Day 236. Glow Sticks.

We went to visit my brother/sister in-laws' house last night.  The kids hung out with their grandpa as well as played with their cousins.  They had a great time.  This was one of the highlights of their evening... Aunt Sam found some glowsticks that she tossed over to them to take outside to enjoy.  Who knew they'd provide such entertainment?  My kiddos enjoyed them well into the night.  So fun!

Day 235. My Baby Bro.

Today is my youngest brother's birthday.  He turned twenty years old today.  I remember the day he was born so very well.  I was fourteen at the time.  I couldn't have been more excited about the new addition to our family.  By the time I was sixteen and had a driver's license, I took the little guy with me everywhere!  I just loved to show him off.  His big brown eyes, wavy, blonde hair, and adorable, little dimples just lit up my entire existence.  :)  I used to teach him songs to sing, and rock him to sleep.  I absolutely adored being his big sister (even though it meant I might often be mistaken for his very young mother!).

At his tender, young age of ten years old, he became an uncle to my first child.  Oh, how my kiddos just love their Uncle Caleb.  :)

I still think he's one of the best things EVER... even though he's all grown up, and doesn't like kisses from old, big sister.  HA!

Happy birthday, Caleb Aaron!  I love you so much, and I always will!

Day 234. For My Little Brothers. :)

Day 233. Boys and their Cars.

I've mentioned before the passion that my dad has for cars, and how he passed that down to my brothers... and how my eldest son has been bitten by the bug as well.  :)  I took the boys to Gateway to watch their uncles race.  KS1 was in absolute heaven.

This was my younger brother's first time down the track.  He had never gone before (although his big bro gave him some pointers from his years of experience before they got started, of course)!

Not too shabby for never having done this before!  Pretty close!!!

And here they are, returning from their first round.  We stayed for a couple more after that.  We were even able to watch a truck lose its tire on the track, axle and all.  Oh, what entertainment!!!  :)

Day 232. Books...

The boys chose books at their school book fair last week.  For those of you who know my children, I wonder if you'll choose which books go with which child.  :)

Day 231. Family Session

Time is a funny thing, isn't it?  Some days, I wake up, and wonder how I got here... 34 years old.  Married for 13 years.  3 children.  All grown up.  Yikes!  I often tell my oldest child to stop rushing it!  Be a kid!  But he'll learn the hard way, just like I did... when there's no turning back.  Sigh.  Now, the years just FLY, and I think I've done better to finally learn to just enjoy the moment.  They are such SWEET moments, and I want to linger in them instead of having to look back and wish I had.

I thought of all of this as I was taking photos during this morning's session.  I met up with a beautiful, young lady with whom I went to highschool.  She was in my sister's class.  And that's probably the last time I saw her... when they graduated from highschool.  I watched her as she managed her family, all four of her beautiful children.  She was all grown up, too!  But I could still remember her and my sister and all of their other friends, bouncing up and down the hallways of elementary school as little girls.  It's just surreal.

Ah, well, enough of my stroll down memory lane.  :) I had a wonderfully pleasant time!  Her family was just precious, and here are a few of today's highlights:

Days 226 - 230. Home School Sneak Peeks!

illThis week has been a little crazy.  I'm making due to catch up on my 365 with my sessions from yesterday.  Don't worry... more to come!  :)

I have a friend who just started homeschooling her oldest son.  She made the suggestion that I do something for the homeschool community, who doesn't have much opportunity for school pics!  I thought it was a GREAT idea!  So, I set aside a day for some mini sessions, and four sweet families took me up on my offer.   :)  Here are a couple of sneak peeks... not really the "traditional" school pic.  I hope they like them!!!  :)

Loved her hair!!!  Just look at these adorable "twisty buns," as her mommy called them.  Their mom also made their bows and headband.  How adorable?!