Preschool Graduation

Hailey couldn't sleep the night before her graduation because she was so excited. She had counted down the days, practiced all of her songs a million times, and made sure I knew the rule that they were not allowed to wear "high heels or flip flops" because they would be standing on risers (bummer, because Hailey has SOOO many pairs of high heels). The stage was set, and she could barely contain herself.

They got to walk down the aisle to a graduation song, and she was a little subdued.

Landon was right behind her, and then they got to stand together on the risers. This was very convenient for Sara and I. And also very convenient for their wedding slide show in the future.

Once Hailey found us, she was all waves and smiles, and the shell was left behind. She sang each of the songs so loudly we could actually hear her particular voice sometimes! 

They were all super cute, of course, as they did all of their motions and movements.

Then the moment she had been waiting for. They called her name and gave her a special Bible, which both of her teachers had written in. She loves this.

And we are happy that she has grown since the little gym show last year where she did THIS when it was time to receive her award....

This is classic.  She has come a long way in one year!

Anyways, back to the graduation. 

And just one more picture for the wedding slide show.

Awwwwwww.

A dance and a photography lesson

 I was asked to take pictures at my niece and nephew's home school dance on Saturday night. It was at our church with a whole lot of kids having a whole lot of fun. My nephew Colby's band played, which I was able to hear all of, but only see a little bit due to some serious photography troubles. He was so great! And they hired a swing dance instructor who taught all the kids different steps and they actually almost all were participating, even after the lessons. That was pretty fun to watch.

It was pretty tricky taking pictures in that lighting, and actually the whole event was one big confusing photography lesson for me! Meaning, I realized how much I still have to learn. I was taking more formal shots in a back room and they had photography lights to use, which I really had no idea what to do with. It helped when we realized after about an hour that they had the wrong bulbs in them and they had a softer light option. Then, I was trying all different camera settings to get the right coloring. I would figure out the perfect setting and then the next group would come along and it would look completely different than the picture I just took (if that makes any sense!). I was so frustrated, and I think that since I wasn't shooting totally in manual mode, my camera was actually adjusting to the lighter or brighter clothing they had on, or the number of people in the shot which would sometimes block some of the light. Due to needing a pretty slow shutter speed, some also ended up a little blurry. UGH!! And to top it all off, I had the stress of handing over the pictures exactly as they are, instead of getting to crop or edit anything. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I would have wanted to edit hundreds of pictures of people I don't know! But I know so many of them could have looked much better if I could have fixed a few things here and there on the computer. Oh well, I did the best I could and there were still some good pictures. 

Here are some of my adorable niece and nephew:)

And here is Amanda with her "boyfriend that's not really a boyfriend", Austin, or maybe he is by now:)

So cute. 

Luckily, there were two other people taking pictures and one lucky lady got to take the kids' pictures outside. With NATURAL LIGHT.... now, that I could manage. 

Photography issues aside, it was still really fun to go check out the dance and visit with some people I hadn't seen in a really long time. Thanks for asking me, Steph!

Just your typical neglected third child

You know, by the third kid there are hardly any pictures, baby books etc. of that poor child. Just like poor Addison.
Oh wait.... that's right. I have about a billion pictures of her and I just keep taking more. I'm changing the stereotype, I guess. For us, I guess it's more of poor first and second children who were born before Mommy had a passion for photography. Symantha and Hailey get a fair share of pictures, but I hate to say it, Addison is just more fun to take pictures of right now! Am I a bad mom? In my defense, Addi hasn't learned the dreaded "picture smile" and she's just so cute. Here are a few of my favorites lately... then I promise to not neglect my older children in future posts:)

May: Ten on Ten

Usually on Ten on Ten days I end up taking millions of pictures throughout the day and then sort them into my top ten in the order that they happened. I don't intend on doing this, but it just sort of happens! So I worked on being a little more truthful this time and really taking pictures on the hour. This made for sometimes less exciting pictures, but I still liked that it shows real glimpses of my day. Here goes...

Mother's Day

It was a Mother's day weekend with many celebrations.

It started on Saturday with girl time for my mom, including eating and shopping. Such a great time together.

We love her!

We woke up on Sunday, to a lovely mother's day surprise.

The joys of working with teenagers, we were forked. At least they included very nice messages!

After church, we had a wonderful brunch at Fire Creek Grill. The girls had me open presents there.

Following much food consumption, I received the extra special treat of cuddling with Symantha and taking a long nap together. Addi slept too, and we all woke up ready to head to the park. We hung out at Lake Wilderness and then had a picnic dinner.

We headed to Kurt and Steph's house for dessert to celebrate another great mom (Becky!).

We love her. 

And we love the strawberries that we had for dessert.

Addison especially loved this part.

I loved celebrating the moms in my life, along with being spoiled myself.

Hope you all had a terrific day too!

Round Up

Derek got to take Hailey to Kindergarten Round Up on Friday since I was teaching preschool. She was so excited about it, and it was cool he got the chance to do it with her.

They did a few little activities, met the teachers, talked to the principal, etc. but her favorite part was taking a bus ride. Parents were allowed to go, but she told Daddy no thank you. It helped that she knew a number of the kids, from church and preschool! She told me later, "Mom, they don't even wear seatbelts at ALL!!"

I love the look on her face after getting off the bus. She is so excited for Kindergarten... I can't believe another one of my babies is going to be starting school soon.

She went swimmin'

Poor Addison. I hate to admit it but she often gets left behind, due to the fact that she doesn't know or care and it is so much easier for us! Those days are quickly leaving though, and she is "joining our family" like one of the big kids. So, we took her swimming with us and she couldn't have been more excited.

She loved putting her new bathing suit on that Nana had gotten for her. And then she just kept saying, "Addi go swimmin"?" We continued to assure her that yes, she was going swimming.

She loved every second of it and pretty much giggled nonstop. She quickly learned to throw herself into the pool with wild abandon, and has no fear. 

The only part she did not like was when we had to leave, and she cried inconsolably the entire time I changed her and the entire time home. That part was not so fun. But she will still definitely be joining us again!