Another Beach Shot

Here's another picture from our beach vacation.  This was taken on the back deck of the house - after he REFUSED to take any nice pictures on the beach.  I had the cutest little shorts on him. .  but you can't even see them.  Guess this will have to do!  Note to all Momtogs. . . 20 months old is not the best age to get good photos!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Yeppers. . . I am another year older. . .these years sure go by quickly these days.  We just returned from 10 fun filled days from the beach. . . so I plan to blog some of my favorite shots over the next few days.  Thought I'd start out with a pic of my two favorite boys. . . they both were very sweet to me on my Big 33rd B-day!

Weekend With Our Friends

We spent a fabulous weekend at our cabin in Wellsboro, PA with our good friends.  Charlie and their son were great buddies the entire weekend.  We kept very busy 4 wheeling, taking dips in the creek and hiking around the land.  We even took some time to attend the famous Rattlesnake Roundup. . . a contest where the individual who catches the largest black phase and yellow phase rattlesnake wins some sort of prize.  The little boy below was brave enough to pet one of the captured rattlesnakes and touch his rattle.  Busy week ahead. . . just thought I'd post one of my favorite pics from the weekend.

Our friends son getting wet from the hose - while the Dad's are cleaning the VERY muddy 4 wheeler

Wordless Wednesday

Driving Lessons

Charlie's current favorite playtime activity is playing in Mommy's car.  If I'd let him do it all day - he would.  I think he is going to be a practical joker like his father. . . because every time I get in the car I spend 10 minutes turning my blinkers and windshield wipers off, turning down the radio, and disengaging other random settings which show up as warning lights on my dashboard.

  

Here is a shot from today.  He just looks like he is up to no good - doesn't he?

Hershey Park Happy - 2009

We spent the weekend at Hershey Park compliments of my husbands company - they have their annual picnic there.  We had so much fun. . . we spent the entire day there and Charlie rode almost all of the rides willingly.  Two items that were not a hit with him were the Giant Hershey Bar that was walking around and greeting the kids. . . and the dinosaur roller coaster.  He wouldn't go near the dinosaur heads.  Other than that - he was game for all of the other rides.  He stayed up until 11pm that night. . . He was such a good boy and a real trooper.  Here are a couple of favorite photos from the day.

Oh and by the way. . . I finally figured out how to post bigger images on this blog!  Yippiee!  

I love this picture of my boys on the carousel

Charlie and his little girlfriend Macy. . . playing hard to get.

Taking a lolly pop break with daddy!

Apologies, Previews and Memorial Day (A little Late)

I'm sorry dear blog.  I've been neglecting you.  I've been very busy. . . I swear.  I'll try not to let it happen again.  I'll start making up for it by posting some pictures from our Memorial Day weekend at the Cabin.  We had great weather and the cousins had a blast together.  Charlie LOVED being outside and especially playing in the Pine Creek.  The water was very cold for Mommy - but he jumped right in everyday and didn't want to come out.  I also bought him a John Deer tractor to keep up there.  It fits nicely with all of Pop's Pop's toys.  Enjoy the pictures and note - I'm trying out my new logo (I plan to use for my little business).  I'm going to try this out here for awhile and make sure I like it.  

(Little Note:  I just noticed - these pictures are getting cut off. . . I tried a new way of posting to see if I could make them a little bigger. . . apparently it didn't work.  Until I get it figured out. . . click on the image to see the entire thing!)

Charlie picked up a load (uh, I mean Cara)

Hanging out in the creek

I love this picture.  Just got an 8 x 10 made of it.  He's contemplating something while enjoying nature.

This one cracks me up.  Charlie was misbehaving (he didn't want to eat his sandwich) and little monkey Ayden was getting a kick out of Charlie getting scolded.  You had to be there!

19 Months Old Today!

Happy Birthday Charlie.  You are 19 months old today.

You can. . .

Say about 35 words (favorites are bye bye, hi, moose, help, hat)

Eat with a fork and spoon

Turn the TV on by yourself (not a good thing)

Go up and down the slide by yourself

Jump into the pool

Float on you back in the bathtub

You love. . .

Singing and Dancing

Wearing Hats

Throwing Balls

Playing with Cars and Trucks

Dumping your toys out their bins and making a mess

Playing Ring Around the Rosie

Playing with Older Kids

Swimming

Taking Baths

Giddy Up!

Notice the hat?  He grabbed this one off the store shelf and would not put it back!

Love that smile!

Playing in hut with Daddy.  Another one of his favorite things to do!

He always rides the fire engine backwards. . .????

Modeling his hat in the mirror!

Time Really Flies

I spent this morning searching  and organizing old photos and I came across this one.  It's one of my all time favorites.   I took it about a year ago (maybe a little less).   He looks like such a baby here - he's growing up so fast!  

Turtle Back Zoo

I was scheduled to find out the sex of baby # 2 today - but Chuck asked me to cancel. . .work got too busy - (that's the story of our lives).  So we rescheduled the appointment and headed to Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ to meet up with our friends.  Charlie had a fabulous time today.  He loves seeing all the animals.  He literally fell asleep when his head hit the carseat for the ride home and he's been sleeping ever since.  I'm going to have to wake him up in a few minutes for dinner.

It was a beautiful day and the zoo was very impressive. . . so much so - that I signed up for a yearly membership.  We'll be back soon :-)

Waiting in Line for Pony Rides. . .So exciting!

Seeing the sights on the train ride

She is beautiful!  I love this shot!  Edited with Leah's Colorful Action!

She always takes such good care of Charlie.  This was one of the many hugs for the day

Hiking the Trail at Wyckoff Wildlife Center

Finally a nice day!   I think it has rained here for about a week straight.  Charlie and I were definitely getting cabin fever so today we took advantage of the nice weather and went for a little "hike" at the Wyckoff Wildlife Center.  I think we went a bit too far. . .because I ended up carrying him piggy back about half way through - What a sight!      

Taking a break on a tree stump

A burst of energy!  Running the trail.

Another rest stop -  look how he is slouched over - he's getting pooped

A wild deer we saw on our hike

These trees dropped pink petals all over the place - it looked so pretty

Some kind of wild flower. . . I need to brush up on my botany

Another One for My MomTog Friends. . .Bloom Workshops!

For my MomTog friends/readers. . .I signed up for an online workshop "Bloom Workshops" hosted by two of my favorite photographers.  It's starts on Monday and I am so excited!  I'll let you know what I think and hopefully share some of my new skills with ya'll! 

20 Weeks Today and Bad Bad Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry. . .

I have officially reached the 1/2 way point of my pregnancy.  I am 20 weeks today - I only know this because I was notified by babycenter this morning.  To celebrate this milestone - I thought I'd share with you one of my many indulgences. . .  Chocolate ice cream with fudge swirls and peanut butter filled pretzels. . . Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry are two of the many individuals to blame for my rapidly growing gluteus maximus!  How can anyone resist that sweet and salty combination?  It's not really me who craves it. . .It's the baby.  I swear!  :-)

Momtog

I wanted to share this link www.momtog.com with all my fellow Mom Photographers out there.  I really love this blog.  She offers great tips, tricks and hints on a weekly basis.  Her photos are awesome and there are links to some other great resources.  Check it out!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Catching Up. .

It's been awhile since I've posted on here. . . life has gotten a little hectic lately.  I meant to post these awhile ago.  These are pic's of Charlie - (pre haircut) playing with his new outside toys.  We are trying to add to our collection to be ready for the summer.

He loves this car

Ready. . . Set. . . Go!

I think he looks like a little surfer dude here (it's time for a hair cut though)

I need to Renew Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. . .

I haven't been employed as a lifeguard in over 10 years and my certification has since expired.  However, recently I have been seriously considering getting re-certified.  Not because the economy is THAT bad and I need to get a job (although, if our medical bills don't slow down. . . that might be my next blog post) - it's because my son has turned bath time into ultimate swimming/drowning fest.  I have never seen anything like it.  The child flops around like fish and then practically drowns himself while cracking up hysterically.  I am usually soaking wet after each bath from practically jumping in the tub to rescue him.  Tonight, I attempted to video tape this nonsense and take a few photos.  It was quite a feat - as in between shots. . . I was saving my sons life.  The quality of the photos aren't the best. . . but you get the picture.

Our After Bath Ritual - Hurricane Charlie

Bathtime occurs every evening around 6 or 7 pm in our house.  Right after the bath, a severe storm whips through our house (well actually Charlie's room) - we call it Hurricane Charlie.  I swear. . . up until this point each day - his room is clean.  It only take about 3 minutes for Hurricane Charlie to destroy everything in it's path.  Take a look.  . .

You wouldn't expect this innocent face to be the culprit

Notice that Hurricane Charlie strikes EVERYTHING in his path

Happy Anniversary

I don't want to brag - but I think it's safe to say I've been a pretty good wife this year (well at least according to my husband).  Today is our 3rd anniversary.  Not only did my husband remember our anniversary - but he showed up BIG!!!!  This morning before work he presented me with a card and an AWESOME gift (Tiffany Keys Floral Key Diamond Necklace).  I can't say this enough. . . "I love love love it!!".  AND that's not all . . . this evening when he came home from work I received a beautiful flower arrangement which included hydrangeas (our wedding flower).  Needless to say - I am one happy wife today, but the skeptic in me keeps thinking that there must be a Vegas trip planned for somewhere in the near future.  My husband is no dummy. . . he'll probably bring it up sometime this evening.  I'll won't give him any objections. . . he definitely knows how to work me (Flowers and Diamonds).  Happy Anniversary to Us!

My flower arrangement - isn't is pretty?

Storyboard Fun

Just some practice with a storyboard format.  I downloaded the template from Coffee and Tea Photography.

  

Happy Easter

It was a little crisp for egg hunting, but we managed to have a very nice Easter day.  I drove home to Reading late Saturday night because Chuck realized that the chance of him being able to join us was slim to none.  He was right.  He is still working as of 10 pm today (Easter day).  I used to get very angry about this.  Now it hardly phases me at all.  

I spent the majority of the day with my family.  Kel (my sis) and her family came after noon.  We had a egg hunt and took a few Easter pictures and then I was off to visit Chuck's family for a few hours.  

The day was fun, but I have to admit - I miss the beer hunt.  My parents used to hide beer, wine and alcohol for us BIG KIDS to hunt each Easter.  They haven't done it for the past 2 years.  I hope it will be re-instated again next year.  My father did say that next year he is going to hide bottles of wine and 6 packs of beer up at the cabin using his GPS and provide us with latitude/longitude perimeters and make us find them.  I am going to hold him to his word.

Well I am home in good ol' Jersey again and somehow still found the energy to take a look at the photos I snapped today.  Here are a few. . .Enjoy!

 

My favorite picture!  Unedited.  I want to try some funky actions on it before I print it!   I love love love the little tie!  It has puppy dogs on it!  Got it at Janie and Jack!

An action shot of Charlie sprinting to get his egg in the bag.

Egg hunting is taken very seriously in our family.

My niece.  This child is as sweet as she is cute!

Crazy Ayden on the swing.  What a good boy.

Charlie and his cousin Owen hanging out by a tree.

Textures

I purchased textures from Brenda Acancius.  I just love her photographs and am hoping to get into her online class this May.  I have to admit, I was kind of skeptical of textures - but I just tried one on a couple of pictures I had open on my computer and I think I like it!  Check it out!

I used Thunder Canvas with Soft Lighting.  Gives the picture a bit of a weathered look.  I added the swatch of Thunder Canvas to the right (under Charlie's name).

This is an old picture of Charlie.  From last September I think.

I used Thunder Canvas again with Pin Lighting (Brenda Recommends soft light -but it was too harsh for this photo).  The picture is of a 3 week old little girl I photographed last week.

Bunny Has Booze Breath

As I mentioned in the previous post, our trip to see the Easter Bunny was not a hit with Charlie.  We arrived at the Garden State Plaza around 9:30 am (the Bunny was to arrive at 10 am) and we were about number 6 in line.  I must admit, I was pretty proud of myself for getting our butts there so early.  

Well, I shouldn't have patted myself on the back so soon. . .At around 10:10 am - the bunny called and said he'd be late.  As the line started extending towards the other end of the mall, children and parents were getting frustrated.  There were kids running and screaming all over the place!  I think Chuck got his workout in today by chasing Charlie around the mall for an hour.  

The bunny finally arrived around 10:40 am.  At first glance, Charlie seemed to be as thrilled as we were to see that guy walking/hopping towards us.  That didn't last long.  As the picture taking began, and we started moving closer and closer to the front, Charlie's grip on me became and death grip.  When it was our turn - I tried to calm Charlie by giving the bunny a hug and talking to him for a few minutes.  Then I attempted place Charlie on his lap, but instead I got the loudest and highest pitch screaming you have ever heard AND 10 little finger nails digging into my neck.  That was our first try.  The second try, I dropped him on the bunnies lap and ran.  Charlie immediately shrieked and jumped off the rabbit and ran towards me. The third try was the same - but this time - as he ran half way towards me - he changed his mind and ran to Dad instead.  He was not happy with his mom.

Finally, as the frustrated parents in the long line were all glaring at us. . . the photographer suggested I just join the picture.  Ugh, I wasn't planning on this and  therefore headed to the mall this morning sans shower/makeup/brush hair.  Afterall, Charlie had already been through 1 Easter Bunny and 2 Santa Claus sittings without even a moan or whine.  

I am pretty embarrassed to even post this picture - probably about as embarrassed as our Easter Bunny who showed up to work 40 minutes late on the day before Easter reeking of booze.  Yep, that's right - even the Easter Bunny has a rough night every now and then.  

Easter 2009!

Pre Easter Bunny Smiles

Yes, we are very last minute and to be quite honest, I almost forgot.  We went to go see the Easter bunny this morning (the day before Easter).  We got up early and headed to the mall to get in line early so that we would be one of the first of the morning.  The trip didn't go as well as I had hoped, but I explain that more when I post the Bunny pictures. 

Before we left I decided to take a few pictures of Charlie dressed up in his little blazer.  It was raining outside - so I almost abandoned the idea.  Boy I am glad I didn't.  Here are the only smiles from today. 

Daddy had him laughing so hard.

Sitting with the duck they gave him in the hospital.

Is that bird poop on my screen door?

Edited using Leah's Street Beat Action.  Pretty Cool I think.

Love this!  Black and White 2 Action by Brenda.