A picture from a Valentine's Dance I photographed. It was a lot of fun and I was very popular this year... and I even charged! It is always good experience and practice. My father comes and helps out from the other side of the camera, so it makes is a fun evening!

This year I took Hayden with because the dance looked so fun last year that I just knew he would have a blast! And he did! He danced like a crazy man and ran around with the few kids he knew. Tim brought Jax over after he got home from work and even the wee man got in on the dancing action! All Tim had to do was hold his hand and off he went. Tim described it perfectly, "like an old Tom and Jerry cartoon where the feet are moving and the body is still." It was fun to watch :)

Again I've been busy with photos. I'm trying to only take 4-5 shoots a month so I still have time for myself and my family. It's hard saying no sometimes. But I want to still love it and not think of it as an obligation.

So that is my share... a picture of my reasons for being. The loves of my life.... the kings in my castle... well king and princes :)

Rainy Day modeling

On the first week off of school we had a really rainy blah day... so what does Mommy do? Whip out my portable studio and make the kids model of course!

Cool story; this sailor uniform was made out of my PawPaw's uniform into an outfit for my Uncle Scott. . . 42 years ago. My mother gave it to me to use with Hayden but by the time I found it in the back of his closet he was too big. So with Jax I kept it right in front and kept trying it on. My mother has a photo of my uncle in it and now Jaxson.

Jaxson reminds me of the Cracker Jack logo in this photo. All he needed was a dog. :D
Hayden in his Purple belt... even though he's testing for his Blue tomorrow. Oh well we'll have to take another picture :D

The for Tim and my father I wanted brother pictures. These were hard to get because Jax was just not having this... I only got 4 shots off before he had enough and took off. I am lucky that 3 out of the 4 turned out :D

Texas Photography

Here are some of the portraits I took while in Texas of sweet little Miss O. She cooperated most of the time and slept the rest so we made due with what she gave us. :)
I think this is my favorite shot... sleeping and innocent. If her parents only knew I told her how to paint on the walls when she gets bigger, while I was there :P LOL

Precious baby feet.
And "the shot" It's the pose that all photographers are striving to get these days. It took us 2 hours to get there but we did. The light was off and Miss O was a bit squished so she was a bit pink/purple in the color shot but I think it looks just as fantastic in B&W.
This is the family :) My Godmother, my Uncle Rich, Kris, Justin, Miss O, Lauren and Shannon. I love them all so much and was happy I could try and take portraits while there. It was hotter than hades and Miss O didn't like being in the heat so these were quick snaps... between the yells.
I love this picture of them. Texas agrees with them and makes then happy.
The new family

My Texas Trip

This beautiful little baby bundle was one of the reasons I left my husband and kids and flew to Dallas at the crack of dawn :) My cousin Kris and her husband Justin are the proud parents to Olivia Rose... only 5 weeks old in this photo. I just had to see how my oldest friend was adjusting motherhood and love on the baby for a few days plus the added bonus is all of her family is there in TX and I got to see my Godmother too! She is doing amazing and created such a cutie!!It didn't hurt that this is her backyard either ;) wink wink ;) We spent one evening in the spa with some drinks and good conversation. It was a great end the weekend.
I was also there to take baby portraits and family portraits but those will follow in a separate post. She took me to she her horse Pecos. He is a beauty! I dragged along my camera, of course, and took his portrait as well.
Here's Kris with her oldest child Ronan. Ebi is standing behind him wondering what is going on. He must stand at least 6' when he's standing like this. BIG dog but very gentle and loving... well he tries to be gentle. With feet like his you're bound to get under them. When I got home I was looking at my foot and wondering what happened that I had a big bruise on the top.... Duh! Ronan stepped on my foot :) LOL
and here is Kris and I and Olivia. We've know each other since she was in her mom's belly. We grew up together camping and holidays and in each other's back pocket some of the time. We always didn't get along, me throwing her Hot Wheel cars under a cabinet and in high school we grew apart a bit. But we've come full circle... she is the godmother to my child and one of my dearest friends. We don't live close by but I think of them often.

beauty

Farmer Jax

I've been trying to practice my portraits recently so I used my ever so willing subject Mr.Jax. I took him to a local preserve that I knew had a farm but I didn't know how wonderful a backdrop it would make.
Jax was so cooperative and willing and that helped A LOT!! I also am playing around with what they call 'actions' in Photoshop. It's basically different ways to process a photo. I'm really liking some of them. So without further adieu... here's FARMER JAX!

Just a pretty photo before they die

Enjoying the weather

On a rare 70° day in November we ventured outside to enjoy it with the boys. We headed out to a local preserve to take a walk and some fresh air. I managed to capture the last few colors of fall while there and some nice shots of the boysJaxson wants to do everything Hayden does...
My boy...should of turned him the other direction though.
The scrunchy smile that we love... it's Jax saying "cheese"

Jaxson just loved being free, as you can tell his feet aren't even touching the ground.
A Hayden photo
Jaxson had the best seat in the house and really liked the ride.

Jaxson an unwilling photography subject

I spent the better part of yesterday morning chasing him around the back yard trying to get a few good fall pictures before Tim mowed all of the leaves up.
Ever try taking a picture of a moving target? It is NOT easy!
I feel I did get a few good ones in but it took a lot to them. :)





This is the child taking off, cackling the entire way :)

He saw Tim mowing the lawn and was shocked to see him outside as well.

and just a tree on our street. Of course with the wind and rain it is a bunch of sticks today.
I'm playing with the idea of starting a blog for just my photography so that way people who want to only see the kids pictures won't be bothered by everything else and then I can share pictures with people who don't need to see the family stuff. I will post a new link if and when I have it up and running.

The Couple

The best part of a wedding are the bride and groom. This wedding was no exception. It helped that they are one good looking couple.