Good Light

We had a great late spring downpour Sunday evening. The kids were irresistably drawn to it. As soon as it stopped I rushed out with the camera. The light was incredible. The colors were intense. I usually spend way too much time editing my pictures, trying to get the colors to look like this.
Creamy, even skin tones...vibrant colors. This picture, though, is happily photoshop free. I love good light.

Who's afraid of the big bad...

...grasshopper?

Thomas is!
Nicholas is!

Estella is definitely not.

She's saying, "I don't know what those big brothers are making such a fuss about. Holding a grasshopper is no big deal. I could do this all day."

This was in Fillmore this past weekend. We went for my sister Jamie's high school graduation. It was so fun to be there. I have LOTS of pictures for you Jamie....they will be coming soon!

Monument Exploration

We went exploring on the Colorado National Monument about a week ago. I did more picture taking than exploring :)

"Jen, what is in that dark crack right behind you?"

"I think it's a..."

"...HUMONGOUS BLACK WIDOW!!!"

"Yikes!"

Essie had a blast playing in the bottom of a dried up creek bed. The sand was cool and soft.

"Look Daddy, I am filling my shoe with sand!"

"My shoe got full...the next best place was my mouth." YUCK!

Mother's Day

Jackson and the kids were so wonderful to me on Mother's day. They let me sleep in, made me breakfast, let me take a nap, made me dinner, changed all the diapers, and everything they could think of to let me relax. It was so sweet. That evening after dinner, we went on a little walk. It was so fun! We found so many great places for taking pictures. Essie was still in her dress from church, so I tried a few of the locations on her. I think this was my favorite.

Thank you Jackson for making me feel so loved and appreciated!

Joyful Noise

We have started practicing violin in the "studio"...which is an extra room in our house that was built onto the garage. You have to go through the garage to get into it from the house. It has it's own entrance from outside, though, so it makes a perfect place for Jackson to teach cello lessons and me to take portraits. Thomas has been practicing there for a few weeks, and it works out really well for a few reasons...1) there isn't the distraction of toys 2) it is a room we rarely go into otherwise 3) Estella and Nicholas are usually distracted by the new surroundings long enough for me to help Thomas with at least part of his practicing without interruption. When we went out a few days ago to practice, one of my backdrops was all set up from a photo shoot the day before. On a whim, I had Thomas do his practicing in front of the backdrop. It was so fun taking pictures of him playing the violin. I have LOTS to share...but here is one for now. I hope he retains his great attitude toward learning new things as he gets older.

Every morning...

...Estella begs for "paste." She LOVES toothpaste and also just chewing on a toothbrush. A few days ago, I was at a store and someone said, "Your toothbrush is about to fall out of your pocket." I had forgotten that I had picked up Estella's abandoned toothbrush off the floor and stashed it in my back pocket. Hopefully her teeth are staying nice and clean due to this little fetish.

Eye Candy Actions

For those of you who know what actions are, I just bought Sheye Rosemeyer's fairly new set of actions called, "Eye Candy." I have only had 10 minutes to play with them...but I am in LOVE!

Threadbare Surf Doggies

These are Surf Doggie socks.

They are Nicholas' favorite socks ever. His Grandma Chelle gave them to him on Easter 2008. They have been loved. They started today with this small hole you can see on his right foot, and a small hole on each toe.

After 30 minutes of jumping on the trampoline, this was the state of the beloved Surf Doggies. Nicholas, however, was completely oblivious to the fact that his toes had burst through the ends of his socks.

He wore them like this the rest of the day.

This will be the last day for Surf Doggie socks.

They were well loved.

Dandelions

I think dandelions are going to overtake my lawn. I am too cheap to pay someone to come spray them. Last year I bought some dandelion killer in a huge bottle and diligently sprayed the things every few weeks. What do I get for my efforts? Even more this year!!


I challenged the boys to fill an entire quart jar each with dandelions. They each did an entire jar in the backyard alone. I then bribed them with money to do another quart each in the front yard. They both almost filled up their second jars.

P.S. You can't see it very well in these pictures, but Nicholas has had a crazy rash on his cheeks the past week or so. It was really bad this particular day. He was complaining that it was itchy, so I dabbed calamine lotion all over his cheeks. You can see a pink/white film on his cheeks from the calamine lotion.

Wrapped around her finger...and not

Thomas adores Estella. Nicholas is indifferent. I think it is their ages that makes the difference. Here are a few examples that prove my point...

Exhibit one:
Thomas shares sucker with Estella


Estella, knowing her sweet big brother has a soft spot for her leans in and turns on the sweet little sister antics....leaning close, giving a huge grin, saying "PEASE" (please) and "UM UM" (yum yum).

Sweet success!

"See Mom...He can't resist me."

Exhibit Two:

Nicholas taunts Estella with a piece of gum

Nicholas, quietly playing with an unopened stick of gum, is soon noticed by little sister Estella.

The gum promptly becomes an airplane that soars to heights beyond little sister's reach.

Uh oh...little sister has lost interest. Airplane descends enough to again entice the attentions of little sister.

"See little sister...it is still here. Do you see it? Do you want it?"

"Too bad...I am so much taller than you."

"Hooray. I have the power!"

I rest my case.

I am not trying to infer that Nicholas doesn't share as well as Thomas...he shares very well. It is just interesting to me the different ways they interact with each other at different ages.

What is happening?

What just happened Mom?
When I squeeze this it shoots water in my face.

Hmm...I think I might try that again.

And again...and again...and again.

Ah ha. If I put it in my mouth I get to drink it. YUM!