Sep
20th

Touch of Sun

Posted on September 20, 2011

I love the challenges over at iheart Faces. They are so creative. This weeks challenge is Touch of Sun. I actually had another picture in mind for my entry. But then I came across this one I forgot I had. I LOVE the sunlight coming through the trees and if you look closely, you can see a small rainbow image at the bottom in the grass. That was a neat surprise when i saw it on the computer.

If you’d like to see some more Touch of Sun photos, click over to http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/09/photo-challenge-light/ 

 

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials

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Sep
20th

Backlighting Challenge

Posted on September 20, 2011

I came across this amazing blog called Rock the Shot. It has such great information for us photographers. It also has a September challenge that I can’t pass up on entering.

 Once I saw the challenge I immediately thought of this picture…

This was a fun shoot with 2 teeangers changing wardrobes and shoes faster than superman in a phonebooth! We shot on railroad tracks but noticed the sun going down faster than usual. So this girl quickly changed (once again) for this shot.  It’s one of my favorite shots of her. I like how you see the sunlight around her hair but yet, you don’t see the sun. And the wind is blowing her hair so slightly.

If you’d like to see more of the other enteries, head on over to http://www.rocktheshotforum.com/  Some of those pictures are absolutely AMAZING!

 

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Sep
9th

Mooching, once again

Posted on September 9, 2011

One of the benefits of living on the same street as your parents… A Free Dinner! No cooking, a little cleaning and fun company. This time my nephew was able to join us. He goes to his Dad’s house often, so we really don’t see alot of him. But when we do, him and Payton are usually goofing off. She likes it when he’s around.

The 2 of them are always loud and just run all over the house. And yes, after a little bit, someone always gets in trouble!

But that’s ok, with a smile like this…

You can get away with anything!

Just like my Mom. My dad bought her a new purse. We learn from the best. Thanks Mom!!!

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Sep
8th

The 4th! (yes, of July, not September)

Posted on September 8, 2011

Scott finally had the time to add memory to my computer, so all of my pictures that have been sitting on my memory card for 2 months are finally getting edited! Yay, I am so happy!!!

Our 4th was pretty laid back this year. It was all about the kiddos in the neighborhood having fun. We got together in the afternoon for some waterslide fun. The kids had a blast playing in the water.

 

 The kids enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries. These were by far Payton’s favorite treats of the night. I think she ate the most out of everybody.

The Pre-Show (sparklers)

And the BEST part of the night was watching the excitement on the kiddo’s faces.

 

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Aug
24th

First Day of Preschool

Posted on August 24, 2011

Payton has been very excited about starting school and the day is finally here. She couldn’t wait to use her Justin Bieber backback and fill it with her school supplies. And she carried her JB lunch box so proudly as well. This is her first time she will be going to school 5 days a week vs staying at home. It’s a big adjustment for her and for me. She looked so grown up. My older daughter just graduated high school and now my baby is going to preschool. They are growing too fast for me! I just hope she will still be happy carrying that backpack in another 3 weeks. We shall see…

 

 

 

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Jul
26th

Water – iHeart Faces Weekly Challenge

Posted on July 26, 2011

This week’s  iheart faces theme couldn’t come at a better time for us. See, my 3 yr old has always been afraid of ANY water to get anywhere near her face. She would scream histerically (and loud) if even a drop of water ran down her forehead. It made it difficult to even wash her hair. But lately, she has been a champ! She really has been trying hard to calm down and just wipe it away.

So when some friends came over to play in our waterslide, she wasn’t freaking out when she got splashed. She was even trying to put the water close to her face. We were very proud of her. And she finally got a taste of summer…

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials

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Jul
13th

The Last Shuttle Launch

Posted on July 13, 2011

Since this was the last launch, I didn’t want to miss out on the photo op to share with my kids when they got older. Jessica had to work, so it was just Payton and I on a road trip to the East Coast. We arrived to meet my friend Ann Marie just about 15 before take off. She took us to her little hideaway sandbar area. The view was great, the weather, not so much. It was cloudy and hazy, but better than at home where is was pouring rain. So, we were very lucky that the lift-off wasn’t scrubbed.  There were people everywhere, along the roadside, up on hills and even on overpasses, just waiting for lift-off. Once it started, everyone was cheering and clapping. 

The lift-off was amazing! The bright red flame and the trail behind it, pretty cool. But, just like that, it was gone! It happened so fast. After about 2 mins, you could hear the rumbling. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t hearing the Shuttle as it was rising and that I would hear it later. That was neat.

Payton was excited she found a shell with a little critter in it. But wasn’t too happy when mean ol’ Mom made her throw it back into the water

Our trip back home lasted 3 hours with all the traffic, just to get into Orlando. That didn’t include our hour and half left from Orlando to Home.  Ours booties were so tired of sitting,  that we went to DOWNTOWN DISNEY!! It was nice going shopping. I love Mickey stuff but it was so hard to not buy everything. But we settled on a bracelet. Then we went to the T-Rex Resturant. If you have kiddos, this is a real cool place to take them. They have animated dinosaurs that moved and roared. Then they have lighting storms every 20 minutes.

Now I don’t know who that man is, but I thought the picture was fuuny because it looks like the Dino is about to eat his head :)

Now dark photography is not my fortay, so bare with me on the next few…

They also have a coral reef area with a large octopus hanging from the ceiling. They had a saltwater tank filled with beautiful fish. Payton loved the pizza there. She talked about this place for days. We have to go back soon. It was fun.

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Jul
3rd

Life’s a Beach

Posted on July 3, 2011

Last week my family and I and a few friends headed down to Naples for some meetings and BEACH TIME!  The sand was pure white and the water had 3 shades of blue. And the sun, felt so warm on our skin.

My Mom and I walked a little on the beach and along the water was dead bees. Not in just one spot, but all down the beach. Never seen that before. I guess they were thirsty?

Dylan and his friend found several sand dollars in the water. So I attempted to go in the water to where they were (which wasn’t that far in), but as everyone knows, I am terrified of walking out in the water. There’s sharks and creatures and if I even step on anything, I freak out. I usually just go up to my calves and call it a day. But I did it! I met them out there. That water was so hot! And very salty. It really reminded me of when I lived up in Jersey and would go to the shore as a kid. Ah how I miss the Jersey Shore (the beach, not the show)!

We only stayed a few hours before we went to dinner at the Cheesecake factory. Next time, we skip dinner and go straight for the dessert.

After that we headed back to the hotel where we relaxed by the pool drinking our Jack and Cokes, ahh… heaven!  We had a convention banquet that night as well but we didn’t go until the very end. It was good timing on our part because there were alot of tipsy people dancing. It was hillariuos!! Jessica’s friend Natalie even posted a few dances on FB. Dylan and his friend had a blast dancing too.  I had never seen him have so much fun.

Yea, life’s a beach when on vacation!

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Jun
30th

Little Sister’s Birthday

Posted on June 30, 2011

After Payton’s stage appearance we all headed to a fancy dancy restaurant… AppleBee’s. Ha ha!

Apparently, that must be the recital after-party hangout. There were lots of little girls in their costumes. By this time though, everyone was starving. Especially Payton, I guess all that dancing made her hungry. She  gobbled down her corndog, breading and all.

The Birthday Girl

 

 

I secertly told the waitress we had a birthday at the table. I can’t believe my sister didn’t notice, I figured she’d be on the lookout of someone telling. She looked mad at first , but that changed fast once the waitress brought out her sundae. A little embarrassed of the singing though. 

Jessica had to have some of that sundae too. That girl LOVES her ice cream.  Payton received one of her own. It was called trash can, or something like that. It had dirt oreos, gummy worms. Look kinda gross, but it was good to her.

Afterwards we partied hard at the parent’s house… with cake and coffee ;)  

Thanks Aunt Stefanie for celebrating your birthday at the recital and dinner! We hope you had a good birthday.

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Jun
29th

A little late, better than never

Posted on June 29, 2011

Yes I know, Payton’s recital was in the beginning of June. But it really has been a very busy month. It feels like it just flew by. We had Jessica’s graduation (pics will be coming), Payton’s first dance recital, Keith Urban concert, vacationing to Naples and more. It really has been crazy busy.

So NOW, I am finally getting to edit and save pictures. But my first share is Payton’s recital. She had her rehearsal the day before the actual recital. She was so nervous, but it was cute. She was afraid to dance on stage seeing all of the parents staring back at her, that she was acting all shy. But the next day, you’d sware she was a pro. She had no fear. She knew just what to do. Their song was Tiger Lil’ and all of the girls did a good job. 

Afterwards they were each given a ribbon for their hard work. This is her first one ever and she was so proud of that!! We had also purchased a trophy to give her as well and gave it to her when she came off of the stage. She told me in the car on the way out “This trophy is so beautiful!”

With her Daddy

And with her PopPop

 

Afterwards we went to Applebee’s to celebrate my sister’s birthday along with her husband Jeff and my Mom and Dad. But that post will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s time for bed!

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