Best of Easter Weekend

Is it possible for her to be more of a mess?! I think its a talent of hers. 

watermelon on the front porch

"Chocolate!"

"You say there is an egg over here??"

I love this picture of Brian... Im not really sure why though... 

Completely spoiled... 5 baskets total on Easter Day. One even from my sister's boyfriend. He knows how to score some brownie points with the family!

Leah is becoming obsessed with baseball. We aren't complaining. Look at that follow thru. 

Leah and Aunt J

Already wanting to drive the car!! I will definitely keep this picture around to compare to when she really gets the keys.

popsicle addict

Playdoh from the Easter Bunny! ... Leah asked daddy what he was making... his response "Rocks!" Leah was VERY impressed!

I just have to say... The whole taking hundreds of pictures and only liking a small percentage is frustrating.  I know I am only a week into this photography thing... Lets hope it improves! I need maternity leave just so I can practice practice practice!

What a difference 2 years makes

5 Months

28.5 Months

I hope she always keeps this big 'ole smile!

It melts my heart.

Attempt #1

Last night when Leah wanted to head out to play outside after dinner I grabbed my new toy to give my first college try at learning to use my camera.

It didnt go nearly as bad as I thought it would!

It took me a while to realize how high I needed the ISO, and amazed me at how I could take bright pictures even as the sun was starting to set.

I still struggle with the whole  focusing on one object and blur the background... hopefully I can figure that out soon because I LOVE pictures like that.

And my biggest frustration is when a picture would be awesome... if it was IN-FOCUS!

Now for a lookie at a few of my favorites...

Leah is just looking cute... I did not yet have the ISO up high enough... I dont think atleast. 

I was shocked that I caught a smile!! ... and my child seriously is ALWAYS filthy! I guess its just the result of playing hard. 

I think I finally go the ISO up enough!

I think this is a good picture... I just dont love the look on her face... it doesn't look like my Leah

This is my Leah!

An example of a picture I would love IF it was in focus darn it!!!

An another example.... 

This was my best attempt at the whole blurring the background... 

Feel free to critique and give me advice! I know I need help!

And also check me out over on Double the Fun's! I am a featured Momma today!

yeah I know its Tuesday... its a week of Momma's this week.

First and Last

After waiting what seemed like forever for my battery to charge, I finally felt brave enough to try to take a few pictures in the auto modes.

I freaking L-O-V-E-D it!

I took almost 100 pictures, mostly of a little girl yelling at me "Dont take my picture!", or lazy cats, and around the house.    I cant wait to have a new little baby girl to take pictures of!

My wildchild

Ki-Ki a.k.a. Cora

Tired girl who decided only to nap for 30 minutes yesterday

Our neighbors just moved in this weekend

Cora

Jax

The view outside our front door... someday there will be more houses there though. 

watching daddy BBQ our dinner

look at those long legs! No wonder shes a little giant

loves going for bike rides

Leah playing with her camera (an old film cannon)

just us and our neighbors... 

little photographer

I absolutely love pictures of them together

enjoying her walk

Leah loves blowing these weeds, Brian hates them

pretty flowers on the tree

Home

After talking with my brother, and really wanting to finally have a hobby, I will no longer rely on the automatic.

Over video chat last night my brother ran thru the camera with me (he has the same, a main reason I chose the T2i which was given to him by his professional photographer father n law) and gave me a lesson in photography basics.

I will admit I was at first terrified of getting a camera like this (although I really really wanted one) was because I knew it was something I would have to learn.  I typically like to be good at things.  I didnt want to pay 700+ dollars on something I was going to suck at.  That unknown scared the crap out of me.  After just using the auto I built confidence that even if I never learn anything else, i will atleast get pretty pictures.  But after chatting with my brother and learning some I think I can actually do this!

I am anxious to just start taking hundreds of pictures and really start figuring this all out.

Look out for all the photo bombs coming your way soon!

Lookie what I finally got!!!!

But I admit in slight terrified of it right now!!

I am promising myself I will not depend on auto!!

I will figure this out before Emily arrives! ... Or maybe atleast during maternity leave when I am sure I will take like 800 pictures a day.