Let's go fly a kite....

As soon as Jenna realized that Saturday was a windy day, she began asking me if I would take her to fly her kite. She had gotten a new kite from Becca and Ryan for Easter and was dying to try it out! As I was trying to decide where the best place to go fly a kite was, the dandelion field I had seen the day before seemed like a great option. Jenna's kite took off great, but Jacob's didn't do so well. It was definitely more than windy enough, but his kite just didn't want to cooperate. Is it possible that there could be too much wind for a kite? Jenna's kite was pretty strong in the wind, so I ended up helping her most of the time...but I did convince her to try it on her own long enough for me to snap some photos.

I know it's just dandelions, but this field was so pretty. I couldn't help but think of the poppy field scene from Wizard of Oz as we were standing in it.

Poor Jacob....he tried and tried, but his kite just wouldn't cooperate!

He eventually just gave up and sat down, which was the only was his kite would fly even a tiny bit!

PS I know it isn't quite as exciting as kite flying, but look what Chris got! You may remember the old mower from this post last summer. I think we should send it to the mower hall of fame.

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy....

There used to be a TV show in the 70s that had that song as their theme song. No clue what it was...but I vaguely remember watching it and knowing the song.

Anyhow....no real blog update...just wanted to let you all know that we are outside enjoying the AWESOME weather and the sunshine! It's amazing how much happier the weather makes me and how much better I feel physically. I really think I am meant to live somewhere warm and sunny all the time. I'll be sure to post some photos from our sunny weekend next week. In the meantime, we are off to dinner with our neighbors.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!

Little Miss Tippy Toes....

Last night was parents' night at dance. I love going to parents' night in the spring because we always get a sneak peak at what they have been working on all year and will be performing at the recital in May. It also gives me a chance to catch up with my friend Michelle (her daughter, Kenzie is one of Jenna's good friends and is in dance, too). It is always so fun to watch Jenna - she does such an awesome job and truly loves every minute of it.


Jazz... Can you see me with my camera glued to my face in the mirror? Look Michelle...you and Chuck made my blog too! :)


Ballet....
More ballet...Jenna's friend Kenzie is right beside her!
Tap (they dance with shopping bags, scarves, and sunglasses - too cute!)

Weekends just make me happy.....

...especially warm, sunny weekends like this one!! It makes me wish summer would hurry up and get here, so we can have warm, sunny, laid back days for 2 1/2 months straight!

Just a few things that made me happy this weekend. . .

wearing my flip flops again - I've missed them!

driving to Paulding with my windows down

spending the evening with Cheryl, which meant lots of visiting and some scrapping

getting to see London and take some photos outside (love the drool!)

sleeping in this morning

spending time outside getting our patio put back together and some plants trimmed

going to the carnival at school

going to the movies tonight - Hannah Montana for Jenna and I and Monsters vs Aliens for Chris and Jacob

steaks marinating tonight so they'll be ready to grill tomorrow after church

still squeezing in plenty of time to relax and DVR'd shows

AND...just one thing that is NOT making me happy this weekend - losing my voice for the third day in a row, which is the result of a cold/sinus infection that just won't go away. It's getting really old and irritating. I couldn't even sing along during the Hannah Montana movie. Maybe tomorrow it will be back to normal.

Baby Benjamin

While we were visiting my parents over Easter, I had the chance to do a photo session with Baby Benjamin. I was so excited to meet him and also to get to visit with his older brothers again (and of course Mom and Dad). Benjamin's mom is one of my sister's very best friends and I love to take photos of her family. We decided to just take photos at their home this time. They have a fabulous sunroom with tons of natural light (so jealous) which was the perfect location. The bonus was that it was also really warm in the room from all the sunlight, so Baby Benjamin was content and alert the entire time - even when we took his clothes off!

Please keep Benjamin and his parents in your thoughts and prayers. He has to see some specialists and may need surgery.

My personal favorite ...I just love how he is looking straight into my camera!

Happy Easter!

We spent the three day weekend at my parents, which meant lots of visiting, eating, and relaxing.

Easter morning photo before church....Jacob has definitely outgrown the new Easter outfit phase!


Easter centerpiece made by Grandma and name tags made by Jenna

Grandma, Jacob and Jenna colored Easter eggs. I love that Jacob still isn't too old for stuff like that!

I spent lots of time reading. I started the fourth Twilight series book on Friday on the way to Stow and read 664 pages this weekend - only 90 more to go! I kind of get obsessed when I read and I just can't stop!

We visited Main Street Cupcakes in Hudson - YUMMY! They had so many different kinds to choose from - peanut butter chocolate for Jacob, chocolate with an icing flower for Jenna, and carrot cake with cream cheese icing for me!

Grandma D, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Sudsy, Jessica and Kyle came to visit on Saturday. It was so nice to catch up with them. I hadn't seen Jessica since she returned from Poland in December. It also gave me a chance to see Kyle before he leaves for North Carolina later this month.

Jacob, Jenna and Grandma D.

Grandma stayed with us last night. Mom, Grandma, Jenna and I watched the Sound of Music. Jenna loved it...and we all have been singing "Let's start at the very beginning...." all day!

As usual, we also managed to squeeze in a little shopping.

Jacob decided he wants to move to Stow. He says there are more things to do there and stores and restuarants are closer, plus there are hills.

Jacob and I had a talk yesterday the car. I knew he didn't believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny anymore, but he has never said anything...so I had to bring it up. It turns out he has known for a while, but I think he just didn't quite want to let go of the idea of Santa yet.

I had a photo session with my sister's friend, Vickie and her family - three adorable little boys. Of course I will be sharing photos when I get them editted. Jacob went along and occupied the older two boys with sword fights while I photographed newborn Benjamin.

And now I'm off to bed to read a few more pages before I crash! Once again, my weekend went by way too quickly and the alarm will be going off way too early tomorrow morning!!

Mr. London

I am so lucky to have a such a great friend who will share her baby with me and not only let me get my baby fix, but also let me take lots and lots of photos of him. London has really started developing his own little personality and lots of fun facial expressions, which means lots of photo taking when I see him. Someday he will begin to move and probably run away from my camera...but while he is still immobile, I'll just keep shooting away!

Jacob and London hanging out....

Love the old school/vintage feel to these next two...

Meah

My second session last week was with Miss Meah. I have been taking her photos since she was an infant and it's been so fun to watch her grow! She met us (Jacob and Jenna tagged along since Chris was in Columbus) at the door and immediately invited us up to see her bedroom. Meah turns three this month and she is Little Miss Personality - talking a mile a minute and always thinking. Oh....and she is quite possibly one of the cutest little girls ever!

We started out taking a few photos of Meah with Dad and Mom and then moved on to just Meah....who was constant entertainment for me!! We had decided just to shoot photos at their house, but as we were walking around the side of the yard I spied a FANTASTIC backdrop of colorful metal barrels that I just had to try out! LOVED it...and can't wait to take my own kids back there for some fun photos this summer! We finished up taking some photos in Miss Meah's fun pink bedroom.

WARNING....photo overload! I had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few favorites.

I was so excited when I saw this fun front entry. PERFECT family photo spot!

PS She totally posed herself - too cute!

Distracted for a little bit by a lady bug ....

LOVE this next sequence of photos....she was being extra silly and I just kept snapping!

The FABULOUS metal barrels...and a little more posing....

My favorite from the photos taken in her room....just haning out on her bed, reading to her cow...