Love Our 4

Just for fun!

2009-06-24T00:44:00.003-04:00

I was testing out some lighting and Anden and Elise took the opportunity to give me their personal headshots! It was fun. Elise kept going..."Cheese!"

Preschool Year in Review

2009-05-29T11:22:00.001-04:00

So... many of you know that I am going back to teaching in August. I will be teaching Kindergarten...YEAH! Anyway, here is a wrap up slideshow of the past year with the kids I watch during the day. I am going to miss them!!

Trick or Treat!

2008-10-31T22:25:00.007-04:00

I knew if I did not come straight home and post these pictures it would not get done! So here are our Halloween pics. We did our traditional halloween thing and went down to Dearborn street. We ran into Drew while we were there. Buzz Lightyear was a huge hit, getting tons of "ooos and aaas." By the end of the night, Buzz had quite the little fan base. Elise was also a hit... her rosey cheeks made her look so sweet and innocent. (yeah...right!)

PS: KY we miss you all and are thinking about you all today. We were there with you in spirit!

Stitches... AGAIN!

2008-10-31T22:15:00.002-04:00

So... I am not having the best couple weeks! This past Sunday, I was laying my bed, and Elise was playing next to me. She began jumping and before I knew it she had fallen head first into our marble window sill! I instantly picked her up and she was already covered in blood. My next instinct, scream like a banshee for Sean. Sean came in and within a couple of seconds and we were on our way to the emergency room. Turns out, her laceration went down to her skull. She had to have 3 stiches for the piece of tissue that surrounds the skull and 7 on the outside. We got a little sheet that gave us all the things to look for with head injuries. Sure enough, Monday night she started acting funny and by Tuesday morning I was in my doctors office. After a ct scan, it turns out that she probably just had a concusion, but no major concerns. This is where I finally breathed a sigh of relief. We think it is hilarious that she had to one up her brother, and get more stitches than him. That's my girl!

Dear Grandma...

2008-10-30T09:13:00.005-04:00

Dear Grandma,

You will never know how much you have meant to me. I feel honored to be your grand-daughter. You are such a strong woman. It is so hard for me to think that I will not see you again, but i know you have peace now. I picture you singing and doing all the things you loved to do so much but haven't been able to for so long! I promise your memory will stay alive. My children will know you through my memories, I will make sure of it. Although we have always lived miles apart, we have always had something special, you and I. There was no need to say it, we just knew it. When I think of you now, I think of the small thing. Brushing your hair, eating crackers and cheese, looking through old pictures of family, quilting, hearing stories.... these are the things I will miss so much. I love you, Grandma, so much and I miss YOU! Watch over my little ones.

Your Grand-daughter,

StaceyDad and Grandma at Grandma and Grandpa's 50th in 2000

Grandma, Anden and Dad 2005

Grandma and Anden 2005

Grandma and I ( under blanket) 1996

Grandma 1996

The house 2005

Grandma and Grandpa 1996

Square EYES!

2008-09-16T21:12:00.002-04:00

So... Life has been so hectic. I have great pictures of Anden starting soccer. It's been two weeks and I haven't gotten a chance to shrink the pics. This is what my life has been consisting of... EDITING PICTURES! I took a picture of my editing screen. I think I'm losing my mind.:0)

Summer Wrap-up!

2008-09-02T21:34:00.007-04:00

I can't believe it is already September! We have had the best summer ever this year. It so hard to see it go. Our many trips to the beach and just enjoying family and friends has made this summer unforgettable. Here are a few pictures from this summer.

These were from our yardsale.

Anden enjoying a ride on his bike... oh yeah, in his UNDERWEAR!

We visited the fountains on Venice Island with Papaw.

A beautiful summer sunset down at Indian Shores Beach!

Hanging out after the beach. Friends for life!

I picked up a few souveniers of my own. This is my tattoo located on my right foot. I've always wanted a frog on my foot. I decided she should be pink and have a halo. My "kleiner frosche." This pic is when it was still healing, it looks flawless now. I also decided while standing in the tattoo shop that I should also have a nose ring. I love it! Sorry to those who don't approve. I am me... every bit... take it or leave it.

While at the beach, I ran to get my camera. The temperature change from the condo and the beach made my lens fog up hardcore. I couldn't get it to stop fogging up. I got a few kinda cool looking pics.

Play Dates!!

2008-09-02T20:34:00.003-04:00

This summer a bunch of moms got together with their little cherubs. It was an awesome time for us all to catch up as friends and let our children play together. We did it once a week and each week a different mom hosted! It was sooo much fun that we are doing once a month now that school has started. Here are some pics from when I hosted.

Cookie Monsters!

2008-09-02T19:19:00.004-04:00

About a month ago we decided to make cookies as a family. Anden and Elise love to help me cook, so we thought it would be fun! Boy was it! They loved it. We bought them little aprons for the next time, so they don't have to borrow mine. Who's hungry?

Practice makes Perfect!

2008-07-24T00:23:00.003-04:00

Practice makes perfect is the saying, but I think I started with perfect:0) My kids are so darn photogenic... it's hard to get a bad picture. So, I got some new lights awhile ago from a photographer that has really helped me out and taught me A LOT, and I needed some practice with them. What better practice then with a 17 month old and a 3 year old! Practice it was. Elise, believe it or not, was a fuss bucket the entire time and was terrified of the table I sat her on to shoot the pictures. Anden was a little movie star... he loved the camera, then hated the camera, then loved it again. He tried so hard to get Elise to pose with him. I am so in LOVE with them! So... here is what were some of the final prints! Enjoy!

My little princess! I love what she is doing with her hands.:0)

Look at how Elise adores her big brother!

Mr. GQ

Not so sure.

They decided to dance a little.

The many faces of Elise.

My baby boy is growing up so fast! He is starting to grow into such a smart and compassionate little guy. I'm so proud!

Baby girl... all I can say is breath-taking!

SO... what your saying is that you probably are not up for a third outfit?

Mote Marine

2008-07-21T00:41:00.006-04:00

We took the kids to Mote Marine. They both love animals so we thought it would be fun. It was! The place is kind of small so we want to make a trip to the Florida Aquarium sometime this summer. Here are a few pictures from our adventure!

SHARK ATTACK! (What a hambone!)

What is that face? Anden NEVER looks right at me when I take a picture. I always get a half way look.

Who's as big as a baby manatee? This will be cute to compare to a visit a few years down the road!

Elise kept pointing to all the fish saying, "shhh." Okay how cute. I told her that fish don't eat grilled cheese. (Although if it was a dork fish we could have given it a hotdog!LOL)

Big Smiles for a FUN day!

The rest of the beach pictures!

2008-07-07T17:34:00.006-04:00

Here are the rest of the beach pictures! I have so many more but had to pick only a "few."

The kids playing in front of the cottage.
This is my favorite picture from the beach! Makes me mist.:0)
Carlo..so serious!
Anden and Elise... I actually got them to smile.
This was our little visitor. He hung out in front of our cottage for quite a while.
Okay... enough with the dancing! Daddy and Anden playing with their parachute guy.

Gotta love the kids feet in the sand!
Beautiful Julie... Anden loves her!
Carlo again... Elise's new guy.
My baby!

Oh my... need I say anything at all!

That's all folks!

The start of Beach pictures!

2008-07-04T22:56:00.004-04:00

So... the last week of June we went on our annual trip to Indian Rocks beach! We had so much fun this year. I have a ton of pictures, but here are a few that I have ready. I will add the rest when I get to it.

I took these pictures the first morning. I just thought it looked so beautiful.

I also took these pictures the first morning. Anden and Elise just love the beach and the Gulf. I could tell from the very start they were really going to enjoy the week.

These pics I took one of the mornings. Sean and Anden were still sleeping so I took Lisey for a stroll on the beach and captured a couple stunning pictures of her! She was such a cuddle bumpkin so I grabbed a few shots of her cuddling her Omi.

More beach pictures coming soon... OH.. pics of my new nose ring and our newest tattoos also coming. Sorry for those of you that don't approve. I gotta just be me... because that's what makes me HAPPY!

GWIZ that's Fun!

2008-07-02T22:57:00.003-04:00

Here are the pictures from our day trip to GWIZ. We went to celebrate Father's Day. Sean and Anden get such a kick out of seeing how things work...

Peek-a boo, Elise!
Elise love the huge legos. They were almost as big as here.
Okay... who's driving here?
Anden changing the tire on the golf cart.
Daddy teaching Anden about magnets.

Elise and Anden were hooked up to see who could keep their minds the most clear. As you can see by the picture Elise is very focused and Anden... not so much.:0) Sean kicked my butt in this game... just goes to show... he has a lot less to worry about!

Anden made a horse using paper and machines.
Elise was not happy that all of these exciting balls were locked up!

Beach pics coming soon!!!

Trip to Orlando

2008-06-30T00:35:00.004-04:00

SO... earlier in the summer we got a free ticket in the mail to Universal, and Universal is also doing a promotion where teachers get in free. We took the opportunity and decided to take a mini-vacation to Orlando. I brought my point-and-shoot (I regret it now!) and this is what we got! It was a blast!

Anden and Elise loved the merry-go-round in Dr. Suess land!!

They were so good the entire time! I couldn't believe they were my children!
Daddy and Anden posed with the Cat. Anden was so terrified of the many characters at Universal. We were so excited to get a picture of him and Spiderman. As you can tell from the absence of the picture... it didn't go so well.
Cute little Elise!
While at the park it started to pour! We found a dry spot under and awning and Elise took a little doze.

We went to Downtown Disney and ate at the Rainforest Cafe (kinda a tradition). We had a great time!

The trip to Orlando was well worth it! We had a really awesome time. Anden is at the age where he can really enjoy it. Papaw also came to visit while we were there. I will be posting more pictures soon from our trip to GWIZ and our week at the beach.

Pics from Rach's Wedding

2008-06-15T00:48:00.011-04:00

So, like I said in my previous post, I didn't take a lot of pictures, but this is what I have to share. The first pictures are from the rehearsal. Rachel looked beautiful as always. The kids were a little hard to handle. Sonya, Rach's best friend, helped so much. That is her trying to wrestle Anden!

These are a few picture of all the girls getting ready. We had so much fun! The ladies that did our hair and make-up were awesome and a blast to be around!

Here are a few detail shots I got before the actual chaos started! I was so bummed I didn't get one good picture of Rachel in her wedding gown. I know the hired photographers got a bunch...

Here are two pictures from the reception. One of Rach and Mom (doesn't my Mom look amazing) toward the end of the night and one of Rach and Dad dancing. That's it. Sorry I don't have more.:(

Dustin joins the Family!

2008-06-08T23:07:00.002-04:00

So, I don't have any pictures ready to post yet, but Rachel's wedding was absolutely beautiful! The ceremony was filled with love! They released doves at the end of the ceremony... amazing! Rachel was the most breathe-taking bride I have ever seen! The reception was a blast. Elise and Anden did an awesome job and looks so darn adorable. SO... I would like to officially welcome Dustin to our family. I called him my brother-in-law for the first time today and it was kind of weird. He's a good guy and truly love Rach. I will post pictures soon! Believe it or not, I took very little pictures, I was so busy with made of honor stuff. I have a few though.

Beautiful Rachel!

2008-05-29T11:04:00.001-04:00

So Rachel is down for the wedding and spent a couple days with me. I had to take the opportunity to shoot a few pictures of her! She is so beautiful!!! Absolutely gorgeous. I think she was born a little late, doesn't she look like a 1940's movie star?!

Little sprouts!

2008-05-19T22:49:00.002-04:00

It is absolutely amazing in just one week we have a real garden sprouting up! Most of the plants you see in the picture started as tiny seeds! Anden is really enjoying watering his garden. Sean and Anden get some good father and son time out there everyday... it's good for both of them! I'll keep you posted on our fresh produce.:0)

Beautiful Elise!

2008-05-19T22:43:00.002-04:00

Snapped a couple shots of Elise while Sean was holding her. I really could take pictures of her all day long! She is just so beautiful. This is the end of the day, she is tired and a mess... but still soo pretty!

Still UP!!!

2008-05-19T00:45:00.003-04:00

Okay, so it is about 1:30 in the morning and I am still up! I spent much of the evening playing with the new iPod I got for mother's day! Super cool, it is even engraved on the back (check out the pic). So, I am really not quite sure how I survived this long without an iPod! I LOVE IT! I downloaded songs from Cher, Prince, Gwen Stefani, Rascal Flatts... finally something that embraces my musical bi-polar disorder.:0) Everyone has been sleeping and sometimes I like to just stay up... a little alone time with just me.:0) Anyway, I am a big dork and decided to snap a couple of pictures of my iPod... it looked so lonely so I took a couple flowers out of my mother's day bouquet to spice it up a little. Love the reflection on my dining room table. I said to myself, "Self... it's 1 o'clock am.... put down the camera and GO TO BED!" Didn't work, here I am still writing and rambling. Alright, I am headed to bed. I took some pictures of Anden and Elise tending the garden. I will post them tomorrow, hopefully.;) GOOD NIGHT!

Those eyes!

2008-05-16T14:50:00.002-04:00

Elise was sleeping so peacefully in her crib today and I wanted to get a picture. SO... I ran and got my camera (changed the lens) and came around the corner to take a picture of my baby peacefully sleeping. Well, this is what I came around the corner to. They ended up being absolutely adorable pictures of my little angel. Don't you just want to eat her up! Her blue eyes really sparkle, but these just look better in black and white!

Green Thumbs!

2008-05-15T14:48:00.004-04:00

When Sean's birthday was coming up (in March) I asked Anden what he wanted to get Daddy. Well, Anden and Sean read a book that is called, What Daddy's Do Best, and on one of the pages it says, "Can make a garden grow." So, Anden said, "I want to make a garden grow." We decided to fill a bag with seeds and give it to Sean. Well, all those who know Sean, know a small little garden was just not good enough...no, this needed a trip to home depot. Needless to say, a bunch of money and a couple trips to home depot later, Sean and Anden finally got to plant their garden (with the help of Papaw). They really had a lot of fun doing it and I tried to keep calm with all the dirt being tracked through my house! Anden and Sean now go outside everyday to water the garden and watch it grow. Gotta love my boys! We'll keep you posted on the fresh produce!

Anden's in Stitches!

2008-05-08T09:19:00.006-04:00

Don't mind the little play on words. Yes... those are stitches! It is official... Anden has his first war wound! I'm sure it is one of many! 3 Stitches! The staff at Venice Hospital were AMAZING! Thank goodness!

He thinks the stitches are little hairs hanging from his chin! How cute! At the hospital they gave Anden a little bear donated by a local organization. Anden really fell in love with him. We've named him "Stitches" and I think I am going to sew some stitches on his chin to match Anden.:0)

Yeah!

2008-05-01T23:59:00.002-04:00

So, I am so happy today. My photography business if starting to blossom. It is the scariest, coolest thing in the world. I am meeting all kinds of really awesome people! I have a bunch of fellow photogs that are letting me learn from their experiences and talents. I am always amazed at how incredible people can be.
I am also up... wondering when Lauren is going to have this baby! I am so anxious and can't wait to meet her little boy. So, I'll try and go to sleep now, with my son in my bed of course. Night!

Little Elise!

2008-04-28T13:02:00.004-04:00

Look at my little Elise in her party dress! We went to Josh's birthday party on Sunday and Elise looked so cute!! Sean went outside with Anden and I shot a couple pictures of her peeking out the front door.

These were in Anden's goody bag from the party. Elise loves to wear glasses. Here she is showing off, face full of pizza!

I know...I'm way behind!

2008-04-25T21:40:00.003-04:00

I know what you are thinking... wasn't Easter a month ago. I have been sooo busy with everything that I had completely forgot to post some Easter pictures. So here are a couple. Anden had such a good time hunting for Easter eggs this year. Elise found a couple eggs, too. We decorated Spiderman eggs this year... I woner who's idea that was?! I just absolutely loved their little Easter outfits this year. It's nice to have a little girl to put in a dress! Note the bow on the top of Elise's head, it's a good thing I got a picture because that bow was out in a matter of seconds.

Makes me melt!

2008-04-23T23:54:00.000-04:00

I had to post this picture of little Anden! I got a new backdrop and wanted to practice taking some pictures. I was practicing with Sean and Anden would NOT stay in bed. "I want my pichure taked, too," he kept repeating. So, all who know me knew I just couldn't turn down the opportunity to snap a picture of Anden (it is not very often he is willing!). SO... this is what I got! I am so happy. No goofy face, eyes open, and it actually looks like him. Thank God for small favors! Good night.

CRAZY day!

2008-04-22T15:04:00.001-04:00

Okay, so today was a super busy day! I actually talked to a family friend that I haven't seen in 15 years! It was amazing to reconnect with someone from my past. I was an army brat, so I don't have many people that know me from when I was little. So, it was so cool to talk to him about what my life is all about and hear all about him. (Love ya, Bobby!)

Okay... so now you are thinking, what is up with the picture. It was almost 2 and the kids finally decided to give me a break and take a little siesta. I then heard my stomach, "grrrr." "Hmmm," I thought, "I'm pretty sure I haven't eaten anything today." So, I peek around the kitchen and realize there isn't much. In true Stacey fashion, I made my own little concoction and boy was it delicious!! It looked so pretty, I had to snap a picture to show everyone. Dad, I'll add this recipe to your list.:0)

New Family Blog

2008-04-22T14:57:00.000-04:00

Hello all!! I decided to start a family blog and go away from the family website. It is so much easier to update everyone through a blog as opposed to the website. So, if you are interested in what we are up to, come by every once and awhile and see what's going on!