Day OneHundred-NinetySix

Today I re-used a past DailyLife picture for this month's photo challenge on iheartfaces.  The theme for May is "Hey Girl".  I've always felt that this image radiates with girlish glee.  The mouth is typically such an integral part in showing emotion of the face, but I feel it just works without actually seeing either smile in this one.  I mean, tulle, glitter, and giggles... does it get more girlie than that?!

Day OneHundred-NinetyFive

So this may not look like much to you, but today I received my birthday gift from the hubby along with my new business cards!  Double wonderful!  What girl doesn't need a bright pink leather camera bag???  Well, this girl does!!!  I've only been hinting at it since February and it showed up on my doorstep today. It holds two cameras, accessories and my Macbook!  Thank you Mr. Awesome!  And the business cards with the raised ink have a bit of a sheen and glitter to them -- made my design even better than I had hoped!  MoeCakes stateside is open for business.  YEAH!!!!

Day OneHundred-NinetyFour

Remember those 7 kids I talked about in yesterday's post?  Here they are!  Taken yesterday as well, but it sums up the weekend, so I had to use.  Lots of giggles, lots of squeals and lots of activity.  Think they had fun?

Thank you Tomas and Jessica for letting us all crash at your place to celebrate my birthday and Cinco de Mayo.  We had a wonderful time (but then again, when do we not?!).  Love you guys!  Keep those pockets full of sunshine.

Day OneHundred-NinetyThree

I've known this big boy since he was a puppy (and his mom happens to be my best friend)!  We actually met because of Max and our first puppy girl, Macey.  Macey passed away far too young 5 years ago, but to this day you can ask Max where Macey is and he gets excited.  He may not move quite as fast as he used to, but that face and those ears will never get old.  Love you Maxey!  So glad I got to spend the weekend with you and your mom!!

And I just had to share this second shot of Max.  With 7 kids running around he wore out pretty quickly.  He's used to a much slower paced life!  This is where we found him hiding out for a nap......

Day OneHundred-NinetyTwo

Happy Birthday to Me!  Spent celebrating in Austin with some great friends and family....no other way.  It's not the most exciting shot (and focus is a bit off!) but it was the only one taken today and we had been enjoying some cold beverages by this point in the night.  ;-)

Day OneHundred-NinetyOne

I just can't seem to get enough of swings these days!  It's the perfect setting to practice so many different techniques....and meanwhile it keeps Cakes entertained!  For those photo gurus out there, I don't usually shoot in shutter priority mode, as most of my subjects aren't usually moving at a "high speed"....but I decided to do so today.  It was exactly what I wanted...great practice.  I loved how the movement of Cakes swinging is literally frozen in time and especially love the sharpness of the ribbon trailing behind her.  I plan to play a bit more with this aspect of photography...soon.

Oh, and my goodness, is there any other way to glide across your backyard?  In full dress-up, barefoot and ribbon trailing behind?

Day OneHundred-Ninety

I still find it such a thrill every time I meet a child of one of MY childhood friends.  Circle of life, right?  Today I had lunch with one of my oldest and dearest friends.  Over 20 years ago, she and I met in gymnastics and have truly grown up together...competed for many years together, lived in different parts of town, went to rival high schools, and different colleges, but we we have remained close.  She stood by me on my wedding day (even caught the bouquet) and I waddled my way down the aisle at her wedding (VERY pregnant)!  Today I met her youngest.  What a beauty, just like her mom.  And the picture doesn't do her eyes justice.  Absolutely stunning!  So nice to meet you, Miss Mia!