Our Christmas

The holiday season is just about over.  We've taken down the tree and cleared the house of lights, stockings and peppermint scented candles.  I enjoy this ritual of clearing the house of its festive wear, it gives me a feeling of creating a fresh start to the new year.  My mind is busy now thinking of things I'd like to do and achieve next year.  Will share more on that later, for now here are some of my favorite pictures from our holiday.

I Heart Faces October Challenge | Friendship

 My little lady in yellow and her friends.


This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Tippy Toes

Before I ever had kids, I had fantasizes about bringing my yet to be conceived daughter to dance classes and how an experience like this could do so much for her mind, body and soul.   I've always enjoyed dance but never took classes growing up and so I wanted to give that experience to my future child.  If thats what she wanted to do.  So when I saw my first born twirling and mimicking the moves she saw while watching Angelina Ballerina, well my heart did a little jump for joy.  She was enrolled in a Twinkle Toes group at a local studio and is loving every minute of it!  

Living a dream.

Doing so well with her chassé

She gets extremely excited when the teacher brings out the bean bags to practice their Jetes.

Getting a stamp at the end of class is always very exciting.

I would love to hear how you help your kids shine.

Dear Alice,

Tears are welling in my eyes right now.  As they often do when I think of how much I love my babies.  Time is going by way too fast for me.

Though some days I wish I could rewind the clock and keep you small forever.  Watching you grow and thrive has been such a blessing.  I will cherish these last few months of your babyhood, soaking it in as much as I can.

One of my favorite things is holding you close to my heart and giving your baby cheeks a million kisses.  There really isn't anything better then baby cheeks, so perfectly soft and squishy.   

At almost 7 months old, you are laughing, holding your head up strong and moving around with determination.   You are gaining strength and soon will be able to sit up on your own, and even crawl.

Calm and quiet as can be, you are an enchanting little thing.  All smiles, your face just lights up with the sweetest grin each time we glance in your direction.   You love being held by mama, and I love holding you. 
  

Sweet girl, I can't tell you enough how much I love you. xoxo Mama.

Confidence Rising.

Confidence issues, who doesn't have them to one extent or another... well my husband doesn't, like at all!  He has no issues with stating that he's good at something.  Me on the other hand?  I don't think I've ever admitted to be good at anything.   I feel like once I admit to having talent it opens up the floor for people to tell me I'm delusional.  I call it my "American Idol Complex."  You know, when a contestant walks into the judges room and declares how beautiful their singing voice is, but as soon as they open their mouths we cringe and feel a bit embarrassed for them.  I wish I had half of their confidence.

But you know what?  I can feel things starting to change for me.  With all the practice I've had lately with photography I can see my skills improve, and though I have moments where I compare myself to other photographers I know, I am realizing you just can't do that.  That maybe the difference between their shots and mine could simply be a difference in style.  I have a style. Though still in it's baby form, I love watching it develop.

Some friends and I had an end of summer rainbow party photo shoot with our girls.  Each kiddo came representing a color from the rainbow.  And with true confidence I can say I rocked it out! 

Our Good friend over at ItsyBelle styled the event.

The super cute cake topper can be found at TiTisTuTus.

This past shoot has given me momentum to move forward in doing photography professionally.  To finally put myself out their and declare I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER.  and so I am going to do just that.  Like A Moment Remembered's page on Facebook ;)

A Raspberry Picking We Go

Raspberry picking at Picha Farms.

4th of July

Our Fourth of July in photos.

We went to our local 4th of July parade this year.

And ran into some familiar faces.

An oops shot, but I kind of like it.

After parade ice cream stop.

She loved the sparklers again this year.

“Enjoying Life” I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

My little love enjoying a sweet treat on her special day.

 

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

To the Zoo

Grandpa joined us for a little afternoon zoo time last week.

The last time we took her to the zoo she was dressed like a pumpkin and could really care less about the animals she saw (if she even looked).  This time however was a different story.   She took her time at each exhibit studying what was inside, seeming genuinely interested.

She was exhausted by the end of the day but still found the energy to run up and down the grassy hill at the beginning of the park.  Each time she reached the bottom she would say she fell down, wipe her chest and tell me that she was okay.  

 

Thanks for joining us dad!