Photography Fun

Yesterday, I went to a (basic) photography class.  It was fun and informative and I'm looking forward to the next one that will be a little more in depth.  When I got home, the weather was perfect, so I took my favorite photo subjects outside for a photo session (and some playing).  I've also tried to dabble a bit in photoshop.  I'm enjoying this!
Ethan was a very willing subject (surprisingly)!

 Nora was a little more difficult... someday, I'm sure she will be a posing diva :)!

Ethan's Weekend

This weekend, so far, has been pretty spectacular for all of us, but especially Ethan.  Friday, my parents came up to spend the day.  Ethan and Pop had some good one on one time (while my mom and I shopped and Nora napped)!  

Then, Friday night, our church had Boys Nite Out for the younger boys and their dads.  Jared and Ethan had a great time!  Food, games a movie and boys only!  

My guys before heading out :)

Today was a birthday open house for Mrs. Sandra (the kids babysitter).  It was right in the middle of Nora's nap, so just Ethan and I went.  It was very nice and Ethan enjoyed his big piece of chocolate cake!

Goofy boy

Roger and Sandra.  These two are such a blessing to our family!

Ethan and the Birthday Girl :)

The open house happened to be at a bowling alley.  And, Ethan has never been bowling.  So, Ethan and I had a bowling date.  It was a blast and Ethan was so cute and excited.  

Showing off his 'dark orange' ball

He got a spare and a strike, with no help at all!

He would stand and watch his ball, all the way down the alley and then turn around with a huge smile clapping

One of my best dates, ever!

Check out this pose, and those adorable shoes!! 

Photo Friday...Week 30

Looking through my list of 50 photos to take with my children, I couldn't believe this one was still left after 29 others.  There are some, that might need tweaked...but we'll see how it goes.  Last weekend, before going into the zoo, we played in the zoo park for a while.  It's a great playground and the kids love it!

Helping them  bounce on whatever this thing is.

Playing at the park together

Is Spring Here?!?

Today, it certainly felt like spring has sprung!  It was so beautiful (a little windy, but I'll take it)!  Today, also happened to be opening day of the zoo.  We met Heather and Braden there for a great morning!

Braden and Ethan petting the bunny.  The very fluffy, hard to find it's eyes, bunny.

 Last year, we pretty much avoided the petting zoo since Nora was so little.  I had a feeling she would love it now, so we ventured in...
Heather had a couple of quarters, so the boys got some goat food.  The goats kind of attack when the food comes out.  There was one who kept trying to eat Ethan's shirt.

He was a good little goat feeder.  I figured he would just drop it when they came close.

The goats, wanting more!

I was right.  Nora loved the petting zoo.  She is so interested in animals.

She had no problems walking up to these guys and smacking them on the backside!

Wanting a goat kiss, but might have gotten a little nip.

We made the usual loop around the zoo and ended with train and carousel rides!

Braden and Ethan...such big boys!

Nora was pretty snuggly with her daddy on this ride.  

We all got to ride!

We had a nice lunch and nap/rest/trip to Rural King and then played outside for the rest of the afternoon/evening.
Ethan got a kite for his birthday last year and we never opened it.  Today might not have been the best day, the wind was crazy, but it was fun!

Ethan and Daddy working hard
Side note: The house in the background is for sale.  Come be our neighbors :)!

I love what this picture captures!  Nora, walking her dog (she always wants to hold the leash) and excitement over the kite :)!

Getting ready to slide, feet first on her belly!

Photo Friday...Week 29

It's still Friday :)!

This photo is from our family vacation to Michigan City, IN last summer.  We had sooooo much fun.  I love that place!  So many great memories.  

Holding your child on your lap

Easter 2013

We have had a wonderful Easter weekend.  We started the weekend off by attending a very powerful Good Friday service at church.  This morning, before church, the kids found their Easter baskets and enjoyed seeing what they held. 

Nora quickly figured out she wanted the eggs opened

Ethan already knew :)

Excited girl!

Ethan got Peter Pan

We went to church to celebrate the Risen Lord and it was, again, a very powerful service.  We brought in a poet to help with worship, David Bowden.  He was very good, speaking the truth in a new, interesting way.  Here are a few photos of us in our Easter best.

Look close...it's a family picture :).  It was very difficult to get the kids to cooperate at the same time.  This is about the best I could get.

Our Family...I love the smiles in this one!

There's just something really  sweet about this one

After lunch, we had a little egg hunt downstairs.  It's a good thing there they were the only hunters...Ethan was not fast.

Checking out their loot!
I think Nora had a skittle in her mouth here and Ethan was too busy to look up.

We hope you all had a great Easter as well, remembering the true meaning.  "Oh death, where is your sting? Oh hell, where is your victory? Oh church, come stand in the light.  Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive!"

Photo Friday...Week 28

This is a typical, no school day, morning at our house.  Ethan gets to watch a Disney show or two and this one is definitely a favorite!

Watching a fav TV show together

Jake and the Neverland Pirates!