A Better Picture of DJ from the Park

Here is a better picture of DJ at the park. The one below was just too dark.

1/18/08 New Comment - I forgot to mention that the red mark on his forehead is not a shading problem from the camera. Prior to this picture, he decided against our warning to walk behind Cody while Cody was swinging. Needless to say, Cody's foot had a date with DJ's forehead and the red mark on his forehead (and a bruise on his cheek) were the end results. We all (except for DJ) had a really good laugh about it. DJ always wondered why we wouldn't let him walk in front of or behind people swinging. Now he knows why. Does that count as one of those "I told you so!" moments in parenting????

He Loves Me

For as long as we have lived here (2 years), whenever DJ goes outside to the front yard, he picks a flower (usually from the neighbor's house LOL) and gives it to me as a gift. I finally remember to take a picture of him presenting the flower to me yesterday.

Don't his eyes look so sweet?

At the Park

The weather has been really nice lately, so we decided to take the kids to the park yesterday. They both had a lot of fun. Cody has evolved from just sitting in the swing to actually playing on the play equipment.

He hasn't figured out the slide yet, though. He likes to try to walk up it. When we tried to slide him down it, he managed to turn around and end up sliding back first in the sitting position. He still enjoyed it, though.

DJ is now a self-proclaimed "professional climber". That basically means that he can climb up the chain rope/ramp thing by himself without help now. He has also been practicing his jumping skills by jumping OFF the top off the slide to the ground. NOT COOL!

Here are a few pictures from their time at the park.

Mommy's Supermodels

This Christmas, one of the gifts that I requested was a DVD set on photography for parents from this site - http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/. I watched them on Christmas and LOVED them.

Now...my poor kids have to endure mommy with a camera at any moment of the day. Before, I tried to take pictures of them at least once a week. Now...the camera is out all the time and they just aren't safe anymore. :)

Because of the DVDs, I now have the confidence to move outside of my photography comfort zone and photograph other familes and children.

Because of this new confidence, one of my 2008 new year's resolutions is to start building a photography business. I am excited about this and already have a few photo sessions in the midst of getting scheduled. I am just waiting for the rainy days to go away before getting them scheduled! I AM SOOO EXCITED!!

Thank you to my friends and Doyle for encouraging me!

Since watching the DVDs, I have been using the child that stays still the most (aka CODY) as my model. DJ already knows to hide when the camera comes out. :)

So far, I only have one of DJ without him turning his head or sticking his tongue out.

Here are a few of the kids' latest pictures:

Christmas Pictures

The boys had a fun Christmas in spite of both of them having ear infections! They woke up early and DJ went straight to the tree.

Cody was old enough to enjoy Christmas and the excitement of gifts. Of course, he played with DJ's Power Rangers more than anything and DJ played with all of Cody's toys.

This sums up how excited DJ was about Christmas Day! He had been counting down since about the 20th or so day before Christmas. He even knew how to countdown and write the numbers. :)

DJ with his Go Diego Go Mane Wolf. It even came with a kennel.

DJ in his Power Ranger helmet from the Texas Aguilars.

Cody on his Zebra. We like to do "8 seconds" and I bounce the zebra and try to buck him off. :)

Cody is probably going to be a Karaoke King just like his Daddy!

Cody's awesome new house that I (I mean he) wanted. :)

Out of all the kids, this picture shows the happiest of all of them. Scooter kept trying to open his present on Christmas Eve. He even put his old small bone on Doyle's lap and started nudging his gift. It was as if he was trying to trade! :)