Monday, October 31, 2011

Saturday, October 29, 2011

And more pumpkins!

Pumpkin carving with Daddy


Logan didn't love the squishy pumpkin guts.  He helped but he wasn't thrilled about it.


Ryan, on the other hand, loved it.  Look at his face.  His arm was as long as the pumpkin was tall.



Jason's bat pumpkin


Logan's spider pumpkin


Halloween's coming! 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Vertuccio Farms

Every year, we go to Vertuccio Farms' fall festival.  It has become tradition.  They have a corn maze, barrel train ride, a pizza farm, goats, a donkey and a cow, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, bean bag toss, bounce house for the little ones and a lot more.  This year, they've added bathrooms (no more port-a-potties- yeah!) and a huge air pillow.  It's like a bounce house but it's just a huge blown up pillow to jump on.  FUN!    Today the weather was the nicest it's ever been.  Warm, but we weren't sweating buckets.  Perfect!


They had "wee pumpkins" for sale for a dollar.  So even though we already had four from Fry's, I had to buy a couple more.  They are so cute!  Have I mentioned I like pumpkins?


This is what happens when Logan cooperates with my photography efforts.  I love this sweet smile.  He choose the pose all by himself.  This is my number one favorite shot of the day.  (Too bad the shadows weren't cooperating.)



And then here's Ryan.  He's walking in the middle of the herb garden to check out the "owl".  I had to convince him to leave it there.  He wanted to keep it.


"What are you lookin' at?"
CHICKEN!


This sign cracked me up!  Tell it like it is.  They were posted all over the animal area.  Consider yourself warned.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pumpkins, pumpkins

There are pumpkins everywhere at our house.  I love it! 


My mom and I went to my neighbor's house for a ladies craft night.  We made these fabric pumpkins with real pumpkin stems.  I love them.  But I don't think four is enough.  I think I need about 20 more.  They were really easy and fun to make.



Logan and I painted mini pumpkins black and added ears, eyes and wings for these festive pumpkin bats.  He wanted to name them, too.  Meet Wheels, Midnight, Cole and Zebra.




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Photoshop Midterm


This is my midterm project for my Photoshop class.  I still have a lot to learn but I am happy with the knowledge I've acquired so far.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Preschool Family Picnic Fall 2011

Last Saturday, we went to Logan's preschool's family picnic at the Riperian Preserve.  The kids loved playing together outside of school and the parents had a chance to get to know each other a little.

Super Flash with his power source


Ryan spent a long time (well, long for him) playing with this pump.  He couldn't figure out why water wouldn't come out.  But he loved the mechanical arm.


There's nothing better than a daddy playing with the kids.


Look!  I found fall in Arizona!  A little yellow means the temperatures will be cooling down, RIGHT??? 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Ryan again


This is another image from the Mesa Arts Center.  Ryan loves to climb on/under bike racks everywhere we go.  Maybe it is because he fits perfectly under them.  I don't know if this was a fancy bike rack or just decoration but Roo liked it just the same.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Discovery Park

Ryan desparately wanted to see the turtles up close.  But it appeared they were familiar with toddlers and jumped in the lake as soon as he approached.  Smart move, in my opinion. 


The ducks weren't afraid of Ryan.  They thought he was going to feed them.  Silly ducks, you should chat with the turtles.  He threw gravel to them (it only happened once before I stopped that).


This park is beautiful.  Lots of room to run.  I think it would be a good spot for Logan's birthday party in January...

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ally

Ally, my niece, is always up for modeling for me.  Yesterday, we went to check out the Mesa Arts Center.  I've driven by several times but never walked around the campus.  Wow.  It is beautiful!  The grounds are a work of art alone. 


Monday, October 17, 2011

Freestone Park

While Logan was in school this morning, Ryan and I checked out Freestone Park.  I am working on a list of locations for the upcoming photo sessions.  (I still have a few spots open if you're interested in a FREE photo session in November.  Contact me if you're interested.)


The first thing Ryan does when he comes across something taller than him is climb it.  He would have climbed all the way to the top of the rail if I let him.  That kid has no fear.


When he comes across a body of water, he picks up anything he can find to throw in.  Do you see the leaf caught it mid air?


Ryan definitely keeps us on our toes but he is such a sweet kid.  We had a good time walking around the park.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Meet Super Flash

Logan loves his new cape so much I wanted to do a blog featuring its greatness. 

It helps him run super fast.


And jump super high.


And be super cute. 


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Gilbert's water tower

This morning we went down to check out Gilbert's Farmer's Market.  It was fairly small but well stocked.  We came away with Cherry Almond Butter from Made by Bees (the last jar was gone in 3 days), smoked salts and a new green cape for Logan. 

I wanted to walk around downtown, too.  But we were distracted by the water fountains under the water tower.  Logan and Ryan had fun playing in the water and were really wet afterward. 


I just love Ryan's little feet!  They are still tan from the summer.


Nothing like a cool fountain on a warm, sunny day!


Toward the end of our walk downtown, we heard a train coming.  All three boys stopped to watch it go by.


It was a fun morning!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

It's getting batty around here!

The boys (Logan) are finally getting old enough to do crafts.  Yea!!!  I found a few ideas online and we've been working on them over the last couple weeks.  Yesterday, we made flying bats.  I hung them over the couch.  Well, the back of the couch.






Logan wanted to cut out his own bat.  I traced it on the black cardstock for him and gave him a pair of scissors.  I was really impressed with how well he did.  He has obviously been getting a lot of practice at preschool.  After flying it around for awhile, he wanted me to hang it in his room.  It is hanging from the canopy over his bed, right above his head.  He is excited because "he can talk to it when he goes to bed". 

Tomorrow I hope to start Ryan's bat costume.  Pictures will follow at some point...

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Now booking mini sessions for November

Anyone interested in a FREE mini photo session with me?  I want practice.  You want a great family shot for your holiday card.  Sounds perfect!  Here's the deal:  We will spend 30-45 minutes taking photos on location.  I have some in mind but am always open to suggestions.  Ultimately, it will be your choice.  I will give you a CD with at least 10 edited images to print as you choose.  Please allow two weeks for delivery.  As I've mentioned, my Photoshop class is killing my extra time these days.

I wanted to give my Crazy for Cookies fans a chance to schedule with me first before I start asking around.  So if you're interested, please contact me ASAP so we can work out a date and time. 









Jason and I also wandered to the Scottsdale Civic Center area last weekend to scope out some good locations.  Here are a few areas I think would be nice for family photos.  The LOVE sign is quite popular.  Sans sprinklers, of course.  Any other ideas?

Monday, October 10, 2011

Papago Park

Jason and I wandered quite a bit on Saturday morning.  I am checking out locations for future photo shoots.  We walked around one of my favorite parks from my childhood.  Papago Park.  While my parents played softball on Sunday nights, my sister and I would play.  Sometimes we would climb the rocks nearby. 

The park looked more run down than I remember.  But I liked the shape of this tree growing over the water.  Can you see the little bird sitting in the corner?

Sunday, October 9, 2011

McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale


We took the boys to the train park in Scottsdale today.  Jason hadn't been yet.  It was perfect timing  because Railfair 2011 was going strong.  There were several model trains set up all over.  The boys really enjoyed the displays.  I think Jason started thinking about setting up his own train set.  After a ride around the park on the train, we headed home.

A nice lady offered to take our photo so I could be in it, too.  We don't get a lot of family shots these days.  Thank you, guest photographer!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Anniversary celebration

Eleven years! 



Logan stayed with his cousins and Ryan spent the night with Grandma so Jason and I could get away for a night.  We stayed at Tempe Mission Palms in downtown Tempe.  We walked to dinner at Ra.  We even received a free dessert- Cinnamon Tempura Fried Ice Cream with Chocolate and Raspberry sauce.  It wasn't a cookie but it was YUMMY.  Then we headed over to the Tempe Improv for Flip Orley's hypnotist show.  If you haven't seen him, you should.  He is hysterical.  (This from someone who has been accused of not having a sense of humor.)  Maybe next time I will be brave enough to try to get hypnotized.  Brunch the next morning at Ze Te'jas was perfect.  I just love their unique breakfast options.  Then we headed to Scottsdale's mall to check out the Microsoft store. 

It was so nice to have an entire night- 24 hours, really- to ourselves.  Just the two of us.  After all this time, we still like talking and hanging out with each other.  It doesn't get any better than that. 

Jason was a good sport when I insisted we take some photos.  He even managed a good smile. 



Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Anniversary to us!

On this day in 2000, I walked down the aisle to Jason and said "I do".  It was the best decision I have ever made.  Eleven years later, I love him more than ever and feel so blessed to have him as my best friend and partner in life.


Apparently he still likes me, too.  He brought me flowers today.  Aren't they pretty?

We are celebrating with a night out on the town, brunch tomorrow and maybe a bike ride.  Happy Anniversary, Jason!  Here's to 60 more!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A day at the park

Have I mentioned I am taking a Photoshop class at the community college?  Well, it is kicking my tail feathers.  It seems between running and my Photoshop homework, I don't have much time left over.  So I have decided to remove the daily photo posts.  Instead, I will attempt to post 3 to 4 times a week.  It seems this is what I am currently doing but saying it here makes it real, right?

After preschool today, a bunch of the moms and kids met at the park for lunch and playtime.  The boys love to play in the sand.  As soon as the sand toys showed up, Logan didn't move.  He was digging and building mountains the whole time.  Ryan, too, enjoys the sand but his preference leans more toward throwing it than digging in it.  He keeps me on my toes.








It was midday so the lighting was too harsh.  But I just love these shots of the boys' shoes- especially Logan's boots.  He loves them so much and wears them everyday without fail.

Off to work on my Photoshop homework while the kids are resting...

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Step Out- Walk to STOP Diabetes


Today the family joined Christine's Dream Team for the Diabetes walk.  (Christine is my friend and favorite Creative Memories consultant.)  It was a mile long walk at Rawhide, an old western town.  We had an unfortunate stroller malfunction so the boys had to walk with us.  Ryan was able to catch a ride most of the way.  It was a fun morning.

I love this shot of Logan walking along side his daddy.  The red shirts were part of the festivities.  Did you notice neither of Logan's feet are touching the ground?  How about both of their right feet?  Totally in sync.  I ♥ it!