best Halloween costume ever

My sister, Pigg (Megan), was debating being Ace Ventura for Halloween this year but I wouldn't let her wear Austyn's tutu...sorry! I just had to go look up the videos and watch this again because it makes me laugh every time. Enjoy!

Indian summer

I took this photo using the Hipstamatic application on my phone before the rain and the wind AND THE SNOW started in central Wisconsin. I can say with a certain amount of conviction our t-shirt days are behind us this season.

makes all the sense in the world

Me: Did you go potty?

Tayt (3-1/2): Yeahhhhh.

Austyn: He did a number ttttwwwwoooo.... (annoying sister voice)

Tayt: NO. I. DIDN'T!!

Me: Did you wash your hands?

Tayt: I went number 3.

Me: Really? What's number 3?

Tayt: Monkeys.

Me: Oh. Okay. Go wash your hands.

moving makes for a lonely camera

With all this moving, my camera has been pretty lonely sitting on the counter. For now, here are a few shots I have yet to upload to my home computer.

T actually letting me take his picture

cousins - T wanted no part of this nonsense

what can I say... the kid likes to eat

professional P at his last game under the lights

celebration of 8 years

While this last week has been rather chaotic and lacking in sleep, there has been a countdown on the marker board at our old house for this beautiful girls birthday. She reminded me every morning for nearly 2 weeks to change the countdown number.

Lucky her, she got to celebrate for 2 days :)

Yesterday we had a lunch for Dave's parents' anniversary where Lia got her gift from grandma and grandpa and later Dave and I gave her the gift from us. Her supper of choice was steaks for tonight so Dave's family and my family celebrated with steaks and mushrooms, cheesy potatoes, salad, stuffing, veggies, and cake. She got lots of nice gifts and I think is looking forward to using her cash at MOA the most.

(Thanks to Mallory and Chris... I think you won this one.) ;)

hotdogs make cheap entertainment

This was supposed to be posted Monday but for my computers safety, I had to take a break... and you get it today.

Suppertime has included lots of faster meals (aka... lazy meals) around here lately. This particular night we had something with hotdogs. Nash didn't get a nap this day and Lia was helping him eat, keeping him awake, entertaining him, or all of the above. All of my children lack a true giggle so this is what we call a laugh. :)

begger

Seeing as Grandma Laurie has a cabinet job to finish up (aka... "sick" sitter), is not able to watch the kids today and tomorrow, and I'm attempting to get some transcribing done with Tayt and Nash here, things are a little more relaxed. This morning after breakfast the boys got an early snack... mini chocolate chips. I know, I know... but I don't care. It kept Nash quiet for quite awhile, but now he has a new best friend...

S family & engagement photos

We lucked out this past weekend with some gorgeous weather (very unlike Wisconsin) and I had 2 days to take photos.

I had the opportunity to take some of Dave's cousins family with some engagement shots thrown in there as well. This little guy is a riot and reminds me a lot of my Tayt. Possibly less beasty than Tayt though :) After getting photos of the 2 families this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that one must take a bajillion photos of kids just to get a couple good ones. Here are some of my favorites :)

A big THANK YOU to this family for letting me gain some more experience. And for the ice cream ;) Thank you also to my sister, Casey, for providing the editing and eventual burning of the photos to a CD for this couple.

birthday girl & P family photos

This last Saturday I photographed my first official family session. I was quite nervous (and maybe slightly still) about this first official photo shoot. I am far from a photographer and this was just for fun, practice, and experience with hopes that some of the photos might be liked or even loved enough to continue. I think we got some good ones and I sure hope the family agrees.

This beautiful blondie will be celebrating her 3rd birthday very shortly so we wanted to get a few just of her. She was very cooperative with mom's help :)

A huge thanks to the P Family for being my first! And also a huge thanks to my sister, Casey, for the use of her Mac and Photoshop. She did a great job on the editing and bailing me out of this desktop catastrophe! After this frustrating night dealing with my blasted desktop who doesn't like to burn CDs, I'll be begging Dave for my MacBook Pro as soooooon as we can save up for it. :)

31-week waddler

According to Dave, I now waddle. He received the evil eye immediately after confirming this to me the other day.

I have now hit the 31-week mark in this pregnancy and I guess you could say it's the beginning of the count down. I very much enjoy being pregnant so to say I have onlyyyy 9 weeks left is slightly scary... only because at the end of those 9 weeks there will be fingers possibly broken, frantic nurses, and a doctor barely in the room, but then a beautiful baby! On the other hand, 3:00 a.m. trips to the potty, swollen ankles, and the waddling will be gone but only to be swapped with 3:00 a.m. feedings, cold or no meals, and quite possibly some tears shed. All for the love of babies! :)

As a forewarning, everyone should now be keeping tally of the number of months/weeks/days we have left until Baby Smith #6 so as not to confuse me with someone who is "just about to pop" or someone who "could go any day now."  The evil eye or the "look of death" can be very harmful and I can't promise it won't be shared outside our house. Better remarks could be along the lines of ... "you look GREAT!" or ... actually, that'll do. ;) Soooo 9 weeks and counting, although time could slow down just a little bit so I can continue to enjoy (and maybe move).



31 weeks - photo courtesy of Dave



laugh

We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.
~Agnes Repplier

diva through AND through

This little girl never fails to make me smile. Despite very occasional breakdowns, adamant opinions of wardrobe, and highly (I cannot stress this enough) opinionated mentality, she is such a delight. Her kindergarten photos came home yesterday and again she looks like her diva self. Melts my heart :)



Austyn Marie - 5yrs - kindergarten





pigskin & beasts

These are some random photos from the end of September and beginning of October. Enjoy!

Tayt, Nash, and I stopped at the fire hall one afternoon and T tried Grandpa Homer's fire helmet on.

Enjoying a very cold October morning CUDA football game. We parked along the fence so we didn't have to get out.

Peyton's serious face after their first season WIN! ... all boy - all business...

This is what happens when I turn my back while making supper on the stove. The Beast was literally dancing on the table.

Casey & Jake - Love photos

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing Casey and Jake for their engagement photos... Casey is calling them Love Photographs. It turned out to be a beautiful day! This was my very first "photoshoot" and we were all amazed at how well they turned out. Mom was my wingman and got just as many great shots as I did. When she gets her photos posted, I will link to those here as well. Here are some of my favorites...

Until I can save up and purchase the MacBook Pro I've been longing for with Photoshop, Casey is going to help me with the Photoshopping. These next ones she played with a little bit and I'm guessing these were their favorites. ;) I'm excited and nervous at the same time to do my next "photoshoots." I hope they all turn out as well!

Thank you to Casey and Jake for the opportunity and also for being great to work with!

Make sure you check out some of Mom's shots here and more here on Casey's blog!