Boots

Ella has been obsessed with putting items into different things. I think it might be her favorite activity right now. For example, she loves to put the shapes in her singing cookie jar. Ella also loves to put her shoes in the cookie jar, or her blocks in the dog food bowl, or her shapes in her dad's boots. That's right, she decided it would be fun to put her shapes in her dad's boots.

I can only hope that Ella's obsession with putting things into other things lasts until she's old enough for it to be useful. Like putting dirty clothes in the washer. Or dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

Homemade Lightscoop

If you follow my Project 365 blog, you've probably seen me mention a homemade "lightscoop" in my settings. A lightscoop is a nifty little device you can attach to most SLR cameras to bounce the light from your internal (or pop-up flash). You don't need one if you have a speedlite (which I really, really want!), but a lightscoop is a very cheap device that can help out if you don't have a speedlite. I read about the idea for a homemade lightscoop on another blog, and right now I can't seem to find the blog to link it. Once I find it, I'll link it! Basically, you take some sort of card (like an index card, or in my case an old credit card) and cover it with foil. You'll end up with a device like mine. I placed it on the Dr. Seuss book for some size perspective.

To use the homemade lightscoop, I have to hold it at about a 45 degree angle to the flash. It takes a little getting used to, but now it is very easy for me to figure out the placement (I don't even have to think about it anymore). So why do I even want to avoid using the pop-up flash in the first place? I'll let the pictures do the explaining. First, a picture of my assistant, Reeses, with the pop-up flash, followed by a picture of Reeses with the same settings using the pop-up flash with my homemade lightscoop. Both of these shots are straight out of the camera.

Although the second photo could use a bit of brightening, it is far better than the blown-out first picture. If I had played with my settings a bit more I probably could have gotten it bright enough without any need for post-processing.

Wordless Wednesday: From Dress to Shirt

August 2009:

February 2010:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Although we don't ever really do much for Valentine's day, it was sort of sentimental this year for us because it was the first "holiday" that Ella celebrated (if you could even call it that . . .last year I was still adjusting to life with a newborn on Valentine's day) a second time. (She was less than two weeks old last Valentine's Day). For more Valentine's Day-themed pictures of Ella, check out my Project 365 blog.

A Girl and Her Fruit Loops

Dad gave Ella some fruit loops. Some she ate . . .some she shared with Reeses.

Ella was so proud that she fed Reeses a fruit loop, but then was confused as to why Reeses didn't give the fruit loop back.

Later on . . . Ella managed to get the box of fruit loops. Now, if only she could open it and get the fruit loops out.

Still trying . . . 

Still trying . . .this is tough work!

Success!

Valentine's Day Survey

I saw this Valentine's Day survey on one my favorite blogs to read (thanks for sharing all your answers Kristen!) and thought it was a fun idea. Here are my answers!

1. When was your "engagement" anniversary? November 29, 2002 (Corrected . . . I went back and checked! We got engaged on the day after Thanksgiving, so it was easy to figure out :) )
2. When is your "marriage" anniversary? January 3, 2004
3. How long have you known your spouse? 10 1/2 years
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged? A little over 3 years
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time? I believe it was at a youth activity. Some friends of ours were having a welcome party of sorts for me and my sister because we had just moved to town.
6. What is your spouses name? Trent
7. Do you have any children yet? Yes, Ella.
8. How many? One for now
9. Do you have any house pets? Yes, two mutts, Ali and Reeses
10. Do you own a house or rent? Own
11. Do you live in the country or town/city? Town/city
12. What is one of your favorite activities together? Going to baseball games. We love to go to Rangers and Astros games (we have been since we were in high school!).
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot? Disneyworld! (j/k . . . if you know me you know we didn't exactly have a great honeymoon there . . . although nothing against Disneyworld - I'd go back in a heartbeat). We really don't have a favorite vacation spot . . . we haven't been on many vacations.
14. How many siblings? 3
15. What church do you attend? University church of Christ
16. Is this the church you were married in? No
17. What is your favorite restaurant to eat at together? Not sure, maybe Pappasitos?
18. Do you work or stay at home? I stay at home and work from home.
19. Where did you honeymoon? Disneyworld
20. Leave a piece of marriage advice. I found this poem before we got married and I really liked it, so I'll post it as my piece of marriage advice.

Marriage Takes Three:

I once thought marriage took just two to make a go, 

But now I am convinced it takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails where Christ is asked to enter,

As lovers come together with Jesus at the center.

But marriages seldom thrive and homes are incomplete,

Till He is welcome there to help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first it is obvious to see,

Those unions really work, For marriage still takes three.

Fix-It Friday #43

It is Fix-It Friday at I Heart Faces again! I love the challenge this provides, especially since I am SO new to editing, and I'm trying to learn. I made my edits using Adobe Lightroom (beta version).
Original:

Edit:

Be sure to check out all the other fixes!