Andrew's new do

Check it out :) Drew was in desperate need of a haircut and we were able to fit it in today. I just told her to cut it all off because it was time! and this is the amazing do my kid has now :) I love it and so does he. Drew doesn't really love change, but he is so happy! Just had to share!

Breaking Dawn

What a GREAT time Alexis and I had going to the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn. We started doing the midnight show last year, but have been loyal Twilight fans since we read the books a few years ago. We went with our dear friends the Sanders and made all sorts of fun goodies for the kids (and grown ups) I even made shirts this year, except I didn't spell 'sparkle' correct on Christina's shirt! Darn it if I always am just a bit off on the things I do...hahaha Alexis had a great time spraying all of us with her glitter spray, so we left a trail of glitter all night. Nothing like a little Edward sparkle to make it a fun evening!

It is moments like these that I realize how fast my kids are growing up. Alexis is going to be 15 in just a few weeks. I feel like the time is just going so fast, so it is fun to do these things with her! I have caught myself being much more sentimental about the time we spend together and even getting SUPER choked up over songs that remind me of her. I would not say I am a weepy person, but watching your child grow up really makes you proud. My kids are cool! They are unique and they are fun to hang out with. I love them so much and am so glad that I have these fun moments to spend with them!

Is it possible to be more tired when life slowes down???

I know, it is crazy, but this week life has really slowed down and I am finding that I am MORE tired than when I was busier. I have so much to do to get ready for Thanksgiving, but I find that the last two days I have just wanted to sit around....NOT GOOD! So tomorrow I am going to tap my inner energy source (more coffee) and exercise, get my chores done, shop, and plan for next week! I am going to believe that I can get all this done AND make my family a healthy dinner!!!!!!! I have all the faith in the world that tomorrow is MY DAY!!!! OR I will decide to take just one more mommy day...hahaha I guess tomorrow will tell.
I am super excited about Thursday night. Alexis and I are going to go to the midnight showing of our favorite Vampire movie...Breaking Dawn (part 1)...I can't wait to have a little Alexis time while she is on her break from colorguard. Although we miss the guard, I LOVE having her around and can't wait to have this night with her. We always go grab a little dinner and then stand in line...it is super fun!
I am following this amazing photography page on Facebook and we are beginning to have weekly photography challenges. This week's is EYES...keep your eyes open for my upcoming picture. Not sure what I am going to shoot, but I am excited to find the perfect picture that reflects my take on 'the windows to the soul'. I also have two shoots this week for practice. I am always nervous, but super excited to apply the things I am learning!!!!
Till tomorrow!!!

Practice Pictures at the park

I have been practicing on how to use my Apeture, Shutter, Manual settings on my camera. There is so much to learn, but I am slowly getting the hang of it. Here are a couple of my practice pics.

Championships

Just a few more from last night! I am posting the stand still performance on you tube because it was just that good :) This is a link to watch the stand still that the band performed after they won....it was just so amazing, please take a look (and watch the drum major!!! He is the best part :) !!! Stand still performance

Is it possible for your heart to explode from being so proud of your children?

Have you ever been so proud of your child that you think your heart might explode right out of your chest. It is so crazy to watch Alexis growing up. She is having all these amazing high school experiences that she will carry with her the rest of her life and it is so fun to be a part of it! Her colorguard team went to championships this weekend and took 1st place. When the ceremony was over, I went down onto the field to find her and she ran, jumped into my arms, and cried so hard with such tears of joy! That is a moment I will never forget!!! I love having these kinds of moments with my kids because those are the times I think they will always remember and cherish. When they are all grown up and have kids of their own, I want them to tell their kids that their mom was at their events, cheering them on, and involved in their lives. I love my kids and feel so blessed tonight that I have the privilege of raising them!

Happy Veteran's Day

What a FUN Veterans Day we had. Alexis performed in her first parade and she looked so beautiful! She was the ONLY freshman up front dancing with the guard! I couldn't have been more proud!! She LOVES colorguard and has such dedication to it! It is a lot of hard work, but it pays off in so many ways.
Then we celebrated my sisters birthday and I made my yummy cake balls. MAN, I sure wish I had never googled that recipe...those taste really good. If you want the recipe, let me know! I just want to thank all the service men and women out there that are reading this. Without the unselfish sacrifice of you and your family, my family would not be enjoying this amazing life we have! THANK YOU AND WE HESS' APPRECIATE YOU!!! Happy Veteran's Day!

Scooter Shoot

This was a super fun practice shoot with my kiddo. I love the tongue :) I am battling the flash, lighting, and noise/grain in these pics. I am going to prevail!

The Journey and 11/10/2011 practice pictures

Today is all about how to capture that light that comes through my window. I REALLY want to be the kind of photographer that captures families in their own environment. The pictures I love the most of my kids are the ones that are of them doing all the cool things that they do! Don't get me wrong, I love a great studio picture on my walls, but what I want to bring to this HUGE photography world is images of a family that will spark a memory years from now. To do that I have to become a Jedi Master of light, my camera in all lighting environments, and personalities of kids (the hardest part in my opinion)!! It is a HUGE Mt. Everest like mountain to climb, but I am SO EXCITED for the journey!!!!

Photography

For my birthday this year, my amazing husband got me the Nikon 55-200mm lens. It is my new best friend and I have been spending a TON of time getting to know it! During that process, I have learned so much about photography and realized how much more I have to learn! It has only fueled a passion that has been there for a long time. So instead of losing all my friends on FB because I am posting millions of edits on FB, I am going to post them here. If you are one of my followers, then please take a look and critique them. I am learning and think the only way I can really get good is to have others look and tell me how to improve! So thank you in advance for looking and commenting and Happy Snapping!!!