Mama Day Love

I know there are so many more crafty people out there.  I feel like I feel short on the whole crafty Mama role.  But, I will say that I can duplicate/copy somebody's craft idea all day long.  I do not know if that makes me a bad person or not but it definitely makes it easier to get a project going.  Well, I have loads of Mom/Grandma cards to do this time of year and I love Hallmark cards.  They are great, but I love the look and feel of hand made cards.  So, I invited my two great friends over with their kiddos to have a Mama Day Card making extravaganza.  I bought a bunch of stickers...well because kiddos love stickers.  This combined with construction paper, beautiful day, and kiddos loving on their loved ones all comes together as Mama Day Love!

The boy table.  Phoenix and Sam comparing notes on how they are going to do their Mother's Day Cards.  They did such a great job.  

Sam telling me that he loves his Mimi.  Just so you know that I printed each of the kiddos pictures to put on the back of their cards that they will give/send out to their Grandmas.  

Paige telling me about her love for her Grandmas.

Audrey as she is making her Grandma Bonnie's card.

Lauren saying Cheeeeeese.  She is so cooperative when the camera is out.

Phoenix making his special card full of stickers.  It was beautiful.

Here each of the kiddos had to tell me about each of the cards and tell me why they love whom ever they made a card for.  Let me tell you...kiddos remember toys!  They love the toys and good dinners!  

This was a great project to hear what the kiddos love and how they are always so willing to love on family.  Their love is quiet magical!  Thanks kiddos for a great play date!

Easter Review

Easter review...wait...wasn't that over a week ago?  Yes, it was and yes I am just now have some time to post some pics.  It has been quiet hectic around the household.  I do not know why because there is nothing to report.  For some reason computer time has been an elusive luxury!  So, below are loads of pictures from that weekend.  I hope you all enjoy!

My cool friend Edith had a HUGE Easter Egg hunt that we were invited to and it was so much fun.  Here you can see Audrey and her friend are waiting at the gate for the egg hunt to begin.  You can feel the anticipation in the air!

I love this shot!  I did do a heavy vignette on the shot to highlight Audrey reaching down for an egg as the races began in the egg hunt.  

Another shot of the egg hunt.  Do you see all of the eggs on the ground?  It was so beautiful!

This is Lauren looking for her Mama.  She really did not get into the Easter Egg Hunt business.

Here is the best shot I could get of Audrey and all of her finds.  Needless to say, we were having one of those days with PhotoMama!  

I love this shot.  Lauren finding candy inside the egg.  It is the simple things in life that makes this life so sweet!

Here Lauren had just ate a whole donut hole and does she look like she is satisfied?  This girl loves donut holes. 

Audrey as she is coloring eggs at our friend Ashley's house.  She looks so grown up here!  

This shot is too precious.  I am so thankful that our girls work and play so well together.

Here is a group shot of our friend Ashley and her little baby that Audrey is holding, then myself, Lauren, Kara and her handsome son, Jax.  

OK...so here is another Easter Egg Hunt at Auntie Kara's house.  I love how the kiddos are scoping out there approach to get the most eggs possible.  

And they are off...notice in the background how Lauren is not interested.  She doesn't even want her easter basket.

I love this picture of Jax.  He wanted to show his Mom and Dad each egg he found regardless of the egg that is front of him.  Needless to say, Audrey found most of the eggs.  

This shot is awesome!  I love how Jax makes egg hunting look like so much fun!

This action shot cracks me up.  This is how the egg hunt went down.  Jax is carefully finding eggs while Audrey is using her speed to get as many eggs as possible.  I guess that Easter Egg hunt from the day before gave her too much experience...hehehe

This is a great shot of Jax as well.  He did so good and he is so handsome!

Here is what Lauren was doing while the kiddos searched for eggs.  I think she was really enjoying herself.  I think Kris was enjoying hanging out with her as well.

Who would not be jealous of this backyard?  

Audrey just smashed a confetti egg on Kris's head.  I am really looking forward to the girls being older and everyone getting in on the fun!  I love confetti egg fights!

OK Now, we are at my God-Parents house and yes, we are decorating Easter Eggs again.  Look we have a lot of friends and family and wanted to share the events with everyone!

I LOVE this shot!  Steve is such a wonderful Pappa-O.  The girls love him so and so do I.

GrandDawn is spectacular as well.  She is the most loving and patient woman I know.

Here are the eggs that the girls, GrandDawn and Pappa-O colored.  Aren't they so beautiful?

Here Audrey is telling me which one is her favorite.  

So, here is the beautiful family shot...minus this Mama.  Well, someone has to take the pictures!  

I love this shot!  Look at Audrey's tongue.  I swear that girl makes it so hard on this Mama. 

This shot is so sweet.  Lauren really wanted to give her Pappa-O a kiss and everyone turns to see.  I LOVE the love in this shot!

Well, I know it is a lot of pictures but it was a great weekend.  I love my family and friends and so very thankful for all of the time we got to spend with everyone.  I am already looking forward to seeing you again real soon!

Everyone else....have a great day!

Music and Golf

There are days when I look at my camera and say to myself...why bother.  This usually happens after I work really hard to have a good shoot with the girls that ends up failing miserably, like the last week.  Then yesterday the girls were doing their typical things...playing and being in the moment.  And that my friends, is when magic happens!  So, Audrey's dear friend Paige came over and the girls started playing music together while Paige sang.  Then each would take a turn at center stage for time on the mic.  It was so much fun to see the girls working together and playing.  I secretly wished I was 5 so I could join in the fun!  But...instead settled for being Mama and taking loads of pictures.  Not all are great but the pressure was off to take beautiful pictures but to capture a memory.  Thanks girls for reminding why I begin the journey of photography...

Here is a typical picture of the PACI addiction!  Oh...breaking this habit is going to be so hard on this Mama and little Lauren!  But that is for another day...

Here is Lauren doing her best Recorder Performance.  I love the relaxed nature of her feet crossed.

Here is sweet Paige encouraging her to keep going.

Paige showing off her singing talents and Lauren taking notes. 

Audrey showing off that she has rhythm yes indeed.

Love this shot of them two playing music together and how Lauren is taking in how her big sister is tearing up the Recorder!  

This is a bit out of focus but I love the girl-y-ness of Audrey's singing!

Here is the band all working together!  Too CUTE!

Lauren...really feeling the music!

Oh yes...it is her turn on the mic and she is here to rock this party!

Later on, Kris, the girls and I went outside to hit golf balls around in our back yard and I thought I would try to capture it.  It is just so great to see the girls connecting with Kris.

Here is Lauren doing her best to just hit the ball...She really does not care where she hits it as long as she hits it!

This is usually when we have them move to the opposite sides of the yard just to minimize accidents.

Lauren going to line herself up for a shot.

Kris working with Lauren to give her a ball to hit.

Check out this girls straight arm.  I believe this is good form...but I am NOT the golfer in my family.  Oh and the ball that is behind her is not the ball she was aiming for...

Look at her lining up her club to the ball.  Kris is so proud of her.

Then Lauren asks Daddy to push her around the patio and Kris always ready to help out when ever it is possible!  He is such a great dad!

Well, I know it is a lot of pictures to post but yesterday felt really good and the pictures are not great but I feel good when I see them and sometimes that is the true purpose of taking pictures...to capture a memory.