I Tried

You know the old saying "...and the cobbler's children go barefoot"? I think that it's probably also true that the photographer's children never have formal pictures taken. I take tons of pictures of my kids...lots of candids and iPhone shots (which I love), but I rarely ever try to sit them down and do a session with them. This is why:

After tantrums, and hair pulling, and yes...even spit up, I finally decided that these pictures are going to be the ones I treasure when I'm old and grey.

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The last shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project

I don't usually act like this.

I've never thought of myself as the type of person who gets star struck. I like to think I'm putting famous people in their place by acting like they aren't so fancy. Oh you're who? Probably some psychological reason for this...but I'll think about that later. ;) (Oh, and sorry for the not-so-hot pics. I only had my iPhone with me...the 5D is not allowed to go to concerts.)

Anyway, since we have been married Billy and I have become big fans of the band Shinedown. We both love their music, and one of their songs we consider "our song" and Billy has part of it tattooed on his back. We go to their concerts anytime we get a chance, and were able to go to our third one Tuesday night.

I consider myself an expert at what I call "crowd wiggling"...which is a nice way to say I am good at butting in front of people without them realizing it. I managed to wiggle our way all the way up to the front railing so that we were as close as we could get to the band. This was Billy's bday present from my family and I wanted to get him (and me, of course) as close as possible.

The concert was awesome, they put on a great show as always. I acted like a crazed fan more than I'd like to admit and got to touch Eric Bass's (the bass player) guitar and was thiiisss close to touching Brent Smith's (lead vocals) hand. The railing just got in the way. I think if I got to meet them I would definitely make a total giggling fool of myself. I'm a sucker for good rock n' roll, so I guess my celebrity-snobbery does have its limits.

  

Check out more shots at Oh Snap, Photo Friday, Fabulous Friday.

From our blog:
http://bunchofbarrons.blogspot.com/

Children of a Child of the 80's

When I was at my mom's recently I  noticed she had a DVD sitting on the counter: MacGyver Fan Favorites. As with many of you who may have grown up in that wonderful era known as the 80's, this show was the soundtrack to many of my nights. I vividly remember sitting in the living room with my dad and brother watching it religiously. The intro music seriously took be back to about age 5.

We asked mom if we could borrow it, thinking Billy and I would watch it. Little did we know that my older two hooligans would be the ones doing most of the watching. We put it in to watch it and they were hooked. They've asked to watch it repeatedly. I have the 5 episodes on the DVD totally memorized I think. I remember all of them from when I was little, but they are forever burned into my brain now.

They've even been observed acting out several of MacGyver's stunts, wearing masks to keep from inhaling "poison gas", and trying to unlock doors, and sneaking around the house complete with falls and rolls. MacGyver was a pretty cool guy, and while they may copy his stunts neither of them will be sporting his mullet anytime soon. No offense to MacGyver, because that mullet was pretty cool at one point. And I'm afraid I've noticed it coming back...but I'm just not ready for that.

I'm glad that they have enjoyed something from my childhood. I'm sure there will come a time when all of the stuff mom and dad like is for old people. I remember going through that with my parents. (You want me to listen to THAT?) I just hope its later rather than sooner. I'm not ready to have my music made fun of quite yet.

Check out more shots at Wild Wonderful Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesday.

The first shot is for Give Me Your Best Shot, This or That,  Show Off, 

and  Texture Thursday.

Big Ol' Man

We've recently taking to calling J-Hawk our "big ol' man", and several variations of this. He really is a big man. I'm not sure how much he weighs at this point in time, but my biceps that carry him around in his baby carrier tell me it's a lot and a half. I don't want him to grow up, but I'd surely not mind it if he could be walking if he insists on growing so fast.

He will go in for a 4 months check up not too long from now. He was about 15.5 at his last check-up, so who knows what to expect at this one. They may tell me he weighs more than I do...which would feel about right. He is not just solid, but he's long, and got big hands and feet. I'm not exactly sure where this kid came from. My other two are definitely more on the petite side. Merrick especially. Maybe God knew they will need someone to whip them into shape, or at least he will need some muscle to defend himself from the eldest hooligans.

He is doing lots of cute things, like babbling and trying to grab things, sitting up in his saucer and laughing at us. He is not a fan of sitting contentedly and playing, but insists that there be someone looking at him most of the day. (Thankfully it doesn't always have to be me...but adoration from just about anyone will do. And since he is pretty adorable we usually let him get away with that.) He also has recently started "yelling" at us if he needs something. Not crying, giving you a tongue lashing in baby talk.

I feel like he will be ready for some real food in the very near future, since big ol' men cannot live on formula alone. (I think the other two started around 4.5 or 5 months, but like I said they were not linebackers) He is thoroughly rotten, since he has 4 people telling him all day how handsome he is. He is really such a sweet happy guy most of the time...seemingly pretty laid back unless food is involved. He may just be trying to lull us into a false sense of security, though, like Tirzah did before him. So I'm not keeping my heart set on having a calm one to add to this crazy mix just yet. ;)

The first shot is for Macro Monday

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The third shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project

We all scream.

I would be lying of if I said we aren't a loud family. So the phrase "we all scream for ice cream" is about what happened last night. I had acquired a gift card for Cold Stone Creamery (Literally...we found it. Finders keepers right?) and Billy was working late.

There was lots of screaming, with or without the ice cream, so it seemed like a good time for it. When I was pregnant with Merrick I was on a first name basis with the local Cold Stone employees...and also did some screaming if there weren't enough Oreos in my Oreo Overload. Hey...hormones. Now I can't afford ice cream from this place AND pay my rent so it was a special trip. I wonder if Merrick felt at home on this trip back there?

It took them a lightyear to pick what kind of ice cream they wanted. When your 2 & 4 your ice cream flavors are selected based on color, not flavor. And there were A LOT of colors. They could have had vinegar-flavored blue ice cream and Merrick would have HAD to have it. Then we had to pick toppings. I think that was another light year.

It was all worth it thought once they were up to their elbows in melted sticky and having a blast. I sampled their selections to make sure I am educating them properly in the sweet tooth department. Not bad. I think they are on the right track. ;)

Check out more shots at Simple as That, and Sunday Snapshot.