little cuties

I had the privilege of taking a camera/photography workshop the other day with a fabulous photographer, Cori Derksen.  I had such a great time learning and taking pictures.  I hope to continue growing in my new "craft".  Here are just a few photos of our cute little models.

Project 365 Day 47 - 2/16/11

sun rays

I LOVE sun rays!  I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I see them.  My mom told me once that they were a message from above...that has always stuck with me.  I was on my way to my parents house the other day (well, evening actually) when I took this photo.  The rain had stopped for a little while but dark clouds still loomed above.  While driving up the 4-lanes, I glanced out the passenger side window and saw this spectacular view.  I pulled over in the first turn-out I found and jumped out to snap a picture....so thankful I had my camera with me!  I got the message!

Project 365 Day 46 - 2/15/11

happy valentine's day

I actually took this photo on Day 44, during the wagon ride, but it was so precious I just had to use it for today's photo.  Our Valentine's Day was less than spectacular with a sick hubby and two kids with colds.  I had fully intended on coming home from work to cook a delicious meal, but the chaos I came home to was not conducive for cooking.....thank goodness for Costco lasagna!! 


Project 365 Day 45 - 2/14/11



wagon ride

We went outside for a nice Sunday afternoon wagon ride.  It was Madi's first and she LOVED it!  She's such a big girl now!  Poor Luke wasn't feeling good, but he still managed to flash me a couple fake smiles.  : )

Project 365 Day 44 - 2/13/11

sweetness

With all the beautiful weather over the weekend, I attempted a mini photo shoot with the kids.  I figured I would try after nap time when they are rested and happy and ready to look cute.  This turned out to be a huge failure....I literally only got 7 pictures before Luke decided to take off running, crying that he wanted to drive Daddy's truck, and refused to come back.  Photo session, OVER.  *sigh*  So here's the photos that actually turned out!  Maybe next time...


Project 365 Day 43 - 2/12/11



ham anyone?

With age comes more independence for this little man....along with him NOT wanting me to take his picture.  I'm pretty sure he's super tired of me saying "Lukie, look at mommy and say cheese".  But on those increasingly rare occasions that he DOES follow directions, and if I am fast enough, I catch him being a little ham, like this!  Gosh, I love his cute little face!

Project 365 Day 42 - 2/11/11



a fishy day

Our little Lukie was due for a Mommy and Daddy Day (without sister!).  We were going to go to Tulare for the Farm Show, but I was sick and totally not up for it.  So we decided to stay close to home and took him to the Friant Fish Hatchery.  I remember going here as a young kid and thought Luke would love it....and he did!  We were the only visitors there and got extra special treatment by a former co-worker who now works there.  She hooked us up with lots of fish food and away we went!  It was actually pretty cool to see all the different stages of fish growth and Luke had a blast!

Project 365 Day 41 - 2/10/11



Thin Mints, Shortbreads, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches...OH MY!

Upon the request of my husband, I caved and purchased five, yes FIVE, boxes of Girl Scout Cookies last week.  Well its not like he twisted my arm to do it....but when you have that order form in your hand, and see all the goodness in front of you, its really hard to control yourself!  They are only $4.00 a box and its for a good cause, right?  So now everyday when I open the pantry, my nemesis sits there staring at me as I dig down deep for every last ounce of will power to look away.  Darn you little Girl Scouts and your delicious little cookies! 

Project 365 Day 40 - 2/9/11

tractor drivin'

So Luke's other obsession is with TRACTORS!  Its so bad that when we drive down the road, he knows which houses/businesses have tractors, which construction sites have tractors, and he definitely knows where Papa Bruce's tractors are.  Every tractor he sees, he says its "like papa's".  Almost every time we are at my parent's house, my poor dad gets suckered into giving Luke a ride on the Kubota.  But it totally makes this little guy's day....and I think my dad gets a kick out of it too!

Project 365 Day 39 - 2/8/11



dinner time = bath time!

So this is how we do spaghetti in our house!  No shirt and all over the face.  The part you don't see is that its all over the carpet too...*sigh*  (If I were you, I'd buy stock in Woolite Oxy Deep carpet cleaner because we use A LOT of it in the Brown House.) 

Project 365 Day 38 - 2/7/11



Charlie Brown

You may have heard a time or two about our "crazy dog"....well this is him, Charlie, a 5 year old half McNab and half (crazy) Boarder Collie.  He is Hank's son and we sometimes wonder if his elevator goes all the way to the top.  He barks ALL the time, still chews on whatever he can find, and likes to chase after anything that moves.  He loves to harass the cats (but they allow him) and drive me absolutely crazy!  Despite all his shortcomings, I guess I have to admit that he is turning out to be a good dog and I know that if I ever needed him, he would be there.  Good boy, Charlie!  

Project 365 Day 37 - 2/6/11

a foothill sunset

So how GORGEOUS were the sunsets last week?!  I kept forgetting my camera or was never in a good spot to be able to get a photo....until this night, and all I had to do was step out my front door.  These colors are amazing!

Project 365 Day 36 - 2/5/11

my little shadow

Well, actually he's Jeff's little shadow...but today, he was mine.  We went walking around outside this afternoon looking for something to take a picture of.  As soon as I saw his little silhouette on the wall, I just had to take a picture of it and make this my photo of the day. 

Project 365 Day 35 - 2/4/11

I heart them!

Our babies.....and hands down the cutest kids in the world!  (I'm not just saying that because I'm the mom either....they really are the cutest!  hehe!)


Project 365 Day 34 - 2/3/11



Happy Birthday Hank!

Meet Hank.  Today is his 11th birthday!  He has been Jeff's sidekick since he was a tiny 6 week old puppy and oh the stories he could tell (good thing he can't talk)!  He used to love to jump for bugs and run in circles, in anyone's back yard, carving a track in the grass.  He was like the energizer bunny, always going and going and going.  He's slowed down quite a bit in his old age, but he is still a great protector and a wonderful member of our family!  We love you Crankster...have a Happy Birthday!

Project 365 Day 33 - 2/2/11