** Santa Photo **

This photo with Santa was taken at the Old Barn at the Biltmore house in Asheville. This was the first year that at least one child wasn't screaming! I take that back, last year neither boy screamed because they wouldn't get close enough to Santa! The only photos I have from last year are from each boy with their back facing the camera and at least 4 feet between them and the Jolly Fellow.

This year, Jeff and I had to sit with them, but that's ok. It was so sweet to be right beside JB and hear him repeat "Racecar, Racecar, Racecar..." If he said it once, he said it a hundred times in the few minutes we spent with Santa. :-) Jackson let Santa know that he wanted "The Marble Game." Ever heard of the marble game? Neither had we. Santa pulled thru though and brought Jackson exactly what he wanted. And of course JB got lots of racecars!

** Merry Christmas from the Abercrombies **

We took this after church the Sunday before Christmas when we were all dressed up and not yet too tired. Mr. JB wasn't cooperative at first until I let him help me push the button for the self-timer. Oh yeah, he AND his brother absolutely HAD to hold their Polar Express Trains or the photo was NOT going to happen. More on the P.E. later.


Below is the front of our 2008 Christmas Card.

** Thanksgiving Hayride **

My husband's family took a Thanksgiving Day Hayride. The rain held back so we were able to enjoy a long ride with Hot Cocoa and treats half way thru the ride. Miss Ella stayed back at the house with Jeff's mom. It was a little too cold and damp for the two ladies.

** Flash -N- Dash **

My son Jackson does NOT like to have his picture taken. Actually, it is not so much he doesn't like to have pictures taken, he just doesn't like to sit still for more than 2 seconds. So, if you don't get the photo the first time, you better have some good photoshop skills. See below.

** Happy BELATED Thanksgiving **

Once again, I had trouble logging into my blog. It's been a while, so I have LOTS to post. Below is a photo of Grandma with all 5 grandkids. Can you tell Miss Ella is sticking out her tongue? Already a little prankster!

We had A LOT to be THANKFUL for this year! The ecomony is rough but lots of hugs and kisses from our loved ones sure makes things better!

* Christmas Card Sample *

Where have I been. Well it's been a little crazy around here since we got back from the beach. Not to mention, my husband was overseas for an entire week! Glad your home honey!

Below is a sample Christmas card. I have been enjoying my time with the boys and baby Ella, so I haven't taken nearly as many photo sessions as I did this time last year. I was back at work full time after the boys, so mommy guilt has really settled in. They grow up so fast - I don't want to miss any time with them!!

** We're not in Kansas anymore **

Actually we are at Emerald Isle. We left right after trick-or-treating, or "sits-ah-seat" as JB said all night. The kids did a Wizard of Oz theme as you can see from the pictures below. I was the lion. Thank goodness I was holding the camera so we didn't get any pics of me! They had lots of fun walking the neighborhood with their cousins and friends and scored lots of candy!!

Attached is a slide show of additional Halloween pictures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WRol2Q1O5I

** Cooky Couture **

Happy Halloween everyone!! I'll post additional photos of the kids in their Halloween costumes later.

** Girls Accessories vs Photoshop Play **

I can't decide which I like more... buying clothes for little girls (see cute pink hat below) or playing in Photoshop. Take a look at the picture below. Who wouldn't want this framed for all to see?


Now take a look at the photo SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera).

While the above image is certainly "emailable", I would probably never frame it. Yes, it is the exact same image. I simply corrected the white balance (got tid of the red tint), burned out the background (so you can't see my messy kitchen), added a texture (to give it a new background), rotated and cropped the image (to bring focus to Miss Ella's expression). Voila!

Now, I just need to take the time and actually print and frame it! :-)

** Lil Pumpkin **

Our littlest "BOO"!

** A Day at the Pumpkin Farm **

The kids and I went to a Pumpkin Farm last week with Jackson's pre-school class. The boys had lots of fun milking a pretend cow, running thru a corn maze, riding the hay ride, and picking their own pumpkins. While we had a great time, I have to admit, I got a little impatient with Jackson as he kept rejecting every pumpkin we chose. I searched and searched for a pumpkin with no blemishes, the brightest orange color, perfect symmetry, yet none of them were good enough. Finally I asked, "Jackson, why don't you like any of these pumpkins?" Through his tears of frustration he said "Mommy, none of these pumpkins have faces on them!" Preschoolers are so cute!! :-)


One of Jackson's teachers took the above picture. I believe it is one of the only photos of me with all three kids!

** Stunning Bride **

I had the privilege to photograph a friend's wedding this past Spring. Yes - I said this past Spring. I am just now getting her final images for proofing. As you can see, she is absolutely stunning.

Below are some sample images. I hope she thinks they were worth the wait!

** Ella Vee is 2 Months Old Today **

It has been a while since I posted as it his been a little crazy around here. I cannot believe it, but our littlest one is already 2 months old!! Below are some photos.

Once again, I was only able to get one or two shots with her eyes open as she still likes to sleep a lot. In fact, for the last week she has been sleeping through the night. HAL-LE-LU-IAH!! I don't recall the boys sleeping through the night until the week before they started teething! :-)

** But mommy, I'm not sleepy **

Tonight, I pulled out my laptop to try and get some photos edited. Jackson, who likes to imitate mommy and daddy got on his 'puter as well. Around 8:00, I noticed he was yawning. So I say to him, "Jackson, aren't you ready to go night, night?"

In response, my sweet little boy who is a night owl just like his mommy says, "But mommy, I'm not sleepy. I don't want to go to bed." I looked over not 2 minutes later and this is what I see.

LOL

** 1 MONTH OLD TODAY!! **

** Three Weeks Old **

I cannot believe Little Miss Ella Vee will be four weeks old tomorrow!! Therefore, I decided to download my memory cards from this past week and get her Three Week Old photos posted. (need to make room for her 1 month milestone!)

She is such a little shutter bug!

** Big Brothers, Baby Sister **

Both of the boys absolutely LOVE their baby sister!! The only time I can get them to sit still is if they are holding Baby Ella. Below are a few shots of them together.

** Two Weeks Old **

I have tried to take Ella's picture several times with her eyes open. However, she seems to have gotten her days and nights mixed up. She sleeps practically all day (the only time she is awake for more than 30 minutes is from 1am - 4am). :-)

I was finally able to capture one this past Sunday. I also included two other photos of her enjoying more daytime sleep! In one of them she is showing off her cute little dimple.

** One Week Old **

My new laptop arrived the day after I returned from the hospital - YIPPEE!! I still have tons of software to reload, but at least I am able to do some minimal photo editing. I took a few (hundred) photos of Ella Vee on her 1 week birthday.

She is a very cooperative subject and even turned out a big grin (see last photo) as she heard the camera clicking.

** JB turns TWO **

JB turned two this past Thursday - two days after baby SOOK arrived home. His cousins came up to visit Ella and celebrate his birthday with cake and a trip to the neighborhood pool.

BTW, he looks like a giant now compared to his little baby sister!