Sunday Snapshot: An amusing time!

Ok. So, remember all those photos I took in October? Um, yeah. Tons. And the time to edit them? Non-existent. So what did I do? I used minimal editing on all of them so I could get them up here to share. Then life happened. Yep. Back to the hustle and bustle of every day.

Anyway, I thought I would share a few photos from our trip to Disney World last month for Patrick's birthday. We don't typical "do" Disney on his birthday. However, this year Caleb's Gotcha Day fell on a Saturday and conflicted with his baseball game. Still, we didn't want to miss out on our Disney trip. So we saved the T Rex Restaurant for his Gotcha Day and hit up the Big Mouse a little earlier.

We don't hurry over there in the morning. So we typically arrive in time for lunch. We usually catch the Dream Along with Mickey Show.

Then we'll head over to Pinocchio's Village for some lunch. Caleb started getting a bit hungry while he waited for Patrick to come back with his food.

The kids really enjoy playing with all the fun stuff there is at the Winnie the Pooh ride. It just might be more fun than the actual ride.

We ALWAYS hit the Raceway. Caleb has become quite the little driver. And well, Madeline surprised me by giving up the wheel this time.

We inevitably stop for an afternoon snack, like ice cream or a smoothie in Tomorrowland, as this is where we spend most of our time.

And just to be sure the thrill and excitement of amusement parks didn't end, this past weekend we had the chance to attend our local state fair. We only stayed for a little bit, but boy, did we pack in a lot of fun. This was our first time going. So I was pleasantly surprised at how many kiddie rides there were. Caleb and Madeline had an absolute blast. It was non-stop laughter from the two of them. We dined on carnival food of corn dogs and chicken-on-a-stick. Yummy. Madeline spotted the kiddie roller coaster and begged to go on. Patrick has been hesitant until this point to let her ride a roller coaster because she's so young. But he finally relented. I rode with her, and from the first turn, she never stopped laughing! She loved it! My own stomach hurt so bad from laughing the entire time. As soon as she stepped off, she said "That was so much fun!"

One thing that we all had a chance to do together was the slide. The slide was my mom's favorite carnival "ride". I had a chance to capture this little race between Daddy and the kidlets on video. To say that we all had a fun-filled night would be an understatement.





To check out more Sunday Snapshots, head on over to Stefanie's blog.

Sunday Snapshot: Cousins

When Madeline and I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure a few weeks ago, we stayed at my sister and Andy's place. After the race, we had the chance to hang out for a wee little bit before having to head home. My sister asked me to snap a few photos of Baby Joshua, since he turned 3 months old. Isn't he a doll?! And yes, at 3 months, he's working on holding his little head up! You go, Joshua!

Then we had a great idea to have Madeline and Leah "model" the tops we just sewed the girls. I like some of Chelsea Andersen's patterns and am always delighted when she makes some for McCalls. (When Joann's has their sales, I can snatch these up for $1. That's my kind of price!) Anyway, such was the case with this cute little number. Too bad both girls were NOT interested in modeling for us in any way, shape, or form.

We managed this shot.

But we mostly got this.

Madeline was a little more cooperative than Leah.

The V-Tech camera prop you see in Madeline's lap....um, not good. Counterproductive.

Oh well. We tried. I think the tops turned out cute. You can get a better idea of Leah's top by checking out my sister's blog. And you might have noticed Madeline's when we visited the Statue of Liberty. I have plans to make a few more. It came together so quickly and can be worn all year if you layer it for winter months. I also have a few more sewing projects that were put on hold for the kids' costumes- a cute bubble top and simple skirt, plus this one again. Just gotta find the time...

Anyway, if you'd like to know what Sunday Snapshot is, head on over to Stefanie's blog

Favorite Photo Friday: Indulging me

I know it's early in the game. However, Madeline has indulged me a bit as I get back into the groove of shooting in manual mode. The other day she was sitting outside "reading" her books, while her brother and Daddy played catch. So I thought I would beg ask her to let me snap a photo or two of her. She complied.

So far, I haven't had to bribe her with extra treats from her Halloween stash.

I'm just not sure how much longer those days will last. As long as Caleb doesn't feel like riding his bike or throwing around a baseball, I have back up.

I'm still playing catch up with my editing. But I'll have more "old" photos to share soon. Simplify. Simplify. That's been my motto.

For more Favorite Photo Friday fun, check out Lisa's blog.

Celebrating Caleb

As I mentioned a few days ago, we celebrated Caleb's Gotcha Day with a little bit of baseball and a little bit of dinosaurs. I didn't get to watch Caleb play in his game because I man the dugout of Madeline's team, and their games coincided. But Patrick told me he played a great game.

Before making the drive over to downtown Disney, I snapped a few photos of Caleb with his sister.

Then it was time to dine at the T-Rex Restaurant! It's one of Caleb's favorite restaurants because he's such a huge dinosaur fan. The food is typical family food, but the atmosphere is feast. There are huge dinosaurs all over the place. Every 15-20 minutes, a big storm "blows in". It gets dark and loud. Madeline does pretty well during the storms but can occasionally get a little scared. One of the brightest moments of the night came when our server and several of his co-workers came marching over with a dry ice volcano "thing" surround by lots of brownies. They errupted into a special "Happy Happy Gotcha Day from all of us to you." You should've seen Caleb's face! Even I had tears in my eyes. He was beaming, and Patrick and I couldn't have been more proud to be his parents.

After dinner, Caleb and Madeline had a chance to "dig" for some dinosaur bones. The lighting was crummy, but I managed to snap this precious shot.

Well, last night Caleb had a baseball game. And guess what he earned? Another game ball! And why? Well, he made three outs! The first two came in the same inning when he was playing third base, and Patrick managed to get the first one on video! (He manages Caleb's dugout, like I do Madeline's.)



He sealed the deal when he caught a pop fly at short stop in the last inning. We are so, so proud of him. We love you, Caleb!

Sunday Snapshot: Go Team Gina

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Madeline and I would be walking in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for one of my sister's dear friends, Gina. One year ago, then just 31 years old, Gina was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she is battling for her life, as her cancer has spread. Those who have rallied behind her are her team, Team Gina.

We all arrived very early for this event, leaving the house by 6:15am. That isn't easy with little ones.

Even Baby Joshua participated in the walk. Yes, that is him napping in my sister's carrier.

It took a while for all of Gina's team to gather together. It was one of the largest community teams! So we were the last ones to take to the course. Here's Gina with her wonderful mom.

With so many team members (Gina included) pushing strollers, we opted for the short course.

At the conclusion of the race, we dug into bananas and bagels and refreshed ourselves with some water. We also rallied the team together for a much needed photo. Gina's Team has over 50 members!

Some of the most important members of Team Gina are, of course, Gina, her mom, her husband Will, and her precious little kiddos.

I also had to snap a photo of Gina with some of her former co-workers.

Gina, we are so proud to be a part of your team. You are an amazing woman, so courageous and strong. A woman full of faith and determination. We will take each step right alongside you as you run this race in life. And the Lord who created you will never leave your side. Never. We love you, girl!!!!!

Happy Gotcha Day, Caleb!

Wow. Four years ago, this precious little bundle entered the Civil Affairs office in Guangzhou, holding his nanny's hand. In the other hand was a stash of teeny, tiny cookies. He quietly repeated the nanny as she asked him to call us Mommy and Daddy. Then he proceeded to eat and drink all that we gave him, all the while cautiously examining us. He never cried that day. He was so brave.

Four years later, he has grown so much. Where, oh where, did that little toddler go? He's playing baseball and thriving with homeschool. He takes the role of big brother seriously. He simply amazes us every day. Blessed. We are simply blessed.

On the agenda today....baseball, of course. What would a Saturday be without baseball? lol. And also a trip to Caleb's favorite restaurant- the T-Rex Restaurant!!!!!


Happy Gotcha Day, little Feng Feng! We love you like crazycakes!

Favorite Photo Friday: Kickin' around the yard

I know. I know. Another post? What's happening here, right? Well, I wasn't kidding when I said my camera has seen a lot of action lately. My everyday lens is my 50mm 1.8 because it's so light. But lately, I have decided that, despite the weight of my 85mm 1.4, I'm making some changes. I love that lens!!! Dreamy. Creamy. I can't get enough. So...I used it to snapped these photos of the kidlets last Sunday while they were playing in the front yard. Caleb was somewhat cooperative.

But what he really wanted to do was throw the baseball around and ride his bike.

Madeline, on the other hand, was all too eager to strike a pose.

She did her best to get her brother to smile by making funny faces behind me. It worked...for a moment.

Madeline continued to work the camera.

Then she decided she was going to pick magnolia leaves for Daddy and make a bouquet.

Then she had had enough.

Well, the main reason I decided to snap these photos was/is my desire to get back to shooting in manual mode. I admit I have been cheating this last year and a half or so by shooting in aperature priority. But no more. I'm not giving up that control.

I have very little free time (if any at all!) So sitting down to edit photos is nearly impossible some weeks, which means I don't get around to blogging at all. That stinks. And I want that to change. My goal: great exposure in camera, so very little editing is necessary. And that's just what happened here. Minimal editing. Hooray! Now, if I can just get Caleb and Madeline to hang in there with me. lol