Post Holiday Recap

Well here is my photo Christmas recap. First off is Piper's big present, a Hello Kitty camera that she constantly eyed and carried around at the camera store every time we went in. Next is Beck's first dump truck, a momentous occasion luckily a captured memory (see the camera is paying for itself!). Then there is me and my peanut who is really wishing Jake was holding him, then my brother, a quick pose before he got tree from my grandmas tree, thus the explanation for the snow fall. Next, we could not forget or fail to mention Piper's CHRISTMAS DRESS. Then how can we have a merry day without me, first thing in the morning spreading my peace about, and that is about it everyday.. joyous peaceful Toni first thing in the morning. ( I had to throw it in to balance out all the de wrinkle post editing I do of myself). The last two are me playing around with my father in law's tube extensions.. these things are awesome and now part of my NAS syndrome that I caught from him. They allow to get super super close .. thus my reflection in a green ornament that I couldn't get with my 50mm properly. Ah what a merry Christmas indeed.

HO HO HO

Christmas Party

Last night the gals had our Christmas party, it was so much fun! I mean doesn't it just look like fun! Pajamas, babies, food, games, and trying to get us all in a picture and then laughing at the outcome. Luckily we got some where we all look normal. (And I made it in in time!) Ah it was a good time. I love love love these gals. We are so lucky to have each other and the bonds that we have. We have seen in each other in so many stages of life... one more Christmas down, a whole bunch more to come!

Snow-HO HO

The snow is awesome, all except for my husband driving a sled to and from work today (i.e. Prius). But yay.. HO HO HO three more days. Kids are so fun for Christmas. I mean if you don't have kids, have them just for this reason! I also love the excuse to not do anything and spend money. Kids are the best. Oh in case you don't read the photo blog, Beckett took steps, thanks Jake! for nothing. It is breaking my heart that he is so old. So sad. Why do the dads want them to grow up? I want him to lay and be a baby forever! Then I don't have to be faced with the decision of when to have another one (the last one?). If he is just a baby and time stands still then all is well. How sad will all this be when I know it will be my last little baby? I might just have a million so I don't have to face it. Anyway HAPPY SNOW DAY! Even in Oregon.

Snow Day In OR

This is funny.. Kate, my cousin, sent this showing their intense snow day. No work, for this!!

OOOH AAAAH HOOOWW CUTE!

Our first family pictures. My mentor and answer my every question friend, Erin, (www.erinlangford.com) took some sort of spur of the moment pictures the other day. I figured if I am really doing this photography thing I better be a good example and send out some cards, and figure out the whole thing, templates, papers...So here are some for your judgement and enjoyment. And again.. I edited them so if you hate it, don't blame her! (Her pictures need way less editing than mine!)


P.S. NO I am not pregnant even though that last one might spread rumors. I just was just trying to eat enough Cutler's sugar cookies, and then I figured out that it's not possible.

2003

2008




Happy Anniversary to us!



Thanks erinlangford.com
for the recent pictures.

A Word To Start Of The Week

I have been thinking a lot about confidence. I believe that confidence is key in being successful in a lot of aspects of life. Let me rephrase that.. in MOST aspects of life.

People are drawn to confident people, just notice our celebrity infatuation. We are drawn to people who exhibit the things that sometimes we fail to uphold. We are all at times insecure. Even the most seemingly confident people have their insecure moments. They are just better actors than others. I think in business, parenting, partnerships, and everyday interactions the key is confidence. No one wants a anything that isn't secure in what they are doing. (And if you are not-FAKE IT). Many people are more successful in life not because they are better at a given skill, but because they are more confident. They get the job over the more skilled person because of their people skills and the confidence they portray in their interactions. I always and often unsuccessfully try to pursue this. Sometimes I talk to people and don't feel it so I fake it.

We are constantly selling ourselves to others in a way. To our children with our discipline, to our clients, to our class we are teaching, in our phone calls, and often to the cable company negotiating a lower monthly bill. In order to get people to buy what we are selling we have to appear sure of ourselves. If there is one thing I believe I am good at, is pretending to be. Of course no one is always secure. My self esteem and self worth is always fluctuating on a given day, in a given moment. I think it's how we handle ourselves and convince people to buy what we are selling that matters.

Seriously?

What is up with Beckett's temper tantrums? I think he has been storing them in for ten months. GRRRR.. All I need, two kids with temper tantrums!