Day ThreeHundred-Seven

The miracle of life is just that.  Simply a miracle.

Day ThreeHundred-Six

It may not look like much of a photo to you, but when you are prepping for a maternity shoot and testing out location and lighting and find a treasure like this... well, it gets you kinda giddy.  And what makes it better is that it was my last purchase before leaving Jakarta, my teak and leather chair... something I had been eyeing and saving for almost 2 years to buy.  Can't wait to see what it looks like with a beautiful momma and her belly posing for a shot!  

Day ThreeHundred-Five

Sixty days to go with 365 and this is about how I feel.  Part hallelujah and part ahhhhh!  However, this really is a little glimpse into the energy that these two have come home with every day this week.  And it doesn't end until they fall into bed!  Obviously, school is treating them well!

Day ThreeHundred-Four

With Moe & Cakes gone to school and mom as an "empty nester" for 8 hours each day, this is where I've been spending the bulk of my time.  And I LOVE it.  I have an office and working space that I love and in a house filled with ... well, no noise (and yes, 3 computer screens), I'm a happy girl.

Day ThreeHundred-Three

Couldn't go with a single shot today for obvious reasons.  It was a big day around here, for those going to school and those staying home - by themselves, in a quiet house, with no kids....Ahhhhhh.  I went the entire day working on MoeCakes website with no tv, no music, no sounds.  Let's just say "It was NICE!"  And I plan to do it all over again, tomorrow!!  As for these two munchkins, after the pain of Mommy leaving the classroom (for Cakes), it all went wonderfully.  Only smiles unloading from the bus.  I'm not one to get too emotional at occasions like this, but I will say, knowing I no longer have kids at home -- well, it did pull at the heart strings just a tad.  :-)

Day ThreeHundred-Two

School starts tomorrow, which means today was spent prepping.  Who needs free haircuts from JCP when you have a mom that likes to channel her inner beautician??!!

Day ThreeHundred-One

Now here is a crew.  Not often that all nine cousins get to hang out, but with Aunt Mary and Uncle Hans in town it was the perfect excuse for some fun in the sun.

Day ThreeHundred

How did you spend your last weekday of summer?  Moe spent much of it dancing, twirling, and adding to her "Ally's Dance Camp" repertoire. 

Day TwoHundred-NinetyNine

I'm not a huge fan of little noses in gaming systems of any sort, DS, iPad, iPhone, Wii...whatever it may be...but we just found the charger for the girls' DS' and it's really been entertaining them for the last couple days.  And it's bought Mom a little bit of down time to get my office in a bit of working order...the last room to be touched in the house since we moved in!

Day TwoHundred-NinetyEight

JUMP!!  Today we ventured to the Children's Museum with the rest of Houston.  (A bit of advice, when Groupon comes out with a deal - wait until the last week it's valid - not the first!)  We pushed our way through all the different experiments, activities and rooms, but couldn't leave until AFTER the dance party.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get the girls to work their way to the front, so I just figured I would work with what I had in front of me, no matter whose kids they were!!!

Day TwoHundred-NinetySeven

OMG.  2025??  That's just nuts, but dear lord she's just too cute.  Not that I'm biased or anything :-) ....

Day TwoHundred-NinetySix

After a discussion this past weekend with their Dad about where cotton comes from, what it looks like, how clothes are made, etc. he came home from work with a "bouquet" for each of them.  (Honestly, I don't know if I've ever seen fresh cotton this up close and personal before!)  At first I thought "Awww, he brought me flowers!".... only to soon realize what it actually was.  Don't tell Dad, but in the end, I think this really is just as sweet and thoughtful as flowers for Mom.

Day TwoHundred-NinetyFive

Taken from a moving car on our drive home from a fun and relaxing getaway.  It's a staple on I10 between Houston and San Antonio... and a great photograph to wrap up of our short adventure to the River City.

Day TwoHundred-NinetyFour

San Antonio = Alamo.  Period.

I still remember my first trip to the Alamo...and second...and third, and I'm guessing it will be the same for Moe and Cakes.  Hasn't changed much, but it's a Texas symbol right?  A must-do in every Texan's life and a great chance to make my photograph more interesting than... well, if you've been, then you know how that sentence ends.  ;-)

Remember the Alamo.

Day TwoHundred-NinetyThree

After a full day of sun and fun at Schlitterbahn, what other way to cool down, relax, and enjoy San Antone then with a bucket of the best beer in Texas?

Day TwoHundred-NinetyTwo

Today we headed out for an "end-of-the-summer-mini-vaca".  I LOVE being back home, but man do I miss the travel we got to enjoy every 8-12 weeks living in Indonesia.  So, we are determined to continue the adventures throughout the U.S. every chance we get....unfortunately, U.S. schools aren't quite as lenient when it comes to missed days (nor is the (lack of) travel allowance)!  Nonetheless, our first family adventure took us San Antonio....which means the Riverwalk.  Hot as hell, but still a beautiful piece of Texas.

Day TwoHundred-NinetyOne

One of the great things right now about our "Backyard Bali" is the (almost daily) bloom of a new plant.  Today we got the first bloom on one of the birds of paradise plants.  Such a unique and gorgeous plant. (And as I get to posting this several days later, we now have 3!)

Day TwoHundred-Ninety

I'm trying to wrap up the post-edit from Sunday's shoot and I just can't help sharing one more photo.  Who is this gorgeous girl?  Well, she just happens to be my God-Daughter.  Can you say stunning?  She's going to be a killer one day, there is no question.

Day TwoHundred-EightyNine

My name is attached to this incredible piece for the actual photo only... 

Painted by Tina Farrell, a great friend's mom, her talent is simply amazing.  With all my post-edit work from yesterday's shoot, this (and a second painting by Tina) were the only photos I actually took today.  But thought it was just too fantastic to pass up sharing!!

Day TwoHundred-EightyEight

I met the gal in red my first day of high-school in Homeroom class.  We would remain in that class for the next 4 years and would remain friends for the rest of our lives.  I was excited enough to be shooting this crew, but when the man in white got down on one knee 30 minutes into the shoot, a nearly fell over.  I was shaking and it had nothing to do with me!  And once she said yes, I knew what I needed to get on our way to the next setting....CHALK.  So blessed to be part of this family's life and be there to capture such an intimate moment.

And yes, Bran - you easily made the cut for today's 365.

Day TwoHundred-EightySeven

Obviously not taken by me, but it was the only picture taken yesterday and I don't get shots of myself very often.  It was a surprise early birthday gift to Moe from her Grandma and Papa, and I was lucky enough to be part of it.  Her first broadway musical, The Lion King, was absolutely FANTASTIC.  A couple hours following she asked me if we could do it again....soon.  Guessing she like it. 

Day TwoHundred-EightySix

When it comes to imaginative play, Beanie Babies are at the top of the list.  Hours and hours of entertainment.

Day TwoHundred-EightyFive

From my impromptu photo-session with an absolutely ADORABLE thumb-sucking 2 year old.  I could stare at this picture all day.  I'm thinking it needs to be large on canvas in his parent's house!!!  I'll be printing it simply for my office b/c it has become one of my all time faves.  For more pictures from this precious toddler....head over to Sessions&Such!

Day TwoHundred-EightyFour

He was patiently waiting for his moment on 365.

Day TwoHundred-EightyThree

Every night at dinner each family member shares their "high" and "low" of the day.  Moe & Cakes will often ask, "What do you think Ike's high and low was?"  My guess.... his high is the moment Dad gets out of bed for work and he is allowed in - his low, when Mom finally gets out of bed, because he always follows.  But looking into his big brown eye in today's picture, makes me wonder what he's really thinking about.  Probably, when can I get back into bed.  ;-)

Day TwoHundred-EightyTwo

Moe or Cakes?  What's your guess?

Did I mention how much I love this lens??

Day TwoHundred-EightyOne

And this is the reason I haven't had time or energy for much else.  Just a few weeks ago, there wasn't a single plant surrounding the pool.  A job handed over to my dad, as he has an eye for landscape design and knowledge of plants, it has been his to create.  From the arbor, to the path, to the palms, to the plants... it was all his idea.  And let me tell you, in Texas summer heat, it is NOT an easy job.  With only a few more plants and a stone path to make it complete, I must say, he has done one hell of a job.  Thanks Dad.

Day TwoHundred-Eighty

Hahahahahaha.  Only Cakes.

Day TwoHundred-SeventyNine

Does it get much cuter than Miss Molly?  Our new neighbor across the street, it's so fun to see a 2 year old little girl at play again, and all the energy and never-ending chatter that comes along!  So when we had them over for some grilling and swimming it was my chance to snap a few shots of this bundle of sweets.  Love.

Day TwoHundred-SeventyEight

This are how each summer morning begins.  Two-little girls and one big Ridgeback in bed with Mom.  Spoiled much?

Day TwoHundred-SeventySeven

Lately, I've forgotten about some of my other lenses.  However, when you get in a rut, it's a great way to "see" things from a different perspective.  And it doesn't get much better than the macro when you need a new perspective.  Mary, this one is for you.

And with input from others around me, I went with the original image.  However, using one of my own personal presets, I came up with the image below.  A sucker for color, I absolutely love the rainbow of color across the picture as a whole!  What do you think?