Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Presidents Day

Certainly only a few men have held this prestigious title. Some we are very proud to stand behind them and their leadership, others have had ideas we did not support.

But, I think this day can reflect on all of us who lead {even if it's only a select few...our kids}.

 We dress the part...
 We put on a smile...
 We face challenges...
 Document our findings, our lessons...
 We contemplate the outcomes...
 We communicate throughout our busy schedules...
And we follow technology {sometimes a little later than others, but we always usually give in...}

Happy Presidents Day to Everyone!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

My little cowgirls

I purchased these colorful hats at Target to give to the girls for Easter, however, decided to give them to the girls for Valentine's.
They loved them! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of them this summer too!

After preschool on Wednesday I grabbed my camera and we did a super mini photo session outside. She is such a crazy model!
 Love my beautiful little girl!
 She loves the propped up leg pose.

 Love the serious expression...if you know her, she is anything but serious!
 This is a better illustration of her personality!
 My sassy girl!
 After school, we were a lot more rushed but I wanted to get a couple quick shots of Mikayla with her pink hat. Because we were so rushed, she really has a stiff pose.
 Again not crazy about her pose, she does not look relaxed, very stiff looking. I need to get her outside and we'll do more pics with the hat.


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day


We certainly show love everyday of the year, but love to have a special day to show our love and appreciation for each other.
These two little girls have made me a better person, pushed me to make better choices for myself, helped me to be more creative, made me crack up laughing at the littlest of things, made me smile just remembering something they said, and I could not imagine my life without them.
 The love of my life, Joe. We have certainly shared our ups and downs in our 10 years together. It has been an unforgettable journey. I love the laughs we share, I love the challenges we have accomplished, the talks we have shared, and, of course, the family we have created.
I look forward to the dreams we want to accomplish together and the many years full of love and laughter together!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Catching up from the weekend...

After a weekend full of obligations and work...I have piles of laundry beside the washer, a full hamper in the bathroom, a dishwasher that needs to be emptied,
floors that need to be vacuumed, projects that need to be finished, valentine cards that need to be made, and I'm on the computer! HaHa

a few new photo of the day shots....
Mikayla helped make some cards which will be sent to the soldiers overseas
 I'm a serious blog addict...although I did cut my list down {very proud of that}
 treated myself and the girls to a Starbucks on Saturday while we were running errands
 Joe suggested a trip to the bowling alley...what a great idea...we all had a great time!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Photo a Day thoughts....

It seems so early in the year yet, but I feel so accomplished that I've taken a photo a day so far.
I find that I'm taking A LOT of pictures with my phone to document the day. I don't feel like pulling out the Digital camera and setting up the features....HELLO this is one of the main reasons I decided to take this challenge on.
 For this photo I was working with the light from the front window. I'm pretty happy with the photo and I left it SOOC {no editing}.
 This is not quite the shot I was envisioning...I was trying to get the pieces in the front sharp and Casey blurred in the background. However, that's not what I got and I liked the results.
 This was a late, Sunday night with no documented photo for the day...so what did I decide to use....my new PJs from Target {PS I do love these funky, warm PJs}
 My little peanut wasn't feeling 100%...so she lounged around all day. I did have to edit this photo and lighten it up a little.
 This was funny...I noticed the other day how the sun comes in the windows at the top of the steps and shines right down the steps and creates a very bright hallway...Aha! A great location to take photos.
I wanted to try and push myself just a little this year and try to get on the other side of the camera a little more this year {truly a challenge for me, because I'm not happy with what I see on pics...but that's another book}...so I thought I'd set the camera towards the top steps, set the timer and get some photos....however, the focus was not doing what I wanted it to do, when I was reaching to get it set.
So plan B...I called Alexis {age: 5} out to take pictures for me. She does not zoom in at all, and I had to overly zoom in to crop the photo I sorta liked. So that's how this photo came about and why it's not quite a clear shot.
 This photo totally cracks me up! I am so glad I used my phone to capture this memory. It just amazes me how their personalities come screaming through this shot. {PS..this is in the middle of a Sam's Club store...they are just chillin' and watching Shrek}
 This is a photo I was only inspired to get, because I'm doing this photo a day challenge. This is not an ideal spot to get a family photo, but I wanted to get a family photo on the 12th of the month. It was too dark outside by the time we all got home, so we had to try it inside. I can't wait to try it again this month.
 Another photo that I was lazy and used my phone camera...but I love the effect this camera app. gave to this shot. Looks very old school and vintage. {PS...this book was AMAZING...would highly recommend}
 I was inspired by a photo by Elizabeth Kartchner....loved these signs at Target and since I'm there almost every day...I let Alexis pick a sign and pose, I guess I should have asked for a "nice" smile...haha
 After reading some info about adjusting the white balance, I think I could have improved the photo with removing some of the yellow tint. But I love the memory this captured.
 Another lazy phone shot....
 Another challenge I'd like to work on...indoor "gym" lighting....these shots did not come out the way I would have liked.
My challenges that I would like to work on is using my digital camera more often...to get it out of auto mode and shot some amazing pictures. Don't be lazy and practice. I'm looking forward to warmer weather to get outside and use natural light. I'm frustrated with the light inside our home.
Stay focused and keep trying!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Valentine Countdown project

I recently seen this adorable idea to make a Valentine Day Countdown project by Elizabeth Kartchner...see her's here
I thought a countdown project would be fun...here is my creation. I did cheat a little, in the fact that I only created them yesterday {Feb 2nd} so we opened two packages at dinner yesterday.
Each one has a little surprise inside...candy, coins, get out of chores notes, $5 gift allowance, etc.

and they make a cute decoration till Feb 14th!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Studio Calico Sketch Challenge....love it

The sketch challenge...
my creation...
I am so delighted with this...I added pink paint, added grungy stamp marks, sewed on lacey ribbon, and stitched on some buttons.
Let me know what you think!


Sketch challenge

Here is a sketch challenge that was on my desk...
and my layout...please don't mind that the "e" moved while I was scanning it...I was too lazy to rescan it
and of course {my luck} the deadline was Jan 31st...so no entry for me, but I love the layout!

Project Life is started!

I've been very dedicated to taking my photo a day for the month of January {Yeah to me...I'm happy about that accomplishment, it may be small, but it's big to me!}

However, I have not been to focused on the project life album.
That has been changed tonight....
this is the cover page to my album!
love it!
I'm really excited to try this for the entire year!