Wednesday, February 27, 2008

ride on

Kaiden is a pro at riding his bike now! I wish you could see him go. He rarely has a tumble and is great at making those really sharp u-turns. We're so lucky we live on a dead end street so the kids can ride relatively safe from traffic. Every once in a while you'll hear the ear piercing "CAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!" from Amy and I and all the kids pull over to the grass immediately.

Kaiden, Joshua, and Sienna are always very imaginative when it come to their bike riding adventures. They're always pretending their bikes are something new: police cars, fire trucks, horses, race cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes(they just discovered off-road riding in the neighbors front and back yards which is especially fun in the rain)

Kaiden ALWAYS has to have a costume to match his imaginative games. Today it was race cars so he has on his Lightning McQueen jammies. One thing I want to point out is that Kaiden usually has his shirt on backwards. We're not sure why he wants it that way but we let him without any fuss.

Another recent Kaiden fashion statement is tucking his shirt into his pants and then pulling his pants up over his belly button so he can show off his equally stylish tall black socks. He loves the way he looks when he dresses like this! He holds his head a bit higher and walks with a little strut that instantly puts a smile on my face.


Who are we to tell him that some people may think he looks a little goofy? He's riding down his own path and I say ride on little man!!!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

handicap

Kaiden: Mom, what does handicapt mean?

Mom: Hmmm...good question. I guess one way to put it is when a part of a persons body doesn't work as well. Like if your legs are hurt and you have to be in a wheelchair. It can also mean that your brain doesn't work as well either.

Kaiden: Did you know that Joshua's parents are handicapt?

Mom and Dad: Look at eachother and exchange an inside laugh.

Kaiden: They are REALLY handicap. They don't take care of their stuff.

Mom: Like what?

Kaiden: Their car, Joshua's room, their bathroom....It's so messy and DISGUSTING! (in reality these things are not gross and disgusting. They're very clean people)

Mom and Dad: Laughing out loud now

Kaiden: Did you know that Aaron is handicap too? He leaves the windows open in his car when it rains.

I love his interpretation! According to Kaiden, if your brain worked well you would know to take care of your things and know not to leave your windows down when its raining. Too cute.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

little sister






We had such a fun time on our shoot today!!! Samantha's a natural in front of the camera and made my job super easy. And hey, when did my little sister become not so little anymore? She's GORGEOUS! Thank you Samantha for putting up with me :) I love you.

runner-up!

I'm so surprised to have had this photo chosen as a runner-up for the Mamarazzi School homework contest! I'm honored to be among such awesome talent. Check it out here: Mamarazzi School

Friday, February 22, 2008

BFF

Do you see that? That gorgeous piece of equipment above? That's my new best friend! We've been getting to know each other the past few days.


There are so many buttons, settings, and thing-a-ma-bobs on this thing! I'm having so much fun experimenting but I think I need a new model. My favorite could really use a break!

Things with the business are coming along and I'm busy getting all my "ducks in a row"! My business cards should be coming in the mail this week and I'm going to schedule some practice shoots with my little sis and the kiddos that live across the street for the weekend. I'm so excited to be doing this and I can't wait for my first real shoot!!!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Feb. 15

We founds lots of curious things at the beach today - sea urchins, star fish, crabs, bones, fossils, and tons and tons of scallops clapping and spitting on the shore.


There was a bit of climbing, jumping,


hidden surprises (an octopus hiding in a sea shell!),


And a whole lot of being just plain cute!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

BoBo the Caterpillar

"In a jungle, on a safari so far far away lived a little caterpillar named BoBo. He was the cutest little caterpillar you ever did seen. He got lost and a little boy rescued him, named Kaiden. He brought the little buddy to his home safe and sound and put him gently in his mommy's butterfly garden."


"One day, BoBo the caterpillar went into his chrysallis and emerged a beautiful butterfly!"

-Kaiden

the chase

We took a trip to the beach. It was a lovely evening, running our toes through the sand. Until...

Kaiden noticed the birds were hungry.


I'm not sure he knew what he was getting himself into. These birds can get a bit nasty!

The chase was on, birds flying in from everywhere! Dive bombing, screetching, fighting... It was quite a spectacle. Kaiden laughing hysterically the entire time :)


But soon Kaiden had these flying beasts under his command. His next goal? To catch one!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

big news brewing over here

Really big for me anyways! I'm really really nervous about it but I'm just going to throw myself out there. You all are my best of friends so I can't be judged too harshly!

I'm starting my own photography business!

I can't beleive it! Lots of you have said I have an "eye" for it but I've never been quite confident in myself. But you know what? I LOVE TAKING PICTURES!!!! So why not do what I love?

I have met a wonderful woman, Sheila Lackey. She has been a photographer here in Sarasota for years and years and has opened herself to helping me get off my feet. She has a beautiful studio and has offered for me to use it as my own. Of course I have never wokred in a studio before and know nothing about lighting, equiptment, yadda yadda, but Sheila has offered to help teach me EVERYTHING. I can tag along on shoots with her to get tips, ideas, and to see how she works her magic. She is also helping me out with an awesome digital SLR camera. I have a non-digital SLR but in this day and age its just not as convenient.

Sheila has been such a blessing in getting this whole thing off the ground. She was so excited for me that she wanted to take some photos of me for my business cards. I belong on the OTHER side of the camera! HAHAHA. But I love how they turned out.




I'm going to be aiming for kids, families, couples, and possibly weddings. I've found some awesome locations and backgrounds around Sarasota but I'm also up for traveling to other cities arounds Florida. I'm going to ask some of you to be guinea pigs in the studio since I'm not sure what I'm doing in there :) . I'm also working on a portfolio to show potential clients.

So I guess the reason I'm posting this is to ask for your support in getting this off the ground. I have no clients yet but the only way to get them is to get my name out there. So I ask you, my friends and family, to let people know about what I'm doing.

It feels a little scary to put something so personal out there because it could get rejected! yikes. But if you never take any risks in life you probably never go anywhere either.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.

-Winnie the Pooh



And what a wonderful adventure it has been!

Georgia

We have dissappeared off the blogging radar for some time now huh? We're still alive over here!!! Just took a little blogging break.

Randy and Kaiden took a 2 week trip up to Georgia to visit the newest member of the family, Brandon Eis. There was lots and lots of baby love! Check out these awesome pictures Randy took:




Those eyes... nose... lips... cheeks... chin... absolutely perfect.


Melissa, a natural beauty. Randy captured her perfectly.


Mideival Times of course.


I think his expression says it all! What kid doesn't love Chuck E. Cheese?


Precious.

Check out flickr for more pictures of their adventures.