Say Cheeeese!

Anyone who knows me the least little bit knows that I love pictures. I love to take them, I love to hang them in our house but I do not love getting ready for them. I find getting family pictures done is very stressful - picking out just the right clothes, hoping your kids don't mess up their clothes after you put them on and then praying your kids will cooperate for the photographer. I can remember thinking to myself on that day, "Why in the world do people go through this?" but then I remembered I ask people to do on a daily basis so I can have a job, lol. Another thing about family pictures is I am very picky about who does them. Since I do photography myself I would like to think I know what good photos are suppose to look like. Despite popular belief, not everyone can take photos. It's a lot more than picking up a camera and pushing a button. I was so excited when I saw that a friend from the past had started her own photography business. I had seen photos she had done before and I knew she was talented. So, I was so thankful that Leah Price, of Leah Nicole Photo, could fit us in her October schedule.

This was our second attempt at family photos. The first attempt was cancelled due to rain and our little boy fell into his Lego box and got a little bit of a black eye. So after prepping Eli all day and trying to make him excited about taking pictures we were off.

Eli is just like every other two year old boy in the world. He'll cooperate for about five minutes and then he's done with it. Leah tried candy and every other tactic us photographers like to use. Daddy tried bribing and talking firmly with him and every other tactic us parents use. Brianna on the other hand was fairly simple. She did really well but then at the end had a blowout in her diaper and got hungry.

I knew that she got some good shots even though we didn't she did. I tell every family I photograph that has little ones that they will be surprised on how many good shots I get. And Leah's photography was no exception. Here are a few of my favorites of the family ...

This one is my favorite! I loved that the kids are all squished and safe :)



Here are some of my favorites of the kids ...

Even Mommy and Daddy got their picture made together! Daddy doesn't know it yet but in August we're going to a session just of us for our 5 year wedding anniversary :)

I was so excited that Leah took some of me and my camera too. I plan on using some of them on my website and other things related to Memories & Blessings Photography.

So all in all, it was a pretty successful family photo session. To see all the photos check them out on my Facebook page. Thanks Leah, you did a fabulous job and maybe next year we'll be easier to photograph :) I think family photos are so important. I use to try and get them done twice a year but maybe we'll just stick to once a year for awhile, lol. I'll leave you with one of me and my babies and one of Daddy and his little Eagles.

Happy Halloween!

I was so anxious to see how Eli would react to Halloween this year. Last year he was an elephant as was just a little over a year old and wasn't too thrilled with the experience. This was his third Halloween and I guess three times is a charm :) At first, we had a little bit of issue of getting his costume on, but once he got it on he had a blast! Meet our little Krabby Patty (He's actually just a hamburger, but being a Krabby Patty made him excited to wear his costume) ...

This was Brianna's first Halloween and although she didn't know what was going on - she really enjoyed everyone telling her how cute she was. Introducing Bri the Beautiful Bumble Bee ...

I think her stinger was my favorite part :)

We just take the kids to our family's house and a few friend's houses a long the way. Our first stop was Aunt Robyn's house. We go there early because she still has young ones at home so they go out as well. She had an adorable Dorothy (who won a prize at her school) and I think Andrew was going to be a hillbilly - he wasn't dressed up yet. During the process of getting my Bumblebee out of the car, I dropped my camera :( Not my business one just my point and shoot. But, nonetheless, I was (and still am) pretty sad. It won't even turn on now. Maybe Santa will bring me a new one ;) Anyways, I did get one shot of Eli and Savanna. Aunt Robyn always gives the best treat bags! She personalizes each one. Bri got some baby food and a sucker (although she only eats them at Aunt Robyn's house, lol) and I didn't get a chance to look at Eli's bag but I'm sure it was great too.

We then headed up the hill to Mamaw Billie's house. I don't have any pictures hear :( But I will let everyone know that the Bumblebee dirtied up her diaper - even after me trying to convince her that Bumblebees don't potty, lol.

We went to Daddy's bosses, Mrs. Brenda and Mr. Jimmy's house. Here's a little video of Eli trick-or-treating.

Mrs. Brenda at first thought he was a turtle but we let her know that he was a hamburger :) She gave Eli an awesomely huge coloring book and crayons along with some chocolate. They have a big staircase in their foyer and if you know our Eli you know he loves steps! He got to climb them about half way up before we had to go.

After a stop at Uncle Rod and Aunt Terri's house we headed down the Valley to Nana & Grampa's house.

After the kids got their treat bags we all sat down for a nice big bowl of Grampa's chili. What an awesome way to end a fun Halloween night.

Until next year - Krabby Patty and Bumblebee says goodbye!

They Think We're Just Playin'

The past couple of days we have done a lot of playing in our house! We recently converted a guest bedroom to a playroom for the kids and we're putting it to good use. The other night my Daddy (their Grampa) came over to play for awhile. I love watching my Daddy play with his grandkids. It reminds me of all the fun we had playing together while I was growing up. Eli absolutely loves his Grampa! Grampa is a lot of the reason that Eli is so rough, lol. They love to wrestle and play ball. But on this day, their play of choice was cars. Eli loves cars and he even gave Bri a car that she gets to play with. They both enjoyed Grampa showing them how to properly play with their city road rug!

Eli also loves to help me with housework (sometimes). One of his favorite chores is doing dishes. Most likely it's because he enjoys the water but I choose to believe it's just because he likes to help. I often wish I had a dishwasher and probably complain about it a little bit. But, every now and again when my little man is "helping" me wash dishes, I am thankful that we get that time together.

I have to admit that my husband is an amazing father. I am so blessed to have a man who enjoys spending time with his children and does so much to help me with them. On this, Sunday afternoon, Eli had a chance to get some play time with his Daddy. Eli loves to immitate everything his Daddy does. They were playing ball and Scott began to juggle. Yes, he's very talented ;) And before we knew it Eli began to "juggle" himself. It was so cute. Enjoy this video and enjoy his Mommy and Daddy laughing at him :)

Whether it's playing cars, doing dishes or juggling - it's spending time with our children. I love Trace Adkins' song "Just Fishin'" (Click the purple words to hear the song and view the video). To the kids we're just playing, they don't realize that we're making memories. Although they won't remember these days, these are days that their Mommy and Daddy will cherish forever. The days where Mommy & Daddy are all they need and they can make everything alright in the world.

My precious babies are growing up way too fast! I can hardly believe that Eli is already two years old and before I know it he'll be starting school, graduating school, going to college, getting married and then having babies of his own. I don't want to miss any moment of his or his sister's life.

I cherish the times where we're just playing, because before I know it they'll be few and far between. More importantly I love making memories with my kids and spending time with them. I am so blessed that God chose me to be Eli and Brianna's Mommy.

ABC Wednesdays - The Letter B

Welcome to our second installment of ABC Wednesdays. Our fun family day didn't start out so fun. We all went to our Pediatricians office for Bri's six month checkup. She received four immunizations - two in one leg, one in the other and then one was viral. She was a champ! She didn't cry at all for the first two, but the last shot was the flu vaccine and they said it stung going in. Eli also received his flu shot and he was not a happy camper. He thought he was just going to be an innocent bystander in the whole doctor visit ordeal. He doesn't care too much for that place ;)

Once all our tears were dried up we got in the car and began Burnham Family Fun Day! Our first stop was Books-a-Million. Eli is really into books right now. He doesn't want to sit still long enough to be read to, but he loves flipping through the books himself and telling his own version of the story.

Once we got past all the displays in the middle of the store (he wanted to touch and look at each one of them) we finally made it to the children's section. I was a little disappointed, before they remodeled they had a train in the kids section and now it's gone :( Nonetheless, we had a great time. Once we got to the kids section, Eli immediately found the books that made noise! After all, those are the best ones.

We then headed over to the pink section. All things princess! Brianna wasn't too thrilled as you can see in the photos, but we like to think she was having a good time, lol.

Even though we were in the princess section, Big Brother still carried around that noisy train book.

Before we left, Eli got to pick out one book. We led him to the Halloween books (which were on clearance - you still have to be thrifty on special days) and he picked out "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".

After Books-a-Million, we headed to Burger King for lunch. We decided to go through the drive-thru since it was so close to naptime. We all got chicken sandwiches and fries.

When we got home the kids went down for naptime and Mommy and Daddy worked on the new playroom (a post for another day). After everyone woke up, the kids watched the movie "Boo to You, Winnie the Pooh". The movie title fit in with our B Day and the upcoming Halloween day. Eli's attention span can't handle an entire movie, so we watched it in increments throughout the afternoon.

My sweet babies are too cute! Happy B Day from the Burnham bunch :)