Sunday, December 16, 2012

Family Photo Hell...

I have taken tons of family photos this  year.  And for that, I am truly grateful. 

My own family photos, however...whole different story.


I was going to use this one...

 
 
 
But Finn's smile wasnt really right and the sparkles went out on the top of their heads. 
 
 
SO then I thought maybe this one...
 
 



But all I could think of was Freddy singing.....

"I see a little silhouette-o of a man
 scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the fandango....

and the lights were messed up again.  (Hailey could fix that in Photoshop, but I couldn't get past the four heads in the Bohemian Rhaposdy video..) Oh yeah, and Stella's hair was still wet. Always rushing that poor kid.  *heavy sigh*

Was going to do a silhouette around the tree, all four holding hands.  And Stella lost it.  Wouldn't be still.  Finn got irritated at Maddy.  And it all fell apart.  So I said, "FORGET IT.  Just forget it."

Went to my room to pout and 3 out of 4 were really worried about me.  Because I NEVER want to stop until I get it right.  (yeah.  it was maddy that didn't care...)


Bottom line...I have no idea if we will do a damn card or not.  I'd like to still do the whole family.  But we shall see.  Time is running out.


My favorite photo was this one.  I made Finn let me do light tests with his sweet face...



(Your hair is fine Finn.  Don't listen to Maddy.  :)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Engagement Photos

I did my first official engagement  photo session last weekend...

here's a sneak preview (more on photo blog later)  I'm really loving their black and whites..so that's what i'm posting!






 
  





 
and one of the red, red truck of course!
 
 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Common Question

Question: 
 
Why don't you do photography full time? 
When can you really get that business going?
 
 
Answer:  
 
 When my faith is greater than my fear.
That's when.
 
 
 
 
 
And I'm getting there....slowly.
2013
might
just
be
my
year!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Happy Birthday FINN!



He's starting to look like a miniture man. 
How in the world did THAT happen all the sudden??

Happy Birthday to my one and only SON.  So many wonderful things to look forward to!  LOVE YOU TO THE MOON, the SUN and BACK.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

favorite photo right now....



and close second....


I don't know...maybe the second one is my fav....tough one.  Precious sisters.


A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.
  ~Toni Morrison

 
A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. 
~Marion C. Garretty

 
You can kid the world. But not your sister.
  ~Charlotte Gray




Saturday, October 27, 2012

Mouths of Babes...

Kids say the darndest things....
Moore-Licare style.
 
 Here are a few samples of the things being discussed in our house!!
 
 
I took a bite of Stella's bagel while she was talking.  She looked down and noticed a bite missing and said, "WHO TOOK A BITE OF MY BAGEL??"  I very calmly told her that I had taken the bite.
 
She replied, "Well then.  I'm gonna kick your ass."
(yes, we had a long conversation about that one.)
 
 
 
Mom- How's the 5th grade drama these days?
Finn-   Good
Mom-   Still got a girlfriend?  Amelia?
Finn-    Yeah.  But Raina is causing trouble because she's good friends with MaryAna.  And Mary Ana likes me.
Mom-  Yeah. You're pretty cool. 
Finn-    Raina said she was gonna kill Amelia so I went to talk to her and tell her to stop being mean to Amelia.  She thinks everyone is afraid of her and so I decided I better stand up to her and stand up for Amelia.  She usually backs down when somebody stands up to her and tells it like it is.
Mom-  I'm glad you told her to stop.  I sorta get it I guess.  She's trying to make her friend, MaryAna, feel better.  I guess she doesn't want her friend to feel sad because you have a girlfriend.  But saying she's gonna KILL her is NOT ok. Neither is being mean to her.
(all is quiet for about 2 minutes.)
Finn-    So I found out there's this "hot list".  Supposed to be a list of hot guys. 
Mom-  So are you on it?
Finn-    Yeah.
Mom-  Well, we have always known you are quite handsome.
Finn-   Yeah.  Yeah we have.
 
 
 
A couple weeks ago, I ran upstairs...talking to myself the whole way...
 
Me- "Dear Lord,
Please let Maddy score today.  I know I'm not supposed to pray that way.  I know, I know- I should pray for guidance and wisdom and stuff like that.  Maybe pray that she have a good game and trust in her ability to make the choices she needs to make today, etc.  I know. But it sure would be nice for her to score. It's time.  She's worked hard, she's dedicated, she's fierce.  So a score would be really nice."
 
Finn- You're not supposed to pray that way?  OH yeah.  It doesn't work AT ALL.  You can't just pray for things you want.  I know cause I prayed for YEARS to be a super hero....and NUTTIN.
 
(side note-  She scored in the last 2 minutes of the game that day! :)
 
 
 
Stella-  I want another Mother.
Mom-  Really?  Do you mean you want two?  Or someone different?
Stella-  Someone different.  NOT YOU.
Mom-  How come?
Stella-  Cuz.
Mom-  Do you think a different Mother would be better for ya?
Stella- Yes.  I want a new mother that doesn't make me wash or brush my hair.
Mom-   Ah.  I see.
Stella-  You do?? 
Mom-  Yes.  But you're not getting a new one.  You're stuck with me forever.
Stella-  That's what I was afraid of.
 
 
 
Maddy came home from school the other day...
Slams door open (CRASH).  Slams backpack down. (BAM)
Hair on side of her head in a messy bun, t-shirt, leggings, socks, tennis shoes (looking cute as ever and just like Maddy)
Screams:
"MOM!! I GET TO PLAY POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL IN KEY CLUB!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!"
(and proceeds to do a little celebration dance up the stairs.)
 
 
Last one...
 
Maddy-  I had my World History midterm today.
Me-        How was it?
Maddy-  Well I studied for like hours and like none of the stuff I studied was even on the test!
Me-        Oh no.  Not good??
Maddy-  Oh, please.  It was really easy.  I'm just totally irritated that I wasted all that time studying.
 
 
 


Monday, October 22, 2012

Happy Birthday Stella!

Happy Birthday, Stella!!
She says this was her best birthday yet.  I have to agree...i think it might be! 
A weekend full of fun, and today,
 
this.....
(Thank you Luna and Erin.  You are the sweetest girlies EVER.)
 
 







There was a star danced, and under that was I born.
-William Shakespeare

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Finn

"When you look for a man- what you want to look for is a man with the heart of a poor boy and the mind of a conqueror."
C. Joybell C.
 
 





 

Stella

She lives  "like a feather on the breath of God." 
 -Hildegarde of  Bingen
 





 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Phillip Phillips - Home



This is my favorite song right now.  LOVE it.

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause i’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause i’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause i’m going to make this place your home

Home Song Lyrics, Philip Phillips Album Lyrics, Philip Phillips Home Lyrics,

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Diving Practice!



On our last trip to the lake, these two spent a lot of time practicing their jumps and dives...







Meanwhile....



I'm really gonna miss my lazy days.

Monday, August 13, 2012

FALL Bucket List

Since the summer is dwindling quickly and life is about to get hectic again, we decided to create a bucket list for Fall this year!  (Pinterest idea)  Fall is usually so busy because we are ruled by schedules, soccer games, assignments and SCHOOL in general.  I KNEW that none of the "fun" stuff would get done unless it was either written down on a list or placed on a schedule.

So last night we had a family meeting to come up with our Fall Fun MUSTS.

 (MMM wasn't here.  Hated to have a meeting without her. In fact, this was a first.  But since Madame Social Butterfly is gone A TON, we went on without her.   She's been known to give a good eye roll at family meetings anyway.  They get on her nerves. Especially if Finn puts her name on the agenda for being mean. Luckily it was all about fun this time.  :)


So here is our FBL for 2012:

(only rules- all family members MUST attend)

1.  Fall Photoshoot
2.  Have a Starbucks morning (pre soccer game) as soon as apple spiced/pumpkin spiced  lattes become    available!
3. Get new friends in Kindergarten 
4.  Use our firepit for Smores on the deck
5.  Go camping in the mountains
6.  Go on a nature walk
7.  Go apple picking
8.  Make place mats for Thanksgiving  (name cards too)
9.  Family disc golf game
10. Have a pumpkin carving contest (nick finn and hailey will be out for blood)
11. Bake pumpkin bread
12.  Roast pumpkin seeds
13.  Family Dish-It-Out
14.  Family movie night or game night


So there ya have it!  Hope we do it all!!!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Life of a GYMNAST



Hailey (17)  mine 
and
Jaden (9) Jen's!

Baby J

My big girl

I have wanted to write about this for a while and now seems like a very approriate time!  We are so gymnastics excited over here!  (And I must add that I AM SO HAPPY FOR ALY R on floor!!! AND the whole USA team!!!!)

Yes, gymnasts are a different breed.  They don't walk, talk or think like normal people.  I mean, they can blend into a casual conversation or a crowd (provided they don't use too many gym terms or show their guns or washboards) but there is definitely something sparkly and special about these girls...

I have tried a number of times to put it into words...expand on this idea of a whole unique subculture...how quirky, committeed, couragous, and grounded these girls are.  My favorite, of course, is the courage part.  After all they encounter in the gym, typical life lessons seem easy and overstated.   Still, they seem to be a little socially immature and yet very wise beyond their years.  Their bodies are banged up and bruised and yet their strength grows wild from the inside out.  Something about them lets you know that they are invincible!

As I was thinking about my gymnast and her teammates, I stumbled upon a Facebook group called You Know Your a Gymnast When....  I decided to share some of the statements the girls on that page have shared. Some are pretty funny...and all are true!  My favorite seems to be their moto and it reads

Gymnastics is LIFE and the rest is just spare time. 

Here are some more: (and a peek into the life of a gymnast)

You know you're a gymnast when...

You have bigger muscles than your boyfriend.
You are on your hands as much as your feet.
You use more chalk than soap.
You do handstands everywhere.
Leotards and biker shorts become more comfy than clothes.
Gymnastics is life and the rest is just spare time.
You always know where the ground is.
Holding a quarter, you tell people you will flip them for drink, and then do a standing back tuck.
Changing into a leo in less than one minute becomes easy.
You sit in straddle splits when you watch TV.
You have more than 12 sisters listed on Facebook.
When you hear a good song on the radio, you start choreographing a routine to it.
You’re able to put on or take off grips in 30 seconds flat.
Swinging bars with rips becomes the norm.
You recycle everything from grips to leos.
You beat all the boys in the Presidential Physical Fitness tests.
The gym becomes your second home.
You always do handstands in the pool.
You laugh at football players for being wimps.
You always feel like you are in the land of giants – Everyone in school is way taller than you and in the gym you are always doing giants on the bars.
Your bedroom is clean because you are never in it.
You have traveled more places than your parents.
You spend more time with your coaches than with your parents.
Your gymbag is a pigsty because you are always in it.
You always cheer for your teammates.  Always.
When you hear music on the radio, you don’t know the name of the song, but you know who does a routine to it.
You know every one of your teammates routines.
You love to play judge for your friends and teammates.
Potentially hazardous sports are off-limits until after States/Regionals/ Nationals.
On Mondays, you have no idea what your friends at school are talking about because you were at a meet over the weekend.
You always want to see the bloodiest rips.
You have the ability to balance on a narrow beam, yet you have convinced your mom you can’t bend over to pick up your clothes off of the floor of your room.
You can beat all the boys doing chin-ups, push-ups and sit-ups.
Aerial isn’t a mermaid.
Karate is a no-no because you find it hard to kick with flexed feet.
You can stick without glue.
If you are standing anywhere for more than two minutes, you start practicing your floor and beam routines.
Listening to Compulsory music is awful compared to listening to Optional music.
You find “balance beams” everywhere.
You become a master in the field of hand health care.
When waiting in line at the mall you stand in fifth position.
You only watch TV if gymnasts are on.
You can remember every routine you have ever done.
You understand gravity long before you study physics.
You fall asleep in splits.
You have two sets of friends, your school friends, and your gymnastics friends. and none of them know each other.
The topic of almost every paper you write in school is gymnastics.
When someone says “bars” you don’t think of jail or drinking.
You miss dinner every night because you are at practice.
You don’t think of a spot as a stain.
Your pajamas are a gymnastics T-shirt and “Got Chalk” shorts.
You worry more about having water than food.
You call your dad “Coach” and your coach “Dad” on a regular basis.
You wonder why the average person goes to touch their toes and can’t get past their knees without groaning.
You go to grab something off the floor and your leg shoots up to a perfect scale.
You like to pull the skin off rips.
You hear, "Eww. Who bled on the bars today?" on a weekly basis.
Your deductions aren’t part of a tax return.
Furniture is just more gymnastics equipment.
You are the shortest one in your class.
You’re not sure if the mirror has become your friend or your enemy.
The jeans you buy to fit your calves are too big in the waist.
No matter how hard you fall, you never even think of not getting up and doing it again.
You start counting in school, “And one and two and three and four.”
You do gymnastics everywhere including underwater in the pool.
You point your toes in your sleep.
Being corrected isn’t considered an insult.
For you a flip flop is more than a sandal.
The hardest gym class you ever had is easier than your gymnastics warm-up.
You rant and rave about the joy of stretching out.
You have way more medals and trophies than anyone else at your school.
Every T-shirt you own is from a gymnastics meet.
You learn how to laugh and make light of a mistake at a meet.
You think the best cure for a sprained ankle is to tumble on it.
You work out Monday through Friday and then still go to open gym on the weekends.
You are sure your bed is a trampoline.
You can’t run more than a few steps without doing a hurdle step and round-off.
You are the only person in Physical Therapy under 50.
You take more Motrin and Aleve than anybody you know.
People constantly think you are training for the olympics.



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Summer Sun and Fun

We have had lots of fun days in and around water lately.




And then we came home, from a lovely day at the lake, to find this in our back yard...



Awful storm. 
Flooded our whole back yard, side yard and some of the front yard. 
Thank goodness no damage inside the house. 
We also lost two TVs and one cable box...we guess lightening got them..power surge...something!
WILD. 


Monday, July 16, 2012

What Summer Means to Us...



A nice little combo of total relaxation and...





pure excitement!

OH
 HOW
WE
LOVE
SUMMER
 AROUND HERE.