First signs of Spring

Jumping on the trampoline.

The pool is full and Winnie's favorite watering hole.

Evening light.

Beautiful blooms.

Finally.

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7 kids and a dog

Friday, Bea and I went to take pictures of my friend, Heather's seven kids. I took over 600 pictures and I've cut out about half so far. I couldn't get over how well her kids got along. I wish mine liked each other a little more. Here is a sneak peak.

 

I bribed them with donut holes.

 

The girls really like each other. What a blessing.

 

I can't believe he is almost a senior in high school.

 

Heather, thanks for letting me take pictures of your beautiful kids. I will get these to you soon.

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Video from Grandma

Turn your head to the left to view.
I'm pretty sure he is gagging. My mom said he cooked the fish himself and took one bite.

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Buckland Park

same night, two hours later. Loved the lighting

My friend, April. I used a diffusion filter on her. I really love this picture.

Crazy kids.

This is with the ultraviolet filter. Love the blue sky.

 

 

 

Despite the sun, it was probably 50 degrees or less outside. We got so cold we left for home.

 

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Corbett's Glen

is my favorite location for taking pictures. I took the girls there on Friday to scout it out for a photo shoot I have coming up and I am thrilled with this place. Just imagine it green in a couple of weeks!

All of these are natural light. It was about 5:30pm and I have a new ultraviolet filter.

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Reports from Texas

My Dad is sending reports of Noah's manly activities by commenting on my blog, but I thought I would make a posting out of them.
Report: This boy rode a tornado into Texas and hasn't slowed down yet.
He brought home 42 fish today and shot the center out of the targets today with both the 22 and 30-30 rifle. He may have been born in NY but his blood runs pure Texan.

 

I have harangued Noah about taking pictures and harassed my mother as well. She sent these great ones today.
Report #2: Today was farmer work. Noah tilled the entire garden, planted tomatoes and covered the new asparagus with compost. Later today we will plant watermelons and kill some roosters for chicken and dumplings.
This boy is a top hand.
Farming must make one hungry because he knocked off another half gallon of Blue Bell.
Me again: So far, he has completed his fishing and motorboating merit badges. I am tickled pink! How many more do you think he can complete while there? We may leave him there longer just to get in some more scouting.

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My baby's gone to Texas

My biggest baby, that is. He has gone to visit his grandparents and as Darren says "learn the manly arts."

 

This is Noah's first trip alone on a plane (of which he has plenty experience, but not without me!) He turns 13 next month and we all thought this would be a perfect time for a trip to Texas. My dad says "he's gonna fight wild hogs, rassel alligators and kiss Texas girls." He is game for most things, not so sure about the Texas girls, but he'll definitely be willing for anything else his grandpa has planned.
We're gonna miss that boy.

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Spring?

Not here. As of today, this is all we have to show. I am waiting for my bulbs to burst, but we need some warmer weather here to get this show on the road.

Bea is starting to complain about posing for me all the time. I need new models. Any volunteers?

They are trying.

Thanks to Darren's nurse, Diana, we have two lovely pansy baskets hanging at our front door.

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Easter Highlights

The decorations

 

Easter finery

 

The friends

 

The food

 

Fun was had by all.

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Good Friday

The kids were off from school, so the girls and I (and 2 of Bea's friends) went to the zoo.

Here are two of the three 6wk old meerkats at our zoo. We spent 30 minutes just watching the babies play.

The girls spent most of the morning playing and very little time spent looking at animals, but I don't care. I get credit for being a fun mom and taking them out of the house for the day!

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Girls' Weekend in NYC

This weekend, I took Bea to NYC with two of my closest friends and their two daughters who are two of her closest friends. The 3 girls are turning 8 this spring and we have made it a family tradition to take each of our kids on a trip alone when they turn 8. Noah went to Utah to visit cousins, Annabel went to Arizona to visit cousins and Bea chose to visit Lady Liberty.

We stopped by Random House to pick up tickets from Suzy's friend, who has the job I want most in my life. She is an editor in the romance novel division there.I would trade spots with her in a heart beat.

The rain did not stop our adventure. We had a late lunch at the the American Girl Doll store. Bea is not a big doll fan, but she loves animals and she acquired Coconut, the AG dog and was happy with that. (which saved me $98)

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway. I wish I had a better picture of Bea and the stage, but the memory is forever in our hearts. Mary truly is practically perfect in every way!

Times Square The girls looked so cute, all dressed up for a night on the town. They are all wearing hair bows from the American Girl lunch. They were wrapped around the napkins.

Headed to China town for some serious shopping.

We spent Sunday going to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Bea took the only picture we have of the adults together. She's not bad with a camera.

We had quite a wait to get onto the ferry.

Cameron took this great picture of me and Bea.

On our listening tour.

Ellis Island

Three very tired little girls have taken NYC by storm.

I came up with the idea of the trip, but Suzy and Mary did all the planning and scheduling and reservations. Thanks again. It was an incredible weekend and I can't wait to do it again. Maybe I can get them to plan our next family trip. It is great having someone else do all the work.

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