Theme Thursday - Holiday Memories

I thought I would post pictures of the kids' first Hanukkah for this week.



This is 2002 with my first born. Mr Z. He was 6 months old here. He couldn't sit up yet and was fascinated with the presents.



This is 2005 and we have two. Miss E was 9 months old yet and starting to walk. She loved the lights.



This was last year, 2007. Miss V's first. She was 7 months old and already showing us her stubborn side.

Goofing off in the "Studio"

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I recently bought some studio lights. I had literally one nanosecond before the kids melted down and refused to sit still for me to play. I really need some more cooperative victims models.

But I have to say shooting in a 'studio' is really fun and challenging. I just need to get the hang of light placement. So if anyone has any tips for me, please feel free.

Oh and I have had a bunch of people ask me for a lighting tutorial, so I promise I will get to that real soon.







I'm not all that great at BW conversions so I am practicing.



Handed the camera to the 6 year old son to grab this one. He did great.



Look at those big browns.

Theme Thursday - Holiday

We are having lots of fun in my house getting ready for the big Holiday. Here are some ways we are celebrating.

My son challenged me to a fierce game of dreidel.



He's beating me by taking all of my pennies.



Then I get kicked out of the game by the 3 year old.



The baby gets a turn putting the flames into the candles in their Menorah.



Then she wants to play with my electric one.



The older two put together their Menorah puzzle.



Then the tears come out when the youngest can't ruin their puzzle fun.



One final shot of all their loot wrapped and ready to go.

The kids are very excited for the 21st (and we are too).

WW - nature

PSF - Kar Ra Tay

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Ever see that friends episode where Ross was explaining that he was a master of Kar Ra Tay? Man I loved that one. Anyway, I signed my son up for Karate this fall. At first he loved it, then not so much and now back to love. I was hoping it would help with discipline, focus and of course his boundless energy. Well it hasn't helped much with any of it but he has learned a lot. Now he wants a Karate outfit. Since I plan to sign him up for another class in the spring maybe I will swing for it. Here he is showing off his moves.



Here's his scary punching look:



And his side kick:



I think he's ready for competition, thoughts??

WW - Siblings

PSF - A year makes

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I decided to look back a year ago at Miss V's 6 month shots. What a difference in her, in my photography (at least I think I have gotten a little better). I set up a mock studio in my basement. I used a sheet hung from two ladders and I used my hubby's hot shop lights. I made a reflector out of tin foil around one of the kids large books. So in the morning I take the kids down to take my 'professional' shots.



All I can say is wow, yellow and awww...my little baby.

Theme Thursday - Thankful

I am thankful for so much, let me count the ways:

1. This boy and throwing rocks into the pond.


2. This girl and her radiant eyes and smile.



3. This girl and her joyful laugh.



4. And this man who helps me keep some sanity.

WW - 18 Month Old Girlie (already)

PSF - Gymnast/Dancer

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Once a week this little girl takes gymnastics. She like its most days. Yesterday was not one of those days. She went with her daddy as I stayed home with her siblings. She went to class and performed well until she had a melt down over seeing a friend of hers come into the lobby but not come into class. Then she came home for dinner. I really think she wants to be a dancer though. Or maybe mommy wants her to be one. :) I think we will forgo the gymnastics for ballet, once I find a studio.

I can't believe she is rounding the corner on 4. How did she get to be so big and sassy?

(excuse the terrible pics, I snapped them quickly before her bath)

Theme Thursday - Home

As I am getting back in the groove of things coming off a few weeks of travel, this is a really good theme for me. Its so nice to arrive home after being away. I finally had some time to grab my camera and get some shots of us hanging it at home.

First we work on homework.



And color rainbows.



Then we sit and watch some TV.



Then Miss E gets mad when I want to take her picture of her watching TV.



Then its me, wearing my 'working from home' slippers.



And as an added bonus, here is a shot from Wed night after I arrived home from traveling. I grabbed these two and snapped a fun shot.



I love following them around the house with the camera. They don't like it so much. :) But I figure one day they will thank me for keeping so many memories of them as they grow. Right??

WW - When you can't grow em, Buy em

Life gets in the way

Blogging has taken the back seat recently as I have been traveling and working on school work these last two weeks. Luckily this semester is coming to a close and I have major hurdles behind me (like a 100% grade on my term paper :) ) and my travel will end by tomorrow night for a while. Therefore, I will return to my regular posting shortly. However, I wanted to post today to acknowledge my absence and tell everyone that I have been reading your blogs but haven't had much time to respond. I am slapping my own wrist for being a bad blogger-friend.

So, that said, I will post photos, just cause. :)


She wanted to pose for me, only when she was ready, to show off her purses.


Using the compact as a phone. "Ehhh?"


And one that I found going thru older ones. Thought it was worth a second look.