Free Range on Fairview

For my final photography portfolio we had to choose to do 3-5 pictures in either a theme, a style, or using them to tell a story. Throughout the class I have learned a little bit about macro photography, where you get really close to your subject. Usually this refers to small things like plants and bugs but I decided to use my kiddos as models and here are the results, let me know what you think. Dylan getting dirty Lincoln playing in the grass Danielle and her fun nails

Dylan Danielle and Lincoln posing in front of the lilac bushes See they do get along sometimes :) Two of my favorite things in the last few weeks. The kids laughing together and the giant lilac bushes blooming. I love cutting them and putting them in vases all around the house. The flowers that is, not the kids.

So Lincoln and Dylan were playing "boat" the other day in my laundry basket and I wanted to grab a quick picture. Unfortunately Lincoln thought play time was over. I'm such a meanie for taking this picture, and posting it. Some day he'll thank me I'm sure.

Well this Memorial Day we aren't planning on anything fancy, no camping with the trailer this time, but we are talking about going fishing with another family and having a BBQ. This song has been on the radio a lot lately and it reminds me that it's not what we do together, it's just doing it together. Remember this Memorial Day all of those who have served for us and to spend the time off with your family.

Lincoln will be walking before we know it. This little guy is just fearless. He will walk along furniture or the wall and then just let go. So many bumps and bruises but it doesn't phase him, he just keeps going and finding something else to get into. Danielle is over 5 feet tall now, 5'3/4" according to the measurement Grandpa Larry took last night at Coby's birthday dinner. Wow, she is turning into a beautiful young woman. Shane and I aren't growing up so much as just growing out and around. His 20 year reunion is in early August and I know he's hoping to tone up a little before then so we'll have to see how that adventure turns out. I've pretty much morphed back into my pre-pregnancy body (thank God since Linc is almost 11 months!) but my stomach muscles got stretched out like an old rubber band. We will be in swim wear a lot this summer so either I just have to not care or do something about it and I think I'm leaning more now towards just n

What do you do all day? I've heard this question before since I am a stay-at-home-mom by choice. A homemaker some prefer to be called. I stay at my house (most days) and get the chance to shape my children the way I think they should be, I get to take care of my house, I get to make meals for my family without worrying about the wait at the drive through. I get to create my own schedule and not have to report to the boss, except Shane that is, and I get "paid" in love, kisses, and seeing my goals come true. No seriously, what do you do all day ? I hold Lincoln quite a bit, he's into everything but not walking yet. Oh you mean the day to day fun stuff I get to do. Well the last week or so I've been taking random pictures of the trivial things I do and will share them with you. Dylan catching the bus at 7:15am I get everyone in the house up at different times, me no later than 6:30 so I can have one cup of coffee in peace. Dylan up at 6:45 to get ready fo

I was giving Lincoln a few bites of Ritz the other afternoon and ran out of the room to grab something (more than likely my cup of coffee) when I heard a munching sound. I come back in the room and he has two in one hand and one in the other and is eating them. He took little bites out of them while they were stacked in his hand. I couldn't help but love the little guy and how grown up he is getting. Luckily I was planning on vacuuming the floor that afternoon anyway so I just rolled with the punches. He got a snack and was entertained for a while. Yippee.  By far my favorite of all the pictures. Enjoy your snack today. Blog plan for tomorrow: What do you do all day?

Lincoln helped with swiffering the floor yesterday while I worked on some other things. It probably would have been a little more helpful if I actually had one of the pads on it, but it kept him busy none the less. He loves to grab big things and drag them around the house... who know what is going on in that little head of his. Jr. Chef Dylan - Just don't call him little chef Dylan asked if he could make dinner last night. After some frustration because our cupboards are becoming bare (I will go to the store some time this week I promise!) and because I told him spaghetti-o's are not an good enough dinner for our whole family this is what he came up with. Mac n Cheese, green beans and chocolate chip waffles. He actually did most of the cooking himself. He also made a chef hat out of a paper bag and a paper plate but it didn't quite stay on his head so that was not pictured. Danielle made dessert last night for us too, cake batter. Interesting but I think the kids lik

I have been trying to squeeze in some reading and personal research lately on how to get in control of the  daily chaos, mess and parenting I am required to participate in. Some of the books I've found at the library (one of my jobs is to save money hence borrowing and returning, oh how I wish I could underline in them!) are The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families, How to Raise Kids on a Little Money and Confessions of a Happily Organized Family. Two of the three I am in the middle of right now, some day I will actually read a whole book. Anyway to get things done I tried to make my to do list last night for today while prepping the coffee maker. This morning I made lunches, filled out a year book form for Dylan (thanks Grandma!) and then walked Dylan to the bus stop in the blowing wind. I'm no Martha but I did manage to sweep and mop the floor while Lincoln was napping and get most of my homework turned in for the week. I have a long way to go but at least almost 3 years in

Dylan was doing computer games yesterday (a new website called reading eggs which we get a free 5 month subscription and it's all reading and literacy games... well most of it!) and somehow these pictures popped up. Dylan took these himself with the timer on the photobooth option on our Mac laptop last summer. He saw them and replied "Those were from when I was being a role model." He meant model but it just cracks me up that he said role model. Hopefully not too many of his friends want to act like this.

I working on it and trying to get better: Composition, using the Rule of Thirds, Computer Editing Techniques... all interesting. I am actually learning a lot, I just don't get out of the house much so trying to find interesting subjects that the class won't get tired of plus that meet the guidelines is my main challenge. Dylan didn't want to be a model for this picture but I think it turned out better that way anyway. The only thing I would have changed is my angle a little bit so you don't look up his little snotty nose :)  Naked crawling adventures I just had to catch. I love the extra little rolls on the back of his thighs. Yes he is still doing the crab/commando crawl, using his toes and left arm to pull himself along, what a goof.  The boys in their footed pjs.  Danielle and friend Rylan going to prom.  Dylan checking out how high the creek near our house has risen since the weather is warming up.  Mini photographer Dylan with his new (to him!) 35mm camera wi

Well I've been trying to keep posting but all of the kids have been going through sickness, with Linc now on a nebulizer times have been busy as usual. Lincoln is also pulling himself into a standing position now (in the last two days, crazy) so I'm running around after him. This was my last submission for my photography class, I figured I could at least share something with you this week. Hopefully more pictures before Mother's Day, otherwise pictures from then coming soon!\