Senior: Drake

I had the privilege to photography Drake, a senior from our youth group, for his senior pictures this spring. Drake was willing to go with the flow and here are some of the pictures we got during the shoot...

I also got the wonderful chance to photography his sisters and do a couple family shots. Here is one, just for fun...

Drake and his three sisters



The Many Faces of Elijah

In a matter of 5 minutes or less, Elijah managed all of these faces and then some... 

VOTE: 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest

My lovely friend, Jennie Gaskins, of JG Photography entered the 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest and used one of the pictures she took of Elijah as a newborn. He was a model for her "Sand Baby" project!! Of course I am bias because Elijah is adorable, but Jennie is extremely talented!

So...what are you waiting for...GO VOTE NOW!

Vote for Jennie's entry in the 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine Cover Contest

This is the photo she entered:

Photo Taken by: Jennie Gaskins of JG Photography

P.S. Here are Jennie's sites:

www.jenniegaskins.com
www.jenniegaskins.blogspot.com

Baby Einstein

Before Christmas I posted a status on  Facebook asking for people's opinions about jumpers and exersaucers. After much response, debate and price checking. We decided on the Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper! My parent's and the Baker's got it for Elijah for Christmas and he LOVES it!! I thought I would share it with everyone since he loves it, we love it and have only great reviews on it! Elijah is constantly entertained with so much to do. Even Mocha (our cat) finds it entertaining sometimes! Below is the link and picture of it on Amazon.com. I also posted a couple pictures of Elijah enjoying it!

Here is Elijah in the Jumper just discovering the frog that spins!! 

And he got it to spin!!

Discount Websites

I am sure by now you have all seen the "million" discount websites out there. Well, I thought in case you haven't or are missing some I would update you on the ones I follow. 


(Disclaimer: if you do sign up with one of the links below, I will receive referral credit...so thank you in advance.)


Plum District: Deals for Savvy Moms and Families. Discounts Daily.


Mamapedia: Offers you incredible discounts on family-friendly products and services in National.


Zulily: Daily deals for moms, babies, and kids


Eversave: They feature 50%-90% off on restaurants, spas, local activities and online deals.


Groupon: Features daily deals 50%-90% off


Crowd Cut: Crowd Cut negotiates 50-90% discounts with popular businesses.


What super savers are you following that aren't listed??

Down on the Farm...

While Josh was out East with his dad, uncle and youngest brother, Elijah and I headed up North to my parent's house. We always try to make the "rounds" to grandparent's (Elijah's Great-Grandparent's) while we are up there. We visited Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Jack on Friday and then my mom, my aunt KaAnn, Elijah and I headed up to "the farm" to see Grandma Hope and Grandpa Kenny on Saturday.

Grandpa's Tractor

The last time we visited the farm (Elijah's first visit) he slept through it...

 this time he was awake and ready to play with the baby farm animals...

Bottle Lambs

 While inside Great Grandpa Kenny and Elijah were just hanging out in the kitchen. GG gave E some bowls to play with and boy did he enjoy this new found "toy." The tongue had to come out since he was working hard.

 Not sure if they were both upset by what Great Aunt KaAnn said or concentrating that hard (just kidding KaAnn)...

Two peas in a pod

We are so truly blessed to have our Grandparents alive and live close enough for us to visit! I am so glad Elijah will have these "memories" (well pictures since he won't remember the visits at this age) with his Great Grandparents. 

Lack there of...

My training for my 5k or lack there of...is a major struggle! For two weeks I was going to the gym and following my training guide three days a week. Then life got busier and our routine was broken (Routine being that Josh would come home over lunch and I would go to the gym) and thus began my "lack there of" routine of nothing! It finally hit me that I NEED to get moving for many reasons. The first and obvious reason being that I DID sign up for a 5k for April 30th. The other reasons being that I am slowly putting weight back on and am slowly losing all the muscle I was starting to gain. Let's be honest here...I am out of shape, out of energy and out of time! I NEED motivation! I WANT to run this 5k...not walk it or get pulled along by my friends who have been training! I want to reap the benefits of running; losing weight. being healthy, getting toned again, feeling good and having energy!

Well I am starting somewhere once again. I have gone for three walks (outside) in 5 days, so it's a start!

Elijah and I on our first walk of "Spring".

For those of you runners...how did you get motivated to start? How do you stay motivated? And can you send me some of it!?!?!

Alright...so who wants to come over and help get my butt in gear?