enJoy Photography & Photo Editing

My latest photo shoot with my sister-in-law was a few months ago but I realized that I haven't posted the results in this blog so that's what I'm doing today. I'm also sharing a shoot I had with her a little while before that. These were all actually taken in this cool little cover she has in her front yard. She's so awesome to take pictures of, I really "enJoy" it.

So first is the most recent shoot of my sister-in-law, my favorite I've done of her so far. Then second is a little mini shoot I did with my daughter back during the summer, then the last grouping of pictures is the very first photo shoot I did with, once again, my beautiful sister-in-law.

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*All pictures were taken and edited by myself.

The Night Before Cmas

I write this silly little poem last night, sort of my own version of Twas the Night Before Christmas and I forgot to post it on here before I went to bed on the actual night before Cmas. It's just something silly, nothing real formal or anything, but for my first poem I think it's pretty good. It sort of tells about the true meaning of Cmas. Anyway, Merry Cmas to Everyone! I hope you all have a fabulous holiday :)

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Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,

only the parents were stirring, and maybe the basement mouse.

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney w/ care,

but placed under the tree that was certainly not bare.

The children were nestled and snug in their beds,

while visions of laptops and ipods danced in their heads.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

daddy sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the front door he flew like flash,

tore open the screen door, ready to bash.

Freezing his tush off in the new fallen snow,

he stood there to make sure we were safe from any foe.

When what to his tired eyes should appear?

another pair of smaller feet in the snow, oh dear!

With a little girl standing there in the cold snow so thick,

he rushed her inside so she wouldn't get sick.

More rapid than eagles her questions they came,

and then speaking quietly he called her gently by name.

"Now Brenidee, my darling, my sweet little girl,

the mysteries of Christmas you very much want to unfurl.

From the bottom of your toes to the top of your head,

i'm sorry, but you must get back to bed!"

As those big brown eyes with curiosity did spy,

daddy could not hide this for he did not tell lies.

So she put on her cutest face and she knew,

she'd get the answers she wanted, and maybe more too.

And in daddy's kind eyes she saw that he'd do,

just about anything for her happiness and her little heart flew.

As he stared into those big brown eyes on her face,

she said "daddy, please tell me the secret of Santa's place."

And then at that moment he discovered her knack

of getting the truth out of everyone in their family pack.

So he told his sweet little daughter that

"Santa lives in our hearts, not under that big red hat.

A long time ago he gave toys to those in need

on the wonderful day we call Christmas Eve.

We celebrate this amazing day each year

for another reason as well. Will you hear?"

"Oh yes daddy, please tell me why,

for I know there's something more important." She said with a sigh.

We celebrate Christmas each year because

there was an amazing person born on this day, there was!

His name was Jesus, you know lots about him,

and he gave up his life to save ours, tho that sounds kind of grim.

He could see the worry plain in her eyes,

so he said in a soft voice, "Now don't you cry.

For Jesus loves us and this is his day,

He wouldn't want you to cry, but to be happy and play.

But no playing right now for you must go back to bed,

so you won't be too tired, don't worry that little head.

Tomorrow will be fun, I can't wait to see your face,

As you open your presents, in the present opening race!"

And then what he heard so high pitched and so clear,

"As long as you don't forget daddy, what is most important and near.

Our family is what Christmas is really about, Jesus knows that

and on his Birthday, if we love one another, he'll be happy as a cat."

Suddenly she sprang to her feet, to her daddy gave a wink,

then ran off to her room before daddy could even think.

But he thought out loud as she ran out of sight,

"I'm lucky to have her, what a wonderful night."

Christmas Fun

My husband has an Aunt named Cherish who is one creative mama! She is an awesome cook and craft maker!

Every year at their Grandparent's Christmas party she always makes these fun little Gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate. They're made out of graham crackers and she makes the frosting herself, it's so much fun. I took some pictures of these little Gingerbread houses, including the one Cherish decorated and the undecorated ones that she made for her kiddos. Since my blog is all about creative mothers I thought I'd share this with you all. Enjoy!

P.S. She told me all she uses for the frosting that keeps the houses together is egg whites and powdered sugar. So simple right?

^ undecorated houses Cherish made for all the kiddos ^

^ This is Cherish's House ^

^ This is a house my 4 yr old daughter decorated ^

^ I did this one for my baby so she wouldn't be jealous of her sister ^

enJoy Photography & Photo Editing

I am a pathological picture taker. I love taking pictures of EVERYTHING. Some day I would really like to have a free lance photography business and call myself a "professional" but that day is not today. For now I just take pictures of things I see and of all my family, immediate and extended.

On my other blog (click here to view) I have some more posts of my photography if you'd like to check those out, but I just remembered some pictures I took at the lake this past summer that I'd like to share with you. Most of these are of my adorable little niece. She's so photogenic.

These first two pictures are a before and after. The top is obviously the "before" I edited out some facial blips (kids get dirty no matter what! lol) and enhanced the color. The second picture is the after. See the difference? (If not try clicking on the pictures and see if they'll get bigger. I can only make them so big on here :P )

And these others are just some that I took and played around with. The blonde in my favorite picture of them looking at each other is my daughter.

Isn't she a doll?

Anyway, I just wanted to share these. Don't forget to check out some of my other work on my mom blog. And you can follow me too :)

Cute Easy Piggy Bank

So my hubby finished off the mayo today and left the empty jar sitting on the counter and when I saw it I thought, "that would make the perfect size piggy bank for my girls." So I washed it out really well w/ soap and water (twice to make sure the smell was gone) and peeled the wrapper off. Here's what I did to make the easiest, cutest, little piggy bank for my girls.

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You will need:

a large plastic jar of some sort (I used a Best Foods Mayo Jar)

A couple sheets of paper w/ a background printed on them

Some fun sheets of letters for their names

Scissors and thick clear tape

(I just went on google and searched pictures of backgrounds and pictures of scrap book lettering and stuff like that and then printed it out. It was really easy to find. I chose black and white for my back ground and red for my letters)

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So first you want to cut your background paper down to size. It need to fit on the flat part of your container.

Then cut out the letters of your children's names.

Using your clear tape, tape the back ground on. The reason I said you'd need two sheets is because one is not enough to go all the way around.

So go ahead and tape the back ground on. Looking good right? Your kids are going to love what you've done!

Next comes the lettering. Just set the letters out on your work space and put the tape directly on top of it like this. You may need to cut the tape down to size depending on how big your letters are.

After you're done taping all your letters on you're going to (very carefully!) cut a rectangular hole in the center of your lid using a knife, razor blade, kitchen seers, ect. Like I said, Be Careful!!!

Then put your kiddos change in and your all done! Now isn't that cute? And it was super easy! Hope you enjoyed it :)