I'm not Telling...

Yesterday Dave and I had the best photo shoot since we have started our business. Mostly because I actually have been listening to what Dave has been saying about the camera and have been practicing on Photoshop. So, when it came time to take the photos, I knew what I wanted to do stylistically. I helped Dave more since I knew that he could get the shot I wanted because I understood the technical side of his job.

Then, when Ethan went down for bed, I couldn't wait to play! So, I did a bunch of editing. I tried new things that I had seen on my favorite photo blog. You can see some of my favorites here. When I showed Dave he couldn't believe it and asked me how I did some of them. Guess what my answer was?

I'm not telling...

Auntie Love

Dave and I had a photo shoot last night at Willamette University. Becca and Josh were kind enough to meet us there and take Ethan for a few hours to play. We got there early to check out the site and Ethan just ran... and ran. Then, in a booming voice we heard, "E-than!" Ethan turned around and saw Josh and Becca and ran to them. This is what Dave captured.

This photo shoot was the first that I really understood the camera and Photoshop. It really helped when setting up the shots. I couldn't wait to get home and edit some of them. I did this one first though. Do you like it? Hope to show more soon!

Garden Update...

Here is a few pictures of the garden that we took this week...

All Under Control

I was watering the garden Saturday and came across this little bird nesting in some plastic packaging I was going to re-use as planting filler. It was so cute. I was sad thinking that it might suffocate in plastic I left at my back door. So, I went to the garage, pulled out a saved robin's nest, and placed the nest in a safe place. I then caught the chick and put it in the nest. I was so proud of myself in helping save an animal.

About ten minutes later, I grabbed the camera to take a picture of the little guy in the nest and there he was - hopping across my yard! The father came down, fed it, flew away, and the little chick hopped to a covered area in the garden.


Isn't it funny how we try and help nature along when God created it to take care of itself. I felt terrible trying to put my two cents in, when God has had everything under control since the beginning of time...

Playing with Auntie Deb

I just couldn't help taking this picture last week when Auntie Deb called via Skype. It was so great. Now that we have a working laptop we were able to take Deb everywhere Ethan wanted to play. He had some water play with her on the floor with the fish in the picture. Then, he wanted to take the fish to the table and the two of them played a color game with them. After the game, Ethan wanted to play with Auntie Deb in his room. He showed her how he can dump all of his toys into his ball pit (wading pool with balls).

I am so grateful that we have this kind of communication. Ethan loves his Auntie and knows who she is even though she is on the other side of the world. Although, he didn't recognize Uncle Matt without his hat. ;)

I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way...

I took this picture of couple of weeks ago. It just makes me laugh! What kind of smile is that? That's about all I can get out of him if you tell him to say "cheese." Oh well...

The little man has been sick all week and we have been super busy at home. Now that it is nice outside we should be out enjoying it... but I think it is better that the little man stays home. He has had to have breathing treatments and medication for hives. That's what happens to Ethan when he gets a cold. I was just telling Becca and Sarah that he is quite a unique child... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Precious Times...

Here are a few more pictures from earlier in the week. I edited them today and had to share. I love the look Ethan has for his Mom and Dad. It's when I look at these photos that I realize that these are precious times...

Boys Will Be Boys...

When we were at the park on Monday, Dave took these pictures of Ethan. Ethan was dumping bark chips in the huge puddle at the end of the slide. Then... well, he couldn't help being a boy!

Good thing we had a towel in the car...

It's lovely...

The family went out on a walk for about fifteen minutes before dinner. It was a refreshing evening with that country smell and a look of rain... it's these times I don't mine living out here. It's lovely...

Favorites From Today...

Today we had a blast! Who wants to sit at home doing housework all day when it was so beautiful outside? I am glad Becca and Sarah invited us to go to the Riverfront with them for a picnic lunch. I brought the camera for some practice and glad I did! I got some of my new favorite pictures of Becca. After lunch we played on the playground (or should I say Ethan played). I made sure he was well behaved and the girls sun bathed. Then we took a walk on the new bridge over the river. After a trip to Target we went back to Becca's for the best smoothies I have ever had in my life! Sarah and Becca took turns reading to Ethan (the same book of course) and I am so glad I captured that on camera. It was precious. Here are my favorites from the day...

I am so glad that I get a chance to do it all again tomorrow! The Grinders invited me over for Mother's Day tomorrow!