Photo Shoot

I know it's risky handing over my camera to my children, but sometimes I let them take pictures around the house. I do trust my 5 year old enough to let him take an occasional shot (as long as it is indoors, away from any water sources) and I let my 3 year old also have a turn, mostly so that he will stop screaming "It's not fair" after I let his older brother have a turn.
So here is some of their work:

Photos by Gavin:

Photos by Nick:

Nick already has his own unique signature--the finger on the left side.

My camera survived, and I think it is kind of cute. However, I did not include the various pictures they took of their bunkbeds, their toys, the street in front of our home, and Gavin's favorite subject--the family pictures on the wall. I guess he figures it's easier to take pictures of pictures of Nick and Ruby, because at least the pictures hold still.

Never too old for Halloween!

I love Halloween! When I was a kid my parents HATED Halloween so much, that we were not allowed to dress up or go trick or treating. Instead we would go out and do an activity together as a family. I have some fond memories with my family, but I have been a little Halloween deprived over the years. In fact, I have probably only dressed up on Halloween a total of 10 times in my life. But, in the last few years I have decided that I LOVE it when adults dress up on Halloween. I have to give big props to the parents who coordinate a whole family theme for costumes. I have decided I want to be a fun Mom who dresses up on Halloween. My kids loved it--even though they had no idea who Michael Jackson was. I loved it, too. ( It gave me a chance to break out some of my moves that haven't seen the light of day in at least 10 years.) So, MJ is my personal favorite costume to date.

Another Halloween classic was when Janey, my little sister, and I dressed up as each other for Halloween.
I was trying to make fun of her and what I dubbed her "Grandpa-chic" style. But, everyone kept telling me all night how cute I looked! Doh! It figures, Janey's always been cuter than me.

Okay so back to Halloween '09. Gavin is Luke Skywalker. This costume was thrown together with things almost entirely from my wardrobe. I'm all about the throw-together, no sewing, no money costumes. (ala, MJ.)

He wanted a picture at every different stage of the light saber's unleashing. This isn't the full light saber glory, but I just love how serious he's taking it!

All the pictures of Super Nick were blurry, because he was so busy posing and "flying" that he wouldn't hold still long enough to get a good picture. This was a borrowed costume, so again, love the $0 pricetag. (Dave Ramsey should be so proud.)

I was going to throw together a flower costume, of sorts for baby girl. But, then found a $6 pink leopard costume Halloween day, and decided it would be less hassle and possibly warmer. I didn't even think to draw a nose or whiskers or anything, but she kept the hat on longer than expected, so it was all good. It won't be long before she wants to be a fairy, or princess, and the costumes will cost more than $6. . .so I decided to slack while I can still get away with it. :)

It has become Halloween tradition that my BFF and I get our kids together and go trick or treating in my old neighborhood (where BFF currently lives, across the street from my parents). Again, blurry pictures. Either my camera was on the wrong setting, or everyone was too excited to hold still.

So Halloween was fun. The trick or treating only lasted for about a block before my two littlest ones burnt out. I wish I would've trick or treated in my own hood (ward boundaries), I love my old neighborhood, but it isn't home to me anymore. Also, I wanted to see more of my friends in costumes. (I hope they all dressed up and felt as dorky, and awesome, as I did.)