Spring 2013 Photos

I have been wanting to take photos of my girls for a while now.  It is such a big production with three little ones, and Paul hates helping me!  He thinks it is stressful and doesn't like to yell, act like different animals, chase the kids around everywhere, and make a fool of himself at parks and such like I do on a weekly basis with other families.  I finally talked him into going with me to help out.  I have a totally different goal in mind when I am photographing my own children:  to get ONE, just one, good photo of them all.  When I am photographing other families, I try to give them about 30 good photos of their family.  I give a variety of ones of their kids, individual ones, family ones, lifestyle shots, etc.  With my own children, I am happy with just one :)  Well, our session was a success.  I got such good ones of my kids together, and even one of each of them separately.  I think Paul is happy to be off the hook for the next few months! 

My VERY favorite photo of our girls to date!  Love that they are all smiling!  I believe Paul was sticking dandelions in my ears at this point and that's what got them to all look and smile for more than one second.  The things we will do for a photo... ;)

Love this of Ella and Hannah!  Ella is a little blown out from the sun, but I still love her with the flower :) 

Paul was acting silly to the side at this point and the girls were all looking and laughing at him :)

Hannah.  They loved the dandelions.

Another favorite

And another favorite.  Love the joy and happiness in this photo.

Ella

Hailee

Hannah.  These three will all be hung somewhere together.

Love each of their faces here.  Very "them".

More laughter!

Hailee is so cute here!

And...the smiles started to get fake!  Still love this one though!

That's a wrap!  Off for ice cream for the good behavior by all...even Paul ;)

I ordered a gallery wrap of the first photo and it came yesterday.  Gallery wraps are a little pricey, but of so gorgeous!  I love that they don't need a frame!  This is a 16x20 and is perfect size for the space we wanted it in. 

This is a phone photo, so isn't great.  This is the wrap on our wall, in front of our two windows.  I love how it all looks!

The wrap from the side.  The photo goes on to the sides and is why a frame isn't needed.

The wrap closer up.  LOVE!

Phone photo dump!

I've taken SO many cute photos of the girls lately on my phone.  Enjoy!  *If you are on FB or Instagram, I apologize for the repeats! ;)

One wants to sit on my lap, then they all do!

Fun at Grandma's!

These two..you never know what they will do next!

She let me put piggies in her hair!  SO CUTE!!!  This was a while ago and now she lets me put them in all the time!

Fun shopping with mommy!  We love stores with kid carts!

So much love between them all lately.  Precious.

My little Snow White, Cinderella, and Ariel!

A favorite photo of them of all time!  I told them to get ready for a picture and Hannah plopped right on Hailee's lap!

Everybody washing each other.  Tub time sure is fun these days!

Ella's dance class all trying on their recital dresses.  Recital is in a couple weeks.  Can't wait!!!  (Ella is second from the right in the back)

We have definitely been taking advantage of nice weather and lots of ice cream lately!

I looked in at them in the car cart the other day and Hannah was on Hailee's lap! :)

This just makes me laugh. 

The other evening Hannah told Hailee to say "cheese".  Hailee lifted her shirt up and posed for the camera!  Oh boy!

More sister love.

And more sister love.  These girls sure love to hug and kiss each other!

Soccer!  Hailee and Hannah started soccer about a month ago.  They finally are getting used to it...it took a few weeks.

This was just this morning.  Hailee and Hannah went in and woke Ella up.  Love our girls!

NYE Resolutions 2013

I've been thinking about my New Years Resolutions for 2013.  I generally do not make resolutions.  I see them as things that are normally broken or not achieved (at least for me) so what's the point?  This year, however, there are a few things I would like to accomplish.  I figure if I have them down on paper (or the internet) I am more likely to work harder to accomplish them.  Below is the list I have come up with:

• Run a 5k.  This is something I've wanted to do for a while.  I had talked about it with a few friends casually last year and what do you know, it never happened.  I am really working on my health this year and exercise/running is a huge part of that.  I am thinking of going for the Color Run in July.
• Grow my photography business.  In 2011 I had 26 photo sessions.  In 2012 I had 44.  I am hoping for 75 photo sessions this year.  Yes, it seems like a large number.  But, I feel like I finally have it.  My clients are always happy, and I am happy with the images I deliver.  Of course I can get better and can certainly improve, but I feel confident with the way business is going.
• Spend more time with my children individually.  I spend a lot, really a ton, of alone time with Ella.  We shop together.  We run errands together.  We do a LOT of things together.  It's easy to take her along and leave the twins with Paul.  I really want to spend more time with Hailee and Hannah individually.  I know it will be hard on Ella for me to take one baby somewhere and not her but she will have to learn that she is not the only one that gets to do "fun" things alone with mommy.  I really don't think Hannah or Hailee know what it's like to even be apart.  Like, ever.  The only time that they ever go anywhere without the other one is to the doctor when only one is sick.  I hope that can change this year. 
• Vacation to Disney.  I don't really know that this is a resolution, more of a goal.  Well, not even a goal.  Maybe a wish?  Ha!  Well, I really want to take the kids to Disney.  When our trip to Disney with Ella was cut short last year because of Hannah and Hailee getting sick, I have wanted to take everyone back since.  Ella still talks about Disney all the time!  She constantly wants to look at the photos from our trip.  She always says "wanna go back, wanna go back to Disney!".  I want to take Hailee and Hannah before they are three and while they are still free to the parks.  At $85/person per day that is a big savings!  I am thinking September time frame, around Ella's birthday.  My challenge will be talking my husband in to the fact that yes it would be fun, yes it will be challenging with all of the kids, but they would love it and it will be worth it.  
• Have this house paci-free!  This resolution really needs done like now.  I'm really hoping by the end of this month or beginning of next we can conquer this one!

I think that's it.  I'm sure if you follow this blog, you will know which resolutions I accomplish!  I am hoping to achieve all of them! 

Enjoy a few photos from our low-key New Year's Eve!

Ok, how often do I get a photo of all of them smiling (without Photoshopping in a child)?  Never!  Well, until now!  This is now one of my favorite photos of the three girls!

Cute and happy girls!

Somebody wants their paci...

and she's better!

This little girl stayed up until 12:30am on New Years!  H&H stayed up until almost 10:00pm.  We were real party animals :)

Ella's 3 Year and Hannah and Hailee's 18 Month Photos

A few weeks ago I did a photo shoot of my own kids.  Here are some of my favorites from the session!