You Get What You Get

So, I tried taking a few pictures of the kiddos the other day...tried, being the operative word. They had both just got up from a nap...Kynlee was fed, and Kallen was in an unusually "chipper" mood. Perfect...picture time will be great!

First things first...I laid out a sheet simply to see if the lighting would work, not intending to take the pictures just yet. Well...Kallen thought it was funny that there was a sheet hanging in the living room, and wouldn't get off of it. Kynlee decided she wasn't diggin' the teeth that are trying to make their way into her mouth and screamed anytime I put her down, and the phone wouldn't stop ringing. "Okay, maybe now won't work" I thought! Well, too bad. I had everything set up, both kids there in my sight...It was now or never.

Here's a little of how things went during our "photo shoot"!

Kallen: "Sissy sad mommy"
Me: "She is sad...here, come sit by mommy and let's try to get her to smile"


Kallen: "Sissy need binki mommy" (something she normally wont even take, FYI)
Me: "no honey...I think she's okay...thank you though"


Kallen: "See"


Kallen: "iss okay sissy...all better"


All is well...now time for more pics!

Me: "wait Kal, don't try to squeeze in...you're going to sit on her"

Me: "okay Kal...wait, hands out of your mouth...smile for mommy...oh wait...shoot, the camera is "busy"...try again...smile...come on buddy...just one good picture!"

Me: "Hey Kallen, let's take a good picture for Ellie (his bestest friend...the little girl next door)

Kallen: "Nooooooooooooooo, Elllllliiiiiiieeeee....I play with Ellie"

Me: "okay, maybe...just one good one...oh no, now Kynz is crying...hold on Kal...Kynlee, it's okay baby...it's okay" Fine...I give up!

All in all I got some cute pictures of the kids...not the ones I was hoping for, but picturs non the less! What do you do...right?

Look What I Learned...

When my sister was in college, she took a couple of different Photoshop classes, and in turn, gave me a few unofficial "lessons". I knew how to do some basic things, and even a little here or there that wasn't so basic. I have been by no means taking full advantage of all the program has to offer.

Well, now that I've got my new camera, I decided that a little doctoring of the pictures might be fun too...I got online and looked at a few tutorials, and look what I learned how to do!

From this...

...to this

and this...

...to this

I know, I know...all you camera savvy, and Photoshop professionals have been doing this for ages, but it's all new to me, and I am so thrilled. I'm even taking a class of my own here in a couple of weeks. "The possibilities are endless!!!"

All Smiles These Days!

Yesterday, our little lady was 5 months old! Wow...has it been that long already? It's hard to imagine not having her in our lives, yet it just seems like a few days ago that we were in the hospital welcoming her into our family. Gee, that makes sense...anyways, she's 5 months old regardless and we're having so much fun with her. She's got quite the personality and is as easy going as they come!

Her bottom two teeth are in, so she's been a little on edge the past few days. Nothing too bad though, and she definitely still finds time to smile! She's nearly sitting on her own now...though every once in a while she throws herself backwards like a flopping fish...and there's nothing better than her big brother! If he's around...she's happy!

Kynlee

Kallen

A New Week!

Well here it is Sunday, and I am most definitely ready to begin a new week...hopefully a much slower week. Jodi, over at West Coast Wagners, wrote a post about "Slowing Down", and everything she had to say, was exactly how I was feeling! The hustle and bustle of the season has definitely found it's place in our lives, and while I try to not get stressed, "stressed" was my middle name last week!

Our lives were filled to the brim with miscellaneous happenings, and I barely had enough time to check the mail, let alone sit down and spend time on the computer. Here I am, finally taking a moment to breathe...hot tea in hand, Christmas lights sparkling, the background noise of Sunday night football (though it's not much of a game), and kids settling down for bed...ohhhhh, so nice!

Instead of rambling about our week however...I thought I'd share some pictures!

Kynlee's new favorite place to be...the excersaucer!

I'm constantly finding Kallen and Kynlee like this. He can't get enough of her, so why not lay on her and truly be as close as he possibly can!

With all the Christmas decorations, I decided to get a few out that Kallen can play with. As soon as he saw Santa, he said..."I need Noah, sit by me"! Yes...it's not Santa, it's Noah!

While trying to set up the camera and timer for Christmas pictures...this is what I captured! Did you find anything good in there Kallen?

While giving Kynz a bath in the sink, Kallen saw what was happening, and needed to be a part of the action as well. He quickly began removing his clothes and trying to climb up the counter.

Then being in separate parts of the sink wasn't good enough!

Kynlee only lasted a few minutes in her little Christmas dress before she was ready for some sweats and a T-Shirt...dresses just arn't her thing.

and finally...In an attempt to get some pictures of the kiddos together, I first got a scowl...

...then a mug shot!

Model of the Month

A few months back, the kids and I were out and about, and stopped to shop at the local "Kid Shop". While in the store, the nice friendly clerk suggested that I enter Kallen into the "Model of the Month" drawing. Not thinking anything of it, I filled out the little card, continued my shopping, and we went on our merry way.


Well...Just last week I got a phone call that they had drawn Kallen's name. He won!!! Okay, so it's luck of the draw, but I'm pretty sure he was just too darn cute to pass up, and his "charm" sent vibes to whomever was drawing the names!!! Anyways, the store picks out an outfit that they want the winner to wear for their ad, and sends them to a near by photo gallery for a complementary photo shoot. He also won a $20.00 gift certificate to "The Kid Shop". Now his picture is going to be displayed in the store for the month of December, and featured in the local "Valley Parent" magazine. They also liked him so much that they asked if they could take a few other pictures in a different outfit to use in future adds


I snuck in a picture of Kynlee too, but after an hour or so of pictures, when they decided one with Kynlee and Kallen might be fun...the little guy had had enough...so, no pictures of the two of them. Oh well...I'll take what I can get!!!

Awaiting My "Retreat"!

Well, today is my birthday...I know...Happy Birthday to me! Anyways, due to a hometown basketball game tonight, and a much anticipated "Civil War" football game on Saturday, we celebrated last night with the family! I made a big pot of stew, warmed up some good ol' fashioned garlic bread, and had some good times hangin' out with the fam!

As you know, with birthdays, come presents...so in summary...I'll be baking a stew in my new roasting pan, while wearing my new sweater and Moroccan shoes, before heading out to spend my $25.00 and enjoying a day of "refreshment" at the Retreat Day Spa here in town! Yes, while I got many wonderful things from the fam...the best, and most rewarding thing was a gift certificate from Kevin. I am supposed to "prepare to be refreshed", with a manicure, pedicure, hair wash, cut and style, and a 1 hour massage! I may just add a facial to that too!!! He said he may even watch the kids for me (joking of course...he's most definitely watching the kiddos!!!) I've got the phone number right here, and I'm making my appointment as we speak! I can't wait!

A Little Added 'Bling'

Being that Kynlee is a girl...I get to do all kinds of "girly" things with her! Now, I'm not one of those moms who is going to force Ballet, Dolls and Beauty Pageants on my daughter, but...I couldn't resist the ears!


Every girl loves Diamonds (or fake diamonds as the case may be), right!!! Arn't they precious!

As am I son...As am I

Yesterday was obviously Thanksgiving...so Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Since my family is overseas currently, we celebrated the Holiday with Kevin's family this year.

As a tradition in his family (as I'm sure many other families) we all go around the table and say what we're thankful for. There are affirmations of gratitude towards our loved ones, friends and family, The Lord for blessing us throughout the year, and a few odd thanks from the kiddos, etc. etc.

Well, this year when it came to Kallen's turn, he proclaimed (unprompted mind you) that he was thankful for ma'ma (grandma) and "shotting tarts" (shopping carts)!!! Are you laughing as hard as I was? Now...he most likely said that because the day before he and I had gone shopping at the local grocery store in town, where they have mini shopping carts for the kids. Every time we go in there (which isn't often because of the small town prices) he gets his own cart, and gets to fill it full of the groceries we need! He loves it! Although the "shotting tart" was fresh on his mind...it's so true. I too am thankful for shopping carts. Leave it to kids to think of the things we all take for granted!