Growing up I always wished for a summer birthday so I could have a pool party. One year my parents let me celebrate early and I got that pool party. The other years my parents got creative and helped me enjoy my October birthday. In 3rd grade they closed off the kitchen and filled jars with eyeballs (peeled grapes), brains (spaghetti), and much more. Then my friends and I came in blindfolded and guessed the contents. Obviously I had fun with it…that was a long time ago for me to remember it so clearly. Another birthday we had a costume contest and my mom sewed me a 1/2 man, 1/2 woman costume. It was pretty cool. In college Chris would drive me out to random small Oklahoma towns to visit the coolest pumpkin patches for my birthday. I have always loved pumpkin patches…especially those small Oklahoma town ones that don’t have all the commercial aspects to it. However, with 4 little ones driving that long just isn’t fun….meeting up with friends at a great local patch is much better at this stage of life.
For some reason this picture makes me think of what they will look like as teenagers…puffy jacket vest and fleece pullover. Gosh they are so handsome!
This is the best picture from the day. Littlest Brother had just fed a goat from his hands. He liked it.
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Later that evening Biggest Brother decided he was ready to paint his pumpkin. I admit I tried every excuse and great idea possible to try to convince him to wait until the next day…when there would be plenty of natural light flooding through our windows. He didn’t buy it and I conceded…and used my flash. I wanted one picture of all four together, so Baby Sister got plopped onto the table. She liked it. It is surprising no one tried painting her.
A work of art. Not to be too sappy (that’s Chris’ job), but nothing reminds me of God’s creativity more than looking at my kids…works of art.
by AshleyAnn
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AshleyAnn - Alli: Littlest Brother is 19 months old…I love his belly too!
AshleyAnn - Julia: To avoid the squinting I had them look at me if their faces were shaded or if the sun was in their eyes I just took candids where they weren’t looking at me. You can tell in the first pic that they are squinting a bit…
Julia Leinen - love the pumpkin patch pictures! It was great to see you and your family there. I only wish my pics could turn out as great as yours! : ) it was very sunny that morning and my kids are both squinting- how did you avoid that?
Meagan - Don’t you just love Carmichael’s???!!! (I assume that’s where you were…) That place makes for some great pictures! It’s my favorite punkin’ patch! I admire so much how you let your kids get so dirty and make such a mess. I wish I could relax and let go a little more…kids need to be creative…and messy…
alli magee - I have to say this, nothing makes me want to have more babies than seeing the photos of your family. I have a little 11 month girl and she is a full time job these days (crawling!), I have no idea how you manage with 4, but you do and you do it beautifully. how old is little brother? I adore all the pictures of his belly, it’s the best!
Thanks for sharing your family with us, and making my ovaries ACHE!
AshleyAnn - Trinity…nope, no corn maze visit yet…maybe soon
Trina…this is just acrylic paint which was a battle to keep out of Littlest Brother’s mouth, they do make edible paint which is less worrisome
Megan & Colette: I use some Kevin Kubota actions and Totally Rad Actions. Usually several mixed together. The Black and Whites are usually with a Kubota warming B&W conversion. For inside flash I bounce it off the ceiling to avoid the shadows.
Jennifer: The hat was a gift from a friend. She bought it off etsy, but the link to the store doesn’t work. I’ll try to have my friend find it again. A lot of people ask about that hat.
Colette Amey - Your pictures are all so great! How do you avoid getting the shadow behind people when you use a flash? It seems like whenever I use a flash inside I get the shadow. Maybe I just don’t have bright enough lights in my house? Any tips? I’m also curious about your photoshop actions. Thanks!
Jennifer B. - Did you happen to knit or crochet the hat that your baby girl is wearing? If so, could you possibly share the pattern? It’s so adorable! And as always, the photos are amazing.
Megan Anderson - Oh especially your black and whites!
Megan Anderson - I love your pictures and was wondering what actions if any that you use in photoshop. I’m looking to get new ones and like the coloring in your photos. So if you wouldn’t mind shoot me an email and let me know! Thanks in advance. Megan
amanda torres - I love looking at pictures of your family! Everyone is so stinkin cute. You just want to jump in there and squeeze the fire out of those cheeks.
Rachel - That’s funny that you always wanted a summer birthday….I always wanted a fall birthday….I guess it’s the classic case of “the grass is always greener.” Little sister looks just like you and Leslie in the picture where she is on the table….wow…first time I have seen that in her. I love the pumpkin painting assembly line…
Trina - So cute! I love your photos. Just curious – what sort of paint do you use for little kids – I have a 2 year old and would love to try this!
bopha - very cute! we love the pumpkin patch too, the picture of rett is priceless.
Trinity - We love the pumpkin patch! Too bad we didn’t see yall there this year. Have you ever been to a corn maze? The boys would like it…there are some great ones around here, but the drive is kind of long.
Jeannette Swan - The pumpkin patch is one of my all time favorite things to do!
Alba - littlest brother is a potential artist, either with the yogurt either with the colours.