First Day *sniff*sniff*

We finally hit the BIG First day around here. She woke up at 6:20AM and wanted to know if it was time to go to school! Um...NO! So the waiting began, which resulted in asking every 5 minutes, "How much longer, mom?" I told her "after lunch", so she asked (at 9:30am) if she could eat her lunch! I tried explaining to her that even though you "eat" your lunch, it won't make it time for school until it's "time for school". (such a tough concept!) So she opted for her 2nd breakfast at 9:30 instead! And since it was such a big day, and I felt obliged to document the day, I started taking pictures. Obviously she was NOT on board for that activity. (notice the stink face?)



So I had to bring out the big kids' scrapbooks and show her pictures of them on their first days of school. She got a big kick out of seeing them "little"! She cooperated with me until we got to the school. And it wasn't like I was the only mom taking photos....I was just the only one pointing it in her direction!



She was REALLY excited to get in the school, right up until she realized that the parents were saying goodbye, and she would have to do the same. That's when she panicked. So rather than cause a meltdown (and seeing the sweet teacher with the responsibility of 25 kids), I opted to follow her in the classroom. Which actually turned out to be nice (for me). I now know all 24 kids in her class. Know the routine of the class, and also the rules of the classroom (which will help me to reinforce them at home) and not to mention I had the opportunity to take pictures during her first day! (Totally NOT complaining about that one!)



It was also really nice to see how she reacts in a new environment, and get the insight to see what causes her to meltdown. Her teacher was very aware of her sensitivity and worked really well with her. (even among all the chaos of 14 boys....YES FOURTEEN!!) I'm super excited to see how she blossoms and grows this year. Just needs to get over the hurdle of a new environment and people, and she'll be doing GREAT! (At least that's my hope!)Crossing our fingers for a successful "drop-off" today!

Starting over

After not seeing one of these hanging on my fridge for almost 5 years, it is once again time to familiarize myself with the year-round schedule!



I've had a wonderful 5 years to not deal with year-round school, so even though it is still "summer" around here, and my garden has only produced ONE red pepper, ONE tomato, and only a handful of cherry tomatoes (still waiting for the bees to pollinate my cucumbers and zuchinni's) it is indeed "back-to-school" time around here!



Since kindergarten starts a week after the upper grades, the kids get to meet their teachers one-on-one and do some assesment testing. She was SO excited to meet her teacher, and especially loved the one-on-one time. We'll see how she does with a classroom full of ENERGY! (and for once, it's not only hers!)



I'm SUPER impressed with her teacher, and think she will be a great fit for her! Now cross your fingers that we don't have a repeat of her first preschool year, otherwise I might have to get paid to be there every day!

My {Model}

I took my oldest daughter on a "photo walk" way back in JUNE! (Yes I'm just getting around to blogging these!) She was SUPER excited to be a model for a group of photographers for a few hours! What she discovered, is that she doesn't like to be told to "smile" by 20 people all at once!

But when she gets in her grove...there is just NO stopping her! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE to photograph this cutie! (Ya, I think I've mentioned it a few times!)

These were not only taken for the photowalk, but also to commemorate her sweet 16! We still have a few locations to go try out, but as it always goes, personal sessions seem to take a backseat somedays!

The {cursed} house

I went with some friends, to a location that was rumored to be "haunted". When we arrived, it looked scary enough, so we opted to shoot outside in the lovely overgrown yard, with weeds as tall as I am! Eventually we built up our bravery and ventured inside. It was a bit dissapointing. Not one hint of "haunted-ness"!! But the wallpaper was AWESOME, the exposed brick, to die for! But then there was the lovely SMELL, and the instant headache we all seemed to get at the same time. We grabbed a few shots inside, and then headed back out. We had been joking just moments before about staying in the walked on areas of the yard, and low and behold, who knew that there really would be a "cursed" plank of wood with a rusty ol' nail sticking out, which quite unfortunately was stepped on. And now all of us KNOW to not wear flip flops (even leather ones) on ANY photo shoot! Needless to say, we ended our adventure in the ER and one tetnus shot later. I'm not so sure the house was "haunted" but it certainly is "cursed"!

Here are a few of my shots.





And this has got to be THE BIGGEST dandelion I have EVER seen! It was at least 3 inches in diameter! And So dang beautiful!

Summer Mischief

Just one for now.
Love this shot.
She looks like she is really contemplating TROUBLE!
Just glad she wasn't aiming it at ME!

She's OFFICIAL!!!

Having already gone through this lovely passage of parenthood, I was completely prepared for the second teenager to begin driving. We learned from our mistakes with the oldest, and determined to not make them again. We signed her up to take a drivers training class (through the school) with classroom work (ya, tried the on-line classes....bogus. Well I shouldn't say total bogus, the info was good, just the particular teenager was the problem...not wanting to DO the bookwork!)

We even made sure she had LOTS of driving time. (Yes, it was SCARY sometimes!) Yes, I still love her....but had you asked me right after, my answer might have been different! (well maybe I would still LOVE her, but I was having a hard time "liking" her at that moment!)

She passed her class, and we scheduled the road test with the DMV after all her drives were complete.

When we arrived, We pulled up to the test area. I got out, walked over to the door to knock. The tester guy opened the door, and then I hear the window go down behind me, and I hear her say (in a panicked voice), "mom, I can't get the key out!!!". And I calmy reply, "Honey, you need to put the car in "park"!" "Ohhhhh", was her reply. And the kind gentleman that was going to have the enourmous priveledge of administering her road test, just said, "Oh, boy....gonna be a fun one!" Then he just giggled (as did I) and we finished up the paperwork and then they were off. (crossing my fingers...NO really....that she doesn't have another "blonde moment"!



When they returned, he told me that she indeed kept the "blond moments" to a minimum and recognized her mistakes before he even pointed them out. So she did GREAT!



And even though she was only marked down 7 points (you can miss up to 30 points....however I don't think I want THAT driver anywhere near me!!) I would still stay off the sidewalks for a bit, and if you see a cute blonde in the car that looks like she's having a "moment"....give her LOTS of room!

New Toy = New Joy

The hubby gave me the go-ahead to order a new camera, and I didn't hesitate for one second, and had it within the week! I anxiously awaited for my FAVORITE brown truck and driver. I even met him on the porch. Brought a smile to his face!



Once I opened the box, and took a little look at this beauty, I knew I'd have a bit of reading to do before I would know what all the buttons did!


But I didn't wait long. Carissa and I went on a little adventure in the field by our house. We discovered grasshoppers. (I refused to get close enough to get a shot, cause those are right up there on my "favorites" list with spiders and snakes!) We also discovered that the weeds are "scratchy" and we should have worn pants! She even showed me her pile of rocks that she's been "working" on for a couple of weeks now!

My {Graduate}

This was something that I knew was coming. I knew somehow I would have to admit that my “baby” was old enough to graduate from high school. Getting him to that point took a lot of prodding and several LONG talks about turning in work. And doing things in pure D-man fashion….he pushed it right up to the deadline. Putting off taking a test he needed to pass in order to “test out” of a class, right up to 3 days before the end of school. Didn’t help that he also got suspended for the last 2 days of school, (for leaving school without checking out and taking another student with him) so getting those last assignments turned in and finals taken was a BIT more challenging! But thankfully the administration was willing to work with him, and really helped to get his classes finished up. Talk about bending over backwards!

When he was finally able to pick up his cap and gown, I knew that it was finally going to happen, and I was going to have to deal with all the emotions going through me! There is something SO surreal at looking at your child in a cap and gown, and still wondering what their life will hold for them. Especially, since it’s now out of my control. And that is not a feeling that I handle very well at all!



It’s so hard to imagine that 18 years have gone by. So much of it is a complete blur. Not even sure how it happened. But here we are now, and he has so many possibilities in front of him. The doors are wide open and I still hope that he is able to find his way. I’m so proud of his accomplishments and the young man that he has become! I couldn’t have asked for a better son!


This was the principal at the school, Mr. Jones. He was one of D's favorites at the school. When he approached the stage to shake his hand and receive his diploma, Mr. Jones attempted to "hide" the diploma in his jacket! They both just busted out in this huge grin! So many of the teachers were biting their fingernails, (as was I), so naturally, they had to give him a BIT of a hard time!

Introducing Baby {T}

At last I can introduce this little cutie-patootie, who was a mere 6 days old here. Who was born only 10 days after her mamma's belly shoot! She was a perfect angel! I seriously could have played with her all day! Thanks Tiff!

Beautiful Pregnant Mama Sneak Peek

This beautiful gal I've known for almost 6 years now. She is my younger sister that I never had! Once my husband even sat down next to her at church thinking it was me!! I was honored to take some maternity shots of her for this pregnancy. She works as a sonographer, so I wanted to incorporate some ultrasound pictures she took.






You'll get meet her gorgeous little angel very soon!

My Princess goes to the Ball!

As my daughter was approaching her 16th birthday, she was SO excited that she would have her birthday about a month before the big formal dance this year. But as the deadline to buy tickets got closer and closer, she still hadn't been asked (even though several guys had told her they would ask her as soon as she turned 16!). So the DAY of the deadline, (which was ONLY 3 days before the big dance!!) she finally got asked!! So I went into a frenzy trying to find something for her to wear in just 3 days! We searched everywhere at the stores. (even had a gal open her shop later one night so we could look at her selection) I posted on facebook to see if anyone had anything we could borrow, cause we were failing epically at the stores. (Either immodest or out of the price range). So she got on the phone and called a friend. Her sister dropped the dress off just to see if it "might" work. Turns out if fit PERFECTLY! No alteration necessary. I couldn't believe what a miracle that turned out to be! Thanks so much Rachelle and Sarah! You really saved her!

So here is her date presenting her with her corsage! (He made sure he did it all right, even with the short notice!!)




Carissa wanted to be involved too, so she picked some "pretty yellow flowers" and handed them to them, and absolutely would NOT leave them alone until I took the picture of the "pretty flowers"!!


Here's a close up of the pretty corsage!!


She had a blast at the dance! I can't believe my little girl is all grown up and going to the ball! When did this happen?? I promise you, it was just yesterday that I braided her hair in 2 braids and put her on the Kindergarten bus!

A Tea Party for {H}

When I was asked to take this adorable 3 year old's pictures, I KNEW I wanted to do a tea party with beautiful flowering trees and lucious green grass. The biggest obstacle we ran into was it kept SNOWING! So about a month after her birthday, we finally managed to make it out on a beautiful day, with a tree in full bloom and let the magic happen!

Here's your sneak peak! I promise, we can do a tea party for you someday too!






You'd never know it, but this adorable mamma is 8 months pregnant and still wearing her regular jeans! (More belly shots to come!)

The Awesome {D} Family

I feel like the blog here has been neglected for a bit too long! Seems as though winter just drug on and on, and now that it is warming up a bit, it's time to get posting again!

Here's a quick peek for my friend, who is the cutest mamma to 4 sons! Never a dull moment for them!







Hope you like them! I'll have more for you soon!

The Adorable baby {L}

This little angel was only 9 days old when these were taken! She was SO alert, not wanting to miss anything! Here's a sneak peak for her cute mamma! Thanks for letting me come and meet your little angel!





I'll have more for you next week!

First Gymnastics "meet"

I've mentioned that we've started gymnastics around here a few times. And it really has been the VERY best thing for her! She was already a monkey on everything, but now she that is getting instruction on how to tumble properly, there is really no stopping her! In a very short period of time (like 4 months) she is doing cartwheels like a pro! (and don't be surprised if you see her doing them just about anywhere!) When she gets the urge to cartwheel, it must be done!

So throughout the class, the kids were preparing for their "routines", just like at a real meet. I couldn't believe that kids this young could really remember a "routine" but sure enough they did. They each did a bar, beam and floor routine. She's been a bit timid with the bars, so when the other girls were doing their routines, she got a bit intimidated since she's never been confident enough to transfer to the high bar. But by the time all the girls did theirs, she was ready to do hers. So proud of her for not giving up and doing the best she could do!

So after the tears at the bars, her teachers decided to let her go first on the beam (which is by far her favorite apparatus....which TERRIFIES her dad!) My favorite part was her dismount!

The floor routine was great! They started with a backwards roll, then went into a straddle roll, then into a cartwheel, then a "tabletop" (which is like a back bend), then they "galloped" over to do a handstand, then they each put their arms up when the finished! So cute!!





It took me awhile to find a gym that I really loved! I love that this is a "non-competitive" gym. They get "medals" at the end of the "meet" but there are no points or rankings. Which I felt was the best way to get the basic tumbling skills down! Plus there is plenty of time for "competition" if she decides to pursue this! But right now, it is the best thing for her! And I love seeing her excel! She was even invited to a special class that will help push her and help her confidence!

My baby is FIVE!

Even though this happened a few weeks ago, I'm just getting around to posting about her birthday and party! She was MUCH more aware of her approaching birthday, and as soon as we were finished with Christmas, she wanted to know if the next day was her birthday! It was a TOUGH 3 weeks to wait! (I guess that's the payback I can give her for making me wait 3 weeks for her to FINALLY arrive!)

She'd been talking about having an "Ariel" birthday all year long, so I thought I had the plan all ready to go. But then she threw me for a loop, when she told me she wanted to do "Princess Tiana" from the new movie "Princess and the Frog". I did a quick internet search, and found that I would need to order the party supplies, since none of the local stores carried them yet. I showed her a few "princess and the frog" cake ideas, but since most of them were "frog" cakes and NOT "Princess Tiana", she just wasn't buying what I was trying to sell. So off we went to the bakery hoping to find an option there. Sure enough we found a bakery that would do a lovely airbrushed cake with a "Princess Tiana" on the top! Score! (And it made it SO much easier for me!)


She even helped me plan the party games. We had lots of "frog" games to choose from, and it was tough incorporating the "princess" side of it into it, but with Nikelle's help, we found lots of fun games to play! And this was the first year that she participated and didn't throw a fit when she didn't win, or get to go first, etc...etc. (What a relief!)





When it was finally time to open her gifts, she was more than ready....in fact, she was ready before we were, and had one package almost unwrapped before I had turned around!! She's definitley figured out how to unwrap!





And here is a quick review of the past year of her!



There are days that I am just plain exhausted, and she wears me out, but I am so grateful she is a part of my life! Just wouldn't be the same without her!