Turtle Top mini-shoot

Tonight before taking the girls to VBS, I wanted to get some pictures of them in their new turtle-shirts from Gammy and Grampa.  The first picture turned out great except for Katie - she looks like she is quite UNcomfortable!

Like any normal mother, I thought I'd try to get her to smile.  Now she looks resolute.  No way Mom!!

 

Apparently I'm funnier than I think I am...Katrina and Courtney look like they are going to "split-a-gut" laughing, and Katie's starting to think maybe she'll join in.....

and we end up with this picture as the best of the bunch!  LOVE my girls!!

On my night-stand

  Ever since I've known about Sweet Pea flowers, I have loved them.  So sweet, innocent, delicate and pure! This past Saturday, I had the morning to myself...and on a whim stopped at Sunshine State Carnations.  They were busy!  But I managed to get to the walk-in-fridge to see what flowers they had.  I think most of the selection was gone, since A.  It was so busy and B.  I got there about 30 minutes before they were closing for the day.  I found some Lysianthus - which are special to me, because they were a part of my wedding bouquet and then I saw them.... the sweet peas....

I had originally wanted a FULL bouquet of sweet peas for my bridal bouquet, but in this FL heat and humidity they wouldn't have held up very well.  I snatched up a little bundle and brought it home.

They didn't last very long...all of 4 days, but they were worth it to me! 

 *****
I'd like to send a Happy Birthday shout-out to Ashley aka "Sam" - I hope your day is very enjoyable!

Frame-worthy

These pictures were taken quite a few Sunday's ago...

I finally just made the time to sew coordinating dresses for Katie and Courtney; Katrina wore her dress for her Kindergarden Graduation.

I think these are frame-worthy(!!!) I know I'm a teensy bit partial; anyhoo....

would you help me decide by telling me which are your favorites?

Thanks :)

"My" little hummers

One of my 'simple pleasures' is watching "my" hummingbirds. I first put out feeders three years ago and have been hooked ever since!!
For the longest time I've been meaning to get my camera out there and take some shots of these winged wonders and finally I took the time to just do it!!

I have two hummers that come very frequently and are best enemies!! They WILL NOT feed together they are constantly buzzing the other away from the feeder. They have provided us with lots of entertainment!

I was SUPER pleased to get these next two shots! Since they are best enemies I didn't think I would be able to get them both in the same frame!!! and relatively clear, too!

This year I was hoping to "add" another hummer. I know this may sound silly, but I actually prayed about it and not many days later a 3rd little hummer showed up at my feeder!!! (Thank you Jesus for caring about my simple prayers!) He hung around for a few days and I was able to get the three of them fighting over the feeder, unfortunately they are all blurry :(

This little guy prevailed over all the fighting that day! He would hover over the feeder keeping the other two away or he would rest in the foilage below the feeder.

I'm still trying to figure out what kind of hummingbird he is. The other hummer has a ruby-throat, but this one is white. Need to do more research! :)

He turned around a few times and I was able to get a back shot of his pretty colors. It was more towards dusk, so his plumage doesn't show up that well.

We also have other birdie friends that we enjoy watching on the feeders or in the bird bath. How about you? Do you have any fine feathered friends?

Sweet Little People

I sure am one blessed Momma, as they like to call me ;) Doesn't always feel that way, but if I take a moment to look at the 'big picture' I know that it really is that way!

Today's list...

...is not too exciting, but it is helping me stay on task! :)

• devotions Check (So thankful for a God who cares about me and my cares!)
  
• excersice Check (Really enjoyed those 30 minutes. Seriously!)
  
• finish cutting out song letters for Jr. Worship Check (Thank goodness for Cricut machines!)
• 2 loads of laundry Check
• place Sunday School order Check (payment is ready too!)
• cancel book order Check (Should've done this two weeks ago)
  
• yearbook, complete a page
• finish belated Bday gift Check (I hope she likes it)
  

And just so this isn't a picture-less post....

The girls like to pick weed bouquets...this particular one was from Katrina!

SteamTown Field Trip

The two youngest and I were able to join Katrina for her Honor Roll field trip! (YAY Katrina!)
We went to.....

Here we are just getting there and listening to our tour guide

This railroad used to be called....

Katrina had so much fun! She loves to be 'out and about'!

Showing the roundhouse and the turntable... I was really impressed with how clean and new everything looked! I thought that maybe this was a relatively new thing, but found out they have actually been open since 2002! That is how clean and neat everything was!

The displays were very informative and well thought out! I didn't know each conductor had their own unique punch! and the hobos also had their own picture language to clue in fellow hobos what kind of 'territory' they were in ... whether hobos were given aid or encouraged to move on quickly!

We also had a 30 minute train ride! I loved the two rail cars! I was just imagining how neat it would be to have a photography shoot inside of one! :)

Katie looks pretty serious here, but she was just as excited as Katrina! She felt like a big girl who was finally able to go to school with her big sis!

And this little girl really exceeded her Momma's expections! Her behavior was perfect! - Considering this outing was not 'age-appropriate' I think she had just as much fun as the rest of us! :)

My only complaint about the whole trip? It wasn't long enough!! With a school group it's hard to have time to read all the displays and watch all the clips! I'm hoping I'll get a chance to go back, maybe a date with Jaron or a family outing!!

It was really neat seeing a glimpse into the past of transportation!

Styling Tulips

Sometimes I like to pretend that I could be a photo stylist....

Easter Pictures

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart. ~Author Unknown

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend. ~Author Unknown

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.
-- Barbara Cage

Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes and the objects of our most watchful love.
-- Margaret E. Sangster

A mother's treasure is her daughter. ~Catherine Pulsifer

Happiness

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."
Johann Von Goethe