Sometimes its the littlest things that make me happy. Like the flowers and plants growing in pots all around my deck. Many of them started out as little seeds - a science lesson for Jey. I honestly didn't think they'd amount to much since I tend to have a black thumb when it comes to growing things. But this year they are all thriving and it's really therapeutic to watch it all unfold each day.





I love daisies...


I often forget about this rosebush tucked in the corner by the front porch. It has the most gorgeous color so I picked some to bring inside to be enjoyed...


A teeny tiny friend I found on my tomato plant (check out that menacing shadow!)...


And just because I liked the backlighting on this itty bitty maple leaf...


And although this leaf has seen better days, I really liked the texture of it...


It has a completely different feel to it in B&W, don't you think?


Sorry for the lack of posting lately. We've been busy with all sorts of fun things. Here's a hint of one that kept us busy Monday...

Yes, I know I'm very behind on posting things... it's been super busy around here!!!

Here are a few snapshots of Jeremiah from his Kindergarten Graduation. It was so sweet! Way to Go, Big Boy! He wasn't all that interested until I told him he was going to be in a big show and the cap and gown were his costume. It worked! haha! I just can't get over how fast he is growing. He's doing so great and learning so much. We are awfully proud of this little monkey!

He stood up there like a little man...

(Don't mind the smudged faces of the other kids, I didn't want to post other kids here)

He sang so big and loud. And very demonstrative, of course!


Quick shot of the family (we are looking mighty rough here!)...


Congratulations, Jey! We are so proud of you!!!


Here is my fave pic of the day...

It's official, Jeremiah has completed his first year of school! His Kindergarten graduation ceremony is tomorrow. Although it's not as big of a deal as graduating High School, it's still another step for him. It's encouraging to him. And let me be honest... he loves that he gets to get all dressed up and "perform" in a "show". haha! He think's he's so cool. I think he is too. :)

She's stunningly gorgeous and sweet as can be but don't let her shyness fool you, she is a farm girl through and through! She has a shirt that says "Born on a farm... raised on a John Deere" and that pretty much explains it! Here is a glimpse of some of the images we captured of Jordyn around her dad's farm...







Her dad had the tractor out to work on so of course we had to get her in the wheel...


I had her put on her work boots and she was all over that! Love this...


But she's still all girl...




Jordyn, you are so beautiful. But not just the outside! Stay strong and true and keep your heart in the right place and your dreams will come true - even the ones you don't know about yet! Congratulations!

And since I'm having fun with slideshows, here's more from her session!

I'm so thrilled about my Mother's Day Gift this year because it's this:


I'm not much of a jewelry person but this is a tiny little pendant and it's just perfect! I wanted one of those silver charms that has the heart-shaped family but them stumbled upon this and fell in love! It has the parents entwined into a heart and inside are the birthstones of our two little monkeys we get to love on every day as well as the two birthstones of the angels in heaven we are waiting to see one day. I love what it symbolizes.
I love being a mommy.

Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing moms out there!

xoxo

P.S. Amy, just so you know... there IS one similar that holds 12, just for YOU!
Actually it holds up to 36 so you're covered!
:)

I thought I'd take a break from client posts and put up some pics of my own kiddoes. I haven't been getting my camera out on them very often these days mostly because we have just been busy with life - enjoying more than capturing!

But I did get it out one late afternoon while we were all playing outside. I want to remember days like these forever!

I stalked Joshua by the swing...


So he decided to pose for me...


And then gave me this look... ???


This boy is so much fun!!!


After hearing about a challenge to shoot something with the theme "movement", I knew I wanted to try panning. So I attempted it while the boys were playing on the glider...

Love that evening sun!

Another attempt...


Ahhhh... summer is sneaking in. And I'm loving it!

* Someone asked what lenses I used. For these shots, I used my Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM on my Canon 5d. I didn't really care for this lens before I went to the full frame of the 5d. It was "slow" and "dark". But it is a perfect match for my 5d and I rarely take it off as it's a great walk-around lens with the variety in focal lengths. It's perfect for outdoors but it's not always the best indoors without a flash. It gives great color and is actually really sharp!

However, I love, love, LOVE my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. It's just so buttery rich and creamy... and super super sharp! It's great for weddings (it took a lot of weddings to pay for it, who am I kidding!). I also love to use it for portraits whenever possible. It gives the smoothest bokeh (blurry background) and did I mention it's super sharp? But you can't stand too close to your subject with this lens which is usually fine when I'm shooting a wedding or a senior portrait. It's the little ones that you have to stay kinda close to (or they run away waiting for you to scoot back and shout directions).

I also have a Canon 50mm f/1.8 that I really like but rarely use on my 5d. Not sure why, maybe I got used to the flexibility of the zoom lens since my zooms are pretty sharp. This little lens is really really sharp and gives some good bokeh as well. It was my fave on my Canon XT. I honestly haven't played with it much on the 5d. Maybe I should bust it out more and play around with it...

Another lens I have is a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. I really love this lens too. It's another good walk-around lens and it's not as "dark" as the 28-135mm. It had it calibrated and it's nice and sharp and the color is good. I use this one when I need a shorter focal length and my subject is dimly lit. It's great for indoors!

There are other odds and ends in my collection but I'll stop boring you! I don't even know who asked since they signed anonymous but I hope they come back and at least let me know if I answered their question! :) If not, maybe someone else got something out of this?

xoxo

A fun little slideshow to show off a little of each couple from prom weekend!