My sweet niece!

I stole my sweet 2 year old niece today for about 20 minutes to "capture a Kodak moment." She would not smile for the camera, but she was still super cute! I thought I would share a few of my favorites... maybe it will make YOU smile!

Photo Class- Lesson #3

For those of you that didn't see the last photography post, this is what I'm doing...

Most of you probably won't care about this series of posts titled "Photo Class." It's my own personal place to share the photos I'm taking for this simple online photo class my Aunt Sherri is sharing with me. I will simply post the assignment and then my results. I cannot guarantee that they will look professional or even look good, but I would love your feedback when I post the pictures!

Assignment- Compose a setting with three items of your choice and then aim to get the best picture you can by referring back to the photos you have taken over the last few days. Where was the best light in your home? What angles do you love when you looked at those inanimate objects?

Thirsty yet? In case you're wondering... it's raspberry iced tea with lemon!!! That last photo was 3 of the girl's headbands just laying around... random, but part of our lives here!

Photo Class- Lesson #1

Most of you probably won't care about this series of posts titled "Photo Class." It's my own personal place to share the photos I'm taking for this simple online photo class my Aunt Sherri is sharing with me. I will simply post the assignment and then my results. I cannot guarantee that they will look professional or even look good, but I would love your feedback when I post the pictures!

Most of you know that we just bought a new Nikon DSLR camera and I'm trying to learn some basics of photography... so here goes nothing!

Assignment- "Find something in your home that is very much you. Something you love or something that says something about your personality. Then take that item and your camera around your home looking for different lighting options. What does it look like near a window? With your on-camera flash? With your regular indoor lamps and such? Try different times of day if it’s possible -- so you can compare you images during the morning, afternoon and evening. Take around twenty images or more and share your favorites."

Two is Company, Three's a Crowd!

I love playing with my children! One of my favorite things to do is just sit on the floor and wait to see what will happen! I never know if I'm visiting the doctor's office, or getting my hair "done pretty" at the beauty parlor, or if I'll be served a gourmet lunch of plastic foods! (As I am typing this my 1 1/2 year old is loading plastic peas and ice cream on my lap from her kitchen set!)

When I had my first child, we used to sit and play for hours. She was a toddler when her baby sister was born, so we still had lots of one-on-one play time tog

ether! I used to nurse the baby while still playing on the floor! Ever since the baby, Mia, has become a toddler, I have become the third wheel!

It's so depressing sometimes!

I used to be the favorite playmate in the house, and now I'm just the mommy that's getting in the way! Sometimes I am allowed to join in on the fun, but often times I am asked to leave the room and go away!

Yes, I am very busy with our new baby, Jack, but I miss being able to play one-on-one with my girls! They are the best of buds and great friends, and for that I am grateful, but it makes me feel left out!

I'm starting to sound like a whiny second grader that didn't get picked to play kick ball!

Instead of being the playmate, I have turned into the referee! I get to decide the fairness of everything and who should have a turn with that toy! It gets exhausting, and I would much rather be in the middle of the fun!

Last night my oldest daughter, Bailee, spent the night at my mom's house just for fun. This morning I thought Mia and I would have lots of fun together playing and having one-on-one alone time! I envisioned lots of giggles and laughter, but instead she constantly asked for Bailee all morning. She was lost. She didn't know how to play without her sister around! I kept suggesting things, and she would say, "Bailee too?" And then quickly ask, "Bailee go?"

Apparently playing without her wasn't the same.

Later we'll go get Bailee and the house will be full again, but for now Mia will have to cope with having a second-rate playmate! ;-)

But, it's true what they say... Two is Company, Three's a Crowd!

This picture was taken just a few days ago of the 2 girls playing piano together! They really do love each other!!

Happy 4th of July!

Have a Happy 4th of July and remember to be safe!

Here's a video just for fun! (I would NEVER have the patience to do something like this!!!)

Playground Fun!

We spent the afternoon at the local school's playground! It was fun for the girls and they had a blast climbing around until they each fell and got hurt... that's when we packed up and went home!

Before the boo boos, we had lots of laughs and fun!

Crayola love notes!

What is more romantic than getting a love note??? A love note written in crayon on your shower wall by your husband!!!

We have Crayola tub crayons from Wal-Mart for the girls (which they love by the way!) and when I got into the shower tonight this is what I saw...

(In case you can't read this... "I LOVE YOU! My love for you gets bigger every year!")

Tomorrow is our 5th Wedding Anniversary, and I think this is the best anniversary card I've ever received!

If you're looking for a fun, romantic or silly way to send a message to your spouse, then go to Wal-Mart and buy a package of tub crayons and leave your loved one a special note in the morning! They'll love it, I guarantee!!!

(p.s. I love you Tom! Happy Anniversary!!! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you... starting today!)