Snaps of the fun

I hope this post finds you all safe, healthy and happy and GLAD the chaos has ended for a few minutes! Ha! We had a wonderful (although brief) time with family. The kids got way too many presents and are loving every minute of it. The big hit this year--thanks Bj and Ginny!--was the Wii. They have had a blast with it. It's a very cool toy. We are all so blessed in many ways. Everyone went home today, so we're now recouping and trying to find a spot for all the new stuff. H and L both had friends over tonight as they couldn't wait to show off the newest toys. Anyway, all is well at our house... Yay!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Well... this was the final choice for this year's card, but somehow, it just didn't make it to the printer! (And it was a herculean effort to get those 3 kids to cooperate, let me tell ya!) I'm totally bummed about it... I think this is the first year in a while that we didn't get cards out... Of course, maybe I can't remember any further back than last year! Ha! So, for all you blog readers, "Merry Christmas!!!" I hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends and all the blessings of the season. **You can click on the card to see it bigger**

And, if I get industrious, we just MIGHT get New Year's cards out... Is there such a thing? :)

Robert and Lynnette--LOVE the calendar this year... The pictures for each person's special day just made it even more awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time/effort to do that. LOVE it!!

P.S. Just thought I'd mention that Lance had a dr.s appt. today. All went well--he has gained weight and grown since our last visit and lung functions must be ok-- forgot to ask the numbers! I'm sure he'd have said something if they weren't. You know Dr. N doesn't let anything slide!! Speaking of him, I should also say that he's winning me over little by little... I still don't care for his bluntness or him giving Lance so much detailed information, but he is a very thorough, careful, knowledgeable, conscientious doctor... I have been impressed every step of the way by his attentiveness and care. Guess we'll learn to live with the other stuff...

This made me smile...

Lance's illustration of a spelling word--first grade. I came across this and just had to post it...

Top Chef

So... Lance has become interested in grilling. He's tried hot dogs/brats, hamburgers and just this past Saturday, steaks. He's getting pretty good at it and really has fun with it. Pretty cute in my book!

Naked Tree

David trimmed our red oak yesterday... Boy it looks naked!

So this is what we've been up to this week...

Tyler got his wisdom teeth out today. They took him back a little after 8:00. I finished signing papers and left him about 8:15. They hadn't started his IV yet when I left. Around 8:40, the doctor came out and said he was done! How'd you like to make $1500 for 20 minutes of work???? Yikes. I think I chose the wrong profession! Anyway, this is him right now. Our own sleeping beauty. I converted to black and white so you can't see the bloody gauze hangin' halfway out his mouth. I'm sure he'll hate me later for posting this pic. While I was waiting for Ty, two of his friends from school were also waiting to get their teeth out. Guess it's a popular age to have it done... He was hysterical when it was time to leave--soooooo groggy that it took 2 of us to get him in the car. He was supposed to be holding the icepack on his jaw, but dropped it almost instantly after I got him situated. Every. Time. And, he hiccuped all the way home. A real cartoon drunk! Anyway, glad it's done. They've been bothering him for a while and were definitely crowding his mouth. Hopefully, he won't have too much swelling. But, you know I'll post pics if he does. :)

Hadley had her first official basketball game yesterday. They played Travis. They won--about 33-10, I think. She did fine. I could tell that she was pretty rusty, but it didn't seem to matter too much. She's #0, in case it's hard to tell which one is her. Ha!! Yeah right. She could lay in a tanning bed for days and those legs would never be as dark as the rest of 'em in that pic. Her fair, freckled skin sort of stands out.

I was really shocked at the lack of skill by most of the players. Our school teams were always awesome! Really. They were. LOL


Last, but not least, Lance had a fencing tournament this week. He lost, but did well. They have awards next week, then a break until next semester. He plans to do it again, I think. I don't really think about fencing being hard, but those kids sure had rosy cheeks when they finished. The girl he fenced kept slapping Lance's legs or poking him you-know-where. I thought David was going to come out of his chair a few times, because I think she was doing it on purpose... It wouldn't look good for a 40-year-old guy to be beating up a 10-year-old girl... Not good at all. She did get called on it several times, but they also let it slide a lot.

Anyway, that's a brief recap of our week so far. Hope yours is going well. Have a great Thursday!

This one's for you Ginny...

ETA: I added the watermarks just in case... Hopefully that will protect these pics from showing up elsewhere on the 'net...


Well... I've really struggled with some of my last shoots. My exposure has been the major problem--resulting in grainy, less than spectacular pictures. Because they've been so underwhelming, I haven't asked for model releases from any of the families lately. So, I'm posting these three without permission. Hopefully, it wont' be a big deal, especially since this is just the 'ole family blog... I really love the newborn one. He was such a beautiful baby. Anyway, Ginny's been asking to see some stuff, so here it is! (These are some of my faves, btw.)

Much to be thankful for....

Well, if you want narrative to go with some of these pics, head on over to
Ginny's blog. She summed it Saturday up pretty well... We spent Thanksgiving day over at
Anita's and then Saturday at Jen and Jim's. It was almost like a vacation for me to only have to prepare food--no packing and no cleaning. Whooo-hoooo!

I noticed that the color on these pix is all over the place. Sorry. I did a few minor adjustments, but evidently not enough. Anyway, we are very blessed and wanted to share a peek at our weekend. Hope yours was wonderful as well!

Wrestling and Stuff

Well, the day started out really well for Tyler. He got a bye for the first round and then won the second round in overtime with a pin. It was a good match! Unfortunately, the next two matches didn't go as well and he lost them. I was really proud of his efforts though. Wrestling looks really hard. And gross. Yuck!! The gym was so steamy that my glasses actually fogged over a bit when I walked in. By the end of the day, my hair was totally frizzy. I can't believe they won't ventilate those gyms better than that. Of course, outside was a perfect and beautiful fall day. Figures.... Anyway, thought you'd enjoy these pix. Oh yeah... Ty had to go home in between matches and shave or be disqualified... He wasn't thrilled about that!

Hadley's team has tied both games today. David said they've played ok, especially considering they only have one sub. Eleven girls on the field--that doesn't allow for many breaks. The games last about an hour and the field is huge. I know they're all beat. Tonight, they're headed to Dave&Busters and then to swim in the hotel pool. Guess they still have a little energy left, huh?

Lance is doing quite a bit better today. It's wonderful to see those drugs in action!! :) He went to the wrestling matches with me to root for Ty. I think he enjoyed it...

And, believe it or not, I have another friend in need of prayers because of health problems. One of Hadley's soccer teammates' (Megan-one of our faves) dad is having serious problems with his liver and kidneys. He was careflighted to Dallas on Thursday evening and is there in the hospital. Megan was going to go with our family to the tournament, but since this happened, she isn't playing. I prepared a little goody basket for David to deliver to them while they were there so they went to the hospital today. It's a pretty scary outlook. He needs a liver transplant and his kidneys are failing. I don't really know the cause. Anyway, it's a sweet family and I hate to see them going through it. So. Just another reason to realize the brevity of life and to celebrate each day you are given.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Yeah. I know. It's been a while since I posted!

It has truly been a crazy couple of weeks. Nothing special... just regular old craziness. I've done several more photo shoots--a newborn, 9 month old, 1 year old and a family since I did the Stamps family. This pic shows you where I've been spending a LOT of each day. Proofing, proofing, proofing... I'm a little frustrated. One of those shoots really went badly and another just so-so. I really struggle with consistency. Sometimes I'll catch magic, other times-cr*p. Anyway, I've been busy...

Tyler has officially finished football and started wrestling. I think he hoped he could pick up where he left off a few years ago and possibly letter this year. Not sure that's going to happen--he is pretty far behind. Anyway, he has a meet tomorrow. I'll try to get pics and post some for you to see.

Hadley has endured basketball tryouts this week. Gotta love those 6:30 a.m. tryouts! Ha! Anyway, they had cuts and of course, she made it. Not sure if they'll cut twice like they did for vball, but I'm sure she'll make the team regardless. She wasn't even excited or anything when she came out. She was all, "Yeah. I made it. So?" I think she's feeling pretty confident about the whole thing, which is great! She and David made it to Dallas an hour or two ago for the last soccer tournament of the season. They get to play at Pizza Hut Park--a really cool complex that hosts some great events--even professional soccer. David is supposed to be taking pics so I can see what it's all about. I've heard it's a really cool place.

Lance is coughing again. Ugh! He started with a stuffy nose earlier in the week, began coughing a bit yesterday and a lot today. I called the doc and we started an antibiotic. I sure hope it's enough this time!! When we went to the "meet the players" night for wrestling, we got him a black AHS beanie. It's hardly left his head since. Tonight, I was trying to practice with my external flash----very HARD to get right---and I took this pic while he ate his McD's. He struck a gangsta' pose for me. Notice the beggar in the foreground... :)

Lunch

Editing pix and eating taco villa....

Just a glimpse of our new setup... We finally have a computer up and running at our new desk in our bedroom. I'm lovin' it!! David has griped forever about the chair (kitchen table chair) that we use at the other computer. I kept telling him it was fine.... Well, now we have this big, comfy chair and an ergonomic keyboard and a super-cool monitor for our room. I don't ever want to sit at the other computer again!! Shoulda listened to him sooner! Ha! Bj made fun of me for not having the new desk all set up when they were here this weekend, so I actually worked on it a bit today. What he doesn't understand is that I want it to be perfect---meaning I can't start on it until I'm sure I'll get it right. Perfectionism rearing its ugly head... (I'm actually not as bad as I used to be, but every now and then. Oh well.) It's gonna be so cool to have an area to scrapbook in. I still struggle with the ergonomic keyboard--I've developed bad habits and it's even more evident with it.

Not a lot new to share today. We loved the visit over the weekend. So nice to see everyone!

Most of you know that my friend Julie died over the weekend. Her services were yesterday. It's all so bizarre. I just can't believe she's gone. Thank you for your prayers for her and her daughter. I'm certain Audrey will continue to need them for a long time to come...

Lance is doing his final homebound lesson today--meaning all those absences will officially go away! Yay! His teacher has been really wonderful about it all. Hadley started basketball tryouts today. I don't think she'll have any problem making the team, so it's nice to relax a little about it all. Ty has his last regular season football game on Thursday. I think we're glad it's about over...

So there ya have it. An update! :)