RoyalMom

I finally got a client's huge portrait order out, and the next session online for viewing, and can maybe relax. Except that I have a list of possible clients I need to contact for scheduling. It will be nice when we have a better workflow for everything. Jason and I spent a lot of time with a DVD slideshow and label design, that I hope won't take nearly as much effort, now that we have it worked out.

I decided to have Isaac's birthday invite printed on a 16x20 collage, since I needed a sample and it came out fabulous! I can't wait to pick out some samples for larger prints and a canvas.

It seems that all I write about is my photography stuff lately, but...

We have a list of other things going on as well. Jason is into his softball season, with several games, tournaments and practices. And we still need to get moving on our rental house adventure. I feel bad that it's all work Jason will do, and I hate nagging him about it. But, seriously, my wimpy arms barely make it through 30 minutes of painting.

He's almost finished, though (I think I've been saying that for months! ha!).

It didn't have the yellowish stripes, so we weren't sure. I found him while mowing the lawn, and he was a feisty little one!

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Six month old cutie bug.

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We had a nice day in the park with friends and family. Here is my serious little guy, the belle of his ball:)

All the kids. I guess we are all a serious bunch! Ha! This is what you get when you steal the kids away from their play.

The candles are lit, and while Isaac is distracted with the birthday song, Xander quietly enters stage left...

Xander swoops in and blows out some candles before Isaac catches on...

Look out Xan! Isaac is on to you!

The second chance is victory!!!

Present time, with a helper, of course...

Transformers, puzzles, a huge kite and a radio control car. Even a robotic hornet...the loot was good!

Xander and Evelyn played with the bubbles, and closed down the party with play until 7:00.

Thanks for sharing our big day with us!

These little ones have the same birthday, I think. Just about the same age as my Xander. I'll try to get a nice shot of Xander up soon.

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I like the light in this bedroom! I may just start with my humble studio things in here. The Halloween costumes are still a big hit in May. Its always a treat when the purple dragons come out!

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I've been inspired, by Kathleen, to do a little hiking at Multnomah Falls today. The family and I did the one mile hike to the top and back. Two miles, total, actually.

Amazingly, Isaac walked the entire way on his own. We brought the jogger and the Ergo carrier, just in case Isaac got too tired, but used only the jogger for Xander. Xander did quite a bit of his own hiking, as well. So, it was a great day of exercise for us all.

The big bummer is, because of the misty rain, I left my new camera home and took the Nikon D70. I had forgotten how AWFUL the in-camera exposure meter is, and most of my pics were overexposed in all the wrong places. I can't believe I used to fight with this problem all the time! And now wondering if its something I could have had fixed??

Hopefully Kathleen and I can get together soon for my favorite section of trail in Forest park. Its the best of both worlds when you can soak in the beauty of nature, deep in the woods for ten miles of trail, and then pop out into the city and have lunch at the cafe.

Here's a couple of keepers I managed to snag today, in spite of the exposure issues.

A little more exercise at the beach today.

We rented Isaac a small beach bike, thinking he wouldn't be able to do much with it. Once again, he amazed us with his energy and abilities. He rode the thing around, non-stop, for an hour! Jason and I took turns with one, and rode with Xander on our lap.

I've been feeling like I'm in a rut, and not liking any of my photos lately. A creativity slump, and feeling the noob in newbie, basically.

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