The Crud

Yes, this Mama has the crud.  You know the usual running nose, stuffy head, chest congestion, and overall feeling of the crud!  Kids...they always give you the best!  My wonderful husband has been so good to me this weekend and let me take naps, help me clean the house and take the girls out of the house for a bit so I can work on getting better.  Oh, but the truth is...it takes time and that sucks!  So, I wanted to post some pictures from another test photo shoot location.  Thankfully the neighbor family agreed to join us again.  Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the practice photo shoot had to be postponed because one of the kiddos was sick.  I completely understood since I was not feeling 100% as well.  So, I will keep you posted on when the next practice photo shoot will happen.  Thankfully spring will be here soon and that means more color in this world...oh how I miss the color of leaves!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics!

I was trying to frame Lauren as she was spinning around on the merry-go-round.  This was the best shot out of about 20.  I completely understand why she did not smile.  I was getting dizzy just taking pictures.

I love this classic Lauren smile...laugh!  She was having a blast on this thing!

This pictures is not great but I love the shot of Paige pushing Audrey in the swing.  They are such good friends.

I do not know why Audrey is sticking her tongue out these days, but is it so frustrating to this Mama!

I love the sun flare on this shot. It gives a magical feel to the shot of Audrey running into the playscape area.

Love the personal elements of this shot.  I just wish I knew what I could have done better on this shot because I don't LOVE the shot overall.  I mean I love the the connection between Audrey and Lauren.  I love Page looking back and smiling at me.  I love the glow of the sun in Paige's hair....I think I don't love the fence behind the girls.  Yes, that is what I do not love...oh well.  Everyone had a great time and looking forward to going back again soon!

Have a Happy Monday everyone!

Duck Pond

Hello everyone!!!  I am so sorry that I have not been posting much.  I am really going through a funk of sorts.  I have not felt motivated to do much of anything and feeling down in general.  I went to my mom's group this last week and apparently it is not uncommon to have a feeling of depression during the winter season.  Once I heard that...I knew that is what is going on with me.  I have been feeling depressed and thankfully I feel that I am finally coming through it...Thank God!  So, now that is all cleared up on what is going on with me...this week I have been racking my brain trying to come up with a photo shoot area that would be good for another practice photo shoot.  So, my neighbor friends went with the girls and I to the duck pond and were so nice to let me take loads of pictures of them.  They are just so good to me...

Lauren is just so darn cute in this poncho.  

Audrey and her friend Paige.  

Romney.  I just love those piercing eyes.

Phoenix, he is so full of life.  I was so thankful that I got his real smile because he was trying so hard to smile for me that his smile look more like he was getting ready for a visit from the dentist.

Meridith, Paige and Audrey.  We had such a great time!

Paige was the best model.  She was always ready to look at the camera! 

Meridith, truly a Mama that I admire.  She is so good at keeping her cool and feeling so calm.  I just love hanging out with her and I have learned so much from her in the short time that we have been friends!

I hope you are having a great day and will post more later!

No Motivation...

This whole week has been full of me not being motivated to much of anything.  I keep trying to muster up energy to do anything, take pictures, laundry, daily chores but I often fall short of just doing enough to get by.  Of course, it does not help that the girls have a cold and makes me want all the more to be lethargic.  So, today the girls and I went shopping for bedding for their new bunk beds...just in case Kris will feel motivated enough to put it together tonight.  Well, in the spirit of trying to motivate myself, I thought I would try to make origami birds that I plan on hanging down over each of the girls' bed.  Thankfully this got me motivated to take a couple picture.  So...hopefully I am going into this weekend with my friend(my camera) back in hand.

Dont they look like a flock of birds?

I just hope they last more than a couple of days...

Now...I just need to get motivated to clean the house!

I hope you all have a Happy Friday!!

Lovin' Bath Time

My girls never cease to surprise me with what they do.  An example would be my sweet Lauren and how she LOVES bath time.  I have heard her on numerous occasions laughing in the bath tub when no one else is in there with her.  She loves it when Audrey takes a bath with her.  The both of them often will be giggling so much so that I will go into the bathroom just to giggle with them.  Well, last night I told the girls that I was going to get their bath ready and they need to get ready for a bath.  Of course, I get side tracked with my regular chores of getting the girls ready for bed when Kris says...you have to come see this!  Yes, Lauren had gotten so excited about bath time that she decided to jump right on in...check it out!

This is my first shot with out really setting anything up.  I was afraid of missing the evidence of her being in the bath tub with her clothes on.  

But...I should have known that I would have gotten a better shot of her cuteness!

Or...even her classic open mouth smile.  She was so proud of herself!  

Toy Story Quiet Time

I dont know if any other Mama's do this, but quiet time in our house is watching a movie.  It gives me a little bit of time to do some work on the computer and the girls really enjoy it.  I consider it a win win!  Well, Audrey starting bringing Jessie and Buzz with her on the couch while she and Lauren watch Toy Story.  I thought I would share a couple of shots that I got...

I really like how the toys are slightly facing Audrey.

Audrey not wanting to miss a really good part...

BTW, for those wondering where I have my posts been over this past week.  I had to take my computer in for a repair.  It is running like a charm now and I am loving having it back home!  I hope you all have a great day!  

My Birthday

I cannot believe that I just celebrated another year of getting older.  I have to admit that it kinda freaks me out to say how old I am...mostly because when my mom was this old I was a junior in high school and she seemed so old to me when I was 17.  Then to think that neither of my girls are in school...I wonder if their point of reference of old will be more positive than mine.  Anyway, I got to spend the day with my girls, my dear friend Edith and Sam, and ending the day with my Babe...the Love of my Life.  Seriously...I am so richly loved!  Below are a few pictures from my special day!

Love this shot of Lauren.  Here she is throwing paper cups into a wind tunnel to watch them fly up into the air.

Here is Audrey throwing her paper cup into the air.  Not a great shot but I love the magic of discovery.

Audrey and Sam.  They had their backs to a large window thus blowing out this shot.  But I am working on shooting RAW images and was really impressed but how much I could salvage of Audrey's face with the bad lighting.

I really liked this shot of the little trains that they were playing with.  

Edith and this Mama.  Thanks Babe for getting this shot!

My Babe and Lauren.  She has chocolate cake all over her face.  Too cute!

Thank you everyone for the well wishes on my birthday.  It was so wonderful.  And a special thank you for my Babe that made sure that my special day was very special indeed!  I love you so very much and I thank God for Blessing me so with you!  

Have an amazing day!

Play Date with Paige

As you may know, Sam is a wonderful friend for dear Audrey but she has learned the joy of having a friend that is a girl.  We now see Paige every chance we can get.  Thankfully she lives right next door and my sweet girl is showing real stalker potential because anytime she hears Paige outside she wants to run outside to play.  I keep trying to teach her about not overstaying her welcome but that is just foolishness to Audrey.  Well today I pulled out my camera and captured some cute shots of Audrey and Paige playing with all things...GIRLY!  It was awesome and I owe many thanks to Meridith for allowing her beautiful family to hang out so much with us.  It truly is a Blessing to us and I am so grateful for such wonderful neighbors!

Audrey and Paige working feverishly on making their own beaded necklace.

It is all done!

Love this shot.  It is not the best shot due to the widow messing with the exposure in the background...but love the sweetness of these two girls!

Showing off her best ballerina outfit!

These two girls are just so sweet.  By the way, Audrey is trying to make her tooth loose since Paige is loosing one of her front teeth.  So, that is the reason for the tongue sticking out!

Love this close up of Paige.  Isnt she so beautiful!  She is truly gracious and sweet...I guess you can say she is beautiful inside and out!

Catching up

Hello out there...I hope the new year is going well so far.  I know for me, I am working feverishly to make some changes that I hope stick for the new year.  So far, I have been somewhat successful...I as in most things, the implementation of an idea is much harder than dreaming up the idea.  So, in hopes of posting more regularly than I did over the November and December, I went through my photos and have some pictures that I have not posted but I thought were cute and wanted to share.

Weekend Mornings...

I love spending time as a family and weekend mornings are the best.  Kris had grabbed the camera to capture the dynamics of this Mama playing with her girls.

I really do not know why they love to crawl all over me but I do love it!

Lauren singing...Of course, notice how the arm is still up so she does not loose her bracelet.  Mama did not raise a fool!

Christmas with Papa and Nana

Lauren truly understands what wrapped presents mean!

Papa is so excited to share his goodies with Audrey and Lauren!

Ohh...

Ahh...

Audrey and Nana

I think she loves it!

I think she loves her gifts as well.  Thank you Papa and Nana!  Merry Christmas!

Baby Photo Shoot...What?

OK....so while I was at Tim's surprise birthday party. I got asked by Chris and Ashley if I would stop by and take a couple of pictures of their new baby boy.  I was thinking to myself...are you kidding...I would love to but I have not prepared....oh I hope I don't screw this up!  I have to tell you, I was so super nervous but I wanted to desperately wanted to practice so I said yes!  I warned them, I am practicing and if we get one good shot...then I have succeeded!   So they agreed and below are a couple of shots I got from an impromptu baby photo shoot!  I am far from Erin Cobb but, I gave it my best shot with little preparation....

Ashley with her new little man.  He was so attentive and look at those baby blue eyes!

He was such a sweet baby.  I love the sweet smile on Ashely's face.  It is almost like she is breathing in his sweet baby smell.  I so miss that sweet baby smell.

Great shot of Ashley and I am still so amazed how alert he was that morning!

OK...so who is more photogenic...the baby or Ashely...so hard to decide!

Great shot!  Thanks Ashely for thinking of using the bouncer to prop him up to get some great catchlight!

Wow...This little man looks so awesome.  Thank you little man for being such a great sport while I took pictures.

Then it was Chris's turn to get pictures with his little man.  And let me say...I LOVE this shot!!  This is the perfect picture of a parent full of love.  Giving his new baby a kiss while he is screaming because he does not want to have any more pictures taken.  Such a touching picture...Chris and Ashley you are awesome parents and it already shows!  Congratulations on a beautiful baby boy and thank you for the opportunity to take pictures of your beautiful family!