tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40902940743799285222024-03-05T01:42:57.590-05:00White House IIIShannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-68683374986871397982010-10-18T23:32:00.000-04:002010-10-18T23:32:08.595-04:00Link to the new blog!!!I completely forgot to link to my new blog from this one thinking most of my readers were also friends on Facebook! Sorry. <br />
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My new blog can be found here http://whitehouse3.com. Hope to see you over there! Let me know you found it.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-69619446970011507102010-09-27T22:17:00.000-04:002010-09-27T22:17:50.902-04:00Rain is so awesomeUnless you have grown up in a desert you probably do not truly Love the rain in a "Can't wait for It to happen again" kind of way. Yesterday and today my inspiration was the rain. It started during the last hour of church as I was trying to re-acclimate poor Maddy to her nursery class. Starting three Sunday's ago she cried from just after she got there until I came in to take them potty. Then last Sunday she cried which turned into an unrecoverable cry we heard clearly through the partition in the primary room. Guy went in until he had to go teach the young men. She totally lost it so they brought her to my class. About one minute after she left Blake lost it so he came along too. My 5 year olds loved it. Since the primary kids were practicing for the primary program yesterday I took the opportunity to spend the time in the nursery with the kids. Madison cried even with me there for about 5 minutes. About 30 minutes into it she was acting normal. I left for ten minutes to use the bathroom and see how she did. She started crying again which got Blake going and when another mom brought her son back from the potty he was crying. Just walking back into the room she was fine again. I sure hope we can talk this week and convince her to love nursery again. She loved it from the first time she went a year ago until now. So weird. <br />
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Back to the rain. Madison noticed it was dark and raining outside as soon as we got into the foyer. I'm still not sure how she saw that trough the mass of people crowding the doors and open area. She was smiling from ear to ear as she told me. Blake wondered off down the hall towards a less crowded door then came back excitedly telling me about the dark heavy rain. Guy showed up a minute later and asked Blake if he wanted to run to the car with him. Blake started screaming in excitement they were going out in the rain!!!! Heads were whipping around to look at us with some excited and some showing concern maybe from the start of a headache from the deafening noise. That kid is loud, very loud. Maddy and I followed and she also expressed excitement with me about going out to the car. We put the loose papers in the zipper bag and I handed over the keys to Guy. They were off like lighting out the door on the way to the car. Since I love rain so much, I took the time to slip off my shoes and we calmly walked past the gaggle of people waiting out into the dark heavy warm rain. It was beautiful. Madison loved it too. At the end of the sidewalk she decided she also needed her shoes off to enjoy our walk to the car. I slipped them off for her and we continued to the Trooper. We were soaked in that short 40 foot walk to the car. Maddy's shirt came off so she didn't get a chill in the car. All of us sat there soaked and happy during the ride home. <br />
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Today, I was in the kitchen starting to do dishes when I see my son out the window in the driveway by the garage. He was yelling about it raining and playing in it. I guess he though he had permission after our conversation earlier. The rain had stopped for an hour or so when I was asking them to come in the house. Blake told me he wanted to stay outside and play in the rain. I told him he couldn't because it wasn't raining. He must have remembered that conversation and headed right out the front door, down the steps and into the rain. Kids are so smart. We delayed nap time to play in the rain for about 30 minutes today. They loved it. It was the fastest Madison has gone to sleep in a long time. <br />
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Here are a few images from our Saturday spent cleaning up the front garden area. It was so bad and it now looks so much better.<br />
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An extra hour and $28 later we were able to borrow our neighbors trailer to get some mulch.<br />
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We had so many colors to choose from!<br />
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We decided on this one.<br />
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Guy thought it would be fun to let the kids get out to watch him scoop it up to put in the trailer.<br />
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I may not be able to get my kids to look at me all the time, but they will almost always hug or hold hands when asked.<br />
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Maddy was being a little standofish.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/5025109534/" title="Us Sep10_1160 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Sep10_1160" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5025109534_2bdee86295_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Then I started to tease her.<br />
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He came over with the tractor only to have Maddy get scared. Didn't see that one coming {insert saurcasm}.<br />
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In went the lovely mulch and we headed back to home...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/5024499083/" title="Us Sep10_1165 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Sep10_1165" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5024499083_445120cdd3_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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With a stop by some cool wildflowers for me to photograph.<br />
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Hope you have a great day!Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-56477726150654653442010-09-24T15:32:00.002-04:002010-09-24T15:32:50.439-04:00Yeah, yeah, yeah... I'll explainI keep promising to blog more and failing fantastically. Well, I finally figured out why this last month has been a no go. It may take a while to get it all out as to why. <br />
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This may come as a complete shock to most people who haven't seen or talked to me in person lately, but it was a major adjustment to get used to and actually be happy we are going to have another baby. You see, when we did our last fertility treatment in January we really felt that was it. That it would be the last and final opportunity to become parents again by our own bodies. We got rid of pretty much everything related to babies except for the stroller and a few things to use as photo props. Whenever we talked about a third child we talked about going through foster care where we can get a child that is available for adoption the twins age. <br />
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When my normal signs of the start of a new menstrual cycle came and went with no start of a new cycle the weirdness began. Then the symptoms of pregnancy started. I couldn't believe it. It had to be a weird cycle and all in my head. Guy also was in total disbelief until Madison asked him to read the book titled I'm a Big Sister. I got a test I'd given away to a now pregnant friend to take. Sure enough both that test and the one two days later were positive. We ended up telling our parents the day of the first positive test. Guy made a Facebook announcement so I put something not so obvious on this blog. It was out. We got all these super positive and often teary responses from all. <br />
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But I wasn't happy. Not unhappy either. It was the start of a month long funk my brain needed to sort all of it out. My body was once again taken over by an alien affecting every detail of my life. Whenever Guy and I talked anything about the pregnancy/future baby it was negative. You know, stuff like having to wake up in the middle of the night, how to reconfigure our small house {that also houses a business!}, we can only use one of our SUV's, having to get baby stuff again, getting cloth diapers again and so on and so on. Guy never specifically told me he was happy or anything positive. Even though I KNEW he was happy I don't think I really felt it. <br />
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Finally, this last week I finally started to feel happy and excited about another baby. I'm definitely not one to bond or even feel like a baby is real in-utero. Even feeling movement and seeing features on an u/s don't make it real for me. The only real thing is seeing that baby covered in funk just after delivery. It's checking the baby out in the privacy of our own hospital room trying to decide which of the names we like fit. The bonding is done with the hours and days of service given to the helpless newborn then baby while getting to see the first glimpses of personality and preferences. The loves grows each and every month as the baby develops into a walker, toddler and beyond. With each shared experience from the quietest of moments to the loudest test of wills we gain those familial feelings that will last throughout this life and into the eternities. <br />
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This is my 7 week pregnant belly. Not much, but surprising to me since nothing at all showed with the twins until 9+ weeks. The joys of a second pregnancy since the uterus 'knows' what to do. <br />
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We went to Cody's birthday party last weekend. The kids practiced singing happy birthday for two weeks once they received their invitation. They would carry it around and sing every once in a while. Cody let me snap a few images of him.<br />
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Talking a taking a picture don't always mix in low light. Just after snapping this image Madison did a face plant re-injuring her knee.<br />
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I brought her into the kitchen giving her a good cuddle and wiped off the blood with a paper towel. Melissa, one of Maddy's favorite people, gave her the sympathy oooooo's Maddy loves and took her into the bathroom for some ointment and bandaids!<br />
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Since Cody is the main bandaid wearer in their house she got cool rough and tumble boy bandages.<br />
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Then she got some love and support from Blakie. Yes, this girl knows how to work a room for the maximum amount of cuddles and sympathy she can get. The funny thing is, she usually prefers me first who gives the least amount of sympathy since I am a 'tough it out' kind of person and mom. <br />
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You know, there is a reason this kid usually looks like he is talking in images. He usually is! He is a talk talk talker.<br />
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He has moments of reflection or really is just making facial contortions trying to make people laugh at him. Can someone be both the class valedictorian and the class clown?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/5012021157/" title="Us Sep10_1067 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Sep10_1067" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5012021157_da70ff763b_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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This charming smile is for Melissa. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/5012021585/" title="Us Sep10_1068 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Sep10_1068" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5012021585_e50b12fcbb_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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And then I got a charming smile! <br />
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We were talking about going to do something fun right here and both are obviously excited about it. They had a great time at the party. Surprisingly, Blake was scared of the fireworks preferring to go inside to watch cartoons while Madison loved them cheering Paul on to light more and clapping excitedly for her favorites.<br />
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Being the large child I can be I taught them how fun it is to pull down a balloon and hit it repeatedly. They had a blast.<br />
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"Get it, Blakie!!"<br />
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LOL<br />
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Cody with his cupcakes.<br />
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He got it all in one breath.<br />
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He got tons of things Lego. I'm pretty sure his lego collection hit at least 500K that night.<br />
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During the present opening the kids enjoyed the fruits of their not so good scramble for the pinata candy {Alyssa gave them all of hers}. <br />
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Melissa snapped a few shots of the kids & I.<br />
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It was a great night! Too bad the kids weren't old enough for the sleep over part. They did do a great job of lasting until almost 10 pm when we got home since they normally go to bed before 8 pm.<br />
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<a href="http://lifelongimpressions.com/yay-new-wall-images/">If you aren't a regular reader of my photography website you should definitely check out my newest post. It shows our gorgeous new images in our WALL GALLERY found in our dining area.</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px;">http://lifelongimpressions.com/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px;"><span id="editable-post-name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffbcc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Click to edit this part of the permalink">yay-new-wall-images</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px;">/ </span><br />
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In honor of my new found out-of-the-funk life I've decided to do a 365 project. A 365 project is when you take an image every day. The last time I started one it was winter time and about self portraits. Yeah, that didn't go to long. This time my images are going to be about whatever I'm thinking about that day and about finding more inspiration in life & photography.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-58401578199687019742010-09-01T22:06:00.000-04:002010-09-01T22:06:13.022-04:00Great husband, Great day, Great insurance relief<div style="text-align: center;">I am so thankful for Guy! Not only is he a fabulous husband and dad, but he is also mechanically minded. He has a fabulous mind that can take a bit to look at something and figure it out. Tonight it was super hot in our kitchen. It's always hot in the afternoon in our kitchen with the sun shinning in the back window and door. It triggered something in Guy's mind though. He noticed that no air was coming out of the vent under the kitchen sink. Nada. Nothing. He went to investigate leaving us to huddle on the floor next to each other by the open vent. After a while we heard the rustling which got Blake super excited. He called out to 'Dad' who answered him back. It was definitely the highlight of his day. They also loved when Guy shined the flashlight up the vent as well as the old Cheerio and upside down dead bug. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy found trouble. The drip pan drip pan drain was plugged which caused that particular 27 foot long piece of ductwork to become flooded collapsing the inside in on itself. He poked a hole in it draining out about a gallon of water. The duct started working again pumping a real nice musty smell into the house which is just something a pregnant woman wants to hit her already hyper sensitive olfactory senses. Our awesome friend, Travis, lead Guy to check the drip pan & confirmed he could pick up replacement ductwork at Lowe's. Guy fixed the clogged drain, and we all headed to Lowe's. The parts cost $45 dollars, and we saved a ton with Guy doing the labor. The air now blows super cold and super strong in the kitchen. Better then it has since we moved in over two years ago. No wonder our electric bill was about $40 higher then normal for that month of the year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over the weekend we went to an Australian Rules Football game {otherwise known as Footy} with our local North Carolina Hawks against the Florida Saints. Our team didn't win mostly for not playing the ball as they were trying to play the man going for the ball instead. It's pretty hard to gain control of the ball if you don't go for the ball. We enjoyed ourselves so much. The kids Love to be out and about. Typically we don't have any meltdowns while out and about since they enjoy themselves so much. I love love this image of Blake reaching over to lay his hand on Guy's arm while he watched the game. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938929984/" title="Us Aug10_1135 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1135" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4938929984_c9fc65de52_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake wondering why I keep calling him to look at me. He started out with this really cool faux hawk, but the muggy heat made short work of any hairdo. Watch how Blake's hair goes from sort of dry here to super soaked as the images go on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938344665/" title="Us Aug10_1136 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1136" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4938344665_139a91fcd2_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Madison is telling me about the ball as she watches the players handle it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938345277/" title="Us Aug10_1137 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1137" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4938345277_2869c1b5dc_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first spot wasn't the best with a couple sitting in front of us. We moved a little closer to the field and over to the side of them. Madison decided to help out by taking her chair over, and she actually took it all the way over to the new spot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938931678/" title="Us Aug10_1138 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1138" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4938931678_e3a8df8cf3_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before we left the house that day we told the kids where we were going. Blake immediately went over to the bucket of balls in their room to pull out a Footy to bring. Madison decided she wanted one too and grabbed the volleyball calling it a footy. lol Even after she was reminded it was a volleyball she wanted to bring it with us. They both carried their balls from the car to our spot on the sidelines, took care of them while there and carried them back to the car. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938932304/" title="Us Aug10_1140 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1140" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4938932304_37f0c41b7f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This face cracks me up. With the bright sun/bright clouds and ill fitted sunnies Blake was squinting badly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938347261/" title="Us Aug10_1142 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1142" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4938347261_550ddda0da_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">During halftime Guy and Blake played with the footy. This shot makes Blake's hands look massive for a 2 year old. He loved playing ball with Guy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938347843/" title="Us Aug10_1143 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1143" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4938347843_d694787b03_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He threw the ball strait up here and was so proudly watching his handiwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938934126/" title="Us Aug10_1144 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1144" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4938934126_0a3453cb55_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Madison threw her ball then threw a fit it was far from her. Blake ran to get it for her little hot diva self. She's lucky she has such a nice caring brother. Guy and I were telling her to go get it herself since she threw it over there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938934954/" title="Us Aug10_1146 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1146" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4938934954_ee61e011ae_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Throw the ball up then jump in excitement as you watch it come back down! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938350033/" title="Us Aug10_1147 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1147" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4938350033_ceec7e01f0_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then get it back to throw it to daddy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938350935/" title="Us Aug10_1150 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1150" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4938350935_c92c8a5863_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This picture may not be cute to anyone else, but I was there. She was so into watching the people walk by. As a person or group would pass her she would grab her dress and sway to whatever song was in her head as she watched them walk away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938937608/" title="Us Aug10_1152 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1152" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4938937608_a6bbaa88ab_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake tagged along with Guy to go visit someone he knows who had a dog with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938941458/" title="Us Aug10_1154 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1154" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4938941458_a7581fb7b8_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Madison could not miss out even though we all know she would freak out a bit over the dog. I love that even though she knew they would see a dog over there she decided to face her fear to be with her family and experience what Blake wanted to do. She ended up actually petting the dog which was a huge accomplishment for her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938356851/" title="Us Aug10_1155 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1155" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4938356851_f0cbfacbb6_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids love to take pictures and love to take them of us most of all. I was trying to help Blake see through the viewfinder until he saw me and push the button. He wasn't getting it that day making me laugh. The reflection is pretty cool though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938943526/" title="Us Aug10_1156 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1156" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4938943526_0ba9b2649e_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids spent the last few minutes of half time running around like mad. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938944170/" title="Us Aug10_1159 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1159" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4938944170_f3edecb4d4_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938359195/" title="Us Aug10_1161 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1161" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4938359195_c34b0fe932_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake often has his hand up to his face when he is giggling. I was playing with him like he would get tickled for the next few shots.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938945338/" title="Us Aug10_1167 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1167" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4938945338_28bee0a835_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938946056/" title="Us Aug10_1168 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1168" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4938946056_d02af65d43_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Notice the super soaked hair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938946488/" title="Us Aug10_1169 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1169" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4938946488_742d8a1bb2_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">My cute family with our chairs crammed under the shade of the one umbrella!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938361587/" title="Us Aug10_1170 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1170" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4938361587_0bf2a743e0_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took five shots and got one person looking at the camera smiling in each one of them. lol They definitely didn't have their timing right. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938362421/" title="Us Aug10_1171 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1171" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4938362421_ea51e7a163_b.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I realized that I hadn't taken any images of the game! Oooops. Footy is a game that is played on an oval field the size of a polo field. It's huge. Since my portrait business doesn't need a telephoto lens we don't have one. Luckly there was some action close the sideline we sat by. Even though you can see the players waiting on the sideline hopefully you can see where the action is. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938948898/" title="Us Aug10_1173 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1173" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4938948898_d73dda8315_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to see plays where the players are getting major air. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938363573/" title="Us Aug10_1176 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1176" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4938363573_98d059ff42_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last shot of my super sweaty boy. Guess what? The kids didn't have to go to the bathroom once while out there. lol Who did? I'm pretty sure that port a potty didn't see any action with as much sweating as everyone there did. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4938364253/" title="Us Aug10_1177 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1177" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4938364253_26aa80ecaf_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My friend and I started a weekly playgroup. Today was the second week. It has already been a ton of fun. The kids were so excited when Emily and her twins walked up to the door. Madison ran through the living room into the kitchen shouting at the top of her lungs, "Who's here. Who's here! Who's here to see us!!" It was so cute. The kids all did great playing with each other! We only had a couple issues to break up, and a snack time to get to quickly for the low blood sugar toddlers. lol Food is always a good fix. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Still can't believe we are going to have a baby! Oh, my. It definitely doesn't feel real despite the nausea and other symptoms. Since Guy is covered under a group plan we can cancel my individual non maternity policy and add me to his. So as of October 1st I will have maternity coverage!!!! YAY!! Huge financial concern is now resolved. This has definitely helped us get more excited for our super surprise miracle baby. *Local ladies... I'm looking for an OB who supports VBAC's {vaginal birth after cesarean} and delivers at a somewhat close hospital. My labor with the twins, Blake, was so fast I don't want a 40 minute drive to Rex again in case this one comes faster. </div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-16838427378047796352010-08-24T13:11:00.000-04:002010-08-24T13:11:03.921-04:00Weird GuySince my lovely husband made a Facebook announcement I thought I'd post something on the blog which feeds to Facebook. Oddly enough our 3% chance one cycle a month actually happened. What happened, you say? Oh, pregnancy! Really?!?! We had counted out that measly 3% chance one cycle a year as not something that would ever happen to us. We were totally fine with our two kiddos. Now we get a curveball. <br />
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It's still super early so a m/c can happen which is why we are not exactly jumping for joy like last time. That and both of us turned into immediate stress balls about money. Since my chance of getting pregnant was so low we cancelled the $350 a month maternity rider on my insurance policy as we were really stressed out trying to pay $600 a month just for my insurance. The joke is on us though as it will cost way more then the $4000 those extra premiums would have cost to have a baby paying the doctor & hospital. <br />
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Off the negative stuff! Madison has been obsessed with the book "I'm a big Sister now" for the last month. Anytime I ask them to choose a book it is the one she brings me. She took the book to Guy last night before bed. He refused to read it to her knowing I'd be taking a pregnancy test in the morning. :-) He knew then it was inevitable we would having another child next year. The second set of multiples jokes have already begun too. Statistically it is more common for a woman over 35 {me 37} to have twins as the ovaries tend to have last hurrahs in the declining years. One would be just fine of either sex and hopefully super healthy.<br />
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We'll be able to take more funny images like this one when visiting with friends! Love it!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4917859483/" title="Us Mar10_1874 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1874" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4917859483_e335ff43bf_o.jpg" width="800" /></a>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-29360323295674463522010-08-23T21:29:00.000-04:002010-08-23T21:29:17.738-04:00CuriosityCuriosity is a great and terrible thing. This statement is true for everything. For me in the photography business, it means more work trying to accomplish learning or doing whatever I'm curious about. This is great in the newfound knowledge, skills and offerings, but not so great for the amount of work I need/want to accomplish on a given day. For the kids I think we all know what curiosity brings both great and terrible. <br />
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Blake is looking pretty pleased here. For a little background, I have a desk with my computer set up in the living room. It makes it so I can 'hop to' throughout the day constantly switching gears from work stuff to mommy stuff. In the mornings I work while they are eating their cereal then often a little longer while they color. Sometimes they play on the front porch that wraps around the front and side of our living room with big windows and a glass door I can keep an eye on them. Last week they were done coloring and headed out to the porch. I heard them and looked up to make sure their little heads went to the windows. After about 10 minutes of them not coming back in at all, but staying in site, I happened to glance over at the table. NO crayons.... Uh OH. In the image here Maddie is holding a scrub brush. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921290407/" title="Us Aug10_1105 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1105" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4921290407_8d937b67c4_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Here she is scrubbing away at the porch rail {in vein} to get the crayon marking off. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921885122/" title="Us Aug10_1103 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1103" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4921885122_939565f24d_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Blake doing his best {also in vein} to get the crayon off. Luckily we had three scrub brushes so I had the main muscles needed to get that stuff off. Unfortunately my muscles weren't enough...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921289949/" title="Us Aug10_1104 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1104" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4921289949_c19bf7c800_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Here's a close up of the damage. They got every single post facing inward to some degree with crayon along with some of the floor planks and the glass table tops. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921290693/" title="Us Aug10_1107 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1107" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4921290693_ce6a78f4e9_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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The white is chalk which just washed off. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921291081/" title="Us Aug10_1108 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1108" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4921291081_50df028a0a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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I finally thought of my old friend, Comet, who helped me get the boost needed to get the crayon off. The kids actually did a fabulous job of scrubbing the entire time I was cleaning off the posts to help me. They pretty much refuse to clean anything by themselves and demand that Guy or I help them with whatever the clean up project is. Hopefully, they stay willing to clean for a long long time!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921887024/" title="Us Aug10_1109 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1109" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4921887024_5526e0b022_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Yesterday in the late afternoon Guy says to me that Madison is way to quiet. We called for her to come in the living room. After a minute she came out with a big smile on her face. I asked her what she was doing and she lifted her dress to happily show me her artwork. Wondering where she could have possibly gotten a marker to make these kind of marks I headed to her room. There was my black eye liner with its cap replaced lying next to the make up bag. Guy suggested I take some pictures so we headed to the back porch to catch the last 5 minutes of daylight. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921291917/" title="Us Aug10_1111 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1111" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4921291917_f11df65d4f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Blake was busy telling his Maddy that what she did was bad and then he turns to me flashing this silly grin. The kid has so much personality. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921887708/" title="Us Aug10_1112 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1112" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4921887708_28a9878333_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Madison thought she was doing well flashing me all kinds of smiles since I was taking pictures of her artwork {hence why I don't do it most of the time}. We had to have a serious discussion about why she cannot draw on anything but paper and only with her crayons. Such a sweet remorseful face with the black eye liner mark by her mouth. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921888158/" title="Us Aug10_1114 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1114" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4921888158_fc3656b1b6_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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She's starting to think it's funny again here transitioning from serious to smiley.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921293103/" title="Us Aug10_1116 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1116" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4921293103_fc9cd1a9d5_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Back to the grumpy face thinking of how she did a bad thing.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921293537/" title="Us Aug10_1117 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1117" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4921293537_802b802c8e_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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The designs were rather interesting. She's starting to use a teeny tiny bit of control when coloring.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921293781/" title="Us Aug10_1118 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1118" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4921293781_956d43359b_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Then they were off to play on the slide.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921294195/" title="Us Aug10_1119 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1119" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4921294195_4ce033ec55_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Happy as can be<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921294643/" title="Us Aug10_1121 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1121" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4921294643_8d0f6dea0f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Until she remembered to check out her artwork. She really wanted to take a bath to clean up though not enough to cry about it. I made her wait until normally scheduled bath time. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921295045/" title="Us Aug10_1123 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1123" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4921295045_9ca8abe879_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Love this shot through the tent at the setting sun.<br />
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Since I was laying down taking that shot it made it easy to take a picture of me too. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921891240/" title="Us Aug10_1127 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1127" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4921891240_206051792f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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And another. Not that you can tell in this image, but I got about 4 inches cut off my hair. It's awesome. The cut works absolutely perfectly with the perm remnants for a nice wavy body. It dries nice with very little product needed {only a bit of leave in conditioner to keep the frizz away}. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921296407/" title="Us Aug10_1128 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1128" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4921296407_690f676e2e_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Blake and Madison wanted to get in on the action taking pictures with mommy. It was a bit harder to get a focus and two of in the frame holding the heavy camera at arms length with a 50mm lens on it. A 50 mm isn't very wide so it takes only a small view from arms length away. This shot is another example of not good focus, but an image I love. He was so serious about getting in an image with me smooshing his sweaty head against mine. He didn't get the whole lay down next to me part.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921892166/" title="Us Aug10_1129 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1129" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4921892166_3359251eb2_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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His happy look as he looked back at me before going into the house.<br />
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I have not idea what he was saying. This kid constantly talks. OK, maybe he only talks about half they day, but it feels like a lot. Sometimes he has so much to say he starts stuttering trying to get it all out at once. <br />
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I'm pretty curious to see what is going to happen next in our life. Hope it's a lot of great things! One great thing that has happened the last couple weeks is the loss of 2 more pounds. I'm officially only 1 pound away from the weight we got married at {and spent my high school years weighing}. Though my muscle mass is no where near as impressive so about 5 more pounds can come off to be the most comfortable skinny weight with no funny lumps anywhere. Happy to stay here and happy to lose a few more to see what it feels like. <br />
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Buh Bye!!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4921297609/" title="Us Aug10_1134 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1134" height="533" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4921297609_155584a671_b.jpg" width="800" /></a>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-4465957275066108452010-08-20T21:53:00.000-04:002010-08-20T21:53:37.132-04:00The new website & blog are here!!!My new site is up! It is the same old website address, but it is now the website and blog for <a href="http://lifelongimpressions.com/">Lifelong Impressions</a>. I have a ton of new information on there including some lower sitting fees, new charitable giving in honor of Ella's Touch, photography classes and much more. There is also a newsletter sign up {big hint... Friends who get their images by me really NEED to sign up for a newsletter}. I'm also working on some cool new stuff like an upcoming special mini session event with only a $10 session fee! This will be announced in the newsletter first.<br />
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If you follow the <a href="http://lifelongimpressions.com/">Lifelong Impressions blog</a> make sure to follow the new web address as the old blog will no longer be used. http://lifelongimpressions.com All the links in this email are to the new blog address. It does have a feed that has been showing up wonderfully in my Google Reader application. <a href="http://www.google.com/reader">Love Google Reader!</a><br />
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I'm pretty sure I'll be switching this blog over to a Wordpress blog in the next few months as well. I LOVE Wordpress and all it offers in terms of flexibility and information. Paired with Bluehost.com it is a wonderful option. My <a href="http://lifelongimpressions.com/">Lifelong Impressions</a> images are now loaded directly into the page with no link to Flikr, they are right click disabled, I was able to integrate forms directly into the site & the platform was really easy to learn. <br />
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No images tonight, but I have a few from this week I can't wait to share. Now that the website is done, it is back to a regularly scheduled life. Guy will be sooooo happy. <br />
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For all the local friends... My friend, Kim, and I are committing to a play date every Wednesday morning at 9:30 or 10:00 am. The place will change each week, but we'll let you know where it will be. This first one is at my house on Wednesday morning starting at 9:30 am. Please call {919-585-6433} or email {shannon@lifelongimpressions} to let me know you are coming, but even if you decide to come at the last minute, just show up. Looking forward to many mornings of fun for us and the kids. <br />
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Now, go check out the new <a href="http://lifelongimpressions.com/">website</a> & sign up for the newsletter!Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-58844661160577662902010-08-16T09:04:00.000-04:002010-08-16T09:04:13.960-04:00More Miami plans!The greater then average number of comments on my last post tells me you guys really do read my personal blog. I'm sorry for neglecting it the last six months. And for all those who loved the images I must confess we moved the bed in our bedroom so the light would be more favorable for any future picture ops. I like it much better with the new arrangement. <br />
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Saturday I stepped in an ant pile during the last part of my photo shoot. I have never done that before! Luckily the pain of the first few bites alerted me to an issue. Somehow with hundreds of ants I only got 4-5 bites. Yeah, amazing!!! They are also the kind of ants that only leave a minor bite & not those huge swollen bites. <br />
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We have made plans to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Miami! All of us are super excited to go again. Our wonderful client, Therese, has offered up her condo to us again. Since I haven't ever shared images from our last trip you get to see a few today. <br />
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This is the view from the condo overlooking the Port of Miami and South Beach. We took our bikes down with the kids seats on the back. We went on 4 nice long bike rides exploring everything from South Beach to the downtown area along the waterfront to the South. We all loved the experience getting to know the area by bike. The Port of Miami is also where our cruise left out of back in March. Two of the cruise ships are leaving in this image.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896936493/" title="Us May10_1507 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1507" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4896936493_a36a127457_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Blake thought he'd try out the binoculars our first morning. This trip was the first time the kids slept in big beds by themselves. They only fell off a couple times... It's a good thing we thought ahead to put some pillows along the sides. Since then they learned their boundaries and haven't fallen off any big beds they have slept on since. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896936831/" title="Us May10_1509 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1509" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4896936831_c7a9f6047c_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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The tram system was great to get around in. This station was right behind the condo building. <br />
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We decided to take the tram & a couple grocery bags to the Publix store. It was not one of our more brilliant ideas. We got enough to feed us most meals for the week. That is a lot of food for four people to carry back to the tram, keep track of two 2 year olds and carry from the tram up to the condo. DUH. It would have worked out just fine if we had brought a cart of some kind or even a suitcase.<br />
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Blake wanted to help carry some of the groceries. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897530942/" title="Us May10_1523 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1523" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4897530942_41400a8491_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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He did pretty well.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897531286/" title="Us May10_1527 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1527" height="569" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4897531286_d086773231_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Then Madison wanted to help him.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897531628/" title="Us May10_1529 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1529" height="564" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4897531628_c4cfcee7f1_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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But... She decided it wasn't her thing and walked on. I love the unconcerned look for leaving our groceries behind. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896938469/" title="Us May10_1531 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1531" height="549" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4896938469_3520a279e0_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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You know, I never realized how badly escalators are designed when it comes to kids until right when I took this image. In order to get the angle right I had to squat down. When I tried to get up with balancing the camera, groceries and camera bag I put my hand on the side wall. Big mistake. It is stationary! So it pulled me backwards. Thankfully, I managed to let go quickly and gain my own balance. Since kids cannot reach the hand rail at the top there is nothing for them to grab onto except the side wall for balance. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897532122/" title="Us May10_1533 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1533" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4897532122_f7f8565de8_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Us in the tram. The kids were a bit worn out from their walk since we couldn't pick them up with all the groceries.<br />
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They perked back up soon enough.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896939093/" title="Us May10_1549 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1549" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4896939093_405a71f0bb_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Well, maybe just Madison perked up.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897532676/" title="Us May10_1550 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1550" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4897532676_7baa00548f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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She had to mess him. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896939477/" title="Us May10_1551 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1551" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4896939477_e17da412aa_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Here is another view of South Beach from the condo.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897533212/" title="Us May10_1560 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1560" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4897533212_ec34c0ffe7_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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My friend Mary came over with three of her kids since the others weren't feeling well. We all went swimming at one of the 14th story pools. They are designed so one gets the sun during the morning and the other at night. If it is windy it is likely that one of the pools will not feel the effects too. They had a BBQ area, sand volleyball court, pool table, lounge and putting green out there too. <br />
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Guy was trying to get Madison to 'swim' to him. She has just started trying to swim when we went swimming last week. It is so funny to watch. She'll pull the water towards her with her hands and does an upright running man to go forward. Next year we'll definitely do swim lessons. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896939981/" title="Us May10_1573 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1573" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4896939981_0c93c40e1e_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896940217/" title="Us May10_1574 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1574" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4896940217_2f613a008b_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Mary's identical twin girls, Jessica & Nicole, along with their big sister Gabi. Check out the goofy faces the girls were making making Gabi and all of us laugh. The super full diapers also cracked me up. <br />
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Guy was giving Blake a head start push towards the side. The push is Blake's favorite part.<br />
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He definitely wasn't swimming strait, but he started getting it very quickly. <br />
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Here is Mary. She had both girls in her arms most of the time. Us twin moms develop serious guns with all the double holding we do. With two kids in your arms there is no way to use your hip to hold them and the other arm can't come over to support the main hold arm as it is the main hold arm for the other kid. Moms with kids super close together have the same thing. Though they can use the hip to the side of the heavier child and 'arm' hold the lighter one. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4897534604/" title="Us May10_1600 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1600" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4897534604_ab475acde2_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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A view up the condo building from the pool. We had a great puffy clouds that would come and go while we were at the pool giving the perfect shade and sun combo.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4896941477/" title="Us May10_1625 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1625" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4896941477_e48fff1fb2_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Another shot of the girls showing off a loaded diaper.<br />
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Gabi chillin.<br />
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The girls all did their towels like capes which Madison and Blake had to do too. They loved it. Madison paused for one of her princess poses. <br />
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Guy held the gate opened for everyone including his straggler picture taking wife.<br />
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Guy started his new position as a Garner High School resource officer this morning. School doesn't start for a week, but he has some things to get together including meeting the staff.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-84044298070367415812010-08-14T23:16:00.000-04:002010-08-14T23:16:38.294-04:00Don't make the elliptical machine mad!My cutie patootie Blake. You know, I don't think there is a day that goes by that one or both kids doesn't get injured in some way. Most of the time it is them not paying attention. Sometimes it is them fighting. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4892139865/" title="Us Aug10_1002 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1002" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4892139865_0f7bdc0660_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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This adorable melancholy look is because Blake did a pretty good injury to his finger.<br />
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Before we get to the injury I just have to say how much I love this girls smile. It lights up everyone around her when she gives it. At the grocery store today she was lagging behind on the way out. The lagging was due to her choice of shoes. Yes, hers! Apparently she feels fashion is much more important then function or comfort. We have some flip flops with pink ribbon wrapped around the strap with big bows. The cannot figure out how to keep her feet in them, and the extra fabric around the toe part rubbers her toes and top of her foot raw. She HAD to wear them and fought with them the whole time. Back to the smile. A clerk behind the customer service counter looked at her. She smiled & waved at him. Next thing we know about 3-4 workers are enthralled with her. They probably all spent the next half our smiling uncontrollably. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4892747540/" title="Us Aug10_1006 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1006" height="527" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4892747540_fb4d99215e_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Back to the injury. I'm a little scattered at the moment! <br />
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Blake put his hands in the plastic bit that surround the gear between the handle and foot parts. He must have pulled it apart a bit. It snapped shut on him and he ripped his hand out. It gave him two long jagged cuts down the pad of his finger and a pocket like cut out along the side of his skin. Luckily, they were pretty shallow so no need for stitches. However, he was moaning on for a bit about the pain. <br />
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All of a sudden Guy notices his finger is crooked! He asks me if I think it might be broken. My heart stops as I look at it.<br />
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But then I remembered. I pulled up my own hand to check out my fingers and the middle finger is definitely crooked in just the same way. LOL Way to give us a fright. Guy looks at my hand, then looks at Blake's, and then back at me to say, "That is a deal breaker." <br />
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I had to laugh. It's a bit to late to just now be noticing my crooked finger to call it a deal breaker. We're coming up on 8 years of marriage. <br />
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I love the next two shots of Blake and Maddie checking out Blake's hurt finger.<br />
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He has been obsessed by band aids, while I've been equally obsessed with giving his cuts some air time to heal. Band aids always make the skin so puckery and water logged looking. Since Blake sweats a lot he definitely needs some air time too. He's starting to give in to my side, but goes to Guy anytime I'm not looking to demand some more creme and band aid. As long as he gets in a few air hours a day it's all good to me.<br />
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Just after it happened, while I was still holding the paper towel on it until the bleeding stops, he had a few requests. The first request was to cuddle. The second request was to watch Harry Potter {which he pronounces ava cado}. The third request was for a popsicle. <br />
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My mom happened to call just after he hurt himself and was still crying almost hysterically. Not much control over his emotions, this kid. When we called her back she said he sure knew how to milk it after laughing over his requests. <br />
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Madison was kissing Blake's owie with super chicken pecking speed which didn't let me get a focus. This is so cute though!! There is no way it was going to the trash over something so minor. All the emotion is still captured. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4892150335/" title="Us Aug10_1012 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1012" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4892150335_cc7dfcff18_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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A quiet moment.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4892749690/" title="Us Aug10_1013 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1013" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4892749690_3f018f49ec_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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So my little stinker has been a little mopey since it happened. He holds it nice and stiff most of the time flipping people off. So if he does it to you, now you know we aren't teaching him bad things. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4892150913/" title="Us Aug10_1014 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Aug10_1014" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4892150913_8b36df4d3f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Have an awesome Sunday!Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-69134477367467019112010-07-21T21:56:00.001-04:002010-07-21T21:56:17.848-04:00Drama was on today's agenda<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800896252/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1165 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1165" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4800896252_e93c94410d_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Maddy sticking her belly through the water.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800263061/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1183 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1183" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4800263061_5b2caa20c6_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Blake trying to convince himself to jump or step over.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800896972/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1185 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1185" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4800896972_c9ce91cb93_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Today was about drama. My levels were super mild yet dangerous drama. Hmmmm, not sure if that comment made sense. Each time the drama happened I was strangely calm about it. There was no elevated heart rate or panic. <br />
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Well, I did move fast through the water to get to Blake who had snuck past me to try and drown himself. We put his floaties on Manon to see how she would do, and as I was helping get them on her he walked out to the deeper part to get to the older boys. He really wants to be with the older boys any time there are any around. He's going to be our kid in a hurry to grow up. Thankfully, Kim happened to look over to where Blake was to alert me to him going under. He did a fantastic job of kicking to the surface and holding his breath. We definitely did a bit of cuddling in the pool then again when we got home. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800895528/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1158 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1158" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4800895528_92bff6ced6_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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The second bout of drama happened when the kids got into the laundry room to play with the brooms & sweepers. Somehow they managed to knock the Windex off the washer. Madison loves to drink anything from any spray bottle. It doesn't matter what it is. It can be soap, perfume, make-up, water or anything else. It's always an adventure keeping up with her. This time it wasn't Madison, but somehow they shot Blake in the eye with Windex. It was a little red, and I used some eye drops on it a few times. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800262743/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1181 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1181" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4800262743_6a76439bee_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Later we were talking to my dad when I mentioned Blake got some Windex in his eye. He thought he remembered from his shop days that Windex gets worse over time. Sure enough, he looked it up and let me know it needs a full 30 minute flush. I was soooo not happy to hear that. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800895338/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1157 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1157" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4800895338_05137f79c5_b.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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First we tried the sink. After some serious full body freak out from Blake getting us both pretty wet I decided to move us to the shower. We stripped down, got in and started the wild thrashing coupled with blood curdling screams. I'm pretty sure he was reliving his early episode almost drowning the entire time! It was so sad and 30 minutes goes by super duper slow when your child is having so much drama. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800261351/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1152 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1152" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4800261351_4432f8a819_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Other then those bits of time we have really had a great day. I'm realizing more and more how not so clear my kids talk since no one but me seems to understand what they say. I feel a bit like a parrot telling everyone what they are saying all the time. They seem so clear to me. Darn those mommy goggles! I mean hearing aids! <br />
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All the images on here are from the other day out front. I pulled out the camera to take a couple shots and ended up taking 90. Maybe that really qualifies as a few for me. Guy doesn't like the no shirts {especially for Madison}, but I was being lazy not wanting to put their bathing suits on. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800890828/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1106 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1106" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4800890828_1009ee9487_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800258091/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1108 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1108" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4800258091_c1771747f6_b.jpg" width="800" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800258445/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1110 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1110" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4800258445_7aebb556ed_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800258675/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1112 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1112" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4800258675_769babd6e6_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800892572/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1116 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1116" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4800892572_c74e8980de_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800892824/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1117 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1117" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4800892824_8fdc6a692d_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800893086/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1119 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1119" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4800893086_1b2b5b059a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800260145/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1124 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1124" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4800260145_2de4fbee21_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Blake is smelling Madison's knee to see if it is stinky. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800894336/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1142 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1142" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4800894336_632f8b0dee_b.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Not stinky, but it sure was funny. Hope you have a great drama free day!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800894718/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1144 by Lifelong Impressions {was Pics1vball}, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1144" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4800894718_23fd7bdc54_b.jpg" width="800" /></a>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-86342171452996496992010-07-16T22:48:00.000-04:002010-07-16T22:48:15.822-04:00:-)<div style="text-align: center;">Are you callin my mom a bad blogger?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4800895136/" title="LI Blog Jul1610-1154 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Jul1610-1154" height="541" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4800895136_dc3a16b51a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-27872726402412641352010-07-03T13:59:00.001-04:002010-07-03T14:04:27.699-04:00Funny kiddo stuff & a Question<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756215295/" title="Us Jul10_1017 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1017" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4756215295_c9caa94621_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I skipped a couple days in my quest to write in the blog every day. The big issue came when I had to buy the new Lightroom since the beta version expires today. It took a couple days to update the new catalogue and do some much needed image back up for both personal and business images. <br />
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{I think Madison looks like Kim Catrell here}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756218081/" title="Us Jul10_1019 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1019" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4756218081_b54aa9f08a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We went shopping days ago for groceries. I grabbed a frozen pizza for the kids & I. When Guy came back from grabbing a missed item we started discussing how much he was not a fan of frozen pizza {who is?}. I ended up putting the pizza back after deciding he would pick up a pizza on his way home from work sometime this week. We never discussed it again. Yesterday the kids ran out to meet Guy when he drove into the driveway. Blake said hi and then started looking past Guy into the car. He holds his palms up and hands out saying, "Pizza?" What an amazing memory! Guy didn't disappoint him again by showing up tonight with a yummy pizza! They both ate a ton. He ate 2 1/2 pieces. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756858870/" title="Us Jul10_1020 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1020" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4756858870_b093132383_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This morning I gave the kids a choice in what they would wear. After putting all of Madison's shorts out on the floor she immediately picked out a light pink plaid pair. As I was scooping them up to put them back in the drawer she changed her mind very insistently saying she wanted the purple pair. For Blake I pulled out two pairs. There was a cool pair of funky stone colored cargos and a plain camouflage pair. He definitely wanted to were the camo shorts. It's so funny and amazing to me watching their preferences develop. <br />
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{Doesn't she look so cute?}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756224735/" title="Us Jul10_1021 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1021" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4756224735_5c83e1171c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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All that above text was written Thursday for the second time. It all got lost when I moved my computer into the kitchen for a design consultation. Once again I got distracted overall by work and doing some revised editing on the kids two year shoot. <br />
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We've decided to replace the large image hanging in our living room taken on the Great Ocean Road in Australia with something bright & bold of the kids. My issue is if we should do a storyboard, only one kid or one shot with both kids. It's just that I'm not in Love Love Love with any shot of the two of them together, though I like plenty of them. I don't think it would really matter if only one kid was featured. Do you want to weigh in with any thoughts? <br />
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{Weird camera tilt, awesome eyes}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756873956/" title="Us Jul10_1025 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1025" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4756873956_c8d466db2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Tonight Guy mentioned it was about time for bed. Blake did his typical sentence structure reply, "No. Night night Blakie, No!" Sometimes he doesn't begin with a no which can get pretty confusing since we think he is making a positive statement until we hear the no at the end. Anyway, the next thing he says made us laugh. "I want to go to a hotel. No, night night Blakie, no." Does this mean we travel too much? :-)<br />
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Sandy brought her sweet newborn 4th child over for a newborn session. The kids were so excited to spend a few minutes with her after our session. She was so gracious to allow my two year olds to hold her especially on a porch floor, and she smartly kept a hand on her the entire time.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756803074/" title="Us Jul10_1001 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1001" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4756803074_bac10ddeaa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Maddie did a surprising job of holding her for a while. Blake is checking them out here.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756169563/" title="Us Jul10_1002 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1002" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4756169563_20252fa64d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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She's so excited, and little Saleah slept through all the jostling. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756810710/" title="Us Jul10_1003 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1003" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4756810710_6e54f186cc_z.jpg" width="448" /></a><br />
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Blake asked me to take his picture specifically. Love it! He doesn't ask me very often.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756180171/" title="Us Jul10_1005 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1005" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4756180171_f6f095f8c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The light is so pretty on my screened porch between the house & garage.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756184587/" title="Us Jul10_1006 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1006" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4756184587_5491629cb6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A good example of why mom kept her hand on Saleah. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756190727/" title="Us Jul10_1009 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1009" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4756190727_0661bab640_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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So sweet<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756824940/" title="Us Jul10_1007 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1007" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4756824940_8906f602cc_z.jpg" width="435" /></a><br />
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Blake really wanted to hold her...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756194485/" title="Us Jul10_1010 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1010" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4756194485_129dce5576_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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But was happily done two seconds later letting go right after this image snapped.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756198019/" title="Us Jul10_1011 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1011" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4756198019_d048958105_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Last week I found a cool Fan page on Facebook called the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inner-Hooker/185829030931?ref=ts">Inner Hooker</a>. She sells patterns for a lot of things us photographers like to use as props. She put a call out for testers and my fingers flew to type in a quick 'Pick Me.' <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756210241/" title="Us Jul10_1015 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1015" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4756210241_ccc576c4d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I think I made it a bit loose and I thought I had the right yarn on hand then didn't.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756204119/" title="Us Jul10_1013 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1013" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4756204119_f441132f74_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I must say it was the first pattern I've ever followed! Yeah, as much stuff as I make it is all just thrown together. <br />
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This color looks absolutely stunning with Madison's eye color!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4756201207/" title="Us Jul10_1012 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jul10_1012" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4756201207_73ecc60407_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-17650001667348414242010-06-27T23:32:00.000-04:002010-06-27T23:32:25.442-04:00Baby it's hot out there<div style="text-align: center;">The temperature gauge on my car said it was 99 degrees on the way to church. With the humidity around here it means more like 110 in Phoenix speak. This minus the moisture sucking wave that hits you upon first exposure. Around here it is more like an immediate adding of moisture. This brings me back to softball yesterday. Have you ever noticed that shady sweat and sunny sweat smell completely different?... Yeah, I know that sounds weird. Think about it though. Most of the time when I sweat it isn't really stinky. However, on a hot sunny day when I'm actively working my body is completely offensive to me. :-) Maybe everyone else wasn't knocked out by me, but then my normal smeller is pretty sensitive like a pregnant woman's. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today is day three of blogging every day. I'm realizing how much I missed blogging. There are so many things that haven't been recorded in the last few months due to my lack of blogging. Bummer. One thing I forgot to mention is their two year stats. They aren't the top of the charts like they used to be. Blakie is coming in at only the 70th percentile and Mads is at the 90th. They weigh about 33-35 pounds. He is 35.5 inches tall, and she is 36.5. The girl is still bigger then the boy. The other day someone thought she was whining when he was since he still sounds like a girl too. ha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today we are in for a treat! Guy got out the camera all on his own. With his work schedule and the twins naps they stayed home from church. He got them to play in the wiggly water sprayer. They had a great time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741111402/" title="Us Jun10 2103 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2103 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4741111402_56fe1c959f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake is one of the most expressive people. He also forges ahead with whatever is on his agenda.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741113990/" title="Us Jun10 2104 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2104 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4741113990_b063d224d4_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy tells me he knew I'd love this shot when he took it. I do. She is holding herself so tall, but the little girl details of the chubby belly and around the knees. And what is that expression?! I'd love to know what she was plotting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741114410/" title="Us Jun10 2105 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2105 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4741114410_3600030e12_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe it was this run through the water.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741114946/" title="Us Jun10 2106 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2106 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4741114946_d899b7cd8f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Auntie Corri will be happy to see the awesome shades she helped Madison pick out. Anytime she wears these shades people stop us to comment on how adorable she is. When our niece, Karissa, was visiting last week we went into a Claire's {or something like it} for the first time in her life. Maddie was in super heaven! She went from rack to rack trying on glasses, little purses, hats & anything else she could swipe off the shelf. Karissa bought her some adorable butterfly earrings she has been proudly wearing ever since. I think I'm going to be in trouble on the accessory front once she gets a little older.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741115424/" title="Us Jun10 2109 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2109 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4741115424_8d78cdb5a2_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is nothing cuter then seeing these guys hold hands and make sure the other is doing well on their journey through life. Just tonight Blake sat with Madison in her little chair made for one. Each of the had a cheek hanging off one side of the chair, and he had his arm around her shoulder as they sat there. They never let me get a picture of them being so sweet to each other. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4740480359/" title="Us Jun10 2108 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2108 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4740480359_6d4bc363b8_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4741116492/" title="Us Jun10 2107 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2107 web" height="548" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4741116492_91d776e3bc_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-4242447591152050862010-06-26T23:47:00.000-04:002010-06-26T23:47:05.773-04:00The end of a season.<div style="text-align: center;">I have loved softball since I was a little girl. Fortunately last year my old neighbor invited me out to play on a church league with her. Oh YEAH! Sadly our season came to an end tonight. Happily we are the champs! Everyone has gelled together so well with good natured ribbing & some great playing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So many people have helped out with the kids on the many evenings Guy has had to work during my games. There were other kids of players, parents of players, spectators from the church & a few helpers I brought along. On each occasion I tried to thank them up to the point of groveling {kidding}, but seriously there is a special place in my heart for each of my amazing helpers. It has been great to get out there and play. Playing sports is kinda my thing after photography. I wish I could be doing some kind of organized sport at least once a week. The kids have also certainly enjoyed their time with all the 'nanny's' and 'poppy's' {as they call anyone with grey hair} along with their love of just being out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A camera is not really something I want to worry about while playing and keeping an eye out for where the kids are. This was the first time I was able to bring it to a game. The moments before the championship match on tournament day is a pretty good place to have one. It's too bad we lost the match and had to play just one more to win the championship. I think it was the first game we lost in weeks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4736968581/" title="Us Jun10 2101 web by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Jun10 2101 web" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4736968581_3748357597_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the great times ladies and coaches!!!</div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-46552542986309354742010-06-25T22:49:00.000-04:002010-06-25T22:49:31.485-04:00Love of children<div style="text-align: center;">It's absolutely amazing to me how much I love my children. I thought I'd love them, but the actuality is really cool. There are no words to really express what it is or how it feels. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4656268061/" title="Us May10_1053 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us May10_1053" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4656268061_407e9149b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Back when I was pregnant the babies didn't feel like real people no matter how many times I felt them move or saw them on ultrasound. Being a high risk pregnancy we had a Lot of ultrasounds. Whenever we discussed names I refused to call them a name before they were born. It was a good thing to since they both got their number 2 choice names and not the number 1 choices we thought they would fit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When Blake was born they laid him on my still enormous belly. My first thought was, "Yep, that's a baby boy covered in goo, let them go get him cleaned up and get the other one out." So romantic & loving, right? We did have a stubborn girl in my belly who we were trying to see if she went down head first after he came out or not. She didn't so was tried to force to move. Nope, she came out the wrong way {c-section}. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After being put back together, recovery and clean up we finally got a chance to properly meet our babies in our room. They were nice to hold & I started to get a feeling about their personalities. The first few months were spent getting to know who they are. The super love I feel for them now started out as a joy in being a parent finally while settling into my parenting style. It comes about so naturally with all the little interactions throughout each day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've started a new thing the last few weeks when the kids wake up from their naps. I greet them like we've been apart for weeks and ask if they had a great nap. Blake especially seems to swell in happiness before my eyes after the ecstatic greeting. These choices we make that seem so little at the time can sometimes become the stuff of our greatest memories later on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure what made me wax on so this evening. Maybe it's the photo above. I love it. </div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-24355953800502151822010-05-30T23:27:00.000-04:002010-05-30T23:27:59.842-04:00We got GuyThis morning I worked with the kids a little before we called Daddy at work. When Guy answered the phone Blake loudly proclaimed, "Happy Birthday!" Then I put the phone over by Madison who also proclaimed, "Happy Birthday!" Guy loved it. I think it made his day to have his two sweet two year olds so excitedly wish him a happy birthday. Unfortunately, Guy, has food poisoning or a stomach bug. Hopefully, he feels better by tomorrow. <br />
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Today I had my third close call while driving this week. The first two were pretty spiritual experiences for me. Yes, weird, but true. <br />
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#1 On my way home from softball game Tuesday I found myself driving slow. When I thought about it I felt it was a good thing {normally a very lead foot}. I turned onto Cornwallis & saw three deer running through an old trailer park to towards the curve in the road. I got them to slow down & stop by driving a bit at them. After rounding the curve I saw a car coming really fast which I flashed my lights at a few times to get them to slow down along with the car a bit behind them. My feelings are that my slowing them down made it so someone coming around that corner didn't hit one of them. <br />
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#2 I dropped off my friend, Kim, at home after returning from the beach sessions in Atlantic Beach. Normally I drive pretty fast out of her neighborhood and once again found myself going a little slower then normal. Again I felt I should go slow and now speed up like normal. About 5 seconds later I came up to a curve where a school bus was coming around it fast right in the center of the road. It would have hit me head on being so much in my lane had I been going even a couple MPH more. <br />
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#3 We were on the way home from church today. The kids often talk about what is passing in their view as we drive. There was a large boat being pulled by a big pick up truck to our left. They were getting excited & I looked in the rear view mirror talking to them about the boat. When I brought my eye back to the front the trucks front end was coming into my lane. I had to make a decision on if he was just drifting a little or coming into my lane. I determined he sure was coming into my lane. Slamming on the brake or gassing it wouldn't have worked since their was a lot of length with the truck and boat. I looked ahead to check out the shoulder. Luckily we were in an area with a pretty flat shoulder that looked pretty solid and grassy. I let off the gas and moved to the shoulder at the same pace he was coming into my lane. By the time I fully was on the shoulder we had slowed enough to be behind him and able to get back into the lane. When I got into the left lane & passed him he looked like he wasn't even aware he ran us off the road! <br />
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For me #3 was a moment of celebration. There was no panic, just quick analytical decision making with no hesitation or over reaction. Many people would have jerked over to the shoulder or slammed on the brake in a knee jerk reaction which is more likely to become an accident. I really think it has something to do with being a what if person. I often think of what if situations. What if this happened? What should I do? By doing this I've actually been pretty prepared in many situations with quick reactions to situations. Of course, being in a ton of car accidents in my life has also probably made me hyper aware of how these huge chunks of metal & other crap can become a deadly weapon in the hands of distracted, complacent and aggressive drivers {more the first two!}. <br />
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Here are more images from the kids two year shoot. If you are seeing this on Facebook they are all different images & all ones I like better then the ones on Facebook! <br />
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My sweet baby girl! Guy said recently that Blake brings the excitement and Madison brings the love. He couldn't have put it more perfectly. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634423316/" title="Us Apr10_1453.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1453.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4634423316_0a8297e160_o.jpg" width="571" /></a><br />
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These particular pants do not stay snapped. I never can remember which ones they are until Blake has been wearing them for a while. We are so happy I didn't know those where the ones I grabbed for this photo shoot. Really, this whole shot wouldn't be nearly as cute with perfect pants.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633826133/" title="Us Apr10_1462.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1462.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4633826133_7be70d2b39_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Here we are singing their favorite wiggles song. The one about putting the bear to sleep. "Everybody clap."<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633826521/" title="Us Apr10_1463.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1463.jpg" height="481" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4633826521_0461b5894f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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"Turn around. Yeeee Heeee."<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633827013/" title="Us Apr10_1466.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1466.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/4633827013_d49d96d6dd_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Here we got to the line repeated two or three times depending on if it is the first or second time the song is sung. "Bear's asleep. Shhhh shhhh shhhh." We love this picture so much for every little detail in it. Maddy doing the sleep and Blake the shhhh, Blake's pants again, Maddy's leg bruises & scrapped nose, how they are kind of looking down & just everything. I'm getting a hard case cover for my phone with this image on it! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633827367/" title="Us Apr10_1467.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1467.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4633827367_a3c1565cde_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Kim's son came up to his mom in church today to let her know Madison has a lisp. The leaders were blowing bubbles for the kids while waiting for the parents to come pick them up. She ran up to me to say, "Bubbleth!" I hadn't even noticed. Guy says he used to talk that way as a kid. Kim mentioned how she used to do that and her family made her place her tongue behind her teeth instead of between them. Sure enough, I had Maddy say bubbles for Guy and her tongue was between her teeth instead of behind them. Hmmmm. I love smart people who figure this stuff out. Who knew the tongue was so important?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634425760/" title="Us Apr10_1471.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1471.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/4634425760_bae15e4ca3_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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We are trying to teach them how to catch. Not working so far. :-)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633828497/" title="Us Apr10_1474.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1474.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4633828497_d3d37eb90e_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Happiness from head to toe!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634426744/" title="Us Apr10_1479.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1479.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/4634426744_ab5379986c_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Lovin on the bear.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634427218/" title="Us Apr10_1486.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1486.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/4634427218_1c52c3d470_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Double cuddles... I know what double cuddles feels like. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633829789/" title="Us Apr10_1487.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1487.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4633829789_2250271583_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Was I boring him? <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633830441/" title="Us Apr10_1490.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1490.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4633830441_7395ebda16_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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Such a boy. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633831183/" title="Us Apr10_1492.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1492.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4633831183_4af922ba65_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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He's checking out daddy's badge. The hat is from his uncle Jareth. The badge on the hat is from his great poppy. The bear is from his great nanny & poppy. The handcuffs were just hanging out in the car so I grabbed them.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634429798/" title="Us Apr10_1494.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1494.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4634429798_3d6eba6b77_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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My awesome friend, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tammy-Fisher-Photography/91139301869?ref=ts">Tammy</a>, got a new studio set up. She let me come over And she helped with the crazy little people I call my kids! Here she is showing Blake how it's done. Love it!!! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634430366/" title="Us Apr10_1497.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1497.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4634430366_2bf8e7f3d9_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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He got it!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634430944/" title="Us Apr10_1500.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1500.jpg" height="707" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/4634430944_cb488e3492_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Maddy got in on the action. This is one of my top three favorites of her.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633833569/" title="Us Apr10_1507.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1507.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4633833569_ccf63865e9_o.jpg" width="531" /></a><br />
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There she goes again.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634432178/" title="Us Apr10_1510.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1510.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/4634432178_e49b2579dc_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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He finally looked at me while jumping. He looks so little here.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634433718/" title="Us Apr10_1512.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1512.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4634433718_d7fb3dc766_o.jpg" width="540" /></a><br />
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The joy of playing with cool stuff. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634434266/" title="Us Apr10_1517.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1517.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4634434266_c31e37dd6c_o.jpg" width="599" /></a><br />
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Love this quiet moment!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634435576/" title="Us Apr10_1523.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1523.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/4634435576_627a41f067_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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And this funny look while fixing her hair.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633837945/" title="Us Apr10_1532.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1532.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4633837945_bba578c5b9_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Typical look and smile.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633843073/" title="Us Apr10_1541.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1541.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4633843073_4d2a418460_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Another of my favorites. I was trying to get them to do something here, but she obviously wasn't wanting to. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633842343/" title="Us Apr10_1539.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1539.jpg" height="552" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4633842343_450bbd08e8_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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He set up the stool and chairs for this. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634437010/" title="Us Apr10_1535.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1535.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/4634437010_b3ac590dae_o.jpg" width="637" /></a><br />
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Cuties.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633844295/" title="Us Apr10_1546.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1546.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4633844295_2c87b42a88_o.jpg" width="557" /></a><br />
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Then it was tickle time.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633845339/" title="Us Apr10_1555.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1555.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4633845339_04fdde2036_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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More tickles.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633845849/" title="Us Apr10_1557.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1557.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4633845849_7636850994_o.jpg" width="536" /></a><br />
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LOVE IT! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634444394/" title="Us Apr10_1563.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1563.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4634444394_f94c0d8f02_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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</span></span></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-69199814239590932732010-05-23T23:42:00.000-04:002010-05-23T23:42:54.999-04:00Our trip was great! - Some two year imagesMy friend just got a studio set up, and she was gracious enough to let me come take the kids two year images there! I acted just like so many other parents and got all huffy about the kids misbehavior. Well, they gave me awesome shots with all their antics & lasted a full two hours with no real snacks right before bedtime. They really are good kids.<br />
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Here are a couple tonight. This series is the first set of shots we took. Blake decided to be a little stinker and Madison was trying to be helpful. I LOVE the result even though I thought we were doomed to a terrible session when they were doing it. Blake is wearing an Australian Rules Football jumper & scarf from Guy's favorite team. Madison has on a new petit skirt & a funny shirt. I wanted them to look like they do all the time & not all perfectly put together. <br />
{I'm not super thrilled with my edits as I think the background should be whiter, but I really don't feel like redoing it right now}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633822847/" title="Us Apr10_1447.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1447.jpg" height="526" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/4633822847_249d0e6990_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634421440/" title="Us Apr10_1449.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1449.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4634421440_4c0ced6df4_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633823967/" title="Us Apr10_1450.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1450.jpg" height="546" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4633823967_e054036b61_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4633824365/" title="Us Apr10_1451.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1451.jpg" height="505" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/4633824365_cfa8bf3852_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4634422848/" title="Us Apr10_1452.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Apr10_1452.jpg" height="540" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4634422848_bae536b52e_o.jpg" width="800" /></a>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-82168871276493142952010-04-28T00:55:00.000-04:002010-04-28T00:55:35.477-04:00Life is back to normal!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Can I say how excited I am to finally have gotten rid of the backlog!!! I now have a normal workload scheduled for the foreseeable future. Lovely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558524493/" title="Us Feb10_1092.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1092.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/4558524493_97744a3ca5_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We only have just over a week before we head to Atlanta, Tampa and then the fabulous Miami. We are starting to get all excited for our trip. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday I edited all of our personal images from February. I'll share a few {hundred... lol} with some comments about our month.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We spent a LOT of time in the bathroom with potty training. We do find it somewhat annoying to have to drop everything to take one {usually both} to the bathroom. But I wouldn't want them back in diapers again either!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559152322/" title="Us Feb10_1003.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1003.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/4559152322_815e53cd1e_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She may have been tired of me taking her picture here. Or she was just playing at making faces. This forgetfulness is why I should process and blog our images much faster! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559149766/" title="Us Feb10_1011.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1011.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4559149766_8ea9df9d95_o.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were so many images that jumped out at me as my favorites. This is one of them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559148622/" title="Us Feb10_1015.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1015.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4559148622_bf5b699194_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She looks happy. And talkative.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558516711/" title="Us Feb10_1026.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1026.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4558516711_73deac746f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to capture all the daily moments. Someday we won't have brightly colored dishes just for them. The sippy cups will be gone. Well, we already stopped using these, but Maddy {the milk LOVER} pointed at the cup in the image expressing her excitement and calling it milk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558512027/" title="Us Feb10_1043.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1043.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4558512027_48012d80bc_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake is Mr. Expressive. He has so many faces expressing every nuance of his thoughts and feelings. The saddest and sweetest look he gives is in the car. We are often out in the car right up to nap or bed time. He falls asleep easily. We ask him to stay awake. He does, but the look he gives us is so cute and sad. I need to capture it one of these days. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558514061/" title="Us Feb10_1034.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1034.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/4558514061_d254c87db1_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Waffles are yummy. My friend gave her kids waffles with peanut butter when I was over at her house. Genius! The kids love it. So the one shown has some butter and maybe syrup, but I wanted to share about the peanut butter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558510981/" title="Us Feb10_1047.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1047.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4558510981_c924d62d90_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another favorite image.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559139188/" title="Us Feb10_1050.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1050.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/4559139188_df781b93bb_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw this frozen puddle while out at a photo shoot. No matter how I edit the image it doesn't even compare to the beauty of this puddle and the patterns in the ice in person. It was captivating. To me anyway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559138346/" title="Us Feb10_1096.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1096.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/4559138346_4989e842ff_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This girl loves hats! Loves them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559137364/" title="Us Feb10_1051.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1051.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/4559137364_4092594209_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558506347/" title="Us Feb10_1058.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1058.jpg" height="572" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/4558506347_1159c3c161_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Satisfaction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559134148/" title="Us Feb10_1063.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1063.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/4559134148_5810247e4e_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My funny little man. We were playing tickles. Starting a couple weeks ago they started verbally asking me to tickle them. We usually have tickle time at least once a day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559133708/" title="Us Feb10_1066.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1066.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4559133708_2493353429_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this face. He always gets me. Oh, and he tries to get out of being in trouble with a cute smile.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558503875/" title="Us Feb10_1067.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1067.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/4558503875_c6bd6bb362_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I usually stick to my guns with the discipline he needs to learn and grow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559131594/" title="Us Feb10_1079.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1079.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4559131594_821eee4693_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of his favorite things is throwing items. Pretty much anything. Tonight at my baseball game he clocked our friend's daughter in the face with a softball by accident. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559131128/" title="Us Feb10_1082.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1082.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/4559131128_9293ce1fcf_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have no idea, but love it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4559130272/" title="Us Feb10_1089.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1089.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/4559130272_ffa21f6e7a_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And both their faces here too. Oh, another new development, besides speaking in sentences!!, is to smile on command for pictures. Someone told one or both of them to smile recently and there it was. Not a funny weird picture smile either. Lucky!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558499917/" title="Us Feb10_1091.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1091.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/4558499917_a38de93a62_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake spotted this image on Sunday and said, "Blake helping Daddy." It amazes me how much they remember and are reminded of when they see images. The cruise collage we have up definitely keeps their memory alive of our trip. They spot the pictures and start talking about the various things we did on the cruise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558499029/" title="Us Feb10_1099.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1099.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/4558499029_ae6da45842_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake and Madison both love to help. Especially Blake. He loves to go and do and figure things out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4558498339/" title="Us Feb10_1101.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Feb10_1101.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4558498339_c505cf893f_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is now Way past my bedtime so I'm off to bed.</div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-31059660111222030982010-04-16T23:21:00.000-04:002010-04-16T23:21:34.062-04:00We areWe are so happy! Check out the photography blog and the Lifelong Impressions Facebook fan page to see some of the sweet images I've been able to be a part of recently. The great news is my backlog is finally gone! It is now onto a normal manageable work week for me. Love it! Here is a picture that just made me smile while editing a session. So cute!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4526810083/" title="LI Blog Apr16 10 4 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="LI Blog Apr16 10 4" height="587" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4526810083_ca33c33e1a_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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We are enjoying the visit of Guy's parents. The kids get so excited every single time the see them after a nap or sleep. It's like they are completely surprised they are still here. The twins birthday is very close to their great grandmother's birthday. She passed away just before they were born. Today Guy's dad requested a picture of him, Guy and the twins. We made it into a card he sent to his sister. I love it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4526814539/" title="Mums card by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Mums card" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4526814539_7de2718e0c_b.jpg" width="742" /></a><br />
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We are headed to bed now.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-63789442295998969832010-04-05T09:48:00.000-04:002010-04-05T09:48:52.731-04:00More cruise pics & conversations<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of my favorite images from this next batch of cruise photos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hardly ever get them in the same photo together. Yes, for me this means maybe a couple times every other time we take pictures. It still feels like they are few and far between.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480254245/" title="Us Mar10_1101.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1101.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4480254245_9ebe77936b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love looking at the kids natural expressions of curiosity. It looks like Maddy got my big ears without the stick out part. This means they will not really be noticeable in most cases! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480242077/" title="Us Mar10_1170.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1170.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4480242077_17cb9f9a12.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake has the most interesting and expressive eyes. He can communicate volumes with his eyes alone. They also photograph big with bright clear whites.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480890900/" title="Us Mar10_1171.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1171.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4480890900_4f22675030.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These two are so sweet and loving to each other most of the time. I love how they share and show affection. The other day Guy was having an ice cream pop dipped in chocolate. He was sharing with Blake when suddenly Blake ran out of the room. Guy hears Blake telling Madison there is ice cream and to come. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480241619/" title="Us Mar10_1173.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1173.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4480241619_b2cdfe4df7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">My conversation with Blake:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me - Blake say 'My'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - My</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me - Mommy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - Mommy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Me - is</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - Awesome!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He said it with tons of excitement. That boy just melts me. That evening I excitedly tell Guy about what happened. Here's what happens next....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy - Blake say 'My'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - My</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy - Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy - is</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake says nothing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guy says while gesturing to Blake to say something - is.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake - Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">LOL. Now that is funny. Daddy is daddy and Mommy is AWESOME!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the toddler pool slide Blake cracked his chin open on when the seas were so rough. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They loved going on it. Blake ran to get back on as fast as he could each time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480907642/" title="Us Mar10_1076.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1076.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4480907642_a503828788.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Madison loved it. She was also happy watching Blake's excitement as he ran & squealed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480257481/" title="Us Mar10_1082.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1082.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4480257481_1ace752bc7.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome splash</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480906130/" title="Us Mar10_1085.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1085.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4480906130_2c68eeecec.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This photo is so cute. She is listening intently to Guy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480256699/" title="Us Mar10_1088.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1088.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4480256699_833df7bea4.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They had music playing over the loud speakers. Madison is showing us her moves here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480904198/" title="Us Mar10_1096.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1096.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4480904198_3b3abcb359.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This face cracks me up with his anticipation of the super wet face. Check out his hand too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480254609/" title="Us Mar10_1100.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1100.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4480254609_70073abe86.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He was so excited to go down he would fling himself down without sitting down. This is one of the few times he mostly sat down before letting go. The tongue out is so cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480253793/" title="Us Mar10_1102.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1102.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4480253793_81b0901002.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">YEAH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480251597/" title="Us Mar10_1117.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1117.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4480251597_677a29b1d2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The big pool with daddy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480899308/" title="Us Mar10_1127.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1127.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4480899308_dd9bef8679.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think only Guy is super dad enough to hold a kid while catching another jumping at him while not really touching the bottom. I was surprised at how deep it was. I could barely get a toe on the bottom in the shallow end! We were both surprised at how comfortable the kids were in the water. I think they definitely need to learn to swim since they have NO fear of the water. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480898370/" title="Us Mar10_1131.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1131.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4480898370_f255a8732a_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our little lumpa love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480248469/" title="Us Mar10_1135.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1135.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4480248469_267f87e0d4.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Interesting</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480896084/" title="Us Mar10_1140.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1140.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4480896084_596691f9ab.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were out on the dance floor learning to salsa dance, but we decided to hang out over in the lounge area after our potty time break.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480895728/" title="Us Mar10_1143.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1143.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4480895728_6c2daaec73.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids are starting to want to take lots of pictures themselves. This one is my nicely focused teeth. lol They haven't quite gotten the focus concept yet. They do know the buttons to take a picture, show pictures and navigate through the images.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480245883/" title="Us Mar10_1147.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1147.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4480245883_b89389b9e7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cool Maddy with Daddy's glasses on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480245437/" title="Us Mar10_1148.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1148.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4480245437_639c3109f4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blake is doing his thing. Maybe he was spotting a ship out the window or just loving the water. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480244667/" title="Us Mar10_1150.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1150.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4480244667_647d0fc504.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another kid shot. This time I'm nicely in focus & the composition isn't too bad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480893372/" title="Us Mar10_1151.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1151.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/4480893372_082b6dbd6f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He did NOT want to leave the lounge for lunch. They pretty much hated every meal we had on the ship. Other then meal time they did so well the entire cruise. But they didn't whine any more often then they whine at home so it was still awesome! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480244011/" title="Us Mar10_1156.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1156.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4480244011_0dc67f1422.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love pretty much everything about this photo. The wind, soft light, her body movement, the profile, her dress, how all the colors work together. She loved how the wind came in from between the glass panels. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480892614/" title="Us Mar10_1159.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1159.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4480892614_e16493711f.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love this one too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480892092/" title="Us Mar10_1162.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1162.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4480892092_d960218230.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480242839/" title="Us Mar10_1164.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1164.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4480242839_2f6792d053.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This shot screams a warm summer afternoon of happy family time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480890388/" title="Us Mar10_1174.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1174.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4480890388_5a7c4a7a91.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was a test shot for the exposure that I love. Maddy and Blake are talking to each other. He loves to give her instruction on what he thinks she should be doing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480890072/" title="Us Mar10_1180.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1180.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4480890072_0838a9b29b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If Madison had her way we would have been out on the deck every waking moment. She would have come home way more tan then she already did. That girl got my tanning ability. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480240771/" title="Us Mar10_1186.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1186.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4480240771_83812f832c.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We took a shot similar to this {on a sunny day} on our first cruise printed as a 20x30 and is hanging in the guest bedroom. Now we plan on doing one as a family on any cruise we do in the future. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480240419/" title="Us Mar10_1195.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1195.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4480240419_24847c140e_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"The wheels on the bus go round and round" The song has been a favorite they ask for every night before bed for a long time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4480239753/" title="Us Mar10_1200.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1200.jpg" height="335" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4480239753_b99da9942a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-16787261705379293352010-03-24T15:50:00.000-04:002010-03-24T15:50:54.745-04:00TMI - Let's talk about poop<div style="text-align: center;">{The first day of our cruise & the second morning pictures are shown.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460675382/" title="Us Mar10_1014.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1014.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4460675382_e09d3f0925_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know about you, but I'm not really an analytical person other then the quick day to day mind workings helping me make decisions. I don't get into learning the mysteries of the gospel as I'd rather master the basics first. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{There was music playing as we sailed out. Blake took turns dancing & watching everything go past.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459896225/" title="Us Mar10_1015.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1015.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4459896225_f653fd5482_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460674260/" title="Us Mar10_1016.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1016.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4460674260_42bf36af7c_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460673780/" title="Us Mar10_1017.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1017.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4460673780_884aa1c56a_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every once in a while I get to thinking. Sometimes it's about silly things like why people drive the way they do. Guy & I had a conversation on the way to the airport about how you can tell what people are planning on doing by the way they drive. Just a little drift to the left will indicate someone is about to change lanes. Yep, there went the blinker and over they go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Madison had an accident just before getting on the ship. We only had new undies so she was pants-less for a few hours.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460673340/" title="Us Mar10_1018.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1018.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4460673340_92f99c3142_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning I had an in depth analysis {thinking not touching!} of my kids poop. They eat the same things at the same times. Blake eats a bit more then she does. They both have a glass of milk in the morning & around dinner time, and they both drink water during the day. Madison drinks a bit more water then Blake. What their individual bodies do with the same amount of food & water is WAY different. Blake pees less, poops softer & more often. Madison pees way more, and has super wide dry looking poop {less stinky too}. It makes me think the book I saw a long long time ago titles something like Eat Right for Your Body Type has some basis to it. My body works better when I eat red meat at least once a week & spicy foods. Anyway, I was thinking about poop today. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{They loved being in the airport. If we could still get to the gates like back in the old days, I would take them to the airport just for fun.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460676402/" title="Us Mar10_1003.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1003.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4460676402_26d6ae1e54_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{Maddy is waving to the plane.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459897401/" title="Us Mar10_1009.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1009.jpg" height="549" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4459897401_c5ce178267_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{And so is Blake.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459897089/" title="Us Mar10_1012.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1012.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4459897089_3a83e636db_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This weather has been fantastic! We had a good time getting out into the yard for some work & play. Besides my butchered job on one of the shrubs that is! We also stopped by Crabtree Lake park this morning to use the bathroom and play on the playground equipment. I definitely want to go back there for some trail walking/biking and rent some boats. I think the kids would like to get out on the water. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{It must be hard to see everything, dance & have to look at mom when she calls.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460672990/" title="Us Mar10_1021.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1021.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/4460672990_b0961856d8_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{He is checking out the boat riding our waves.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460672580/" title="Us Mar10_1024.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1024.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4460672580_2affcb07da_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{The boat by the last bit of land we passed on our way out to sea.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459893771/" title="Us Mar10_1029.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1029.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4459893771_05e02cc9ea_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459892829/" title="Us Mar10_1034.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1034.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4459892829_051d4be3c3_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460671028/" title="Us Mar10_1035.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1035.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4460671028_63cdb651bd_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{There was a long line of boats coming in perfectly spaced.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459892109/" title="Us Mar10_1038.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1038.jpg" height="756" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4459892109_2e3682552e_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{I couldn't believe the color of the water. It is unlike any color I've seen in water before.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459891579/" title="Us Mar10_1041.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1041.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4459891579_6ff6e0cd9d_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Madison & Guy}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460669028/" title="Us Mar10_1047.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1047.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4460669028_1f7fbbe2e0_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{This is how much she loves Blake. They are always checking to see where the other one is.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459890331/" title="Us Mar10_1048.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1048.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4459890331_5015049f88_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They loved how close the pilot boat was, even though by this time they were HUNGRY.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459890041/" title="Us Mar10_1051.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1051.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4459890041_719bb8e2d2_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Bye Miami! Oh, I loved the moody sky.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459889541/" title="Us Mar10_1053.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1053.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4459889541_087ee8276f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{I also love the pinky blue light first thing in the morning as the sun was coming up. They were loving looking out over the vast expanse of water.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460667630/" title="Us Mar10_1055.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1055.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4460667630_30f0c1d58c_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{It was exciting, amazing & thrilling for them.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460667252/" title="Us Mar10_1057.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1057.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4460667252_4a963ebb96_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Booger man was constantly scanning around us to see if he saw something new.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460666906/" title="Us Mar10_1058.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1058.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4460666906_d44d4feb36_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Madison was flirting with one of the many admirers she would find on the cruise.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459888211/" title="Us Mar10_1060.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1060.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4459888211_d22a65a4f7_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{I was surprised they were so comfortable on the open stairs with another level of stairs going down under that. We found they absolutely loved both the stairs & elevators on the cruise. They laughed hysterically every time we ran up or down the stairs. Maybe it was the running part... They also loved the mirrors, which Guy hated, in all elevators. We got into the habit of calling out what floor we wanted to get off on and what floor we were at to try and curtail the quick Blake from running off at every stop.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460666148/" title="Us Mar10_1064.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1064.jpg" height="800" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4460666148_247b790c53_o.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{This one looks like an old ship to me with the funky B&W toning, light shapes, wires & smoke.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460665756/" title="Us Mar10_1065.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1065.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4460665756_f93f5941e1_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(We went from the back to the front of the ship while waiting for the buffet to open. Yes, we were up That early. The first night and morning are definitely for trying to figure out where everything is.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4460665496/" title="Us Mar10_1069.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1069.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4460665496_9bb46c2c45_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{We saw a lot of ships around us each day. Blake was a master at finding them.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459886769/" title="Us Mar10_1071.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1071.jpg" height="536" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4459886769_87e917ec85_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Since Guy isn't a fan of pictures I have a lot of his backside. The bonus in this one is I'm actually in it. Well, my shadow anyway.}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4459886229/" title="Us Mar10_1073.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Mar10_1073.jpg" height="664" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4459886229_e8b0a87a77_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-5874917897569925752010-03-18T09:32:00.000-04:002010-03-18T09:32:45.952-04:00What's worse then mice in your garage {or house}? Oh, I know...We have mice in the garage. Eawwww! We've known this for a while & have been a bit lax {ie super busy} on doing anything about it. Yesterday changed that. I'm still super grossed out. Really! Really grossed out. <br />
<br />
Yesterday I had a senior photo session in the afternoon with Tayler Boldt {for those that know her}. Another clients sister is interested in learning photography wanted to tag along. Oh yeah, love having a free assistant! Cora met me at the house when we headed out to Tayler's house with the kids since her mom, Heidi, was going to watch them. At the house I had to remove a car seat. The easiest thing was to flip it upside down into the back of the Trooper. As I did there was some liquid that dripped out onto the seat. It was yellow. Yuk. I smelled it and it smelled like pee. Both kids were dry so it had to be from some other occasion we thought they peed after getting out of the car. So not fun. Then I noticed some little black things which at first I thought was food crumbs. Nope. It was mouse poop. Not only was it under the seat, it was in the seat!!!!! How in the world did a mouse or mice get into our vehicle?!?!?!?! I felt totally offended a mouse would get into my child's car seat. I scrubbed at it with a few wipes before putting it back in to come home. Today I need to get out there and clean the SUV out before we leave tonight for a BBQ at a friends house.<br />
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I was so upset I didn't think to take any pictures of it.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-32731870977923592552010-03-14T23:49:00.001-04:002010-07-23T10:36:18.628-04:00A sneak peak at our vacation<div style="text-align: center;">Was I really thinking I'd finish all 682 photos from our vacation in a few hours today? Not really possible! I did put together a great 16x20 storyboard for our wall. I love it. The storyboard is a great peak into our trip. I'm going to love having this on the wall! It's also going to be a new option for printing instead of a canvas, photo float or framed print which I hope I love just as much as the gallery wrapped canvas. Love! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our kids really do well with traveling. They love new situations, weather conditions, people & just about anything that comes their way. They whine pretty much exactly the same amount they do at home, though it is only during meals on trips. Maybe it's not the normal tasting stuff or something. Or we let them get toooo hungry before we eat. I'm pretty sure it's our fault.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were so many photos to pick from. I could make at least 5 more of these. Hmmmm, that would make a cool statement on the wall. But no, I really need to do an actual photo shoot of the kids since we have not been following the recommended picture schedule! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Top Row Comments: {1} It was cool to be in some photos on this trip. I love how casual the pic of Maddy with me is. Her little arm looped over mine with a sweet smile. {2} Blake was being... Blake. {3} I was holding the camera to get a pic of Guy & I when Blake got in on the action. They are starting to smile on command for the camera. The whole series of these shots is funny. {4} We both LOVE this photo of Madison playing in the toddler pool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Upper Middle Row Comments: {1} We were in a cab headed to the beach on Tortola after an hour walk around town. {2} Blake is there fresh from the ships surgical center with three staples in his chin coloring on the bed. {3} The shot of our feet as we're looking off the ship is a similar shot to one we have hanging in the spare bedroom of Guy & I on our first cruise. It also had the life vest with the ship name on it in front of us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Middle Row Comments: {1} Blake & Maddy descided to say prayers while we were hanging out on deck. {2-3} Madison & Blake in the toddler pool. It's another shot both of us love. {4} The kids looking out at he ocean our first morning. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bottom Middle Row Comments: {1} Hanging out in the hammock on NCL's private beach. We totally scored a sweet spot that no one else came to for hours. {2} Madison glancing over at Blake while Guy held her. They had been looking out at the ocean together. {3} An upside down boat on Samana, Dominican Republic. If you look closely you can see the trash that covers any spot a human was in contact with on the island. {4} The kids in the ocean with Guy on Tortola.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bottom Row Comments: {1} Blake on Guy's chest. {2} Guy transporting the twins while I had the carry on's, carseats and smaller bags with the stroller. {3} Madison in Guy's sunglasses while we hung out midday in the lounge during a salsa dancing lesson. {4} Me & my Blakie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4434437408/" title="WH Blog Mar14 10 1 by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="WH Blog Mar14 10 1" height="1000" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4434437408_f4996c3e86_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-65650092613349109292010-03-13T23:56:00.000-05:002010-03-13T23:56:47.136-05:00Personal photo day approachesI'm so excited to get the cruise pictures done tomorrow & start sharing out story! I have loads of work to do with six sessions to finish or start processing & am definitely excited to get to our personal stuff tomorrow.<br />
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Wooo Hooo! <br />
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Blake got his staples out yesterday. I told him in the morning he would be getting them out and it would hurt, but not for long. When we were called back into the doctors office he was the first one following her until it came time to walk in the room. It was definitely a procedure room that must have reminded him of the cruise ship's medical facility. He started backing right out. We had him come back in and explained he would be getting his staples out which would hurt. He tearfully & bravely put up with getting him on the table. When the first one came out he cried because of the pain. She said he was doing a good job, to which he said it right back to her with his teary voice & a tear coming out of his eye. He put up with the three staples coming out. She had him wait a couple minutes {getting a cuddle from daddy}, and then had him look up to take a look at the site under his chin. As soon as that was done he basked in the praise dished out & happily went to the sticker drawer down the hall. He really did an awesome job. <br />
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Time for bed!Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4090294074379928522.post-54880514925363210352010-03-10T22:56:00.000-05:002010-03-10T22:56:12.828-05:00A few Blake & Madison updates & tidbitsI responded to a Q&A on a popular twin blog called <a href="http://nbjenni.blogspot.com/">The Foster Family</a> I like to read. It has some info I've wanted to put on my blog so I just copied it here. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">When did or will you start potty training? I read somewhere you can potty train a kiddo at 22 months even if they show no interest. We put our twins in undies a week before they turned 22 months 5 weeks ago. It has gone wonderfully with some accidents that get less and less all the time. They are now consistantly telling me when they need to go, able to hold it for a few minutes or more until we get to a potty & have started being comfortable going poo on the potty. This with the last week spent on a cruise with no set schedule and NO potty seat!<br />
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* When did or will you move into toddler beds? We switched their cribs to the toddler setting months ago. I think right around 18-19 months.<br />
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* What types of activities do you do to entertain your toddler? Our twins entertain themselves a lot. They love puzzles, coloring, blocks, dolls, legos & especially the flash cards. We have a small house they so they can only get out one type of toy at a time. Right now they are good at cleaning up & helping.<br />
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* I need some quick/easy toddler meal suggestions! Tortilla with refried beans & cheese folded in half on the stove set to medium high to melt the cheese & crisp the tortilla a bit. Including cool down it only takes 10 minutes. You can also put some tomato & other random stuff in there including chicken, beef, rice and corn which are all tasty. It's also easy to do an adult version with jalapenos, red pepper or salsa at the same time.<br />
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* When should we drop the sippy cup? We decided to do this on our cruise last week at 22 months old, when both my hubby and I could be around for damage control during meals. In one week they are pretty good at it! Today I started having cups by me, they have to stand by me while they drink since they are still careless & playful with them.<br />
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* How do you handle time outs? We don't call it time out & we decided no counting either. They are told what their choice is & if they don't do it they have to sit. If one does something wrong we tell them sternly to SIT. They know it means they are in trouble and will sit most of the time. I'm thinking this wont work for much longer then we'll reevaluate. My hubby tells them, "I need to talk to you." whenever they are in trouble. The kids are responding really well to him by stopping crying, whining or pouting to listen to what he has to say about their misdeeds.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I have finally consented to let the kids try using forks & spoons more. As a result they are getting better and better at using them! Madison did a fantastic job eating soup by herself one day on the cruise. We also found out on the cruise Blake is definitely a meat person with bacon being his favorite meat of all. We could also coax him to eat many more things with the promise of more bacon. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Madison is little miss independent. I let her push the stroller as we were leaving the airport Saturday afternoon. Despite the fact she cannot see around or over the stroller she did not want me to help her push it up the incline. Just before we left Blake was busy entertaining everyone when he pushed the four wheeler luggage over to me from where Guy pulled it off the bag belt. Since baggage claim for Southwest here in Raleigh is definitely inclined we all watched as he came closer to me in a forward motion with the bag while getting further away sideways because of the incline. He also tipped the bag over a couple of times & did a great job of lifting it back up. Yes, it was definitely the smaller and not super sized version of the four wheeled bag. I'm still impressed with him though. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The kids absolutely loved sharing a bed & being right next to us during the cruise. Now that we are home the last two nights have not gone so well. They have gotten up no less then 5 times each night. Madison was in a complete panic the first night when she woke unable to feel or see Blake & we were also not there. At about 3:20 this morning I was having a dream where Blake was clinging to me like a leach, as it turns out he was. He even dislodged his chin bandaid in his efforts to stay attached to me as I was trying to get him off me in my half sleep. I told him he had to go back to his bed. You would think he was told we were leaving him forever.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Here are some images from our family photo shoot in October. Enjoy! They were taken by my friend, Cindy, of <a href="http://www.lilypstudio.com/">LilyP Studio</a> in Phoenix, AZ. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">My sisters, Jessica & Tawni {missing Lin}, my mom & I. Boy do I look like the odd man out with my dark hair & being so much taller! </span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422429671/" title="Us Oct09 -2035.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2035.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4422429671_857e4c5f55.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Having so fun watching Cindy trying to get the kids attention.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422459089/" title="Us Oct09 -2040.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2040.jpg" height="396" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4422459089_4f875e8cbb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Me & my sweet Maddy<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423241700/" title="Us Oct09 -2044.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2044.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4423241700_5d3823c36c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Me & the rambunctious Blake<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422462887/" title="Us Oct09 -2041.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2041.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4422462887_39c88674bb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Riley with his mom, my sister, Tawni & my mom<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422467639/" title="Us Oct09 -2042.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2042.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4422467639_248e0393eb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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All of us kids being kids.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423218696/" title="Us Oct09 -2039.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2039.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4423218696_372cf34299.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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My mom, Blake & I singing some odd nursery song<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423205312/" title="Us Oct09 -2037.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2037.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4423205312_4f89378c67.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Maddy & Guy<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422435185/" title="Us Oct09 -2036.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2036.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4422435185_3151dc73b3_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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Tawni & Riley - Love this shot. Riley is 6 weeks younger then the twins.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422421157/" title="Us Oct09 -2033.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2033.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4422421157_764f76e356.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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My kids were not happy by this point. We being the extra early risers on eastern time were ready and there at least 2 hours before everyone else. Yeah, they melted pretty much right away. Poor Riley is is looking back to us for help being sandwiched between the two sookie la las.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423183318/" title="Us Oct09 -2032.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2032.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4423183318_c188d5e9d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Here they calmed down a bit. {It's amazing how much they have changed in the last few months. Heck, they use the potty now!}<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423179134/" title="Us Oct09 -2031.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2031.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4423179134_088109732d_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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Cousins. I'm sure we'll have many shots of these two hanging out in the years to come.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423175182/" title="Us Oct09 -2030.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2030.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4423175182_ff1b015fc4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Love the light & the fence.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422395537/" title="Us Oct09 -2027.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2027.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/4422395537_18dd20ea53.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Crazy Blake<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423134544/" title="Us Oct09 -2022.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2022.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4423134544_c68f419351_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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Our little family. Love my hair in this shot & how into doing our own thing we are.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422362761/" title="Us Oct09 -2021.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2021.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4422362761_c3499731d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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So sweet<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423106932/" title="Us Oct09 -2018.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2018.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4423106932_edeef3844b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Madison will cherish this shot when she gets older. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422336361/" title="Us Oct09 -2017.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2017.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4422336361_2302092a12_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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Or maybe she'll cherish this one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423097526/" title="Us Oct09 -2016.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2016.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4423097526_fd845505ff_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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Family fun in the water.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423094218/" title="Us Oct09 -2015.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2015.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4423094218_40b09aae14.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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He was getting me soooo wet while Madison was gently walking along in the background. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422322003/" title="Us Oct09 -2013.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2013.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4422322003_27c11dbee6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Love this smile. It's all about the joy.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422318453/" title="Us Oct09 -2012.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2012.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4422318453_65f96d9363_b.jpg" width="683" /></a><br />
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The details bring back all the other details of the day.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423080556/" title="Us Oct09 -2011.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2011.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4423080556_c3225af5a2_b.jpg" width="579" /></a><br />
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My kids. We so rarely get them in the same picture. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422312413/" title="Us Oct09 -2010.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2010.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4422312413_fd72a8f88b_b.jpg" width="648" /></a><br />
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This just may be my favorite shot! Love the water droplets being in focus capturing the activity & excitement of the moment.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423068916/" title="Us Oct09 -2008.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2008.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4423068916_983cf6fed0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Drool baby. I think one day she will wake up after cuddling with her new husband to a pool of drool on his shoulder. lol This girl is forever drooling. She now manages to do it every time she goes poop on the potty too. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4423054972/" title="Us Oct09 -2005.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2005.jpg" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4423054972_5eaa007486_b.jpg" width="728" /></a><br />
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They had completely lost it by this time way worse then the shot above. We are both actively trying to bring them around to happy again. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422272361/" title="Us Oct09 -2001.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2001.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4422272361_20387960e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This is as happy as they got. I love it. There is Guy's open mouth, the fingers in Blake's mouth & the tongue sticking out of her mouth. Me? Happy to be there!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelongimpressions/4422266049/" title="Us Oct09 -2000.jpg by Pics1vball, on Flickr"><img alt="Us Oct09 -2000.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4422266049_a574bb6874.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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If you made it this far, congratulations! I'll be posting about our cruise soon.Shannon @ Lifelong Impressionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455337432628617987noreply@blogger.com0