The King and His (cardboard) Castle

Girls, Girls, Girls

A few images to share of my nieces and my sister. These little girls have the craziest (cutest) curls and amazing eyes (I might be a bit partial....) I wish they didn't live so far away, she has 3 children, like myself. All of our kids are within 6 months of each other! And my sister and I are only 14 months apart in age. I posted a pix. of her oldest here

Here is Bridget

I love this one because it is so "now" for her. Three little kids - all over the place, pulling her in every which way. I think that all moms can relate to the demands of small children. But the time goes so fast, and someday the little ones won't be hanging all over.....and I think (tired though we may be) we'll look back with fond memories.

And a couple more....

5 Year Old Girls

Last weekend my daughters and I went to visit relatives in Il. My sister and her girls drove 1/2 way across the country to see everyone - so it was an "all girls" weekend.

I love this picture. It is of my daughter Olivia and my niece Bridget. They are both 5. They had their 1st "sleepover" on the pull-out. They both love to keep their little treasures with them. Bridget played polly-pockets all weekend, and Olivia does not go ANYWHERE without her Webkin, "Rainbow". I allowed my girls to pack a bag of their own, knowing that they would bring a bunch of random things. In this photo, I can see a few of the other things that Olivia brought; soft purse, American Girl book, Barbie book, little photo-album, my old wallet, her new horse "Snowy".

It's just sweetness rolled into 5 year old giggles and fun.

Sisters

My Girls.

Summer Retreat

I couldn't figure out how to setup the "real" tent, so we made do with this old blanket and our swing. This is how I found the girls inside of their hideout. Books. Pillows. Favorite Animals. Sigh. I need a little retreat like this!

my monkey

Before this little guy came along, we'd never had toys stuffed down bathtub drains. We didn't permanently attach baby gates to the walls. We didn't have a need to remove baskets & bins from a bedroom because a baby was climbing onto furniture.

Until Him.

Happy Wednesday!

Balancing Act

"this is a special balancing trick that requires a small child to stay completely still (so it's still only theoretical)" - storypeople

It was a challenge, but I managed to get a few pictures of him standing still AND looking at the camera! We found an abandoned farm outside of town and spent the morning exploring and having fun. It was a beautiful spring day in Rochester!

Sweet

When I looked at her like this last nite, I saw her again as a baby. Rarely anymore do I look at my kids and see the "baby" in them - I see how big they are getting - how tall, how "thinned out". I saw smooth baby cheeks, soft full lips, dark eyelashes, and a peaceful child. I grabbed the camera and got a few shots off. You can't see it in this picture, but she was also sleeping with a princess feather wand in her chubby little hands!

Peek

Things have slowed down a bit and I've been able to spend some time learning and practicing. Always so much to learn! I did something a little different with this shot - metered on the face and let the sky be blown out. I really like how it turned out. This is my 2nd born daughter, who is 5.



50mm 1.4 1/2000

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!!

under construction

It's been a busy week at our house. My father-in-law and husband (and sometimes son) have been working like crazy to finish up projects around the home. The little guy wants to use the "real" tools and help in any way possible. He truly is a b.o.y. All things construction are fascinating to him. I'm so excited to see the playroom/family room coming together!

My Heart

He is almost 2. He is my last baby. I'm feeling the pain that pulls deep in a mother's heart as her children grow. Bittersweet.

If you find that you are rarely in photos because you are usually behind the camera, remind yourself to use your self-timer and get in those photos!! I always forget, but yesterday I decided to take a few "self-portraits" with my son.

Spring is in the Air

We had a beautiful day in Rochester, MN today. The sun was a welcome treat - and the warm temps were a sign that spring can't be TOO far away! My girls grabbed their umbrellas when they got home from school and ran around the yard. I know that we'll get more snow and cold, but today was a nice reminder of what is to come!

B.U.S.T.E.D

I love catching him in the act. He thinks he is sneaky when he is being quiet. But I think we all know that a quiet toddler=a toddler up to no good!!

Nap Time

Two friends pass during the day.

The little boy to bed.
The big dog away from where she can wake the little boy up with her barking.

The mamma.....happy that there is quiet.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

We went sledding yesterday and had a blast! I cringed a little bit as the kids swerved and dodged down the hill, avoiding rocks and sticks along the way. My husband took the fun picture of me with all three of the kids (see if you can find them all) on the sled!

Big, Big World

Dave (my husband) took this shot of my son - I love how small he is compared to the tall trees on this trail. Somedays I wish he could stay "small-ish" forever!

Using Photoshop, I added a texture to the image to bring out more of the sun and light in the picture. Texture is easy to add and can transform a shot in so many ways - the possibilities are endless!

Staying in the Moment

Since the birth of my third child, I've been an at-home mom. I have realized that I sometimes spend too many hours waiting for "my time", to do what "I want", which is usually nap time or bed-time.

I am undertaking an attitude adjustment! I realize that the time I have with my children is short - before you know it they are off to school and turning 7 (see previous post!). I'm enjoying the little moments, like playing with blocks, or cuddling with a book.

This is not to say that I don't still crave my alone time, I do. But I am staying in the moment and making the most of my blessings! And in the time I have for myself, I am grateful to have my photography....it fills me up and recharges me, and, hopefully, it provides others with little bits of happiness, too!

Snow....Interesting....Or Not...??

He thought the snow was very interesting at first....until it began to freeze his little hands!!!