Playing Around

I haven't really had much time to play much with the new camera... this afternoon the kids went outside to the swings and sandbox, and I took it out there to see what it could do.


I am loving this camera! It's lighter and smaller than our other Canon Rebel, and it is quick on taking a picture. I have been missing so many of "those perfect moments" because the other one wouldn't focus quick enough, or even at all (!), and now I hope to be able to capture more of them.

So far, I am thrilled!

EJ has been "trained" well - I have had a camera in her face since she was born, and she has got posing down to a "T"...


Cub has also had a camera pointed in his direction since birth, but he isn't as easy to photograph as EJ is. He's way too busy to flash his baby blues my way, and he's very much like the other men in our family... they do not like to show their teeth when they smile.

Here, Cub goes a step further.

It's as if he is saying, "Okay. I'll look at your camera, Mommy, but it's all on my terms."


And, what do you know, it is one of my favorite pictures of him!

Free!

These are sweet summer memories, like some I remember having with my friends when I was a kid... I took these yesterday when EJ had a friend over. Her Mom made them matching dresses from pillow cases, and they are truly adorable. I asked the girls to put them on so I might get their picture together, and after the "posed" pictures this is what they wanted to do...


Cub just had to follow them on their flight through the front yard... in his diaper no less!

Still, priceless to me...
Happy Wednesday Yall!

Oh Happy Day!

We got a new camera! It's a Canon Rebel XSi... we had a Canon Rebel, and it has been one awesome camera, but I am hoping to get a bit more involved with all this photography.

I can't wait to really play with it - I did go out to the rock garden this morning and take a couple of shots of the flowers in my wine barrels...


Much more to come as I get accustomed to this camera, and all that it will do. I hope to take a few classes, and get my family and friends to continue being my guinea pigs as I learn the ins and outs of how to make great pictures!

Puppies, Puppies, Everywhere...

We are a week and a few days into this new world of kids and puppies, and we are learning a lot. I can only hope the puppies are too!

1.) They are just adorable... okay, I learned that from just holding them at Aunt Peggy's house, but I had to say it just one more time.

2.) Puppies are a lot of work. I knew this from the start, but I am now feeling it! Potty training is the hardest part, and the next is keeping peace when the chaos of puppies and kids playing/biting/holding ensues!

3.) I have always been a "cat person"... sure, we have had many dogs in my lifetime, but I have always had a cat, or two, or three. Okay, or four, five and six... I think I am now a cat/dog person! These puppies are just too adorable...

Oh, have I said that already?!

Now, here is their latest picture - they are 7 weeks old... Jesse is first, and then Buzz. You can tell them apart by their ears right now, if by no other way... Buzz has one ear up, and one down. Both dogs will have ears standing up eventually, and Buzz's began standing up late last week. Too cute!

If I had a Penny...

If I had a penny for every time my children said "Mommy" I would be a millionaire. And that is just a days worth. It has been a long week... a fun week, and a tiring one, but I bet the kids have said "Mommy" more than ever. I love them, and I love being that "Mommy" they are calling for, but sometimes at the end of a long week I want to change my name to something else!

I think this is my 100th post... I must look to be sure, but this makes 100 times I have sat down to talk about this crazy life we have going on here... I am so excited that I am saving memories for the kids to look back on later, as well as myself!
Update: In one place it says it is my 100th post, in another it could be 91.... since I am not going to stop and count (!), I will go with approximately 100 posts. Works for me!

I realize I am rambling today, but that is kinda the way my day is going...

We will be back at Billy and Reynie's house on Sunday for Father's Day - I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and time spent with the special Daddies in your family!

Happy Father's Day Geoff, Diddy, and Grandpa Choo Choo!!!

Gardenias and the Weather

I love the smell of gardenias... we have two bushes in our yard, and they are overflowing now with blooms and flowers. It sure is nice to sit out on the porch and enjoy their aroma... but you have to wait until the sun has gone down, because it is just way too hot to think about during the day. Yesterday was a record breaking 98 degrees here, and that was without the good 'ol southern humidity added in...

Still, the gardenias smell really, really good!

Our Dancing Princess, Hula Style

Dear Elizabeth,

We are so proud of you! I know you were a little afraid yesterday when I dropped you off for your dance recital, and had "a little bit stage fright" as you put it. You looked so beautiful in your costume and stage make-up (A little too much so - note to Geoff and Diddy - clean the guns now ... adolescence will get here before we are ready!).

Momma, Diddy, Aunt Runelle, Daddy, Cub and I waited patiently as the recital progressed for your number... and I cried as you bravely danced your way on stage with the class. I knew you had a bit of "stage fright", but no one else would have ever known - you were right in step, in time with the music and tapped your little heart out. Your smile was as big as the sun, and my heart swelled as the music came to an end and yall waved as you left the stage.

I was still crying then too, and not because I was sad, Boo Boo. I was overwhelmed with pride and joy. I was proud of you for taking on something you were a little uncertain of, like dancing on a big stage in front of hundreds of people, and doing such a excellent job. I was joyful because you like to dance, and it makes you happy. (And, coming from a Mommy who danced my way from childhood to adulthood, it does a heart good...)


Now, this picture of you and your Daddy makes my heart swell too - another Daddy's Girl in the making. Be proud of that, sweetheart... be very proud.


So, to sum it up, I want you to know that your family loves you. We will be there for you through it all. God made you special, and we are lucky he gave us you to love and watch grow... very lucky!

Now, about the make - up....

Dearest Cub,

I just wanted to tell you that I was also very impressed with you yesterday too... you sat most patiently in Momma's lap for Sissy's group to come on stage and dance. Your sweet enthusiasm for your sister's dance was touching, and affirms my secret knowledge that yall really do love one another. By forgoing your afternoon nap, and being so good I am most impressed... we love you very much, and know God has big things in store for you.

I love you both, to "infinity and beyond"... Mommy