Thanksgiving 2010

We loaded up the family and went down to Austin to visit family down there.  I really did not get many good shots as I would have hoped.  I really need to get more vigilant about watching the white balance!  Ugh!  But here are few of my favorites...

Kris and Lauren chillin' on the couch.  Yes, we are all dressed up in Texas Texas Yee Haw!  It was a big game that day.  Kara and her husband, Tim and Kris and I all got to go the game that night.  It was great to go but sad to see our Horns loose.  What a terrible season...Thank God it is over! 

I love this shot of Christian playing chess with Kris.  Kris taught him how to play when he was 5 and they have been playing ever since.  Christian really has a talent for the game for his age. 

Another angle for this shot.  It will not be long before Christian is beating Kris at this game.

Lauren's sad face.  It just cracks me up.  Here she is looking for Mama because she is upset.

Audrey is trying to understand why Daddy just looks at the board for so long. 

Food is ready ad we are ready to eat!  Dang white balance...I will get you right one day! 

Kara and Jax! 

Trinity talking before dinner with her cousins at the kid's table.  I remember being at the kid table...good times! 

Andrew's Fried Turkey.  Great job Andrew and Jennifer on the wonderful meal.  We are very grateful for all the hard work you guys did.

Then on Friday we went over to Kara's for Thanksgiving dinner again.  It was so peaceful and relaxing.  I really dont know why I didnt pull out my camera but I guess I was caught up in just taking it easy that I didnt even think about it!  Oh well...Thanks Kara and Tim for a very relaxing Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was awesome and delicious.  We love you and are so grateful for all of the hard work you put into it!  

For everyone else...I hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends over this past Thanksgiving week.  I hope you tune in tomorrow and I will have shots from Kris's birthday!  It was such a wonderful birthday...

My first Photo Shoot

Well, it has been a week or so since I posted but it has been quiet busy for this Mama.  So, lets start from the beginning.  I did my first photo shoot and I have to say...it was awesome.  I really do hope that I can keep improving so I can really make this a career because not only was it loads of fun but I got some really great shots.  Take a look...

Such a beautiful family.  

I love it when the kiddos pick out the set up of the shot.  Way to go Sam!  Great job on setting up with shot.

I just love the beautiful color in the background here.  You have to love how God's creation is really the best background to any shot! 

This was my only artistic shot and I love it.  The colors in the Botanical Gardens could not have been more beautiful. 

I love the emotion of this shot...I just wish I did not have the tree coming out of Edith's head. Like I said, I have some improving to do!

Love this shot!  I hope to get a good shot of Audrey and Kris like this! 

Sam...what a cutie!

Last shot and I just love the dynamics of this beautiful family.  Thanks for letting me practice you guys.  Really, if all my future photo shoots are like this one...I will have to pinch myself everyday because I would have landed my dream job!

Pajama Dress Up

Kris and I are so very fortunate to have two amazing girls!  One of the best part of girls is how any time is dress up time.  Well, this morning was just that...Pajama Dress Up!  Take a look!

Lauren started it with this look.  Please excuse the wet shirt.  She is learning how to feed herself and it is a learning process. 

Then emerges Audrey...you know this is gonna be good!

I really do like this look and it was so nice of Audrey to share her wands with her sister.

But this...this is the look that has attitude!

And more attitude!

Oh yes, she is so cool!

Yes, that is her getting her whole body involved!

Yes, that is something like the funky monkey!

I love the face pose here!  She has Kris and I bent over from laughing so hard!

Here the girls are wondering what will be the next round of cuteness!

I hope you all enjoyed the girls fashion show.  Have an amazing day!

Playing with Sam

Today, I am so very tired.  I woke up and seriously...my heart felt tired.  I thought to myself, what could I do with the girls today that is not too much work for me?  Then it hit me...Sam.  It has been a couple of weeks since we got to hang out with him and I thought lets see if they are up to an impromptu visit to hang out.  Thank God they said yes!

Sam and his Dad, Bryan had did all kinds of drawings with chalk on their drive way and I just had to capture his name.   

Edith and Sam having a little chat.  Edith is such an awesome Mama.

Sam...You are so handsome!

Sweet Edith is allowing me to try out different shots.  I am so thankful that she is going to let me shoot her family this weekend.  I hope and pray that the pictures turn out and they love them...especially since I am thinking I would want to do photography as a profession when Lauren starts school.  You know...no pressure!  

Audrey and Sam playing.  They are trying to catch leaves as they are falling from the trees.  One of my favorite games as a little girl.  I am glad to see that Audrey enjoys it as much as I still do.

Sam with a stick gun.

Sam was trying to shoot Lauren, who is not in this shot but I love how Audrey stepped in between Sam's stick gun fire to protect her baby sister.

Then, hot chocolate...

Have I mentioned I just love seeing kiddos talk with one another?

I am so jealous...Edith took my camera while I was dealing with Lauren and got this precious shot!  I told you the girl is amazing!

I got the camera back and got this shot of Edith with her mother in law, Cathey.  I love that we both have such wonderful relationships with our mother-in-laws!

Cathey and Sam.  There is a lot of love in this family!

Thanks Edith and Sam for having us over for fun and hot chocolate.  We look forward to seeing you again real soon.

Finish Line!

If you know me then you know I love the thrill of finishing.  I know there are those who love to start but finishing, well it is a challenge but for me, finishing is where it is at!  I love it!  Well, below are some pictures of my finished bedroom and bathroom.  As my friend Edith says, you must go slowly when decorating and that things will come together as they are supposed to, but after so many years of not having a bedroom or bathroom that I was proud of...well, I consider what I have done, the finish line! 

It may be hard to tell, but the walls are a light blue.  Kris would say it is too light but, I think it is perfect.  The big thing to notice is the headboard, yes I painted the headboard and footboard all by myself.  I am so proud...

Yes, painted that dresser too.  Can you believe I got this free when I was in college and it is still going strong.  For those wanting to know...I got it 14 years ago.  Yes, I am very cheap!

These panels I got from Bed Bath and Beyond for $30 for each panel and they were my inspiration point...well, that is what Edith says.  She really was the one that gave me the confidence to do these changes.  Thanks Edith!  And...yes Edith, I do know that there is more to do for the bedroom and I am ready for the next finish line!

Bathroom...I live in a old house and the bathroom is really small.  This is looking at a clock that is on the newly painted walls with a small look at the new medicine cabinet.  I know you may be thinking...white...what is the big deal?  To my shame...they were a really ugly purple for 8 years.  Yes, purple with old yellow tile...I am still so embarrassed!  

This is a shot through the new mirror looking at the opposite wall.

This is the new shower curtain that I got for the newly painted walls but this shot really shows that the ceiling in this room has been repaired.

This is a shot of a banner I did last year and hung it my living room.  In this house we put the Thanks in Thanksgiving.  No Christmas decorations until after the Turkey is cooked!  :)

Of course, while I am taking pictures of the new changes in the house, I find Lauren surrounded by books in her and Audrey's room.  I remember when Audrey used to do the same thing.  I just love this age!

Have a great day!

Projects

I understand things have been quiet on the Photo Mama blog but it really is because I have been working on getting my bedroom and bathroom painted.  I am really looking forward to having these rooms back to their full usefulness.  But just to show, I have been taking pictures I have posted a couple of my favorites that I took since Thursday.

This is a shot I got before I got started on this undertaking that started on Thursday and still is going strong today.  I am hoping that today it will be done.

Lauren laugh always makes me laugh!

Audrey has started telling stories with her whole body and I love it!

I love this shot of Kris and Lauren.  Seriously, can they be any more beautiful!

Ok...I love this shot as well.  They are just so beautiful!  Both of these shots are incredible! 

Have an amazing day and I will update more later!