Abby Turns 4

We celebrated Abby's 4th birthday the other day. I can't believe how fast time goes by. It scares me sometimes. We had a few of her friends over for a little party. We had a girly theme. Her cake was supposed to be a dollhouse. I put it off till the last minute though and it didn't turn out quite like the picture I was copying. But she loved it and thought it was awesome, so that is all that matters. We made candy and cereal necklaces and broke a pinata. I was laughing. I had planned some games, but the girls just wanted to open presents and play. It was kind of funny and made me wonder why I even planned anything. It was just like a playdate. But I think they all had fun.

Ok, I was too lazy to scan in this picture and it didn't turn out very well. This is one of my favorites from Abby's baby days.

Peyton loved the candy from the pinata too.

I was having fun with my camera. I turned up the shutter speed so that I could get some fun action shots of the pinata breaking. Of course we had to help out some before it broke, but they all thought it was awsome!

They were all pretty excited to have her open her presents. Thats all they wanted to do. I was going to save it for last, but I couldn't. Then they all played with the new toys. She shared really well. I was happy about that.

These are the little purse goodie bags we gave out. I thought they turned out really cute.

I am actually really embarassed to put a picture of the sad cake on here. But I know the grandmas would want to see. I am just glad that she was excited about it.

A cold snowy Easter

Easter was so cold and snowy. We didn't take the kids to the town Easter Egg hunt because it was raining (and Andy had to work that morning). We snuck outside for a few cold dry minutes to roll eggs.

We decided to do an inside hunt in the basement for them. They thought it was really fun and weren't disappointed at all. Peyton loved the idea of finding the eggs. He was so excited. He also loved coloring the eggs. He liked to hold them and smoosh the shells. He must have liked the noise and feeling of the cracking. So we had to limit his helping a little so that he would have some eggs to roll later. The kids were so excited to see that the Easter bunny had come. It was almost like Chirstmas. And all they really got was a little candy and a couple of cheap toys from the dollar store. But I am so glad that they loved it.

I sure hope that next year is warm enough to be outside and doing our normal traditions, but I am so thankful to have kids that were just happy to be doing something and totally satisfied with what they got.

I have been slacking on my computer time. I started reading the twilight series. I had been putting it off for a time when I went to a conference with Andy or something so that I would have lots of time to read at once. I had heard how addicting they are. But I ended up watching the movie and that made me want to read the book. So I have finished the first two and now I am waiting a few days to start the third one so that I can get some things done around the house. But I am already getting obsessed! Oh well.

More Zac and Brandi

The wedding cake.

The whole bridal party

With this ring......

Zac and the boys

They did streamers and stars on the ceiling at their reception. It totally brought back some fun high school dance memories.

Getting ready to walk down the isle

Here are some fun shots of Brandi getting ready. I think they look so good in black and white. Love it!

Zac and Brandi

Here are some more of the edits I have been having so much fun with. I normally don't put so many pictures on one post, but they uploaded really fast. So here are a few more.

The beadwork on her dress was so pretty! Pictures don't do it justice.

I love the effect of the colors and noise on this one. This was their "first" dance as husband and wife at the reception. The lighting is combination from the DJ, ceiling spotlights, and the little white lights.

Look at that evil look. He is totally ready to smear her with cake!

I can't decide which one I like better. This is an effect from a couple of actions combined.

Classic Black and White

or the original? What do you think?

The back of the dress was really pretty too!

My favorite flower girl!

Back down the isle. They look so happy!

I have been working like crazy to edit and organize the pictures I took at my cousin's wedding this past weekend. (about 400 or so) It is so addicting. I am up way past my bedtime, but I don't want to stop! There are lots of them that I love, but here are just a few.

Their wineglasses from the reception.

"The" isle

More fun with photoshop actions

I will post some more of my favorites soon.

The Eyes Have It!

I was trying to practice some things with my camera lenses. I am getting ready to do some wedding pics for my cousin Brandi soon. I look at lots of photography blogs and websites to try and learn new things and get ideas for poses and stuff. I decided to try and take some pics of Stock's eyes. He has the prettiest long eyelashes.

Photoshop is so cool. I love actions. You can do alot of fun things with pictures. You would never guess that Stockton was actually watching cartoons and eating chips while I was taking these. His lips were bright orange. I should have put one of those pics in here too.

Mr. Indepedent

I can't believe how fast Peyton is growing up. In my mind it seems like his babyhood has moved twice as fast as Stockton's did. I guess we are just twice as busy now as I was then! He has decided that he is too sophisticated for me to feed him anymore. He wants to do it all himself. He does pretty good if he is really serious. Babies and eating are always a messy endeavor!