School Open House Night

So yesterday was Open house at the boys school. We were all able to go and visit Jared & Dallin's classrooms and teachers. Jared was so polite introducing us to all his friends and their parents. I was glad to see that he still thought we were cool enough to deserve such attention. We visited Jared's class first and got to see all the great things they have been doing there. They had an active compost bin going in the classroom. And all the children had dioramas of different famous people on their desks. Jared's teacher is great and we are so thankful for her.

 

Dallin has the same kindergarten teacher that Jared had and we just love her. She is the epitome of patience and goodness. Dallin was excited to show off all the great things that were in his class, they had tadpoles and catipillers that have turned into chrysalises. They had lots of paintings around the room and lots of crafts.

 

Dallin is also the tallest in his class as you can see from the class height chart below. . . 

Dallin towers over all his classmates at 52 1/2 inches. The closest is Kameela at 49 inches. I am pretty sure he will tower over most of his peers his whole life and will soon pass me up as well. I wont be suprised if he even passes his Dad. 

Liam

Liam is growing up. I find myself just wanting to sit with him and look at his hands and face, trying to make sure I remember every little bit of this time with him. I am sure we have just about the cutest baby ever.  Before I know I know it he will have a pre-teen attitude like my oldest. I hope I have captured some of his little personality for you with these pictures. Tomorrow is going to be all about taking lots and lots of pictures.  I am super excited. I will try to get my other boys to sit still for long enough to get some good pictures of them. 

Wish me Luck!

A Walk with Ladybugs

The other day I was in a down mood, so I talked to a friend and she suggested to go for a walk and take some pictures. It was just what I needed.  We walked behind her house in a field of grass and Ladybugs. The kids tromped thru the grass like elephants looking for ladybugs. The day was suddenly lighter and  it lifted me up. 

I am so grateful for all the beautiful things that the Lord has given to us on this earth, especially the little ones. Like ladybugs! 

 

New Photography blog

I am starting a new blog just for my photography. I hope that it will inspire me to get my portfolio pictures together and it will also give me a place to send people to see my photography. If you would like to see go to . . . 

www.ChristyLynn-Photography.blogspot.com

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. I am just starting out and I can take some creative criticism. (with very little tears :o) 

Thank You to my wonderful husband who always supports me and to my wonderful boys who have grown up with a camera in their faces. And thanks to all my friends who give me encouragement. And to all the photographers who inspire me Cindy, Jennifer and many others. 

-Christina

Playing with Photoshop

With all the time I spend playing with Photoshop I am still amazed how complex and amazing this program is. Here is one of the photos that I was playing with this morning. I love this picture to begin with and the adjustments just make it all the better.

BEFORE 

AFTER

I am going to go and play some more. Just thought you might like to see. 

Picker Family Update

Wow Time sure does fly when you aren't paying attention. 

I suppose I have not updated my blog at all in February. I don't have any good excuses other than the days are not long enough to get everything done that I would like to. 

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Mom came to visit

My Mom came to stay with us for 2 weeks on her way to Hawaii. It was so great to be able to see her and have her help. While she was here the time went by too quickly. I wanted to do so many other things with her. She was able to help me to name over a hundred pictures of ancestors from her side of the family. She was so adorable as a little girl. Now she is beautiful!

Rhoda Ellen Sibley - Great grandmother

Letha Evelyn Black - Grandmother

Heather Lyn Black with Dog - Mom

Then we were also able to refinish a china hutch that I bought on Craigs list for $60. It looks amazing especially with my Great-Grandma Rhoda's china in it. 

We visited some parks and generally hung out. Liam won her heart in-fact all the boys all loved her. We did a lot of talking which was really nice. She was able to help me see a few things I could be doing different as a Mom and it has helped. Thank You Mom! Seeing the boys thru her more experienced eyes was great. 

Shane

Jared

Dallin

Shane at a park

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 She flew out of San Francisco airport so we thought it would be fun if we went to the Bay area a day before. We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is the most amazing place. All the boys loved it. Even Liam enjoyed looking at the fish. After that we went to the Black Bear diner it was yummy. 

The Jellies were beautiful

The deep sea tank is amazing, you could sit there for hours and never get bored. That is the sun fish, he is so ugly he is cute. 

There was a lot of hands on things for the boys to do.

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Aaron dropped Mom off at the airport very early in the morning on Thursday. We took our time going home. Jared had the great idea to go to the Jelly Belly factory on our way home. They were actually running the factory. It was fun to see millions of jellybeans being made. They did not allow cameras into the actual jelly bean making part of the factory. So here is a before. . . 

 . . . and here is the after. 

Then we came home. 

Thats The End