the reason why I have to clean feet print off my walls…

tumbling.

and it’s not just feet print…  there’s a lot of hand prints on those walls of mine too.

practicing is a good thing, right?

another good thing, they love it.  I certainly helps that it is their aunt mikell kitty-cat jazz hands pitcher (and grandma) who is teaching them.  it is also good that they have this in their genes.

(paternal genetics, not mine.)

they absolutely love it. 

I love watching them.

peyton even gets her own private lesson.  who on earth would want to be left out of this kind of fun?

I have to say she is the best, and I mean that honestly.  not because I have known mikell kitty-cat jazz hands pitcher since she was, like 4, not because she is merrill’s little sis, not because she can rock the fake laugh/hand under the chin pose, but because she is an awesome teacher, great at what she does, and so incredibly motivating and fun.

all of this makes my more frequent wall-washing worth it.

melanie

this sweetie came on her first birthday (!!!) for a special photo shoot.

she is such a sweetheart!

(and so is her mom.)

she brought balloons and a cake, made a onesie and tutu especially for this little girl’s special day (mom after my own heart I tell you!), and it just so happened that peyton’s birthday gift (table and chairs) was perfect for this shoot.

 

and then there was a cake smash..

(seriously, so fun!!)

   

it was so hard to decide on which ones were my favorite.

such a darling girl!

mom + peyton

little peyton is having a hard time transitioning into her primary class.  it is not easy for anyone involved, and we are trying to think of ways to help her.  she had a hard time going to nursery, then loved it, then the nursery leaders changed, and there was another difficult period.  then she loved it again.  now she is a sunbeam, and we are in another hard spot.

I love the kid and all, but really want for her to enjoy this time.  it is hard to leave her crying in her class.  I feel bad for her teacher.  she asked me what she could do as her teacher to make this easier on peyton.  it sucks when you have nothing to say. 

merrill put out the idea of pre-school.  that would be great, if there were a pre-school in the area that I was happy with.  the pre-school that lynn and ashley went to is now out in clinton.  call me selfish, but I really don’t like the idea of driving out to clinton 3 times a week so she can be there for 2 hours a day.  gas and time are priceless these days.  add in how much the tuition would be and that is a bit much to swallow.

I am also torn because I love spending time with it just being me and her.  I have never had this with any of my girls and I really enjoy it.  when lynn was this age, ash was hanging out with us too.  when ash was this age, peyton was just a baby.  it is rather enjoyable spending my days with her.

maybe I am having some separation anxiety too?

I mean, who would take control of the remote control when a self-portrait session is in need?

(click on layout for full list of credits.)

dude, being a mom is hard.

it also sucks sometimes.

a memorable day for lynn.

dixon (father-in-law) serves as a state representative.  he was assigned to lead the house in a prayer and the pledge of allegiance for the morning of january 27th.  he asked lynn if she would like to come and lead the house in the pledge.
it was quite a day.
I am sure that merrill and I were far more nervous than she was!
in fact, many of my pictures turned out quite blurry.  between the tears in my eyes, and my shaky hands, it’s no wonder!
my sister-in-law informed me that there is a video clip of it online (which is fantastic, because I am not sure why/how we didn’t get it all recorded).
you can see it here.
(you have to scroll down a bit, get to january 27
she got to meet many representatives, and madam speaker, becky lockhart.

afterwards, we got to go to the “treat room”, where grandpa made sure no one left hungry.

it was quite a memorable day for our little family.
we are so proud of lynn!

josh

my handsome nephew is getting baptized today.

it is quite an important choice and I hope he knows how excited we are for him!

liv.Edesigns

I have never had the extreme pleasure of meeting liv esteban in person (hope that someday I will), but love her like we see each other everyday.

she is one of the sweetest, most positive, genuine, caring people I know.

she is the first to jump up and down over one of your latest achievements, she is the best cheerleader!

she is also terrifically creative.

it’s her spotlight weekend at jessicasprague.com which means there is a sale going on until sunday on ALL of her stuff.

that means 40% off her whole store!

wow.  I know!!

want a teaser?

okay, twist my arm.

(as always, click on the layouts to be taken to full credits list.)

did I mention that I just adore her?

(love ya liv!!)

olivia–8 months

this is another darling baby girl. 

love her eyes!!

love that I got to use my felt valentine banner for this shoot.

(my girls were less than cooperative for a v-day shoot.)

and this is my favorite:

(just look at her darling expression!!)