October's End

Wow I didn't post at all in October until now!

It was a busy month. With the kids and their school work, sports events and everything else, the month flew by.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday on the 17th. The kids decorated my cake, like usual and did a wonderful, colorful job.

Blake had his last soccer game, he loved it and will start the 2nd half in the spring. 

Jalyssa started out well in school but then her grades dropped and she was ineligible for the last few tennis matches. She was planning on joining swimming again this year, but I think is overwhelmed by 8th grade homework and a new boyfriend. YIKES!

I shot my first wedding last Friday with another photographer friend of mine and had lots of fun.

I'll hopefully post pics of the months events soon.

Brian has yet to find a new job. But we're trying to stay positive.

Talk more later.

We just found out our neighbors sold their home and we are super sad to see them go.

They have become friends over the past 5 years. Blake will probably be upset the most.

He has gone over there countless times to play on their playset and as their little boy got older he's enjoyed playing with him too. When they had their second baby, Blake just "had" to go see him.

We will miss them dearly.

More updates

I had forgotten to take Jalyssa's first day of school pic (it was early). So I asked my sister to take one of her when she got home from school. 

This is what she got. Yep her skirt was appropriate length for school.

The VanderMaas Reunion Pic. Lots of people missing this year.

Blake had his first soccer game on Saturday, they only had 1 practice prior to that because the other one was rained out.

They lost but still had fun. He loves his cool uniform.

Later Saturday we went to a Church Block Party down the street from us. 

Blake had a Bat painted on his face. Cutie!

Jalyssa

Jalyssa has changed so much this summer.

She did wear mascara most of the summer, but for some reason she didn't the day we shot the Left picture. 

So it's a very drastic change when you compare the two.

I'm sure even her 1st day school picture (which I forgot to take of her this morning) will even look different than these.

Lots of updates

School has begun. Boy summer went fast!

Lots has gone on. Blake started Soccer last week, he loved it.

Blake and I went to the zoo a few weeks ago.

Oh and Jalyssa loves skinny jeans. She's changed a lot this summer.

Blake's 1st day pic.

Soccer practice...kickin' it in.

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Getting ready to dribble

Getting a high 5 from the coach.

Lions at the zoo.

Riding a camel...he's so serious!

This little monkey giving us 5... I mean...10. :)

Blake trying to make sense as to why they are picking at eachother.

The "gotta have" picture.

Blake showing me how the fishes mouth is moving.

Jalyssa modeling her new skinny jeans.

Some new and interesting pics

Starting out with Jalyssa. I don't seem to have as many pictures of her as in the past because she's usually not around. She's busy with her friends or hiding in her room.

Brian got this RARE shot of her while she was watching TV. He loves to annoy people with the camera.

Then we go to a silly picture of Blake. Apparently while I was at the studio Jalyssa used my camera to take this picture. I'm pretty sure they are clean undies!

And lastly some pictures of an usual baby cucumber from our garden. It grew all twisted.

I thought it was a snake at first glance, but realized it was a cucumber.

It's cute so I had to share.

It's been awhile...

As any of my regular readers may have noticed I haven't updated in awhile.

This summer is flying right by and we've been super busy.

This week the kids are camping with grandma and grandpa. This is the first time ever they have gone without me.

This kids and I usually go for a week with my in-laws each summer.

But I need to be around for my studio sessions this year. I am grateful though, that my in-laws still took them. I'm sure they are having a great time and being spoiled with soda and sweets, stuff they don't usually get to have.

People keep asking how my photography business is going, I usually say "good," which is true. I'm not sure what else to say. We've been busy. Not much to talk about really other than it's going really well and I'm having fun. It's been interesting meeting all sorts of different kids and getting to know them in the 1 to 2 hours I'm with them.

School is only a few weeks away and I think Blake is the only one excited to go back.

I am not ready for them to go back and I know Jalyssa isn't excited about it either.  I'm definitely not looking forward to the shopping involved, I do not like to shop. It's just not in me to shop. Jalyssa is a shopping queen, I'm not sure where she gets that from.

Blake should start soccer practice soon. He's super excited about that. The kid loves to run, so he'll be good at it. I'll be sure to post pics of that.

I'm sure I have other new pics to post but it's late though. The only reason I'm not in bed is because I took aspirin this evening for a bad headache and the caffeine is keeping me up.

I'm tired but my brain won't slow down to sleep. Not good.

Hot, Humid...Beach Day!

Today the kids and I went to the beach by our house. It was a perfect day, the water was so nice.

Blake is completely tuckered out after practicing his swimming all afternoon in the lake.

Jalyssa floated around on a raft most of the time. Although she and Blake did gang up on me to splash a ton of water at me.

But never underestimate the mom! My splashes were bigger than both of theirs combined! HA-HA!

Even with my new busy schedule I'm still hoping to go several more times this summer.

I was never that fond of beaches, mostly the sand, but I have such a great time with the kids, it's worth it, sand and all!

Hope everyone is staying cool!

Happy 4th of July!!!

I can't sleep so I decided I'd update today's events.

We started our day going to the Parade in our town at 11 a.m.

Blake made a homemade flag earlier in the week and wanted to bring it to wave.

The parade lasted an hour and was great. Lots of new floats to see and Blake collected plenty of candy. Brian got a free tee shirt and I got a free flag and pole to mount to the house.

Afterwards we went to eat lunch at Wendy's, we do this every year. 

Then we went to the Middle School and checked out the games and activities. We've never gone to it before usually because we had to get home to go to another event or something.

Blake played on 3 different inflatables and even got up the courage to climb a rock wall.

He made it a little more than half way up. His hands hurt and he was shaking. But he did such a great job and loved it.

Then we came home and rested for the afternoon. Around 9:30 we headed to a friend of ours home and sat in their yard until dark. While waiting Blake and Brian played with some sparklers. There's some fun photos of that.

Then FINALLY (as Blake would say) the big fireworks began. 

I am posting a few that I took, for anyone who would like to see all of them, email me and I email the rest to you. 

Hope everyone had a great 4th. 

Hail....to July!

On Wednesday during a big storm along with many other neighboring cities, we had hail. It was from pea-sized to marble sized. 

It was Blake's first time seeing hail and he thought it was pretty cool. I think he was a bit confused as to why it was "snowing" in July.