Proof.....

.....that I am the whitest Texan around. Either that or I underestimate the Texas sun EVERY TIME!! So, today we had a play date with Katelyn's two uncles and one of Uncle Patrick's friends. We weren't even out there that long and apparently Beth thought that she was immune to the blazing afternoon sun. Katelyn was quite slathered up and only got one little pink spot under her eye where it was hard to get the sunscreen....Beth on the other hand looks like this....

and keep in mind this was taken with a flash...so it whites everything out a bit when that close. And no you are not seeing my white shirt here! That's just me. the toast that I am. Literally. Burnt toast. Say a little prayer for me.

Here is Katelyn's fun day in the water!

my precious little girl

So I am sure Katelyn is getting tired of her picture being taken by her overly obsessive mother with a camera. HOWEVER...she loves her daddy and he makes her laugh sooo hard! I have proof!

belly shots

So, today was my very first attempt at a real portrait photo shoot. And it got to be of a friend's pregnant belly! I had a lot of fun and can't wait til I do it again when she is farther along...however in this picture she is 31 weeks....not too sure she will get that big! Let me know what you think! Thanks Susie for all the tips...they helped a TON!

photography

It's official. I have the coolest job ever; second to that of being a stay-at-home mom. I got paid to take this photo. (and about 300 other pics) I mean it isn't the greatest shot and it was my first shoot with a new camera and with squirmy SQUIRMY girls....but HEY! I got paid! How cool is that?!

scrapbooking and baby showers

Okay. All you scrapbook goddesses out there....I need some help. One of the first acts that will be taking place in our new home is a baby shower. A girlfriend from church is having her second little girl and I get the honor of throwing her shower. Now she is a fellow scrapbook lover. I wanted to incorporate scrapbooking into her shower somehow.

Idea #1- Get cute pastel colored card stock and trim them with edging scissors for people to write cute little inspirational things or advice etc. With that I would take a picture of that person with the mom-to-be and create a cute page for that person.

Idea #2- This is where help is needed.

Idea #3- Again....any suggestions?

I was up til 2 last night working on my photos to turn into my client by today and my creativity is a bit lagging this morning.

Also, do you have to play a game at a shower? If, so....any original games? The women I am throwing this shower with and who will be attending have all been to 3 baby showers in the past month....we need something new and exciting.

help....I know you creative gals can give me some ubberly cute ideas!

photoshop

Trying my hand at messing up pictures in photoshop. Thanks to Amber I have been playing around with this one trying to get it to look like her's. Not quite...but its still cute

Phew...what a week!

WHAT A WEEK!

Last week was filled with planning and preparation for the surprise get-a-way with the husband on friday. That was fantastic! It has been entirely too long since we have simply gone out with no pressure to return, by ourselves, and with the intention to reminded ourselves how wonderful it is to be with each other. We enjoyed out dinner immensly (Reata is my new favorite restaurant and the service was fantastic); the Improv show was hysterical; and sleeping in a king sized bed with the AC cranked to 65 dgrees snuggled next to my own personal heating blanket was divine. I have never slept in a more comfortable bed in my life. No eggageration. It was a wonderful (almost) 24 hours.

Sunday was a busy day of church and nursery working. Katelyn was sick and Chris left for 4+ hours to go work on a coffee table that he built. But on the flip side of that...Ktelyn ow has 2 more teeth than she did last week! My little girl is getting so much older....should we think about #2 yet?!!

Monday marked the begining of my prayerfully hopeful Photography career. We purchased some new equipment that has me incrediably excited about pursuing this new avenue in my life. I studied photo in college but didn't get to finish my degree. I have always loved taking pictures and have always dreamed of becoming a famous (or maybe just a very successful) photographer. Chris has been encouraging me and getting me gigs left and right! It started with him talking to a photographer at my volleyball game one night and him needing an assistant here and there. Well, a couple of weekends ago I worked at my very first wedding. It was a blast! Then just last week I shot his boss for a project proposal. This saturday I am going to shoot his co-worker's daughters at a park in Fort Worth. PLUS!!! His architect firm may (99% sure) want to use me to take pictures of the buildings they design and have built! How cool is that?! Now I just need to get over my fear of not being good enough. I am totally insecure and uneducated....I need to fix that.

Tuesday was pretty boring except for the begining stages of the surprise party. I was needing to find a way to get Chris over to his co-worker's house without him being suspicious. Easy enough....he had no clue I really didn't need to help Priscilla scrapbook! FOOLED YA!

Wednesday was his birthday and the frenzy that that brought. All of which resulted in Chris thouroughly enjoying his 29th birthday so it made it all worth it.

Which brings us to today...after napping today for 3 hours, I mananged to get the cake that I was responsible for AND get ready in time for the party. Proud-I know. And no I am not pregnant....I have been sick and very very tired because of that. The party was a huge success and Chris had no clue! It was a fun time and everyone laughed all evening.

Tomorrow brings another set of busy happenings.....lunch with my little (well not so little-he's 21, 6'4", 195lbs) brother and his girlfriend Rachel. Then at 730p I have to leave for my double header softball games in the 106 degree heat. Well, by then it should be down to 99 or so. Not really lookin forward to that after being sick for the past week. Say a little prayer for me.

Sassy Shoe Thursday

Okay....I've been slacking on this whole SST thing. My apologies. I have been swamped lately and it seems to not be slowing down. But, these shoes call for a blog entry! After much discussion, these shoes will stay in the closet of moi. I bought these to go with that Little Black dress that so wonderfully fits into my closet. Well, Chris has no idea that I really bought them to go OUT in that little black dress tomorrow night! I have bitten the bullet and swallowed my fears.....Katelyn is having an evening and overnight time with her Nana! Chris's birthday is the 19th and I have been planning a surprise romantic evening and hotel stay.....for the first time in 2 and half years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!! I'm very excited and he has NO idea!! I even got his boss to make him dress up on Casual Friday so I could surprise him after work being all dressed up myself. Plus I will have already dropped Katelyn off! We will then go to eat at a 4 star restaurant followed by a Improv show (which he LOVES) followed by a wonderful hotel stay with romance, staying up late and sleeping in as late as we want. We won't want to come home!! This is a well needed away time for the two of us. It is amazing how eaily we get into our daily routine of things and forget to take time for the two of you.

I can't tell you how excited I am that I get to surprise him! He has no idea!!! So, that is why I have these new sassy shoes. I know, I am following the "trendy" thing to do by getting wedges...but they go oh so well with my dress and are oh so comfy. Plus I had a coupon for 10$ off an already marked down price. You can't beat that!!

INTRODUCING!!!!

Elijah John Campbell.


My brand new nephew.


What a treasure and what a cutie! I know I am a bit biased here but he sure is adorable if I do say so myself!

Aunt Beth

Yes! You read correctly! I am now an AUNT!! My nephew Elijah John Campbell was born today the 9th of July at 11:15 Eastern time. He is 8lbs 12 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. Mom and baby are doing fantastic. From what my brother said, Mom did a phenominal job bringing Elijah into this world. I am not surprised. I am so excited I can't even type the right way to express it. I love pregnancy, birth, babies and all they encompass. This one is just so extra special to my heart. My precious little nephew is here safe and sound. I can't wait to see pcitures and in about a month hold the little guy. What a great way to end the weekend!

We love you Little Campbell! Welcome to this world!

If you couldn't tell, I am one proud Aunt!!!

Mini me

So I missed sassy shoe thursday. I do hope that this post will make up for that. I have been slacking on thursdays for sure.

Well. After 2 and half years, a 50lb weight gain during pregnancy, 7+ seasons of volleyball and numersous walks around Great Falls, I have finally gotten a new pair of shoes. We searched EVERYWHERE for size 8 Nike Shox. None were to be found. Then FINALLY tonight after hours of searching (and a minor diversion into the Banana Republic store for a while where I found the CUTEST dress and pair of pants on sale....still would have cost over a hundred dollars. A sale that doesn't even seem like one.....I digress) the last store we went into 15 minutes before closing had THE shoes. The ones I have been looking for. They had to be just sassy enough to suit my crazyness with just the right amount of spunk. Plus they had to be light enough for my volleyball purposes. And so they were.

But here's the kicker......sassy has been taken to a whole new level. Take a look.




I have cloned my sassyness and handed it down a generation! Are these not the absolute cutest pair of Nikes you have ever seen?!! Well for me they are! They are my exact shoe only Katelyn size! We got them 2 sizes too big so she can where them for a while...seeing how they weren't very cheap. But ohhhh so worth it for her very first pair of Nikes. I think I am more excited about her shoes than I am mine! Giddy is the word for me!

Now I am going to take my sleep deprived booty to bed....we are getting up for church tomorrow and I fear that after going to bed at 430 and waking up at 7, waking tomorrow morning might just be a tad bit difficult. Say a little prayer for me!

cake anyone?

Alright...It is now 330am. I'm delirous that's for sure. Maybe after this next load I will go to sleep for a few hours?? I haven't decided yet. I just wanted to post the picture of my little thing called watermelon cake. Now, please don't be too critical. It is my very first attempt at a decorated cake. I'll leave the cake decorating up to my cousin Emily. She's the baker.