Funny Beach Pictures

As I was looking through my hundreds of beach photos I was struck by how many funny shots there were, so I thought I would share. May they bring you a chuckle or two. Here's to every Mom who has ever tried to get a good shot of multiple kids!

I love the vast difference between Landon and Whitney's expressions. He looks like he's given up hope of ever being saved from the crazy girl.

This is Ashlyn telling me to smell her stinky bum. Chris was slightly disturbed when he saw this pose. He said, "it looks like Whitney's the Mom!"

Not quite the mother/child shot I was hoping for.

You will probably need to click on this shot to make it full sized so you can see what a winner this one is! Landon has spit up all over himself and Chris, Ashlyn is being completely uncooperative (as usual), Gavin is making a goofy face and Chris and Whitney both have their eyes closed. This was the end of our shoot because Ashlyn's hair was full of spit up. I did not get even one decent group shot! GRRRR!!! Though it was not for lack of trying.

Whitney better live it up while she is still bigger than Gavin. Someday she will be receiving lots of paybacks!

Oh Ashlyn! Her fun personality is really shining through in this one. She is the #1 reason for why I could not get a group shot. This child delights in being contrary.

Lately Whitney wants to take lots of silly pictures. She said this was her mad face. Looks more like she smelled something bad!

Beach Photos

On October 16th we went down to the beach so I could torture my children with picture taking yet again. I literally took hundreds of pictures so it took me awhile to look through them all and do a little editing. I am intrigued with light. How it has different qualities in different places and times of the days. I love the light at the beach especially at sunrise and sunset. I know I'm not alone on that one. One of my dreams, is to take some photography classes someday. If I had to sum up why I love photography so much it would probably be because of the possibilities. The possibility of capturing a moment in time, the possibility of capturing perfection, the possibility of conveying a feeling without the use of words.

The above picture is probably my favorite picture of the entire day. Why? Because it captures all three of my aforementioned qualities. I love the perfection of the tiny shell, right in the middle of Whitney's perfect hand. She came up to me and said, "Look Mom!" And I snapped the shot. It was effortless which is the best! To me it captures the wonderment of childhood.

Here I was trying to position myself and Landon so that his head was blocking the setting sun.


I have often thought that the key to being photogenic is the ability to feel natural and relaxed in front of the camera. Whitney and Gavin are great that way. They just naturally strike fun and perfect poses for me. =)

I get really annoyed sometimes with Whitney's glasses because they reflect light and I feel like they hide her face. Understandably she hates to be without them because she cannot see a thing and then she ends up squinting. We will probably get her contacts in the next couple of years.

Favorites of Ashlyn (Click on collages to view full sized.)

Favorites of Gavin

Favorites of Whitney

Favorites of Landon

Pumpkin Time

This was our second attempt to visit Aplin Farms Pumpkin Patch. I had been waiting for sweater weather before we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. We finally had our first taste of fall this past weekend. On Saturday morning we all loaded up and drove the 25 minutes only to discover Landon had a pooplosion along the way. I didn't have a warm change of clothes for him so we had to turn around and leave. Gavin in particular was very disappointed. Which started us reminiscing on some of their more spectacular pooplosions. Good times, right?

Monday afternoon we set off again but this time I was smart and brought a change of clothes. Which was a good thing because he had another pooplosion! This year we did the corn maze which was a big hit. Gavin was determined to be the first one to find his way out. He is forever telling us how men have a better sense of direction. Something he saw on the Discovery channel and has clung to ever since. He accomplished his mission and used this as proof to back up his claim. Now we will never here the end of it!

Ashlyn's Fiesta

Making a wish! She told me she was going to wish for a unicorn. Keep your fingers crossed for her!

Daddy leading the kids on a hunt for treasure.

She insisted on wearing her shakey(skirt) she likes the way it moves when she shakes it! I had planned on putting her in jeans but she was the Birthday Girl.

Enjoying her lollipop.

Here is Ashlyn with her future husband, Porter. She told me a couple of weeks ago that she is going to marry Porter. =D That is going to be one long engagement!

Whitney drew this awesome Pin-the-flower-on-Dora poster for the party.

All of the party guests.

Several months ago Ashlyn saw a Dora piano in Ross. She played with it throughout the store and then threw a fit when we would not buy it for her. She has been talking about it ever since and saying that's what she wanted for her birthday. Of course we could not find another Dora piano so we got this one instead. Chris has been regretting not buying it ever since. It has a microphone and she loves it!!!! I'm not loving the microphone so much.

Yes! A Cinderella Polly Pocket doll!

She was a tad excited to open those presents.

Ashlyn has been talking about her Dora birthday party ever since Gavin had his birthday in July! We had a little picnic at the park with some friends. October is the best time of year to be outside here in Bama and the weather was perfection!

Ashyln Turns Four

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old

1 year old

6 months old

3 months old

5 days old

Monday was Ashlyn's 4th Birthday. Every year on my children's birthdays I think about the day they were born and marvel at the time that has passed and the blessings they are to me. All of my children are special to me in their own unique way. On Ashlyn's birthday I can't help but feel a little extra thankful that we have had her in our family for four years. When she was born we really did not know how long she would live or if she did what kind of life she would have. Before that I always thought I was aware that there are no guarantees in life. I had suffered some pretty big heart breaks in life already and knew life was not always roses and rainbows. I learned anew that there is a big difference between what you know and what you feel. Those first few months of life were pretty rough but I learned some valuable lessons. I am grateful to have the oppurtunity to be Ashlyn's Mommy. From day 1 Ashlyn has been full of surprises and has kept us on our toes! I never know what to expect from this girlie. One thing is for sure life will never be boring with her around!

5 Months

I can't believe my baby boy is already 5 months old today! He is enjoying a little Christmas in October due to his new jumper/activity center. He loves it but still demands lots of attention. I worried that he might get neglected but there is no chance of that as he is a very demanding little guy. Not only does he look like his Daddy he acts like him too. =D He had another growth spurt and is now wearing 9 month clothes. We had to go out and buy him a new wardrobe just in time for the fall/winter season.

Inspiring Quote

A new friend emailed me this quote and I love it, so I thought I would share.

"There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. " ~Washington Irving

Landon's Stats

He has discovered his toes and he loves them! He finds them pretty darn tasty too.
He has also discovered the joys of toys. He has got his hand to mouth coordination down!

His fingers are in his mouth about 90% of the time. The only problem is he keeps gagging himself.

This baby boy does not want to be in a prone position unless he is eating. Yesterday I decided to sit him in his boppy pillow and see how he did with sitting and this was the result. He isn't falling down more like swaying in circles. If he wasn't constantly jerking his arms around I think he would have been able to sit longer.

He had his 4 month check-up on Wednesday, though he is now 4 1/2 months old.

Length: 27 1/4 " - 96%

Weight: 16 pounds 3 ounces - 75%

Head circumference: 18 1/4 - off the charts!!!

(I think everyone has noticed by now that he has his Dad's perfectly round and huge head.)

Landon is one strong baby! His torso is as solid as a rock. There is no passively holding him. I liken it to holding an alligator. You better hold on with both hands or you will loose him! He is sleeping through the night more and more. He really adores his Daddy! As soon as he sees Chris or even just hears his voice he gets super excited and starts trying to get his attention. Either by fake crying or trying to throw his body towards him.