Giveaway

Sorry, not from me........hahaha.....but my cousin Britain is making the most adorable hand sewn treasures, beautiful dresses for your beautiful little girls.  She is having a giveaway on her blog.  Click on the link HERE and just leave a comment to be entered into the drawing...hurry giveaway ends Saturday.  She also has just opened an Etsy Shoppe where you can order the beautiful dresses.  I bought one just now, I can't wait!!!  These little dresses, however, are perfect for a photo shoot of your little one.....so if I don't win, I hope you do.  Good luck!

Photog Day Trip

Well, my good friend Lacy was in town and her sister Tessa is home from college for the summer.  We couldn't wait to get together and turn the cameras on each other.  We all have a love for photography and never get to just PLAY.  It was so fun, no pressure, really casual...just a blast.  We found the most amazing location (thank you, thank you...) and set the camera to Manual...and just played and played til the sun went to sleep.  Now this must have been at least a month ago.....but the thought of putting pictures of myself on my blog, is a little scary!  Besides there is one of my huge mug, and I would like to apologize in advance for having to see my face sooooo big, feel free to scroll past it and not nit-pick my many flaws.

Whew!

So with that said...here is the beautiful, talented Tessa, with the best poses around...."you really worked that camera girl!"

Couldn't pick a favorite so here is my top 3.

She is totally glowing in this one!  So purrrrty!

This next one in black and white is my favorite from the whole shoot!  Love it!

Oh Lacy, lacy, lacy, lacy...dear old friend of mine.  How I enjoy our ramblings of all things photography...and the occasional reminiscing of prom, boyfriends, girl's camp, toilet papering, and all of life's little pleasures!

Blue Eyes, Vavoom!

Is it seriously possible that this girl recently had two babies out of this tiny waistline???

While I will stand by the Black and White of Tessa being my favorite picture...this next one wants to seriously compete.  The sun peaking through and the beautiful light and setting....I really likey!!!

All of the above photographs were taken by me....but all the rest were taken by Lacy and Tessa.  This next next one of Lacy, taken by Tessa, is another favorite...Lace is rockin' the serious look, I love the lines created by the fencing, and the slightest backlight adds just enough umph!

Okay, unfortunately now you must see my face...it wouldn't be fair not to showcase the photographic talents of Lacy.  I mean, this girl had to work miracles to get these nice shots of me, thank you kindly!

Sorry, sorry, sorry...

Can't wait for our next visit!  Sorry again, about my big face!

Smile!

Who says thay have to be smiling? I love this picture....there is wonder in her eyes. I did a little mini shoot with Karah...woohoo, go me....so maybe I'll put together a blog post with all my favs! Or just keep giving you little snippets. I also had a fun photo shoot with some photographer friends...that was an awesome experience, I'll share soon! Goodnight!

Jacaranda Tree

A quick photo of the day! We are enjoying our Jacaranda trees.....though it is always short lived. In many parts of the world, such as Mexico, Zimbabwe and Los Angeles, the blooming of this tree is welcomed as a sign of spring. Jacaranda can be found throughout much of Southern California, where they were imported by the horticulturalist Kate Sessions. That of course, is general knowledge I carry in my brain and not plagiarism from Wikipedia! I am told I must use LOL now, or people won't know I am joking! Well the purple flowers are creating a beautiful carpet for Karah to dance, run, jump, and play on.

I myself, must be getting old!  I'd rather just lay on the ground looking up at the few blooms that are still left blowing in the breeze.

I don't have any spectacular photographic words of wisdom, other than to always look at things from a different angle.  Only then, can we see the beauty of it all!

A Mother's Love

I had the pleasure of spending the morning with baby Brielle...don't you love her name? 

I know it is early in the post, but I am gonna go ahead and say, this next picture is my absolute favorite!

Did I mention her pretty mommy is a great friend...she brought me a weeks+ worth of groceries right after I had my 4th child.  It was so thoughtful and appreciated.

I really like this editorial style to newborn photography.  Yeah, I could get a picture of just the baby's face.  But these moments...her precious skin next to mommy's.  You can see that mom is smitten, still after her 4th child.

And baby Brielle proved to be pretty happy in her mommy's arms.

Mom took a break while I was getting ready for the next location...and I caught a glimpse of her just loving this sweet new life.  The responsibility is great, and therefore, the reward also!

I actually love this next one, how it provides only a sneak peak at their moment together.

Precious button nose...

I love her dark hair...wether it lasts or not, she is going to be a beauty!

We took a little stroll out to the local orange groves and grabbed a few more shots.  Brielle was in heaven, she was just content and sleepy, basking in the sun.

We tried for one last headshot, but it wasn't happening without the binky in her mouth.  Little diva!

Okay Heather, I am so sorry, I don't know what happened to this post...this was like a month ago.  I basically skipped it somehow and just realized I never posted these.  Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  She is precious!

A Better Start

Okay, so we got off on a better start to our day....Cheerios for breakfast. Well at least Rob did. This is the usual sight of Rob eating his breakfast. He used to pick up the bowl with his face and the Cheerios would dump all over his head, body, in his diaper, etc. He is getting better at it though. He tries patiently with the spoon each morning, but always resorts to this method.

Note below...that would be gum stuck to Rob's head and eye.....don't ask....I don't have the slightest!  I put him down to bed in his crib clean as a whistle and this is the child I find in the morning...anyone care to explain?

For today, I just want to encourage you to take pictures of your kids doing the most mundane daily activities.  They won't mind because you are not forcing them to sit still, look at the camera and smile.  They are enjoying their usual life, and you are preserving a slice of it!

Breakfast Brownies

I forgot to include a picture of the Breakfast Brownies being made. We poured them into those little mini cupcake pans which are the perfect bite size treats for our family.

Photo of the day!

Here is a quickie! After Karah and I baked brownies for breakfast (note the chocolate on her nose) she said, "Mom, I am blowing you some kisses....chocolate kisses." So I grabbed a picture of her chocolate eyes, blowing me chocolate kisses....who can resist chocolate???

Photo of the day or 3

So I have three little gems to share with you today.  This is my little man, Rob, playing in the sink of our Master Bathroom.  I often set him right next to me on the counter really quick while I put in some earrings or apply some eyeliner.  Well he has discovered a love for the sink.  I love it too.  Jake and I found this gem of a dresser and he cut a whole in it and installed the sink and did the plumbing etc.  I love the look on this first one, like ohhhh, you caught me turning on the water (which he knows is a no, no).  

So what do I do, encourage it more, all for the sake of a few precious photos.  Rob was certainly having a blast!  I love this moment, he gave me a big grin afterwards, discovering his super powers.

It wasn't long after, he was done and trying to climb out of the sink.  I was left with a few water puddles to mop up!  You know that poem about children leaving their dirty handprints and growing up too fast...ya' know...well we can't all be eloquent...anyways, think of that!

A little info....all of these, plus the one from yesterday, Karah flying high, were shot with my trusty old Canon Rebel XT.  I didn't use the flash on any of these...try it!

Photo of the day

I might start a photo of the day...type thing. Maybe I could even include a tip of the day, for all those moms and dads who want to be better photographers. Give me some time to think about this though. Perhaps I'll dedicate another blog to such madness. I could include some tips and tricks that I have learned in my photographic journey! Well for now, here is Karah and I playing Super Man! Well, I am not really in the picture, just my ever so chubby feet, thanks Aunt Shirlee!!!