Anyone can be a model

All you need is the proper motivation.  I was doing a preggers shoot with my sister recently at my Mom's house.  She looked amazing by the way.  During one of her wardrobe changes my boys came in and asked me to take some pictures of them.  Here is what I got.

Yup, even Erin got into it.  To see some more pictures of Erin click here

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Get in the picture

Being a photographer I am the worst at getting in family pictures!  I am always the one behind the camera taking pictures of my adorable kids and watching my husband play.  For Jesse's birthday this year we spent it with his Mom up in Carlsbad.  I turned my camera on auto and went to play with my family.  My mother in law is by no means a professional but she did a great job catching some of our fun on camera.  The moral of the story:  pass the camera off every once in a while and go enjoy yourself.

we made him a muscle man... you can kind of tell.

It may not have me in it but this is my favorite picture of the whole day;)

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The Future of our Family

My family is destine to be famous... well not really but we usually put on a good show.  We all went to the zoo and I got to give my new lens a test drive.  It performed rather well.  Unfortunately we had a cloudy day.  Not the good cloudy, even over cast cloudy either.  It was the " I can't decide wether I want to let the sun shine through a little, a lot, or just bust up my gray cover" cloudy.  Yes, in my world, clouds do talk and they upset me sometimes with their indecisive ways.  Anyway, near the end of our visit we went to the Sea Lion Show.  Frankie really wanted to be picked as a volunteer and didn't.  He was bummed but got over it.  As we left the show we saw some acrobats, two young men and one young woman, setting up for a performance.  The zoo is currently running their summer theme "Zoo Night Life: Art, Acrobats, Animals".  Eventhough we were about to leave we decided to stick around and watch it and got a great spot right up front.  One of the performers was handing out martigra beads.  Frankie starts jumping up and down, waving his hand, trying to get her attention.  She ran out of beads right before she got over to where we were standing.  Talk about bum luck!  The boys did their act and no I didn't get any pictures because I had put my camera in my bag.  After they were done they asked for a volunteer.  Frankie, once again, jumped up and down, waved his hand, hoping to be picked... and he did get picked!  Of course I busted out my camera for that one!

Frankie was pretty excited to be picked but once he got up there he was so stoic.  It was too cute.  He was very good at following directions and the girl gave him beads and a monkey for being such a good volunteer.  Patience is a virtue:)  After Frankie came back to me they started looking for another volunteer.  They were looking for someone big.  They pointed straight past me and ended up picking Jesse.  Haha!  Two participants in one show.  Take that Sea Lion Show:)

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Summa, Summa, Summatime!

Since summer began so much has happened.  Frankie and Ollie have taken to the water like fish first and formost.  Frank is most impressive.  He is already working on his butterfly and deep water diving... no kidding!
Ollie is still Mr Evil Canevil!  Here are some recent pictures.

We had many UFO sightings: Unstoppable Flying Ollie

Can you believe this boy is going to Kindergarten this year??

Sword Fights are really fun with these noodle swords.  I have to say at one point it got pretty violent.

My only niece Monroe and her girly pink tutu suit:)

My beautiful sister Erin: currently pregnant with grandchild #6

Our summer has been filled with swimming, friends, and fun.  We have gone sailing, hikes Cowles Mtn., gone to the Zoo, and spent time with family.  There is so much to catch up on I don't think I can BUT at least I am back into blogging.

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As I sit here

As I sit here working on my computer, for what seems to be the umpteenth hour, I am reminded of how blessed I am.  I have a husband sweet enough to support me and take the kids while I catch up on business.  I am raising two great little men who understand when mommy has to work but also reminds me when I have worked too much.  My sweet Pepper dog just lays at my feet, always in reach for a pet.  She too reminds me when I have checked out for too long.  There is a roof over my head and shoes on my feet... well not right now but you get what I'm saying.  God has blessed me in so many ways.  Thank you Lord for the love and support in my life.

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Something for nothing...

Why is it that people in this world try to get all they can for as little as they can???  Imagine going into Payless and having to pay $100 for a pair of shoes.  You expect to go in there for a bargain and you don't expect those shoes to last forever so paying $100 is not worth it.  Now, imagine going into Nordstroms and buying a pair of shoes for $100.  They better be quality and last for a while, right?    It is a bit frustrating to go into the "market place" and see that what I charge is what some consider too expensive.  Too expensive?  Are you serious?  I don't charge nearly what I should for the time I put in!  I charge what I feel my time is worth and at this point I am trying to build my portfolio with my work.  I need work to get a good array of people so I am willing to sacrifice a bit on price to get this.  As I strike out on my own it is slightly depressing to feel like I am a Payless store selling $100 shoes.  Aren't the pictures worth it?

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More Jack...

Sam, the last real pirate, was at another event I did over the weekend so I called Jesse.  He brought the boys down to meet "Jack Sparrow".  My kids were in awe as they approached and Sam was super sweet with them.  He gave them each a business card with his picture on it and took some pictures with them.  When the event was over Sam needed a ride to his next gig.  My truck was full of equipment and the dj, Dennis, that I shared the booth with.  I told him to go ask Jesse for a ride.
"Oh no, that's ok.  I don't want to impose." he said.
"Are you kidding me?  The boys get to ride with Jack Sparrow!  It won't be a problem."  I assured him.  So, the boys got to ride with a pirate in their car and apparently Ollie talked his ear off most of the ride.
Monday morning when Frankie went to school he brought his pirate card with him and to every little kid who walked in the door he said, "I met Jack Sparrow!  He is my friend!  We gave him a ride in our car!"  The kid was so pumped.  Ollie wasn't nearly as dramatic but if you ask him who he met he'll tell you "Jack Spawow." (the day he learns to say his r's will be a sad day indeed)

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