Photography Practice...

Since I bought my new camera a few months ago, I have gotten some practice taking pictures for family. I have soooo much to learn, but I do feel like I'm getting better. I'm switching out of the auto. mode and trying to do more in the manual setting. Sometimes it comes out looking the way I want, other times I'm glad for the delete button.

The first family that I practiced with was my cousin and her family. I think I took over 300+ pictures. They were very patient with me. Here are a few of my favorites.

I Loved this location. Thanks Laci for sharing your wonderful background walls. This had so many different looks. All at one stop.

My next practice session was with my brother and sister-in-law. Fall is my favorite time of year and it also makes for amazing backdrops for pictures. This session was sooo easy. I don't think they took a single bad picture, especially Megan. She always has the perfect smile.

My latest family to practice on, was Kyler's birthmom Michelle and her family. Once again we headed up to the mountains to take in some of the beautiful fall colors. I love the first picture of Kyler and Michelle. You can see why he is such a cute baby!!

KYLER TURNS ONE!!!

After weeks of planning Kyler's birthday the day was finally here. I decided to go with a baseball theme. Kyler loves to hit things and he loves to ball with a ball so I thought it was very fitting. We had a "ball" and appreciated everyone who came. It was fun planning around a baseball theme, because there are so many things that goes along with it. So the planning was easy.

For dinner we served hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and some side dishes.
I made him a cake in the shape of a mitt and baseball cupcakes. (A lot more work than I thought)

Party favors, cotton candy, cracker jacks, and babe ruth candy bars. The tag said, "Thanks for coming we had a ball."

We passed around a baseball for every one to sign so we could remember who came to his 1st birthday party.

He wasn't sure what to think of the candle and the singing kind of scared him.

Mmm, this is good cake!!!

He was having so much fun eating the cake until we decided to put a party hat on his head. I wasn't thinking and when I put the band around his chin it snapped it and made him cry. I felt so bad!!!

Getting ready to open all of his presents.

He had more fun with the ribbon and the paper.

He did not like this present and he still cries when I turn it on. It's a chicken that dances and plays the chicken song.

Too many presents. He decided to lay down with his blankie and take a rest.

The next morning in front of all of is presents.

I can't believe that the first year is already over. I have really realized how much I need to slow down and enjoy the little things.

At the age of one Kyler's:

Weight: 22lbs. 8 oz. (50%)

Height: 30in. (55%)

Head: 18 1/2 in. (75%)

At 1 Year Old Kyler can:

*Can say ma ma, da da, kitty, hi, pa

*Walk most of the time

*Play pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo, gives 5

* Can climb up the stairs

*Can throw and roll the ball

*Loves to pull everything out of the drawers

*Loves to play in the bathroom

*Loves to listen to stories

*Loves his binkie and blanket

*Loves animals

and the list could go on and on.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!! We love you and are so happy to have you be a part of our family. We look forward to the next year and seeing all of the new things that you will learn and experience.

A Year Ago Today...

A Year Ago Today... I woke up like every other ordinary day. I had the whole day to myself to enjoy my Fall Break from teaching. My house was clean, everything was in it's proper place.

A Year Ago Today... I prayed that someday I would be a mom and that I would be able to stay strong and have patience until Heavenly Father's timing fell into place.

A Year Ago Today... My home had 3 empty bedroom, but I had plans of how the babies nursery would look. It also had 3 empty closets with nothing for a baby, because the reminder that we didn't have one was too hard.

A Year Ago Today... I got the phone call from our caseworker that change everything!

A Year Ago Today... I sat and cried tears of joy as I talked on the phone to loved one as I shared the exciting news.

A Year Ago Today... the most amazing teenager made one of the hardest decisions of her life.

A Year Ago Today... I frantically prepared everything that I would need in just a couple of hours, which takes most people 9 months to prepare.

A Year Ago Today...My son was placed in my arms and after 5 long years of waiting I was finally a mom!!!

This past year has been amazing. Kyler is such a sweet baby and we LOVE being his parents. We couldn't have been more blessed. We have so much love and appreciation towards his birthparents. Words cannot explain what a blessing they are in our life.