Photography Class...

I started a photography class this past Saturday. Now I'm going crazy taking pictures and trying to figure out how to really use my camera. Unfortunately, I'm a lot more clueless than I realized. I've been trying to do everything on manual mode and if it wasn't for help from photoshop...none of my pictures would be looking so great. Hopefully by the end of the class I'll be doing a bit better. Anyhow...thought I'd post some of the pictures I took of Meredith and one of my cute husband! Check out the last picture...can you tell that Meredith is already tired of all of my photoshoots! She's totally trying to put the lens cap on the camera to get me to stop taking pictures...she cracks me up!

Meredith

This is my new favorite picture. It isn't of Meredith's face, but anyone who knows Meredith well...knows why I love this picture so much! She is my little shoe lover and the pair of shoes she is wearing in this picture happens to be her favorite pair! She never wants to take them off...even to ride her bike!

Growing up too fast!

Does anyone else think little kids grow-up too fast?? Our niece, Emily, just had a birthday this past Sunday and she is now 13! She's a teenager already, I can't believe it! How did that happen?? Happy birthday, Emily! Lately is seems like Meredith is changing so much! She is talking more and more and even trying to talk in sentences (i.e. "bye-bye big car" or "night-night baby")...it seems like any day Meredith will be celebrating her 2nd birthday. I'm not quite ready for my baby to grow-up. That's why I take soooo many pictures of her...I don't want to forget anything! Here are some pictures from this past week!

The birthday girl!

Meredith enjoying mac&cheese at Emily's party!

Meredith's new "CHEESE" face. So funny...but I think I better stop laughing when she does it because I don't want every picture to turn out like this!

Meredith's fish face!
Our little book lover

Daddy & Meredith

Alone...

Robert and some of his brothers & brothers-in-law took a 3-day surf trip down to Mexico about 2 weeks ago. Since I hate being alone at night, I found ways to keep myself busy! I finished a couple of projects (see attached picures) and tried to catch up on some sleep. It was my first experience as a single parent and both Meredith and I were SO happy when Robert came home!!

I made a few picture frames...the little birdie plaque...and that little "M". Meredith is 19 months old, so I figured maybe I should actually finish decorating her room! Unfortunately, I'm still not done yet...but getting closer!

I saw a cute shirt similar to this at a boutique shop and thought I would try to make one. Bought a white tee at target...ironed interfacing onto my fabric...cut it out into my desired shape (a birdie for M) and then sewed it on. Pretty easy for the most part...but if you look too close you can tell that I DON'T know how to sew!

Our day at the aquarium

We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific yesterday. It was fun seeing Meredith's reaction to everything. She was so excited to see all of the animals up close. We planned to go home for a few hours so Meredith could nap, but that didn't happen. Needless to say, it was a long day...but worth it! We even ended up getting season passes, so we plan on visiting often!

Bragging rights

I just have to post a few recent pics of my sister's kids. Maritza just sent me a bunch of pics and they are so cute...I just can't help myself. I have the cutest nieces and nephews...all 41 of them! Yes, it's true. I have 41 nieces/nephews and 6 great nieces/nephews. That's what happens when you marry #9 of 10! It's fun...and believe it or not, I know all of their names! :)

Little Porter...6 months old! SOOOOoooo cute!

My Jaycie...5 years old and soon to be kindergartner! I can't believe how grown-up she is already!

Miss Ellie...just turned 3!

And...here are some cute pictures that Mandy (my other sister) just sent of her sweet little girl, Daphne.

The Twilight Zone

Okay, so I finally got the new template to work. I have NO idea why it worked now and not before...but at least it finally worked! I'll post some new stuff soon!

Technologically challenged?

Okay, so first off...sorry I haven't posted in awhile. We have just been super busy...plus, I'm feeling a little technologically challenged these days. I have always thought of myself as pretty computer savvy...I have even taken a visual basic programming class...however, obviously it didn't do me much good...seeing as I can't even customize my blog template. I went to that shabby tulips site and tried at least a dozen times to get it to work...but no success. Yep, I'm seriously feeling a bit dumb right now. I followed her instructions exactly, but for some reason it won't work. Grrr!

I promise I'll try to post again soon...even if I can't figure out the template thing!!!