The Big 5

Finally.  Today was Sara's turn.  She has been waiting for her turn to have a birthday since about December. Even though this is a particularly stressful and crazy time of year, it was definitely nice to drop everything, invite the family over and have a bbq for this special celebration.

I have so many thoughts about this birthday, but I'll have to save them for another post-it's late.  One thing I will say, though, is that after Sara spent 10 hours in the NICU, I finally got to hold her and feed her.  It was late in the evening and when they put her in my arms for the first time, the bond was instant.  I didn't let her go all night (I had to stay half awake all night and act alert when the nurses came in or they would have taken her from my arms).  At some point during the hospital stay I wondered what life would be like for her and for us in 5 years.  Today, I couldn't be more pleased.

With cousins

Thank you for my baby,  Grammie!

Happy Birthday Sweet Sara May!

Fluffy in the canyon

A few days ago we were taking a sunset walk in the canyon at the end of our street.  On our way, the neighborhood cat, Fluffy, decided to join our evening stroll.  I think Fluffy has a home now who has adopted her (they call her "Whitey").  She looks much healthier and taken care of than she did a few months ago when she "found" our neighborhood.  To our family, she will always be known as "Fluffy" and she will always be welcome to join our evening strolls!  

On our way to the canyon

Photos were shot in RAW with Nikon D300.  Lens- 85mm f 1.4.  Processed in Lightroom.

Happy Mother's Day!

I told the kids that all I wanted for Mother's Day was a photo shoot of my 3 loves.  They lovingly willingly cooperatively obliged.  It was a challenging morning, but it was also filled with laughter...and lollipops.  I'm not crazy about the gray backdrop-I was hoping for a darker gray (I think it looks muddy and flat), but I'm trying to get over it and focus on the smiles of my kiddos.  Happy Mother's Day!

Outtakes:

Ryan reminds so much of my brother in this one!

She might have a *slight* cat obsession ; )

Over it already, just give me back my lollipop!

Freaking out that I put her hair to the side a bit instead of parted exactly down the middle.

Not sure Anna is loving this pose as much as the other two.

THIS—this exemplifies my kids:  innocent, cute Sara, Ryan defending himself, and Anna's just over it.  I think I'll frame this one.

Oh, how I love you guys!  Thank you for the best Mother's Day gift!

Lemonade

Or, as Sara calls it..."lenomade."  Making lemonade from scratch is one of the kids' favorite past-times.  They have learned to get pretty pizzazzy with strawberries and raspberries.  Today, Anna and Sara made lemonade using calamansi, which are in abundance in our backyard.  They aren't allowed to make lemonade in the house...you only make that mistake once.  And since in front of her garden is Anna's favorite place to be...

Picking out grass?

Love the smile when she adds the sugar : )

Maybe just a little more

And a little taste for herself!

Perfection

The lemonade was delicious, grass and all.  Thank you Anna!

Horses

More photos from the barn.  I love them.  They mean Peace.  Beauty. Life.  Nature.  A reminder that we are so blessed and an encouragement to pass along a blessing to others.  

 Top photo was taken at 85mm, f4.0.  ISO 200, shutter speed 1/1250 sec.  Post processing in Lightroom.

The Barn

I know a couple of posts ago I mention how much Anna loved gardening and baking.  Those are great hobbies, but horseback riding is her passion.  She comes alive when she's on a horse.  She has been taking English riding lessons since last summer-when we have time and a little extra funding for it.  It's amazing how complicated it is to ride and gain control of the horse, but she's doing great!  Her riding lessons are just as exciting for me as they are for her.  The barn is situated on the side of a hill over looking the Pacific, it's about as beautiful and peaceful as can be.  I have feeling the next few Sundays will contain photos from the barn.

I am especially loving black and white as of late.  It is an area of photography that I am interested in  learning more about and experimenting with.  I am also loving Sunday Snapshot-loving looking at all the great photos and being inspired by creativity.  The top photo was taken with a Nikon D300s.  The lens was 85 mm, f1.4 set at f2.8.  ISO=200.  Shutter speed = 1/100.