Taking Pictures

I really like taking pictures. I don't know when this new hobby surfaced, but I think it was around the same time I met my friend Kim who is an amazing photographer. Since then I look at the world and even more so, my children, from a different perspective. I have a LOT to learn about photography, but the more I learn the more I love it and I can't think of a more beneficial hobby. If the saying a picture speaks a thousand words is really true, than I figure I am keeping one gigantic journal.

My dad has always taken a lot of pictures. He has been an electronics geek his entire life (don't feel bad dad, I'm married to one...take it as a compliment!) and I remember when digitial cameras were first coming out he jumped at the chance to buy one. It was a nice camera, but very expensive compared to how they are priced now. He was so excited about it and has since taken thousands of pictures of our family. I used to grumble when he'd ask me to pause for a picture, but now I think I am exactly the same way!

I'm uploading a few pictures to my hard drive right now (like I do every couple of days.) Today the number is small, only fifty-six. I remember back in the good old days of film, when twenty-four shots was the limit and since I never had much money for film or processing, I would be very picky about my shots. Only the cutest guy, best friend or funniest situations were captured and I'd drop them off at Shopko, then wait the twenty-four hours with anticipation to see how everything came out. Back then I never had much luck. It seemed like only half of my pictures would look decent and the ones I'd really wanted to look good would be fuzzy or black. Anyway, the whole point of these ramblings is that I am very grateful to my husband who has insisted that I get a nice camera (though at one point it was OURS, not mine) and even though my kids may get sick of me taking their pictures all the time, I'm glad that for now they humor me. 

Here's a few shots I took yesterday.

This was actually taken this morning. If you can't tell what Ellie has on her cheek it is a line of pen. Owen has taken to drawing on everything in the house, except his paper. Luckily I caught this early, or poor Ellie would have been covered I'm sure! Oh, and for the record, pen wipes off babies much easier than it does couches. I've discovered the magical power of hairspray in removing pen stains. Seriously, it works really well!

My cute kids in the jammys G and G Braithwaite gave them. Thank you!

My boys.


Last night Dan decided to cook dinner which left me with lots of time to be obnoxious with my camera. Stubborn man, I couldn't get him to look at me, not that I'm complaining because dinner was great!


The boys were much more cooperative. The thing I love most about my kids is their ability to have a blast with the simplest objects. Here's the perfect example:
Three boys + three shopping bags= hours of fun! (literally)


Lincoln looked at this picture and said, "look mommy, I have a dragon tongue!" So funny.

Playing games. For Christmas Santa brought a lot of games for the boys, and then the other day Dan's boss sent him home with a lot more from when her kids were little. The boys really haven't stopped playing games in days. I love it! Thanks June!

Ellie laughing at Owen as he runs around and around and around.

How could I resist this shot? Static and potty training underpants! What a nut.

More tummy time.

This is why Ellie is such a great sleeper. Moms, don't kill me, but Ellie sleeps eleven hours a night already! She puts herself to sleep each night by sucking her little fingers. So sweet!

Loved this angle!

My favorite of the group.