Day Forty-nine!

Brayden is alot like Jessica when it comes to taking his picture, except that for him it's all about making me work for it. He likes to run from me, turn away just as I'm about to get the perfect shot, or do silly things like put his passy in backwards. But, I do love how some of his pictures turn out because this is so typical of his personality. Always the cut-up!

Day Forty-eight!

Jessica, on the other hand, never lets me take her picture without a fight. She refuses to smile for me, and is constantly snapping at me to get the camera out of her face. Any good picture I get of her is completely accidental, and always when she's not expecting it. Getting a picture like this one is exciting for me!

Day Forty-seven!

I have so much fun taking pictures of Emma! She used to sit still for me, but not anymore. But all I have to do is say her name and she lights right up and gives me such cute grins. And her eyes...unbelievable!

Day Forty-six!

I can't take credit for these pictures. Chris actually took them, but they were so cute I wanted to post them. Chris never ceases to amaze me. He's great at everything he does. I love photography, but I struggle to get great pictures. I have to think everything through. Chris picks up my camera, leaves it on Auto, and gets pictures like these! Go figure.

Day Forty-five!

Today we went to Day Out With Thomas! The kids had a blast! It was amazing for them to see Thomas up close and personal like that. We spent several hours at all of the activities, and then took a ride on Thomas. By the time we were done the kids were all exhausted. We got back to our room and we all crashed and took a nap.

Day Forty-four!

Chris and I took the kids to Chattanooga for the weekend. On Friday we went to the Tennessee Aquarium. If you've never been it's worth it! It is the largest aquarium I've ever been to, and there is so much to see! One of the best exhibits was the penguins. I love how amazed Jessica looks in this picture!

Outside of the aquarium they have it set up with a stream and some neat artwork in the concrete. Since the weather was nice we let the kids get wet. They had so much fun!

Afterwards it was back to the room, and we ordered pizza delivery. We were all too tired to go out! Plus, we need our rest! Tomorrow....Thomas!!

Day Forty-three!

Day Forty-two!

Baby Maple Leaves!

Day Forty-one!

Wild Azaleas!

Day Forty!

I finally got some close ups of the dogwoods!

Day Thirty-nine!

The Clematis is in bloom! This vine gets the biggest buds on it, and in the past we've had the hardest time keeping Jessica and Brayden from picking them before they even blossom. Well, this year we've made a big deal about the beautiful flowers, and instead of picking them they're excited to see new flowers opening every time we go outside. Yesterday there was only one flower fully opened. Today there's at least five! Jessica's thrilled!

Day Thirty-eight!

The wild dogwood is in bloom right now, and they are everywhere! And absolutely beautiful! Chris and I and the kids rode around looking for one that was low enough for me to get a close up of the flower, but we couldn't find one. I took this one though, and I'm fairly pleased with it. I haven't given up the hunt yet. I may have to get Chris to drive his 4-wheel drive so I can climb up on top of it to get close enough for a close up shot.

Day Thirty-seven!

This is a picture of Jessica reading to Brayden. These kids absolutely love books, and Jessica has alot of them memorized. She can't read yet, but you'd never know it because she can recite them word for word. And it's so sweet to see her sharing that with her little brother.

Oh, and don't you love the sunglasses?!

Day Thirty-six!!

This is a rare occassion! Jessica is not a morning person, and as soon as she gets out of bed she climbs up in the chair to pout for an hour or so while she wakes up. Usually if Brayden goes near her she starts grumbling. Well, this morning he climbed up in the chair with her, and not only did she allow it, but she actually snuggled with him. I grabbed the camera and got a few shots really quick before she rolled over and hid her face. Ah, the joy!

Day Thirty-five!

I got my new 50mm 1.8 lens today, and I love it!! I'm not sure what it is, but I love this picture of Jessica.

Day Thirty-four!

Day Thirty-three!

Christina was here for Jessica's birthday party, and she wanted me to get some pictures of her and Kristen. It was bright outside, but we found a nice shady spot. I thought they turned out pretty good. This one is my favorite.

Day Thirty-two!

We had Jessica's birthday party today. Tinker Bell, Tinker Bell, Everywhere!! Her cake was beautiful, but she was a bit too impatient. I was so upset, and it was at that moment I realized the cake and decorations were more important to me than they were to her. Her rationale: "I was fixing it so we could eat it!"

She is very into princess things right now, and she got lots of it. By the time she got finished dressing up she was Princess Ballarina Barbie Mariposa!!

Day Thirty-one!

Today we took Jessica to see My Little Pony Live! She had a blast! It was such a cute show. It was so fun to watch the look on her face.

Day Thirty!

Emma's become quite a handful to change! She flips and flops all over the place! It takes two people, one to hold her still, one to fasten the diaper! All she wants is be on her belly so she can get away!

Day Twenty-nine!

More playing with settings on my camera. I'm having a hard time understanding depth of field, so I've been working on that. I thought this one turned out pretty good, nice blurry background, subject in focus. Still don't understand it very well though.

Day Twenty-eight!

Anyone who knows Jessica knows that she has a mind of her own, and if you make her mad she falls to pieces. Well, her latest "thing" is wearing her jammies, all day, every day. After wearing the same pair for two days straight I finally made her take them off so I could wash them. Correction, I physically removed them so I could wash them. Needless to say, she was ticked. She layed in the chair crying and flat refused to get dressed. I grabbed the camera. One day when she has kids of her own that deserve the Drama Queen crown, I want to pull these pictures out to show her. This one is after she quit crying and got pouty because she didn't want me to take her picture.

Day Twenty-seven!

Kristen in the Thomas tent.

Taken in Manual, ISO 800, SS 1/100, f/5.6

Day Twenty-six!

I love this picture! Emma is very much a Mommy's Girl, so it's not often that Daddy gets the chance to cuddle with her like this. Having her fall asleep on his shoulder was even more special.

Manual, ISO 800, SS 1/100, f/5.6, edited to b&w

Day Twenty-five!

I'm not sure what it is about Grandpa, but he's the only person Emma lays down on like this. Not even Mommy! Doesn't she look comfy!?

Manual, ISO 400, SS 1/200, f/5.6

Day Twenty-four!

This is my little superstar! I can't get the camera out without her jumping in front of it.

Manual, ISO 400, SS 1/200, f/5.6

Day Twenty-three!

Today is my sister's birthday! In her honor I'm posting a picture of her holding my darling Emma. She could definately pass as hers!! Happy Birthday Tina!!

Day Twenty-two!

Here's yesterday's picture. Taken in manual, ISO 400, SS 1/160, f5.6, edited to B&W. I must say, I'm proud of this one.

Day Twenty-one!

Day Twenty!

I know this isn't a great picture, but I love how excited he is!