at it again...

Seems to be that there is still so much going on that I just can't keep up.  Currently, it's finishing pendant orders (have to be delivered in time for Mother's Day), working on auction projects for Sophie's class, helping out in both classes as much as possible, and a bunch of other stuff.  We are just busy.

Lately, we have been having fun driving a sporty new car.  It won't be ours for long - it's just too small - but it is definitely a lot of fun for the right now!

January 13:: In Progress

January 11:: Bloom

my favorite picture

We were in the studio a few weeks ago, taking lots of pictures for clients and monkeying around with the girls a bit in between all of the action. Our girls don't really like us taking their picture and it is usually a pretty big fuss to make it happen. It almost always includes a bribe of some sort too - at least some m&m's.
So, when this picture popped up I was in complete mommy heaven.  I mean really!  If only Andy was in the picture too - but then I wouldn't have this little beauty if he wasn't the master behind the lens... I'm just really thankful that he humors me and my Christmas card picture ideas each and every year.

Hoyt Arboretum

The girls had yesterday and today off from school for conferences. They had their conferences first thing in the morning yesterday and we now have a long weekend to enjoy. We also have Nana Barbie and Papa Tom visiting for a few days. So, after conferences and a quick stop for lunch, we headed to Hoyt Arboretum. It was pretty nice - the views were lovely, the tree climbing was top notch (even Nana Barbie climbed a tree) and it appears that Hoyt Arboretum is a pretty nice spot for a nap as well.
We were actually at Hoyt Arboretum just a few days ago for a photo shoot with a long time client. So happy that the weather is holding up nicely, allowing for another visit so soon.

Family photo

We have plenty of cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment.  That is not the problem.  Getting our girls to smile at an inanimate object (the camera) with no human behind it so that we can have a family photo - that's the problem.  It's really, really hard to take your own family photo.  But, if you go on vacation with lots of family and dress everyone up for church on the last day, and head straight from church to the site of your wedding - well, you are bound to end up with a nice family portrait.  We are so happy that Andy's parents joined us for the visit to Little Bo, and gave us this shot.  I'm really glad that Andy decided to shave for church.  I'm thrilled that the girls decided to cooperate!

Early morning

This is what 6am looks like on Van Vliet Lake.  We have many more shots just like this, and much better than this one.  One will definitely grace our walls soon.

just another day at the beach

Last weekend was our second camping trip to the beach.  This time we stayed at Nehalem Bay state park and just like our last trip a couple weeks ago, we had fantastic weather.  After last summer, I think we deserved it.  I have a lot of great photos to share, but some are still trapped on my phone so just this one for now.  I love it - thanks for the pic, honey!

We went camping

Last weekend, the day after our 9th wedding anniversary - we packed up the minivan and headed to the beach for a little camping trip.  We returned to a spot we visited last summer - Beverly Beach, between Newport and Lincoln City.  It was a completely different experience from last summer's visit.  You may remember that we woke up after our stormy night to find ourselves sleeping on a giant puddle of water.  It was sort of like pitching a tent on a waterbed.  Not this time though.
Our drive took us directly to Lincoln City and when we reached the beach we were surprised to find so much sunshine (not really in the forecast). So, of course we made an unscheduled stop to enjoy the beach - you just never know what you will find 30 minutes down the road on the coast. It was in the mid 60's with clear blue skies. We stayed and played for a couple hours before heading further down the coast to our campsite - it was dinner time and we were all hungry. But we managed to set up camp, take care of dinner and head to the beach for more fun in the sun and a wonderful sunset. A fantastic first day to a really nice beachy weekend.

history

My grandpa recently turned 80.  My mom put together a birthday party and asked me to make a slideshow video for the guests to watch.  This means that I received a package full of old and original photos.  There were lots of favorites.  Really cool old favorites.  But this one beat them all.  Partly because it is so sharp.  Partly just because it is such a cool journalistic photo.  Partly because it's my grandpa on the left.  Shortly after the birthday party I found out that the picture is of my grandpa with Byron Nelson (he worked at True Temper at the time and those are golf club shafts just behind them).  So, it's cool and a wee smidge of history.  Love that.

Big Red Balloons

I have been thinking about this picture for a while now.  I'm not sure where I first saw the idea, but it's been a while now and it's been on my mind ever since.  With the fog rolling in every morning lately, it should have been a lot easier to get this picture.  But, there was always something and for two days in a row I found myself chasing the fog.  Like storm chasers, but different.  Sophie was a really good sport about it all too.  I have a ton of photos.  There are so many to love.  But, just one for now...

The Christmas card that wasn't.

Dear friends and family,
We usually really enjoy the process of putting together a Christmas card to send you each year. But, it seems that at the young age of 6 years and 9 months, Emma has decided to put an end to this tradition. We apologize, but this may be the best we have to offer for a Christmas card picture this year. But you should know, we did try. Maybe next year...

scrapbooking

This winter, I will have about two hours, three times a week all to myself. Mostly, I will probably be grocery shopping, folding laundry or cleaning our ever messy kitchen. But, I also hope to get some work done on the girls' baby books and scrapbooks. I am terribly far behind on this, and while it seems so daunting, I really believe this is something that is supposed to be fun. So, I plan to work on this scrapbooking thing.

I started looking for some pictures to print - I like this idea I saw of using one 8x10 on a 12x12 page and using the strip on the side for details. I plan to try this out with a few of the pages to start. Anyhow, while looking for pictures I found a few that we have forgotten - I won't be using these, but wanted to put them up here for the sake of having them somewhere (did you know that there is now a service where you can have a printed copy of your blog sent to you?). Don't you just love those chubby little arms on Emma in that top picture?

Today is sort of a lazy day here. We cleaned up the kitchen this morning and made breakfast. I went to a couple stores for errands. Andy is working on the red room (painting). Now that lunch is over, I will continue to organize some scrapbook stuff, clean out the girls' shoes and hopefully get to an art project. The girls have been playing with Legos like nobody's business!!!

Gorgeous lighting

This lighting has been around every night this week. But, by the time we head out for a walk, it's already below the trees. Not tonight though - I cracked the whip at dinner time to make sure we didn't miss it again. I'm so glad that I did too!

silhouettes

I love them. I think they are so charming and I really do love them. I may be alone in this, but it's true. I have started trying to make one whenever the appropriate picture presents itself for clients in hopes that they may like them too. Today, I had the girls in the studio so that I could get a nice profile for silhouettes for the mantle. We already have a family silhouette which I love. Once we got the necessary shots, Andy had the girls switch to the more typical goofy mode for some fun pictures. Sophie wasn't interested, but Emma had lots of fun.

Her birthday is just two weeks away. I think this picture does a great job of capturing Emma's spirit. So, if this is the last chance I have to get a great birthday picture, I will be completely happy with this one.

something found

This picture was taken last January. Just discovered it tonight. Love it.

Our backyard in photos

Today happens to be gorgeous. Finally.

So, we are back at it - weeding, digging up worms (Emma), planting a bunch of stuff, absorbing Vitamin D. You know, the important stuff. I also cleaned out our pantry today. It's been good.

the camera is too far away...

We had a portrait session here over the weekend (really cute family) and whenever that happens, my camera tends to make it's way to the studio, just in case.
This time the just in case was the lens, but sometimes it is out of fear that the main camera will fail at a critical moment (you all know how fast a baby's mood can switch). Sometimes, my camera stays in the studio longer than intended... and I walk past the studio 30 or so times each day but keep forgetting it is there. What I am trying to say... I have no pictures to post today. Oh wait, yes I do. This one. Three ways. Love it, don't you?

This post started out as intended for a link to an applique I want to duplicate on something for Sophie. I don't know what yet, but isn't the applique so sweet? I love the tree, the swing. Not the rest though... too ruffly for me. Well, I do love it - it's just not practical and when it comes to dressing the girls, I am all about practical these days. Emma and Sophie had four wardrobe changes in one day on Sunday (everytime they came in the house to stay they got (needed) fresh clothes and a babywipe bath - they were so dirty). So, practical - it is!

http://likeflowersandbutterflies.blogspot.com/

scroll down to the 4th or 5th picture for the tree and swing.