All shots taken with a Canon Rebel XS
, Sony Cybershot DSCW120
, or the HTC Surround Windows Phone More can be found on my Flickr account
Sunday, we celebrated Madi’s birthday 
Monday was her official day, but Sunday was the day everyone could get there, 
That’s what happens when most of your family works for the USPS 
Sunday morning, we went to Holton. Josh’s dad sold the place there, and I wanted one last set of shots of the kids there! Some pretty good memories are there, including ones of Josh’s mom, who passed away in 2006. I can’t believe that it will be 5 years this year. Sometimes it still feels like YESTERDAY that we lost her!
Anyways, I apparently have a child with Over-Photographed Syndrome 
That would be Ethan, if you can’t tell. He never really looks like he’s looking at the camera!
Thankfully, we’re saved from disaster because Madi steals the show anyway. This shot was taken on a set of “stairs” leading up to the backyard (the house is a berm). I have memories of Madi playing on those stairs while I was pregnant with Ethan, and helping Kathy with the plants, or just hanging out out there. Madi bonded a lot with Jamie and Kathy in that area. So, it was a perfect place for one last set of pictures, I think.
I also couldn’t resist a picture of this plant. I have absolutely NO idea what it is, but I think the picture turned out really good. I even have it set up as my background on my phone. Oh yes, yes, I do!
We had some wicked storms come in. I couldn’t get the light just right, so I figured, hmm, lightening is like fireworks (Mishelle Lane wrote a GREAT tutorial on how to take pictures of fireworks, BTW). I was right! I still don’t have a truly strong enough tripod, so the shots aren’t super crisp, but they turned out SERIOUSLY cool, IMO!
Monday started swimming lessons for the kids. Monday-Thursday for them! Monday was the ONLY warm day for the week. Poor kids got out, purple-lipped every other day. I would have taken shots, but getting them warm was my priority
One way to warm them up was making S’MORES! It was on our bucket list, so we had to do it!
The kids also got new swimsuits. Madi need TWO this year (we usually have them with two, so we don’t have to worry about hunting for it ). She has a cute little bikini, because like her momma, one-pieces fit weird on her. This one, it’s 4/5. Her bikini? A 6x. It’s not the make, it’s the fact that if we got her a bigger one, she’d be flashing more than she’d be covering.
Ethan needed a second. His first pair are Pirates. These ones, if you can’t tell, are Transformers.
Josh and I went in to check on him. This was how he was sleeping. Someone said it looked like he’d just come in from a graveyard shift, and yeah, it really does!
The same person mentioned that Madi looked like she’d had one too many to drink and just passed out, 
. 
I redid my nails. I 
how they turned out. I used a tutorial by Julie. She and her sister, Ginger (yes, of Gingerscraps) are so freaking creative!!
Happy Birthday to Madi. Your shots of her and Ethan on the ‘stairs’ turned out so nicely.
Tara R. recently posted..My own backyard
Thanks! I ♥ how that shot turned out
Sarah recently posted..Weekly Winners: June 19-25, 2011
Can I just say once again how CUTE your kids are?
Happy Birthday, Madi!!
Denise recently posted..Weekly Winners (June 19 – 25)
They amaze me with their cuteness, so yes, you may say so
Sarah recently posted..Weekly Winners: June 19-25, 2011
Those storm photos are awesome! Great capture. Your nails look really fun. I am not sure I have the patience or steady hand to try that but I love the look!
Donna recently posted..Weekly Winners ~ June 19th – June 26th
The nails are actually done in water. I linked to a tutorial under the picture: http://mycrazylifeasamomandawife.blogspot.com/2011/06/fruit-stripe-gum-fingernails.html … it’s really easy to do
Sarah recently posted..Having Fun
Love the backlight going on in that 2nd shot of Madi with her cake. She’s a cutie!
stacy (the aunt with gum) recently posted..and the winner is…
A lot of credit for that goes to some Photoshop/Photoshop Element actions,
She is a cutie though!
Sarah recently posted..WW: Drink Up Me Hearties
Happy Birthday to Madi! I just love her hair.
Now I want to have fun nails, too!
Secret Agent Mama recently posted..Weekly Winners {The Cupcakes and Cocktails Edition}
The nails didn’t last long. I get bored too easily
Sarah recently posted..Weekly Winners: June 26-July 02, 2011