Best Mother-n-Law ever

My mother-n-law took me shopping and it was a very nice spoil Shelley day.  She got me 2 beautiful dresses, a pair of to die for 4 inch satin champaign colored shoes, matching clutch purse, and some awesome dangle earrings.  As with most moms...my money normally goes to new things for the girls then I normally wear just something in my closet, so this was a very sweet and special treat that she provided me.  Thank you so very much Lynn.  I can't wait until Michael and Katy's wedding.  :o)
These are the shoes.... LOVE


And this is the dress....well....mine is champaign color like the shoes but same dress.

Skyler's 3rd Grade Awards Ceremony

Skyler has been a wonderful student ever year and this year was no different.  She received 5 awards and was on the all A B Honor Roll, with one darn B all year.  We are so stinking proud of her and all of her accomplishments.  She is truly an amazing child and such a blessing.

Here are all three of my beautiful, sweet AMAZING baby girls on our way out to watch Skyler's awards.

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Skyler's class

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Me, the girls, and my super supportive always there for everything mom.  She is one AWESOME grandma to my girls.  They are so lucky to have her.  Love you mom.

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What is with all of the jumping and excitiment, you ask?  Well... while Erica took photos I video taped....watch and see.

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Yep that is right!!!!


Erica and I going to take Skyler and Hannah to see Taylor Swift as part of their "way to go in school and making wonderful grades" reward.  Tickets have been purchased and we are planning our super fun concert.  :o)

The life of a mom is NOT glamorous

The life of a mom is NOT glamorous! While in my work clothes of heels and white slacks it started off with changing a poopy diaper,, then I had to fish a frisbie out of the lake with a long pole, then had to take two dirty drash cans out to the street, then change the cage/water for a hurmit crab....and..some how I managed to stay clean. :o) BUT....I did show up to work with no makeup on. oops LOL!

New Home Away From Home

Ok...Ok....it is not our Home Away From Home, it is my parents new camper and I had to share.  They plan on retiring soon and traveling the country in the bad boy.  Decked out with a fire place, granite counter tops, two big screen TV's, a kitchen island, and 4 slide outs...this Home Away From Home is exactly what they needed and wanted.  I am so happy for them. 



BFF's

Look at these two BFF's chatting away at breakfast like two little old ladies.  Erica and I are both so happy that they have each.  As Erica stated they have their own little language and know finish each others sentences.  LOVE!!!

This was posted on Facebook along with this photo by Erica.  (hannah's mom)
There's an unspoken language, almost resembling a dance, that best friends have. It's not choreographed, just effortless fallen into by two people who love one another and are so in sync. I have been fortunate to find this in a dozen or so amazing women (I can't tag you all so I am choosing not to tag anyone, but you know who you are) and it warms my heart to see it happen for Hannah. Over the past 24 hours I have watched her and Skyler complete each others sentences, giggle over things I have no clue about, share drinks without thought and much more. Thank God for best girl friends! <3

Mother's Day 2011

This year for Mother's Day...Schuyler left early int he morning to go take his mom to lunch while the girls and I headed to my mom's house to surprise her and mamaw with home made breakfast at 8 in the morning.  They were both very surprised and grateful.  Check out the photo that my mom took of me and the girls on her phone and posted on facebook.  :o)



I love my wonderful mom and mother-n-law!  Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms.

Client Photo

I rarely share client photos on my family blog....BUT...I love this little boy and how wonderfully he cooperated with me.  :o)  Introducing 9 day old Braedyn

Happy Day!!!

I have mentioned a while back that I have some changes coming....well....that time is getting closer.  I just got the word back that my request to go to semi-part time at work was approved.  It won't technically be part time but I will be getting off at 3:00 each day.  This will greatly help our family.  I will be there to get Skyler and Madison from school and will be able to get home and do homework and start dinner much earlier than normal.  Also, now with sports we seem to be always on the go in the evenings so getting home work and dinner out of the way before practices or games with be a HUGE HELP!  I can't tell you how happy I am that Schuyler and I finally feel comfortable enough to do this.  I will be sacrificing a little income BUT with Madison starting school and not having daycare costs for her....it really helps.  As a mom....I know this will only be a good thing for me and the girls.  I will be there for them more when I am so used to relying on mamaw or friends or neighbors to help after school.  OMG.....I am so happy and at peace with this decision.  Thanks for my wonderful husband for helping to make this happen and supporting me in making this decision.  He's my love and my strength.

My little sales girl

I am not sure if being a sales girl is something to "strive for" but if anyone has a natural ability to sale it is Skyler.  She just has it in her bones some how and trust me....she doesn't get that from me.  Just the thought of doing fundraisers a a kid made me cry.  But then again....I was very shy.

Every fund raiser that Skyler is given she excels at.  She begs me to let her go around the neighborhood selling.  Oh and she HAS to start the day that she is given it because "if I wait other kids will go to my normal houses and they will buy from them and not me"  UGH...really?!  She is crazy BUT she has a lot to show for her hard work.  I actually envy her and the fact that even in the face of rejection she says "thank you" and is off sprinting to the next house without even missing a beat.  Takes a special person to take rejection so well.  :o)   Every year with the school fund raiser she gets to do something fun because she is always one of the top sellers.

These are a few rewards that she has gotten for being one of the top sellers
Kindergarten was a pizza party
First Grade was a a pizza and moonwalk party
Second Grade a limo Ride to Double Dave's pizza
Third Grade (this year) a Hummer limo ride to Cici's Pizza (photo below)

Such a lucky girl to get to ride in a limo twice before her 9th birthday.  HA....I have never ridden in a limo....sat in many of them but never ridden.  Lucky girl who works hard for these special rewards.  I am soooo proud of her.

We are a boating family :o)

This is us on our boat minus Hayden who was spending the day with mamaw.



Kindergarten

It's official.  We have just signed Madison up for Kindergarten and she will be starting in August.  Love this girl....just wish she would stop growing up.  :o)

Madison is super spirited and constantly tests the limits BUT she is so sweet and very smart.  I know that she will do great in kindergarten and blow them all away.  I am so proud of how much she has learned in her private pre-school program and how much she has learned. 



Date Night

Last night Schuyler and I had a date.  oooooo....a date.....it was sooooo nice!  Alone time and we were able to actually talk and not be interrupted with children.  aaaaaaaah....peace.  We went to PF Chang's...hello yummm.  Then we were thinking about going to a local pub to hang out and have a few drinks BUT since we got a lot of visiting time in during dinner and since we are pretty adventurous and spontaneous people we decided to go play gold.  YEP...the two of us bowled the night away.  It was so much fun....Just the two of us.  :o)

Park Bums

Daddy was working on the boat so us girls packed up and went to a local pretty big park.  We took our bikes, snacks and drinks and made a good half day out of it.  It was nice for just me and the girls to get out and play on our own.  Madison loved spinning me on this thing that...well....not anything that I am used to seeing on a playground from when I was a kid....that can only be described as a torture devise from playground hell.  :o)  She spun and and spun me until I was laughing and crying and about to throw up all at the same time.  I was begging her to stop.  AWWW...I love that girl and her spunk for life.  :o)



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Trip to Herman Park

While I was on an engagement shoot at Herman Park Schuyler and the girls tagged along and enjoyed a nice train ride and after my shoot the 5 of us treated ourselves to, a first for the girls, dinner at Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Houston.  The girls loved seeing a little bit of downtown while we waited for our car from valet.  Here is one of my favorite photos ever, I snapped it as Schuyler and the girls were going by on the train.  He is such a good daddy!!!!


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Non Traditional Easter

We opted for a very non traditional Easter this year.  While everyone was getting fancy'd up and heading to church and relatives houses....we packed up with mamaw and papaw and headed to the beach.  The beach was covered in seaweed (welcome to Galveston) and the wind was crazy insane...but we had a great little get away.  Might even opt for a non traditional Easter for now on.  I don't know...we will see.  :o)

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Rush Soccer Spring 2011

Soccer is a passion of Skyler and this year we decided to enroll her in Rush Soccer. Rush soccer is a little more advanced than the league she was in before and and a lot more aggressive.  She really has learned a lot this seasson and starting to show some good improvement  We look forward to many more Rush Soccer seasons with out little soccer player.  :o)



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A few pics from the team party.  Skyler's Coach Jason was a great aggressive coach for Skyler to have as her first coach in Rush soccer.  He really pushed her when she needed it.

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Easter is coming and we are getting ready



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Are you ready?

BUSY BUSY BUSY little photographer here

I have been one very busy photographer.  Between weddings, shoots, work, husband, children, family, friends, sports, school, housework....etc.  I am stretched beyond control!  I am exhausted...but so very happy to be busy.  :o)  The wedding portion of Kutina Photography is really taking off and mommy likes!  :o)
http://www.kutinaphotography.com/   and/or   www.facebook.com/kutinaphotography

See this crumpled mess on the floor.  YEP...that is me!  I love my job!

Say hello to some of the most adorable little feet you have ever seen. :o)

OK....maybe we all feel that way about our children's feet...BUT...I had to share this photo of my kids feet.  I can pick it apart and find tons wrong with it and it was from a few months ago....BUT...."thems my babies" and I LOVE THEM, so I think they are the most adorable feet ever!   :o)



Sick of Sickness

Skyler and Schuyler had the stomach bug, then Madison had the stomach bug, then Hayden got a cold that turned into an ear infection and sinus infection...now my mom has had some stomach issues and is in the hospital and hoping she doesn't have to have surgery.  :o(


When I was home with Madison one day and was doing laundry in the bedroom this is what I came out to find....

What is it?  Well, when I pulled back the blanket this is what I found....
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A sick feverish little girl nice and cozy in her fort.