Pumpkin Patch

Well - it's my turn - here is one of our pumpkin adventures!

They earned some candy while we got there - I think it was for good behavior.

I have one similar to these last year - except - Mikey wasn't big enough to walk down with his sisters - love it!

He found a caterpillar.

And here it is.

Love this - it's so Hay!!!  That big silly grin!

And then there is this face!

Look - I'm in another picture!

Who me?

I couldn't drag this girl away from the pumpkins! 

Then they got Ice Cream for doing so well at the pumpkin farm!

Days like this make me happy :)

Life In-between

I am enjoying taking my camera everywhere....I don't know if my husband is - but I am :)

We went to the mall this weekend - and at first I was hesitant to take out my big honkin camera!  But - after I took a picture of one of my girls and someone was like - WOW - I have camera envy - and they admired I was taking pictures - it made it a lot easier.

If I was afraid to take out my camera - I would so easily forget moments like this:

Where Hayden is exploring Express for the first time - wishing they had clothes in her size.

And seeing high heels and wanting her size - in a pink glittery color of course!

Or Brianna's first trip into Justice.

Asking me to take her picture.

Not being embarrassed to walk around the mall with her mom!

Her first trip into the changing room - insisting to go in alone and that she needs "privacy please!"

Or shopping for her first pair of earrings to replace the ones she got her ears pierced with.

The days are going by so fast - I feel like it was just yesterday I found out I was pregnant (with the 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd) and now I am watching my youngest learning to talk, my middle growing into herself everyday, and my oldest picking out jewelry and going to birthday parties.

Those big moments you'll never forget, like the first words and the first steps - but it's those in-between moments (like trips to the mall) that are sometimes are the ones you long to remember!  So remember to take some pictures in the in-between.

Going Digital

I was so excited to win my first giveaway!!!  And at a super fabulous site: Reverie Mine.

I won credit to The Shoppe.  I was so excited!!!!  Now - I am not a professional photographer - but I was still able to find some awesome things.  One of the items I got was Summer Breeze.  It's an engagement layout.  When you go to site's - don't feel limited to what they show you - you can do so much more!  I took their awesome layout and created a cute reminder with my daughter:

So after doing this - I realized I really liked seeing my plain images taken to the next level.  So I started looking into digital scrapbooking.  I played with it before - but that was before I knew photoshop.  So - I stumbled upon this site: Jessica Sprague with some amazing layouts - and there are a lot of freebies right now too - I recommend checking it out.

So - this is one of the pages I did. 

There are many places you can print 12x12 pages.

Or you can be super simple - I forgot where I got this layout - it was as easy as dropping the picture in! (I totally forgot where I found it - if anyone knows - I'd be happy to link back to them!)

I have started using American Crafts albums - there 12x12 D ring ones:

And these are the inserts:

I like this system - because you can have regular 4x6 pictures - or 12x12 scrapbook pages either printed like above - or using scrapbook papers.  And - I can fit almost 500 pictures in an album!  It's a great way to keep things organized yet customizable too!

If you know any great place to get digital elements - please share :)

Opportunities....

I sit here lately and look at my kids.  It's such a big world out there for them.

There is a long open road for them....full of possibilities. 

They can turn back and ask for guidance and see where they have been.

 .

Or they can keep their eye's on what they want and keep moving forward

I love this picture. To me it represents that path, that road, those opportunities.  The simpler times, the peaceful times, where anything is possible. 

Children have nothing but opportunity in front of them. The world is theirs. So my question lately is does that opportunity end? When is that age where the world gets smaller and your opportunities are less?  And my conclusion is - there is no age.  Don't close those doors, don't make excuses.  Find what makes you happy, believe that it can be yours, and seize those opportunities.  

I am starting my path to find what makes me happy and surrounding myself with those opportunities. 

Sisters

Sisters are probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

When I see images of my daughters like this, I have to say I do turn a little green with envy, I always wanted a sister.  I saw this quote too from Clara Ortega that said "The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble."  This I think will be them.  They are uber competitive, at each others throats all the time, they are so different.  But - they are bonded.  They are sisters, they have each others back - like sisters should.  I know they don't know what they have now - I hope they do later in life

Small Wonders

We went to my Grandma's property last weekend.  It is surreal there - peaceful - tranquil - a chance for us to just be!  No cell phones, no TV, no internet...Just the 5 of us.  I am going through and editing some pictures now - this was one of my first ones - I love it. This is where I spent my youth - and seeing this picture just makes me smile and wish for a simpler life for my children.

1/250, f/13, ISO 500

Recipe: Florabella LuxeII Timeless, Texture: Angelfood

And - I love this one too - makes you yearn for a simpler time - doesn't it!

1/500, f/5.6, ISO 250

Can't wait to get to the rest! 

Flora Bella Actions

I recently purchased some Flora Bella Actions.  If you love photography, and photoshop, and if you haven't checked them out - please - go - now!  Well - read the rest of my post - then go :)

Here are some images that I finished editing last night with her LuxeII collection.

The first ones were mainly Tea Time - I did tweak the sliders and adjust a few other - but - the action made the photos!  All of them were shot with my 50mm prime.

SS 1/6400, F/2.8, ISO 320

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

This is one of my favorite of my Hay...such sweet and angelic, with a hint of mischief - which is SO Hay.  And - I am finally figuring out the exposure thing, and how it can make such a difference in the quality of the picture!

SS 1/1250, F/2.0, ISO 100

These were her B/W Blush Action.  Again - I tweaked some here and there and added some other slight adjustments - but - this currently is my favorite black and white change!

SS 1/6400, F/2.8, ISO 320

I love the Bokeh in this image.  I am learning the sweet spot of my new 50mm lens - she really stands out!  Love it - love that blur!

SS 1/2000, F/2.2, ISO 250 Shot with my 50mm 

Ok - now that you have finished reading the post - go check out Flora Bella!!!  I am already planning the next purchase (shhhh - don't tell my husband!)