PSF About my Blog Neglect & Beach Trip

This poor blog has been seriously neglected since I have been working on my Project 365 and my new Biz Website. So to those who still read this lonely blog, you can see much more activity from me in these places:


The Gaggle Photography Website
The Gaggle Photography Blog
Gaggle365 Project

Please bookmark the other two blogs as well.

But don't go removing this blog from your readers just yet, I still plan to keep it (and try my hardest to update it) and post family events and pictures.

So, without further ado, here are some lovely photos from our recent trip to the beach.


Our first night we took in a stroll on the boardwalk.


My son figures out that waves are used for more than just jumping.


Playing at the beach by the bay my baby found that starfish were very ticklish and hermit crabs are kinda ugly up close.


The older daughter collected rocks while the younger daughter copied her, as usual.


It was a good long weekend and they needed a rest.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

PSF - Such a long wait

I love spring. I love the flowers and the blooms on the trees and the smell in the air. I plan more flowers each fall so I have new things to photograph in the spring. But Mother Nature saved the best for last, my lilies. They are the last and the most beautiful, at least to me. Each color seems to bloom at a different time but when they are all out in full force, their smell is heavenly.

This week, the orange greeted us.



Looking forward to my star gazers.

Oh and I have my fingers crossed for Mama Geek!!

PSF - Nature

I love nature. Love scenes. Love landscapes.

This flower was calling out to me to shoot it:



Only then did I realize there was a bug.

I hate bugs. They can live in the world and I leave them alone, provided that they keep a huge distance and they are not in numbers.

But they are fun to shoot:

PSF - They Like Butter

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

We were camping over Memorial Day weekend and having a good time walking around the campground. Miss E came across a field of Buttercups. Of course I told her that if she held it under her chin and it glowed yellow then she likes butter.



But of course she loves butter.

Then later, she decided to try this trick on her brother.



He loves it too but thought that this game wasn't as fun as his sister did.

PSF - Behind

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Man I am far behind at updating this blog. Things are busy but good. Last class has started and tomorrow I go to graduation. I have my first paying gig this weekend (working on my side-biz) and my youngest baby toddler turns two on Monday. Its almost summer and my 1st grader will soon be a 2nd grader.

Luckily I am trying my hardest to capture it all with my 365 project/blog.

I will try to update this blog more often as well. I know I slack. So here are a few recent ones in the mean time


Baby and me - who needs a serious haircut.


She asked me to take her pic today, can't say no to that!


And my handsome, sweaty man who loves to camp and ride bikes.

(Not really) WW - Catch up

Haven't posted in a while. Just got finished my thesis and I am starting to come out of the fog called school. So, here are a few shots for my (almost) WW.



Looking for some warmer weather.



New bedroom for the girls is done.



My goof-face girl.



The cherry tree on the brink of bloom.



Karate boy who just got his orange belt.

PSF - This is Me

This is me

This is me with my new glasses



Which look very much like my old glasses



Lately I haven't been feeling much like me.

I have been working through my Master's Thesis and it just sits heavily on my shoulders until its done. I am not sure why it has consumed me this much but until its done I will feel its weight.

I have been feeling really down on my photog lately. What I thought was an awesome great deal on my new L lens has turned into big frustration. I am either not getting it, my camera is dying or my new beautiful lens is not all THAT. I am thinking its my lack of skill. Plus my kids are done, done and done with me and I need some subjects to practice on so I should really open up some time for clients but see previous entry about large weight on my shoulders.

I also work and take care of three little ones.

I hope I will be back to good 'ole me soon.

Drop of Springtime

Theme Thursday - Laughter

My older daughter thinks it is sooo funny when I wash her hair and put it in a pony tail. This time I decided to bring my camera into the bathroom to grab a few shots. After I washed her hair and proceeded to let it fall into he face the giggling started.



And lasted most of the bath.

(not so) WW - Masters Thesis

PSF - Something on your Face

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

If her siblings are doing it, so should she. Tonight she had to have a Popsicle like them. Its amazing how grown up she is all ready and how much she gets away with at a younger age.



Even with a good scrubbing, her face is still orange.

I Heart Faces - BW

Just a snap for the weekly BW theme on the I Heart Faces Blog.



My daughter waiting in a long line to finally see the Little Mermaid. The highlight of her Disney trip. I loved being in the sun for a brief moment, even though it was so cold there.

PSF - Elmolympics

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



It was a close race last night at the Elmolympics. Getting the bronze was little Hokey Pokey Elmo who was the favorite for the toddler carry event. The silver medal goes to big Hokey Pokey Elmo who was the favorite in the dancing event but lost the gold metal when the batteries unexpectedly died mid "left foot in". The gold metal goes to Tickle Me Elmo TMX who provided hours of entertainment for toddler in the "push over and pick me up" event. Fun was had by all, except mommy who is tired of hearing "ELMO ELMO ELMO". Even Mickey Mouse is now, "Elmo".

PSF - Glass

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I treated myself with something I have wanted for a while. I was resigned to pay retail for this beauty but lucked into finding someone who was selling their two-week old machinery due to indecision. He was faced with making a decision between two camera brands after buying one and being gifted another. Lucky for me, he went with the other and I scooped up a deal.



This lens is so heavy that I fear I will drop it. I also need tons of practice cause what I once new about my camera I have to relearn. But I bask in the yummy sharpness that I hope to acheive one day when the kids are not running around like headless chickens:

WW - My Desk Pal, I call him Brian Jr.

PSF - Ice Skating

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Snow with ice on top, what a lovely combo. Yesterday we woke up with the most beautiful white topped with the most shiny and glistening ice. I wanted pics, of course. I trudged out to the trees to get some of the ice covered limbs and skipped and skidded the entire way. Luckily I didn't drop my camera.



So I go in and call it a success. Today, ice still on our driveway and deck. I grabbed my handy shovel and started trying to chip away at the frozen tundra. I must have looked like a real fool sliding all over the place. It would have been easier if I had my old ice skates. But I didn't even make a dent. However, I did clear the deck steps so that I don't have to carry the stupid dogs each time they want to potty. But I captured one more of my patio table while I was at it.

WW - Snow Princess

PSF - Have Bag, Will Travel

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Packing up the family for a week's vacation. (well as soon as I get off the computer playing with pics) We are taking the kids on an airplane ride, something we haven't done in a few years. I am looking forward to some family time but not necessarily while corralling my gaggle thru airport security. Wish us luck! (and I will be sure to throw in a few vacation pics during the week)

PSF - Birthday Necklace

My oldest daughter is a jewelry hoard. She love all things girlie, dresses, tights, earrings, dance shoes and necklaces. She's also learning about birthdays. Her's is coming up in March so we have been talking much about where she would like her party. However, that means everyone's birthday is coming up. Well, actually my hubby's is next week. However, she thinks my birthday is next week as well, even though I have told her a gazillion times its in May. I guess she is still grasping the aspect of time.

Anyway, as my present she 'made' me this necklace crafted with pipe cleaners. However, she won't let me wear it!

PSF - Happy New Year's Obsessions

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Happy New Year to all! Hope you had a great night. We went to dinner with friends and then slept in since the kiddos were at the Grandparents. Woo!

So new year comes new obsessions in photography. The first is I am gearing up a new website/blog and new logos and working on getting a portfolio together. What that means is, starting in 2009 I will attempt start taking on 'clients' (which really means friends) to start Portfolio Building sessions. If that goes well, maybe...just maybe, I will take on professional clients. Yes...I am thinking of taking the plunge, but just PT only (not to mention until June I will be finishing my MBA to include a 50 page thesis, so needless to say, I won't have a ton of free time). I just need new subjects to practice on cause my kids are tired of the looks of my camera. I am beyond nervous but I really need to start someplace so slow and steady it will be!

The second thing is I am going to do a 365 project for the year. Since I take tons of pictures each and every day anyway, I thought I would put together Project 365 of 2009.

I will be keeping track of these both on Flickr and on a separate 365 blog that I created.

Project 365 Blog

Oh and I will NOT be doing all Self Portraits for this project. I plan to take one shot each day of anything I want. :) No one wants to see that many pics of me anyway.

So....big year, big obsessions, big goals. Wish me luck.