It's A Beautiful Day

I've Been Busy.....

But it has been fun stuff.  I have now set up a photography blog (separate from my personal blog) so that clients can view their sneak peeks!  If you'd like to go check it out here's the link: Photography Blog

This is from my latest newborn session (more on the photography blog).  He is 6 days old and so cute!

I am now trying to decide how I want to structure this photography business of mine for 2009.  I am considering only photographing newborns, and I will only take a very limited amount of clients (pretty much one a month).  One day when the girls are in school I'll take on more, but for right now it's something I enjoy, but still allows me to be home with my girls!  I also would like to do a charitable session from time to time.  I would like to photograph newborns that were born while their father is serving in the military.  Since this is such a military town out here, and my heart breaks when I hear about babies being born while the father has to serve - I wanted to try to do something good.  I want to show my support for our military & how thankful I am for all that they do.  I thought I would send a 5x7 album of all proofs to the father among a few other things.  So I'm still working out the details and have been in touch with a couple charitable organizations.  Of course if you know anyone in this situation shoot me an email ok!

But I am one of those people that just can't sit still and has to always be doing something - as my Granny would say.  LOL!  So if you know anyone expecting please pass on my info! 

BOO!

Happy Halloween everyone!  

Here's my girls this year!  Missy was a scarecrow & Sarah was princess Giselle from the movie Enchanted.  Aren't they just the cutest & most beautiful little trick or treaters you have ever seen??!?!?!?!

BTW....  You try putting make-up on a 19 month old - this is as good as it gets!  LOL!

 

They both had a blast trick or treating.  We started off all together and then I took Missy home to give out candy while Daddy & Sarah finished up.  Missy was a doll - she looked so cute walking around in her costume, and seemed to enjoy watching all the other kids & going up to each house to get candy. Sarah was just beautiful, and she's very particular about which houses we go to.  They have to have nice decorations and not be too scary!  Both of them got so many compliments as we were walking around, and were so polite at each house remembering their thank you's too!

Back at the house with the candy it was funny that Missy would open a sucker, take a few licks, and then open another one.  I kept trying to catch her before she'd open another, but she's a quick little thing.  I think she opened up about 11 different suckers that night!  LOL!  Sarah's favorite candy is M&M's and she got plenty to keep her happy for the next year!  ;)

I got some of it on videotape too.  I really felt sentimental last night.  Remembering previous Halloween nights & realizing how fast my girls are growing up.  Time really does fly, and I teared up last night just thinking about it.  I really do treasure these sweet fun times with my girls.

Rhyme Time

Sarah did this homework all by herself...... after a long conversation about what really rhymes and doesn't.  LOL!  But she picked the word Pig and then came up with the word big, as well as the rest of them.  I just love her drawings (notice how they all have long eyelashes!!  They all have to be girls!)  

*sigh* I'm a proud Mommy.  :)

And some beautiful artwork from Missy.  I just love watching her color.  She's so proud of her work walking around showing everyone.  She concentrates hard when she colors and you can see sometimes she draws harder and then sometimes lighter, and it's all in a circular fashion.  Beautiful!  Oh and I'll add - can you see at the bottom there.... no I didn't cut it off when scanning it - the rest of it is on the table upstairs!  LOL!!  Thank goodness for washable crayons!

Girls' Trip To The Beach!

Oh us girls had so much fun!  As you know Daddy was busy riding in the bike race starting Saturday morning so after we cheered him off, we headed back home to pack for our trip.  The girls were definitely excited!  It was a 2 1/2 hr drive which most of the time they slept. When we arrived we first checked into our hotel (which was much nicer than last year I might add), and then headed down to the gift shop to get some sand toys that Mommy forgot to pack (Oops!).  We then headed out to the beach!  

It was too sunny to even think about photos so we just played.  It was so much fun building sand castles & playing in the water.  Missy loved going into the water!  It is so windy though - in fact, I think Corpus Christi is one of the windiest cities in the US, so sand was everywhere!!!  After a couple hours we headed back to clean up (so that we could come back to the beach and do photos since the sun was going to start setting soon).  Oh all the sand!! LOL!  We were wiped out.  I'm sure the hotel staff hates us now with all the sand that went down the bathtub drain.  (Sorry...)

We headed back out, but I'll be honest..... I had so many ideas of shots (especially of them together which is so hard to do), but Missy was well.... kinda grumpy to be honest most of the day, so she wasn't having any of it!  LOL!  I tried to put the girls together for shots, but as soon as I set Missy down she'd run back to me.  It was so windy that most the time Sarah's hair was in her face, and it's hard to take photos with Missy in my lap, and sand all over the place!  Total chaos!  LOL!

We went back to the hotel for another bath after that (LOL), and then enjoyed a large pizza that was finished between the two of them (I only got 2 pieces) - I have no idea where they put all that pizza! We just laughed and laughed - it was a great first day!  Daddy did call about that time and we were thrilled to hear how well he did the first day riding.   Missy was out like a rock after that, and it didn't take long for Sarah to go to sleep snuggled into Mommy.  

So here we go (I'll try to narrow it down for a post). 

And gosh..... I know I'm biased, but I just think her beauty takes my breath away.  And it's not only the outside beauty I'm talking about.  She was truly a big help to me on this trip and such a fun & sweet daughter to be around. I just love both of them to pieces!

The only shot of the two of them together!

I'll also mention here that the first thing Melissa did when I set her down in the sand is grab a huge handful of sand and put it in her mouth!?!?!??  OMGoodness!  Her appetite for crayons & sand can not be good for the digestive system!  LOL!

The next morning I decided I didn't want to go through all the sand mess again so I took the girls down to the marina for a nice walk.  Oh and you know I had to bring the camera along.  Again, Missy didn't want any part of it (and to be honest I was too nervous having her run around the docks so I kept her in the stroller). This was my chance to do some nice shots of Sarah - and I love what I got! 

 

I have more, but I think I'll leave it there for now.  Trying to decide my favorites since I want to get a couple of canvases for the house.  TFL!  

Congrats Brian & Team!

Congrats Brian!  He rode over 150 miles to the beach this weekend!  He made excellent time & shaved about 3 1/2 hours off his time from last year!  huge improvement!  We are so proud of you!

**Also a huge thanks to those who have contributed to this awesome cause!  Thank you so much!  As of this morning he has raised $1,465.00 in donations!!  Donations  You'll also see that he has #11 on his bike....  Well that is because in last year's ride he was the 11th biggest contributor for donations out of the thousands that participated!  Congrats again Honey!

I'll be back in the next couple of days to share the girls' trip to the beach this weekend, but I wanted to pop in here real quick and say congrats to Brian!  If you'd like to add your congrats to him please post a comment.  I'll be sure and forward all notes to him!  This was a huge endeavor.  In fact, a couple of the guys pictured here was in a wreck during the ride - one went to the hospital, but both are ok now and home.  It was quite an accomplishment for everyone!  

Quick Trip to the Park....

Missy just loves going to the park, and I love to photograph her!  So we compromised..... I did some photos and then let her play to her hearts content on the playground!

Oh and Missy reminded me that I forgot to put her stats up for the 18 month update!  

Weight - 25lbs 7oz (60th percentile), height - 33" (80th percentile).  So do you think she'll be tall?  ;)

I also wanted to update a new list of words that Missy is saying now too:  Barbie, pretty, mine, I got, whoa, please, sock, and shoes (I think shoes is her favorite word quite honestly - she's always handing me a pair of shoes to put on her, and saying "shoes please".

From the Dictionary.....

Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. This may occur as a result of sleep disorders, active choice or deliberate inducement such as in interrogation or for torture.  OR from the result of an 18 month old with two new teeth that seem to bother her at 1am, 2am, 3am, & 4am in the morning, and in conjunction a 5 year old who is sick with the flu/cold and is up coughing between 1:30am, 2:30am, etc. for the last few days...... 

LOL!  Ok so y'all get the idea.

Let me share a couple things and then I'll go take a nap as I promised Brian that I would do.

I can not wait to share the girls' Halloween costumes this year.  Sarah's will be difficult to photograph so I'm still figuring that one out (but she had it picked out months ago & it will be so pretty), but Missy's is so dang cute & original.  I have been looking for something that would be different & I'm thrilled I found it!!! 

We're getting ready for our beach trip this year, and Brian has been hard at work training.  Again, if you'd like to donate to the MS Society on his behalf the link is here - Bike Race

Thank you!

I volunteer at Sarah's school every other Wed to help out her teacher in either the classroom and/or the workroom.  I do it because I like to peek in on her, and because I like to be known & familiar with the school.  Anyway....  I took these today during my volunteer time.  The first week of school the kids made these "little" versions of themselves, and Sarah has been so excited to bring this home and show me.  Well the teacher hung it up in the hallway for the parents to see on Parent Orientation night and it's still there now.  I have had to explain to Sarah a few times now that she'll get to bring this home, but for right now it has to stay there.  Anyway - a shot of this in the hallway at school showing all the kids (can you pick out Sarah's?) & then a close up of Sarah's.  Didn't she do a great job!?!?!?  So cute!

Kinder homework has officially started.  This is the homework grid, and each week she'll pick out 3 different things to do, and color those boxes.  Her assignment is due on Friday. One of the squares this week was for Sarah to draw a picture of her family.  I thought this was cute so I had to share.  Check out how big Daddy is!  LOL!!! 

The red lips there is a kiss, and then she also put hearts all over.  We look like a pretty happy family! :)

T is for Toddler!

Almost 18 months now!!!  Oh my - where did the time go?  And now Missy's running around, talking, expressing herself more and  more each day.  I just love her to pieces!

So how do you take photos of a 1 1/2 year old?  A toddler that is always on the run now, loves playing chase, always trying to put on a pair of shoes she finds, and wanting to playing hide & seek???  You stick them in a chair so you can get a few shots before they are off running again!  LOL!

And to get their attention you just play.  You make funny noises, play peek-a-boo, and stand on your head if necessary to get their attention!  Whatever works right???  LOL!

And if all else fails.... you just put down the camera and chase & tickle them, totally forgetting all about getting photos!  :)

So at 18 months Missy is just so much fun!  She loves to play & is so adorable in every way - even when she's grouchy (and we have all discovered she's not a morning person!  LOL!).  Her little personality just shines through.  She definitely is a lot like her sister - loves jewelry and pretty girl stuff.  She really loves to emulate anything you do.  Missy always wears this plastic watch Sarah got as a party favor because Mommy wears one, she wears Sarah's backpack around the house, is always putting on shoes & necklaces, and wants whatever Sarah is having to drink or eat.  Missy is very independent too - definitely knows what she wants, but is also very polite about it, always asking me "please" as she hands me something to open or a shoe to put on.  My little baby is very cuddly and very much in a "mommy" phase right now.  Always calling my name & wanting me to hold her.  Ahhhh - I cherish these times!  And I also have been asked how she's adjusting to Sarah being in school.  Well honestly - she's thrilled.  She gets more one on one time and she's just loving it!

A couple items I want to mention here.......

Brian is once again going to bike in the Valero 150 (a road bike race to Corpus Christi).  This is all for the MS Society so if you'd like to donate to this wonderful cause here's his website (there's a picture of him crossing the finish line from last year!):  Brian's bike page.  I know he appreciates it!  

Also I have had a few emails regarding Hurricane Ike.  A couple days ago it looked like we were going to get hit pretty good, but since now it has moved up the coast towards Galveston we will get around 30-40 mph winds with rain - probably some flooding, but not as bad as it would have been had it gone towards Corpus Christi.  We're definitely saying a prayer for those in its path though, and hope everyone stays safe.  

Ok....ETA - we went from Wednesday being told we would have a tropical storm or a cat 1 hurricane in our area, then Thur it was lessened to 50-60mph winds with flooding, then yesterday being told 30-40mph with some flooding, and this morning we woke up to sunny skies in the upper 80s with a slight WNW wind of 13mph.  Wow - that really shows how unpredictable these things are!  

Sneak Peek....

For Ernie & Becky!

It seems like only yesterday I was taking newborn photos of Mr. D..... oh how they grow so fast - I can't believe he's 8 months already!!!  I have to honestly say he is the cutest thing ever!  I just adore him & it was heaven getting to hold him yesterday!!  I just love his baby chubb!  His smile is adorable, those big brown eyes are beautiful, the drool is too precious, and he is a quick crawler (in fact, he's almost walking!!)  He also has a ferocious appetite for flowers too!  (Becky knows what I'm talking about on that last point!  LOL!)

Meet Mr. D!

(Becky - I should have your gallery up in about a week for you to see)  Thanks so much for letting me "capture" your sweet little guy.  :)

I am now booking for Oct, Nov, & Dec.  So if you or someone you know is expecting or wanting photos of their baby feel free to email/call me!  

Favorite pictures & school work!

 GOT A SCANNER!  

how funny things are in life... coincidences.  Our printer broke this weekend, and instead of getting the old dinosaur printer fixed we decided to get a new one that is also a scanner.  How funny I was just wanting one too!  Guess it was just meant to be.  Anyway - I have started scanning in Sarah's school work & favorite pictures, and I have a file I keep those in now.  I just save them by date so that's easy to know the early stuff from the later stuff.  This makes storing & organizing all the school work she brings home much easier!  I'll keep the hard copy of the special things, but scan in most of the other stuff.  So anyway - just thought I'd share a few things for now....  

My 2 favorite pictures..... Sarah actually draws a lot of pictures of me which I think is so sweet.  You'll notice my blond/brown hair & blue/green eyes.  She's very careful to pay attention to details.  This first one I'm going to have framed - I'm holding a flower..  

And just a quick FYI for those having Missy withdrawls.....  I promise a post all about my MissyPoo is coming up next!

Her first puppet.  She cut this out and glued it.

Look how she put hearts behind her name!  LOL!  Too cute!

She even colored her pretty nails pink on her handprint!