Ali Brown Photography

2011-10-16T18:11:00.000-06:00

I'm inserting the "homeschool kick-off" photos and journaling in my scrapbook...I thought I would share my journaling here :)

Of course...with pictures.

September 19, 2011

It was time for me to get back into a routine for the kid’s homeschooling. We had enjoyed our summer and literally were cramming all the previous years curriculum in so we wouldn’t start too late for their 1st and 2nd grades. I decided to make it fun by having a “back to school kickoff” - going to Chick-fil-A for breakfast and then to Starbucks so I could indulge on a Pumpkin Spice Latte while the kiddos journaled and I looked over what was ahead in our Konos curriculum.

The kids brought their freshly filled pencil boxes and new journals along. I guess one can tell that Mamma had alot of influence on the design of their journals. They truly did have fun painting the cover and picking out their little paper pieces they wanted. Ashton and Parker had been patiently waiting to get to use their new supplies. I said that they had to finish all of last years work before enjoying the new stuff so they were definitely excited to start the new year! This year, I splurged and let the boys get these nifty twist up crayons. They were a few dollars more, but honestly I think it’s worth not having crayon wax all over my floors this year :) Plus, how much fun do these crayons look! I love how you can kind of see through the barrels to each color! I’m always a sucker for office supplies though...

After the boys sipped up their last bit of chocolate milk in their kid sized Starbucks cups, they started on their journaling...I love allowing my kids to be able to express themselves however they want to in their journals everyday. It’s such a great start to the day, plus I usually get a good laugh to start out most mornings. Today, they journaled Target, since that’s where we were. It was so sweet to watch their faces as they tried out their new crayons!

We also saw this little bird with one leg. It was such a sad sight but gave a great opportunity for me to talk to the kids about determination. Although this bird only had one leg, he was just as active as all the other birds. Of course, our pity couldn’t keep us from sharing our crumbs of biscuit. I believe the bird was happy to oblige :)

It was a fabulous morning to start off a fabulous new year of school! Parker is so excited to be in 1st grade and Ashton always welcomes new challenges. I am thankful that I can do this for my kids...it’s not always easy, but it’s times like these that I can look back to when it gets rough. I never thought I possessed the patience to do this...but for now...I’m doing just fine.

Recipe anyone???

2011-10-07T08:09:00.001-06:00

So I have been asked for this recipe a couple of times and

thought I would just make it official by making a post about it.

My family and I started a little journey to eating healthier about 5-ish months ago and since then I have learned SO much about the truths of FOOD. I have realized that just because you are skinny does NOT mean you are healthy. Not saying that thinner peeps aren't healthy, but that MY personal reason for eating better didn't need to JUST be about weight. Although, cutting out sugar and such absolutely has been effecting my weight :)

So, we have tried to slowly switch out our pantry items for better organic choices. Granted, when folks come to the house I think it overwhelms them a little bit, but I like to encourage by saying, "It took over 5 months, changing one little thing at a time." One of our first switches being getting rid of iodized salt in our home and switching to a good grey celtic sea salt. I learned that just because the bag says "sea salt" doesn't mean that it is packed with all the minerals associated with it's name. If the sea salt is white, then it ISN'T real sea salt...so get a good colored sea salt. Then it went on from there to going from pasteurized milk to raw milk, and then finding a good source for our organic veggies, then finding a source for grass fed and finished beef and range chicken meat...some of these things were super easy to do...some weren't. But through it all, we have FELT a difference in these small changes...

Over time :)

SO, with that said, I was needing to fix lunch for the boys one day and had to get creative with what I had...so I invented this soup. The boys called it a "veggie smoothie."

All ingredients are organic :)

Pound of celery - wash and cut roughly

10ish carrots - washed with ends cut off, cut about 1/2 in. pieces

Half a BIG onion or a medium onion - peel and cut into chunks

About 3 - 4 garlic cloves - same as the onion

2 large tomatoes - wash and YUP! Cut into chunks

Celtic Sea Salt to taste

Organic chicken stock paste

OR, if your super domesticated, use some real chicken stock you made up from the bones of a roasted chicken, and substitute for the water...but I'm not that super domesticated yet, so I just use organic chicken paste.

*Remember to leave the skin on your carrots and also to cut up all the wonderful leaves from the celery and throw that in too...these are both wonderful sources of extra minerals.

I'm seriously so lazy with the cutting. PLOP, yes...plop all the veggies into a big pot. This is what mine looks like...

Except, this is a double batch and I took this picture before realizing how AMAZING this soup would be with the tomatoes...so let's just imagine that there are happy little tomatoes in there...

There, much better.

Ok...after plopping, cover the veggies with water about an inch over the veggies with filtered water.

(If you have that real chicken stock, use that instead of water)

Put about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp of celtic sea salt to start out and just boil until all the veggies are tender. When veggies are tender, then add the chicken paste to taste. I use Better than Bullion organic paste and usually like mine slightier more "chicken-y" then what the ratios are on the jar. Incorporate that through thoroughly to make sure the paste is all dissolved and here's the fun part...

Get your blender out and put about 4 cups of the veggies and liquid into the blender and BLEND BLEND BLEND!!! You can either put the blended stuff in a different bowl to mix it all up good OR you could be like me and just PLOP it back into the pot. Sure, you'll have a few stranglers that will be stubborn and will want to escape your ladle, but everyone will live if they get a yummy chunk of carrot in their bite of soup. I've even lived through a small celery leaf once ;)

So after it's done, it will look like this:

Well, kind of...you will probably have more since your family wouldn't have devoured half of it while you went to go grab your camera ;) That's ok...we can pretend that there's more in there...

And lets go ahead and make it happy too...

So that's it!!! A deliciously simple and did I mention CHEAP?!?!?! Meal to make for your family. This soup is really yummy and Dave has likened it to the tomato bisque soup at one of our favorite Montana restaurants called Rikki's. Although our "veggie smoothie" is so much cheaper and WAY more healthy.

Hope you are able to try it out and let me know if you explore any other variations...I would love to try :)

Have a FABULOUS weekend!!! XoXo

Horses...inspired by...Horses

2011-10-04T12:46:00.001-06:00

I love how entertaining my munchkins are...

Doug & Karen {BeLoVeD}

2011-09-13T12:51:00.000-06:00

The smell of tanning lotions and sunscreen filled the air...children giggled as they splashed each other with water. This is where it happened...

Doug's home away from home is Splashtown in San Antonio, TX, as not only is he employed there, but is also surrounded by his family and friends. So, it is perfectly fitting that he would meet the girl of his dreams in a place that is close to his heart. Doug and Karen had an instant connection and they share a love of life and fun. In fact, they made it apart of the ceremony to go down the water-slide because this is when they felt they found each other as soul-mates.

This wedding contained so much more emotion for this sweet family...myself included. Excitement and joy mixed with feelings of pain and sorrow. We were all missing the presence of a special woman, Karen's mother. As I spent time with this family, I was able to literally feel so much love oozing out of each member. I shared tears as Karen's sister gave the most beautiful toast in honor of her mother. I can't help but KNOW what a beautifully wonderful person Annelle was. Her legacy lives on in the deep love of her family!

Thank you, Doug and Karen for allowing me to be apart of your day. I am honored that I was trusted with such an exciting yet sensitive time in your lives. The love I felt from your families will never be forgotten and for that, I am eternally grateful...

BEAUTIFUL bride!!!

Doug is about to see his bride for the first time...

One of my favorite images from the day!!! :)

Sisterly love as they listen to a song performed in honor of Annelle...

"You may now kiss the bride, and go down the slide..."

Kim gave such a beautiful speech...

Karen's niece had never experience chocolate cake before this ;)

Adina {sEnIoR}

2011-05-17T19:43:00.003-06:00

Adina + me on a gorgeous San Antonio day = fabulous senior session

See, Adina likes math. I like math. I like Adina...I usually like every person I come in contact with actually :) But I really like Adina.

Adina and I clicked the minute I walked into her foyer. For her family, it was odd that a person would come over to meet them before a photo-shoot. After the shoot, her mamma smiled and commented on how personal and nice the experience was.

Experience.

The senior market here is much different than in Great Falls, MT. Most folks stick with the studio that the schools contract out. They pop out so many sessions, that there is no time to get to know each senior. The photographer doesn't get the privilege to know their story, or find out what their passions are...and you can tell in the pictures. I'm not doggin' on high volume studio portraits...to each his own...I'm just sayin' that senior year is a BIG deal to each senior. So why not offer something that makes THEM a big deal?

I was so excited that I was able to take Adina's pictures...she got to EXPERIENCE something that most seniors don't down here.

I'm hoping to change that.

So here's to the first:

Adina...

children's church leader.

number cruncher.

cheerleader.

Snuggy cuddler.

Jesus lover.

And my new friend...

BrRrRRrr....

2011-05-02T08:08:00.002-06:00

For already experiencing 85 degree weather this year,

this 52 degrees feels mighty cold!!!

I felt this was the perfect time to share some images I had taken of the boys when it snowed...YES!!! SNOWED here in Texas...Feburary 4th to be exact. I think Dave and I might have brought something down with us from Montana ;)

The kids were actually missing the snow, so when they woke up to a

light dusting on the ground they were SO excited!!!

As far as recent news with me, I am still finding a balance to our new life here in Texas. I am starting to think that MAYBE I'm getting there...

I just had a photo-shoot with the most adorable twins and am finalizing my updated website. It's taken me awhile because, well, I'll explain all that later :)

Until then, my crazy fun boys, playin' in the "snow..."

Looks like even Sam was missing it ;)

These were some adorable mittens that Aunt Heather bought the boys for Christmas :)

He didn't last long...

sTrAnGe...

2011-03-26T14:41:00.002-06:00

I had a mentor session on Thursday and was pootin' around with my old lens. I hadn't shot with my 50mm 1.8 in a LONG time. My client aka FRIEND ;)...has this lens and I wanted to see how it acted with my 5DMkII. I forgot how amazing that little lens is!!!

Here is a shot that I took in my room.

I don't know why I am so drawn to this...it's so strange but so ME....

*It's Thursday - Dave is off and we can

snuggle in the morning ergo the messy bed

*a sock monkey that one of the kids put at

the edge of my bed because his

"butt needs to be fixed"

*a chess game on the floor with pieces

my kitties have knocked over

BbBbbbBbb...where are you?

2011-03-24T15:29:00.003-06:00

One of my clients had a great wall with all of her pictures along with different monogram letters of her last name randomly throughout. It was SO cool and something I really wanted to do...but with my own twist on it...

History of the pieces:

While cleaning out my 110 year old house I moved from in Montana, I found this really awesome mirror. I was just thrilled with how distressed it was and honestly was a bit embarrassed that I didn't find it sooner. Anyhoo, I was going to proudly display this mirror in my new home to remind me of my Montana house but as everyone knows, during a move, there are always casualties. And my sweet mirror was one of them. It awaited its burial against the fence in the backyard. It got rained on more than a few times before the pack rat in me said that I surely could find a use for it somewhere. So I very sweetly asked my hubby if he would clean the glass off and make it a frame. He did. And I was even MORE happy with the look of it after it weathered a bit in the yard.

The gold frame was one that I purchased at an antique store in Montana as a photo prop. I wanted to do the whole, "hold the frame at the torso and photoshop the couple kissing in the frame" number. Super cute idea, but I never got around to doing it. So my little prop just hung on my wall looking pretty all by it's lonesome.

The little yellow "B" is one that I purchase from Urban Outfitters many many moons ago and couldn't leave the store without it. The BIG darker "B" I purchased at Hobby Lobby when I first moved here.

The story:

It was an accident that I used all of these together. I was going to have someone over and my house was super dirty. Like any normal person would, I went crazy and just started piling things and hiding stuff. I managed to pile the frames and the B's against the wall together and after a week of seeing them there together I decided that they had found their match.

Isn't it fun when something amazing comes together accidentally?!?!?

I am super happy with the results but I have a big dilemma...I cannot find myself a lowercase "b" that I like anywhere! I haven't really gone internet shopping for one, but I figured I would ask ya'll to see if you knew. I would like it to have red on it or be all red, and I am going to put it by itself under the gold frame...

Please help my b's find their lost friend :)

have i mentioned...

2011-02-24T13:00:00.001-07:00

...lately how much I adore my kitties???

{tReAsUrE}

2011-02-22T12:50:00.003-07:00

My sister is here and we're are having SO MUCH FUN!!!

Yesterday, we went thrift store shopping...

...I triple HEART thrift store shopping!!!!

I feel like I'm a pirate searching for treasure, in a war against all the other pirates for the hidden pieces. What an adventure! Searching through caverns of crap for that ONE special find. Yes. I love treasure hunting.

And I hunted well yesterday...All my treasures listed here added up to less than 18 dollars!!!

I got this nifty glass thingy that I thought would make a fun paperweight...

reminds me of a molded jello...

My dinner plates are chipping and I can't find a set that I love to replace them, so I decided, why not just find different plates that I like???

Here's what I collected yesterday...

My husband requested that I picked up some Tshirts...

apparently he likes me in them...

Here's one of the many fun ones I found...

I have a collection of creamer and milk glasses as flower vases and scored a new one :)

And this is what I'm MOST proud of...the much needed desk chair...

my poor husband has been sitting on a step stool for too long...

this chair needs some scrubbin' but I fell in love!

{LoVe} mini-album

2011-02-18T19:18:00.003-07:00

So this was the other thing that I did on Vday for my Hubcap...

I got my new photo printer and I was SO excited to use it. It's funny, because I had had this idea when I saw these little plastic badge holder thingys from Walmart...and it was before I saw it done on...yes...none other than Ali Edward's site. So I decided it was a quick enough project that I could do it the day of Vday...yeah, I had these cute little books for my munchkins but nothin' for my hubby...whoops.

Anyhoo, for this project I just took our photos and resized them and then put these cute little overlays from Ali E. and then printed them out, cut 'em, chopped the corners off, stuffed them in the holders, added some ribbon and stapled it so it wouldn't go anywhere...and then I was saved.

I had something for my Love...

I had to include the cheesy "prom pose" :)

i should hold onto these for the kids...

2011-02-15T13:00:00.003-07:00

...because they love them so much and Parker has sadly lost his already without having it one day :(

I posted earlier some fun photo booth pictures (from Dave's apple notebook), for a fun project that I spotted on the amazing Ali Edwards blog...

Not only do I triple heart Ali for her simple yet brilliant work, but we also share the same name AND spelling...double awesomeness! She also has helped me learn that it's ok to take ideas and use them...like for this project, I seriously did it pretty much the same...I even scored the same paper for the outside of the book! I wanted to get all crazy but had to keep remembering what Ali Edwards says, "You don't have to re-invent the wheel..."

I accidentally ordered the wrong size backing board for my clients photos and so I have 50 8x12 6-ply backing board that I knew SOMEday I would use for SOMEthing...I almost threw it out but alas, the pack rat in me was screaming that I would regret it later...

SO...since I didn't have these pre-cut fun chipboard pieces to make my book, I just used my nifty little circle cutter and cut out my own pieces :)

Adhere some paper, sand the edges to finish and slap some paint on the other side and VOILA!

My own little mini book ready for some fun "innards."

I didn't have any cool transparencies like she had, and the Michael's AND Hobby Lobby stores let me down on that venture too...so I ended up making my own by purchasing just the clear covers for report binding and such at Office Max. Then I cut the circle pieces and then stamped them with white Opaque Staz On. A little more effort but it produced the same effect for a fraction of the price of a transparency. Are these report covers acid free??? I have no clue...but I did discover a website that had some acid free acetate for binding...

Anyhoo, so I added my photos and the love circles from Ali just like she did for her book, jotted down my love note to each kid and here we have it...a fun little interactive Valentine for each of my munchkins! I did something pretty neat for Dave too, but that will be in my next post...more of a digital scrapbook type of thing...here's some images of the final mini book :)

my VaLeNtiNe...

2011-02-14T11:06:00.003-07:00

I love Love Day...

I have so much fun doing things for my family and letting them know how much they mean to me...

I am going to show ya'll some fun crafty stuff this week, but today I wanted to lavish on my sweet husband.

I have been SO blessed to be able to live life with him...

I love that...

...he can say something totally random that makes me

throw my head back and laugh...for 5 minutes.

...he serves me whenever I ask him to.

...he has some awesome Daddy skills.

...he supports me in everything that I do.

...he tells me I'm beautiful EVERY SINGLE DAY!

...he has this addiction to smelling Bibles.

...he and I can play music together.

......he has given his heart COMPLETELY to Jesus and he is serving him.

I really do have a hard time finding the words to express how I feel about him...since pictures are supposed to be a thousand words...here's how I really feel about my Love:

(Photos by Angela of Timeless Photography)

{FeLiNe friday}

2011-02-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

I'm declaring it Feline Friday!!!

These kitties will one day take over the world...

...I'm so glad I was there to bottle feed when they had no mamma.

...that means I'm already "in." :)

It really is sad that I have as many photos of my cats as I do my children.

Sak Saum = aWeSoMe

2011-02-10T07:30:00.003-07:00

I have been waiting for this moment...

...to order my very own Sak Saum purse!

I learned about this ministry from a very fashionable friend on facebook. Not only was I magnetized to the look of these awesome purses, but I was so touched by the story and ministry behind the hands that created these beautiful pieces.

In Cambodia, human trafficking is a very real problem. A ministry called In His Steps International, has helped many people who have been trapped in this vicious cycle. They offer programs that help these people get back on their feet...

...imagine a person who had a back injury and lost feelings to their lower body...well, when they regain that feeling, they have to go through rehabilitation to help them use those legs again...

These women who have thankfully been saved from these situations have broken spirits from what they have gone through...In His Steps International not only gives them the tools they need to function in life again, but also points them to the One that can truly heal their heart and mend that broken spirit...

Our sweet Healer Jesus.

Sak Saum is the name of this ministry...the words mean dignity. You can read more about what they do here.

So...a nice ripe and delicious "fruit" of this ministry is these beautiful purses that these women make:

Not only do I benefit from looking super cute with my new accessory, but the women are learning a trade and are making an income for themselves without any shame attached from the life they were forced to live. This breaks the cycle and what a beautiful way to share Jesus with them!!! I truly believe THIS is the kind of ministry that blesses the Father's heart...and I want to support it whatever way I can!

If you would like to look at the Sak Saum fall collection you can visit this online catalogue...it takes a little bit to load but SO worth it to see all the fabulous purses and products! The pictures are FANTASTIC by the way...At the end there is an email for the wonderful Ginny who can take your order. She is awesomely awesome too.

As Michael Scott would say..."Win. Win......WIN!"

{V-dAy pRoJeCt}

2011-02-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

A little peak at a little som'n som'n I'm workin' on for the boys for Valentine's Day...

I don't think I've ever been this prepared...I feel like I could fly...

*cue the music*

i hEaRt mY sIsTeR...

2011-02-07T11:32:00.002-07:00

This is me and my sister along time ago...we had a horrible hairstyle ergo the hat picture:

And in 12 days she will be here...in Texas...with ME! We are beyond ecstatic and we will count down the days on facebook together and are planning a million fun activities to do...I'm declaring it a homeschool holiday WEEK...

I can do that now ya know ;)

I love my sister so much and she is SO stinkin' hilarious...she seriously could get paid as a pro blogger for all the funny stuff she writes...

Like this....

...THIS is what I discovered in my inbox this morning...

...a song dedicated to what we will do when she gets here:

TWELLLLLLVEEEE DAAAYYYYSSS!!!

On the 12^th day from Alimas my true love gave to meeeee….

12 hugs at baggage claim

11 Bible studieeees

10 starbucks runnnsss

9 silly music videos

8 all the cookies

7 yummy supperrrss

6 days of laughter

FIIIIIIIIIIVE (trips to) the goooolllldennnnn arrrchessss

4 is less than five

3 is more than 2

2 cute little boyyyys

And an application for a passport to come see meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

See, that last line is what I cracked up too the most...ya'll may not know it but I can tend to procrastinate and I've been really bad about not getting a passport to go see my sis now that she lives in Canadia...SO, she's apparently going to help me do that on her visit. :)

I love you Whitty and you are the bestest sister EVAH!!!

mY 2ooth pOsT!!!

2011-02-05T11:45:00.003-07:00

Yay for 200 posts! Not as many as it should be but hey, I'm not gonna beat myself up about it...

Actually, that is what I wanted to write about today.

I often think to myself..."Geez, I need to blog something..." But because that "something" doesn't have dazzling pictures of a client, then I clam up and run away in shame.

I have decided that I've had enough. Enough of my pity party and trying to make myself fit into what wonderfully and joyously was in the past. I have decided that I'm going to embrace this time of my life where I CAN take more pictures of my kids and pets and everyday happenings...embrace that I have the time to scrapbook those moments frozen in pictures and craft my little heart out...embrace that I'm not so stressed out, my family is lacking in the fun department.

Yup, I've decided that I'm no longer afraid of the "Photography" title on my blog. This is my blog and I am in control of what I put on here, not my title. Besides, as long as there is a photo it's game right ;)

Sure! I'm still pursuing a photography career here in San Antonio! I LOVED what I did and I welcome new clients and relationships...but, just because I'm waiting doesn't mean I can't muse about the funny and quirky things that go on in my life. I figure that it would be liberating for me to post and might brighten someone else's day rather than hide in my pride of not having a business up and running yet.

So, sorry for those who are looking for inspiration...I am trying to shoot for myself more lately in way of capturing my cute little kids and my crazy pets and still try to catch the occasional "artsy" photo...which I'm kind of pleased with the kitty photo down below...but for now, I have to be real and post what's real in my life...and that is:

"Hello, my name is Ali..."

I'm a:

*Christ follower...I am absolutely passionate about Jesus!

*a worshiper...can't stop singin' about him (see above)

*wifey-poo to smokin' hot hubby of 8 years

*Mamma to two of the most adorable little boys you will every meet

*homeschool teacher to two said little boys

*crafty gal that loves to create...especially scrapbook

*lover of animals...my two kitties are my favorites right now

*domestic affairs specialist

*girl who is attracted to anything old, vintage or rusty

*friend to anybody who wants to be...

SO...now that THAT is all cleared up ;) Here's something that happened to me recently:

I tripped over my Crocs running down the stairs and ended up impaling my head through the sheetrock...it's a very weird thing how I ended up 20 feet from initial trip up to wall but here's the damage:

I ended up having a small concussion...which would make sense as to my array of emotions right after the incident...

1st - tears because I felt bad for making a hole in the wall with my head

2nd - laughter because I made a hole in the wall...WITH MY HEAD Bwahaha!

3rd - confusion...how the heck did THAT happen

And the rest I really don't remember...

So, my smokin' hot hubby, who is gloriously amazing at home repairs, started to fix the wall and I commented how it looked like a funny monster...I think I still was suffering from confusion:

My smokin' hot hubby's birthday was also coming up and I was lacking the brain power at the time to come up with a cool theme for his cake...so what did this disoriented domesticated woman do???

Needless to say, my smokin' hot hubby was very sweet and acted like it was the best creation ever...I guess as long as it was white cake with cream cheese icing...extra icing...the aesthetics didn't matter...

{Swingin'}

2011-01-28T19:16:00.004-07:00

Tryin' to get back into the "swing of things."

It's interesting how life does have a rhythm. Sometimes that gentle rocking motion comes to a sudden halt and we need a little encouragement...a nudge to get back. Into the "swing of things."

So, with that said, happy swingin'.

PS I heart my kitty....Howard.

dEaR SaNtA,

2010-12-22T14:00:00.002-07:00

Dear Santa,

I know your really tired...but I've been a really good boy this year. I didn't chew on any furniture and only pooped on the floor one time...and that's only because one of the boys slipped me some food. I really didn't mean to. You know how gassy and sensitive my stomach is. I'm getting better at not napping right behind Mamma when she's doing dishes...so she doesn't trip over me anymore. I'm real good at protecting the house, Daddy, Mamma and my kids. So, I wanted only one thing for Christmas...is there some device that would deter psychotic kitties from me? They're kinda buggin' me...I thought they were cute before but now all they want to do is chew my tail up and stick their claws in my face...and if your feelin' really generous, a way to let Mamma know that it's humiliating what she puts me through...

...please hurry...

Love, kisses and slobber,

Sam

more cRaFtY Christmas...

2010-12-21T12:25:00.003-07:00

There were two projects that I OH so wanted to do with the munchkins...

The first were these cute little Ginger Cookie Ornaments I found from Creature Comforts blog. I must say they make me really hungry for cookies when I look at them...I found that my kids at ages 5 and 6 had a hard time finding the right pressure to use on the little white puff paint tubes...JEEZ, why didn't I think of this before...I have a hard time finding that sweet spot too! You know, so the paint doesn't let loose like a person who's had one too many artichokes for supper. Needless to say, they gave up after a couple, but because of the random blobs, it's easy to spot the one's that the boys' made and that makes me happy!!!

I still need to give them their "hangin' ability" but here's what ours look like almost done...

This other blog I spotted had these AMAZING Christmas cards that the kids can TOTALLY make!!! Parker LOVES to paint so I let him have at it with some diluted cheap tubes of acrylic to give the cardstock that water color look...I know I didn't get really creative on the colors but I just LOVE the palette that the other gal used...so I decided to stick to what worked :)

Anyhoo, we're really enjoying all the fun crafts this season! I think me more than the kiddos haha! I'm hoping to get to our paint cookies on here soon, so I can get ya'll that recipe and some pictures of the kids' creations :)

Christmas-y tHiNgS

2010-12-18T13:20:00.003-07:00

This year was gonna be different.

After seeing this video, right after last years Christmas, I bawled my eyes out and promised myself and my family that I was never going to let the 'stress' and 'consumerism' control my Christmas.

And I'm so excited to say that this year it hasn't!!! And it's been SO wonderful!!!

Although, my thighs probably aren't benefitting, I've been baking and making yummy Christmas things in the kitchen with the munchkins...

I've been doing fun crafty things with the kids...like, I don't have my nativity scene yet...because it's oober expensive and Willow Tree NEVER goes on sale...so my kids helped me out and made me TWO!!!

If you want to try this with your kiddos, here is the coloring print out...I'm not gonna lie...these nativity scenes are pretty little. So, needless to say, I ended up doing alot of the cutting. But watching my kids faces as they saw this 2 dimensional craft turn into a 3 dimensional one, was SO worth it. They were just so amazed how a little folding and glue could make something SO cool!!!

So, I am enjoying every minute of this blessed time of year. We may not have many presents...but we have LOTS of PRESENCE this year and my children aren't disappointed at all! :) This next week we start our break and are going to try to make an ornament a day...here is an AWESOME blog where you can find some super cool ornament ideas!!!

Oh, and because I just COULDN'T resist, because I love my fur babies probably as much as my skin babies, here is my black kitty getting very comfortable in the boys' school basket...I guess he was ready for the break too :)

*updated to add: here is the recipe to the tuxedo brownies in the first picture :) SOOO Yummy! If you are pampered chef nut like me, it will call for your mini muffin pan, tart shaper, and that huge icing decorator thing...BUT, you really could practically use whatever to smash the little brownies down when they come right out of the oven...just not yer finger...Yeah, I was not thinking and tried that...and then for the filling...pipe it in with whatever your have on hand :)

OH! And I nixed the white chocolate and milk for the filling and added a little red food coloring to it then, here's the fun part, smash the tar out of some candy canes and sprinkle over the filling as a garnish...and voila! A pretty Christmas treat :)

mIsSiNg...

2010-11-17T12:55:00.003-07:00

blogging.

your sweet comments.

new ~~clients~~ friends.

my brunette strands :)

Yup, I went blonde...on top anyway...the bottom is super dark...what do ya think???

{aDaMs FaMiLy}

2010-09-18T15:46:00.004-06:00

You will probably remember Jolena from an earlier post. I had taken her out for some pics because what mom EVER gets some fun profile pictures of herself...anyhoo, before I left Montana I was able to spend about an hour with the whole fam...capturing their huge hearts for each other...

This family is one that inspires me. They are full of adventure and the love that explodes from each one of them is simply wonderful! The kids are pure, sweet and silly.

Heath and Jolena are still madly in love with each other. I love how their munchkins are confident and there's a feeling of safety as mommy and daddy are completely in their "love bubble." So awesome!

I could go on and on about how much I absolutely heart this family...since a "picture says a thousand words," I'll just let the images do the talking :)

Lovin' on "Sissy"

I just couldn't resist posting this image...

...because it makes this next image that much better :)

...wonder where they get that silly streak from???...

The Love Bubble

LOVE YOU ADAMS FAMILY!!!

PrOpS DaY!

2010-09-13T08:40:00.007-06:00

.Pretty. .Rad. & .Outstanding. .Photographer.

Am I allowed to make up my own acronym? Is that legal?

I am SO excited to feature another photographer on the bloggie today! This photog is someone who has a style that is way cool!!!

Connie B from connie b photography is not only is drop dead gorgeous herself, but she produces images that...well..."me look at long time." I drool over the color in her shots...it's stinkin' amazing! Through her blog, one can truly see her heart and her passion for what she does...

I LOVE the way she sees people: Beautiful. Pure. Fun.

I love the way she summons such yummy color in her shots!

I love that she keeps her priorities in order...

Her family is precious to her and it is inspiring to me.

Thank you so much Connie B for your willingness to be on the blog...it truly is an honor!

What was it that inspired you to start your own business?

I've always been an entrepreneur in that I like to look for ways to make extra money. That was my initial thought when starting this- why not make money doing something fun!? But really, in 2006 I wanted to be a photography minor in addition to my major but I never did because I ran off and got engaged. I've always loved photography so one day, sitting bored in my apartment I decided it was time to be more serious about it. A month after that, after taking pictures of my friends, they called me saying the printers needed written proof from me so they could print their pictures. That was just the kick in the pants I needed- I figured if people were noticing some talent (with a crappy point and shoot mind you) I needed to start investing some money for nice gear so I could really learn what photography is all about.

Where do you continue to get your inspiration from?

The world around me! Sounds cheesy but it's true- Whenever I'm out driving I find myself saying "that'd be an awesome location" or I daydream about fun photo shoots I'd like to do. If it weren't for my clients too- and the wonderful feedback I get from them and people around me, it might not be as easy to continue working my butt off. So, I really do have to give a lot of the credit to my nice clients, friends and family for all their support.

Do you have a fave piece of equipment that you use for most shoots?

I will always bring my 85mm f1/8 to a shoot. I love it- seriously changed the way I feel about photography. I actually shot a lot on the standard lens when I first got started (mostly because I didn't know any better and didn't have piles of cash stacked up in my spare bedroom) and I will NEVER do that again- great fast lenses make a world of difference!

Have you ever had something hysterical happen during one of your shoots? Would ya mind sharin'?

I wear the wrong shoes to every.shoot. So I always go home injured in some way. That's not really hysterical though- I think better than that would be the few times someone came up to me, in the middle of a shot, and asked if I wanted to get in the picture and they would take it. Wha? ...I've decided it's because I'm young(er). Although, I still can't believe that has happened more than once- do they not see this ginormous camera and all my equipment!? Sure makes a girl feel un-legit. (;

If you sit down and talk for an hour with ANY person in the whole wide world...who would it be?

Hmmm. That's hard.. I would actually have to say the president of my church, Thomas S. Monson. He's just such an incredible, strong, spiritual guy and I would love to learn some things from him, one on one.

I asked Connie B if she wouldn't mind sharing some of her Suh-Weeeet images with us and so here are some images for your viewing pleasure...if you love Connie B just as much as I do, leave her some love :)

Which image is YOUR fave?

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

I think this next one is my fave...I LOVE how she used a wide aperture to make the berries on the trees in the foreground just right :)

{dEsTiNy}

2010-08-17T18:09:00.002-06:00

I believe in destiny. I believe there is a grand plan. I believe that each person has something wonderful that they were born to do. I believe that people are put into our lives by divine appointment.

AKA:

I enter a contest hosted by MeRa Koh about 2 years-ish ago.

I win said contest.

Reader of Me Ra Koh's blog, see's the winners.

Said reader writes email to me congratulating me on winning.

Said reader is Lora Ayers from peachy Georgia.

Heeeeeyyy... I'm from GA!

I call Lora to thank her for her kind email and talk about none other than....yup...photography.

Lora and I clicked right away.

Lora and I were like PB&J, Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti and Meatballs...

Um...I'm hungry...

Lora and I basically become super close peeps.

Lora tells me that she's moving to Texas.

YAY! She will be closer.

I find out I'm moving to San Antonio.......TEXAS!

*EEEEEEEEEP* *SCREAM* *Flail arms like a fat bird tryin' to fly*

I believe in destiny.

I finally got to meet my sweet peachy friend a few weeks ago and my dream of having her in front of my camera came to fruition. It was surreal. We each drove half way meeting in the friendly town of Temple, Texas.

I was nervous. I was exited. I was seriously "pit-ing out" my cute outfit.

There she was!!! My stomach fluttered and I kind of attacked her in the middle of Chick-fil-A.

OH! EM! GEE! It was LORA!!!!!

I told her it was like 3D ichat. We picked up right where we left off from our last phone conversation...with the addition of inserting every 10 minutes,

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE IN FRONT OF ME!!!"

It. Was. Awesome.

So...with 5 kiddos, 102 degree weather and giggles comparable to 7 year old girls, I was able to do a quick shoot with my Lora. And it was SO much stinkin' fun! Lora is just as gorgeous in person as she is over the phone. I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Thank you Lora for the fun day filled with laughs, peach avalanches and melty popsicles :) You're the bestest!!!

i heart {oLd cArS & QuIrKy sIgNs}

2010-07-31T10:12:00.002-06:00

i heart {CirCLeS & LiNeS}

2010-07-30T10:00:00.002-06:00

i heart {tExTuRe}

2010-07-29T09:24:00.001-06:00

i heart {dOoRs}

2010-07-28T11:29:00.004-06:00

bArKeRs {three's a charm}

2010-07-12T13:13:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time...when I was a pharmacy technician makin' IV's at Benefis Hospital, I met Kristal...a pharmacist who was super patient with me as I was new to the whole IV compound thing...anyway, I thought she was pretty cool!

She contacted me right before I left MT to see if I would take her families pictures and I was honored to oblige :) I don't wanna leave anyone out from my Montana "chapter of my life" so had to post these fun pictures from their session :)

This makes me laugh!

Mommy and Daddy time...

{sMiTten...}

2010-07-07T09:46:00.002-06:00

...by these two...

They are twins and they are SO much fun!!! Each with their VERY different and unique personalities. It was so cool talkin' with Mamma about this huge difference before meeting them, and then really experiencing what she was talking about.

May Claire: reserved yet a risktaker

Emma: cautious yet comfortable

This was my last session I did in Great Falls....and I am truly thankful that I got to play with these sweet girls before I left. They are at such a fun stage! And they aren't like alot of 7 year olds I see...they truly have kept their innocence...THAT is what I love!!!!

And that is what I wanted to capture...their purity and their playful spirit :) Before their session, I had a dream...Yea I know it's weird, but I dream shots... Anyhoo, I saw them painting each other's faces...so I mentioned it to Mamma and she loved the idea! How many photo sessions do kids get to do that?!?!? So, at the end of our session I broke out the paints and let them go at it...after they were done, they wanted to paint my face too!

I quickly accepted the invitation and went back in time:

the fair

the face painting booth

the coolness of the paint

the tickling of the paintbrush

These girls gave me not only a fantastic evening, but the opportunity to be a kid...again...

The light was so pretty here :)

Mamma said I could easily cast in the movie "Brave Heart" with the twins' awesome makeup artistry :)

sNagGleToOtH

2010-06-30T15:06:00.002-06:00

Please excuse my lack of blogging while I get my life in order ;)

I can't wait to get some new clients on the bloggy! But, until then, I have yet another personal post if ya don't mind :) Of my sweet Ashton! It's interesting that after we watched "The Toothfairy," while Omi was visiting and helping in my new home, my son coincidentally states that he had a loose tooth...hmmm...did he wiggle it loose by force?

At first, that's what I thought, but this morning my little boy was so excited to announce that his tooth "fell out." I looked into his mouth and saw the empty space...my next discovery concluded that Ashton in fact did NOT yank his tooth out on his own....there in his pink gums, were little white buds protruding...I flashed back to when he was a baby and felt my nose sting and eyes water. I can't believe how fast he's growing!

Oh, and you know you're a photog when your kid says,

"Hey Mom? Can you take a picture of me and blog it??" Hahaha!

{We'Re hErE!!!!}

2010-05-24T09:29:00.003-06:00

loading and packing last minute stuff, 38 hours NON-stop drivin', and a few days of rest has allowed me to write YA'LL and say..I MADE IT! I made it safely to San Antonio with two 26ft trucks (one pulling a trailer with our monster truck on it) and the Jeep with ALL the critters. Now, we're waiting to close on our new home :) More details to follow...aka movie maybe???

cOuNtInG {down}

2010-05-05T22:44:00.001-06:00

...the days until I can sink my teeth into one of these...

PrOpS {to a photog peep}

2010-05-02T12:11:00.003-06:00

I've decided that it's high time for me to stop hoardin' all these awesome photographers to myself that I find through the wonderful world wide web. It's time to share the love! When I find out that someone has honored me with a link back to my blog...it seriously makes me smile...like HUGE. The "you can't see Ali's eyes anymore because her cheeks are hidin' them" huge. Sooooo...I figure, not only would it be great to feature some photogs that I think are rockin' it in their areas, for eye candies sake...but to also ask some questions that may help us photographers. Fun eh??? So I've never done this before...please bear with me as I get better with the questions and whatnot...

So, if you're a photographer and you stop by my blog...

caution: no one's safe ;) You could be then next on Ali's love list :)

Without further adieu, my first photog friend, Brittney, is from none other than...yup... Texas! She's hitched, she's a graphic design guru and she has a super cute puppy named Toby! I asked some questions and this is what she had to say ENJOY! :)

If you could be any little Debbie pastry, what would it be?

I would be a star crunch :) yum!

What crazy things have you had to do for a kids session?

Ha, I actually just did this the other day! When I want kids to look at the camera, I ask them what their favorite animal is. The other day the little boy said "dinosaur!!!" ha... So I told him that a dinosaur lived in my camera... He said "nu uh!" so I told him he needed to look really really close to see him. So that got him to look, then I said "give him a smile cause he's smiling at you!!!" man did he and his brother and sister start smiling... Then they totallly went with it and started saying all kinds of things were in my camera :)

What got ya into this adventure of photography?

I actually took film photography in high school and was hooked. We developed our own film and prints in a darkroom. Too fun! I went away to college and pursued graphic design but I always loved photography and wanted to pursue it. I finally bought a camera and started doing our neighbor's senior portraits. It just went off from there. My graphic design knowledge has helped me so much in photography.

What would you say is your FAVE lens?

Definitely the 85mm 1.8... So pretty :)

You can visit her blog and see what's happenin' in Brittney world!!! :)

JoLeNa {sweet friend}

2010-04-30T09:34:00.001-06:00

After talking about friends in my last post, I just couldn't resist not honoring this person in my life...honestly I went back and forth because I didn't want to hurt anyone who has been so wonderful and a part of my life...you know the scenerio:

*you've helped at an event. whether it be for two hours or for two weeks. and you sacrificed so much to be generous with your time. to volunteer or contribute to this event. the event takes place. your sitting at one of the tables. in the back. you think "why didn't i get a table at the front? because I helped. and it's time for the "thank you's." the person behind the podium makes the cliche "i first want to thank ALL the people who helped out at this event because there are too many to name, thank you for your time...blah blah blah" whatever. you really want to know if YOUR gonna have your name called following. and then he/she speaks. names. you eagerly wait to see if yours is called. and with every name that is read. that isn't yours. a sharp pain stabs your heart. hurt. that maybe someone did not appreciate your efforts.*

Am I the only one who does that? Am I the only one that has a brief moment of bitterness that rises up in me and then has to get over it...to wake up and realize that the folks who's names WERE called, like lived off coffee and didn't sleep for 72 hours to make the event happen??

Anyhoo, I'm just tryin' to be "see through" with ya...and I have been known to be a bit sensitive..the darn artist in me...but I am almost positive that everyone else has it way more together than me.

So I have known Jolena for...well, since I moved to Great Falls. She was the second gal I met here. I had just gotten hitched to Dave and HAD to start learning to make GIRL friends. Because honestly, I didn't have any girl friends before I was married. No joke...they were all guys. I have always just got along better with dudes...and no I wasn't a boy crazy kinda gal...just liked things like playin' pool, paintballin' and riding 4-wheelers crazy through the tick infested GA woods. Things that most girls wouldn't do...so when I met a gal that loved to camp and fish but still beamed beautiful femininity...I was like...I want to be her friend. And I did. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. It's super sad that I'm leaving because it's been just recently that I have really been able to spend some time with her. Here's a few reasons I love Jolena:

I love how she helped me remember how fun scrapbooking is. I love that I can freely dote on Edward Cullen without being judged. I love that I can call her at 11pm and chat till 1 am because she's a night owl like me. I love that she brings out the girly in me! It doesn't matter how nasty my feet are, she won't let me leave her house and will give me a pedicure if my toes need pampering. I love her encouragement on parenting. She inspires me to be a better mother. I love our common tastes in candy. Hot tamales! I love that she gives of her time every week to visit the kids at the Juvenile Detention Center...to love on them and tell them how much God loves 'em. I love that she loves me so much, she will tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear. I love her heart for God.

Love you Jolena....you are so gorgeous and I'm so thankful for you!

Wowzers!!!

fRienDs & ToEs

2010-04-29T07:49:00.004-06:00

...because I have no foes..get it? HAHAHA!

...anyhoo...FRIENDS...i will miss them...

I know I'm gonna still make my phone calls...I have always been pretty good at that. At least every other week, I like to give myself a date with coffee, the phone and whomever answers the ring - on my list of "folks I need to catch up with."

And thank the good Lord for Facebook!!! I know I'm not the best face-booker, but I have to admit that when I do make a mission of creepin' around on there...it's a flippin' affair. I guess I go in spurts with that...and that won't change...

...but to have access to seeing my friends, calling them up with a wild spontaneous hair to do something and getting to laugh with them IN PERSON...THAT is what I will miss.

So, I did say toes for a reason ;) I got my hair done a couple days ago after not going anywhere for E.V.E.R. and a year...Avery Simonsen of True Colors Salon did a FABULOUS job and I have to say that I am completely blown away by her awesome client service. I have never had a stylist call me 24 hours after I get my hair done to inquire how I like it...that was really cool! I also had my toes done. Has anyone else ever heard of glitter toes??? I never did, but I'm up to try anything and WOW! It's like bling for your feet!!! It's a gel and glitter process that's cured so the fun sparkle lasts for 4-6 weeks!!! Seriously, if you wanna do something fun and smile every time you look down at your toesies, you should try this! I hate my feet but LOVE my toes! This pic does NOT do the sparkle justice and so sorry that you have to look at my hobbit feet, but here's what they look like :)

SoLd!!!

2010-04-26T21:07:00.005-06:00

Yeppers...we sold our house! I can honestly say that my sweet Lord has orchestrated EVERYTHING out in my favor...in one week:

4/15:

Got an offer on the house

Counter-offered

4/16:

Counter-offer accepted

My agents became dual agents (and it's been wonderful!)

4/17:

kind of remember that we needed a new loan for Texas

got pre-approved for a VA loan

4/18:

Accidentally found another house that was WAY better than the first Texas house I found

4/19:

Put an offer in on THAT house and was told not too get excited because...

it's a foreclosure and...

6 offers, including ours, were on the table after two days of it listing

ran out of printer ink

4/20:

deadline for offers on cool house at 4:30 Central

PROBLEM: realtor in Texas can't read contract because of my stupid lack of ink

TX realtor gets permission to submit offer next day

got new ink but forgot about having only 3 sheets of paper left....ARGH!

back to the store for paper

4/21:

WHEW! got the offer in :)

Had inspection for our house here

Inspection went FABULOUS!

I love our buyer!

4/22:

Dave works on minor repairs from inspection while I crack down on editing

Waiting patiently regarding our offer

they did say 72 hours...

4/23:

getting a little nervous about our offer

consider buying the crap house, flipping it, and making some moolah

but then again it is a crap house...my Aunt said there was literally crap...

to the brim of the toilet...

continuing to ask God to move on the hearts of men in my favor

commercial photoshoot

3 missed calls from my husband on my FRIENDS phone?

call husband back

OUR OFFER WAS ACCEPTED!!!

Praise ya Jesus!!!

We have until Monday to sign the papers they sent us...

until then the bank is still reviewing other offers

4/24:

Scanning in all the papers to my computer

VERY t.i.m.e. c.o.n.s.u.m.i.n.g.

How the heck do I make a pdf from multiple scanned images???

Dave gets the confirmation on his job transfer to Texas

4/25:

went around Great Falls to some of my favorite spots to take pictures...

For FUN

more packing ;)

4/26:

sent pdfs to realtor for the seller/bank to look at and sign

JUST got the word that the bank has signed the papers and...

NO MORE OFFERS are being accepted!!!

So, that is the craziness of my life this last week...but it was SO smooth at the same time! I absolutely am grateful for how awesome the buyer is. She SO appreciates my old home and it's character...that, to me, is priceless! And I am so excited about starting a new chapter of my life in San Antonio...to come into this new home and start making new memories there. This journey isn't over yet, but it's really cool to see how God has worked this all out so perfectly...

Here's my new - well, new to me...it's 24 years old - house...I've never stepped foot in it, but my Uncle said he would want to live there....that's good enough for me :)

We live on a cul-de-sac :)

This is the view right when ya walk in the front door:

My future office...

ps keep in mind my pictures of Great Falls...somethin' special goin' on that wall ;)

looking into the dining room and back there is the kitchen...notice the exposed hallway with chair rail on the top of the picture???...very vintagy AND I can't wait to get some Christmas garland on those stairs ;)

I'm graduating from a bedroom with no closet...to a MASTER bedroom with fireplace, little deck, closet and....

my very own bathroom!!!! I'm so excited!!!

nice sized back yard...Sam is only going to get a small corner to relieve himself on

I know this post is a little long...but I just couldn't withhold any details from ya...because I just had to tell ya how AWESOME everything is flowing and had to share my new home too :)

Happy Monday!!!

hair drying {confessions}

2010-04-13T10:41:00.004-06:00

So I was drying my hair this mornin' and the most random thoughts went through my mind...does anybody else think like this when you're drying your hair???

"I bet the 2nd or 3rd generation iPad will have a camera on it and the world will be able to ichat from wherever they want to..."

"I wonder where the phrase 'Dead as a door knob' came from..."

"Coffee..."

"My Lord! I have rainbow hair...I should just go buy me a box of color!"

"Epson R1900 or R2880???? THAT is the question..."

So, yeah, that is a peek into my brain when I go on auto pilot to dry my hair...speaking of crazy tri-colored hair, here's some photos Mr. Matt took of me while we were playing with cameras and shootin' for the fun of it a little over a month ago. I was going for the Anthropology look ergo the crazy poofy hair...He let me have the raws so I could play with the post processing...fun fun fun :)

bReAkInG {eggs, bad habits, and myself}

2010-04-05T09:00:00.002-06:00

Lots of fun stuff going on here:

*Showing the house about every day...

*sweatin' bullets "power cleaning" right before 'em...

*Learning new ways to dye Easter eggs (they're SO pretty)...

*Miraculously stopped biting my nails after 20 years of biting 'em

*Goin' to the circus for free, thanks to my kids' winning a coloring contest...

*Shooting the Foothills Banquet and meeting Mr. Mike Huckabee. AWESOME...

*Finally realizing that it's OK to take a day off...

My little rant comes from that last blurb. Many of you awesome photog peeps may know where I'm coming from...or maybe ya'll already have it figured out. Kudos if ya do :) But for me, it's so easy to be consumed every second of the day with what I do since it's so close...

We meet. We shoot. We edit.

...and this is where I sit. For hours. In front of my computer:

culling. processing. retouching. emailing. researching.

deviating. facebooking. youtubing. refocusing.

I'm absolutely passionate about what I do. I LOVE meeting new people and telling their stories but can anyone else relate with me here? Does anyone else feel this crazy need to get everything done like yesterday? Anyhoo, it was kind of stressin' me out and it's completely my fault. But I'm stoked to tell ya that I'm OK now with taking a break for day. A WHOLE day...to do whatever the heck I want. Sure, I talk to my clients and email if I need to. But, I really try to do stuff with the fam...and stuff for me...for a day. And ya know what I've learned? I am SO much more motivated when I do take that time for myself...to just rest and give my mind a break of what needs to be done. It's like I charge up for another awesome week of my life :) Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm just preachin' to myself, but if there's an "amen" out there, be encouraged...it's totally OK to be lazy for a day. To do something completely for recreation's sake. To snuggle with the kids and watch movies in bed. To go to the park without the pressure of getting back home to edit. To keep the computer off...unless of course you want to youtube your brains out.

You NEED a break...weekly if ya can. God took a day to rest. Why shouldn't we?

So anyhoo, there's my little rant...I'm done now :) Hope everyone had a super fun Easter with their fams! I thought I would post a couple pics of our egg dying fun...this year, we did confetti eggs, or more formally known as cascarones. SO much fun! I totally was spacing that I could use my hole puncher to make the confetti, so you know what this mean mamma did? I made my kiddos (and myself) cut up streamers to make the confetti...because I didn't care to go out that day and buy some. And besides, it builds character right???? You know, workin' diligently at something for a long time towards a really good/fun goal?

Well, I'm definitely doing the hole puncher thing next year :)

To the right: Parker watching the first egg come out of the dye...

To the left (uh uh): 'now dip baby dip' oh woops...had a "Tootsie Roll" moment

anywayzzz when Ash was cuttin' confetti he dropped a long string and it happened to fall right on Sam's face...did he care? Obviously not...my dog is SO cute :)

Some of my faves!!!

logan {pArKoUr}

2010-04-03T15:29:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago had the awesome opportunity to meet Logan. He's a fun lovin', screamo rockin', baseball playin', street runnin' dude. Yeah. He's that cool :)

When Logan told me he could "street run" I wasn't sure what that meant. Then he showed me:

He plopped down from that last shot and proceeded to tell that if he was street running he would do that kind of stuff while runnin' around in the alleys and streets. Then I was like...."ohhhh...like Parkour!" Then of course my mind immediately visited "The Office" episode where they featured parkour. TOO FUNNY!

Logan, you're fun personality, talent and faith are gonna take you places you've never dreamed! I'm so excited to see the fun things that will happen in your life :)

Mmmm...yummy sunflare...

I'm pretty sure these next two tie as my fave shots of the day :)

And because you need a good laugh today, here's some awesome parkour stunts by none other than your crazy Office guys:

Marcus {loves his shoes}

2010-03-20T14:22:00.003-06:00

Marcus let me know on a couple of occasions that he likes, nay, loves his converses :) I was so stoked that:

1) he would brave the weather with me...AND

2) would drive 2 hours and 14 minutes (according to

Google maps) to have me take his pictures!

Can we say "honored???"

Well, I sure was! And it was so worth the sloppy mess we played in. As I make it mandatory...we laughed our faces off...and stuck 'em back on at the end of the session :) From dodging toilets, to the 'one-braid' pose to me freaking out that we were going to disturb a homeless man's sleep...turned out to be a bumpy tarp...

...this session was full of adventure and new inspiration for me. I've had a little lull from the weather but it's so encouraging that the break was not as big as last years. That, to me, means growth...it means that people like what I'm offering. It means that I truly am doin' MY thang. And it SO blesses me that folks, like Marcus, are willing to do something out of the box to humor my crazy ideas...it makes me happy :)

THE awesome shoes :)

I love these next couple of shots!!!

insert annoying busy signal {HeRe}

2010-03-16T13:05:00.005-06:00

I think I made it into the Guinness Book of World Records...yup...

you know what for :)

But I'm totally cool with that because my life has been exciting, scary, fabulous...you can put any emotion probably at the end of that statement because I've probably felt it...

So to update everyone on my life, because contrary to popular belief, I'm still breathing...Dave and I finished up some last minute hizzay repairs/updates and listed By Owner...we had about 4 showings I think...2 of them being divine appointments...not because the folks wanted the house but because they had some awesome encouragement to give Dave and I regarding our new adventure that's about to unfold.

The whole by owner thing lasted a little over a month and then Dave felt pressed to list the house with our realtor friends who sold us the house. Not that we're being anxious, because believe me, I'm really not looking forward to the efforts of moving over 1,000 miles away, BUT we strongly sense that we need to "get'er done" and get to Texas as soon as we can. I think our urgency is in the fact that we were getting comfortable with the idea of NOT moving because there were no nibbles on the house when we were trying to sell it on our own. And if we get too comfy, then we won't be listening to our heart.

Our listing went live on the 8th and since then, we have had 5 showings with 1 couple really interested. So we'll see. In the midst of purging my home of crap, packing & organizing what I can, keeping the house pristine with two busy little boys, getting kicked out of my house for showings with two busy little boys, continuing to serve on the worship team at church, editing, closing up orders from last year, lots of album design, editing and more editing...I have been shooting some sessions rather spontaneously. Mainly due to weather and also because I'm just not sure when we're leavin'. So, my blog has kind of been on a hiatus...

But can I just say this?

HOW AWESOME YOU PEEPS ARE FOR STILL DROPPIN' BY!!!!!

{HUGE CYBER HUG TO YOU :)}

(that kind of looks like a double chin smiley doesn't it...hahaha)

But seriously, I am just flippin' ecstatic about the biz!!! I've nailed down my workflow, I've established my brand, I now offer some awesome collections with THE latest product offerings. Can I get a "whoop whoop?!"

So, I AM still shooting...Lawd knows I can't keep the camera away for long, but I'm not sure how long I'll be here...in the Great Fizzle that is.

It's kind of spontaneous, but in Ali world...it all works out :)

It would be so wrong of me to have a post with no pictures after this long right?

So...I won't leave without posting some pics of one of my seniors from last year...

Meet Cheyenne...the rock star.

who gave this kid the mouse??? {what?!?!}

2010-02-08T09:15:00.002-07:00

So for whatever random reason I was looking through my old pictures...I dunno...to reminisce I guess. That's what this whole picture thing is about right? I stumbled upon some images of my son. Now...I don't remember taking these and I especially don't remember taking over 50 "gangstah-ish" pictures of him. Ok...there's my chair and my printer in the background...

*GASP* He's in front of my computer!!!!

Anyway...I must have left Photobooth open. I'm not even gonna lie...to probably take some silly pictures of myself or make my own dance video to "Forever" by Chris Brown that will probably embarrass me later. BUT...my little sponge, seein' mommy, knew he had the power to take his own pictures of himself...I was probably on the phone or something while he did this.

HILARIOUS!!!

Here's my son...I don't know what was going on in his head while he was doing this but I just think it's too flippin' FUNNY!!!!

My son+hat (worn in a crazy way)+"gangstah-ish" poses =

lots of laughs for mom :)

CoWs {artsy fartsy}

2010-02-05T15:24:00.004-07:00

I was on this hilarious, fun and quirky photogs website the other day. I heart this woman SO stinkin' much! Whenever I'm at the computer and my obnoxious laugh rumbles through the house...my husband knows I'm probably reading her blog :) Anyhoo, I remember how much I LOVE all her cow pictures and remembered that I had snagged a shot of a cow when we went camping this last summer. I have been waiting for the perfect image to make a ginormous metal print of...wanna hang it on my wall going into the kitchen...oh gosh! Now that I think about it maybe that wouldn't be the best place to hang it...poor Hank.

Anyway...I think I've found it. I want it BIG. I know I won't regret getting this even if we do move. And I can hang it somewhere other than the kitchen in my next house right?

Who wouldn't want a Montana cow starring at them with that look...

...you know, that sweet "Huh?" look...

c'mon phil {more winter}

2010-02-02T09:46:00.004-07:00

I know I should be used to this by now, but really...I'm not sure if I can stand 6 more weeks of winter. Actually, 6 weeks in other parts of the nation computes to like 3 months in Montana. Seriously! Phil, couldn't you just have ignored that little blob on the ground that followed you around? Couldn't you have just said a little white lie?

Whatever.

It wouldn't be so sad if I were living....say....in Texas...

Yup. My husband and I are not 110% sure yet, but we feel a huge pull in our hearts to move to Texas and help his Uncle's church down there. My hubby approached me about this desire last October. And I was all like, "HECK NO!!!!" I bursted that bubble real quick! I ranted on, "Are you serious! I absolutely have the perfect house, I absolutely LOVE my friends here and to top it off, my biz is so fruitful now! God would have to give me a lightning bolt from the sky with a written message telling me to go before I would even consider it!!!"

It's funny how the desire that was placed in my heart about a month ago was bigger than a physical lightning bolt. I don't know why...but's it's there. Deep down. My mind is screaming "I don't wanna!" but my heart is saying something different. My mind is screaming, "I'm scared!" but my God is saying, "I will take care of you." My mind is screaming, "But but but what about my business?" my heart is saying, "seek FIRST....and ALL these things will be added."

I'm just keepin' it real now...It's hard to hear your heart when your head is screaming. So, I'm learning to tell my mind to SHUT IT and learning instead to listen to that still small voice. It's a process and that's why this decision is not a for sure. Lots of things are up in the air...and it's very frustrating. Believe me. To not know. But I am confident that if I can be still. wait. I will know in time. In His perfect time.

So, there ya have it...I've been missing from my blog and the world it seems because I am doing just that. Being still for the moment. I just figured I would ask ya'll to keep us in your prayers. That God's good and perfect will would happen in our lives. This is a huge decision to up and move my family to a place I've never known...to give up everything I have grown to love here in Montana and leave for a new adventure. It's difficult when God asks us to get uncomfortable for Him...but I know He loves me and I'm at peace knowing that now.

I don't wanna leave all somber because I'm not...I have so much joy right now! In fact, here's a fun touch card I designed for the church down there. How cool is it to have a church card that is fun, thought provoking and catches folks attention...so I'll leave ya with this.

He caught up....

2010-01-25T19:49:00.003-07:00

...with my age ;) My stud muffin is 27 today!!! I know that my last post was many moons ago. There is a reason. And I will officially announce that reason here in the near future...but until then...

Sometimes I wonder how I ended up with such an AMAZING man of God who is so much in love with me and also happens to be the yummiest piece of eye candy there is ;)

Happy Birthday David!!!

I LERV YOU!!!

Happy "BIRD" Day

2010-01-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

My sweet Ashton is 6 today! Here goes the cliche Mamma in me....I just can't resist:

"It's seems like yesterday...."

...for real though. This little face was staring at me.

He was about 14 months in that picture...so crazy right? Hard to believe that my smart first born is half way through kindergarten, sounding out words and reading. I was so sad that our spontaneous trip happened during his birthday. BUT, we had so much fun making some fun cupcakes for his classmates on Thursday night. Ashton wanted a "Nemo" birthday. I think it's so stinkin' cute that he still loves the Pixar fishy! He gets to wear the birthday crown all day on Friday and give these cute cupcakes to his friends. He was SO excited about it :) We will be back tomorrow to top off his birthday celebration. But I miss him now. I love my munchkins!

Ali land is so much happier with Ashton in it...I love you Mr. Face!!!

I'm just a teeny bit proud of these...thought 'em up all by myself :)

Little kids love things like cheese and icing right?

God Bless Texas

2010-01-13T20:06:00.002-07:00

Ya'll remember that song.....WAY back when? Speaking of WAY back...how fun is posting an old retro picture of yourself on facebook? I absolutely LOVE seein' everyone at their awkward stage. Hold on...oh...what? That's just me??? No one else had an awkward stage? Yeah, I guess you're right.

Anyhoo, my hubby and I are leaving for San Antonio, TX on Friday morning. I really hope ya'll pray for me b/c after my near death plane experience last year, I really. REALLY. Don't like to fly. We're really excited to see his family and visit the new church Dave's Uncle has planted there.

So, I don't wanna offend anyone...because Lawd knows I had THE. BIGGEST. HAIR. when I was little. BUT...for poops and giggles I thought I would go "way back" (yes...a real poloriod) with my big haired self...in honor of Texas ;)

dEaR planner,

2010-01-05T15:48:00.002-07:00

I know I'm not supposed to dwell on past relationships, but I can't help wondering how you will compare to my last relationship. We (my 2009 planner and I) had a good thing going. Sure, it didn't have the luxury of a leather cover...and yes, I know you were available in 2009. I said I'm sorry OK? It's just that when I venture forth for a new one of you, I don't think of committing in September. That's just weird. I like the whole "let's start in January" thing.

Speaking of commitment. I have issues with that and you guys. I know that we're gonna be in this for a whole year together...well, till July with you. I need to know that we're a good fit... Do you let me put all my crazy lists everywhere? Do you let me see a whole month AND put the nitty gritty in my week?

I have a confession...after buying you, I did go to Target and scope out the competition...

*FLINCH*

I'M SORRY! I just don't know if it's going to work out...I have serious issues when it comes to the organization of my schedule. I'll give it some more time...

But if it ends up that I have to let you go...

It's not you...it's me.

sisters {rock}

2009-12-30T11:16:00.004-07:00

Whitty and I had a bit o' fun at the Home Depot. For Dave's anniversary

present, I got him... a.k.a. more "us" than him-because I'm the family documenter,

a Flip video camera. We seriously do not have barely ANY footage of our family...

for the past two years. Maybe because of our dino age camcorder? Or maybe because

of me starting a biz? I'd like to blame it on the cam but really, it's not that old...

Just inconvenient to charge and then make sure I have tape and then, "Oh crap! We

don't have any tape!!! What can we record over?" Then that leads to a big mess on the

floor where we're digging to get to old Thirty9 (the band that we used to be in) footage.

Geez!

It's just way easier to stuff this thing into my computer and BAM! There it is...ready to be

transported to my external drive :) It will be SO nice to just move these bad boy

video files to a DVD and mail them to the Mamma's. Or even create our own little

Youtube Fam channel even! It's flippin' Fantabulous!!!

OK. So I was super proud of myself for piecing a little vid together of my sis and I...

bein' crazy as usual..

Yes, we're wearing the same jacket. Mom decided to dress us alike again..haha J/K!

I bought her the jacket as a gift and I already had one...we accidentally left

the house wearing the same thing. HAHAHA....told ya we were crazy :)

I love you {baby}

2009-12-27T19:34:00.002-07:00

Happy Anniversary!

YAY for Christmas!!!

2009-12-23T23:38:00.003-07:00

I LOVE Christmas!!!

I get so stoked about the decorating, the fun traditions I have started with my family, and just the celebration of Jesus' birthday :) Seriously, I could listen to Christmas music all year long. My husband and I have been battling the playlists because he has to hear Christmas music all day long at work. I'm all like...Bah Humbug to you Mr. Scrooge ;)

So I have my sister and her husband in town and tomorrow night my mom flies in! EEEEEEK! I'm SO excited! It has been awesome having my folks here together...surreal even. I took the two love birds out for the fastest shoot I think I have ever done. I would have gone longer...BUT...we had to beg him to do it in the first place so when he was done I didn't push it. It's supposed to be fun anyway right???

I wanted to post a teaser of what we did today and also some pics of my house decorated for Christmas! Look at my knock-out sis and her awkward feeling hubby..hahaha!

You know I love ya Cam :)

I decided to do a fun red black and silver tree this year for the main tree. Main tree you ask???Yes, I kind of have a Christmas tree addiction...

Our very first Christmas ornament as a hitched couple :)

It's so much fun to have my kids doing all the fun crafty things for Christmas. I'm getting so many wonderful ornaments hand made with love. I made these stockings for the boys a while back...they are replicas of a stocking my Aunt had made for me many many moons ago...when I was a wee baby...

If you walk in the foyer, you will be greeted by a sweet little purple, pink and gold

vintage tree...

This is the tree that I dolled up for the guest room...love the green, black and blue...sounds so horribly violent for a Christmas tree but I think it's pretty :)

What fun traditions does your family have for Christmas?

It's alive!!!!

2009-12-21T20:17:00.006-07:00

YAY! I am so excited about launching my new website! If you've noticed I have been kind of non-existent to my blog, it's because A number 1. I have been madly cleaning my house for my family who starts to get in tomorrow :)

And also because I have been workin' my now, not-so-large, derrière on this baby. I've poured everything of me into it so I really hope everyone will take a peak and let me know whatcha think. I finally took pictures of my trees so I'm hopin' to get those on here BEFORE Christmas. Can't wait to see my family...it's been almost 6 years since we have had a Christmas together...so much fun!!!

Poor Kitty

2009-12-20T20:23:00.004-07:00

I don't know how many of ya'll check out my facebook, but we just recently adopted a 6 year old Mastiff. Makayla's family had abandoned her. Yeah...that's what I was thinkin'...Who flippin' moves and just leaves their dog in the front yard?!?!?! This sweet dog was just waiting in the front yard for her family to get home and they never returned. It's ok...I totally started cryin' when I heard this too. She started wandering the neighborhood and this older lady took the pooch in. This lady had severe MS and knew she couldn't keep Makayla long term. She knew a guy who was somehow involved with the AKC and called him. He really didn't want to turn her into the pound as HE wanted to screen who Makayla went to. He used his own resources to board Makayla at a pet resort.

This is where I come in. Long story short, we were worthy of owning her and we adopted her. She was a little bit aggressive with Sam...but I just think that it's because Sam is so "IN YO FACE!!!!" kind of a dog. After a week, her and Sam were best buds. She is such a sweetheart and I have never seen her show any aggression towards the kids. My munchkins were told to not get near Makayla unless we were around though. Anyway, back to what happened...we were told that Makayla (BTW-we named her that because it went so well with Sam...for all you Transformers fans out there :) was good with cats. My cat is ESPECIALLY trusting with Sam. If he goes to smell her tiny head (compared to his) then she will head butt him in affection. So, my little kitty was starting to get trusting with Makayla and last Tuesday, I had to take my cat to the Emergency Vet.

I didn't see what happened but I heard. I knew Sophie was sitting in her normal spot under our counter top height table and Makayla was near her. Perhaps just staring? Sniffing? I don't really know. But all I heard was a bark and a cat squeal-ish thing...never have heard that in my life...and then Sophie was a huge poofy thing and went running up the stairs. Makayla bit her head and there was a deep puncture in her left cheek and another bite mark above her right eye. I was concerned that her skull was fractured or something so I took her in just to be safe. Ended up that there were no fractures and she will be fine but is in a bit of pain.

SO...all THAT to say, we have to find a new home for Makayla. I am so torn up about it because she is such a sweetie, and she just got a family who loves her, but Sophie was here first and I can't trust Makayla now inside with the cat. I don't want Makayla to be an outside dog. This is so hard for us. I can't turn her in to the shelter either or they will black list us from adopting...the officer said that unfortunately, it isn't a case by case basis. So I have to find a home for Miss Makayla on my own...one that doesn't have little critters she could get too excited for and I would say preferably with older kids. I've put up an ad on Craigslist and we are going to carefully screen anyone who inquires about her. If you know anyone, they can see her pictures here.

Here is my kitty...many apologies for no make-up and crazy hair...it was a rough night...

In lighter, more exciting news, you may have noticed the new look? Well, I'm super excited about a little surprise I've been keeping...."Hmwhoooowah HAHAHA"...that was an evil laugh ;)

Dustin&Suzie {plus sweet munchkins}

2009-12-05T17:13:00.002-07:00

When Suzie called me up for some pictures, I new right then, what a sweet hearted person I had encountered! They all were so amazing to put up with the windy weather too. This is the same session that we took the crazy cape pictures...I was relieved that Suzie said Dave and I were quite entertaining to watch. I'm so glad I can have fun with what I do!

Oh my word...and the baby!!!! This baby was AMAZING! She was so patient with me as I bundled her up...It's babies like her that tempt me into having more kids ;)

This family pulled my heart strings in a big way and I'm so thankful they let me peek into their lives and capture their fabulousness. Thanks guys for the fun time and laughs!!!

Look at that sweet yawn...

Is it creepy that I want this picture on my wall???

I'm still sayin' it Suzie...you are fierce...in a hot way ;)

Ali 2.0

2009-11-28T18:08:00.006-07:00

Weight had really never been an issue with me...that is of course until I carried two little - NAY - over-average sized munchkins in my tummy. I guess I thought I could just get away with eating potato ole's every single day with the first one...and Mocha Moo-lates every single day with the second. Seeing as they are 14 months apart, one can easily understand how I had a good 60 pounds of weight added to my once small frame.

But it didn't stop after the pregnancies. I now had TWO babies to care for, no time for myself and the only thing that I could run to and instantly feel good about was food. Cookies in particular. I think when peeps think of me, it wouldn't be too far fetched for them to say...."Oh yeah! I know Ali...the cookie monster..." Ask most my friends and they can tell you I almost always had a batch of homemade cookies in the oven when they would come over. In fact I think some of my friends were probably a bit upset when they were a pound or two more on the scale...by me making the delicious warm gooey wonderful treats. Ok I'm really salivating now...

"NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!"

Anyhoo, I had tried, on my own, to eat better...and I did lose a few pounds but nothing to write Oprah about. I then started workin' out. I love to run! It was so hard though running when I was so heavy...but I worked out nonetheless and a couple more pounds came off. I was getting very frustrated with not seeing the results I wanted after going at it pretty consistently for 4 years...and that's when I learned about Go Figure.

I started in August and to date have lost just around 50 pounds. It was tough but I HAD to do something about my bad eating habits. I pretty much kicked my metabolism back in gear and changed the way I felt about food. I will eat to live and not live to eat.

I also feel like I have grown so much inside as much as I have changed on the outside. That is what truly matters anyway. I have seriously tried to do a makeover on my heart just as much as my body. I really hope that this post isn't sounding vain to folks. That's not my intention...I just feel so good and feel like I've worked very hard to achieve this goal I have had for over 4 years. I figured I would just share with you the success I have had.

My young padawan Matt Ehnes took me out to do some "after" pictures. I seriously had about 45 minutes of daylight left and was rushing to get my mask on. It was really weird being in front of the camera and actually feeling good about myself. I think I kind of worked it ;) So, with Matt's permission I thought it would be cool to show ya'll some before and after pics...because:

a. number 1. Dave and I were looking at older pictures of me and I was all like, "WOAH!"

and

C. I have this guilty pleasure of enjoying those types of pics. Whether it be for some kind of face cream or hair removal...it's just cool that there's an instant result right there...does anybody else feel that way???

So here I am...Ali and Ali 2.0 ;)

p.s. there was no help from photoshop to get me to look this small and big for that matter

scout's honor

I was having OODLES of fun spicin' up the dance floor at a wedding in this next image...s'rsly...

And here's one more from Mr. Matt...Cuz I can't resist...

Ling-Stowers {fam}

2009-11-27T13:28:00.003-07:00

Did anyone else drift away into a food coma yesterday?!?! I think I had turkey 'roids' on my brain too much yesterday because I was tired before I even ate one oz. of the injected poultry. Weird...

Anyhoo, last year I had the opportunity to donate to a couple of auction fundraisers and for one of the auctions, this sweet family outbid the rest! They wanted to stay on their property for this session which was SO much fun because they had miniature donkeys, guinea hens, and turkeys that I could "talk" to. I know I'm weird. Be what it may, but I actually enjoy it when I can get a bird to gobble back at me...

...maybe I was subconsciencly trying to warn them of their popularity

associated with the upcoming holiday???

The afternoon light was beautiful!!! We romped around letting the kiddos play. Their dog was SO well behaved that I had to get a shot of him...I think I really confused him though because he kept looking back at his fam...like he was asking mom and dad permission...making sure it was ok to listen to this crazy woman ;)

Dave snagged this shot...

Warmth of the wheat + sweet innocent eyes = ali's heart strings tugged