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Monthly Archives: July 2008

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because my memory fails

July 31, 2008 –

Everett looks so much like Corbett did as a baby….and so much like Hudson. Over the past few months as I watch Everett grow, it makes me think of the past 4 years with Corbett and the past 2 with Hudson. I try to remember the older two at the stages Everett goes through. There are so many little things I swore to myself I would never forget (and thought it was crazy that some moms did)…and yet I can’t seem to remember those things. There are certain memories that are etched in my mind, but the daily details sadly seem to have disappeared. I can look at pictures, but that doesn’t bring it all back. My first reaction is a bit of sadness for time past, for the things I have to work hard to remember. As I have wrestled with this, I am finding myself no longer trying to etch specific memories in my mind but instead trying to fully savor those that I live in each day. Instead of giving Corbett’s newest playdoh airplane a quick glance, I want to fully absorb the moment with him. In 2 years I won’t remember playdoh planes lining the floor (yes, he had his playdoh on the wood floors, but that is a different story), but I hope to remember an overall sense of joy from this time. Each day God gives me an opportunity to either live next to my kids or really live with them. Each day I have the opportunity to know them more fully and love them more deeply. My schedule is NUTS, it probably will be for a while - yet in the craziness God is teaching me to throw out the “to do” list from time to time and savor, breathe in, taste the moments with those I love…..it is a sweet aroma and I don’t want to settle for anything less.

The Bumbo Chair (didn’t exist when Corbett was a baby)

Summer 2006: Hudson, Corbett

Summer 2008: Everett, Hudson, Corbett

By AshleyAnn | Posted in personal | Comments (1)

The Peaks {family session}

July 29, 2008 –

On my way to this session I passed a bank the boldly stated it was 105 degrees outside! As I pulled into the parking lot to meet this great family a beautiful cloud filled the sky and kept us a little cooler…”cooler” being relative to the ozone alert heat! Really, though these kids were so fun and didn’t seem to notice how hot it was. I thought I had a built in work out plan with my boys, but twin 2 year olds and a big brother - that is a workout! They were in constant motion and really only slowed down to splash a bit in the fountain. Their little personalities were so cute and they did such a great job letting me stalk them with my camera

I love these first two…life as a big brother to twins. The first he is trying to get a drink, both siblings decided to splash. The second, his face is just so expressive. Love it.

Now a few of each of the kids.

There is a more posed family picture at the end of the post, but I think these are just too fun. In a couple of years, the attempt to get a family portrait will be so different. These are the kinds of pictures I love in my house, they reflect more than just what everyone looks like, but the life of the family and the cute personalities of the kids

A few daddy and daughter shots

Stinkin’ cute….this was actually the first picture of the evening!

Some of you know that Chris shoots every wedding with me. Knowing the ages of these kids and my lack of humor, I thought he’d be a great help in getting the kids attention. Thanks Chris!

By AshleyAnn | Posted in portraits | Comments (5)

DIY {sidewalk chalk paint}

July 29, 2008 –

Here is a basic sidewalk chalk paint recipe I found on the Kiddio blog. The colors dry very bright and leave a bit of residue after washing away, but it fades pretty quick after a few days of sunlight.

You need: box of cornstarch, food coloring (liquid), water, some containers

In container add 1/4 cup cornstarch, then 1/4 cup water, about 5-10 drops of food coloring. It is difficult to mix at first, but it will suddenly come together (remember to put cornstarch in container first). My boys really enjoyed this, check out how laid back Hudson was with his painting….don’t exert too much energy there kid!

By AshleyAnn | Posted in be creative {DIY}, personal | Comments (2)

amy butler {more than fabric}

July 28, 2008 –

So I had a little down time while boys were napping and visited Amy Butler’s website…now she is offering gift wrap and tableware. Now I just have to think up a reason why I need to buy some of that. I think some of the gift wrap would be super cute framed with a picture mounted on top of it. If I had girls I probably go crazy covering everything in their rooms with it, but it won’t look so good in the boys room. I also think the square plates could make really cute wall frames. You could print some pictures as squares then use acid free glue to glue them to the plates…then stick on velcro to the walls….oh to have girls in my house! Maybe that will be a future project? Oh, and the bag by #3 if any of you just have the urge to make that for me, I will graciously accept your generosity!

By AshleyAnn | Posted in be creative {DIY}, great finds | Comments (2)

speaking tonight {photo tip #1 & everett}

July 25, 2008 –

Tonight I have the opportunity to speak to a group of great women at a church in Bixby. I’ll be sharing some photography pointers and some ideas of things you can do with your photographs. Some of you have requested more info on the canvas I posted on the old blog (it kicks you off to this one now). I hope to get those instructions up next week….

In preparing for tonight I needed a couple of pics to use as examples, so I thought I’d share one tip here…

Tip #1 Get in close….most adults don’t move, they just point the camera down and take the picture - which usually looks like this:

It’s a much better picture when I get in close on Hudson…isn’t he cute!

This is totally random, but I had to share a pic of Everett from his first swim. He went in for his 4 month check up today and weighs 15lbs! That is what Corbett weighed at 9 months and Hudson at 6 months. His doctor said at the next visit he’ll be the one carrying me in…not sure if I should be offended by that!

By AshleyAnn | Posted in everything else, personal | Comments (5)

DIY {paper mache}

July 25, 2008 –

You would probably laugh if you knew how many times I debate posting things like this. In my head I am saying, “Everyone probably already does this. It is not a new or unique idea….blah, blah, blah.” I know there are tons of super creative people that read this blog and posts like this are boring to you. BUT I also know there are a lot of you that read and haven’t ever really gotten into stuff like this. That is why I post it. I love photography, but I also love providing parents with creative things to do with their kids…and by themselves. With that said, onto the post…

Corbett and I got a little messy with paper mache. I used a simple recipe:

1 part water

1 part elmer’s glue

Objects to cover

Plastic Wrap (to cover object)

Paper torn in small pieces (newspaper works great)

We did this project when Hudson was asleep as it is pretty messy. I recommend covering your work area. I used a normal size bottle of glue and equal amount of water. A key part of paper mache is that the object you use can easily be slid out once the paper is dry. Prepare your object by covering it in plastic wrap. Dip the paper pieces in the glue mixture and cover your object. The thicker the better, so several layers is good. Gently push out excess glue. Corbett covered a balloon (that can be popped once the glue is dry). I covered a bowl. Once the glue is dry, remove the object. I sprayed my bowl with clear acrylic spray to make it a little stronger. Corbett wanted to make a tent for his army men, so I trimmed the bottom of his and then he painted it a bit. The tent lasted about a week with a 2 & 4 year old constantly playing with it. My bowl will last much longer. Don’t expect it to be super sturdy if kids are playing with it, but enjoy the process of making it. We also covered a canister….which was a tunnel for the army men.

***Melanie asked in a comment a few posts back what supplies I recommend to always have on hand…I am working on that list Melanie for another post.

By AshleyAnn | Posted in be creative {DIY}, personal | Comments (0)

The Krupas {family session}

July 24, 2008 –

It is getting hot in Oklahoma! These kiddos are used to going to bed shortly after the time we began this session…they did amazing for being late in the evening and HOT! Their mom is the incredible preschool director at my church and as a mom of 3 preschoolers I am so grateful for the great job she does. Last summer we did their family session at LaFortune, we stayed in BA this time. They were hoping for some train track pics, so we finished up the evening there….

By AshleyAnn | Posted in portraits | Comments (4)

Lucy {1st birthday party}

July 23, 2008 –

I had a great time capturing Lucy and her friends as she celebrated her first birthday. I was thrilled when her parents wanted her 1 year session to take place at her party…it was fun for me to document. Lucy was another of my newborns from last summer, the first picture is one of my favorites of her - check out how much her hair has changed!

I love this group of pictures. Lucy is just about to begin walking on her own, this is her with her grandpa…love the story that their hands tell together.

Though she interacted with her friends, she also spent a lot of time observing everyone that filled her house. Here she is watching and almost debating it before she joins in on the fun.

And a few of her friends…beautiful girls!

Thanks for inviting me to celebrate with all of you….we had a great time!

By AshleyAnn | Posted in portraits | Comments (7)

friends {random post}

July 22, 2008 –

Do you ever wonder if your friends aren’t telling you something? I am beginning to think my friends feel like they can’t share great news with me…I found out one friend was pregnant by a text from her husband, found out what another friend is naming her first child from her Facebook status (no I don’t have facebook, I lurk on my husband’s…I have a blog…and 3 boys), finally I found out through a phone conversation with a friend that another friend is expecting her third child. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! If you can get on here to check this crazy blog, you can call or send an email I’m waiting…

(wouldn’t that be funny if I got 3 emails from friends sharing that they were pregnant…I’m just waiting for one)

EDIT: So far I have received an email from the friend this post was directed to and some great news shared in the form of a comment from another friend….anyone else got news for me?

By AshleyAnn | Posted in babies, everything else | Comments (5)

The Beams {family session}

July 22, 2008 –

The Beams braved the hot July heat for a family session. We did our best to avoid construction (but used it to our advantage for a few). If my memory is correct, this was my first official family session when I started 2 years ago…their little boy had just begun sitting on his own. I was able to meet their youngest daughter in the hospital last summer - now she is one. I loved how this little guy was dressed…so stylish….