Warm weather means time to practice

Now that we've been having some nice weather, I've gotten the itch to really get back and commit to bettering myself in photography. I'm also trying to really get to know my camera. I have a little maternity session with my pregnant sister and family coming up very soon.

These are a few I took yesterday...

Just some of Aidan playing in the backyard.


I even practiced on the cat! I've had this cat forever, and don't think I've taken pics of him in YEARS! That's mainly because he hides from the kids all day. Hey, at least he gives me eye contact! Haha!
And miss Addie has become very uncooperative around the camera. She refuses to look at me if it's up to my face. So, I snuck a couple while she was on my bed watching cartoons. Wow Wow Wubbzy to be exact, it's her favorite.

I'm so glad I did. Because I got this shot. I just love everything about it. I never print out pictures I take, and I might get this one in a pretty good size. She just looks so lovely, and grown up, and the light was perfect.

"Formal" living room Before and After

When we first moved in, I liked the red accent wall that the sellers had. I thought it was perfect since we already had a red couch and accessories. Heck, red is probably my favorite color! However once we moved in and got our furniture in, I just wasn't digging it. The room was just too dark and heavy. So, I was thinking of a color to brighten it up, that worked with my red couch. A little light bulb went off in my head and I thought gray, if done right, would give me just the look I was going for. I was surprised that it didn't take anything to sway Jim, who was also not feeling what we refer to as the "peanut butter" colored walls and the red wall. YAY!

So, I set out and after looking at probably 50 different gray color swatches, I chose Benjamin Moore's "Stonington Gray". It's such a great color name, because it makes me think of Jim's parents....they live near Stonington, CT!

So, here is the big "before" pic. Red accent wall on the left, "peanut butter" everywhere else...including the trim!

Here is a nice shot of the chairs against the red wall...

Now here is the after......with new WHITE trim!!!!!!

I moved the furniture around a little and found these awesome throw pillows that pick up the colors in the painting above the couch at Target. Also new curtains... well, sort of. New rod and sheers. I bought some new red grommet top panels, but they were too short. These were the red curtains we had in our last rental. I think they work just fine!

Before: couch against "peanut butter" wall...

After: Just a chair. OK, this wall needs some work. Maybe a new side table? Oh and looking at this pic makes me realize I need to lower that painting a little!

Before: View when you first walk in...

After: A whole new look!

I have to say, this is a big transformation! Lots of work too...I'm STILL (13 days later) working on painting the trim in the hallway! The realities of painting when you have young kids, I guess! There are still things I would like do to the room...or stuff to buy, I should say!

-New rug, this one was the sellers and I'm not a huge fan.

-New chairs (or better yet, all new furniture). These chairs are just some cheapies we got from Target a few years ago. If you were to get a closer look, you would see all the stains on them. They just look dingy!

-New throw pillows to brighten up the chairs in the meantime.

-Maybe a side table or small shelf for next to the lone chair. That little area needs some pizazz!

-New lamp, plus a floor lamp. I had that little leopard print lamp since college! Haha!

-Repaint the front door. Now that I painted the trim a nice bright white, it looks dingy

-Install crown mouldings.

Addie and the alligator

This is just a little video of Addie and me outside today. Just playing around with the video feature on my camera. I hate the way I sound, hate it! So, ignore me and watch my silly girl! :o)

Oh, and just adding that the video quality is much poorer on here than on camera or straight on the computer. Must be due to downloading to the site.

A bunch of randomness

So, I've been really slacking on the blog. It's more that I've been slacking on editing pics. I had a bunch that have been hanging out for a couple weeks now. Nothing too exciting, but this is what's been going on over the last couple weeks....

Aidan's room is finally complete! It's been almost done for a little while now, but I've been bad about finishing some touch ups and getting everything hung on the walls. It's good to FINALLY have a room in the new house completely done. Well, almost completely. I still need to get a valance for his window.

Even though it's only a few posts below, here's the before (just after moving in)....

Annnnnd the after....His dad's contribution to decorating. I'm not 100% sure about these Ikea hanging things, and may move them to the basement. The cork board showcases his school art projects.Now I'm working on mine an Jim's room and will hopefully be posting pics of the finished product soon.

The weather has been getting better and we've been getting some chances to play outside. Just some random shots of the kids in the yard.

Addie got a new swimsuit as a gift from a friend of mine. Makes me so excited for this summer! Here she is modeling it.

Jim and I made a yummy dinner known as "Beach Shrimp". It's SO good! It's Shrimp, Italian dressing, garlic, butter, parsley and lemon. YUM!

And lastly, here is Mr Aidan. It's hard to see here, but he's playing a video game on his dad's i-touch. When I saw him there on the floor playing, it struck me how grown up he's becoming! They don't stay babies for long, that's for sure.