my boy duke

when I was looking for black and white inspiration last week I saw Duke running in the snow in my parents yard so I decided to bare the cold weather and try and see if I could take a few pictures of my boy Duke. I don't take many pictures of animals so I wasn't sure how I would do or how to get Duke to cooperate.

Duke is grannie and papa's dog and when I did not post the pics on the blog on fifty two on friday I got a call from my mom. Ooops.

I promised her I did get some decent pictures and I would post them as soon as possible.

I adore Duke. This dog is as big as a small horse and looks intimidating but is sweet as sugar.

fifty two on friday ~ week 3 {black & white}

Its friday! For those of you who don't know, fifty two on friday is group of photographers who are collaborating on a creative project for the entire year of 2011. There is a different theme for each week and this week was black and white. I had a really hard time this week. I really wanted to get outside and do a landscape image but it was cold and awful all week and the few shots I did take I just wasn't totally smitten with.
This one made me smile but my heart wasn't really in it...

I think I am being too hard on myself. I love black and white images but I never know if I got it "right". If it is too much black, white, grey or if something else is off all together. I can’t wait to see what everyone else posted this week. Below I’m linking to the next photographer in the group, and she’ll link to the next. If you keep following the links, you’ll eventually end up right back here. Just look at the end of each photographer’s post to see where to go next. Hope you all enjoy seeing everyone’s images as much as I do.

I fell in love with this image as soon as I took it ...

mostly because I cannot resist what is attached to the other end.

Now please be sure to head on over and visit  Misty Setzler  and show her some love!

You can see past weeks here:
week one: self portrait
week two: shades of red

her plans

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us ~ Joseph Campbell

Since Jordan had preschool today I decided I was going to get a ton of stuff done. I was going to get laundry done, clean the kitchen and the bathrooms (floors too) and workout. That all went straight out the window when I starting to clean the kitchen and Leah came in. Her tiny hand grabbed mine and she started to pull me into the family room and she asked "you watch with me?" When I looked down into her deep blue eyes I simply could not resist. My only regret is that the time flew by far too quickly.

First we snuggled up on the couch and watched Handy Manny while I had a cup of coffee and she drank her orange juice. Then we "took a tubby" with tons and tons of bubbles and way too many toys. Then I braided her hair in her first french braid. Next we had snacks and before I knew it we were off to pick up Jordan from school.

I got nothing yet everything important done. She has grown so much in even just this past week. It seems like she is talking so much more and so well too. I just got done asking a few people if they thought I should talk to my doctor about speech therapy for her and now all of a sudden it is like the flip was switched for her.

Drew and I are amazed by her every day. She keeps us on our toes and is such a wonderful gift to us in so many ways. Sometimes I get caught up in the everyday of life and I do not remember that they will stay small for such a short time. I have to remind myself the house work will wait but they will not wait to grow up. The floors will be dirty as quickly as I clean them. I am grateful for every single moment that I have with them and I am grateful for every single moment that they want to share with me. 

over the moon

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault

Jordan is obsessed with everything related to firetrucks and firemen these days. Daddy surprised him with a trip to the fire station today and he was over the moon excited to tell me all about everything they did and saw at the station. Fireman John was amazing and he took the time to give Leah and Jordan the grand tour and he gave them these adorable hats, stickers and he even gave them each a cuddly dalmation to take home. I know who Jordan will be snuggling with tonight.

fifty two on friday ~ week two {shades of red}

it is week two of our fifty two week project and this weeks theme is shades of red in honor of the month of love that is just around the corner. nothing fancy today just Leah in red she loves hats and hoods and I love her.

don't forget to check out the fabulous Michelle's take on the theme.

she did it

 

She kicked the habit. We can consider our house officially binky free...woot woot!!!

We are all very proud of her.

deep freeze

out of the blue

Leah threw her binky in the garbage before her nap. She cried for a horribly long time before she finally fell asleep for her nap. I showed her how to suck on her thumb, and she giggled because she thought it was so silly and then drifted off for a short nap all the while snuggled up tight next to me.  

She fell asleep for the night with no tears but lots of request for juice, potty breaks and even a jammie change. I let her have her way with every request because I really do feel for her. It is midnight and she woke up once so far but she did not ask for her binky she just needed a quick hug. I hope my sweet baby sleeps well through the rest of the night.

fifty two on friday ~ week 1 {self portrait}

I am so excited to tell you about a fifty two week project that I am taking part in this year.  I've joined a group of 19 other photographers in a weekly theme project. Every Friday, we will post a photo that depicts our own interpretation of that theme, and under the photo will be a link to the next photographer. If you continue linking through, you should see 20 new photos and end up back here. There is amazing talent in this group, so you will definitely want to check out everyone’s site!

This week’s assignment was a self portrait. These self portraits will allow you to see the photographers who are doing this project and put a face to a name.

I can't help but define my "self" as mommy right now and because no post would be complete without pictures of my favorite subjects... this is me. I am looking forward to sharing this project with you. 2011 is going to be a great year!

Please be sure to head on over Tara's site,  Carman & Pugh Photography to see her take on the project!

snow day

in one day

she is so many things. She is overflowing with life, funny, sweet, silly, and emotional. I want to capture every little bit of her personality. All the silly faces, accessory changes, hair twirls. All. Of. It. She is growing up at lightning speed.  We are talking about preschool for next year already. Since I know I can't bottle her up and keep her small forever (like I sometimes wish I could) I try to capture her little quirks in photos as best I can. 

there is beauty

all around me

forever and always.

for the longest time

Orange was his favorite color

everything he ate, wore, played with and created

HAD to be orange

now it is black

Thanks Darth Vadar.

 

 My boy is growing up

and that makes me happy

    and sad at the same time

dancin' queen

baby got a new pair of dancing shoes

she was thrilled

she could not take her eyes off her feet!

thrilled.

sweet and silly

Leah looks so sweet.

and that she is.

she is also really,

really silly.

she cracks us up.

twins

I get asked if these two are twins all the time. People realize that they are not because they can tell there is an age difference but they are compelled to ask. I love how close they are and how great the play together...most of the time. My hope for them is that they are always the best of friends and they continue to take care of each other.

girly glory

Leah can normally only have her binky when she is in her bed but today I let her have it in the middle of the day while she watched a movie. She was in all her girly glory watching tv, while twirling her hair and sucking on her binky.

imagination

Jordan has such a wonderful imagination. He loves to pretend he is everyone from a fireman to Darth Vader. He will ask me the cutest questions to make sure he is staying in character like, "do firemen drink orange juice?" or "does Darth Vader like chocolate milk? Today he asked me, "does Darth Vader have a Mommy? I love that I can help encourage positive behaviour by letting him know what firemen do and what Darth Vader does. For example, Darth Vader has a sister and he of course is always nice to her and he always listens to his Mommy. Love it.