Jennica's B-day party last year.

Last year I threw a fancy smanshy birthday party for Jennica.  I did it partly because I follow too many party blogs and partly to see how well I could photograph an event.

After it was all said and done it cost me more time and money than I care to admit.  This year I have decided that simple is better.  I'm thinking that rollerskating kinda sounds like a good idea.  Problem is Jennica now thinks that her birthdays need to be elaborate.  She has been planning her six year old party for over a year now.   

She wants to have a princess Ball.  She wants Braxton to invite all of his friends to dance with all the girls.  She wants a glass glitter ball to hang from the ceiling.  Her cake, well she want's a wedding cake.  White on white with flowers and edible balls.  I'm not kidding.  Where did she come up with this?  I've really been talking the rollerskating thing up.  Braxton is so easy, he is fine with whatever. . . .hmmm maybe boys really are easier than girls.

Anyway, another party blog asked if they could feature Jennica's party.  The party has actually been featured in many party blogs.  Click HERE for the link.

Building Towers with blocks

These three kid's built this today.  They were so excited that they wanted me to take a picture and put it on our blog.  So funny.  I love that they asked me to document it for them.  Their friend Morgan was here to help them.

Shooting in low light - cranking up your ISO

I saw the shadows on my kids faces as they were sitting at counter in my kitchen this evening.  I thought it looked beautiful so I ran to get my camera which happened to have my 105 mm lens on it.  By the time I got the camera back to the kitchen the sun had already set and I lost the light.  Bummer.  But, I still liked the shadows so I snapped a few pics of Jennica.  The close up picture my ISO was 3500 way too high. . . .but it was exposed perfectly.  I then lost more light so I told her to run to the window and I took the last shot of her which my ISO was up to 6400.  When I loaded them in photoshop I reduced the noise and then ran a skin softner over her face.  That helped the grain a little bit.  I then did a pop the color on the full body pic and on both pictures I ran a defog.  Then I resized them for the web which reduced the noise even further.  Anyway, my point is that you should still take the shots and crank your ISO if you need to.  At least you have the images.  No these shouldn't be blown up big but their great snap shots.

I stepped on Braxton's army guy

Yes, Braxton was a little beyond sad that I ruined his army guy.  Last night when I went in to check on him before I went to bed I felt a crunch under my shoe.  After a little further investigation I found that I totally scrunched his army man.  I really didn't think he would care all that much.  I happened to have my camera in my hand as he came in to show me the tragedy.

 Okay, on the last picture I was just playing with my macro lens.  I have a love hate relationship with it.  It is the 105mm Nikor lens.  I love it because it is awesome to get those really close detailed shots.  I hate it because it needs so much light to focus properly when you are getting those really close shots.  As I move in close to my target I block the light and it seems to struggle.  Anyhow, I'm still practicing with it.

Someone else lost a tooth

Another tooth is gone.  Jennica was so excited to put her tooth under her pillow last night.  We talked about what the toothfairy would leave her. . . then I went off to get things done.  This morning when I went into her room I saw the look on her face as she grabbed the tooth out from under her pillow.  Nothing from the toothfairy was there.  I quickly ran and found the money the toothfairy had left by our front door.  She must have decided that Jennica would be too sad to have her little tooth disappear.  Whew, Jennica was thrilled.  She got her tooth and two dollars.  Wish the tooth fairy would get it together sometime soon.

Braxton lost another tooth as well.  I'm wondering if his really should have came out. . . I think it may be too exciting for these two twiners to lose teeth.  It was Braxton that pulled out Jennica's tooth.  Her's sure did bleed for a long time.  It has been about two weeks and there is no sign of a new tooth yet.

Jennica getting ready to play outside

Did you enjoy the 40 degree weather this weekend?  We sure did.  It was so nice to get out and feel the sun on our faces.  We played outside a lot this weekend.  We did have a little bit of a tragedy though. . . Baylee's bunny that we bred a month ago had her babies.  They all died.  I thought that we should put fleece in their cage to keep them warm.  I guess they got caught in the fleece and they died.  Baylee was so sad.  There were four of them.  We dug a little grave today and had a little cry.  They would have been ready for Easter so Baylee is especially distraught.  We'll try again real quick and see if we can do better.

Braxton and Jennica's school valentine party

I went in and helped with their kindergarten Valentine Party today.  Braxton said this was the best day ever.  I love that they are so easy to please at this age.

Braxton and Jennica's 100 Days of school

 Braxton and Jennica celebrated their 100th day of school today.  I loved their little glasses and the necklace they made with 100 fruit loops on them. 

 I usually get one shot and then they are so done. (the picture below)

 "Stop"  No more pictures.

Baylee and Sasha

Sasha has really impacted our lives since we got her for Christmas.  A dog was all that Baylee ever wanted for Christmas.  Now she get's to take her out for potty breaks 6 times a day (okay I do at least 2 of those .  . sometimes more).  She gets to play with her and teach her tricks.  It's been quite a ride.  Sasha is not a dog that want's to just lay around.  Unfortunately she has energy enough for all five of us.  I think she will be a good jogging partner when things warm up just a little bit. 

Lost his first Tooth