Meet the Chipmunks

Before the next holiday rolls around, I need to catch up on the last holiday.  Halloween.  I don't know why Halloween is such a crazy time of year.  Oh yeah, perhaps it is because I choose to hand make the boys costumes every year.  Let me clarify.  I pick out the theme (always have to have a theme while the boys will still let me) and go shopping with mom (gaining her approval for all patterns and fabric choices-while juggling at least two children at the fabric store-which they all HATE).  Then I worry and feel guilty that the fabric is sitting at mom's house while I am busy doing ten million other things.  Meanwhile, my mom is chained to her sewing machine making magic (on 6 costumes-because my sister is in the same boat).  I stop by whenever I can to help cut, press, pin and....oh yeah try to keep three little people entertained so that mom can work.  Needless to say, I don't do a whole lot other than lend emotional support and come up with brilliant ideas for difficult costumes.  However, every year......my kids have the best costumes around (thanks mom).

This year, they were the Chipmunks.  They even learned the Christmas Song.  So cute!

Alvin

Alvin is the life of the party.  He is the talent, but he is trouble.  That fits Tanner's personality to a tee!  He loved being Alvin....and his favorite color is red.  Worked out perfectly!

Simon

Simon is the smart one.  He is always thinking and is on the straight and narrow.....just like Makai.  Another perfect fit.  Makai's favorite color.....blue.  Works out again!

Theodore

Everyone loves Theodore.  He is the cute little baby (with a little baby fat).  That is our little Jameson.  Not sure what his favorite color is, but he says it is green.  Is that just convenient.  Perhaps.

Together they make the Chipmunks.

Everyone loved seeing the chipmunks in action.  They were super cute.

I love a good theme.  I am already starting to think about next year.  What else can three little boys be?  They have already been bugs, knight and dragon, Disney characters, animals.  Oh well.  I am sure it will come to me.  I need to have a few months to convince the kids that this theme is what they really want to be.  It took me two years to convince them of the Chipmunks theme.  Aren't you glad they finally let me have my way?

Here are some of our traveling companions.  We cruised my parent's neighborhood because they don't get many trick or treaters and therefore, give out full size candy bars!

Totally worth the effort of going between the one acre lots in the neighborhood.

Here are some of our pumpkin carving escapades.

This is a close as JJ got to the guts

Boys love the guts

Makai got to carve his own this year.

Tanner's vampire pumpkin

So, Happy Halloween everyone!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Just a question.  Why is the song "A few of my favorite things" always played at Christmas time?  Sorry.  Just thought of that as I wrote the title.  I realize that it has been awhile since I have done a regular post.  Things have been a little crazy around here with Halloween, Chris' birthday and me working three jobs.  But this week things have been a little less crazy.  Until I think about all of the things I still have to do and that I am subbing both Thursday and Friday.  Oh well.....don't get ahead of yourself, right?

So, now for my favorite things.  I wanted to document my favorite Fall decoration.  It was given to me a few years ago for Christmas by my best girl and sister, Julie.  We have a fall party every year and she thought this would make a nice addition to my fall decor.  I think it is awesome!

I am sure she will make one for you, for a small fee of course.

Here is another one she made for little J.J. after he was born.  It hangs proudly in his room.

She even came over and stole the wall paint so she could paint the puzzle pieces so they would match exactly.  So cute right?  This is a favorite gift for a baby shower (I have done it in the past too.  Big hit and pretty easy).

My favorite year round decor?  This one.

Fits will all seasons, holidays, everything.  Best purchase at a craft fair...ever!  Wish I would have bought 10 so I could give them away as gifts.

Here is another of my newest favorite things.  I used to covet one of these.  One of my best friends had a purse like this and every time I saw it, I fell more in love.  Finally this summer, I got the meet the aunt that made it for her.  Now I have the pattern and I made one for myself that I LOVE!!!!!

Here is another one that I made that has yet to find a home.  Anyone want dibs on it?  The price would be about $50. 

Here are two more that are going to be made soon.  One is slated for a family member, the other for a friend.  You like?  I love!

I am willing to take orders if anyone wants one for themselves or for a friend.  They are time consuming and do take a considerable about of fabric, so they aren't cheap.  Sorry!  Let me know if you want one and we can work something out.  I also make mini ones.  I made a super cute one for a one year old birthday gift, but in the craziness of getting it done in time for the party, I didn't take a picture.  If you are interested in the little ones, they are only $30.  I will put up some pictures of some cute mini ones that my sister has made recently.  I can also embroider them with your name or initials.  (end of advertisement).

I love the fall.  It makes me want to craft and sew and drink hot cider.  Looking forward to a few more fall days before the snow starts falling.

Meet the O's

This is Mr. and Mrs. O. 

See their three little O's in the window?

And these are their little O's.

And this is what life with three little boys is like.

Never. A. Dull. Moment.
Lori was worried.  They had never had professional pictures done before.  Well guess what, Lori?  No need to worry.  Look at how beautiful your family is!

This is a seriously sweet family.  I love little boys.  I don't mean that in a creepy way.  I ALWAYS wanted little girls.  It was all I had ever known.  Sisters, cousins (except one), friends....all girls.  But God knew what he was doing.  I have all boys and have never looked back.  Never for a second (especially when seeing the drama of the nieces *disclaimer-they are awesome little girls, just not when they are in drama mode) have I regretted not having a girl.  I love how boys are tough, but sweet.  I love how they are fuming at you one minute and the next, all is forgiven.  So this is a family I can relate with.  Lori, I feel your pain and your immense joy in your boys!

Let me introduce you.  This is Preston.

I mean, seriously.  Can this kid get more photogenic?  He was AMAZING during the shoot.  Always looking out for his brothers, doing exactly what I asked and he is a natural in front of the camera.  This is only one of the 10 great shots I have of just him!  I try to let kid incorporate their ideas into a shoot.  It makes them feel involved and sometimes their ideas are great and work really well.  This was his one picture request.

Tebowing.  So cute!

The middle child: Oliver.  Oliver reminded me so much of my own middle child, Tanner.  They are the cute, funny but don't want to do exactly what you want them to do kind of kid.  Love them, but they are always working an angle.  He had his fingers in his mouth a lot, but guess what....still SUPER cute.

Here is his idea for the picture. 

Cute hu?

Here was my idea for his picture.

Entitled "Ollie's Lolly"

Now meet sweet little Sam.  Sam is the baby.  I love the baby.  But the baby is hard to work with.  Trust me, I have a three year old too.  And when I can get him to look at the camera and smile, voila, he is the cutest thing you have ever seen.  But I have a LOT of really bad ones too (of my baby, not Lori's baby).  The baby of the family is the one that everyone loves and coddles and tries to get to smile. 

"I am cute and I know it"

This was Sam's pick.  What three year old doesn't want to sit on a gigantic fence made of piled wood?

Here is mom's pick (or it will be when she sees it).  There is nothing like a mom and her sons.

And dad's pick (or will be when mom sees it, because let's face it when it comes to pictures the dad just shows up in the clothes that have been laid out for him and keeps his mouth quiet and smiles-if he is smart).

And here is LiLo's pick.  You know it can't be a proper photo shoot without some leg shots.

And in case you didn't get enough of this beautiful family, here's one last one.

And if you really, really didn't get enough, hop on over to LiLo Photography on facebook.  And.....BOYS RULE!

To Frame, or Not to Frame

So, you've had your family pictures done and now you have a cd full of cute pictures of your family.  Now what do you do?  Which ones do you print?  Which ones pull at your heart?  How will you remember your kids at this age?  Is it the one with the cheesy fake smile, or the one with their sweet little profile that is so easily forgotten?  Decisions, decisions.

 Ok, so that one might not make the wall, but I love it.  Did you notice the fingers wrapped tightly around his brother's neck while trying to give him a kiss.  It was not done in malice.  It was a loving gesture, just an aggressive loving gesture.

What about the wild goose chase?  Will that make the frame?

How about climbing out of the hole?

The cute squat that they can do so easily (you know the one that makes you groan when you are a grown-up, yet a chubby little 18 month old can hold the position for hours)?

The profile.  Will that make the photo album?

How about the cute little guy holding on to mama's leg with all his might?  So cute right?

What about this angle?  How can you resist a super-cute red head?  Probably won't frame that one, but it is nice to know what they looked like from your angle looking down on that sweet head.

How about your boys walking over the bridge?

Or walking the bench?

Brothers walking through life together?  Can you put that in the album?

How about the shadow picture?  I think this one is more of what your memory holds dear when you think back to the good old days of when your kids were young.  You won't remember how hard it was to get them to smile for picture day.  You are just left with happy memories of your babies.


So, I guess Amy has her work cut out for her.  If you want to see the ones that will definitely make the album, hop over to LiLo Photography and check out the rest of the pictures.

Looky What I Found

Remember my blog/rant about boys clothes and shoes.  Today I had a break through.  While shopping the sales rack at the Gap (the only place I shop at the Gap) I found these babies.

Trust me, they are cuter in person.  Can't you just see 3 cute little boys in these with some Christmas sweaters on.  Can you say "Christmas Card".  Now, to find a day when said 3 cute little boys will smile at their mama's camera.

Two pairs purchased.  Now the hunt begins for the third pair.  If anyone is at a Gap and sees these shoes ($12.99) in a size 8, 9 or 10 (toddler) BUY THEM and I will pay you back (with interest).

Many thanks!

Out Takes

I love the candid funny shots that come from photo sessions with families.  I love how it shows their personality and fun side of the family.  Here are some candids from a shoot with my nieces and nephews (and sister and brother-in-law.  Hope they make you smile!

The pure joy of leaves

Seriously funny, right?

Notice the deer in the background?

You