Angie & Nick's engagment pics

My friend Angie, who used to work for me, asked me to take some engagment pics.  For whatever reason her photographer doesn't do them, so I was thrilled to!  Wedding photography is something I'm terrified of and don't have any desire to do (can we say "Bridzilla?") but I love taking pictures of couples I know in a relaxed setting. I have only taken engagement pictures of my brother and sis in law, but that was before I got into editing.  So I was so excited when she asked! I took pictures of their baby girl, and their family pictures before Nick was deployed, before she was even pregnant!  This is a family I photograph a lot 

I am going to be a bridesmaid in their wedding in June, and the girls will be flower girls :)

Nick is a Marine so they wanted to get pictures with him in his Blues

LOVE the lightening in this one:

 And a few of their little boy, he's such a charmer!

Izzy's in gymnastics, too!

About a month after Jessica started gymnastics, Izzy & I started up a Mommy & Me gymnastics class.  I did the same with Jessica, starting when she was a lot younger, and was really excited to do it again with Miss Izzy J.   Both of their classes are on Saturday morning, and now they are at the same time.  So I drop Jess off then Izzy and I start our class.  We get out 15 minutes earlier than Jessica's class, so I still get to watch some (and our classes are held in the same gymnasium so I can be watching almost the whole time).  Of course, this doesn't leave me much wiggle room with getting pictures!  Luckily, one Saturday Steve had the morning free (he usually goes to jiu jitsu on Saturday mornings) so I armed him with the camera

Here are pics of Izzy's class:

Before hand, both girls staring a little girl throwing a fit in the backround. Probably picking up tips....

 During the begining "warm up" it takes Izzy about half the time before she even gets down to participate.  Stinker

 And then when she is down, I'm the one doing all the work (we were supposed to be skating.  Don't I look like I could be the next Nancy Kerrigan?)

 Jessica and her class warm up with us- look at Jessica go!

 Then Izzy decided she wanted Daddy to do the class with her- so we did a little switch-a-roo

 After warm ups its off to do bar work! (don't know if thats the official lingo...)

 She basically just took a nose dive over these things she was supposed to be jumping over....

 Totally blurry picture, but you get the idea of the set up...

 and instead of walking on the bars, Izzy just wanted to post right there in the middle

 Best part is the foam pit!

 ANd what I really wanted to get a picture of most of all- Izzy walking in line with her hands behind her back. Its so cute when she does it all on her own, but of course she only does it 10% of the time.  So glad I got a picture!

 Waiting for stamps- she gets them on both hands AND feet.  Pretty lucky gal.....

We'll see if Izzy stays in gymnastics for long, but for right now I'm loving the mommy/Izzy time we get!

Ch-ch-ch-CHIA!

So, as I mentioned before, I recently read Born to Run and have been trying the whole vibram/barefoot running thing. In the book they talk about this super drink made out of Chia that the Tarahumara tribe drink.  My blog friend Jessie posted on her blog how she made the drink, and it looked so easy I had to try it! 

You take 8 ounces of water

mix in 1 tablespoon of chia seed (I bought it in the bulk section at Sprouts)

Let it sit for 5 minutes

Then stir, stir, stir, stir, for about a minute

Then let it sit another 5 minutes

Then I add some lemon juice and local honey (its supposed to help with allergies so I'm squeezing it in any way I can!)

Then drink!

Viola!

If you are a texture person, you may not be into this drink, but for me its AWESOME.  Kind of like a non color fruit smoothie.  And it seriously gives me energy.  AND fiber.  LOTS of fiber (just warning you all). I've been drinking it every afternoon with my afternoon snack and its seriously been the boost I need!

I looked up the info on, so thought I'd share what I found if anyone else was interested:

FOOD SUMMARY

Download Printable Label Image

Nutritional Target Map 

2.83.4Fullness FactorND Rating

NutritionData's         
Opinion

Weight loss:
Optimum health:
Weight gain:

The good: This food is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Calcium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber and Manganese.

Caloric Ratio Pyramid 

36%	53%	11%
Carbs	Fats	Protein

1

77
mildly anti-inflammatory

Read Morehttp://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3061/2#ixzz1MTEhvjo6

Poor Izzy

Am I so mean that I think this picture is hysterical? I was trying to get Izzy to go in the Shark's mouth with Jessica (and as I type that out I realize that I guess it probably was a bit scary...) and Izzy was refusing- she was too scared! Poor Izzy

Mothers Day Gift

Not the best picture (at all) but just wanted to share what the girls made me for Mother's Day.
They decorated the other side with fabric paints
But I'm loving their little hand prints

Outtakes

It was ridiculously hard to get Izzy to take a normal/decent picture for her
 two year picture with her dog.
Not to mention she now chooses what she wears most days and had a interesting outfit on...
Here are a few favorites:
Cheesy smile with dog in lap, shoes on the wrong feet, and mullet rockin

Showing me how old she is.  By holding up two hands.  Or ten fingers.  She had no idea what she was doing...

Being a goober

Such a cheeseball!  Climbed up on the side of the couch because she Could. Not. Sit. Still!

Two year olds crack me up

Izzy's Elmo Party

Few highlights from Izzy's Elmo bday party.

Please note that Izzy barely even watches Elmo, yet she insisted on a "Blue Elmo" party

So here it is!

 I'm obsessed with making these Martha Stewart puff balls (guess they're called pom poms. Whatevs)

This particular combo is perfect for 4th of July- too bad I haven't figured out a way to store them...

An outtake from her mini-photoshoot (that was taken after I woke her up for her party!)

Skirt was a little short..... had to add some pants!

Its really hard trying to get a decent family picture...

We played with bubbles...

Greeting her friends!

Little bit of thumb sucking here and there...

Practicing the blow toy (we call them butterfly tounges)

Pinata!

Enjoying a piece of candy from the pinata, that mommy had to eventually just pull open on dump the candy out of 

Fancy Elmo cupcakes from my friend Stephanie's Hey There, Cupcake

Singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out the candles! (had to move inside since it was so windy outside!)

Delicious

We opened presents after everyone left.  We learned the hard way with Jessica's 2nd bday that present opening can get reeeeeeeeeeeeeallly crazy with a bunch of 2 year olds

Love her cheesy face when she's showing off some of her gifts to her Papa (Grandpa Adams, my dad)

The chaos after opening all the presents

Tried to keep it a mellow party, didn't go overboard or stress the details that much.

Izzy had a great time and loved every minute.

It was perfect :)