Fun at the Zoo

We have had a busy day today!  This morning Brad and Kayla went fishing in Papa's pond and caught 20 fish.  When they got back we all headed up to Little Rock to go to the zoo.  I can't believe I've lived here since 2008 and still haven't taken the girls.  First we stopped at a picnic area to eat some of the yummy chicken and potato salad Grandma Debbie made for us.  Brad caught us all mid bite on this picture.

The girls loved feeding the fish.

Posing with the Penguins

Callie wasn't sure what she thought about the Alligators

Brad took some cool pictures of the snakes and lizards, here are just a couple.

I didn't realize how pale we all were till I saw this picture, well except Callie she was born with a tan I swear.  We are ready for some sun this summer ;)

These tigers were so far down the wall, I couldn't believe this picture turned out.

We couldn't miss the train ride that is Callie's favorite thing to do every place we go.  She loves trains.

The turtles were awesome and HUGE.

Daddy and Callie getting some more food for the fish.

Kayla trying out her photography skills on us.  She's really good.

I took this one of this ape, or orangutan, or gorilla.  Ha ha ha... whatever the heck it is ;)  He was sure interesting anyway.

Callie's last ride of the day.  She made sure we hit the Carousel before we left.

After we got home, we had just enough time for a nap and then we headed over to our neighbors for a block party.  We had some good food with some great people.  It was a fun day.

My babies are growing up....

This post is about my biggest baby (Kayla) and my smallest baby (Brynlee).  Miss Kayla had her 5th grade graduation today and I was so proud of her.  She looked beautiful in her hot pink dress and I loved seeing her with all her friends. I was sitting pretty far away, so the pictures are a little blurry.  Here is Kayla looking less than ecstatic about her "improved speller" award.  Spelling is her LEAST favorite subject so she wanted an award for something else.  In her own words: "Spelling?!?! For petes sake, I got a 97 in Science!"  Ha ha... funny girl.

Accepting her award.

She's on the right in this one, I had to stand on a chair because everyone in front of me was. 

Kayla with her good friend Brook 

Kayla and her friend Lindsey.  We just love miss Lindsey!

Kayla and Maddie.  One of the few kids in her grade that are taller than her.

"The Gang".  This is the group of friends that Kayla spends most of her time with.  She was so excited when we went out to eat after graduation and almost this whole group was there, so she got to eat with them.

Valerie, Gracie, Brooke, Kayla, Lindsey and Maddie.

And now on to our other baby.  She is already 3 months old! Brynlee is our little sweetheart, her smile is so contagious.  She loves "talking" to people.  She has already let out a giggle a few times when I tickle her. She loves to be held if she is awake and likes to be moving.  She's a strong little thing, she's been holding her head up like a pro since she was just a couple weeks old.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if she takes off faster than my others, because when her sisters are running around the room, she just gets to kicking and wiggling like she wants to jump out of her swing and join them! She has slept through the night 3 nights this week, so I am excited about that.  I think I might move her into Hailey's room in the next month. Here are some recent pics of her.   

New niece

We sure have us a cute new little niece!  Congratulations Craig and Jillian, we can't wait to meet her.

Kayla's Field Day

Kayla is graduating from the 5th grade this Wednesday and moving on to the Middle School.  I'm excited for her, because some of the funnest school years are coming up.  She doesn't get to participate in sports until 7th grade, but I'm definitely looking forward to that.  Our little girl is growing up, and I know the years are really going to start flying by now. Here is Kayla on her last "field day" at Elementary School.  I will post some pics from her graduation on Wednesday.

And here is a picture of us over at my in law house.  They just got new hardwood floors and they are gorgeous!

Daddy and Hailey playing some basketball at Papa's and Grandma's.

My lucky day

I love it when I have a day where everything seems to go right. Most of my days are just normal, some of my days I feel unlucky, but then there are those few days where the sun is shining, everyone is being nice to me and I feel just plain..... lucky:)
Monday, was like that. I had a good day, kids were good, got everything done that I needed to, and so I decided to bring them all with me to Little Rock to run some errands.

First stop was to get my new camera cleaned.  Brad had called the night before and they told him it would be $25.00 to get it cleaned.  So I went in there pretending I didn't know that, went to the happiest person I saw working (which turned out to be the manager), and ended up getting it cleaned for free.  Whoot Whoot!  I love free stuff ! So I bought something from him anyway, since he was so nice and headed on my way.

Next stop was to get Kayla some new glasses (which Hailey had broken the night before).  I was pumped to learn that JCPenney carries a one year warranty on kids glasses.  When I talked to the sales woman she told me that they actually had her frame there and that all we would have to do is switch out the old lenses since only her frame got broke. Whoo hoo! Even better!   The funniest part was when we were leaving and Kayla told me the prescription felt wrong.  Ha ha... I kindly had to let her know that wasn't possible since those were the same lenses from her old glasses.  Silly girl :)

It was almost time to leave and I was going to go home and cook dinner when I remembered that I had heard Chic-fil-a serves kids free on Monday nights.  So I asked the manager if that was true and he said "Well, that's actually the store down the street, but since you thought that I'll give you free kids meals tonight."
Well that was just the cherry on the top!  I was officially having an awesome day.
So afterwards instead of going home, I decided to swing by the Old mill since I had my camera on hand and the sun was just starting to go down.  I have been wanting to practice taking pictures in different lighting than the first time we went there (high noon), so this was my perfect chance.  I ended up getting some great pictures.

Love the colors in this one, but I didn't focus very good.

Kayla took this one of me and Brynlee

This is just a water shot, I think it turned out pretty clear considering the movement.

Love this one

Another that Kayla took

This is a great spot for pictures.  The lighting here turned out great.

Ha ha... I love this one of Hailey.  She looks like she thinks Kayla is going to throw her out the window.

Another one of my favorites, Although her eyes are a little dark.  Not sure what I do to fix that.

Hailey just loves her big sis.

Okay, the next two are my favorites.  I love the location and posing.  But the girls turned out kind of bright. I'm not sure what I did wrong.  Maybe the flash went off?  I think I had it on nighttime setting.  If I put it on "P mode" and turned the flash off would that have worked better?  Any advice from my photography friends would be great! 

These last two are just ones from home while I tried to play around with letting some natural light in my windows. I love my baby :)

Any critiques would be much appreciated, and if anyone wants to let me borrow their kids, I would love to practice some more.
Oh and I almost forgot to add the beautiful one Brad took of Hailey in from of a sunset: