my girls

some of my favortie pics of the girls these days

sayla vs. cake

we finally had a little party for our sweet baby girl. poor sayla, september is always so busy! granny and pops came up last weekend and we had a little family gathering...and yes, it is a store bought cake, which kills me...but again, september is crazy busy.

sayla loved the whole experience. she has never been the sole center of attention...and she didn't know what to do at first, but then she started hamming it up and loved it.

meet mr. frog:

sorry mr. frog...you didn't really stand a chance.

a good old fashion brainwash...

So- here in Lubbock there is a photographer named Lauren Clark. If you have ever browsed my side bar, you might have taken a stop at her website. She is amazing. I don't know her personally, but have been at some weddings she has shot and she was the one that originally inspired me to get into photography. Anyhow, she has these seminars called Brainwashes in which she basically tells her secrets of the trade. They are not open to people in Lubbock usually (for obvious reasons...) but she is holding one soon and even us Lubbockites can enter to win a free spot at the seminar...I feel a little silly putting a picture of myself on my blog, but I really want to win!

a beautiful day

My cousin's wedding was wonderful. I had such a fun time not being part of the wedding, or coordinating the wedding AND I only had Sayla with me (plus grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles all wanting to hold her...) so I felt free to roam and take pictures of fun detail stuff all day. SO much fun! I loved this wedding, I love my family, and I loved getting to be a part of it all! Congrats to Jake and Amy!







(yeah...there are a ton of pictures, I told you there would be. I just loved them all so I couldn't decide!)

mallory and jillian

I had such a fun time taking pics of these girls and am so honored that their mom waited for me to come to denver to take their pics. I am sure there are plenty of well able photographers in the state of colorado that could have done it, so it was a real compliment....and I love spending time with them so that was an added bonus. thanks for the fun time joy, mallory and jillian!

happy birthday mama

this time of year is full of birthdays! My dad, sayla, mom and brother-in-law all have their birthdays within a two week period. phew. I don't want to leave mom out though, since there are so many things I love about her so here it is.

things I love about my mom:

• the deer-in-headlights look she gets when someone cusses

• how gifted she is at drawing people out of their shell

• What a great hostess she is

• that for as long as I can remember she has always spent time with the Lord each morning

• how motivated and disciplined she is

• that she loves to be in crazy good shape...she is doing P90X right now.

• that she has always supported us in what we love to do. she probably wasn't that into cheerleading, but when I was into it- by golly- she was there 100%.

• the way she gives grace so freely...

• she refuses to let the bad things that happen in life be her crutch but instead looks to Christ for complete forgiveness and to allow her to forgive.

• how much she loves my dad

• her creativeness...I know she would tell you she is not creative, but she does have a creative spirit! It doesn't come out in making crafts, but instead in how she communicates, cares for her family and teaches.

• what a wonderful "lita" she is to her grand kids.

mom, I love you and am so thankful for another wonderful year! Happy happy birthday!

(also, I really love my brother-in-law but he doesn't read my blog...but happy birthday to you too, adam!)

sweet girls

Just a sneak peak of these adorable girls. I have known them since Mallory was 2 and Jillian was a new baby...and they just keep getting cuter! Get ready, it's gonna be good.

get ready...

for a picture overload of my cousin Jake's wedding!

LOTS more to come...

we're ready

...the grass is dying, the leaves are slowly turning, the wind is getting brisk and kead has her fabulous new boots. we are ready for the fall!

sweet sayla is one

Our precious baby girl turns one tomorrow. I know everyone says this, but man it goes by fast! here are some of my favorite things about her at one:

• her sweet demeanor.

• her wobbly walk

• the way she lays her head on anyone's shoulder

• her giggle when her and kead are rough housing

• she is one tough little girl

• ...but kind of emotionally fragile. want real tears? tell her no.

• how proud she is of herself when she does something Kead is doing

• her baby babble. only real words yet are mama and dada.
  

• her sweet two-tooth smile

• how easy she is with food! I have yet to find something she wont eat.

• what a joyful addition she is to our family! I often say she is God's gift of grace to us, because so far she has been so easy. I am so proud to be her mama.
  

happy birthday sweet la-la bug. We love you so much!