Allie - 18 month photoshoot - playing with the presets in Lightroom

I was playing around with some of the presets or effects in Lightroom. I love the emotion in the first picture. Back and White has to be one of my favorite effects!

This split tone preset is pretty cool too.

This last pictures is still my favorite.

Allie - 18 month photoshoot

  Today we had a little photo shoot at my house.  I had to try out my new lens and take Allie's 18 month pictures.  As you can see from this first picture we got off to a rough start.

 This next batch of photos really capture Allie's personality and some of her many facial expressions.

This was Jason's favorite.  It is obvious how Allie felt at this point.

This one was probably my favorite.  I just think it is artistically pleasing.

This last one is your traditional wall photo.  I am kicking myself because this was a great full body shot but because of my cramped space where I was taking the pictures I totally cut off her foot. Big no no! Oh well it is a cute close up too.

January Workshop - Wings

  I realize I haven't posted anything recently but I haven't taken any pictures either.  Sad I know.  That will soon change.  I am picking up a new lens for my camera and I am SOOOOO excited to try it out!  I will be taking Allie's 18 mo photos (even though she is 19 months) and then next week I hope to be taking pictures of my friends new baby.  Lets hope it goes well.  Right Kim?!
  I may not have been taking pictures but I have been busy.  Last week was my scrapbook class and we created these 3 layouts and this banner so I thought I would share those today.  They feature youngest daughter, Alllie when she was only a month old.  Oh how she has grown and changed from the sweet peaceful sleeping baby.

Preschool- Winter

  I was in charge of preschool last week. Our theme was winter so for snack time the girls made rice-crispy-treat snowmen. It was a sticky gooey mess but I think the girls had fun. I love how different their snowmen are. Some look fresh and "tall, tall, tall" while others look more "small, small, small."

Allowance - Saving, Tithing and Spending Money

  Jason and I decided to begin paying our kids an allowance.  We want to teach them how to pay tithing, save money and even manage their own money.  For family home evening we helped the kids make their own banks to keep their savings and tithing.

   It was quite a nerve racking experience letting our kids use a hammer. I really felt that my fingers were in jeopardy. With only a few minor problems we completed everyone's saving and tithing banks.

January

  I know it has been awhile since I have posted but I had a space issue.  I had maxed out my free space on my google account and was trying to decide whether to pay for more space or upload my pics to a different location.  Anyways. I opted for just buying more space so I am back in business and uploading posts as fast as possible.  In fact I am now caught up.  Of course this blog in chronological so you will have to scroll on down to see the rest of the new posts. 
  I snapped this quick picture on my phone because it always just amazes me how quickly my clean house can become the site of a winter cloths explosion!  The kid went sleighing at the school after school and this is the aftermath.  I do love were I live and love when the kids can go out enjoy a fun 100% kid activity.

My goal for this year is to save millions on my groceries through the mastering of coupon shopping. So far I have had some success and also made some big mistakes.  Hopefully I will get this all figured out soon.  But no matter what happens, spending my shopping time with this cute little helper makes it all worth while.  I sure do love having so much time with Kassie while her older siblings are at school.

Christmas Letter

Season’s Greetings!!!
  I realized that I probably missed a few people when I sent out my Christmas cards and family letter.  So I thought I would post it here.
  I can hardly believe that another year is drawing to a close.  I guess when you play as hard as we do you don’t have much time to realize that time is speeding by.  Here is a little recap of what we have been up to this last year.
  Starting with the youngest, Allie is almost 18 months old and is full of mischief.  She is very animated, likes to tease and leaves no doubt how she really feels about you.  Her facial expressions say far more then words could ever express.  Allie started walking at about 16 months.  I asked her one evening if she was ever going to walk.  She nodded her head yes and walked across the room to me.  Allie is very independent and wonders the whole house doing whatever suits her fancy.  She loves my kitchen towels and is often caught wondering around the house with the towel around her neck like a scarf or over her head.  Allie is light hearted and full of life. Needless to say she is always making us laugh with her antics and spunky personality. I guess Jason and I just don’t make dull and boring children.
  Kassie is now 4 and enjoying story time and preschool.  She is learning a lot including how to write her name and the sounds to her letters.  She is my little sidekick and is always asking how she can help and what the schedule is for the day.  I have really enjoyed having Kassie all to myself while Jason is at work and Brock and Mikele are at school all day.  Kassie still is as animated as ever and is always entertaining to talk to.  It is usually a one sided conversation with Kassie doing most of the talking.  I don’t think she will ever run out of things to say.  Kassie likes to be out of the house so if Jason and I are ever going anywhere she is quick to accompany us even if it is a quick errand to the store or to return a movie.
   Mikele is in 1st grade and just turned 7.  She is a tall skinny beautiful girl.  Her school teacher told me that she admires Mikele because Mikele always goes out of her way to include everyone and invite those who are by themselves to join her group of friends.  Mikele has always been a social butterfly so that doesn’t surprise me at all.  Mikele is doing fabulous in school.  We tease her that her grades are so boring because they are always the same, 100%.  Really we are very proud of her!  Mikele is still a mini Mom and is always attending to Allie’s needs.  Mikele loves anything crafty or artsy.  She is always creating, coloring, cutting and gluing.  Mikele started piano lessons this year.  For the Christmas piano recital Mikele and I played a duet.  It was really scary for both of us but went great and was a fun experience.
   Brock is already 9 years old and is in 4th grade.  He is also doing really well in school.  His grades look a lot like Mikele’s, 100%.  He really enjoys science and social studies.  He is always coming home and sharing tidbits of information he learned at school.  Brock is also enjoying scouts and piano.  This fall Jason and I coached his soccer team and we had an amazing undefeated season with Brock scoring multiple goals.  Brock has a 9 year old sense of humor. If you have ever spent much time with 9 year old boys you will totally understand what that means.  Brock still enjoys reading and is currently reading the Percy Jackson series.
  Jason and I are staying busy with the various activities our kids are involved in, our church callings and everyday life responsibilities.  Jason celebrated his 4 year anniversary working for Hosting Services managing their web design department. I celebrated my 5 year anniversary as a consultant for Close To My Heart and still teach my monthly scrapbooking classes. (Check out my classes on my blog http://iotamaker. blogspot.com) The number one highlight of the year was going with my entire family (80+ people) to Disney World in August.  It was an AMAZING adventure and one we won’t forget.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs!!!
   We are looking forward to all the new adventures that 2011 are sure to bring and hopefully they are filled with our family and friends!  We hope you have a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the coming year.

The Norris Family

New Years

  We went to Rexburg to see Grammy for New Years. Heather and Andrew were also visiting and Bree and James were there too. It was great to be able to spend a few days with the Norris side and to let the cousins play and get reacquainted.  We went to a fun park with a indoor soft play and laser tag.

Don't we look crazy!

One of Allie's many facial expressions.  This one is Allie looking at the score sheet and realizing that Brock had the highest score in laser tag game.

Jason and a gaggle of girls!

The biggest kid in the group!

We had fondue for dinner on New Years eve.  It was very yummy! Thanks Heather and Bree.  If Kassie is eating it then you know it is a winner.

  We all stayed up playing games and waiting for the designated hour.  Then we really made some noise!

 Bree and James- What are you doing!!

 I sure do love these people!

On New Years day we went to lunch and then to the bowling alley.  It was pretty funny to watch the kids and to see the pictures Jason took.  Boy have we got style!  I put the kids pictures first and then embarrassed the adults at the end.