So Proud

For the past couple of weeks, my brother Weston has been hanging out with his guy friends at all hours of the night. Now we know why...
Weston is the groomsman on the far left, in the glasses. I think Chloe may get some of her dance skills from him. She has been watching this video ALL DAY. Every time "If you love her then you better put a ring on it" comes on, Chloe tells us that they are dancing to her song.
Weston makes us so proud...

Alice in Wonderland...

Last weekend Miss Chloe had her first dance recital. I was proud. Cried even. I can't believe that I have a daughter who is old enough to have a recital. I know...she's only 3. She's not getting married or anything, but she is getting older.

You see...I was a bunny too when I was 3...

...and now I am a mom of another 3-year old bunny. One day, Chloe will look at these photographs of herself as a bunny and wonder how time has gone by so quickly.

The theme for the recital was Alice in Wonderland and she and the little girls in her class were the white rabbits. Chloe was awesome. Seriously. I know I am biased, but I honestly didn't know how she would react. Her teacher warned us that every year there are criers and even wetters (meaning: urinating while on stage). She was a candidate for both. Thank goodness that when the lights came on and the curtains came up, she shined. She was totally in her element. When everyone came out for the finale, she freaked out. She looked really panicked and ran off of the stage crying. I was confused. She made it through the performance perfectly. Why cry now?

When I picked her up she said that she thought that they were going to dance again and she waited and waited for the music, but it never came on. She got scared because she didn't want to mess up. Okay...a little stressed aren't we???

Here are some of my favorites from the day...

Dad and Mom with our cute bunny

(I have no idea where her expression came from...She already thinks that she is a diva!)

Noah, Maxwell and Zion

Melissa and Maxwell

Uncle Kyle (Amber was in a wedding this day)

Oma and Opa Poort

Uncle Demetras and Aunt Tina and Aunt Tee

Nana Brown, Aunt Elizabeth, Grandpa Brown and Aunt Naomi

(***Aunt Meghan and Cousin Grace came too but weren't able to stay for pictures...)

Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to support our tiny dancer!

Our Mr. Poort

Mr. Poort turned 2 today. Just a few minutes ago, actually. The love that I have for him can't be explained in words and so I won't try. I am obsessed.

He is a planes, trains and automobiles-type kid. Every night, in fact, he lines up a series of random trucks next to him in his bed, counts them, and then curls up for the night. When we drive in the car, he yells (screams sometimes), "Mom! Mom! Big Kruck!" and then gets a huge smile on his face.

Almost on a daily basis, Mr. Poort will grab the keys to my car and come find me. He usually has a backpack or some type of bag with him. He waves right in my face and says, "Bye Mom! I go to work. Be safe!" I usually just say, "Okay, Beck! Have a fun day!" but the other day I said, "But Beck...I will miss you!" and then proceeded to put the saddest expression on my face. To this, he dropped his backpack, grabbed my face with both hands and looked me in the eyes and said, "Don't worry Mom. Beckham will be okay."

It was a perfect moment.

He is sweet, funny, full of life, a little bit naughty (the 2's are going to be rough)...but he is my little guy and we love him so much.

His birth announcement picture

Meeting Chloe for the 1st time

7 months old...almost sitting by himself...

Really, we should just call him Old Blue Eyes

His 1-year old picture

Mr. Poort L.O.V.E.S. his trains. These are his 2-year old shots...all boy!

My Lil' Pastry Chefs

My little 9-year old sister convinced me that I absolutely, positively needed one of those coupon books her school was having her sell for a fundraiser. I dislike these books. So many coupons and yet they are usually for places I never visit. I thought I would support the cause anyway.
I was flipping through it last week and found a coupon to Little Pastry Chefs, a cute little bakery over by my parent's home. It was a buy one get one free so I thought it would be a fun activity for Chloe and Naomi...and maybe Beckham.
The girls picked out their cakes and colors of frosting and they decorated like professionals. We got a cupcake for Mr. Beckham, however, he was much more excited about the frosting (a man after my own heart...).
They did such a good job and it was so cute that they each complimented each other during the whole process...
"Chloe, that looks awesome!"
"Naomi, I love those colors you picked!"

They have a summer camp schedule and I think I may be signing them up for some fun summer classes!

Mother's Day Gift

I hate (okay, dislike very strongly) pushing people on swings. I don't know why, but I do. Chloe's favorite thing to do in the entire world, other than dressing up, is to swing. She could stay on a swing for hours...that is, if there were someone who would be willing to push her for that long. 

Last night we went to my parent's home for Mother's Day. As with every trip to my parent's house came Chloe's request(s) for me to push her on the swing. I usually find excuse after excuse, but yesterday I didn't mind. I began pushing her and after a few pushes, she told me to stop pushing her. I was surprised that she had grown tired of her favorite activity so quickly.

To my amazement (and hers!), she began pumping herself on the swing! Back and forth...back and forth. I ran into the house to grab my camera and when I returned...back and forth. She was still going! She just giggled and smiled. She just kept telling me how big she was. Maybe a small feat to some, but to Chloe and me, it was big.

It was a great Mother's Day gift.

Rock Stars

When I was 19, my favorite singer in the entire world, Martina McBride, came to Vegas. 

I knew all of her songs. I knew how many kids she had (names and ages!). I knew her concert schedule. Okay, I stalked her a little. 

Anyway, when I found out she was coming to Vegas I, of course, bought tickets. But her visit to Vegas this time also included a meet and greet CD signing at a local mall. 

Seriously? I could meet her in real life???

No question. I cleared my schedule. My Mom and I ran to Tower Records to purchase clean, 

in-the-wrapper CDs of her latest album so that it would be perfect for her to sign. We waited in line for our turn. The closer I got, the worse I smelt. Ridiculous amounts of sweat. This person for whom I had become slightly obsessed with was sitting a few feet away from me. I was completely star struck.

When I reached the front of the line and I approached the signing table, I panicked. All of the clever things I had rehearsed to say to her slipped my mind. She asked my name. I told her. My mind raced. I need to say something!

And then it happened.

"Martina, you are such an awesome singer!" I blurted out.

Are you kidding me? You are such an awesome singer??? Did I just say that out loud? As if she didn't already know that.  

Fast forward to this past weekend.

As a photographer, I find myself constantly researching other photographers and their work. I have kind of become sort of obsessed with a few of them. One of my favorites is a woman by the name of Cheryl Muhr and I spent this past weekend in Dallas at one of her workshops. She only allows a limited amount of people to attend each workshop and so I felt like I was just hanging out with her. From the moment I saw her, however, I was star struck. She was famous to me. I felt like I knew everything about her (I've got to work on that stalker-ish side of me!). 

She is amazing. Not just her work, but as a person.

At the end of the workshop, I wanted to thank her and so I approached her and she reached out and gave me a hug. My heart started to race. I wanted to say something. I wanted to thank her. I wanted to praise her. Instead...well...

"Cheryl, you are such an awesome photographer!" I said.

Are you kidding? Is that the best that I could come up with? 

Amy Smith, Amy Leavitt, Me, Cheryl Muhr, Jennie Slade

Point of the story? 

If I ever call you awesome, it's not just some lame attempt at complimenting you. I reserve that word for those who I think are rock stars!

Check out my photography blog to view some of my favorite images from the weekend!

Sweet Sunday

When life gives you lemons, make lemon bars! They are SO YUMMY! Chloe and I had fun making these today and they are so easy!

Lemon Bars

1 cup butter

1/2 cup powder sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups flour

Cream together and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes in a 9x13 pan.

While the crust is baking, mix these ingredients together

4 eggs (beaten)

2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup lemon juice

Pour over crust and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with powder sugar...enjoy!