Thanks for coming, Gigi!

It was so much fun to have my mom in town last month. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and we enjoyed some gorgeous days outside. The boys loved playing games with Gigi, and reading lots of books together. We had a picnic outside for the first time this season, and enjoyed playing in the yard.

Will and Graham's preschool held a Spring program was held that same week, so it worked out perfectly that my Mom was here...what a fun memory that she was able to share with us. In addition to Dave and I and my mom being there, Dave's dad came (his mom wasn't able to attend, because she was still in Sioux Falls helping out with Jude), and our good friend Diane. Graham's class sang a song called "Kitchen Band Parade," and they marched onto the stage banging on pots and pans with wooden spoons - it was so cute. Will's class sang, "Turn Your Body Around" while dancing and waving colorful streamers, they sang "God Bless America," and also recited The Lord's Prayer. The boys both did such a great job - we were so proud of them!

My friend, Loree came back into town for a week, and hung out with my mom and me and the kids for a day. It was so great seeing her again. Loree and my mom played baseball with Will, and blew bubbles with Graham :) My mom was gracious enough to stay at the house while Macy was napping, so Loree and I could take a walk with the boys. She wanted to treat them to ice cream at our favorite gelato shop just a few blocks up the road. Such a fun day, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

We're enjoying temps 20 degrees above normal all week...it's been amazing. I have the windows wide open and can hear the birds chirping and can see the leaves starting to sprout on the trees. Although I can't complain about the mild winter we had, I absolutely love and very much look forward to the Spring and Summer months. I love not being cooped up anymore, and feel like I can breathe again!

We took a day trip to Sioux Falls, SD to meet our little nephew, Jude a few Saturdays ago. It was a quick trip, but wonderful being able to meet our kids's first official cousin :) He sure is a handsome little feller ;-) Congrats again, Dan and Kris...you're going to be such awesome parents!

Steep Learning Curve

Photography has long been a love of mine for many years. Inspired, actually, by my late Uncle Jim. I'll never forget a certain visit back home in Chicago during my college years when my Uncle Jim and I were talking about our mutual passion. This was when I was first introduced to the "rule of thirds," and what a difference it makes when you focus on something in the foreground, when taking photos of landscape. It was in that initial conversation that I discovered how such simple concepts create a much more interesting photograph.

This will age me, folks, but that was back in the day when people used FILM...ever heard of it? Since Taylor University didn't have a photography major or minor at the time, I decided to minor in art, just so I could have an emphasis in photography. If you can believe it, a course in Photoshop wasn't even a requirement. As you would imagine, the art of photography has evolved quite a bit since then.

I'm still working on finding my own unique style, but what I do know is that I am drawn to photos that tell a story. I desire to capture "real" people - people who look natural, not stuffy. A photographer walks a fine line between giving their subjects direction, and posing them just perfectly. I don't want perfect...I think perfect looks unnatural.

Slowly, but surely I'm getting experience, and with each experience I learn something new. More than anything, I'm learning that there's a steep learning curve to this art. The drive to continue learning and experimenting energizes me. I think it's so important to have a hobby...something that inspires you and brings you joy. To me, that's photography - hands down. I love being behind the lens.

Dave and I give each other a hard time about our own individual passions. For him, it's football (NE football to be exact...go figure!), and the "art" of recruiting. He's an analyst...what do you expect?! He loves numbers and statistics, and how they all work together to create the perfect team. Numbers and statistics give me headaches. I suppose that's the difference between right brain and left brain. Dave is most certainly on the left side of things, whereas I'm absolutely on the right side...the right side is better. Just kidding ;-) It's crazy to me how much he loves analyzing numbers, and likewise, he would go batty spending the time I do editing photos!

I had the privilege of photographing a wonderful family last week...it was so much fun! I loved every second of it, and I felt so energized and alive throughout the process. That came out really cheesy, but I'm okay with that, because...it's true :)

Here are a few of my most favorites:

Yeah, that's right-two blogs in the same day

January and February are typically my least favorite months (which sounds terrible, because my birthday, as well as both of my brothers birthdays fall in those two months!), but I am SO affected by cold weather, and it's usually so bitter cold this time of year!

I must say though, we have had the most amazing winter, that it's been more than manageable! Last Monday was incredible. I kid you not, it was 71 degrees and sunny. We went to the park and soaked up every bit of it!

First time in the swing

Fast forward to Saturday (as in 5 days later) where we had 9.5" of snow. Honestly though, it was one of the most beautiful snowfalls I can remember. We got all bundled up and spent a good majority of the morning enjoying it. We later drove around town, and it was like a winter wonderland...absolutely gorgeous.

We attended a birthday party for a friend of Will & Graham's at Omaha's botanical garden. It was so much fun, and ultra refreshing to among all the plant life this time of year! It's so beautiful. They enjoyed watching the koi fish swimming in the pond.

I know every parent says this, but I can't believe how quickly our kids are growing up. I just enrolled Will for preschool starting this Fall. He'll be going Monday, Wednesday, & Friday. Since he was a baby, I've been involved in Community Bible Study (CBS), and he absolutely loves it. Graham and Macy have gone since they were newborns as well. It's so good for me, and great for them, too. They have a wonderful children's curriculum, and it allows them the opportunity to be in a social setting with kids their own age. I wanted Graham and Macy to be able to continue going, and myself as well. I realize the whole run-around thing begins sooner or later, but I must say, the thought of getting three young kids and myself dressed 4 mornings a week is a little daunting to me at this point. I'm sure it's just another stage I'll learn to adjust to, but I'm glad I have a few more months before the craziness begins.

I'm so grateful that the boys are such good friends. Of course they have their brother moments of fighting and whatnot, for the most part they get along so well. And Macy has truly brought such a sweetness to the sibling relationship. She is so much fun, and such a happy, content little girl...what a huge blessing and answer to prayer! I feel so lucky and blessed to have the privilege of spending my days with my children.

Macy's first taste of solid food. Do you think it was a hit?!

Will & Macy...such a sweet brother.

I don't have too many bath photos, but I figured I'd post one before they're too old for it :)