Family series, Pt 4

And here's where I really struggle...the dreaded family shot!  Too stiff....

 
 Better...but I didn't do so well positioning people.  Some are almost hidden.  It's hard to get the kids to react to a remote shutter release and camera on tripod too...but at least we are all TOGETHER.  Another memory made.  It's a whole lot easier to shoot other people!  lol

So to loosen everyone up, we did this:



You'll notice that one rebel decided not to follow directions.  I love how A is looking at me like she's thinking, "Really?  Silly faces?  Are you sure?" 

I WAS going to say, "That's all folks..." but there are actually more family pics coming in the next few days. 

Family Series, Pt. 3...

Even the old folks had a go.  Bear in mind that the man after 2 or 3 shots is saying, "We're done".  lol

Family series, Pt 2

 These two were pretty easy too...

And adding the littles always complicates things.  But at almost 3 and almost 5, they were definitely more cooperative this year!

And yes, I'm going to post a LOT of family photos, because this is the easiest way for my mom to see them.  lol. 

Family series, Pt. 1...

We went out during Thanksgiving weekend to try to capture family photos for Christmas cards.  That has to be one of the biggest challenges I face as a photographer, especially since I try to get in some of them.  But this girl made it easy.  Click, click, click...and done.  That's a wrap!

In awe...

 

We're wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas...

I just love the "feel" of this one...so sweet.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Our second year to attempt the Christmas tree/Jammy pics.  This had been a packed day, celebrating Hannah's birthday.  But it was one of those rare occasions when the kids were here after dark, so we went for it.   Jenny and I strung about 500 extra lights on the tree earlier since it is the only light source.  I just LOVE how these turned out.  More in the next couple of days.

Future farmers of America...

This was actually the girls' favorite part of the garden.  Planting plastic vegetables in sand.  We were fortunate enough to get there early and have this part of the garden to ourselves.  By the time we ate lunch, this spot was PACKED with kids.

There were tons of other interesting areas, but the girls were a little too young for some of the exhibits.  This spot was perfect for preschoolers.

The explorer...

I LOVE this shot!  And I'm pretty crazy about the girl in the polka dot coat too!

At the end of the tunnel...

 One of the best places for shots was at the end of the log tunnel...cutie pie.

 

And the tongue definitely helps.

Children's Garden...

While Jean was here, we visited the new children's garden at the Arboretum.  What a cool place!  We even got Bob to come along.

Cousins....

Original title, right?  lol.  We LOVED having my niece come to visit for a few days in November!  And I even talked her into a couple of pictures!  Love these girls!

Let her eat cake!

She and A have been calling each other Anna and Elsa from "Frozen" during their pretend play.  We're trying not to feed the princess obsession too much, so Olaf was a happy compromise.  She loved him!  Thanks to Kara's friend for making the cake and cupcakes.

Growing up fast!

Celebrating FIVE!

Love this girl!!!  Happy Birthday!

Graduation Day...

Well, it seems that I took a little sabbatical from blogging!  I've actually taken and processed pics since the last blog post, but just got busy and never posted.  Maybe I'll catch up later.  For now, I'll just start with mostly present news though.  It was graduation day for Mr. Monkey a few days ago.  We agreed he would only pose for pictures with H until she turned 5 and we are there.  More birthday pics to follow!  Monkey has been a good "yardstick" to measure H's growth.  He never changes. 

You've got something on your nose...

Final pic of Halloween costumes.  Till next year, little mice!

Two for the money...

Nathan and Jenny dressed up as Minnie and Mickey too, but no pics of the four of them. 

Mini Minnie...

The littlest Minnie of all....sweet girl...

Polka dots and Tulle...

I came out from under all that tulle safely and this was the result.  How cute is she???

I was there...

Every once in a while I need to get on the other side of the lens....just so they can remember I was there.  Next week we're going to try for Halloween costume pics.  That is, if I can finish all the tutus.  The next picture might be me under a mountain of tulle!

Focus, schmocus...

Abigail is the only one truly in focus here, but I still like it.  It's the only shot I got of the three of them.  I do believe Abigail is about to fall off that hay bale.  Last year, she didn't like sitting on hay....so we're definitely making progress! 

Pumpkin kisses...

I asked the girls if they could make their pumpkins kiss and this was the result.  I think it's my favorite shot from that day.  I just love the composition and how surrounded they are by the pumpkins.  I only wish we could do pics at golden hour. 

More pumpkins...

When you're dealing with two VERY verbal little girls, it's hard getting a shot where no one is talking!  Ha ha!

But once in a while, I get lucky.  Of course, this was after the near tears that Hannah's pumpkin was dirty on the bottom.  Ha ha! 

To the pumpkin patch...

I've been wanting to do a real portrait mini session with these two in these outfits and we finally had the opportunity last week.  I still don't venture too far from home since my broken bum accident.  The car is an evil instrument of torture for anyone with a back injury.  So, I was happy when I discovered a nearby pumpkin patch at a small church.  It wasn't too elaborate, but hey....it was free, it was close, and it was plenty for preschoolers!  I love Abigail's smile here....such a little imp.

It's all about your perspective...

I always take swinging shots when we go to the park, but I rarely get a good one.  I'm not very good at capturing action.  So I was happy to get this one by laying down on the ground.  It really IS the best perspective for swinging pics because you can get that sensation of them flying high.  And bonus....she was actually laughing.  I love her little braid caught in her hand too.  Which version do you prefer?  I'm torn....I like the classic feel of B/W but the joy of color. 

Play, run, climb...

On that Saturday, we were able to take them to the school playground (always a favorite activity for them).  Abigail tries really hard to keep up with Hannah, but can't of course.  This was her "climbing"...not too adventurous, but she's getting there.  She's rarely still though, so I was happy to catch her looking at me for a change. 

Sisterly love...

We had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to babysit the girls for an entire weekend while their mom and dad had a little anniversary get-away.  We had a blast, but I was VERY TIRED by the end of the weekend!  There is a reason God gave small children to young people!  lol.  At any rate, the girls were mostly very cooperative, until Sunday when Miss A decided to pitch a fit about everything.  It was a small comfort that she was just as uncooperative when her mom and dad got home, so I don't think it was that she was missing them.  Honestly, even the fits were fun (at least now that they're over).  They certainly gave us something to laugh about! 

I didn't take too many pictures while they were with us, because I was busy being caregiver...but they were nice enough to sit on our little bench in their adorable outfits at the end of our walk on the first day.  I chose this shot because it really shows what Hannah was like.  She was the MODEL big sister that weekend.  She was very intent on explaining to me how things are done at home so Abigail wouldn't get too confused.  She was SUPER helpful. 

The visitor...

He stopped by the week before...puffing out his red throat, which of course I missed.  He was trying to get into our little bird house, which was pretty funny.  But of course I also missed that.  This isn't the sharpest macro, but not too shabby for hand held on a cloudy day.  What a handsome fellow!

At attention...

I love this one too.  In fact, I had a hard time choosing between.  I like her profile against the green here and how both she and her little kitty are so alert.  Jenny asked her to look for the little visitor we had last week and this was the result.  Stay tuned to see the visitor. 

Reverie...

I LOVE LOVE how peaceful she looks here...and the beautiful light on her face. 

This is not the first time I have taken her photo like this.  In fact, when the kids came to visit last week, Abigail was wearing the outfit Hannah had worn when I last took her picture in this window.  I thought it would be fun to recreate the photo with Abigail, but she was having NONE of it.  Ha ha!  Hannah is so sensitive that if Abigail ever refuses to hug, kiss, or anything else, Hannah will usually offer.  I think she's worried that my feelings are hurt, sweet girl.  At any rate, it was a good day for this because it was cloudy and the light coming through the window was soft. 

Puppy dog eyes...

I think this is perhaps my all time favorite of Abigail from this year.  I just love her sweet expression...the puppy dog tilt of her head and the light on her face.  It definitely was posed in that we told her where to sit...and when Nathan called to her from behind me, she turned her head.  Still, I love how natural it looks and need to try this idea when I do portrait sessions for others.

Stairwell model...

These were a couple of my favorites.  I love her sweet hesitant expression in the first...again VERY Abigail....and her hair flying in the second.  She was SO good to cooperate with me!  And she told her mom that taking pictures with Grammy was the favorite part of her day.  Go figure! We'll need to separate the girls more often when we want an actual portrait. 

Still sassy...

I love this one too...it's so very Abigail.  And I even like the way the light on the creek behind her blew this out for a high key effect....I like the side light on her face which gives it dimension.  We get the best smiles when her daddy is around to play the goof ball!

Sassy pants!

Love how this shows her sassy side!

Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall?

Technically, we were outdoors...so no walls, but still....I'd love to know what they were saying.