Just Us

icky sicky

2012-02-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

ava and i spent the afternoon at the doctor on monday. both of us are fine. no fever, no strep, no bronchitis. really not sure exactly what it is...just a bug i guess. we are both on antibiotics. she went to school tuesday and i think we over did it as today we are both feeling pewney again.

we did make it to "toy story", as ava calls it {toys "r" us} for a valentine's present for ava and hollis. i had promised them a trip with daddy and i to choose out a special valentine. after walking through the whole store {multiple times} searching for the perfect valentine. we finally found what each little one's heart desired and headed out. of course on the way out we had to ride the rides...and stop at the quarter machines for a piece of junk...

poor ava was ready to go home...she was tired and i think her tiredness and not feeling well is really showing in this pic...even though she is smiling...

we are all just trying to keep up with this little stinker lately! he feels GREAT!

hoping this is our last round of sickness for a while...it's not been fun.

xo,

love, kisses, glitter & hearts...

2012-02-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

call me cheesy, but i love valentine's day...especially since i have three super special sweethearts in my life to share this day of love with!

ava made these uber cute melted crayon hearts for her classmates at school. she helped break up the crayons, and put them in the muffin tray! she watched them melt through the window in the oven door. so cute! she was so excited to see how they turned out.

of course we spent the morning at the doctors office today, ava has ear infections..again. we'll see how she feels in the morning...fingers crossed she gets to go to school for the big valentine's day party. we've been talking about it for weeks...she is so excited and will be beyond bummed if she has to miss....

hope you all have a happy valentine's day!

handsome

2012-01-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

a conversation between my mom and ava at the rodeo today....

ava: he is so handsome.

Grans: yes, ava. the cowboy is so handsome.

ava: {with a totally horrified look on her face} not the COWBOY grans....the HORSE!!!

& then i died laughing...

401

2012-01-16T20:21:00.001-08:00

hey ya'll. i know, it's been quiet around here for a while. we had a super busy holiday and i really just wanted to hibernate with the family and enjoy the time together. getting back into the groove of routine, school, everything has been a bit of an adjustment...crazy how two weeks of no routine, sleeping in, staying up too late can get you all out of sorts! i have also been suffering from some pretty extreme migraines...last week i had one day without a headache...ONE DAY! not how i want to live. i'm off to the neurologist on the 25th to get this sorted out. i'm sure it's a messy combination of hormones, stress, & allergies. bo says i'm just crazy...that the longer he knows me the crazier i get...not sure what that says about him! lol! anyway, above is a pic of my cowgirl after a spend the night with her nonna & cousins and then a day at the stock show & midway {rides}! i picked the kids up at 5 after their busy day. they both fell asleep in the car on the way home, sacked out when we got home, slept through the night and in until 8:30ish this morning. i couldn't believe it! they have never been so exhausted! i know they had a blast!

well, i hope to catch up and post a few pics from the holiday soon! lots going on, but want to make sure i get a few photos up from our family holiday!

oh yeah, and this post is titled 401 because it's my 401st post! wowza!

child of the universe...

2011-12-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

saw this on a favorite blog of mine on a day i needed to read it. wanted to post it here so i wouldn't lose it!

burrnnnnn...

2011-11-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

a conversation between mr. o & i after watching coldplay's interview with ellen:

me: if i were british i would never stop talking...

mr. o: ...you must be british...

i swear, i heard kelso from that seventies show burst out with a big ol' "bbuurrrnnnnn!"

lord...i'll get him for that one! ha!

xo,

just a few pics...

2011-11-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

just a bit of what we've been up to lately...

ava gets ahold of my phone sometimes and i love seeing what she find to photograph! so cute!

before puss in boots. a fun date!

yep, she got ahold of it again...

ava loves her poppy. these are a couple of my favorite photos ever of them together.

telling poppy secrets. can i hear a collective "awwwwwwwww."

it's been busy. no sign of anything slowing down until mid december. i'm ready for some calm.

trick or treat.

2011-11-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun halloween. this holiday is full of traditions and fun for our family. We spent saturday night out with my dad trick or treating around his neighborhood! of course zac and zoe came along, riding in the golf cart and the kids had an absolute blast trick or treating and talking with all the people!

monday we went out to ricky and christina's for dinner with the family and then the annual trick or treating {sans stroller this year! awesome!} the kids had a blast, we had too much fun with family, and i am always so thankful! halloween just might be my favorite holiday. no stress, all fun, kids all cute and dressed up, and an overdose of yummy candy! yep, it's pretty awesome!

hope you all had a great halloween! now the rollercoaster begins through november and december. lots of sessions, loads of parties and get togethers, & tons of reviews on RMRV! it's gonna be a blast!

let them be little {i heart faces}

2011-10-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

had to enter this one of my little man, hollis, this week for the i heart faces "let them be little"! he is such a cutie and insisted on including his horsie in the photo...how could i resist?! he loves his horsie!

can't wait to see all the entries this week! i'm sure there will be tons of cute ones!

xo,

amanda

i heart {pink}

2011-10-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

in honor of breast cancer awareness and all of those affected by this terrible disease, the subject this week at i heart faces is {PINK}. well, that is just right up our alley! with a four year old girl running a muck around the house, you know we are knee deep in pink everything! those of you that read my blog, i know you have seen this photo before. it is a favorite of mine and i love that i get to share it with the i heart faces community on such an important week!

make sure to check out all the other pink-ified entries over at i heart faces and get ready to be inspired!

xo,

the keets.

2011-09-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

my mom decided to get ava three parakeets {which ava has lovingly called "keets" and named "cookie", "blueberry", and "raspberry". interesting choices.} yes, she is spoiled. yes, she loves them. she spent about two hours with bo working with the parakeets trying to train them to sit on her finger. by the time we left, one would sit on her finger. she was so excited and wanted to bring them home! during this two hour training session we had to give the keets a break, it was a lot of training. so ava sat like this in front of the cage and talked to them. it was SO cute! we just laughed and laughed and watched her and listened to her words. "i love you" & "i'm so proud of you." and "my grans got you for me". such simple phrases, but her expressions and hand motions {yes she takes after her mama on that one! lol!} well, it really was just the cutest thing ever!

the crazy train...

2011-09-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

we are still here...hanging on! life has been a bit crazy lately...we had a fun few days with my cousin & his family & my aunt and uncle, then had a few days recovering! lol! we all stay with my mom when they come and it is a blast to be together. but, it is always nice to get back home! It can be a challenge getting things back to normal after the "spoiling" takes place, though! ha!
then this past week we spent sick, the kids both had ear infections and a shocker diagnosis of strep. they had zero symptoms. crazy. glad i took them to urgent care over the weekend...even though my pediatricians office told me to wait it out {all THREE times i called.... :/ } but everyone is on the mend, ava was back at school today, hollis is acting a bit crazier than usual. i blame it on his 5 days of steroids they prescribed him! so, yes...lots of updates & photos to come from all the fun we've been having around here! {besides the sickness, of course!}
just wanted to check in...so you would know we are still kicking!

first day jitters...

2011-08-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

my girl on her way to her first day of preschool! {sorry for the fuzzy photo...she was bouncing all over the place!!}

it's official. i am now "ava's mom". that is how i will be known for many, many years. i can't believe we are already here.

preschool.

ava did great. she went in, found her cubby, hung up her things, hugged {and tried to kiss} her teacher, miss vickie. looked at me with "that look" i get when she's ready for me to dissapear and sweetly said, "bye, mom"

of course, i made her give me a kiss and a hug and told her to have fun, yes i am that mom. and then i was gone and she stayed. and for 6 hours i had no idea what she was doing.

i missed my first shadow. this is going to take some getting used to.

i had a great day with hollis, although the 7 a.m. wake up call wasn't his favorite thing in the world. i am looking forward to this special time for him and i...but letting go of my little girl is proving to be quite a challenge.

i have all these fears, what if someone is mean to her, what if she gets embarassed, what if she is unkind to someone else, what if she doesn't eat her lunch....well, the truth is i know someone is going to be mean to her at some point and that she is going to have moments of embarassement. and i know i will always be here to hug her and love her and tell her to keep her chin up and keep moving forward.

i feel like that mama bird, pushing my little baby bird out to fly {even though my baby bird seems to be leaping out of the nest head first}. i feel like this is the first major step in letting go. she now has a life outside us. she will make her own friends, her own choices. she will have conversations and encounters i will never know about.

& this scares the shit out of me.

oh, the joys of being a parent!

xo,

my boy...

2011-08-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

i took a few shots of the kids the other night for a post on the giveaway blog...i was so happy with the images i came away with of my boy. he only gave me a couple minutes, i don't think he was feeling very good, and it was almost bedtime. but hey, you get what you can, or at least that's what i've learned when it comes to shooting my own children...make it fun, come armed with surprises, and when they are done, let them be done. anyway, i can't believe how grown up he looks in these photos and how much of his personality shines through. he was having fun hamming it up a bit for me for sure!

love this one! that sneaky little grin...he must get that from his daddy ;)

my sweetness. he really wanted his horsie in the photos for a bit...who am i to tell him otherwise?! cutie pants!
stinker!!

this was actually the first time i've photographed my own kiddos in a while, especially hollis...he's not a huge fan of the camera these days...i have to say, even though it didn't last long, we had fun together!
xo,

snippety,snip

2011-08-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

my ava girl got her first big girl haircut today...by my gorgeous friend brandi! love her & her darling salon! ava did so good! she sat so still, brandi was shocked. i told her it was because she had a mirror in front of ava...that girl LOVES to look at herself; make faces, anything. cracks me up!

with a towel on her head like mommy does after a shower! she felt SO big!
loved this little booster, totally old school! rocks!

snippety, snip...off went about 3 inches. her hair looks so much better now. so healthy and pretty!

one more thing marked off the list before pre school .seriously, this time next week i'll be packing a lunch for her in her darling hello kitty lunchbox...i don't know if i'm ready...

my sweet girl. trying to prepare myself for letting go a bit.

xo,

my beautiful birthday boy...

2011-08-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

it's official. the boy is two.

man, it's just not right for them to only be little for such a short time. i want to watch him, listen to him, soak him all in right now, it feels like tomorrow he'll be 18, leaving the nest....i know i have a while, but really, it all passes too quickly. okay, enough mama blubbering, onto the boy's birthday!
donna kept ava overnight saturday, so i had hollis all to myself saturday night and on his birthday sunday. we missed her terribly, but it was super sweet to give him all the attention, have him one on one, and get to spoil him a bit. it was his birthday, after all! we headed out in the morning to buy cake mix for his birthday cake. yes, i am that mom. the one that doesn't make his birthday cake until the day of the party. anyway, he had fun carrying the cake and sprinkles around the store telling everyone he had "cake". such a proud little guy. here he is in the car...reading the instructions on the back of the cake box, i'm sure...

we got home, made the cake, then he went down for a nap. i just love how he is always super happy after a nice nap. loved these sweet pictures of him peeking up at me when he woke up. i'm sure we'll be switching him over to a toddler bed in the near future. these crib pictures make my heart swell a bit.

we spent the afternoon tidying up for the family to come over and watching Rio...for the hundred millionth time {good thing it's a cute movie}. here is hollis playing games waiting for all his favorite people. is it me, or does he look way too grown up here...still has those totally kissable cheeks, though...just like when he was new.

of course, he's wearing his twins hat, sent down to him by his autnie toon toon and uncle phil. he loves it and it's a battle getting it off for baths and betime.

a few of the deocorations...

i don't have any party pics, too busy doing the hostess thing...but i know some family does. i'll get some posted soon so you can see all the action...family, lots of cake, presents, playing outside, and a pinata, of course!!! it was an amazing day. we are so blessed to have this boy.

I had to include a little video of hollis helping stir up his cake. he loves playing in ava's toy kitchen {way more than she ever has}, so getting to help for real, was so fun for him! he was stirring with so much purpose...way too cute!

t.w.o.

2011-08-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

how in the world can this child {the smaller of the littles} be turning two in just a matter of days?!? seriously feels like yesterday he just arrived a sweet little bundle with a head full of black hair and big blue eyes. the presents and cards have started showing up on the doorstep from family far away and he has had so much fun opening them. and i totally have the best family in the world, there is usually a little sweet treat for ava somewhere in the package! so thoughtful! auntie toon toon and uncle phil sent hollis this awesome twins hat and both of the kids some candy necklaces. if you know my children at all, you know candy is the way straight to their heart! he loves both the hat and the candy. wore them all day. even to the smurf movie tonight. cutie pie. i'm sure i'll be updating with all sorts of birthday fun from the weekend...right now the kids are with my mom and i am baking cupcakes for a small family party to celebrate this boy on sunday.

time flies....

xo,

randomness

2011-08-11T21:03:00.001-07:00

one bathroom in a household of 4 should be illegal...i'm just saying...& that's all.

xo,

a little cutesy

2011-08-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

so jen introduced me to the most fabulous iphone app...seroiously, this phone is revolutionary!! lol! anyway, you can instantly download and get your iphone pics printed and sent to your house all right there on your phone...it's amazing. so last week an envelope full of the cutest iphone pics ever showed up on my doorstep...i LOVE them! so many summer memories all there in one little white envelope. i looked through them so many times over several days and wanted to find a way to display them. i remembered these cute bow holders my sister in law created from an old frame and some chicken wire and thought it could be cute to try and remake and use for photos...if it would work! ...and it did!!! finally! a fun place to display a collage of magical iphone photos! think i might have to buy the matching frame off my mom and make one for ava's room...i have enough spray paint and chicken wire leftover...why not? she is turning out to be a photo lover just like me!!

if you have an iphone, you must check out postal pix. so simple, quick & easy. and seriously, since my phone has turned into my go to family moments camera...i had to get a few printed asap! thanks for the link, jen! {bo is right...this phone is going to keep costing him $$$ ;) }

xo,

girlfriends...

2011-08-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

saw this article in a magazine this morning while i was waiting for bo at the retina specialist, or cornea specialist...i can't keep track.

anywyay, it made me miss this girl. made me ponder our friendship and how truly remarkable it really is. how over 24 years and hundreds of miles we have stayed close, like sisters. like there is some sort of invisible force that keeps us together. an unbreakable friendship, a family i am so thankful for and one that i know will last an eternity.

jen emailed me and said that it felt like girls weekend was forever ago. i have to agree. & yes, one day i will blog about that amazing weekend full of laughter, relaxation {yes, i got to lay poolside sans children}, lots of chatting and of course a few {or more} fancy beverages...yes, boone's farm counts as fancy! lol!

this is one of those week i REALLY wish we lived closer. just missing you.

miss you. mean it. xoxoxoxo.

it's getting hot in here...

2011-08-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

so let's go swimm-m-ing... sydney spent part of the day with us and we decided to head to grans house to spend some time in the pool. we have been hibernating in what feels like a cave for about a week now. it's just too hot to do anything outside. miserable. but the kids are going stir crazy and i seem to have lost all patience {whatever i had}, so off to the pool to get rid of some of that crazy energy!
we had so much fun and sydney is such a sweetie. we love her and were so happy to have her spend some alone time with us! Maddy came and spent a day before i went out of town, so syd had to have her own day, too. ava is trying to talk auntie christina into a spend the time sometime before school starts...she is a very persistent little thing! that's for sure!
ava has come so far this summer in her swimming. she does so well and as long as she has on her goggles is like a little fish. if the goggles come off, we're in trouble. she doesn't like that water in her eyes...can't say i blame her!
here she is in all her mermaid glory!

piggy bank cuteness!

2011-08-04T20:16:00.001-07:00

{photo from jen's etsy shop, taken by the fab jen...gotta give credit!!}

my bestie in the whole entire world {yes, the one i went to visit and had a fantastic girls weekend, and have yet to blog about it} has the most fabulous etsy shop where she sells some amazing personalized items as well as other fun things! right now she is having an awesome giveaway on her blog...a personalized mini piggy bank...i'm sure you remember hollis' and and ava's, they are amazing and something we will treasure forever and ever. head over and enter to win, you won't regret it!! she is an incredible artist and never fails to amaze me with her clever and cute designs!! xo, a

shoes.

2011-08-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

"if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning."

~catherine aird

i mean seriously...i know i am far, FAR from perfect...but come on!! i have got to do better...this is what i saw tonight {& most nights} as i was walking to the bedroom ready to go to sleep. Thuroughly annoyed at the shoes in the middle of the floor...and then i see mine in the mix. how can i be annoyed when i am part of the problem, not setting the good example.

yep, mom - guilty.

dad - guilty.

ava - guilty.

the only one not guilty in this messy bunch is hollis...well, he didn't have shoes on when we got home tonight, if he did, i'm sure his little darling flippies would be laid out with the rest. i'm a realist, people.

tomorrow's lesson: PUT YOUR SHOES AWAY...when you walk in the door!!!

attending: all 4

on a sweeter note, check out this totally adorable unicorn helmet, complete with yellow horn, rainbow hair, and magical sparkles, from raskullz that showed up today for missy ava. review/giveaway coming up on the giveaway blog later this month!! seriously adorable and totally going to keep that hard head in one piece when learning to ride on two wheels!
and once again, she thanks the mailman. good grief!!
it's been a long day, mama's ready for some sleep.
xo,
a

little gymnast!

2011-07-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

ava had her "watch day" at gymnastics today. It was so cute to see those girls showing off all their moves! only 4 girls today, so they even got to have some extra turns! seriously, i adore watching ava with her little friends and interacting with other adults...so funny to hear the things she says and stories she tells...she has so much personality!

on the beam. she still loves to watch herself in the mirror, so her balancing skills are sort of off a bit! ha!

stretching it out...

and ava showing off her stellar forward rolls...love her comment at the end, silly girl!

cutest.thing.ever.

2011-07-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

ava loves to dance and loves her dance class. there is only one person i think might love it a little bit more...hollis!! today she had her "show off" day at dance. parents and family can come watch, see what the girls are learning...not a recital, but they do have a few cute dances ready for us! ava did so well and totally rocked "on the good ship lollypop", oh yes, she did! after the girls finished their show, their sweeter than sweet instructor gave them all cupcakes and cookies and they got to play and dance for a bit. like a little party! finally, hollis got the chance to let his inner dancer out and show off his moves...they are pretty fabulous, if i do say so myself...of course, he did learn from the best! {and ava's cousins sweetly came to watch ava dance, they are the girls dancing with him! i love watching these kiddos interact with each other. it's so cute!} i hope you're ready for the cutest thing ever to hit the web, oh yes, my boy, in his dancing glory!!

{please excuse all of my laughing, but i was totally shocked at his little free spirit...he is a bit outgoing, but i don't think i knew just how much until today. really, i coudln't believe my eyes...}

xo,

bang, bang. choo choo train.

2011-07-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

oh yes, i did it. i got my hair did!! and in a last minute decision, i had my stylist {& good friend...if you are in ft worth and need a great stylist/fun salon to go to, let me know!!} cut those bangs we had trimmed to my chin...oh yes, i went all the way, people! i haven't had bangs in over 10 years...i think they are still in shock {my bangs, that is}. they are being a little squirrely...who thought you have to "train" bangs...oh hair, you make me laugh! anyway, i am excited about my new look and wanted to share. i was just so bored with my long, straight, style...was needing a little something different, shake things up a bit...& i'm glad i did...now to train these bad boys ;)

isn't it amazing how wonderful a new hairstyle can make you feel? like a whole new person?! {and seriously, someone else washing your hair is the best feeling in the world...um.hm.}

xo,

prop love {i heart faces}

2011-07-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

oh, props! i just can't get enough! i love incorporating them into my work often, when it is appropriate! i searched for YEARS for a buggy like this one, but gosh, they were all so expensive...so happy to find one {well, my mom found it} at an estate sale at a price i could swallow. i loved using it during this sweet boy's session! gots to love those props!!

isn't he so cute! i had envisioned it out on their property under the trees...but lord, it was windy! so the porch had to work!!

xo,

home.

2011-07-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

well, my mom and i left for vacations the same day. She and Felix drove up to minnesota the same day i took off for kansas. we caravaned through kansas and it was really nice to have a little safety net in case i ran into any issues. i have never drove that distance alone before, so it was a new {and wonderful} experience. anyway, my mom just got back in town late tuesday night and we spent yesterday evening over at her place swimming, eating, watching movies, and running to target! FUN! i am so happy she is back. we spend so much time over there that i have decided her house is an extension of ours. when we are there it is like we are home. i love that feeling. anyway, just a few shots from yesterday morning on the "castle" and last night swimming!

this was too funny. ava kept calling sam in the pool. he would swim out to her and then she and sam would swim back to the steps together! ha! she really did turn into more of a fish while i was gone. she spent a lot of time swimming at her nonna's house with her older cousins and i think she learned a lot by watching them!

the princess in her castle.
swinging.

& more swinging...they love this big swing!

the kids are loving their swingset and i love that it was such a special gift from multiple sets of grandparents for both of their birthdays. we have some pretty amazing family around us!

xo,

best.weekend.ever.

2011-07-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

more to come from this amazing, wonderful, got younger, & needed it more than i knew weekend away with jen {aka: my bff since the first day of the first grade!...she's basically me, but with curly hair!!}

xo,

lake love.

2011-07-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

we spent sunday and monday out at lake weatherford. {bo's families lake house} we love it out there and it is a place where the whole family can just show up and everyone is welcome and has fun together. we planned to meet ricky, christina, and the girls out on sunday and we had the whole place to ourselves...it was so nice. Grammy and Grandaddy even stopped in for quick visit before we left.

maddy and ava walking in the water. ava loves being with maddy and i think she is learning so many wonderful things from maddy. she is just a sweetheart and i love that ava is looking up to her and sydney so much. they are amazing examples.

uncle ricky with maddy, sydney, and ava out on the jet ski.
a few people decided to ski right before a storm blew in...had to include this photo to show how L.O.W. the water is...seriously, two summers ago it was all the way up to the retaining wall several feet behind where i was standing to take this photo. it's crazy how every year the water is different. i prefer a lot more than we have this year. {when the beach is growing grass...we have a problem.}

the kiddos playing in the sand.

hollis playing on daddy's wakeboard. i bought this for bo for christmas probobly 8 years ago.

don't know why, just loved this shot.

by the time we got home, both kiddos were exhausted and sawing some logs in the back seat. it was such a fun day!

it means so much to me to have my children growing up out at lake weatherford. it is the cabin that their great grandpa {pawpaw} and their grandaddy built, the same beach that their grandaddy grew up on, the same water their daddy and uncle grew up swimming in, and now they are growing up in the same place. i love places that hold history, and the lake house holds a ton...so many stories; it is where i first met bo {that is another blog post all together}, where we fell in love under the sunshine.

now they get to make their own memories. {only we know about the skipping school and taking girls out there...so hollis better never try that one! ha!}

hope you all had a happy 4th!

birthdays galore!

2011-07-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

this week has been so wonderful! we have had so much fun family time celebrating birthdays and just having fun being together. today i turned 31 & i'm okay with that. however, i truly wish that "birthday food" was calorie free. that anything you consume on your birthday or the birthdays of your children would not land on your waistline. i have a feeling that after the past few days of "celebrating", the scale is not going to love me. i might let myself wiggle tomorrow, maybe eat a donut in the morning, but after that, it's back to the routine. no more junk. {and by junk, i mean ALL the things I LOVE!!!} it's so worth it though! i think marilyn monroe said, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."..or was it kate moss?? ...i don't know if she is totally correct, i mean, birthday cake tastes pretty amazing, but it sure feels good to feel good!

so, happy birthday to me :) i spent the day with the kids, relaxing around the house and then of course, a quick errand to target & starbucks. when bo got off work we got ready for a date night. grans kept the kiddos for us and we had a tasty dinner at outback and then went to the movies. it was a perfect day!

hoping 31 is the best year yet!!

xo,

ava turns 4

2011-06-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

today my baby girl turned 4. we spent the day celebrating and having fun doing everything ava loves! we started by opening up some presents...this one was from uncy d, aunt amber, kaitlin, & jack. she LOVES her ballet barbies and was so excited when she opened this one up!

on our way to chuck-e-cheese...ava wanted to see mickey mouse, but the chuck-e-cheese mouse had to fill those big black shoes today. she was okay with that!
hollis and daddy watching ava ride the rides...hollis wasn't too sure about any of them at first. he wanted to sit in them but freaked out when we put in a token and they started to move and make noise! too funny!

ava loves this ride and insists on going on it first every trip! her feet can't quite reach the pedals so daddy has to help her get it going! too cute!

after chuck-e-cheese, grans took hollis home with her and bo and i took ava to see cars 2. she loved it and brought her purse full of cars to play with during the movie. then we headed back to grans house to swim, swim, swim! ava turned into a fish today and swam all over the pool without her water wings. she really amazes me every day! then it was time for cake...the cake ava made...her GIANT cupcake.

making wishes and blowing out candles.

then we watched lilo and stitch {well, part of it} before we had to head home. both of the kids were so tired from all the fun! Ava had so much fun today and we had such a blast celebrating and spoiling our girl.

night, night!

f.o.u.r.

2011-06-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

via pinterest.

to my girl. i hope you know how much i love you. how much every day you brighten up my life and the lives of everyone you come in contact with. your little presence is like a magical force; people are drawn into you. you draw them in with your squirrely ways and silly talk. i love every second. {however, i am hoping the stranger/danger starts to sink in soon...} you have a kind heart and love to love. you love all animals {except sharks and snakes scare you...wonder who you take after ;) }. you love to be outside doing pretty much anything. you are mostly fearless and are usually ready to take on the world. you are a peacemaker and you love your brother with all your heart...even though he can drive you nuts. {yes, i can tell} you love the computer, television, you would sit in front of it all day if i would let you. you love to be a helper, to be included in what is going on around the house. your favorite toys are your cars, horses, and of course, your barbies...and you can't go anywhere without your pink blanket and a pillow pet {..or two, or three, or four...} you are a night owl and i don't think you get enough sleep...it's like you don't want to miss anything. you amaze me every day and i am so blessed to be your mama. xoxo sweet girl.

happy birthday to you.

i love you squirrel. happy birthday.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo...

mama

glimpses of my old self.

2011-06-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

i thas been a while since i have done a weight loss update, thought i should let you all know how that is going. so far i'm down 30 lbs. yay! i have reached my second goal, back to my hollis pre-pregnancy weight. {my first goal, in case you were wondering, was to get my wedding ring back on my finger...mission accomplished!} now i have 20 more to get to my final goal, weightwise, my ava pre-pregnancy weight {or pretty darn close to it!}. weight watchers really is working for me and i am SO happy. as the weight is coming off {slowly....but it's coming off} i catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror or see my faint reflection in a window and in those glimpses i am starting to see my old self. it is amazing how much 50 pounds can physically change you and you don't even realize it. crazy! i feel so good and now i need to get back to exercising. i know this will help me reach my goals a bit faster and make me look and FEEL even better! i have been so inspired by my bestie jen. She has worked out almost 31 days straight {31 days before her 31st birthday}. i am so proud of her for being so dedicated and sticking with it! i can't wait to see her and hopefully have some of her good exercise vibes rub off on me...maybe she can get me started while i'm there...hint, hint... {jen, i know you're reading this! ha!}
so, that's all. sharing this photo again...it is one that when i look at it i see a little bit of the old me. and it feels so good!

i heart faces {whimsy}

2011-06-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

this weeks i heart faces challenge is "whimsy". this is an old favorite, i'm talking 2009, here. it is just oh, so summery and i have always loved it...thought i would share it for this challenge.

iphone photo love

2011-06-26T19:49:00.001-07:00

bo bought me an iphone for mother's day and i LOVE it!!! it has become my camera stand in on many a family outing and even around the house, when things happen and i don't have time to run and grab the camera. i am trying to work on the fuzziness of some of the photos...but here are just a few of my little cuties from the week we had!

my girl before going to sydney's 7th birthday party...she insisted on wearing the hat...

at grans house...playing in gran's shoes...girls got attitude...
a bed i FINALLY found. i have been searching for one for our room...then i find out bo hates them. good thing this one is a double, perfect for ava's room! {and some photos, of course!}

me and my boy. snuggles...always good.

hollis looking cool after an evening swimming at gran's house...yes, we hang out over there lots. and we love every second.

ava before ballet class. she looked so cute, i had to snap a photo.

my mom's friend jean took this photo of hollis. i loved it. had to include it. that's ava's hat...she refuses to wear it. he loves it. i think it is now his...watch, not she's going to want to wear it all the time...isn't that the way it always works?!

xo,

a few from the birthday!

2011-06-25T21:44:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

NO...she's not 4....yet...

we had ava's party last weekend at a local aquatic center. it was so much fun! i love how they shut down the park just for our private party, so fun having it all to ourselves. ava had a blast and i don't think she wanted it to end! here are just a few photos...i have so many more but haven't even had a chance to go through them all, and i'm not even going to promise them to be posted...because we all know how life goes...can't believe my baby is going to be 4 in less than a week...she is amazing, changing every day, growing up into such a sweet, smart, compassionate girl. she is my dream come true.

her birthday is thursday and we are going to spend the day doing all of her favorite things! i can't wait to spoile her rotten! i just love her to bits.

xo,

mama

bumbleride giveaway

2011-06-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

We love our bumbleride stroller! The indie twin is fabulous! I would love to get a single for hollis now that ava is getting bigger and not needing one so much! Once again, the bragging mommy is giving away a bumbleride stroller, a Flite! Head on over to enter! I don't know a mom who wouldn't love to have a bumbleride! they are high quality, easy to push, and super comfy for the kiddos! yep, i love a great giveaway!

good luck, friends!!

xo,

playing catch up...in no specific order.

2011-06-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

i know. it's been a bit since i've updated the blog with photos of the kiddos and what we've been up to. mostly we were hit with a viscious bug a few weeks ago and it took a couple weeks to cycle through the family. hollis, then ava, then, of course, me. it was so bad my mom had to come get the kids for a few days. i just couldn't do anything. it was awful! but we are better now and ready to get back into the world! just a few random photos from the past month or so...i have lots from ava's birthday party and her four year old photos to share...coming soon, i guess!

we made some cute cards for father's day! we are so lucky to have so many wonderful dad's in the lives of our children. their daddy, uncles, grandpas, and great grandpas!

this was the night before ava got so sick. little sleeping beauty! we had spent the day swimming and out in the sunshine.
love this shot of bo and hollis. we got rid of that rocker yesterday. kind of painful. we rocked both babies in that rocker. i'm so sentimental it makes simple and logical things more difficult than they should be.

my little man. he LOVES to sleep! {& i am so thankful!}

father's day. bo had to work, but he got in a few stories before he took off!

ava and her horses! she loves them so!

now this just cracks me up! hollis will ride anything...ANYTHING. matchbox cars, stuffed animals, hats...if he can sit on it, he can ride it! and the life vest was a nice touch :)

my little fish. we are getting this girl out of water wings this year. she is doing so good. still not a strong swimmer, but we are getting there! going to my mom's later today to practice!

bo and i celebrated our 6th anniversary on the 11th. i was so.sick. he remembered and brought me these beautiful flowers. we are going out this week to celebrate! better late than never, right?

we spent a fun day out at the lake with the family. ava loves her maddy and sydney. it is so fun to see these cousins together! they have so much fun and i love that ava has such sweet girls to look up to.

so, that's all for now. i'll try to get some more updates up soon for my few loyal readers :) i adore ya'll and love that you enjoy keeping up with us! i'll try and spice things up for you soon!

xo,

working

2011-06-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

wow! we have been so busy around here. keepingup with the kids, shooting, and trying to get the house all organized has proved to me a lot for this mama to handle! i wanted to share a few photos from some recent sessions. it seemed like i was shooting non stop in april/may and now that summer has set in, it seems i've slowed down a bit {which has finally given me a nice little break}.
this first family is the very first family that i shot that i did not know personally. they were my first referral. this is the third time i have photographed their family. i can't tell you how how much it makes my heart burst when i meet up with them. they are such a precious family, but around a year ago they were the first to take a chance on me. that is something i will never forget.

meet their sweet little niece...she is turning one! cutie!
corey brought out her sisters and niece and nephew for a few family shots. they wanted to give their dad a special photo for father's day. beautiful family!

this family was also a referral from an old high school friend of mine. another super sweet family i loved meeting and getting to spend a morning with :)

turning one

such gorgeous little girlies :) and very sweet sisters! i really love the four year age difference...so nice to have a helper with the little one!

this next family is just so precious. jami is a high school friend that contacted me about newborn photos early in her pregnancy. it was so fun to reconnect with her through photographing her maternity photos as well as her sweet baby boy. he is so gorgeous! it took a few days, but we finally completed the shoot and i got some images i am so proud of. it is no secret that my passion is newborn photograpy. i could have moved in with them for a few weeks and spent every day with this little guy. {of course, then i would have missed my own littles...but goodness, he is sweetness personified!} picture overload, coming up!

i loved getting a few shots of them just hanging out together.

jami has always been exremely beautiful. but i really think motherhood has brought out even more beauty in her. there is just something in her eyes when she is with her baby boy, like you can see how much she loves him and how much he has changed her world.

congratulations on your gorgeous new bundle of love!

xo,

mothers.

2011-05-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

i spent the day today with my family. i kissed and squeezed my babies extra tight and can't even tell you how many times i thought, "how did i get so lucky?!"

not just because of my two beautiful, wonderful, squirrels. but because of my own mother. the mother that i have learned so much from. she is a true teacher. over the years she has shown me unconditional love, respect, strength, friendship...so much more than she ever will know. she has taught me everything and is my best friend.
here is a shot from a recent session. a new mama with her bundle of joy. a bunch of wishes, dreams, and future wrapped up in a tiny blanket.

happy mother's day.
xo,

amanda

shooting & a fab giveaway...

2011-04-24T20:58:00.001-07:00

oh my...the blog has once again been neglect...and i don't have any excuses for you. just life. lots of time with the kids, working around the house, shooting gorgeous seniors, babies, and beautiful mama's to be...can't complain! wanted to hop in and share some recent session photos and also tell ya'll about an amazing giveaway going on at CRAVE Photography. Check out her blog and enter to win a two day, all expense paid mentorship...that would be such a dream come true. 5 ways to enter...blogging is one of them...you can't say i don't try, now can you! seriously, i would love two days to pick her brain and watch her in action...it would be amazing!

on to some photos...

this beautiful mama to be is an old friend from high school. i haven't seen her since the day we graduated and it was so fun to catch up and capture such a beautiful and pivotal time in her life. she is so stunning and we had a blast running around fort worth shooting, chatting, and just laughing.

i wish i had craved more apples when i was pregnant...
probobly one of my favorite shots from the evening

this little guy is just a doll. he slept so well for us and we got some amazing shots! {when i say "us" i am talking about me and my good friend, shelley...more on her in a bit!}

a sweet one for daddy.

precious little guy.

isn't this next little guy a cutie?! he is my friend shelley's client's baby boy. shelley and i met around a year ago on a local photography forum discussing baby buggies for props. we met up for dinner one night and after talking and laughing over three hours that first night, i knew we would be friends. she is now one of my best friends, whether she likes it or not! she is such a wonderful person, her work is amazing and inspiring. i second shot for her on a few weddings and recently we have been tagging along on some shoots together just to lend an extra hand or hold a baby, whatever! it's so much fun to have a photog friend to share with. we swap props, ideas, anything. such a blast! we have so much fun and i am so thankful to have met her. anyway, this is just a quick one i snapped of this little cutie!

onto the seniors.

seniors are so.much.fun. i have always thought i was destined to focus on newborn photography, but after photographing a few seniors this spring, i can't help but love them! seriously, they come to play! some of the most stylin kids i've seen, up for anything, and ready to have fun. no chasing, candy bribing...really, i adore working with kids, but these seniors were just the breath of fresh air i needed!

handsome.

this guy joined the marines and is heading off to boot camp this summer.

isn't she beautiful? i met carly when i was student teaching in her mom's {my good friend, vickie} 4th grade classoom. carly was in the 4th grade at the time. it makes me feel incredibly old that she is graduating this year. i am so proud of her and just love her to pieces. beautiful girl, inside and out!

so there's an update on the shooting front! hopefully will be back tomorrow with some updates on my two little wild things! we have been having so much fun and just had the best easter weekend!

dont' forget to enter the CRAVE mentoring giveaway! seriously, it would be a dream.come.true!!!! fingers crossed :)

little gymnast.

2011-03-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

i enrolled ava in a little gymnastics class at the local recreation center a few months back. she loves it! this past weekend we got to watch the class to see how much the kids had learned. oh my goodness! i was so thrilled to see ava learning so much and really just excited to be there. of course i brought my camera, but the lighting was super strange and i didn't want to pop my obnoxious flash, so, wonky colored photos they are. but they are precious still! so proud of her. on a sidenote, there are usually around 10 girls in her class. not sure why only four showed up saturday...but oh well, that made it better for us to watch! so cute!

have to stretch first!

more stretching...is it just me or is ava super bendy?!

rockin the forward roll!

this was interesting...but she loved it!

balance beam...of course it has to be right by a mirror. if you know my girl, you know if there is a mirror nearby she is lookin in it. kind of messes her up on the balance beam...maybe i should invent some type of blinder for her when she is on the balance beam! ha! have to keep her focused!

little miss. hot to trot.

of course, i just deleted the photo of her flipping over the bar...oh well, i'll add it in another post...too tired right now! off to bed! it has been such a busy week!

missing.

2011-03-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

missing this girl. my bestie. the one who gets me. the one i can sit with and not say anything and be comfortable. love this photo of jen and hollis from the park one chilly morning in kansas.
a

homeade play doh = supermama!

2011-03-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

we made play doh today :) ava had gymnastics this morning and as a reward for being a good listener, we decided to make some play doh.who knew that making play doh with the kids would transform me into a supermama in their eyes! "mama, you're the best ever" i belive is what ava said. so cute! she helped me mix all the ingredients together and then waited so patiently while i mixed everything over the heat of the stove. both of the kids had so much fun playing at the table with their new play doh. and it was so much fun to do with them!

i mean really, who wouldn't use their barbie comb and compact to work their play doh?!

those kitchen tools really coming in handy!

okay, so hollis did like the play doh, but really liked drumming the spoons on the table as loud as he possibly could.

cookin away on the stove!

anyway, had a great day with the kids. hoping to get outside a bit more tomorrow, maybe a park date with my littles. feels like spring has arrived!

love,

wanted to come back and share the recipe i used...so easy and i had almost everything, had to run out and grab some cream of tartar.

1 cup flour

1/4 cup salt

2tbsp cream of tartar

combine together and add to above:

1 cup water

2tsp. food coloring

1 tbsp vegetable oil

cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes and the doh will slowly thicken in the center of the pot. remove from heat and let cool a bit. place on lightly floured surface and knead together.

ENJOY!!!

{thanks auntie toon toon for the recipe!}

back in the saddle again.

2011-03-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

so, we're back. we spent all of last week on a family roadtrip from texas to kansas to minnesota and then back! we had so much fun and got to see so many of my favorite far away friends and family, even got to help celebrate my grandpa's 89th birthday! so fun! we had planned this trip a few months back, for many different reasons. 1. we haven't been back to minnesota in over 2 years and that is just way.too.long. i have so much family up there that i absolutely adore and needed to go home and visit! {i was born there and only lived there for a few months, but it still feels like "going home"} 2. we wanted to help welcome my cousin's baby into the world! {little did we know, he waited for us to arrive! coming into the world about the same time we drove into minneapolis! and we thought he would be around a week old when we got there...already has a mind of his own!} 3. perfect excuse to stop in and see my bestie and her sweet husband in kansas, although i am definitely in need of some one on one girl time with her...that will have to wait until summer!
i have so many pictures to share from our trip of all the fun we had and people we got to visit, but that will have to wait for another day. i am exhausted and have been trying to catch up on laundry and housework for two days and getting back into our own routine around here.
i really just have so much grattitude for all of the special people in our lives, near and far. i don't know how we got so incredibly lucky.

so for now, i'm going to share this short and sweet clip of ava holding her new second cousin. maybe third...not quite sure how all that works. he is gorgeous, and perfect and seriously, i wanted to sneak him home in my pocket! ava adores him and alex and kirstin were so sweet to let her hold him for a bit. she did so good and even sang him a little twinkle, twinkle in the softest sweetest voice that only he could hear {and if you've met my girl, you know she's loud, this was just way too sweet!}...which i must say, made this mama so proud. she is growing up so much. more photos and memories from the trip coming up later this week! xo

project sort of 365 {days 49-53}

2011-02-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

so lots has gone on in our world this past week and a half...mostly involving sick little ones, which is never fun. {so you know by "lots of stuff" i mean, throw up, medecine, snuggles, whining, crying, liquid forcing, and oh yes, don't forget the hot dinarenas} so, again, not a lot to take pictures of, but still gave it a go.

once again...in reverse order :/ i swear i'll get it right next week!

{day 53}

this is such an incredibly rare occurance..both kids asleep on the couch at the same time...yeah, we know they are both still not feeling good. bo was so sweet and ran to grab the camera, something he never does. i am so glad he caught this moment for me...love these babies so much and just wish they were feeling better.
{day 52}
ava sleeping on the couch...never happens, she's totally sick. but looks like such an angel.

{still day 52}
total angel.

{day 51}

happy first birthday sweet boy. isn't he a doll! had so much fun out on his grandparents farm this past sunday! he is a total oudoorsy boy, just like my kids!

{day 50}

max. such a good boy.

{day 49}

hello squirrel...again. in her favorite "wish bear" shirt. the stars definitely make it a "wish bear" shirt. i decided our bedroom needed some major attention, so while hollis was napping i set ava up with the laptop and an instant movie from netflix while i worked! the light is so pretty in our bedroom. i am ready to get it all in order so it can be my "haven"...isn't that what the oprah says?! yes, this was before the sickness crept in on her...i miss that wild girl...ready for her return.

WW update.

2011-02-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good

~ C.S. Lewis

yep, it's that time again! WW update!

things went pretty well last week...still trying to get more water down. gonna have to bust out my old giant cup i used to drag to school when i was teaching and keep on my desk all day to make sure i got enough water. i had it so together back in the day :) so, mom and i hit our ww meeting monday night...and i am down 3 more pounds!! yipee!! so total, since i started trying to lose weight, i am at a total of 10 lbs!

i am so happy and am trying not to think about the 30+ left to go. i'll get there, and for now i just want to celebrate feeling so much better about myself! and yes, keep trying very hard to be good!

ww update...

2011-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

hit weight watchers with my mama yesterday. lost a little bit, .08 to be exact. hey, i'll take it! as long as i'm losing, i'm a happy girl. i was a bit surprised it wasn't a little bit more though, i really watched what i ate and made lots of concious decisions to pass up some very yummy treats {think girl scout cookies, checken fettuccini alfredo, slurpee....could have had any of those, but decided not to...} going to continue on this journey and hope by my birthday i'll be feeling fab in a red polka dot swim suit!

plan for this week: work on cutting out more of the snacks.

work on adding in some exercise

drink.more.water {why is that so hard?! i love water!}

project 365...sort of

2011-02-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

didn't do so hot on the 365 this week...still going to continue...just try to pick up where i left off! not sure why this past week was harder..probobly because we didn't do much of anything, so i didn't feel like there was anything really exciting to take photos of. there were definitely a few special moments {ava writing her first "a"}, but they passed quickly and the camera was too far away to grab in a hurry. so i just got to enjoy them, which is nice, too :) so here are a few shots from the past week...

{day 45} valentine's day of course! one of ava's rocks. she has a knack for finding heart shaped ones. so she has her own heart shaped rock collection. this one is my favorite. maybe i should let her paint it....
{day 44} from a sweet family session. this home was full of love soaking in all the beauty of a new life.

{day 40} coldest.day.ever. seriously, my fingers froze from the walk from the car to the rec. center where ava's ballet class is. bbbrrrrrrrr....

{day 39} poppy swung by with the puppies. such a fun surprise! the kids love walking them :)

xo,

l.o.v.e. ~ love

2011-02-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

so valentine's day didn't quite go as planned...spent the morning at the doctor with hollis, his 18 month check up! he is perfect, we are so lucky. we did get to go to a movie and then i went to weight watchers with my mom...it really just felt like another day. sort of made me sad, but at the same time, i don't know why i feel like this man needs to go out and buy me stuff or plan some elaborate dinner lit by candles to show me he loves me when he shows me every day and has given me more than i ever could have hoped for. i think it scared me more than anything because i felt like maybe we were losing that spark...because we didn't feel the need to go out and do anything extra special or "romantic"...on the other hand, maybe we are comfortable and happy and that is a good thing...no amount of floral arrangements or fancy dinners could ever equal what our love has created. he can look at me and i know he loves me with every bit of who he is.

this is a photo from wwaayyyyyy back...probobly within the first two months bo and i started dating {i'm talking circa 2000, ya'll}. you know, when the butterflies are fluttering around in your belly and things can even be a little akward at times...but in a good way ;) we took a trip to the river with some of our friends. all i know is i am more in love with this man than ever and when his keys jingle in the door around 3:30 every afternoon, my heart still skips a beat.
xo,
a

work in progress

2011-02-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

Do not wait; the time will never be "just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along. ~Napoleon Hill

so many things about my life are a work in progress...especially my weight goals. but, i am on my way! oh how i wish i could go back to that fit 25 year old and slap her in the face, tell her to enjoy it and not worry so much.

i weighed in at weight watchers tonight, down two more pounds! yay! it felt really good! i was so glad i didn't gain. our scale has been broken so i had no idea where i was. i have been writing down everything i am eating and tracking my points, but a few of my days involved chocolate covered strawberries, pizza, beer, and friend pickles {so yummy!} i didn't go over my points on any day, but i do know that some of these things may not have been the healthiest choices. however, that is one thing i love about weight watchers. i can plan for these things and make them work into my plan. have a nice evening out, eat what i want and still manage to loose a few pounds! hoping this week i can do even better. i am really going to focus on working in even more healthy foods and trying to stay away from too much junk {even if i have the points}. this is really working for me and even though 40 pounds feels a little overwhelming, i feel like i am on my way!

project 365 {day 31-35}

2011-02-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

{day 35}

both kiddos in the snow...lasted all of five minutes...started with excitement and smiles and ended with both kiddosin tears because one wanted to go in and one wanted to stay out! lovely! snow is so much fun, but i am so thankful we don't have to deal with it on a daily basis in the winter time down here. it's really messy!

{ day 34}

my crazy girl in the snow. one of the new facial expressions i get when i ask her to look at the camera. lovely. {i guess it's better than sticking her tongue out at me...when flipping through shots, i usually have a few of those...stinker!}

{day 33}

yumm. arrived on my doorstep in the morning...totally derailed my diet for a few days. but oh so good!

{day 32}

ava in the snow. another new "pose" she strikes when i am taking her photo.

{day 31}

when hollis gets up from his nap i always change his diaper and then we spend a few minutes looking out his window. usually seeing what kind of mischief max and roxie are getting into. he loves watching them run and play in the backyard.

so yeah. lots of down time this week since we were stuck inside and lots of snow. uneventful, but nice to slow down and just be together.

xo,

ice, ice baby...

2011-02-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

it has been one crazy week around here...snow and ice came late monday morning and we haven't left the house since. {well, bo has to go to work, but the kids and i have been housebound} It has actually been pretty nice. I love looking outside and seeing the snow. it's so beautiful. i stocked up on groceries so we've had plenty to eat and honestly i feel like all i do all day is make meals, clean up meals, make meals, clean up meals....which i guess is how i usually feel, but the day is broken up by some outings. tuesday night was the coldest night in 15 years, 7 degrees with a windchill of -13...yes that is a negative sign people...so cold! i know that shortly the sun will come out, melt away the snow. temps will rise and before we know it we will be running around in shorts and tank tops sweating our buns off! so, i'm enjoying every single second of this frigid weather {and it's getting us ready for our minnesota trip, anyway! a little cold weather boot camp! ha!} just a few silly shots from this week...both over exposed, but the only ones i got of these fun moments...so you know, just enjoy :)

this child and his paci's! he cracks me up. this was the first time i've seen him perform this double paci stunt. cracked me up...and he thought he was pretty tricky!
the only shot i've gotten of both kids in the snow. just imagine, moments before i snapped, we had just gotten all layered and bundled up to go outside {yes, i see that hollis is in desperate need of some cold weather gear! as soon as i can get out i'll be getting it...but don't worry, i think he had on about 5 layers of clothes, he was nice and toasty}, as soon as we get out, i ask the kids for a picture and ava pushes hollis down in the snow...actually they both end up in the snow. hollis doesn't like it one bit and his fronyard snow venture is over. they both need some waterproof mittens...as soon as they get a little wet those little hands get pretty cold.
we only were able to stay out about 10 minutes because the wind really picked up and it started snowing again. we were all popscicles by the time we got inside...so then we had hot chocolate and some yummy taco soup to warm ourselves up!
so, that's been a little bit of our week. hibernating for the winter.
a

thank you subaru commercial...

2011-01-31T19:38:00.000-08:00

thank you subaru commercial for introducing me to the genius that is sean hayes....

makes me want to grab my man and slow dance in the dark...

{project 365} days 23-30...a little out of order.

2011-01-30T20:16:00.000-08:00

{day 24}

ava's hair. i love the way it smells. the way it shines in the sun. i was looking at how long it was getting while we were eating dinner and had to take a picture.

{day 23}

ava ready for her annual trip to the rodeo and stock show with nonna, kristi, and her cousins maddy and sydney! they always have a blast....& no moms allowed :( best mother in law in.the.world!

{day 25}
laundry...yes, it was ten o'clock and i needed a photo...this is my life after the kids go to bed.

{day 26}

hollis in his new kicks, courtesy of the always fabulous CSN stores! love those chubby little legs!

{day 28}

ava and eli {my sweet friend vickie's adorable nephew}. new friends. i love how children can meet and instantly become friends, invite each other into the other's life and just be happy. so refreshing and sweet!

{day 29}

ava's favorite toys right now...her my little pony happy meal toys. and yes, i am that mom that will drive through and buy only the toy because we are after a certain one. what can i say $1.50 for a toy that makes her world go round. not a problem for me.

{day 30}

sweet dreams sweet boy. love your bunny, love your musical seahorse. all the items you keep close when it's time for night night.

so thinking i should rename this "around the house" because it seems i always end up missing a day or two and as much as i love photographing outside, i seem to snap mostly inside. honestly, i was just glad to get a few snapshots this week...it has warmed up again and my allergies have been raging. i spent three days with a seriously evil sinus headache, so we didn't do much that was "picture worthy" this week. i do feel like a bad mommy because we went to the stock show on saturday and i didn't take the camera. it is so huge. i need to get a point and shoot for those types of outings. my mom had hers so hopefully i can get some shots off of it to share. it was hollis' first rodeo, you know!

weight loss update...for those of you still reading my ramblings...

i am down 6 pounds and it feels really good. i am actually going to go to a weight watchers meeting tomorrow & sign up so i can get the books, etc. i think it will really help keep me on track if i have the materials in hand to look at. and that sweet tooth just keeps coming on strong. it's a sickness really. but, i've been doing this for three weeks now, so i'm averaging two pounds a week...that's okay with me. my goal for feb. is to *try* getting in some exercise, too! thanks so much for cheering me on! it is definitely a battle every day!

xo,

{project 365} days 17-22

2011-01-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

sticking to it! even though we had that little hiccup last week, missing a day or two, i got myself right back on track and really love catching a moment each day. i am reminded how much i love snapshots, not everything has to be perfect. just special moments that i will want to remember, even if they aren't technically perfection!

{day 17}

not thrilled to wake up from a nice afternoon nap just to have the camera in his face. he is such a happy boy when he wakes up from his nap. he plays games with me like he wants me to pick him up and then he throws himself on his turtle pillow pet, with the "uh-uh". smiles and giggles. this was most definitely not our usually post nap routine :) i do love the monkey music in the crib...it has been a favorite of both ava and hollis...that may be one thing i hang onto and keep forever.
{day 18}
ava and uncle mike playing princesses, ponies, cars, dalmations, & chipmunks! we adore uncle mike and aunt delores and are always excited when they visit in the winter! they have to get away from that minnesota cold and it always warms our hearts to see them and reconnect!

{day 19}

hello, squirrel.

{day 20}

cleaning. i was cleaning, the kids wanted to join in...why the hell not?! clean those windows with those baby wipes! ha! they loved it...they definitely do not take after me!

{ day 21}

my cowboy. he got this horsie for christmas from nanny and pawpaw. both the kids love it!

{day 22}

quick snap from a shoot on saturday with an old friend. i love that photography has reunited me with so many people from my past. allowing us a bit of time to catch up and see what they have done the past several years. meet their amazing husbands and play with their sweet and beautiful children.

so that was our week :)

xo,

goodbye 2.5

2011-01-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

goodbye 2.5

so, my first official week of weight watchers done!!! i am following the weight watchers program but not going to weight watchers. is that cheating? i just really don't want to have to spend the $13 a week to have someone weigh me...i mean, i can do that, right? my mom is doing the whole program, so i am getting my resources from her and it is going really well. i definitely don't feel deprived, but writing down everything i put in my mouth definitely gave me a reality check about how much i was eating before...too much. i really didn't think i was eating too much, but with small ones running around and constantly fixing food and snacks, i definitely created a snacking habit that i've had to get under control. i'm still working on it and i definitely still have a sweet tooth that rears it's ugly head now and then. the nice thing is, is that i can eat it { a little of it anyway } and move on. no guilt. no feeling mad at myself. i know it's going to come off slow, but that's okay with me for now. i know i am doing something good for myself. i know i am making a change and am already feeling so much better about myself. crazy. hopefully i will get really inspired to add in some good old exercise, i know that would help shed the weight a bit quicker. but until then, this is working. THIS.IS.WORKING!!!

so goodbye 2.5 pounds i lost this week...i hope i never see you again. :)

xo,

CSN Stores

2011-01-18T21:07:00.000-08:00

If you haven't discovered the wonderful selection at CSN Stores, you should definitely head over and check them out! They have over 200 online stores where you can find everything and anything from stylish handbags, Herman Miller Chairs, great cookware, and even fabulous children's products!

I fell in love with these Herman Miller chairs the second I spotted them at All Modern! They are so clean and crisp! I could see them brightening up our house sitting all around our dining room table! I would even love to have one or two to use during photo sessions! They are so elegantly simple, pretty much perfection!

Finding one place where I can find everything I need makes me so happy; household items, kids stuff, fun stuff, gifts; EVERYTHING! It simplifies my life! With two small children, the less running around, the better! The kids definitely don't last long on shopping trips, so late night CSN Stores shopping is right up my alley, so much fun, and totally enjoyable!

Head over to CSN Stores and take a look around. Be prepared to fall in love!

xo,

amanda

newborn love.

2011-01-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

6 days old. precious little guy.

gavin: little falcon

beautiful mama.

this is my first newborn shoot where parents wanted in on the action! i love that they did. it adds a whole new depth to a newborn shoot. they were both glowing, you could feel the love for this new little person in their lives just radiating from them.

i just think he is beautiful. such a perfect boy.

project 365 {days 9-14}

2011-01-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

okay, so pictures are all out of order and i've been up editing a session all evening, so i haven't had a chance to get day 15 ready and day 11...well, i have no clue where it is. also, i didn't get a photo today because, well, i left my camera at home while we were out running around. i chose to be able to enjoy my ava without watching through a tiny square snapping pictures. we went to a fun birthday party at chuck e cheese for her friend jonathan. he turned six. i still remember when he was born. crazy how fast time flies.

anyway, here are some shots from around our house and our lives this week! {i'll add a few when i find them...lord, this is harder than i thought...but i'm gonna keep it up! my 365 may turn into a 52...as in one photo to represent each week during the year. we'll see...i'm not ready to throw in the towel yet...i mean, it's only day 16!}

{day 13} it was late and i needed a picture...so my new favorite toy :)
{day 12} okay, i had to document this, as it NEVER happens around our house. my children are the type that have to be in there bed to fall asleep. falling asleep in high chairs just doesn't happen...so this was crazy to me! poor guy must have been really tired.

{ day 9} scrub a dub dub.

{day 10} 5 days old and such a beautiful boy.

{day 14} out at the carter's with the baby cow and all the pretty horses.

weight loss update coming tomorrow!

cute baby cow.

2011-01-14T21:59:00.000-08:00

we spent the morning out with some dear friends. they have adopted a baby cow that they have to bottle feed twice a day, so being the animal lovers we are, we headed out to meet "jack daniels" and feed him! and yes...it was a bit chilly!

little man checking out the horses.
meet "jack daniels"...however, he is actually a "she", so i think the name should be changed to jackie-o...but she's not my baby cow.

ava, ready to feed jackie-o with the bottle of hollis' dreams :) seriously, he was after it!

so, little miss jackie wasn't very hungry since she had eaten a bit earlier...but it was worth a try and ava loved every second. hollis was a bit frozen, not with fear, just watching and taking it all in. {and maybe a bit chilly, too}

ava catching up with some of her best friends. seriously, she loves them and has given each one a special name. yep, she likes to change animals names to ones she likes better...wonder who she gets that adorable trait from?!

he was so excited to see the horses.

it was such a fun morning and definitely nice to get out of the house and into the county for a little while. love you carter's, you make us feel like family.

xo,

project 365 {day 8&9}

2011-01-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

and without further delay...day 8 & 9!

{day 9} SNOW!!!! barely, but it was here! it didn't stick, and only lasted about 45 minutes, but it did snow!! {too bad hollis was napping so he missed the whole flurry :( }
{day 8} my friend lori's beautiful baby boy. almost a month old already!

365 {days 3-9}

2011-01-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

okay, so the photos loaded up backwards and blogger is giving me such a hard time right now that i'm only posting 3-7...seriously, i've been at this for a good 45 minutes and all i really want to do is go snuggle with my husband who is all warm and cuddly on the couch! i'll add 8 & 9 tomorrow, or whenever blogger decides to quit being so crabby!

{day 7} dreamy sunset

{day 6} ava reading a new chuggington book before bed!

{day 5} ava after ballet/tap class

{day 4} what's on my needles right now...scarf for my sweet friend, vickie!

{day 3} hollis and his oreo face :)

light

2011-01-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

where there is much light, the shadow is deep.

~johann wolfgang von goethe

{ava. from project 365, day 5}

when the days get dark, you are brighter than the sunshine itself.

losing it...

2011-01-03T22:30:00.001-08:00

sooooo...once again i am going to try, REALLY, REALLY TRY to lose this extra weight hanging around...soooo, every monday i am going to post an update on how things are going, pounds lost that week, etc...i am in high hopes that this time next year {hopefully by thie summer}, i'll be one hot mama :) thanks for the support friends!
Goal: 40 pounds
staarrrrtttiinnnnnggggggg NOW!

see you next week for a GREAT update!!!!
xo,
a

project 365

2011-01-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

i have decided to give a project 365 a go...again! why not! a photo a day for 365 days! i think it will be amazing to see a photo from every day of our year, so hopefully i can keep up! i may just post every week at the end of the week...sunday sounds good :) so here are my first two...

day 1:

{ava's barbies riding in the stroller}

day 2:

{a friend...baby coming tuesday!!! prayers for a safe and quick delivery!}
happy snapping my lovelies!
be back in a week with my seven photos! hold me to it, k?!
xoxo
a

1-1-11

2010-12-31T23:02:00.000-08:00

here it is. 1.1.11. a new beginning. a fresh start. a clean slate. i am totally and utterly optomistic about this new day, new year and all that i plan to accomplish during the next 365. i am not going to list out all of my goals and aspirations, just one. one that i know will lead to all the rest happening in a big way.

i will take care of myself. make sure i do the things i need to do to keep me healthy and happy; mind, body, and soul. i am going live this life fully and comletely for the ones that i adore, little and big.

in doing this, i know everything else will work itself out.

happy new day.

xoxo,

visions of sugarplums

2010-12-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

the annual santa photo...no tears this year. amazing how much can change in 365 days. last year ava didn't even want to sit with bo dressed up like santa, let alone some stranger in a red suite at the mall. this year she couldn't climb up on his lap fast enough and rattle off all of her wishes and dreams! and then hollis...no tears, but was a little hesitant. thinking he only did it because sister was all for it. he wants to do everything and anything she does, including carry a purse and accessorize with all sorts of fancy jewelry. {he even wanted me to paint his nails this morning when i was painting avas....no, i didn't...bo would have died!!!}

we are celebrating christmas eve at our house tonight since bo has to work on christmas day. of course we have all been passing around some stomach bug and it was daddy's turn today. poor guy. hopefully he will feel better in the morning. the kids and i watched polar express together and it was so much fun getting ava ready for bed tonight talking about santa coming. she wore her special santa pj's and left the big guy some oreos {bad mommy...didn't get around to baking cookies today...} and a few pieces of lucky charms, they are her favorite little treat lately, so i guess she figured santa would appreciate some. we read a few favorite christmas stories and then she went to sleep faster than ever before...maybe it had something to do with me telling her she had to fall asleep for santa to come :) . looking forward to the morning, seeing that christmas magic that children bring to the holiday. the kids are in for a few special surprises ;) should be fun! i hope you have a merry christmas. take the time to soak up all the love from your near and dear ones. i love christmas. now off to watch a little christmas vacation and set up worlds largest interactive train set!
**update on the trainset...bo ended up putting it together...too complicated for my level of patience tonight! so thankful for a wonderful husband...even sick, he still will do anything for his babies! love him so much.

winding down...

2010-12-22T22:14:00.000-08:00

{another favorite from a recent newborn session. isn't she beautiful?!}
so things are winding down, christmas is quickly approaching followed by my husbands birthday followed by the beginning of another new year. i love new beginnings. a fresh start. there are so many things i want to accomplish this upcoming year and things i want to change in my life...for the better of course. each year as the december days are coming to an end and january 1st is around the corner, i can't help but feel hope for things to come. that each year is going to somehow be more amazing than the last! i can't wait to see what 2011 brings our family and our lives!

"Hold My Hand"

2010-12-21T23:44:00.000-08:00

the past couple weeks i've been obsessed with the show "the sing off"...again! i love music, everything about it. right now i am loving this song. loving these boys. they make me happy.
i am so passionate about music...little secret...i really think i should have been a singer...yep, you heard me :) at least my girl likes listening to me sing....she can be my forever audience and occasional duet partner...when she feels like sharing the spotlight!

new

2010-12-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

i was planning on taking a break in december,no sessions, just to take some time to enjoy the kids and bo....turned out to be my busiest month yet, shooting almost every weekend and even some weekdays enbetween! but when i get to spend an afternoon with a sweet newborn, snuggling and taking pretty pictures, well, i just coudln't ask for a better day!

i have to say that newborn sessions are my absolute favorite! i have two scheduled for january and can't wait!

i was hoping to take a few of my two this afternoon for christmas cards..yes, i've been so busy that we haven't even shot our christmas card photo, but not sure if that's going to happen...it is a bit chilly and i woke up with my tummy feeling a bit funny. we'll see, i have some fun ideas swirling around in my head!

maybe i'll come back later and post a few if it actually happens!

xo,

soulographer...

2010-12-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

{from a recent session with a beautiful family}

check out the huge giveaway and sale at the soulographer blog for photographers!

& yes...i would totally love to win something fun for myself this holiday season! :)

girls got moves...

2010-12-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

so when i say my girl's got moves...i'm not kidding! check her out in all her tap shoe glory!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOEllGKcsik {a link if you want to watch it bigger...not sure why it uploaded so tiny...}

i thought it was so cute i had to giggle...well, now she is a little more shy when she's dancing...darn it! have to remember to hold in the giggles next time!

gots to love the hip wiggle!

xoxo

tiny dancer

2010-12-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

so we had our first ballet/tap experinece yesterday! ava was the only new little girl in the class for the new session. but she totally didn't care, immediatly she was referring to all the girls in her class as "her friends". she is so social, it's crazy. i am a little bit of shy, so it's funny to me to see her be so extroverted! unless there is a good looking man around...then she gets REALLY shy! lol! i think i'm in trouble! class lasted about an hour and i peeked in a bit early and they were tap tap tapping and she was just running around like a crazy person! the girls from the last session are getting ready for a recital so they were practicing their routine and then there was ava, right in the middle, doing lord knows what....it was funny. if i were the teacher i probobly would have had her sit down so the girls could practice without her, but then, i thought, how sweet, they are three and the instructor just seems a bit laid back. i know if she wanted her to sit down, she would have told her. but little miss was having a blast and loved every minute of her class!

sass.a.frass...somebody thinks they are hot stuff!

things i learned from our first ballet/tap class:

my child has absolutely NO seperation anxiety. as girls were crying for their moms ava was telling me "bye, mom" and giving me the look like, "get out of here, lady and let me do my thing!"
white tights are definitely not for three year old girls. at least not mine!
tights in general my not be for my girl...after an hour she had holes in the knees. definitely won't be getting a second wear out of those...this could get expensive...
tap shoes, they open up a whole new world for a little girl! seriously, she was most excited about the ballet shoes at first, but once she heard the magic of the taps...they weren't coming off those happy feet!
prepare to enter the world of "moms". yep, it's funny to be a mom and be in that world after watching moms for years when i was teaching. yesterday was my first real experience entering the world of mom cliques and groups. and like i said, i'm a bit of shy so navigating this world is going to be a challenge for me. making friends always has been. {even though my husband will tell you differently, he thinks i can make friends with anybody i am put in a room with. crazy man!}

yep, so that's that. first day of dance down & a success! yay!

xo,

being thankful...

2010-11-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

{ ava's handprint turkeys before i added the beak, feet, & of course, the gobble!}

so much to be thankful for. today. and every day.

a husband that loves me no matter what.

children that light up my world and have taught me more about love and life than i ever could have imagined.

family. all my wonderful family. step's, in laws, blood, friends that are more like family. i am blessed beyond belief to have been given the amazing family in my life.

a life that is more wonderful than i ever could have hoped for.

thankful for you.

xo,
a

yellow.

2010-11-20T22:48:00.000-08:00

i have been so lucky lately and been getting some regular photography work! yay! i absolutely love meeting sweet families, playing with the kids, and then delivering some work that i am really proud of! i have actually had a lot of old friends contact me for photos and that is even more fun! i get to see people i haven't seen in years and meet their husbands, children, and catch up! it means so much to me that so many people from my past are supporting me in this venture! a few weeks ago i found this amazing log with a bunch of wild yellow flowers at each end, all under a big, gorgeous tree! needless to say, it has become a favorite spot and i am trying to soak it up before we get a freeze and those yellow flowers dissapear!

isn't this little one adorable?! she was just the sweetest!

have a happy sunday!

xo,

tangled.

2010-11-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

yes. tomorrow morning i get to take my girl on a special big girl date to go see a screening of Tangled! i think i am more excited than she is {and she is pretty darn excited!}. it has been really clear to me lately that i need to start carving out some special time for just her and i to spend together. hopefully this will be the first of many mommy daughter outings where we get to just enjoy each others company! {grans and felix are joining us as well, which will be extra special!} hollis is going to be spending the morning with our good friend kristi. she is taking him to a basketball game where i'm sure he will be in hog heaven and spoiled by everyone! it's going to be a great day, i just know it!

dancing queen

2010-11-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

{Andrew Atroshenko Ballerina Painting}

exciting news! we got ava all signed up for ballet/tap and a gymnastics class at the recreation center up the street from us. i had no clue they even offered classes and turns out they offer a bunch of really great classes for kids and even adults! {i'm talkin zumba, weight training, art, guitar lessons! wowza!} ava is so ready for something like this. she really loves being with other kids and it will be good for her to have to learn the social skills for being with others in a big group...she does great with a few kids, but this class has 15ish little ones. so the world will definitely not revolve around her for at least 45 minutes a week. I am so happy i discovered this little jewel and can't wait to get ava in her little dancing queen outfit!!! it's gonna be cute, ya'll!

xo,

days

2010-11-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

not sure if i'll ever become a regular blogger...it seems it's always that one thing that gets pushed to the backburner for other things. however, i have to share how much these two are changing every day before my very eyes. it's like magic.

he is everywhere...into everything...all.the.time.
he knows he is extra cute when he scrunches up his nose like this. it's my favorite. notice the black eye...the first of many, i'm sure.

and this little one. we have had a few rough days. it seems that three is the new thirteen. seriously, drama, drama, drama, whine, whine, whine. but i love her and she is my heart.

i have been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately when the kids aren't with me. i just have this uneasy feeling. like somethings going to happen. i don't know. anything could happen anytime, but my anxiety really seems to creep in when they are away from me. {i think i watch too much t.v....opening my mind to all these thoughts and scnearios} almost suffocating me, really. i am not an overprotective parent, yes, protective, but i have always allowed them to go with grandparents and cousins. not sure what it is right now, but that fear is in me.

there is some quote, i can't remember who said it, but it goes something like, when you have a child it is like your heart is walking around outside your body. it is so true.
every day when i see these two, they are like, little extensions of myself. the best parts of me. i am so proud to be their mama and love them to a million sweet, sparkly pieces.

xo,

another giveaway...

2010-11-16T15:22:00.000-08:00

Win a fab giveaway from Paint The Moon on www.moms-with-cameras.com! seriously love this new action set annie came out with. would love to win it! enter away!

what to wear?!

2010-11-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

i wrote a post for RMRV about what to wear for family photos! check it out if you have a second!
tata for now!
xo,
a

aahhhh. love.

2010-11-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

love, sweet love.

i second shot a wedding last weekend and it was the most amazingly sweet couple with the most beautiful love. you could feel it through the whole day.

aren't they gorgeous?! {and her mama made her dress! wowza! isn't that awesome!?!} they had such a beautiful and unique wedding. everyone in their wedding party was so sweet and wonderful. everyone was just so happy and loved them so much. a perfectly perfect day.

i have been keeping busy. the kids, the husband, the house, the house, the house...seriously working to get uber organized! i have always dreamed of being one of those really organized people. i always feel so good when things are in order and in their place...but it never takes long for things to start falling apart. i am determined to turn over a new leaf! the organized, together amanda coming soon! i might even take pictures of my accomplishments to share! i know ya'll would totally love that, right!?
xo,
a

happy haunting!

2010-10-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend was so much fun! i have always loved halloween and it is getting to be even more fun now that we have kids to enjoy it with! we spend the evening tonight with the cousins in their neighborhood and had a ball! auntie christina always makes the best halloween dinner for us and then we always have the nicest little walk around their neighborhood with the kids trick or treating. the weekend was so busy, lots to post on! saturday we went out to mimi and poppy's in granbury and trick or treated in their community! fun photos to come from that night! i hope you all had a wonderful halloween! trick or treat!

time...

2010-10-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

these girls are so gorgeous. i used to teach with their mom and dad. i met their daughter when she was probobly 1. now she is 5, in kindergarten, the big sister. they are the sweetest family and it was so fun to catch up with them a bit while capturing their little beauties! there is never enough time.

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
i know i have posted this quote from steve jobs before on my blog, but i just keep coming back to it.
time is so precious and lately i have been having such a struggle with the right ways to be spending my time. the things i need to be doing along with the things i want to do and dream to be doing. time passes so quickly and there is never enough of it. each day my list grows longer, it just never feels like i'll get all those pesky "to do's" checked off.

i hope to be a better blogger. that is on my list. :)

i want to spend more quality time with my children. yes i am with them all day long. no, not every moment is quality. i want it to be. playing, teaching, snuggling.

i want to spend more time with photography. learning and discovering. playing. i want to go to a workshop and spend a weekend with people that have the same passion as me.

my husband. my sweet husband. i want to feel like "us". we need to make "us" more of a priority. we need our time. to talk, to stare at each other, to hold each other's hand, to just be.

that's all i have for now. life's been a whirlwind lately. waiting for the calm.

xo,

another...

2010-10-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

have to share another awesome giveaway! check this out! http://zozobugbaby.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway-extravaganza-and-photo-contest.html
if you have an interest in fashion or photography, you won't be dissapointed!
xo,
amanda

paint the moon

2010-10-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

a pretty picture from a recent session and then an incredible giveaway!
a few months ago i stumbled onto the most gorgeous photoshop actions ever! seriously! since discovering Paint the Moon, i have learned that the creative mastermind behind them is a kind hearted, incredibly talented mama! i have a few sets and am drooling over more! Anyway, she is hosting the most incredible photography related giveaway on her blog & you must check it out and enter! it's worth every entry, promise! so run over and enter!
sorry for the lack of posts lately...busy, busy around here...i'll try and update with fun stories of visitors from minnesota, photography sessions, etc soon! thanks for hanging around!
a

CSN Stores...gotta love it!

2010-10-13T11:38:00.001-07:00

Have you visited CSN stores.com yet? With over 200 online stores, you can find everything from barstools, to Koolaburra boots {which i know i have drooled over before on my blog}, to Melissa & Doug toys for the kids! Such a giant selection, you are sure to find just what you are looking for!

Ava's Christmas list grows longer and longer every day. She is constantly finding new and wonderful items to add to it and always saying "maybe santa can help me get that." So cute! One thing that doesn't change is she has her heart set on a horse truck and trailer for Christmas. I have seen a few out and about, but I'm thinking we found "the one" we are looking for at CSNstores.com! so cute, right?! perfect for our little cowgirl! I think this will light her up on Christmas morning!

CSNstores.com is the perfect one stop holiday shop for Christmas shopping! Online, everything at one place...doesn't get much more simple than that! you must check them out, you won't be dissapointed!

xo,

LOVE your shot - link up

2010-10-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

i just took this photo of my girl tonight. it is one of my faves, mainly because of her, that buggy, and the gorgeous sun! wish i could have shot about 30 minutes later as the sun had dropped even further and it was some amazing light...but alas, the kiddos had it by then, there was no hope for any more photos. next time :)

when i processed this photo i used a few different actions from Eye Candy {sheye rosemeyer} & Paint the Moon. those are usually my go-to sets! i also did a little baby crop, not too much...just wish i had made her a bit more off center mabye to the right a bit.

i was shooting with my canon 50D and my 24-70 2.8. gotta love that combo :)

fingers crossed i can get my hands on some florabella!!

xo,

wowza...

2010-09-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

so life has been full of craziness the past few weeks...maybe i've been biting off a bit more than i can chew. soooo, sadly, the blog has been suffering. just had to hop on and tell you about a fab giveaway at the maternal lens! a mentoring session i would LOVE to win! fortune would definitely be smiling on me! had to share!

had to leave you with a shot of this girlie in her new fall hat! {now we're just waiting for some fallish type weather to roll in!}

go enter, ya'll!

xo,

treasures...

2010-09-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

i am so lucky to be the mother of these two....

and that's all i have to say today...

xo,

mama

heaven...

2010-09-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

i'm pretty sure this is my girl's idea of heaven.

and she looks like an angel!

it is awesome seeing how fearless this girl is and huge a place animals hold in her heart. {especially horses...but aren't all little girl's that way? }

maybe one day we'll have a horse of our own?? you never know!

xo,

walk the walk

2010-09-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

so, the boy has been taking steps for weeks now...something else i am in total and utter denial about. but the more steps he takes the harder it is for me to pretend it's not actually happening! he can pretty much cross the room on a good pass, mostly it's 5-10 steps and he's down. but i mean seriously, is there anything cuter than this little monkey walk?! is there?! oh how i just love him & he is just so proud of himself and his latest accomplishment!

love you baby! always walk the walk!

xo,

mama

my so called life...

2010-08-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

do you remember this show? it aired in the 90's...i think i was 15ish. after watching the emmy's the other night and seeing claire danes receive an emmy for a recent performance, i HAD to go to youtube and find these videos. i stayed up late...i mean, really, really late {or early} watching episode after episode. i remember watching this show, waiting for it every week, sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. i remember how it seemed so real, so much like my reality. even after all this time, after all this growing up, it remains the same to me. an incredible show that should have aired so many more seasons....love it.

xo,

tea for two

2010-08-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

we finally got to have our tea party to celebrate the "original superprincess"...you can read about her here. it was a cloudy afternooon, but we went for it anyway, busting out our family quilt, teacups, apple juice and pink marshmallows! oh yeah, and don't forget bunny! {hollis' bunny} ava loved it and i'm so glad we stopped and took the time to have a special tea party with each other. it started raining at the end, and ava just laid on the quilt and felt the rain. she is my sweetheart.

tragedy always seems to wake you up, your world becomes crystal clear. your priorities slap you in the face and you remember why you are living and who you are living for.

superprincess, you are not gone from this earth. your memory, your smile, your spirit live on in all the lives you have touched.

i learned ava's story a few years back. i was up late blog surfing and randomly googled "ava". my ava was a few months old. i stumbled upon sheye's blog. i was immediately struck by her beautiful photos and ava's story. she is and will probobly always be my favorite photographer/blogger. you feel her soul in her words and photography. sheye was my first mentor. i took her very first round of photography workshops {little did i know how much this workshop would impact my life, gaining knowledge as well as a group of girlfriends i have grown so close to over the past few years, but never met in "real life".} this blogosphere is a truly amazing thing. you watch children grow up, feel close to those you have never met. cry with their heartbreaks and celebrate their miracles. i have been so thankful for this space the past few years and the people i have met through it.

my boy

2010-08-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

yes, hollis did turn one & he did have a little family party. & yes...i am still in denial that this event actually took place. it is so amazing to watch him grow up, but so hard for me at the same time. he is my last. this is the last first birthday, the last first steps. as much as i know to my very core we are done having children...oh, how i love them! and if we had a million dollars, i would have so.many.more....i think...here is hollis on his new CAT! he loves riding around on it & pushing all the fun buttons! this boy is so, so loved. we had all the family come out and help celebrate hollis' special day with cake and swimming. his auntie christina even made him an amazing little submarine smash cake! it really makes my heart full when i look around and see so much love for my children. we are so blessed.

i have tried several times to write this post with several photos, but we have been experiencing some technical difficulty over here. so, two photos will have to work for now! it was a great evening celebrating a super special baby boy.

xo,

do fun stuff

2010-08-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry, your browser does not support iframes.

a kids record for parents!

i am such a music lover! i grew up in a singing family...nope, that doesn't mean, we were good, it just means we loved to sing. alot. i loved singing with my kinder. kids for years, and now i love singing with my own children {even though ava is loving the spotlight these days and isn't up for many duets!} but yeah, we are singing all the time! i am always on the look out for fun kids music {you know, songs that don't make you want to kill yourself after hearing them a few times...and by few, i mean 1,000ish...

sooooo, you have to check out this new album, do fun stuff, a compilation of fun & entertaining songs by various artists for kids and parents! the mastermind behind this amazing charity album is one of my favorite bloggers. his blog is inspirational, beautiful, and real. he wanted to create this album to benefit SMS, which his son has been diagnosed with. so inspirational.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this album goes to a grant fund established with PRISMS. The money will be made available to grad students who wish to make SMS their field of choice, the benefit of this is more hard research being done, which leads to more case studies, which leads to more answers for parents and researchers. if you are moved to make a donation donation rather than simply buying the album, you can click on the little "share" at the bottom of mr. do fun stuff at the top of this post

so go check it out, get your kids some awesome new tunes, and do some fun stuff, ya'll!

xo,

{untitled}

2010-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Normal day,
let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you,
love you,
bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by
in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may,
for it may not always be so.
One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself taut,
or raise my hands to the sky and want,
more than all the world, your return.
~Mary Jean Iron

be thankful for normal days and celebrate this superprincess with us.

we didn't get around to our tea party today...long story...but i held my babies extra tight and we will tea party tomorrow.

xo,

ava the fish...

2010-08-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

my girl loves to swim and just finished her swim lesson session today! she did so well and loves the water! thought i'd share some video of her swimming her little heart out! {please ignore my silly voice...and yes, that's hollis squealing in that second one!}

she has learned so much the past few months and i am so proud of our little swimmer! look out michael phelps! ha!

xo,

winning...

2010-08-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

as you all know i write for an awesome giveaway blog, enter tons of giveaways online, have actually won some pretty cool things, & yeah, am addicted to giveaways! last week i actually won TWO!!!! in one week! who knew hollis' birthday would bring me such luck! both winning will benefit ava, though...weird how that worked on hollis' birthday week...the universe must have known that she needed something special to come in the mail just for her, too! this arrived today and is so darn cute! ava wore it out to dinner tonight and got so many compliments...it really is quite eye catching ;)

it's from a totally darling etsy shop called Laken & Lila! the owner is just as sweet as her creations! i am hoping to do a few photographs for her fall line come october! fingers crossed on that possibility! i love collaborating with people!