The Pets Photo Session

In need of a back cover for my Christmas Card, I decided that the pets would be the perfect picture.
Getting three animals to pose on a backdrop is not easy.
Especially when one is an older, ready to please, follow instructions kind of girl and the other two are babies... not in control of themselves, making-trouble-little rascals.
The photo session was probably my favorite that I've ever done because Abby's behavior and expressions were priceless. She kept looking at me like, "please let me leave. These two are being ridiculous"
Then she would look over at them with such a worried, nervous expression, as if to say, "you guys are going to be in so much trouble. I can't believe you are behaving this way." After a bit, Lucy and JuneBug just couldn't take Abby's seriousness anymore so they tried to get her to join in the fun. :)
I love the picture I ended up using, but the outtakes from this session are being framed!!!!

No Recipe Baking Day

I put out the baking soda, salt, sugar, flour, vanilla, eggs, cocoa powder, oil and milk (along with chocolate chips and some other goodies) and let the kids go at it with no recipe. They each got their own bowl and spaces in a cupcake tin for three cupcakes... what they ended up with was entirely up to them.
We talked about what might happen when Bailey wanted several teaspoons of vanilla and baking powder or how Kayla didn't want to add much sugar.
Collin, with his natural measuring ability pretty much knew what he needed for the perfect consistency. Then we had the bake-off and had a winner in three categories.

Here are the chefs


Some of the ingredients


In order from left to right, Bailey's, Collin's and Kayla's cupcakes.


Bailey's cupcake won "most surprising" which was my nice way of saying most disgusting.
Kayla's won "most unique" which was also my nice way of saying equally disgusting.
Collin's won "best overall look and taste" It tasted kind of like a sweet bread. Not delicious but not bad either. But boy he got his measurements pretty darn close to perfect. It looked beautiful!

Good friends

What great friends we've made in our neighbors! We hope it's a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Collin and Ethan may be a few years apart in age, but they have become so close and Ethan is like a big brother to Collin.


They crack me up!


Kayla and Bailey are two peas in a pod


Bailey's entire family is gorgeous and I was fortunate to be able to photograph Miss Emily yesterday. All the pix can be seen at www.robind.smugmug.com/family and the gallery is SotakII


Most of all was this little treasure I got out of our photo session. Priceless.

cute girls

The deed is done. Kayla's hair is cut. Ohhh we love it so much more when it's short.



And here is a picture of "the girls". Abby wasn't feeling too great after she took a huge jump off the top of the slide at the park (it all happened in slow motion, including me yelling "Noooooo!!" So the kids layed her on some blankets and Lucy and June rallied around her. :)

Halloween Delight

From the driveway... an eerie sight.


Yes, it's true. We are working on creating a haunted and spooky house.


Although I won't miss our cramped quarters, I will miss the front of our house.
I love the arch and the huge tree in front! :(


Don't be alarmed.... our cat is much smaller. I just love our window decoration.


You will walk in past the cool wreath from Grandma Elephant in to a house lit
with orange Halloween lights, curteousy of Tim. You might also notice the spooky vaccuum cleaner and the little white dog. Fear not.


Our resident ghost will fly at you across a 20 foot zip line. Lucy and June are not thrilled with this arrangement.


One of our many porch rats.


Dismembered arm.


Gorgeous plate made by Nana.


Another beautiful Nana made decoration.


More Halloween "guests" will be joining us soon. Stay tuned.

a week in review

Went to lunch with Chris, Nana and Papa


Kayla had a little cuddle time with Uncle Chris while he chatted with Nana


Collin had "Transportation Day" at preschool and led the parade with his wagon.


He asked Kayla to jump in.


She enjoyed the ride!


All by himself, Collin decided to get flowers for Kayla when we found out she got the commercial part! What great character that boy has!


Although earlier in the week, he decided to run away to his friend's house.

Favorite pictures

Well this has been a super fun week in photography for me.
I got to photograph Marilyn's horses (Kayla's horseback riding instructor) and Kayla's buddy, Bailey.
Bailey is a natural model so that was just pure fun.
Photographing the horses was exhilarating and extremely terrifying at the same time.
1200 lb horse were flying past me and towards me while I snapped away.
But it was a blast! Prince, the little colt is so affectionate and wanted to kiss me on the lips several times. I obliged. It was heaven. :)

Cute boys