Spa Day & An Old Recipe

It was Spa Day at our house a couple of days before school started.
Before I go any futher you have to know what is on Raven's hands and Emily's face and feet and why the cat likes it so much. My mom taught me this years ago before we all thought we should 'exfoliate'. It is one egg and about 1/4 cup of cornmeal. It really works well to soften the skin and cleanses it wonderfully.

Once exfoliation was complete, baths started and the cat was equally interested in that.

Blair doesn't like being seen without her makeup.

I think the cat was telling Emily to get back in the tub.

Then nails.

FAKE nails.

The girls just HAD to do this, of course they all popped off in just a matter of hours.

Then they helped old Mom out, painting my toes.

And don't forget the makeup.

And the camera is somewhere in every adventure.

We had fun getting beautiful.

First Day!

Blair, 8th grade:
Raven, 4th grade:

Emily, 4th grade:

Emily doesn't actually wear glasses. She and Raven were wanting to trick their teacher by being the twins they are.

Our girls ready to go.

Maddox

Finally! Maddox is finished! Isn't he beautiful?

Maddox is a friends grandson. I am pretty sure they know what a beautiful child he is but I can't help but say it over and over again!

This is his Abercrombie Fitch pose!

As I have worked for the last nearly 5 years at photography, I have come to the realization that

People come in colors while Moments come in Black and white.

As I look back over moments in my life and the moments in my kids lives my minds eye sees them in black and white, never in color. But when I remember the people in my life, I always see them in color. Maybe it helps to identify them. Hair, eye, clothes all have colors, but moments are felt, smelled, remembered very differently.

Maddox, thank you for being a wonderful subject. You are such a handsome little man and I hope you enjoy your pictures.

Maddox's Sneak Peak

I wanted to let Maddox's mom see a sneak peak of a couple of his pictures. This little man is just beautiful. It will be tough to run through his pictures because he is gorgeous in all of them!
I just love these deep brown eyes and that smile.
There will be more to come Emily! Keep watching!

Ira Hi. School CheerLeaders

Ready for the field

Mascot Cheyene Taylor

Stormy Hughes

Kirsten Baker

Sarah Gunset

Oliva Juarez

Mariana Orneales

Bailey Minor

Ira Jr. Hi. CheerLeaders

These girls are quickly becoming young ladies.

Samantha Bloom

Kayla Taylor

Rebecca Gunset

Brittany Birkenfield

Savannah Richards

Keylee Glass

Blake Barbee

Blair McCowen

Tonight

This evening I intentionally pulled myself away from my computer to play with my kids. They have been patient, unselfish and giving where my photography is concerned. As I was outside spending time with them, Raven looked up at me and said, "You need your camera!" Meaning I should be taking pictures of us riding the cotton stripper as Shawn moved it. I told her that

there are moments that you photograph and there are moments that you LIVE.

I prefered to LIVE this one rather than document it.

I wanted some pictures to hide in my heart rather than my photo album.

Like Luke 2:19 says:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The Craig Grandkids

Another sweet family of kids wanted me to play at Kiddie Park a couple of weeks ago. These beautiful kids are Becky & Darrell Craig's grandkids. They were so lively and fun.

When I drove up to the park and saw these beautiful dresses and shirts and ties I was afraid of the kids level of comfort. Kids being kids they never even noticed they were dressed up! They played as if they were wearing shorts and tees. They were too cute!

This young man was just gorgeous. I could tell he was the leader of the pack and had probably been caged up with little bitty ones for a little longer than he wanted to be. He was pretty sure he needed to help the little ones with their poses and attention spans, to no avail! No one would even listen to him.

During any shoot, well during any editing session, I know I have done my job when...

I see me in your picture.

You can't tell it here but when this image is enlarged you can see me in these beautiful blue eyes!

I just love this one of brother and sister. It appears that she is safe in his arms.

Laughing eyes:

Thank you for inviting me gang. You are so beautiful!