Tuesday, December 31, 2013

365/365


Happy New Years Eve!

We spent the evening at a friends house. They had a family-friendly fun filled night. Lots of food and lots of fun toys and props for the kiddos. Since there was lots of little ones it ended early. We told Alexis she can stay up as late as she wants tonight, she is so excited and up to the challenge to see if she can watch the ball drop! We'll see how long she makes it. =) 

........ and now it's over. 365 pictures in 365 days.

Monday, December 30, 2013

364/365

Paxton is loving his new trains! 

Is there really only ONE more day left of Project 365? EEK! I am so excited to get this last month of pictures printed and put into my Project Life binder and to know that it is completed.

I decided to do a Project 365 because everyone was saying that it would make my photography so much better. I was in a rut and needed to be challenged and pushed. This definitely did that for me. It wasn't until about 6-7 months in that I could really start seeing a difference in my images. But now that I've gone back and looked at that first months images compared to this last months.... wow... I think I've come a long ways. I'm proud of my progress and I feel like I've taken some big steps towards where I want to be. Overall I am very happy with my decision to take on this huge project and to stick with it.

I've thought long and hard about doing another 365 in 2014. In fact, I even made a pros and cons list. (ha!) I've decided that I'm not going to do another one. At least not for 2014. But I AM going to do a Project 52- which I'm so excited about. =)

I think a Project 52 will be more manageable for me. I'm planning on posting once a week and doing a overview of our week- with lots more pictures! I love that I have this past year documented and reading back through all the posts puts a huge smile on my face. So I want to continue with documenting my family, but not feeling like I have to post daily.

Congrats to all you other 365ers that I've followed and who have followed me! We did it!

If you're thinking about doing one in 2014- I say go for it! You won't regret it!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

363/365


A quick picture of Alexis playing with her new Sofia the First Castle- which she adores!

I spent the entire day in my office editing pictures. I only took breaks to eat, use the bathroom and watch the Bronco game. I have 3 client sessions still to edit. I have hundreds of Christmas and Birthday photos that needed culling and editing and I have another 3 client sessions coming up this week. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. But it's a good thing I love photography and editing so much!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

362/365


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS!

My baby girl is FIVE today! How did that happen? We woke her up with breakfast in bed and sang Happy Birthday. Chocolate Chip pancakes with blueberry syrup- her favorite. She then wanted to play with all her Christmas presents, we let her. We told her she could pick what we ate for lunch. She choose Subway. Then we got the house and everything ready for her family party. All our family came over and there was some more gift opening and cake eating. Later we had Christmas with my in-laws and went out to dinner at Chili's. Alexis told the waitress is was her birthday. She really wanted them to sing to her. They didn't, but she did get her free dessert! We then went over to the hotel that more of my in-laws were staying and visited for a couple of hours. It was a late night. I think the birthday girl had a fabulous day.

Friday, December 27, 2013

361/365

(picture taken with iPhone)

Today was a busy day. I spent most of the day getting everything ready for Alexis' birthday tomorrow. I had 2 senior sessions in the afternoon- that went so wonderfully and I can not WAIT to start editing them! I came home and my brother and sister-in-law were pulling up. They said they were watching the kids so Cory and I could have a date night. So sweet of them. We decided to head to Party City to get the remaining items we still needed for Alexis' birthday. We had a quick dinner at Panera and then we went to see the movie Catching Fire! I have been waiting so long to see it! It was nice having some alone time with my husband in the middle of a very chaotic week. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

360/365

(picture taken with iPhone)

We spent the whole entire day getting every toy out of the boxes, organzing them all and finding a home for them in the playroom or kids' bedrooms. Here was our trash pile. Luckily our trash comes tomorrow morning! Our house looked like Toys R Us threw up in it. I'm so happy it's all cleaned up now. =)

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

359/365


Christmas morning the kids were up early and eager to see what Santa brought for them. Here's the big gift Santa dropped off for them! They were so excited! We spent the day over at my parents house, eating lots of food. It was a wonderful Christmas.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

358/365

All ready for Christmas Eve!

We went over to my grandparents house. We had a big dinner and then everyone opened gifts. The kids got a pretty awesome loot. Spoiled. =)

Monday, December 23, 2013

357/365

Christmas Tree Bokeh

Sunday, December 22, 2013

356/365

I bought these little ornaments on Black Friday for under $1. The kids can paint them and I put a picture of them together in the "O" on JOY. The perfect gift for the great-grandparents. We have a LOT of great-grandparents.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

355/365

We took the kids to see Santa today! We got there a bit early thinking we would have to wait in line. Nope! He was already set up and we got to walk right in and he spent 15 minutes talking with the kids!

Alexis had no problem walking right up to him and telling him that she really wants a baby doll for Christmas. They even talked about their favorite colors and Alexis asked where the reindeers are. I didn't hear his answer. Paxton was very shy at first and wouldn't even look at Santa. But this Santa was so good and really took his time to talk softly and gently to him. Eventually Paxton gave in and told him that he would like a choo-choo train and some cookies for Christmas (ha!). We were so blown away with how amazing this Santa was. I was so appreciative that he took his time with each child. Truly special. I wish I would have gotten a better picture of the both of them with Santa once Paxton warmed up. But I was too busy enjoying the moment.

Friday, December 20, 2013

354/365


Today was Alexis' Pajama Christmas Party at Preschool. I got to come and help out. They made gingerbread houses, christmas trees, drank hot chocolate, did a gift exchange and sang Christmas songs. It's days like these where I am so happy that I get to be at home with my babies. I couldn't imagine missing these fun moments. 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

353/365

Alexis got to be "Star of the Week" at Preschool this week. We had fun putting her poster together and since I'm a picture person, I put some of my favorites from this last year on it! =) 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

352/365


Alexis and I spent the afternoon watching Christmas movies and making and decorating Christmas cookies. It was the perfect way to spend a Wednesday afternoon. 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

351/365


It got up to 64 degrees today! That's rare in Colorado in December. So I wanted to take advantage of it and take the kids out in their Christmas outfits to get a few cute shots. Paxton wasn't having it... not at all. This was the best one, Mr. Grumpy Pants.

Monday, December 16, 2013

350/365


Today we had out annual Gingerbread House Decorating Playdate with our friends! I host it and I make the houses. Our friends bring all the candy and icing to do all the decorating. The kids sat still for a good 30 minutes and decorated (I think there was some sneaking candy to eat too- shhh!) It was such an abnormal hot day today so the kids played in the backyard the rest of the time while the moms decorated the remaining houses and talked. It was so much fun! I love having little traditions like this each year.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

349/365


Ice-lashes

Saturday, December 14, 2013

348/365


Today was Alexis' birthday party with all her friends! We decided to keep it pretty low-key this year and just have it at a location that does all the set-up and clean up. She decided on a gymnastics party. We invited her entire class at Pre-K and a few of the kids in our neighborhood that she plays with regularly. They got to play in the gym for an hour. Jumping into the foam pit seemed to be everyones favorite part. Then we ate cake and opened presents and it was over. I'm kind of sort of loving this whole low-stress party planning. She had a fabulous time with all her little friends. I had a fabulous time watching her smile and enjoy herself. My (almost) BIG 5 year old.

Friday, December 13, 2013

347/365

As I was headed out for a photo session I saw her quitely playing on the iPad. She got a new app that reads her Christmas stories. She is loving it.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

346/365

Our Christmas lights ... I just love them!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

345/365




Tuesday, December 10, 2013

344/365

Merry Christmas, my love.

Monday, December 9, 2013

343/365


Tonight we took our annual Christmas Tree pictures. I love looking back through the years at these pictures and seeing the kids grow... and my photography grow too. =)

Sunday, December 8, 2013

342/365


Oh, Silent Night

Saturday, December 7, 2013

341/365


I love having a girl because I LOVE all the clothes and matching accessories! I just can't get enough. 

The first few years of her life I would take pictures of her in every single outfit. No joke. Back when I had my little Canon Rebel with the kit lens, shooting happily in auto mode and thinking my pictures with the bomb.com. Seriously. I would spend so much time getting a "set" set up. Usually placing her in front of some sort of flowers. I love those pictures!

I'm mad that I stopped once I started shooting in manual and upgraded to my Mark ii. I need to start again. I just love love love little girl outfits. =)

Friday, December 6, 2013

340/365



Thursday, December 5, 2013

339/365


Someone had a really long nap. He wasn't fully awake yet, but I had to get a quick shot of that hair! Ha!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

338/365


Santa Claus is coming to town!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

337/365

Oh my goodness guys.... I am a total pin-head! (you know those people who love Pinterest so much and are always wanting to re-create the pictures) Yea, that's me.

Here's my latest Pinterest re-creation. I love the bokeh Christmas lights. It's fun and festive. Nothing original, but still cute! =)

Monday, December 2, 2013

336/365

Today we had parent/teacher conferences for Alexis. Her teacher told us how wonderful she is doing and there was nothing but great things said about her.

I am so proud to be her mommy.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

335/365


Milk & Cookies. His favorite.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

334/365


We went to the Parade of Lights tonight. It was cold, but fun! The kids really got into it and were so excited to see Santa at the end. I love this candid shot of my boys enjoying the parade together.

Friday, November 29, 2013

333/365

Today was a wonderful day! I woke up early and went to Crazy8 to get some great Black Friday deals on clothing for Alexis. Then we decorated the inside of the house. Ordered pizza for lunch. Put Pax down for a nap. I went to JoAnn's to get some frabic. Picked up some Starbucks for the hubby and myself. Spent the entire evening addressing all our Christmas cards (they are all ready to be put in the mail tomorrow! Yay!). Now I'm catching up on editing pictures. Feeling accomplished! 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

332/365


Happy Thanksgiving from the Andrews Family!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

331/365


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

330/365

(picture taken with iPhone)
We did a craft at MOPS this morning. It was my first experience with modge podge. I now want to see what else I can modge podge, ha! These photo blocks turned out pretty cute although I am not very crafty. I had high hopes that I could use this as a Christmas present for one of the great-grandparents this year, but it does not look good enough to give as a gift. Oh well... it was fun to make! =)

Monday, November 25, 2013

329/365


I broke out the tripod and my remote this morning... and I'm so glad I did.

The kids wanted to play Don't Break the Ice (their favorite) and they wanted me to play with them. It only takes a couple minutes to get my camera and remote set up and it is so worth it.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

328/365


We went out to dinner with my family for my sister-in-law's birthday! After dinner we all went over to my parents house to eat cake and watch the Bronco game together. Alexis loved the raspberry cheesecake! =)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

327/365

(picture taken with iPhone and Instagram Filter)

Bronco Toes! Even Paxton wanted in on the fun!

Friday, November 22, 2013

326/365


Trying to sneak a snack.
Caught red handed.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

325/365


Pax loves this airplane. He calls it his rocket ship. He counts down and it blasts off. He insists that it goes with him in the car, when he naps, and even in the bath tub. He told me today that if I get him underwear with rocket ships on it then he will pee in the potty! I am on the hunt!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

324/365


Watching the snow fall.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

323/365


We are receiving toy catalogs every single day. Alexis always gets excited to go through them and point to all of the things she wants to ask Santa for. 

Monday, November 18, 2013

322/365


I woke up this morning to this.... my 2 lovebugs cuddeling on the couch playing a game on the iPad. It melted my heart.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

321/365


(picture taken with iPhone and Instagram Filter)

Sunday Night Football! Broncos vs. Chiefs! We WON!!!

Such a great game.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

320/365


She let me braid her hair today! And it actually lasted all day too!

Friday, November 15, 2013

319/365


Lil tootsies =)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

318/365


My pretty Fall wreath on the door.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

317/365


Goof Ball

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

316/365


(picture taken with iPhone)

Dinner at Panera... our favorite.