Chloe vs. Mommy

So lately I have really been thinking that Chloe looks a lot like I did at her age. So I dug out some pics of me when I was younger from our wedding slide show and want to see what you think. My sister even says that we walk the same and have the same teeth. So funny! The pics are old and not great quality, but it does the job. :)

What do you think??

Chloe



Mommy

summer treats

Yummy!!!

4th of July weekend

What a fun weekend we had! Dustin was able to come home early on Thursday from work and begin his long and very needed 3 day weekend.

On Friday we really just relaxed around the house most of the day. That evening we went to dinner and then over to his parent's house to say goodbye to his brother Greg. As most of you know he left on Saturday for the Army and will gone for 6 months of training.

Saturday morning we went to our Church pancake breakfast and flag ceremony. We came home and Dustin did some yard work and I did a bit of house work, so fun I know! After we were done we headed over to my dad's for some swimming and man did that feel good. It's been so hot and the water was so refreshing. The kids decided that is was more fun to play outside the pool...crazy kids. Chloe did however go down the slide on her own and we were a bit surprised. She is such a daredevil and just really has no fear. Kind of scary! And Christian teased us a lot about going down, but never did. He did however slip on the ladder and got a nice cut on his belly. Then we came home and a few of us got some naps before heading out to watch the fireworks. We attempted to go to Crafton again and watch Yucaipa's show, but discovered they weren't doing any. :( So we went down the street where we saw a local school that had some people waiting to see the Univ of Redlands show so we decided to join the fun. The Boyd family joined us as well as Andy and Nikki and we ran into the Noel family there and they also joined us. Chloe was Miss Social and couldn't be contained, but she did score some free glow sticks for the kids to play with. We had a really fun time with great company.

Sunday we went to Church and Chloe was having a wild day!! It was one of those days when I was like "why do I bother coming?" Anyways...we pushed through and came home and gave her a well needed nap. Them we headed to Dustin's parent's house where we celebrated his oldest brother Erik's birthday and had a cake for little Leilani as well since it was her actual birthday. The kids had a blast playing out on the swing set and little Chloe again just amazes me at her lack of fear.

So we had a really great weekend, but I don't have really any pics to show for it. I was too busy enjoying myself to pick up the camera. :) And the ones I did get are just silly ones, but hey, life is silly sometimes right?!


waiting for the fireworks to start

thank you January!!

As brought to my attention in a comment left for me, you may not see updates on your dashboard about my blog anymore. That's because I have gone private and I guess once you do that they stop. Go figure! So that totally makes sense to me now why I haven't been getting some of yours (ex. Jen F). I will try better to visit all of you more often and be sure to visit me too...LOL Thanks January!!

pressing forward

That's my take on this photography love of mine. I'm not going to let negative Nelly's and my own fears and doubts hold me back anymore. The past few weeks I have really been brainstorming and focusing on some different approaches to the business. I have set the ball in motion so lets just hope that it picks up speed. :)

I feel like I have a pretty good feel for my camera now as well as some of the more technical aspects like lighting and needing to be creative and things like that. Although I still need a ton of work there too. :) So my next focus is going to be on editing. I have SO much to learn. The goal in fact is to get a great picture in the first place and do minimal editing, this I know, but I still have so much to learn in this area.

I feel as if I just do so the very basics. Sharpen the image up a bit, fix the blemishes, saturate the color, soften the skin and those type of things. There is just so many more possibilities...so this is what I want to explore. :) So I'm reading books, hoping to take some more workshops and even use my BIL Ryan who has mass photo shop knowledge that I can tap into. :) I want to make those images POP without looking too fake.

So that's what's been on my mind a bit lately. Wish me luck..I sure need it!!

And just for fun here are some pictures...

the original
after some minor details :)the originalafter a little bit of this and that

a birthday celebration

On Saturday we celebrated our youngest niece Leilan's 1st birthday. She actually turns one on the 5Th, but we celebrated early since it falls on a holiday weekend. She was as cute as could be and it was a fun party had by all. The kids played so hard all day and mine came home filthy dirty, just as kids should! :) The big boys enjoyed some wiffel ball and football, but I just stayed in the shade and watched from a cool distance and enjoyed the conversations. Yes, it was a HOT one!! There was also some extreme jump rope going on with the adults, but I didn't get any pictures of it...too bad because it was quite the sight. A great day spent with great family...can't ask for much more!

Chloe and Trey playing some footballChloe and Christian using some team workSavyChloe being sillyChristian hanging out with dadChase and KoryLeilani, our birthday girl

swim time

Last Wednesday the kids and I headed to Marci's for some fun in the pool. They sure did have fun and I got my first sun burn of the season and a bad one at that!!