Friday's Flowers

Our yard is still full of blooms; although the iris are not doing well after two continuous days of high winds. Sadly, a lot of them are lying flat in the yard. I guess it is a good thing I had my camera out last week to take pictures of all the vibrant blooms.

I love the composition of this shot....

I wish the azaleas would stay in bloom longer. They are beautiful.
Dianthus (pinks)
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Goin Back to Cali

That's IT! I am packing my bags and moving to Southern California. I barely made it through one of the worst winters in history, and I can deal with the occasional spring rains, but having to cancel my shoots because of 35 mph sustained winds is not cutting it! Tomorrows forecast looks much the same. Since I won't be shooting today, you can think of me singing, "OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain" STUPID SONG! I think I'd rather be singing, "I'm goin' back to Cali, Cali, Cali, I'm going back to Cali, hmmm, I don't think so!

On a brighter note, at least I have lots of eye candy to look at to keep me busy...four wardrobe changes and three locations of shooting provides me with lots of happiness! And to top it off, her Mommy and I share the same taste in little girl clothing. The dress I posted yesterday was a Baby Biscotti, but look how gorgeous this amazing dress is!

I am sure you don't mind looking at this precious thing over and over again!

Hello Again Gorgeous

It's so nice to see green through my lens again, and it's SO nice to see all those sweet babies that I photographed last year...the ones that are now toddlers who are walking and talking, the ones that enjoy chasing the bubbles that I bring to my sessions, the ones that now give me hugs and high fives, the ones that sing songs with me, the ones that run away from me, and the ones that I COULD JUST EAT UP...

LIKE THIS ONE!

My Boy

It's going to be a crazy week, so I thought I would get two posts in on one single day. Crazy, I know. :)

I am always feeling guilty for posting so many pictures of GiGi, and barely ANY of GTO. Let's face it, when you are almost eight and of the male species, having your mom take your picture is not at the top of your priority list. I am wanting to update my blog wall, so I begged and pleaded with GTO, and it worked. I was prepared to use bribery, but was glad that my begging did the trick.

Now the problem is I don't know which picture to print for my shelves. Suggestions?

Maternity Shoot

I love that photography has the ability to capture a story and provide a little glimpse into someone's life.

There's always a story to be told...
and it's those stories that...
define who we are.
There is something so magical about the natural beauty of a woman who is ready to bring a new life into the world.

Countdown Time

I rushed out of work a little early on Monday just in time to get home, put the hot rollers in GiGi's hair, and make it to the photography studio for class recital pictures. It is hard to believe another year has come and gone. In three short weeks, she will be "shakin' her groove thing" up on stage in three performances.

I always try to get a few natural light pictures of GiGi in her recital costume and we did these in about 10 minutes. It was fun watching GiGi work her 10 minute magic. :) She really loves the camera right now.

My sweet little ballerina.

I am still trying to get used to that toothless grin.

This child is constantly dancing.

I don't know if I would want to be her dance partner, but I love these little captured moments.

And last but not least, Hubby will be dancing again this year in the Dad's dance to Lady Gaga or Michael Jackson. I am rooting for Lady Gaga. You can catch last years hysterical performance by clicking here. You will have to turn off my playlist music at the bottom of the page to hear the dance.

More to Come...

Oldies but Goodies

I am finding it difficult to post this week. Too much on my plate all at once, but that's the way I like it. While I finish up some editing, I thought I would post a few oldies but goodies. I don't often convert to black and white. I like the full vibrant color effect of pictures especially in capturing a child's eyes. I try to take into account that some people prefer black and white photography, so I always try to include one or two in my sessions; although they typically don't make it to my blog. Here are a few of my favorites that have been tucked away. Enjoy!

Sneak Peek

Like star dust glistening on fairies' wings

Little girls dreams are of magical things.

Tea Time

I guess I was over-zealous with the weather forecast. Just as I posted on Friday to enjoy the weekend, it came a downpour that lasted the entire weekend. My plans didn't go as I intended. I had to cancel two photo sessions, and I didn't get to work in the yard to finish the spring planting. I was a little bummed about the rain, but my mom was in town and my niece decided to stay the weekend with us, so we tried to enjoy the weekend indoors.

Saturday was a girls day. The two girls got dressed up and we headed out the door for...

...tea and scones with lemon curd. I had been promising GiGi that I would take her to the local tearoom for lunch, so Saturday was the perfect day to fill that promise. I think we all enjoyed it. I know GiGi did.

Then, we were off to the salon to get GiGi's hair cut. Her hair had grown so much that it was down to the bottom of her back. I like it long, but it is hard to manage and style when it gets as long as it was. The stylist ended up cutting 3-4 inches off and added a few layers with side swept bangs. GiGi was very happy with the end result.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND...

Friday's Flowers

I cannot get enough of the gorgeous weather that we have had lately. It has been absolutely perfect, and we have been soaking up the sun by going to the park, firing up the grill, going for bike rides, walks in the neighborhood, and working in the yard which I love to do.

I am officially on lake countdown. I cannot wait to hang out on the dock and get the boat out for the first time. This beautiful weather makes me long for hot summer days spent on the water with the kids.

It is so wonderful to see GREEN leaves and grass again, and I have enjoyed coming home to the vibrant colors that are filling the yard and the smell of flowers blooming. Here are a few blooms around our yard.

Ajuga (sometimes referred to as bugleweed)is a fast-growing ground cover that usually creeps within just a few inches of the ground (the species name, reptans, means "creeping"), although when in flower (if you count the flower spike), it may reach a height of 6" or more. Ajuga blooms from spring to mid-summer. Flower color varies but is often blue to purple.

(Ajuga)

Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or counter-clockwise round any available support. They can climb as high as 20 m above ground and spread out 10 m laterally.

Although Wisteria is usually seen as a climbing vine, we have a wisteria that is formed into a bush in our front yard. It is beautiful.

( Wisteria)

Phlox flowers range in color from pale blue to bright red to white. Some species such as Phlox glabeerrima (Smooth Phlox) grow to 1.5 m tall, while others, such as Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox), form low mats only a few centimetres in height.

Oklahoma designated redbud (Cercis canadensis) as the official state tree in 1937. The redbud tree's reddish-pink blossoms brighten the landscape throughout the state. Iris is a genus of 260 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species.