Padre Island

This post is a little late, but it's been such a busy month that I'm just now getting around to putting these pictures from the beach up....
The kids ask about the beach all the time, so we took them down to Padre Island for a long weekend of fun in the sun. As always, we had a great time!

Mother's Day

Here's a few reasons why Mother's Day was so special for me this year:

* middle of the night feeding are a thing of the past....thank goodness
* I don't have to change diapers anymore
* everyone around here can feed themselves
* most everyone here can get themselves dressed, hair and teeth brushed and shoes on without too much help
* I got lots of hugs and kisses and "I love you's" today
* Randi made me a special heart out of clay that I now have sitting on my nightstand to remind me of her love
* Ryan made me a beautiful necklace that I proudly wore all day...even though it's about 100 different colors and didn't match my outfit at all
* I got lots of wonderful cards



Randi and I holding hands...with hearts on top of our heads



Randi and I holding hands...standing next to a volcano



Notice the "R's"



More R's

But most of all my Mother's Day was special because of this


and this


I love both of you to the moon and back...a hundred, bazillion times!

Notice anything different?

Donna Bouchet Workshop

I don't care much for flowers for Valentines...they don't last. So when Michael asked me what I wanted for Valentines Day this year, I told him I wanted to "find the light." He looked at me funny and said "where do I get you that?" And I told him it was at the Donna Bouchet photography workshop. Donna had just posted the idea on her blog two days before, and, on a total whim, I wrote her and expressed interest. She wrote back and said she'd love to have me join her, but I thought it was kind of a crazy idea and really didn't think I'd be able to go....that is, until I told Michael about it and he said, let's book you a flight! So we did, I went, and it was amazing! Thank you Michael for the best Valentines gift ever! And thank you Donna for helping me to see the light! You are a great teacher, an excellent cook, and a kind and generous soul....and you have two of the most beautiful girls on the planet!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day:


















Part of the workshop included a fieldtrip downtown and to the capitol. It was fun to shoot something other than kids or people for a change and the scenery and flowers were quite inspiring.

Here is a LINK to more photo's from the day and make sure you check out Donna's blog HERE

Here are a few things I learned:
1. There's a restaurant in Madison, WI with the BEST garlic mashed potatoes I've ever eaten
2. I have a wonderful husband
3. Yes honey, I need another lens (50mm 1.4)
4. I have to shoot at a higher SS with the 24-70 to get crisp pictures
5. Do be afraid to ask people to move to another spot to put them in the right light
6. Sometimes light is better inside a doorway or alcove than it is in the shade on the steps
7. A garage can be your friend
8. Women who are willing to share their knowledge are wonderful

Thank you for everything Donna. I had a wonderful time and learned SO much!

Ooey Gooey Art Class

Ryan started Ooey Gooey Art class this month. Here are a few pictures from his first class...



He was a little tentative at first


but then he got into the swing of things


For those of you who don't know, Orange is Ryan's favorite color!




After finger painting, the kids got to play with shaving cream

Tennis Anyone?

Randi started Tennis lessons last week and from the looks of these pictures Michael took, I'd say she might be the next Anna Kournikova!













The ball boy

Love Notes

I found these mixed in with Randi's schoolwork....

Note from Randi to Caulder


Note from Caulder to Randi


Randi said this is a picture of her and Caulder riding horses together


and a picture of them out sailing in a boat together


Needless to say, Michael and I are getting a little bit worried!
We never dreamed this would start happening at 5,
but at least she picked a sweet boy to share a little of her heart with.