow a little closer. I love it!

Did you have a great Halloween? We sure did! While the kids were getting dressed in their costumes, I grabbed the ol' camera and hurried everyone outside, hoping to catch a few pictures before the last bit of daylight disappeared. The kids made my job easy. The minute the costumes went on, so did the characters. They posed, played their parts, and gave me plenty to photograph while I happily snapped away. Once our little photo session was over, we grabbed our  BIG bowl of candy  and headed to a neighborhood Halloween party. The girls had a blast trick-or-treating, although I think sorting and trading their candy with friends afterward may have been even more exciting than collecting it. Then there was Dawson. His evening became considerably more interesting once he discovered the other neighborhood boys who were also carrying swords. They joined forces. Need I say more? And then there were my two older boys. They decided to dress alike this year, making it nearly impossible to...