I’m embarrassed that I missed last month’s 11 on 11. I was getting ready for my online editing workshop. Well, I finished that workshop and am getting ready for another one. (Go check it out! ) But how could I miss another 11 on 11? I am extremely proud to be associated with this amazing group of photographers. They push me to be a better photographer and person. I just HAD to get my act together.

And so I stepped away from the computer, and shot some new pictures. Thanks, ladies, for giving me the push to get out there and do some shooting. I have MAD LOVE for y’all.

Oh, and if you have no idea what this 11 on 11 thing is, you can read about it right HERE.

So, since I missed last month’s, if, theoretically, I posted 22 images instead of 11, then that would be okay, right? And likely, no one bothers counting how many pictures are actually posted so whatever I post would be fine, right? OK. Just making sure.

Let’s get this party started. First, some that I shot in May. My daughter donated 10 inches of her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

You can see what she looked like before the haircut right here.

Self portraits seem to go way better with the kids when I hand them the remote.

And some from June….

Crazy Hair Day at school may very well be my daughter’s very favorite day of school. She practiced doing this all week and woke up early to get it just right. We went organic strawberry picking at Swanton Berry Farms in Davenport. Loved it. Want to go again.The sky was having a hard time making an appearance that day. It was gray and dingy looking for a good chunk of the time we picked strawberries. Luckily, I know how to add a fake sky. Wanna learn how? Check out my upcoming editing workshop on June 23.

After picking 20 pounds of strawberries, we headed toward the store to weigh, pay, snack, and play.

This place was just cool. Lots of neat antique toys and games. I was dying over the window light and colors.

The dude was pretty interested in the Magic 8 Ball. “Will I get lots of new Pokemon games for Christmas?” Um, sorry, dude. Outlook Not So Good….

My little reader…..

There was an antique Howdy Doody doll just hanging out. Sorry to break this to you, but Howdy Doody is sort of creepy.

Despite the creepy factor, I found myself rather enamored by the antique ventriloquist doll with no clothes and a gap between his teeth. I figured he deserved a seat in one of my self portraits. Not as cute as my son, for sure, but Howdy Doody DOES stay still. That’s a plus.

So, that was pretty much 11 pictures… times three or something. Next up is the fabulous Alison from Alison Janki Photography. Go check her out and follow the link at the end of her post. Keep clicking through for lots of wonderful eye candy. Make it all the way through the circle, and you’ll make it right back here, just in time for Howdy Doody Time.…

It’s been a dang fine month. And I’m sort of wishing this project was called 25 on 25 or something, cuz I have lots of images I want to share. But I will try to limit it to 11-ish. If you don’t know what this 11 on 11 project is, you can read about it right here.

Let’s get this party started. If you saw last month’s post, then you know my daughter turned 10. I had fun with her pictures for that. She celebrated her birthday with her friends at a gymnastics place. She had a blast. And because I didn’t want any leftover cake, those kids got the BIGGEST pieces of cake ever. LOL. I don’t think any of them even finished their plate.

We went for a hike. It was a really pretty day.

My daughter was having a grand ol’ time.

My son… well, he was sighing heavily because I made him stand there for 2 seconds. Poor child of a photographer.

The planets aligned this year because all of my siblings’ kids had the same Spring Break. This hasn’t happened in three years.

It.  Was.  Awesome.

I love my family.

Of course, we had to go to Target. And in a rare moment, the dude WANTED me to take his picture. Shocking.  Seriously.

We went to Japantown in San Francisco. I am in love with this wall.

And for a very strange reason, my daughter’s head grew very very big. Her usually normal sized hat now looked incredibly small. Weird.

My niece is actually a panda with duck lips.

And my nephew is uber cool.

My niece is seriously just the cutest little girl. I adore her little underbite and her voice and her giggle. She’s fantastic.

This is my  youngest nephew. He’s in love with my kids, especially my daughter. He is energetic and adorable. I swear, my siblings make really cute kids.

Um, 11 is not enough pictures when my entire family was here. Don’t count. I can’t stop.

My dad has a photography gallery going on right now. He’s an incredibly talented photographer.

My mom continues to fight hard. She starts “maintenance chemo” this week. Hoping those brain tumors get the message and just stay the heck away. I love the relationship my daughter and mom have. It makes me melt. That one on the left was a simultaneous blink from the two biggest blinkers in my family. I love it. I love them.

OK. Let’s pretend that I have now shared 10 images. I will now share my 11th image!  A self portrait of sorts. A family self portrait at that!

The story that goes along with this picture is a doozy. If I ever see you in person, you should ask me about it. Let’s just say it’s a miracle that this picture happened with relatively everyone smiling. Most of the spouses couldn’t make it since they have non-school jobs and don’t get a Spring Break. My sister in law was respresentin’ the in-laws. She’s aces.

And one last one of my parents and their four children. The one in the striped shirt is their favorite. Obviously.

I had to do some serious culling to get that down to 11, or um, close to 11. Next up is the insanely talented Sallykate Photography. She’s such an amazing photographer, and I am honored to be part of this blog circle with her. Go check her out. She just got a fisheye lens, I’m just gonna take a guess that MAYBE she’s showing some of that stuff off over there.

Bye now!

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How the heck is it February already? Seriously? Really? Nooooo…. really?  OK fine.

If you are just tuning in, I am very much honored to be participating in a monthly project with incredibly talented photographers. On the 11th of every  month, we will post 11 pictures. The doozy being that the 11th picture is a self portrait. It’s our attempt at getting some pictures of ourselves. We all recognize the importance of being in front of the camera, even if we are way more comfortable being behind it.

Let me start with this: an image of my amazing mom and my beautiful daughter. My mom has been fighting brain cancer for three years now. The cancer and the chemo have taken a lot of her strength, and sometimes, I fear it has taken her spirit away too. But when I see a picture like this, where all I see is her strength, and her spirit, and her love shining so powerfully out of those hazel eyes, I take pause, catch my breath, and remind myself to be grateful. I look right back into those eyes and whisper quietly, “I love you mom.”

And here’s a shot of one of our pretty kitties. I loved how the sun was lighting up her whiskers.

My little guy turned seven. That’s a lot of years that I’ve been loving him madly. I’m looking forward to loving him madly for the rest of my days.

This counts as one picture cuz these two kids complete me… you know, in that dramatic Jerry Maquire sort of way. hehe.

I love her joyful face celebrating her little brother’s birthday. I love his puffed up cheeks. Yep. They complete me.

The dude loves orange soda. I’m personally not a fan of giving them soda at all. But as a very special treat, he got some.

He sort of kind of loved it.

This also counts as one picture cuz 14 on 11, um or uh, 17 on 11 doesn’t have the same ring….

I really just wanted a picture of him sitting on his bed. I got these instead. But I love them even more because it’s him. He lies on his back all the time with his feet in the air. He loves Gangnam Style. And he loves not listening to me. LOL.

Come on…. Look at the camera…..

For his birthday, he had his best friend over for a sleepover, and his sister had her best friend over.

I played a little with some long exposure/light painting with the kids. It was kinda fun. Can you see me?

I love swings. I love love love the happy expressions I always get out of this guy when he’s swinging. So carefree.

I much prefer that happy face to the “I’m lost in Nintendo DS world” face.

Oh, who am I kidding. I love all his faces.

Last month, my son tested for his yellow belt. This time, it was my daughter’s turn.

She’s got a mean sidekick. This makes me giggle every time I see it. Kiai!

And I’m just gonna pretend you aren’t counting pics here, cuz I had to share these two of my beauty, just standing in front of the house being her, which is beautiful. Like, crazy so.

OK, seriously. I do know how to count. But, c’mon. How could I NOT share this one?

Getting a self portrait this month almost didn’t happen. I’m bummed I cut off my beautiful Miz Mooz boots, but super happy I have a picture of me with my kids sitting outside our house. They make me all sorts of happy.

I’m doing a horrible job of limiting these pics, but I  just can’t stop myself. Look at my sweet little girl. I love her room. The cloud with the rainbow above her bed was made by my mom. The paper cranes that are hanging in the corner? Also made by my mom. And the butterflies? Well, some came from Pottery Barn, and some were made by me. I love her room, decorated by the women who love her best.

You guys are just not gonna believe the talent that this blog circle has! Go check out Columbus Ohio photographer, Alison Janki Photography.  I know you’ll love her!

And if you want to see more of my stuff, I am better at posting to my Facebook wall. Come on over and like me. I’m a sucker for new likes. 

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