Daddy's Pick

Actually should be: Daddy's Pic. Eli took these pictures the other night when I was out with the girls. Dane is actually looking at the camera in 2 of these! Something he'll never do for me because he's too busy, you know, trying to hug and kiss and snuggle me. It's not that he's too busy playing trucks to look up. Don't be fooled:)

Been Eat'n Cookies

I made these popsicookies the other day. Kinda fun. Naydine likes them!

It's my friend, Jessica's, birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We went out the other night and painted some pottery. It was a blast. The local shop here has Diva Night once a month. You can come in with your own wine, snacks, etc. and paint pottery for a couple hours. We really had a great time, a lot of laughs, and definitely looking forward to next month's Diva Night.

I've also been messing around with my camera. Trying to learn more, trying to be steady, etc. I'm going to do a shoot with my friends, Dean and Tori, tomorrow after church. I'm looking forward to it. Tori used to do some modeling, so, I'm thinking she should be easy!! hahaha...

Hope everybody is having a nice, long, relaxing weekend!!

New Lens

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy.

Since my last blog, we've been to Florida. I might have a few pictures to post, but nothing great. Eli has been back at work so, it's been hectic with the kids. Dane, he's started the terrible two's. Which is fine, he's just not taking too well to the fact that this life is not all about him. If that's the case, do most people even leave the terrible two's?

I bought a new lens. 28-135mm. The AF seems a little slow to me, but all I can really compare it to is the 50mm f/1.8. Which, I totally miss that DOF with this new lens. However, it is nice to have some range in the bag. Um, did y'all like my new lingo?? hahha.... whatever.

Here are a few shots with the new lens.....

Maybe I'll get with the program and do a real post soon!! Let me collect my thoughts. I know there is more stuff I would like to write about Dane because I don't want to forget them.

Off to the library, I promised Naydine!

Strawberry Shortcake: Recap

The party went as well as a 3 y.o. party can go, I guess.

Great weather. Check.
Perfect cake. Check.
Juice boxes. Check.
Lunchables. Check.
Sick Birthday Girl. Check.

Yeah..... she was not feeling the best. But she made a go for it.

Here's the deal with the cake. Awesome, huh?? So, my friend Bootsie volunteered a few months back to bake a cake with her Strawberry Shortcake pan for the SS party. Well, let's just say, she skipped using the pan. This is actually our builder and his wife building this cake. Marshmallow fondant, buttercream icing, and fancy candle. This cake was awesome looking AND awesome tasting. So, thank you Bootsie and Jason!



Yes, she is jumping off the diving board. And LOVING it!! It's so funny. She's so small and she just jumps right off there. However, when I zoom up on her face in these pics, it looks scared! hahaha....




Yeah, a picture of me finally made the blog!! hahaha.... RARE!


Rock out, Jazzy!!



Dean and Tori. Thanks for coming guys!!

I think Ryder was the only child to finish all his cake! hahaha... Get it done, boy!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for Naydine!! She's "free" now! haha.... three......

Happy Birthday, baby

Naydine, I cannot believe you are 3. It's impossible. Well, 3 years really isn't that many. But 6lb 14oz, 19 3/4" long, tiny baby girl, was a long time ago.

You are beautiful in so many different ways. Your heart, it is sooooo soft. You love your family. And you love your friends. And animals. And your soon to be friends. You are a good girl. Yes, you have your moments, but you ARE good.

You do no like to look at my camera... so this shot surprises me. Thanks, honey. I really wanted a birthday picture of you!!

You are going to start your new school soon. Again, I can't believe you do school. You really love school. If you didn't love it so much, I wouldn't send you till you were going to Kindergarten. This year you'll be at the Sandhills Classical Christian School. And if all goes well, and mom and dad can afford, I hope you can continue going there while we live in Southern Pines. Pretty soon you'll be able to write your name. You can almost say your name right. I'm sorry we gave you a big name. Well, not really. But you used to call yourself Teenie Deenie. And now you are saying, "Daydine". Very cute. I love it. You know your birthday is August 10. I want to say all the stuff that you know, but seriously, we'd be at this forever. A long time ago, you knew your mom was "Jaime" and your dad was "Eli". No, you don't know our phone number yet. Let's keep it that way. You are only 3.

I think you weigh about 25 pounds. Your hair is getting THICK. Your eyes are more grey than blue now. You look identical to your mother at age 3, but way skinnier and your hair is curlier. Most of your pants are still 18 months, shirts are 2T. Your shoe size is 6.5. Right now your favorite movie is Veggie Tales: Moe's Big Exit. You love your Moose A. Moose stuffed animal, Baby Born, your snugglies and dresses. This year, Strawberry Shortcake was your party theme. I wonder what next year will be?? I love wondering what you'll want to discover next!

Honey, you melt our hearts. We don't want you to get any bigger. But you will and we are going to love you BIGGER.

We love you!
Mom and Dad

Better Late than Never!

Almost a month ago, I took these pictures for Amy and Josh of my nephew, Landen. Yeah, I'm just getting the CD ready for her now. I'm a slacker Aunty. Sorry guys! But here's a little preview of the CD that WILL BE IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK! I promise:) haha...

Play Date

Yesterday we had a play date over at my friend Jessica's. Since my kids won't look at the camera anymore, I thought I should practice taking pictures of my friend's kids.

It was nice in their backyard, plenty of shade for a 95* day!! My kids basically just wanted to play in their playroom the entire time, by themselves. Aaahh, and I just let them! Peace and quiet:)


This is Ethan. He was hilarious! He was jumping in the mud and peeing all over the backyard. Hahaha....



And Ethan's brother, Evan...

And here is Jasper. She's been on the blog before, but when she was only 6 days old..... here she is at 3 months and has the cutest nickname, JAZZY. I love it!

Here's Jessica, filling up the huge pool. haha...

And here's Amelia.... she's also been on the blog before. She reminds me so much of Naydine when she was younger. Just so tiny...... I miss it!!

And here's Jazzy again.... She started smiling all over the place and I must have gotten excited because most of those shots turned out blurry. Ugh.... I hate when that happens.