Simple Things Suday {feeding the duckies}

On Monday I made the kiddos suffer through a family photo session I helped out with.  After 2 hours of wandering around and being told to "go play over there" they were elated to feed the ducks!  Thank goodness for my sister in law who thinks ahead and brought the food!  It was such a good reward for them after being so patient with me.

I am trying something new and linking up to Simple as That  "Simple Things Sunday".  I adore Rebeccas's  photography and little blog.  I have been following her for years.  I learned my first photo fixing action from her... CURVES!  
Happy Sunday and Father's day =)

These s'more pancakes rocked my world...

I've been on somewhat of a health food kick lately.  

My little eyes have been browsing the web for new recipes to try each week.  I actually get excited to grocery shop and cook now instead of dreading them.

I know the word "s'mores" doesn't exactly fit in the "healthy" food category but hey it was the weekend.... AND there was a half cup of whole wheat flour in them =)  That has to count for something.

I got the recipe HERE.  This lady has a lot of yummy recopies and a cute blog post to go with each.  After I made them they looked so amazing.  I just had to snap some photos and devote an entire blog post to them =)

The boys gobbled them up.  What kid wouldn't love chocolate pancakes topped with marshmallow syrup and crumbled chocolate pieces?  I think this will be a regular weekend treat in our house.  I can't wait for Saturday.  I think next time I will sprinkle some crushed graham crackers on top too. Mmmmm hmmm.

{Can you see my youngest in the background about to pester his brother... it is NEVER ENDING}

Anyways, don't they looks so delicious!?  You should totally try them out.

Do you follow any food blogs?  

We are ALIVE!

Hi friends! 

Life has been life lately.  School is out, summer is here and we are just taking it easy for the most part.   I wouldn't say lazy, we have just slowed down. 

We spend a lot of time outside.  I have planted a garden and for the most part it is actually living.  I even managed to keep these pretties alive {the roses pictured below}.  I am loving that I can walk outside, chop some roses off a bush and stick them in my vases.  I also have bushes in two shades of pink, white and lavender.  They make me happy.

While I have been away, my Ryker turned 6 and graduated kindergarten!  Can you believe this kiddo wasn't ever late or missed a day of school!??!  It is kind of a miracle when you think about all the germs those kids pass on everyday.  He must have one amazing immune system ha ha.  I was so proud of him.  I had to try my hardest to keep from crying during the entire graduation ceremony.  I just wanted to bawl.

We also had a superhero party to celebrate 6.  More on that to come! Oh and the photo idea is not mine... totally stole that idea off Pinterest he he.  That place is a lifesaver!

 The little boy below has been keeping me on my toes.  He refuses to nap so everyday around 7 he seems to pass out leaving me to wonder "hmmm should I wake him up or will he stay asleep the rest of the night?"  Last night he was up at 10.  Wide awake.  My daydreams of watching Downton Abbey in peace were put on hold for the night.  Instead we watched Bob the Builder. 

Tonight IT IS ON!  Me, a big bowl of air popped popcorn (me and my healthy ideas ugh) and season 2, episode 3.

Sorry for the rambling.  I always have so much to say and the ideas are never very organized.  I hope you summer is off to a great start.  

Psst.... Did you know you can chalk boys hair.... oh yeah baby!  They LOVE it.

My sweet niece Ella

Like I have said before I am no pro at all when it comes to photography.  I find myself in awe when I brows around on facebook fan pages and when customers post sweet photos for me to see.  Being surrounded by darling photos makes me want to take great photos too.  

I have A LOT to learn.  Just the other day I noticed something on my camera  that I didn't know how to adjust. When I figured it out I wanted to kick myself for not learning about it sooner.  I have had my camera for 5 years now and I still don't really understand it all ha!  I kind of want a new, better one now too... YIKES!  I am horrible.

Anyways, this is my newest niece Ella.  She was 1 month old when these were taken and still slept like a champ.  One of my favorites is her in the buggy.  I am so excited I finally got to put that thing to good use! It was about time!  

These are just a few of my favs.... it is always so hard to choose which ones to post.

I got to take pictures of Ella's 1 year old cousin today too =)  I am excited to dig into Photoshop and play!  Happy Friday friends.  I hope you have a fun weekend!

He has been trained!

There are few things cuter than a toddler in his first pair of big boy undies.  So naturally, I couldn't help but take a few photos post them =)

 This kid seriously made potty training a BREEZE!  I think it was the treat jar.  I packed that thing full of candy to reward him with and he was hooked.  It was like Halloween night all day long for a week for him.  He has the hang of it now.  He says "mama me doe pee" like 20 times a day ha... his bladder is the size of a peanut it seems.

 This is the first time in 5 years I don't have to buy diapers.  WOO HOO! I am one happy mama!

Where all your dreams come true.....

{photos from 2010... he was sooo little!}

Before I forget I feel like I HAVE to document what my little man says.  This boy cracks me up on a daily basis... I can't wait to hear what come out of West's mouth when he gets older.

Yesterday we were outside playing and Ryker caught a grasshopper.  He had it in a jar for a bit and then he was letting it crawl around in his hands.  Eventually, Ryker lifted his hand up and the smart bug saw his escape and got the heck outta there.  It was gone, even I couldn't catch it again.

Poor Ryker was sobbing.  About 5 minutes later he looked at me and said "Maybe when we go to Disneyland I can ask for my grasshopper to come back to me because that is were all your dreams come true."

Awwwww {heart melting}.  Hmm we have no plans to go to Disney anytime soon, I have no clue where he got that idea!?!  One day hopefully... stinkin TV.  Anyways, there is a dose of cuteness for your Tuesday =)

Oh Valentines Day...

I have mixed feelings this V-day....

Happy, sad, silly, mad... let's leave it at that =) 

 I adore this day o' love partly for the decorating possibilities!  This has to be one of the funnest holidays to make and buy stuff for.  I love it! I got so much inspiration from Pinterest this year. 

In addition to my vintage valentine display, I whipped up these babies....

 I have to be honest.  I totally made them last night.  I had all the supplies for weeks and never got around to it.  I was DETERMINED to finish them, even if it was just for one day.  At first I hated them and I was going to quit.  I kept going and tweaking them a bit and now I love them.  I think the color combo is perfect too.  I wanted them to match the convo hearts in the jars. 

I found this darling valentine idea for my kiddo's classmates HERE.  Aren't they sweet little "love bug" cards!?  They were so quick and easy.  We even made his teacher a special valentine.  He said she hates spiders so we glued one in a jar and poked holes on the top to make it look real. 

 Hope your Valentines day was super sweet! XOXO

26 Random bits about me on my 26th birthday.

I am 26 today!  I thought I would share 26 randoms about me just like last year.

1.  I don't drink milk. BLEH!  So, I will probably end up with osteoporosis when I get older.

2.  I make wishes on shooting stars.

3.  I sucked my thumb well into grade school.  After years of orthodontic work and a lotta $$ I have a pretty straight smile =)

4.  I ate 4 M&M and chocolate chip cookies for breakfast today. 

5.  I don't own a fancy smart phone, i pad or laptop. I wish I had any one of those!

6.  I haven't shaved anything in over a month.  I am beginning to resemble a bear.

7.  I am a sucker for vintage.  If it looks old, I want it.

8.  I hate getting in and out of the shower.  It is the worst. I freeze my fanny off every time.

9.  I think it sounds kind of dreamy to live on a farm.

10.  I want more babies someday down the road. A LONG way down that road ha ha.

11.  I have been on a seafoam green color kick for years. LOVE.

12.  I always have gum in my mouth but I don't really chew it.  It just kind of sits there.

13.  I love big, cheesy, cheapy cocktail rings!

14.  When I was 16 I stole my sister license and went with my older friends to get my belly button pierced.. during school!  Ooooo such a rebel!

15.  I sing in the bathroom mirror while getting ready and in my car.

16.  My bedtime these days is at midnight.

17.  I have a new tattoo.... here is a sneak peak =)

18.  I am a shy girl. Thank god for the Internet and emailing!

19.  One of my eyes wanders of to the side. It is so annoying, I have to weed out all the bad pics I post on here so no one can tell. Ha.
20.  I organize both the boys' closet and my closet by color.

21.  All my mornings must begin with coffee or else I can't function.

22.  I've never had a ticket before.  I debated putting this fact in because now I know I will get one!

23.  I use to sculpt OOAK fairies and sell them on Ebay.

24.  Reality shows are a guilty pleasure of mine. 

25.  I am a very match-y match girl... sometimes I will match my undies to my shirt.

26.  When i was little I use to draw, read, watch and write anything having to do with Sailor Moon.  I was obsessed.

Hope you had fun reading a few bits about me. 

I am totally wearing this outfit all day today! It rocks!  And thank you to my mama for bringing me into this world, taking my photos today and slaving away in the kitchen for me.  I LOVE you XOXO!!

Baby Aiden

 My friends are FINALLY starting to have babies!  Lucky me, that mean I get to play photographer.  I think I am getting better with every shoot.  I am learning so much about photography and photoshop.  I really wish I would have had my new lens for these.  They aren't as crisp and clear as they can be. Still, they are adorable and I hope my friend likes them.

I saved a "hoots" hat for him to wear in the above photos!  Those babies go FAST on my fan page sales.  They are so fun to make.  He made the sweetest model.

Baby Aiden just turned 6 months old. He was so little... look at his scrawny lil' arms. I love it!

 

 Remember that blanket in the background?  I think it is his favorite =)

 Eeek look at that drool... Ahhhh so cute!

 Love a good bum shot.

Hope you had a great week. I am amazed it is Friday already!