30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 28 Close Up

I saw this frosty little leaf while I was scouting out a spot for a photo shoot.  I couldn't help but snap a picture of it.  It turned out to be a fun photo shoot full of laughs, despite the cold.

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 25 Resolution

Being the end of the year, I've been thinking a lot about goals I have for 2012.  One of them is spending more quality time with and enjoying my kiddos more.  I think with the busyness of life, days turn into weeks, months, and years...and then all of a sudden you have an 8 year-old!  I don't want to miss out on the special little moments with my kids, especially while they are little, so I'm going to savor every moment I have with them.  Even in the mundane, trying times-being thankful that I can kiss their chubby little cheeks, laugh at their jokes that only make sense to them, and count their eyelashes while they fall asleep.

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 25 Something Pink

Libby wanted a princess birthday party this year.  It was her first official "friend" party and she invited some sweet little friends over to celebrate.  I had a lot of fun making her cake, complete with a princess tiara!

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 24 Something Yummy

So I took this girl out for her 8th Birthday coffee date.  She was so excited to see how yummy her drink was with the lid off.  We had so much fun!  She's growing up to be quite the little lady.  Love you Libby!!

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 23 Technology

Okay, so this is just a play on technology.  I'm constantly amazed at the things my kids (mostly my 8 year-old) know how to do that I didn't at their age:  controlling a DVD player, surfing the web, designing a blog, making excel spreadsheets, sending e-mails, texting...and now the latest-DOWNLOADING APPS!! (apples!)

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 22 Shoes

Here's a shot from a photoshoot I did this week.  These are some of my favorite kiddos...not so little anymore :)  I think at least three of the kids wear shoes that are bigger than their mom's.  I'm sure that's a fun milestone for them.  I just love those Martinez's!!

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 21 Sunflare

Here are a couple more pictures that make me long for warmer weather.  We woke up to a sprinkling of snow this morning, only sticking to the sidewalks.  It doesn't look like we'll have a white Christmas here...wondering when we'll get our first "real" snow?

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 20 Long Exposure

Our family went downtown to see Boise's big Christmas tree.  On the way there we stopped at the old train depot that overlooks the city.  It was such a beautiful night and it was fun playing around with the exposure.  I've always wanted to try a shot like this.  We had a great time walking around downtown and even stopped off at Tulley's Coffee-what a treat :)

Great Big Giveaway!

Amanda Buechler Photography is having a great year-end giveaway!  Check out her blog: http://amandabuechlerphotographyblog.com/2011/12/13/the-great-big-year-end-celebration/#comment-656

Don't forget to check out all the amazing businesses that helped her along the way in her business....there's some cute stuff out there :)

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 19 Hands

Here's another one for today.  Here is a picture of my Libby's hand.  She's in the middle of doing some math here.  Her hands have always reminded me of my little sister, Amanda's hands...right down to the little freckle on one of them!  It's been fun to watch Libby's hands grow and change over the years.  They've always been very feminine, but now they are starting to look so big...like a big girl's hands...so ladylike...so bittersweet that she's growing up.  Oh, by the way, she also ROCKS at math!!

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 18 Faceless Self Portrait

Here's a faceless self portrait of me reading a book!  I was playing with textures again...the possibilities are pretty endless :)

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 17 Something Red

I looked back through some pictures I took on some family adventures this summer.  I don't know if I should have done that or not because it really made me miss the warm weather.  Daniel sure was enjoying this little ladybug.

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 16 Black and White

I love black and white photos.  Here's a trio of my baby and some of the silly faces he pulls.

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 14 Silhouette/Day 15 Bokeh

I thought I would combine days 13 and 14 since I used the silhouette and bokeh together.  Bokeh is fun to figure out.  It's such a neat effect and it's the perfect time of the year to practice it :)

This is what I get when I try to take too many pictures of my kids :)

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 13 Eyes

 My husband has amazing blue eyes and I'm surprised that none of our kids came out with his bright blue eyes, but I'm so in love with my little man's big brown eyes!   When I look into Daniel's eyes I see an amazing future...he's going to be a mighty and strong, protective and wise man.  Some days it's just bursting at the seams to come out :)  

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 12 Sunset

The picture doesn't quite do this sunset justice.  This was just before the Shine 5k race that my friends with Race For The Nations sponsored...a fun night race on the Eagle greenbelt.  What a fun night and a great turnout to raise money for missions.

30 Day Photography Challenge...Day 11 Something Blue

Something blue for today are my Christmas bulbs.  I love other colors besides red and green at Christmas.  (Hoping next year to go cut down our own "real" Christmas tree :))