My Free Photography Class 2014

I was recently able to take a photography class for free (someone posted about it in a Facebook group that I'm in--some friends of hers were hosting it) and I wanted to share my submissions with you. There were a few weeks I missed and didn't have anything to submit, but nonetheless, here's what I submitted for the following weeks:

"CLOSE" or "VERY FAR AWAY"

"PEOPLE" or "PORTRAIT"

"MOTION"

 "Just a photo you like" (this was the first week):

I loved this class. It was very laid-back, and wasn't just about using your camera in manual mode. I learned about things like that too, but I also learned about things like taking a picture both horizontal and vertical, the Rule of Thirds, being careful to watch lines/busyness in the background, etc. Things that will stick with me even if I'm just using my iPhone. I'd love to take another one soon and learn more! (I think they are offered at Brookhaven, so I might add that to my wish list. hint hint.)

Annual Cromwell Court Block Party, May 2014

This year was the 2nd Annual Cromwell Court Block Party. I had been wanting to have these every year since we moved in, but last year was our first year. The Smiths moved away a few months ago, so I asked the Lansdowns if they would be up for helping us host. I was fine with using our yard, our chairs/tables and grill and doing the cooking (Seth) and buying all the supplies, but knew that it wasn't feasible for us to purchase everything, so they chipped in some money and it worked out great! We provided drinks, burgers, hotdogs, brats, and the fixings. We also bought the plates and such. Everyone brought a dessert or a side plus a chair and everything turned out awesome!!

Seth has tried to convince me to change the date to earlier in May because of weather (it would be cooler) and holiday busyness, but I feel like it would be harder to get everyone together on a random Saturday night than on a Monday evening before people start work, even if it is a holiday. By 6pm on Memorial Day, most people are done with their weekend plans and are home. Since the party is in our front yard, there's no travel time to or from. And we have nearly everyone attend both of the last two years, so it's a good set-up, I think. AND the weather this time was absolutely perfect. It was warm, but not too warm, there was a slight breeze and flies, but no mosquitos!

My biggest regret is that I didn't get everyone to pose together in one group. We have new people on the street this year and I'd love to start having yearly group shots to see how people change year to year. Someone help me remember that for next year! I had set out more tables for food and that worked better than last year (I remembered wishing for more table space last year). I also hope to get some of those screen food tents for next year because we had plates sitting on top of the food because of the abundance of flies!

the whole crew

Grill Master 

Shannon and Theresa

Chad, Cory (the new guys, twins), Jaime 

I liked the light dots, but he's grouchy. 

David, Raymond, John with Evelyn in the background

Sweet Ms. Leatha Gordon

Rick and friend

I think he had about 7 mini cupcakes and a few bites of hotdog! 

Original Residents, Mrs. Nash and Ms. Gordon

To every single one of my neighbors who came... THANK YOU! For those who couldn't make it, you missed a great party, hope to see you next year!! I'm already looking forward to the next event!

ps. Shout-Out to my husband who takes such great care of our yard that it's always ready to host and to serve as a great backdrop for pictures!

pps. An article my neighbor wrote that I want to keep track of: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20140602-a-best-neighborhood-can-only-be-measured-in-personal-connections.ece

End of School 2014

We had another great year at the Christ 4 Kids Children's Day Out and Preschool programs at Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch. Last year was our first year there and only Austin attended. My favorite part of this school (it's actually hard to choose, because I love so many things!) is that they take babies 6 months+ into the CDO program and then when they are 3+, they enter the preschool program which is more intentional about learning. This way, all my kids can attend the same place, regardless of the ages.

This past year (2013-14), Graham was in the infant room and Austin was in the Young 3s class. Graham attended just one day a week on Thursdays from 9-2 and Austin attended Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2. This left Graham and I to run a bunch of errands on Tuesdays while Thursdays were my days to get personal things done like dentist appointments. YAY! I also spent about one day a month vegging out with magazines. (Those are my favorite days. ;-)

Next year, Graham will move into the toddler room which is where Austin was last year and Austin will move into the Older 3s class. (He'll have then yet another year in preschool--4s class before entering kinder in 2016.) I am excited to have Graham in Ms. Pam's class next year. She is so good with that age group! Here are some pictures from the last week of school, both boys wearing the typical Thursday outfit, it was our version of school uniforms. Less to worry about in regards to stains this way!

Austin looks so grown up here. sigh.

This is how most pictures of these two look.

silly man

Taking gifts to teachers on the last day:

Austin insists on holding that door for anyone and everyone.

It didn't take Graham long to be trained to which room was his.

He wouldn't smile, but does love them!

Ms. Carol

Ms. Ellen

They love to swing around these poles.

Recording the awesome door one of the other moms did for teacher appreciation week!

A few collages I put together...

Drive-in Movie Theater Trip, May 2014

Last May we were invited to a friends' kid's birthday party at the Galaxy Drive-in in Ennis. We had SUCH a good time, that I vowed we would make every attempt to go down there every year and May is the perfect time to go. I grew up going to the drive-in and so going always reminds me of home/my childhood. This year wasn't as great as last year because the movie (Rio 2) wasn't as great and didn't hold anyone's attention as well (Seth and I included!). Plus, Graham was up most of the time and became so over-tired that he screamed bloody murder until he finally passed out. All that said, we will totally go again. AND we got free tickets while there so I'm hoping to go again in the fall. :-)

My biggest regret from the night is that having a kid on each of our laps for most of the evening means it's pretty darn hard to get pictures! Enjoy the few I got.

Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day was very different this year than the past several years. With Gran gone, there was no need to attend her church on Mother's Day, so we each went to our own churches. This was nice, but also felt strange (I've only been doing that for the last 5 years, but it still felt missed). Before church, we ate cinnamon rolls and I opened my gifts from my men. I got a spa membership, a book and some movies. It was great. My favorite is that Seth put the boys' handprints inside the book! Well, also the spa membership. That's my favorite too. I guess I have two favorites. We got dressed and took some pictures together, (which is always a huge challenge!) and then we went to The Village.

Picture Time!

I liked Austin and I making faces last year, so I did a Smile One and a Funny One with each this year.

It's hard to tell, but this is like "raspberries".

Then both together. Graham had been screaming, hence his red face.

We have started going to the 9am service and we head out to get groceries directly afterward. It's a bit crazy with all four of us shopping for groceries and there's inevitably a meltdown, but it's been nice to take the Grocery Shopping item off my To Do list and put it in a place that had recently become empty (since switching churches). Seth and I work together on the menu plan for the week--I really like having his live/in-person input and he likes seeing how much we're spending! lol. Anyways, so after church and groceries, we came home a glorious lunch of sweet corn and brats. A perfect meal for me. The boys napped and Seth and I relaxed around the house.

sound. asleep.

Soon it was time to get up and head to Frisco to have dinner with the family and then head to the nursing home to spend time with Grandma Houston, eating desserts and taking pictures. This was a bit tricky because while the space was plenty big, it seemed the kids were all on sugar highs or something and we had a hard time reigning them in while also taking pictures, etc. And a note to ourselves for next time--bring things like cleaning wipes and garbage bags, etc. Be much more prepared next time. Much. More. Prepared.

Kim, Grandma Houston, and Rory

Three Generations.

All Four Generations.

I love how I got this in one try.

those big Spofford men...always clowning around!

Nonnie and her grands

 Then Nonnie opened gifts...

Graham gave himself some sort of timeout here. When he gets frustrated, he'll just hug and hold tight and breathe deep. Soo cute!

 Grandma opens her gifts...

 And the natives have gone wild...

We needed to get a shot of the three Purple Amigos...
(and Seth looks as hot as ever! Man, that's a gorgeous man I married!)