some days are just this good

I got done working a little early today, so I called Greg to see if he and the kids wanted to meet me at the IMA. Most people around here know that the IMA (Indianapolis Museum of Art) is a giant playground for photographers. Tonight they were unusually not as busy, and we basically had the place to ourselves. They really do an awesome job keeping the many acres of this place beautiful. As is usually the case, I get way more pictures of other people's kids than I do my own. But we had a ton of fun, and it always feels good to be in the sun!

Each night and at each nap (she refers to them as "light nap" and "dark nap"), Evie wants a "talk story" which is just a story that I make up. She gets two at each nap. They don't have to be real creative, but she hangs on every word. I'm telling her one here. She had to pee too, which kind of made a cute pose!



I can't remember why he's laughing...doesn't take a whole lot :)



She is crazy. That's all there is to say about this one.



Notice her hand messing with his ear. She does this everytime they get together for a picture! It drives him nuts.



My sweet boy...



While I was doing some variation of This Little Light of Mine, complete with a "big ol' booty shake", Greg was also trying to get their attention. So although I wish they were making eye contact with the camera, it still made a pretty cute shot I thought.




White girls can't jump!

it's about time

We had THE LONGEST WINTER! We are so glad spring is here and have been soaking up the sunshine. I know things still look pretty dead, and shooting in full sun is a big no-no, but I was desperate! It's been way too long, and we are thrilled to be outside again.



Graham is practicing to be a daddy someday. He loves his weed-eater and his lawn mower.







Evie still enjoys riding her bike. Today we went for a couple of walks (Evie rides), and each person we pass, she says, "wanna see a cool trick?" And who doesn't want to see a cool trick? They always say yes, and she then shows them how she rides her bike and sticks one leg up in the air (similar to a dog taking a pee). It is hilarious. Then they pretend to be impressed.



Naptime! I can't help it--this is so funny. Terrible lighting and even a little out of focus, but how can I not post this?



Then I took these this evening. We love that it is still light when Greg gets home, so we can take walks and play.

Look at Graham's bike...no training wheels! Oh wait, it doesn't have pedals either.



Naps always do Evie some good. She's much happier here :)



She thought it would be fun to wear my sweatshirt. I think she looks like she has no parents. Poor kid.

goofballs

We took a girls' trip to Chicago a few months ago. I regret not taking more pictures, but when you are shivering and your hands are numb, it's very difficult to take them. The purpose of the trip was to let Evie and Jordan see the American Girl store. It was extremely crowded (too close to Christmas), but Evie and Jordan did pretty well. They had their grandma there to spoil them, and she did just that. They also got a taste of city transportation. My brother and sister-in-law live downtown, so we took the bus and train everywhere. We caused more than one holdup going through those turn-styles to get to the train! Anyway, here are the two goofballs.







Evie throwing more gang signs.

so handsome

truly. magical.

We took the kids to Disney last week, and this morning I decided to stop editing other people's pictures and look at my own for a change. :) Disney was so much fun. They really know how to entertain.



Here's Evie "bibbity-bobbity-booing" the camera with her magic wand.



Watching a show in front of the castle on Daddy's shoulders:





The castle lit up at night for Christmas:



This should be an entire post in itself, but I'm putting these here to illustrate HOW MUCH OUR KIDS LOVED THE CHARACTERS. It was sooo funny. I can't even describe it, but I have lots of pictures. They didn't care how long we had to wait in line to see them (it was never very long anyway), but every time we saw a character line they went nuts and refused to do anything else until they got to touch the character. Excuse the poor lighting; nobody asked me where to place the characters :)

Thumper:





Mickey:



Minnie:



Chip (or maybe Dale?):





Winnie the Pooh:



It was really dark in the room where we met Cinderella in the castle before we had lunch with the princesses, but this is just too precious. I love the way she talked to Evie and acted so excited to see her. Evie was just so happy.



At the royal table with some other princesses:



Graham was wearing his Mickey Mouse costume, or at least part of it, for the occasion. He loved Snow White.



And now he really loves Snow White. Here he is walking back to his seat after meeting her. :)



We stayed at a place that had a man-made beach, but that was good enough for us! The sunset was beautiful over the "lake".



Evie even got to build sand castles.



Me and my posse.



But sadly it had to end and we had to come home :(

impending doom

I do love fall. I love the smell; it always seems to smell like camp fire in October. I love the colors of course. But there's one thing I don't like--the impending doom of winter. I am trying to take advantage of getting the kids outside as much as possible before it gets really stupid cold. Here are a few from today.

fresh air

I had a much needed weekend off from shooting this weekend. I only say much needed because I am too busy to take pictures of my own kids anymore, well..not too busy to take them but too busy to edit them which prevents me from taking them. I know it's silly. But anyway I forced myself to wear my camera around my neck and capture my kids having a good time. Greg was away for the weekend taking a class in Chicago, so we headed down to my parents' country home for a few extra hands to help with the kids. I can only take so much of being a single parent before I want a little company :) We had amazing weather; I love October skies!





He looks like he might actually be swinging here but I can assure you he was not going very high at all, and even then he almost fell out! His sister was hogging the baby swing :)



See?











Have I mentioned I love October skies?!



I also love my brown-eyed babies!