57/365

February 26, 2009

Today is my birthday! Kevin gave me some really thoughtful gifts, including a 10x20, framed print of one of my favorite photos. The girls were excited to give me camera accessories, even though I am pretty sure they had no idea what it was! I really did have a good day, it was just not as relaxing as I had hoped it would be. I try not to have expectations for days like today, but sometimes you just cant help it! Ione was really cranky and clingy all day. She screamed ("that" scream, for those of you who know her well) about everything today. I'm certain she is the reason for the massive headache I had this afternoon! Isabella, on the other hand was an angel today. Her behavior and manners were impeccable. I was really proud of her! So anyway, the reason I like this shot is that it is one of the few times today that Ione was happy. No screaming, no crying, no begging me to hold her; just fun with Willow and Big Sis. I know there are a hundred things imperfect about this photo, but I still like it...just the way it is. (Just like my birthday!)

56/365

February 25, 2009

Before leaving Lafayette, I wanted to get some more photos of the trees in the area. I LOVE the live oaks and the cypress trees in the bayou. The neighborhood that my family lives in has a boulevard with a canopy of oaks lining the median, connecting to the trees on either side of the road. Even though it takes a little longer to travel that road, I always drive that way to go home. I love the mottled sunlight through the trees. I was in a hurry to get a shot, so I stopped in the middle of the road and took this picture before the cars behind me got close enough to honk. I only had time to snap one, so I'm glad it came out! :)

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February 24, 2009

Mardi Gras, Lafayette, Louisiana!

We had so much fun at the parades this year! My family and neighbors set up a wonderful spot along the parade route on UL's campus under the gorgeous oak trees. The guys bring the trailers, BBQ pit, port-o-potty, chairs etc. at 4:30 am to ensure we have the same (and BEST) spot every year. In between parades, we retreat to our little area and eat burgers and king cake and enjoy one another's company. Friends wander by and stop for a chat or a bite to eat. I always look forward to going home for Fat Tuesday and seeing familiar faces and catching up with old friends.

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February 23, 2009

We spent the weekend (through Wednesday) at my grandparents' house. I spent many years living in their home, so they are like an extra set of parents to me. I love how close I am to my grandmother and how much she enjoys my children. We go home often, so the girls will know their family in Lafayette. Here, Mamaw is feeding Ione "fruit snacks" if I remember correctly. One of the joys of visiting grandparents...you always get tons of treats!

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February 22, 2009

Today was pretty busy for being a Sunday. After church this morning, we had lunch at Chili's with the grandparents. Then the girls played the playhouse in Nonni's back yard, still dressed in their adorable pink and black polka dot dresses. We took a long afternoon nap, then strolled around the neighborhood. Right after supper-time, we had a surprise visitor...Gavin came to spend the evening with us! Unfortunately, his daddy had an emergency, but we were so excited to play with Gavin all evening. Ione was the teacher while Isabella and Gavin colored at their school desks. All three munchkins ran squealing through the house playing chase. Isabella gave the "babies" new hair-do's. This photo is from a quick stop for a snack break. It was actually Gavin's dinner break, but it didn't last! These three have so much fun together. It will be so much fun keeping Gavin for a week next month. I can't wait!

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February 21, 2009

This weekend we are staying at Mamaw and Papaw's house. It's even better than usual because they just added on a new master suite, so we get to sleep in the old master bedroom. It's VERY comfortable! Of course the gigantic new kitchen is pretty awesome too! Not too long ago, Papaw brought home some old-fashioned school desks for the kids to use. Last night the girls brought their coloring books and markers out on the back porch to practice their art skills. This was the longest that they sat near each other and kept quiet in a long time. It was nice to see them getting along and enjoy the same activity together.

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February 20, 2009

This afternoon Ione and I walked (well, I walked and she "fropped") to visit Pamela and Emily down the street. Unfortunately, they weren't home, but it was nice to get outside and go for a little walk. Ione had the most fun speeding down the incline of the driveways. She's such a little dare-devil. :)

50/365

February 19, 2009

While Isabella was at school today, Ione enjoyed watching her Elmo video in the playroom. She doesn't sit still for much TV, but when Elmo is on the screen, she'll stop whatever she's doing to give him her full attention. She loves that little red monster.

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February 18, 2009

Isabella struck a pose this morning before leaving for gymnastics. We have been going to the "Mommy and Me" class with our playgroup every other Wednesday. I like how relaxed the setting is, and the fact that both girls can participate despite the age difference. Isabella has really gotten interested in gymnastics lately. She is currently taking ballet/tap (going on 3 years) but I am wondering if we should switch to gymnastics. She'll be in swimming lessons again soon, and we don't want to overdo the extracurricular activities... Just tossing around ideas. We want her to enjoy what she's doing, and at this age it's hard to tell which she prefers!

48/365

February 17, 2009

I waited until bath time to turn the camera on today. I've been busy catching up on other things, so photography had to take a backseat. Fortunately, Ione was a ham, so I got some big kissy-lips to post tonight. Enjoy!

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February 16, 2009

1st attempt at a self-portrait...

46/365

February 15, 2009

We love going "home" for the weekend. This weekend was special because our good friends got married and we get to watch the Scott Mardi Gras parade. Our friends recently bought a beautiful old home on a huge lot with giant live oaks, right on the parade route. They have a long, wide front porch lined with several wooden rocking chairs, a beautiful back yard with a wooden deck that doubles as a dance floor...complete with stage area for a band. It's the perfect place to enjoy a Mardi Gras parade. As the day wore on, Ione fell asleep on my lap in one of the rockers while Isabella and Kevin waved and yelled to the float riders for throws. I'm pretty sure that after seeing the Rio parade Saturday night with Nonni and Poppi and the Scott parade Sunday afternoon, Isabella will be well-prepared for Mardi Gras day! (I'll post photos on caglekingdom of all the loot those girls came home with.) One of the highlights for Isabella was making a friend. She always looks forward to making a new friend, and always manages to find someone her age to hang out with. Here, she met "Iron Man." He assured her that was his real name and continued to call him that throughout the afternoon. They were quite a pair and wore each other out before the day was over. Great news for us since she fell asleep quickly for the long ride home! I made a collage for today's photo so I could show just how colorful and creative the "floats" in the Scott parade can be.

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February 14, 2009

We spent Valentine's Day with friends in Lafayette. Our good friends Dre' and M were married and then held a wonderful reception at the "Ladybug Lodge." It was a beautiful evening. The bride was gorgeous and the ceremony was very touching. Dre's Aunt Betty catered the event and she is an incredible cook; everything was perfect! It was great to catch up with old friends and celebrate a new beginning for Andre' and Emily.

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February 13, 2009

It's been a rough week around here. At some point this week, each one of us has had a nasty virus and we've felt miserable. Fortunately, we made it through, but I thought this one made a great Friday the 13th pic. That was "my" day feel the wrath of the stomach bug. I'm glad it's over...It made for a long weekend!

43/365

February 12, 2009

I've really been enjoying learning how to use my camera. The experience has been enriched by having wonderful friends along for the journey. I feel like we've all been supporting each other with such warm and encouraging words. It's been a wonderful project to work on, and I'm glad I've got great friends to share it with!

42/365

February 11, 2009

I really wish I had taken this photo after the class, because I would have made the silhouettes black instead of having so much light fall on the girls. I still like it though. They were anxious for their Daddy to get home from work, so I let them sit in the doorway and wait for him. I was happy that he took the time to sit with them when he got home. It really made their day. :)

41/365

February 10, 2009

The weather was so beautiful this morning. We were early for school and I decided to walk Isabella to her class instead of dropping her off in the car line. We stopped for the girls to look at the flowers and I snapped this one of Isabella giving me a sweet smile. I'm so glad that she loves going to school and looks forward to it every day. It makes life much easier!

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February 9, 2009

Today, while Isabella was helping me straighten the office, she noticed Kevin's old Boy Scout uniform laying on the desk. She was very impressed with all the badges, pins and patches that were attached to the shirt and belt. And she loved the bandanna and sashes. So here she is giving her version of the Boy Scout hand signal (it was too hard to hold up 3 fingers close together!) sporting Daddy's duds.

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February 8, 2009

So, after the kids were in bed, I realized that I had not taken even one single picture today! In an effort to at least learn something while I played, I decided to play around with shutter speed and and a color-changing LED light. Kevin lent his artistic talents to this one. I love that he even put a swing in the tree! :)

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February 7, 2009

We had an evening out with friends last night. Here, Isabella is playing with her sweet friend, McKinley. The kids had a wonderful time with all their buddies; running around, playing in the sandbox, riding ponies... It was a great evening!

37/365

February 6, 2009

Well, tonight I decided to play with some effects in Photoshop. In this image I changed the color tone to sepia and added some noise layers etc. to give the picture an "old" feeling. I really want to work on it though, I don't LOVE the outcome, but i suppose it's a good start. Anyway, this is my little ballerina sitting outside her dance class this morning, putting on her ballet shoes. She's very meticulous about how her tights have to line up along her toes, and how the strings have to fold inside her shoe.

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February 5, 2009

Isabella was letting me practice with natural, indoor light. She's been patient (for the most part) while I participate in this project. Today she took out her own digital camera and followed Ione around snapping photos. After each shot, she would look onto her screen and say things like, "Oh, the lighting was not right," or "that was a great background!" It was so sweet!

35/365

February 4, 2009

Ione was helping to clean out my car (and gather rocks) yesterday afternoon. She's always so helpful! I love this photo because she's got her ever-present baby doll, and her favorite fashion accessory-boots!

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February 3, 2009

Nonni and Poppi came for a quick visit this week. Usually Nonni comes prepared with a cute little gift for the girls, but this time Poppi did the shopping. He gave each of the girls these beautiful, colorful Mardi Gras masks. (Nonni actually had Poppi stop at Cracker Barrel on the way, and brought beautiful gift baskets for the girls...early Valentine's day gifts!)

33/365

February 2, 2009

This little ladybug tea set was given to Isabella by a good friend when she was just a little peanut. Since it's porcelain, I have kept it put away until today. When I saw the girls in their red pettiskirts, I though it would be the perfect addition to their afternoon tea party.

32/365

February 1, 2009

It was late, after the SuperBowl, and the girls were pooped. But I wanted to snap a couple more pictures before they headed off to bed. It's rare that Ione looks at me when I take her photo, so I was happy to see those beautiful blue eyes.

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January 31, 2009

Today we went to the Houston Auto Show in Reliant Stadium. Kevin loves cars and enjoys sharing his interest with the girls. They had a great time. They sat in several different cars, pretended to drive, ran around in the open spaces, shared a $10 hamburger and fries, raced RC cars on a track, and watched Hank (the Ford Robot) give his presentation. Hank was certainly the highlight. They were in awe when he began to move and start talking. Ione kept looking for me in the crowd. I had stepped back so I could capture their expressions when he came to life. Isabella's face was priceless. She was shocked that he looked around and spoke, so she covered his ears and her jaw dropped. She was completely amazed by him!