Sunday, February 28, 2010

Hannah Dawn

I normally don't like to post two right in a row because it makes it easy for posts to get missed.  However, I just had to post this picture of Hannah.  

Hannah is a shooting star! She is the kindest and most aware little girl you could ever meet.  She makes me laugh almost every day on the way home from school.  She is a true leader and she can sing well enough to silence an entire theater.  I know, I have seen her do this! She always has a sparkle in her eye ad a smile on her face.  Her manners are impressive.  Yesterday, after we left Famous Dave's, my husband's comment was "I just can't believe how aware of themselves those kids are"  
I took this picture at the basketball game as my test shot for my settings...who would have known that it would become my favorite picture of Hannah...I think ever:-)

Okay, one last Hannah story to make you laugh(and this time not at Jenny's expense)
On Friday I had Carter and Hannah over here for a little bit after school.  They were playing a wii game with Matthew that required some problem solving.  Hannah figured it out and said:
Hannah: Wow! Can you believe I figured that out?
Matthew: Actually, I can Hannah...Your like the smartest girl in the world!

I am so glad that they are friends☺

A date with dad...the start of "Birthday week"


Our Saturday continued with Mike taking Matthew ice skating all day while I cleaned the house.  They were gone four hours! They went and sharpened both pairs of skates(Mike's parents got ice skates for Matthew for Christmas and Mike for his birthday)
Then they tried a few different outdoor rinks.  They had the "best day ever" according to Matthew.  So much so that when I suggested we go back last night so I could take some night pictures of them ice skating...they both said yes!!! 
It really was quite dark.  I was still able to get some great shots of them. I really think I am getting very comfortable behind my lens!

Getting ready to get on the ice.







Mike and Matthew take turns being goalie.   





Matthew is actually amazing on ice skates for a kid who has only skated a total of maybe 10 hours in his life.




Bring it on daddy-O!





Mike and I are always...beside ourselves, when Matthew talks about how much he loves winter. Really? No really?  Last night we knew for sure that our son really does love winter.  He is a winter kid through and through.  He had been skating all day and now a good portion of the night and he refused to leave.
Here he is taking a "rest" on the bench because he was so exhausted. He begged us not to leave. Mike promised to take him again Sunday and they skated a few more laps.  

Any yes...They got up this morning and did the whole thing over again.  

Maybe he is serious when he says he wants to be the next Apolo Ohno?  

Hope everyone had a good {as Matthew}weekend.





Found two more that I just love and wanted to post.  

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The start of our perfect Saturday...

Woke up early to eat a good breakfast...off and running.  Our basketball game was actually in a substitution place.  I wish it was here every time.  It is an old Salvation Army with lots of light! And....Shiny floors.  Oh, how I love the shiny floors.
I love this shot of Kaden with the ball and Matthew yelling at him to pass it(they never do!)




I actually managed to get a shot of Huddy.  The minute he looked up he was on to me and ran off.
With Addie turning one Shana and Jeremy had everyone in town visiting.  It was awesome to see them all at the game. I loved seeing that even her brother Zach came to Kaden's game with his girlfriend.  I know this had to so special to Kaden.  It is so fun for them at this age to hear cheers from grandmas, grandpas and even uncles!!!
Grandpa Al~ Mike still has that AC camp invite open if you ever want it!

What a good looking bunch....where is Huddy? 
Matthew had some extra cheerleaders too! We brought Hannah and Carter with us to cheer for Matthew.  
After the game we treated his new fans to Famous Dave's.  A while back Hannah went out to eat with some friends.  When she got home she told her mom "MOM! They even clear off the table for you! You don't have to do the dishes can you believe it!" I had to laugh at Hannah today when I told her FD did that too she said "My mom should work here, she is really good at clearing away people's plates"...Then when I spilled my water she said "We need a mom to help clean it up" I just love that girl!  I have to say that I really love being able to treat the McCutcheon children simply for the reason that they are always so thankful and well behaved.  

I don't remember why he was making this face that I just happened to capture.  Maybe because his mom was taking pictures yet again.
Loved getting the old signs behind them.
Hannah did a great job coloring her sheet.  I have a great picture of her holding it up that I was going to post but she wrote her phone number on it.
For some reason Matthew loves to watch them cook when we go to FD.  Hannah actually stated that this must be a boy thing because girls would much rather cook than watch people cook. Again...hahahaha! 

On a side note:  This FD holds a soft spot in my heart. When Mike and I moved to Rochester about this time 4(wow 4!) years ago we stayed in the hotel attached to FD.  It was the only one we could find that would allow us to stay with our two big dogs.  Matthew had just turned four.  I spent a week living in the hotel and not being able to leave the dogs alone.  Famous Dave's became our kitchen for the week.  I can't go in there without feeling a bit at home.  I could still show you what room we stayed in, and where Portis spotted the bunny and dragged me about 30 feet(seriously) Here we are four years later! 

After lunch Mike took Matthew out on a "father son" day and I cleaned the house. I will post pictures later.  How do I have pictures??? You will have to wait and see! 

Friday, February 26, 2010

Week 6 of Basketball....Coach Mike gets a shot

Jeremy was off on a little mini vacation, so he asked Mike to step in as head coach.  Mike would rather leave this to Jeremy.
Matthew, Kaden and Mike all in one shot!
I don't really like many of my shots from this game but here is one that I love.  The next game is only a few hours away and I am just getting these posted.
I love this shot! Matthew is as tall as Collin in it...Yeah, okay so he is a foot and a half off the ground.  
I have to say that I got quite a laugh during this game.  I ended up sitting by some other parents from the other team.  They were quite happy when our tall players were sitting on the bench.  Even our littlest player plays with heart.  I love watching Marcus run around the court.  He always reminds me of Jack:-(
Mike and Matthew are off to sign up for Baseball in the morning...I should be able to get you some even better pictures with some good outdoor lighting.  

Fix it friday {I❤Faces}

It seems of late that I have been a walking poster child for Lightroom. I can't sing the praises enough.  I wanted to post this edit to show all my photog friends what I am talking about.  
Original
Loaded in Lightroom and ran the blue sky preset(20 seconds...including loading)

Ran the punch preset(2 seconds) exported my photo to another folder.  Loaded in PS and used the dodge and burn to lighten her face.  I could have even lightened it more looking at this picture.  Entire editing.....maybe 3 minutes.  However, with LR I could have ran the first 2 steps to an entire set of photos in 30 seconds.  


Sunday, February 21, 2010

Remembering our first love...{I ❤ faces} all about the hands!


From across the room she saw him...she knew she had to have him.  Everyone in the room seemed to be taunting her with him(truth be told, they were) She walked left and they moved him right.  She was sure she would love him...if only given the chance.  Then it happened. He was sitting right in front of her.  Wow, did he look fancy.  She had to have him.  It was true love...even the wrapper was almost fair game❀

This was Addie's first cupcake! Her mom did not think she would like it.  If you want to know what she thought go back a few posts!  





Saturday, February 20, 2010

A new find that I just have to share!


Jenny and I have been meeting for coffee on Wednesday nights, while our kids go to Awana.   The church they have it at has an amazing coffee shop.  A few weeks ago while we were surfing and chatting another mom tipped me off to this incredible site.  I have shared it with so many friends and now I just have to blog about it.

This is one of the plans she has on her blog.  Mike and I are going to make this soon! I hope I have the patience t wait for him.

http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 19, 2010

Addie Mae

My dear friend Shana asked me to take photos of her daughter for her one year old celebration.  We decided to end the session with a cupcake smash! Here is one of my favorite shots from the day.  There will be more to come but I don't want to show too much before she gets to!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

He...


✓Makes me laugh everyday...
✓Works harder than any man I know...
✓Still gives me butterflies when he touches me...
✓Is an amazing father...
✓Is super hot when he coaches(or any other thing he does)...
✓Is the hottest man I know...
✓Loves his grandmother with all his heart...
✓Will always have his heart in Montana...
✓Would do anything in the world for me...
✓Is too good for me...
✓Makes fun of me for using all my new found keystrokes, like ✄☺♥☞and don't forget ❦❤❣✿
✓Is 36 today☺☺☺

The best part about his birthday is that I get to be with an older man for .....15 days❀

I love you Michael for all those things listed above and for the millions of other things to long to add.  You are the most amazing person I know.  I am thankful to say that I have been with you half my life! The very best half.  You gave me the evidence of my life.  I hope you have a wonderful day.

❤All my Love
Moniker

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I❤faces..... "The Dance"



Just an ordinary crazy day at the McCutcheon's... breakfast for four little mouths, timeshare on the workout machine...mittens and boots and coats out..and laughter.  Lots and lots of laughter.  In an ordinary average everyday, a little girl dances with her daddy.  In a blink of an eye this little pink dress will be white and this daddy will no longer be the only center of her universe.  Today however, is an ordinary average day....a little girl dances with her daddy.