Visiting Gigi and G-pa

Funny that I am writing this post about Tyler while I am once again in Tyler. Back at the end of January, during another arctic blast, Justin and I went to Tyler for the weekend while Derek last minute took my brother to Phoenix for the weekend for a whirlwind golf outing. It snowed for a short bit while we were in Tyler - I feel like the snow followed us everywhere this winter. Thanks to the cold days, we had a lot of play inside.

Justin and Gigi getting their stance on...


... for playing soccer with a tennis ball in the hallway.


Justin is such the gamer. My grandparents used to have a lifesize pinball machine in their house that we would all play and compete on growing up. Justin will have the smaller version, but he played this homerun derby version for hours. Gigi is so patient to sit and entertain him.


Gigi and G-pa gave us cash for Justin's Christmas gift, so I thought I would let him open his gift at their house. His first keyboard. He loves to play songs. He tells me he is going to "read me a story" as he plays me a tune. My little pianist.


Watching a movie with cousin Carter. Carter actually built the chair Justin is sitting in in shop class in high school.


In hog heaven with the older cousins.


Val, Carter, & Justin amazed at what they are watching.


What makes me laugh in this photo is my grandfather on the far left watching with his headphones. Now that he is in his eighties, he doesn't hear as good as he used to. So he would turn the TV up real loud to watch his shows. So now he can listen as loud as he wants, just not everyone else has to strain to hear their own thoughts.


Funny enough, I just got back from another trip to Tyler this past week. Though that post is a long ways away, I leave you with this video my cousin Val took of Justin playing with the big kids. Just love that my younger cousins, who I would play with all the time, have turned the tables and are playing with my little guy.

Backyard Shenanigans from Val Mae on Vimeo.

Aaron's 30th

Back in January my brother, Aaron, turned 30. We made the drive to Waco for the celebration. We drove to his house first where Justin got a taste of guitar hero.


He had an absolute blast.


We literally had to pull him away for naptime.


That evening, the party was hold at my parents' house. Cookie cake is always a Smith must.


Aaron told Elise that he wanted a laidback affair, so she had all his favorite foods at the party. Never seen such a monogamous spread, but man was it tasty! The only thing missing was the PB&J he had everyday growing up.


Fun little decor everywhere


Then we settled in for the night and played guitar hero.


The three Smith kids competing together. I've never had more fun! I kept making fun of the drums, until I got to the hardest level. Not quite as easy...


Aaron's college roomie and best friend, John, taught us how to put a cork in a plastic bag and pop it out of the wine bottle. Sounds silly, but it was quite impressive.


Shane then attempted the trick, and said he would start this at his office the following week.


One of the couples brought their little one with them. At 9pm, a mere 2 hours after Justin had been in bed, this sweet girl starts getting antsy. Anytime a baby is up late and gets fussy, I just can't help myself. Her parents kept telling me she wasn't a great sleeper, but within minutes she was fast asleep. Such sweetness - I don't get to do this anymore, so it was a real treat.


Everyone shared their silly stories of Aaron, and we laughed for a long time. We eventually called it a night, but not after my mom and Derek were nicely debating about women dunking in college basketball. Apparently Baylor has this amazing female post that can get some air. But that's a whole other post which will probably never get written. Let's just say it was the most entertaining conversation of the evening.


Happy birthday, sweet brother. Proud of all you have lived your life for!

Visit to Victoria

Don't get used to all these posts - I just managed to make time during naptime to finally catch up on a few things.

The day after Derek's pacemaker surgery found us at odd of what to do. We had been perusing the market for a used SUV, and our buddy, Stephen, just happened to work in the business. Earlier in the week Derek surprised me by telling me that they had found a car. Great honey, I tell him, we will just get it after you recover. Oh no, Derek was pacing the day after surgery, just begging to go get the car. So what did we do after getting a new metal piece to help out heart work better? We drove to Victoria for the day. I literally called Jenise and told her we would be there in 2 hours. Oh, Major is running a fever? Sorry, Derek is already strapped in and ready to go.

I had been wanting to go check out the digs where the Livesays lived, so what better way than this. After going and grabbing the car, Derek drove back to Houston and Justin and I stayed for the rest of the evening. All the boys napped at the same time., so Jenise and I could get some much needed catch up time. Then it was time to play.


Justin and Major have the same exact birthday. Hudson, his twin John Caleb, and Justin were all born the last day in August. I was induced, and Jenise was a quick decision to bring those babies around. So it's a fun connections for these two buds to get to play together.


Who has a little ole fever?


Sweet Major was running around in his PJs, but he was able to give me some sweet smiles.


Mini-me Jenise, is what I like to call him.


Someone just had to get their photo taken as well. Ok, you twisted my arm.


We loved playing on the trampoline.


Poor Maj - little too big of a hug!


An attempt to make 3 active little boys stop for a photo.


We finished up by trying out the Chick-fil-A in Victoria before heading back home. We love our new car, even though I forewarned my mom that I knew once I got a new car that I would hit in on the garage. Almost a foreboding. And what do you know, not two weeks after having it I did just that. TWICE! Humility, is what that is. I kept telling God, it's just a car. Keep me humble. I did manage to go to the dealership today and they nicely buffed up almost all of the damage. I still have some paint removal to remind me of who I am. And the Camry is still in existence - Elise and Aaron now get to drive the silver bullet. And they have managed to steer clear of the garage.....

January Musings

In an attempt to try and get to February, I am clumping several of our family outings from January. January was a month of very few social commitments. Each Saturday the three of us would hang out together, and I would think to myself, "This is what everyone does all the time." It was fantastic, but alas, it is over.

I think it was the calm before the storm. A time to remember why I love this family of three that God has allowed me to have.

First up, homemade cars ramp using a puzzle box and shake 'n go cars.


A lot of laziness this month of not using my flash, so forgive the darkened photos. Anyone around here want to edit my photos for me?


This photo makes me laugh - the only thing truly in focus is Chick. Justin's fave, even know he's the "unkind friend" in the movie.


Justin still loves to shave with his daddy. Thumbs up,matey!


If you remember, I mentioned our heater off and on wouldn't work downstairs for two weeks. You know, when January was having highs of 48 degrees everyday. After driving to HEB or Home Depot everyday, Derek finally went to a firewood store and loaded up for the fireplace. So when you have a fire, you have to make s'mores.


Nothing little boys love more than a fire.


And catching them on fire - the ultimate thrill.


Justin was so funny waiting for his daddy to put the whole sandwich together.


Two bites later the dessert is deemed unworthy of my son's stomach. "I don't like it," says the boy who won't drink lemonade, sprite, eat donuts, and the like. Who am I to complain - every hygienist's dream child.


So we made some pigs in the blanket instead. He calls this Papa's food, and like to eat it with jelly, just like Papa Snuf.


Oh what to do, mom? So boring around here?


We started rewarding so many dry pull-ups during naptime and dry diapers at night with a trip to the store for a monster truck. We are up to 9 monster trucks now, and on our way towards drier naps and nighttimes. Just trying to quit buying diapers!


A blurry sibling moment. Roxy looks thrilled.


We tried out the Natural Museum of History to see the dinosaur exhibit. Let's just say I am glad we went on a Saturday where Bank of America gives one adult admission free. That place is expensive! Justin loved all the Christmas decor that they still had up.


I have a confession to make - I don't like museums. As in at all. Not my thing. The Natural Museum of History was no exception. Even Justin was bothered that the dinosaurs were dead. He thought we were going to some type of zoo I believe, with dinosaurs grazing on the grass. He had just finished a unit on dinosaurs at school, so we thought he would love it. Derek would point to one and ask him what kind it was. He would look out of the corner of his eye, give us an eye roll, and say, "I don't know. It's dead." As in, duh!


I did love the seashell exhibit. Please don't hate me - I just prefer to be at the beach looking at these shells, not a museum of glass.


We followed up with lunch at Picnic and then a ride on the train. Cheers for a another beautiful Saturday afternoon!


How long ago this all seems. But such great memories were made!

Christmas photos - the $50 for 50 bunch

I have been meaning to show some of my favorite photos from my $50 for 50 endeavor over Christmas. I learned a lot through the process. I know that I love to take photos, getting bolder and more confident as I took on each new family. I know that I have a hard time narrowing down from 300 photos to 50, which meant I lightly edited 300 photos instead. Big time consumer doing that. Still don't know where I want to go with photography, but I know I will not be doing 300 photos for $50 again. Just wore me down, and no pleasure came of it. But that's why you do things - to learn what benefits you, your family, and in turn the families that you bless with your photos.

These are not in any type of order, much less my friends' favorites. I decided to choose my top three faves from each photo shoot, and all for different reasons. I was going to go and add some punch in the editing before posting, but the thought of it overwhelmed me. So what you see if what you get!

First up is sweet Brooks. Such a smiley age! And what great scenery for photos. I am so sad his mommy and daddy moved away from Houston!


Ah, sun, you are starting to become my friend.


Wish I got to see this bundle of joy more often. Love those eyes!


Next up are the cousins of Brooks. AnnMarie was a trooper smiling constantly while her younger brother got adjusted.


We did get one of both smiling, but this was a hard age to master. Clark couldn't sit up, and he's as big as his sister. We managed to finally find a position that would work.


Look at those two cuddlebugs


The time of day with Pines kicked my butt - close to noon. I wasn't feeling confident with the sun quite yet, so I bombed on exposure on a lot of the shots. Thankfully I have an understanding friend who tells me to quit being so hard on myself. We just had a blast doing silly things, which made the kids laugh.


It's nice to have friends that don't take life so seriously. During this shoot Leslie told me something that made me stop and think about the emphasis of our Christmas photo. She said it's silly that we all want this perfect Christmas card photo when in reality none of us have a perfect family. It helped me stop and think, during several times during the Christmas season, just what I was trying to let others' think about my family. Do I want them to think I had a perfect card or a heart that followed Christ?


Don't worry, we did get some normal, regular ole Joe shots.


My dad and Casey's dad went to high school together. We took their photos on an overcast day, which meant the exposure was perfect. Had lots of photos to choose from.


Tatum is at the age where it's easy to get the smile.


Her black outfit next to the flowers made for a good mix


In about ten minutes over Thanksgiving I quickly shot my brother and sister-in-law


We just marched over to my parents' neighbors' house and went to work.


My brothers have come a long way. Never ones to enjoy photos, the wives have definitely changed their hearts when it comes to smiling for their sister.


The Martins were fun to photograph


I had to last minute bring Justin with me - there's a reason why I normally don't do this. He was great until I started moving quickly from pose to pose. He just sat on the ground and softly moaned for mommy. This sweet husband kept asking if he was okay. Amy and I would look at each other, laugh, and say yes, he was fine. Justin told me later he thought I was going to take photos of him. We eventually did.


It was fun being playful with these three. Plus, I have a softness for families with only one like myself. So many of us to pray for to broaden our families!


I met Ava's mommy through a friend of a friend. She came over while Justin was napping and we shot some photos in my neighbors' yard.


I am a sucker for red shoes on little girls


Mommy finally got her to smile


The Wilsons - what would we do without these neighbors?


They had recently gotten a cat, which just happened to walk by during photos. So Chloe got a shout out in the Christmas photo. And it had snowed the day before in Houston, which showed up in our photos. So fun.


Lily, the youngest, wasn't smiling at first. I pulled out my new faithful trick of marshmallows for rewards to her older siblings. We didn't have to fight for a smile for the rest of the time.


We used my neighbors' yard quite a bit now that I am posting three in a row. Hey, they have great landscaping, are hospitable, and are 3 houses down. Jacki is a trooper letting us stomp all over the place. The Boyle girls were fun.


It was about 50 degrees outside and slightly windy. They were troopers in their short sleeved Christmas dresses. The girls had these cute hats from Etsy that we took from behind to show the woman they bought them from.


We even got momma to smile for a photo.


I was quite intimidated taking the Flanakins' photo. We were at a location I had never been to, and Pat used to be a professional photographer. He has given me tips and pointers on my camera, flash, lens recommendation, etc. But we got some winners and I could breathe easier.


And Caris was plentiful with the smiles.


I need to go back and shoot at this location. It had so many great places to pose for.


You would think 4 kids would be hard. The Halls were probably the easiest.


Those kids were so cooperative - and kept wanting the marshmallows!


Not that I am playing favorites, but I have a thing for redheads. Em and I are buds when we all get together in playgroups. Since I obviously have an extra set of hands, I usually gravitate towards a Hall child. Love all those kiddos.


Though there were some grumpy comments, my family, in the middle of a wedding reception dance floor, got our family Christmas photo taken. I just happened, by accident, to ask one of the professional photographers to use my camera and take the photo. He tried to tell me how to set my camera, questioned the fact I was using RAW, etc. I just calmly told him to take the photo - I knew what I was doing.


I showed this photo on my Christmas post, but I liked the black and white that Mary Beth choose for their card.


Hallie turned one, and Jenn took me to a great place to take some shots. Look at the beautiful leaves!


Once we got Hallie to stop moving, she showed us her beautiful smile.


But getting her to stop was the hard part. This family is moving to Australia soon, so I am glad we got some photos in before they left.


Just for giggles, I thought I would throw in some outtakes from my own family Christmas card photo shoot. It's hard to not be behind the camera to tell yourself how ridiculous you look.


Ironically, I messed up most of the photos trying to "naturally" look at Justin while the other two smiled at the camera. Awkward! Justin gave us a few wide smiles.


Getting ready for the final pose, we just don't look au natural. Oh well - we tried.


Um, no.


We did finally get our winner - second to last one taken.


Kuddos to my brother Shane for meeting us at 7:45am on a Friday for 15 minutes.


Thanks to Photoshop, I took Justin out of the photo above to have his own personal greeting. Gotta love cut and paste.


I still am trying to find a balance with this fun hobby that I have been playing with. Still feel like there are ways for me to bless people, but trying to balance what is worth my time, how to enjoy it, etc. Just have to get quicker with the editing - but who has the time....