Yep, This Sums It Up

This picture completely sums up who our little Kennedy is at 3 years old...

...a purse, pretty dress-up shoes, and babies.

Here is a close up of so you can see the purse and shoes better...

When I went to wake Kennedy up from her nap today, she was all tucked in with her favorite things (which I had no idea she had put in bed with her). All that is missing is the make-up you can't see on her face that she had to put on before gymnastics this morning. And I promise, the number three on her back was purely a coincidence...not a staged picture. These are Kennedy's favorite things...she is a girly girl for sure!

Photography Class

I am taking an online photography class this summer with Wendy Schulz. My 2nd assignment is due this week for my online photography class. I have 7 different types of shots to take for this assignment. I have only completed 3 of the shots so far, but this one is my favorite...

I still know very little about photography. But, I love the blurred greenish background and how the focus is on the open lily. This shot makes me feel like I could just reach out
and touch it.

Bubbles!

Katelyn and Kennedy just love bubble baths! I think there is something magical about a great big tub full of bubbles. I know it was always a special treat for me when I was a little girl too. I do have to admit that I do love the occasional bubble bath even now that I am all grown up...just so relaxing!

Oh yes, Kennedy also enjoys drinking from the
faucet like it is a drinking fountain...


I sure do love to hear these two girls giggling and having fun!

Garden Update

Our garden is growing and thriving! I am so excited to watch our little veggies grow. I marvel in amazement at how awesome it is to watch our food actually grow. Now that I am assured that we can really keep the garden growing and alive, I am going to get a little more adventurous with next year's garden. I'm thinking we will be adding some sugar snap peas, watermelon, strawberries, and fresh herbs next year...along with everything we are growing this year too!

Katelyn, being the competitive one that she is, inspects the plants to see who has the biggest. She was quite disappointed that Kennedy's plant has the biggest tomato so far. But, she did feel like the winner once she realized that her plant has the most tomatoes growing on it....score one for Katelyn!

Here are a few pictures of our garden as it looks today...

Family Canoe Trip

IT went surprisingly well, especially since this is the first canoe trip KEvin and I have done since our fiasco 11 years ago. This trip didn't have a dog, but two little girls.



Katelyn loved swimming and floating in the river. Kennedy, not so sure. She was creeped out that a fish, turtle, or snake might touch her.

A Day at the Museum

We spent this rainy day at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery...a children's science museum. We ended up buying a Dayton Museums of Natural History membership because it gives us either free or half-price admission at several museums and zoos.

Include pictures.

We Have Butterflies!

The Easter Bunny brought a butterfly house and a coupon for 5 live caterpillars. We watched the caterpillars grow and build their chrysalis. Today, 4 of the 5 emerged! The last one should emerge tomorrow, he formed his chrysalis 1 day later than the rest.

It was such a neat experience for the girls to observe the entire process. We will be releasing our butterflies sometime this week, after the girls have had a few days to enjoy the butterflies that they raised:)

Include pictures or video of release

Night at The Greene

The Greene is a relatively new (maybe 2 years old) outdoor mall near our home. It has the best atmosphere, beautiful architecture (for a mall), and upscale shopping (Samantha, you would love this place). It is a very community-oriented and family-friendly place to hang out for the day or evening. It has a central splash fountain that the girls love to play in. They also have bands most nights, great restaurants, shopping, and several outdoor events. It has been such a great addition to our already wonderful city...WE HEART THE GREENE!

Last night, we packed up the car with a picnic blanket, snacks, and lawn chairs and headed to
The Greene for a late-night, outdoor showing of The Wizard of Oz on one of those big outdoor screens. Considering that the movie didn't begin until 9:30 PM, I was pleasantly surprised at how many people came out for the show...it was packed! Everyone was happy, well-behaved, quiet, and polite. It was really a great family event. We enjoyed listening to a band playing modern and classic rock before the movie.

Kennedy loved having a snack...Cheerios...
and insisted that she have it as soon as we got there.

The fountain was turned off because of the movie, but the girls still had fun

jumping around and playing on the "fountain."

The Wizard of Oz characters came around to greet the kids before the movie too.. Kennedy was afraid, but Katelyn wanted to meet each and every character (and she did!)

New Banner

You may have noticed the new banner and updated family picture on the homepage of this blog. Both pictures are courtesy of Erin Cobb Photography in Huntsville, Alabama. Erin said that I could use the CD of proofs for the web or for my blog, so I hope I am okay by using them as a new header and family photo. Erin, if this violates any of your copyright, please, please, please let me know. I certainly do not want to do that. Like I said, since I am able to use the CD for my blog and the web, I am guessing this is okay. But, honestly, if it isn't, just let me know and I'll take them down ASAP:)

On a brighter, less nervous note, aren't they awesome pictures!!!! Please check out her website at www.erincobbphotography.com
to see more of her amazing work or to try to book an upcoming session.
(you'll need to copy and paste it because I am not techy enough
to know how to make it a direct link)

A New Adventure

Very few people know this, but I am taking an online photography class this summer. I just got my 1st DSLR camera and a couple of starter lenses the week before the class started. I don't have any professional aspirations, but I really want to understand the art of photography and how to take beautiful pictures of my family. Well, my first assignment pictures are due tomorrow night. The pictures have to be taken in manual mode; which means that I set all the exposure settings myself, nothing automatic. It is so much easier for me to take pictures in one of the automatic modes, but I am really enjoying learning about exposure. The words iso, aperture, and shutter speed were like a foreign language just 2 weeks ago. As a matter of fact, I didn't even know how to set these settings, I had to really study my owner's manual, but I am starting to understand. I can't share any specifics because of the confidentiality agreement with the instructor. But, I can share my first assignment pictures, unedited, or in photography lingo, SOOC (straight out of camera)...

Far from perfect...but I am learning so much and really enjoying the new challenge. Hopefully, my photographs will improve throughout the summer as I continue learning and practicing.

Surprise!

We had a surprise 6oth birthday party for my mother-in-law. Include details and pictures.