Playing outside & mud puddles

I know some of you are probably thinking...surely, OCD Shannon wouldn't let Jessica go out in the cold weather to play & in mud puddles for that matter.  Well, you would be correct--it wasn't my idea, but it did happen.  I find myself just following Jessica around these days to ensure her safety.  She doesn't really care to come when asked or to follow commands...although we are working on this, as we do want her to learn to obey authority.  If there is one thing being a mommy has taught me, it's that things rarely go according to plan & you have to be able to roll with the punches.  With that in mind, I planned on taking some pics in front of our neighbor's shed, but somehow we ended up playing in mud puddles instead.  Oh to be a child & to get so much enjoyment from the simple things.  Enjoy the pics ;)

These could have been very cool...if my model would have cooperated ;)

Yep, already into the cold & dirty water

This is one of our new favorite activities....checking the mail

Pretty little boots, didn't stand a chance...good thing they're washable

Silly little girl

She's truly one of a kind!

Thanksgiving 2011

From the title you can probably tell I finished editing my pics.  It was a lovely time over at Michael's parents home & the details/food were excellent, as usual.  The car trip went very quickly this time & Michael & I had a great time catching up and enjoying some adult conversation.  I got to photograph my precious niece & nephew, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Here are some snapshots of the weekend that I hope you will enjoy!  Loving the telephoto lens these days, although, I definetly still need practice with this and the settings on my camera...but pretty good pics for an amateur like myself, if I do say so myself ;)

Let me start by saying that we are all very thankful for the wonderful blessings we have enjoyed throughout this past year & for the addition of 2 healthy & beautiful kids into the family.  We thank God for all that we enjoy!

I know it looks too pretty to be true, my MIL is amazing at decorating

My nephew-Brendan Muller--4 months old & just as sweet as he looks

Nothing more beautiful than a mother's love

I like that he's touching his mommy's hand

Couldn't resist this adorable hat

Nothing could be better than baking with grandma

1st Thanksgiving...spent mostly on grandpa's lap

Even the littlest girl of the house had to get in on all the fun: Hannah 4, Jessica 20 months, Ella 6 months

Look at my hubs, using the precision of a surgeon to carve the bird ;)

After a long day of eating & playing, it's pretty fun to share a bath

Bathing beauties ;)

We visited the animals that live next door & fed them some treats

One of my all time favorites of Michael & Jess

My niece Hannah (4) & grandpa feeding the cow

Swing set time!  Look at that action shot & in B/W also

Look out boys...this one is a heart breaker

Jessica would swing constantly if we would let her

Grandpa pushing Jessica--I like this pic a lot, love that grandpa's hands are prominent in the pic

The million dollar pic...everyone looking at the camera...MoMo even made it in the pic ;)

My niece & nephew- Hannah 4 years, Brendan 4 months

Model in the making??  I certainly think so!

The final pic...two little ones in their hats...I couldn't resist it ;)

Diffuse glow

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving...I know you're probably expecting Thanksgiving pics today, but I'm not done editing them.  Instead-I've got a few of Ella that I've applied the diffuse glow effect & I like the look it gave to these pics.  I took these while doing laundry the other day & if you could only see the radius outside of her, you would have been shocked--laundry stacked everywhere before we left for the break--thank goodness I can crop that stuff out.  She looks like a Snow Princess to me in these.  I like the high contrast & light look that this effect gives.  Hope you all enjoy! Did I mention--I'm really enjoying my new camera & photo editing software...I'm such a nerd :)

In honor of Thanksgiving

I don't know about you guys, but I'm very ready for Thanksgiving.  I'll be taking a break from my usual blogging schedule in order to just "chill" over the next few days.  We will be traveling to Michigan, so I've got lots of packing & cleaning to do before we go.  However, I had to do one final post today to get you in the Thanksgiving mood.  Here are some pics of Ella wearing her Thanksgiving hat (made by Grandma Washington) and also some of Jessie--both being good little models for mommy.  I edited these pics with a program I picked up at Target called Photo Explosion...I was too cheap to buy photoshop & since I'm just a beginner didn't really see the need to spend so much money.  Hope you all enjoy & have  a wonderful holiday.....I'm sure I'll have many pics to share when we get back.  Happy Thanksgiving ;)

My little turkey

Little chub trying to eat her feet

Presh, right?

She's a natural model ;)

I really like this one, I think less is more with kiddos

My "big" girl didn't want to model at first

I like her expression here...coy little one!

Love this one

Now she's getting the hang of the model thing

Definitely a model in the making, look at that pout!