"I Yike It!"

We have another ranch lover in the family!

Finally

After over two months of waiting, I FINALLY learned the basics of my sewing machine, that was my birthday gift back in August, tonight!!! It has been a struggle to find the time to squeeze in a one-on-one lesson, but I somehow made it happen today! I got the machine at a little sewing store right by my house, it is quite the machine! I am really over the moon about it and can't wait to start making "stuff"! I am headed to the Park West Farmers Market Saturday morning after my hair appointment (thinking it is time for the dark with a few peek-a-boo blondes still coming through?!) to search for some things to sew! There are a couple of booths that have the kits with everything you need to make "something" (again, starting with basic, so what that something is, I don't know). I have a lot to learn, but I plan on having fun playing!!!

Mama

Your arms were always open when I needed a hug.

Your heart understood when I needed a friend.

Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson.

Your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings

to fly.

~ Sarah Malin

"The girls - 3 generations" a little blury, but we will take it! Thank you Kyan!

Grandma Julie and Kyan. You can sort of see one of the tattoos on Kyan's arm, but my mom brought him two little tattoo books that had ten tattoos in each, by the end of the trip, Kyan and my mom were all tatted up! No picture with just Lola, although her and my mom really bonded this trip - think this was a great visit for them!

The four of us - and the saying on the picture says it all -
A house needs a grandma in it.

My oh my, how we adored our time with you. I was missing you so much and I can't thank you enough for coming down here, last second, and visiting us! From the cooking, to the cleaning, to the spending time with both of my children, and me of course, we are so grateful and lucky that you are able to see us as often as you do! We wish that you would live here forever (secretly in our house), but will settle for our quick weekend visits. We love you so much, more than you will ever know!

Kyan's PreSchool Picture

First picture of his school career - was a defining moment for me to get these today!

Simple.

I should be doing many things today (cleaning, cooking, laundry, lesson plans, etc.), but all that I really feel like doing is playing. I took a few photos of my children today at my new favorite spot and what I thought I snapped were some pretty basic pictures of them just playing. Boy was I wrong. After looking at them and editing them like I do, I discovered that I captured two of my most favorite pictures of them (without even seeing their faces). I added the quote to each one of the pictures - because, well...I was just playing!

Both pictures reminded me of how simple life can be - to cherish each moment that I get with my two children and love them to the sun, moon, stars...and back!

Goooooooo Celeste!

Last night, Celeste (babysitter) finally invited us to come and watch her play, since she practices and plays like 3 blocks from us! Laken (other babysitter) was dropped off at our house before the game started and we all walked to her game!

We were her #1 fans, poor thing was probably so embarrassed of us! My kids were constantly yelling, "GO CELESTE!" the entire night! When we told Lola, "look, there is Celeste," she started to run onto the field! We had to chase her down! She didn't understand why she couldn't go play with her?!

Thank you for inviting us to your game Celeste! It is about time! Laken, thanks for walking with us and helping me keep the kids entertained! You both really do feel like my 3rd and 4th children! We had a blast!

My Work!

My girlfriend from school asked if I would take her family photos this year and I must say that I was beyond thrilled! I was also incredibly nervous - I wanted to make sure that they were perfect and exactly what she wanted.

This being said, everyone has their own style when taking pictures and editing photos and if you know me, you know that I love the old, vintage look. When it came time to edit the pictures, I couldn't help but lean towards that, I tried to do them in more vibrant of colors, but only chose a few to do this with. A great photographer (Rae Lynn, yes my dear, I really believe this) once told me that people pick you because they see what you do and they obviously like it or they wouldn't have chosen you to take their pictures! So I am going to go with that! I have to stop being so nervous and self conscious of what I do, I need to just put myself out there and dive in head first! My dream one day, hopefully sooner than later, is to be a full time photographer! I have absolutely no idea where I would even begin (maybe by charging people - HA!), but that I will get there!

Here are some of my favorites from last night (to see the picture much bigger, double click):

What a beautiful family huh? Thanks Casillas family for given me the opportunity to add to my portfolio!