happy birthday to me

So I've been trying to convince Dudi that I need a new camera for a while. I took some photography class at school and I'm slightly obsessed with it, so in order to "better develop my talents", I needed a new camera, right? RIGHT?
Dudi is reasonable, but wasn't convinced of my "need." He'd always respond that my pictures were "great with the camera I had" or something to that effect.

Then one day, I thought of the perfect analogy.

HD is to tv what a dslr is to a camera.

My birthday was last month and along with the beautiful cake my friend Aleasha made me, guess what Dudi got me?!


That's right. From now on you will be able to enjoy this blog in HD. Of course I had to share some of my first shots. And yes, they are of my favorite models ( side note- Liv is the most willing subject, therefore she has the most pics).








I've said it before, and I'll say it again-he is soooo good to me!

I heart photography.

back to school

School started last month, but since I'm so behind, here are the first day pics. Asher is doing a joy school with some friends from church. He is having a lot of fun and doing really well.
Micah started 2nd grade. That is so crazy! He was really excited to get back into school. He has a great teacher and is doing awesome with his reading. He comes home with a new book in hand daily.
Hopefully they will both continue to be excited about school and have a fun year.

Sun, sand, and saltwater

The weekend before school started was bliss.
Our friends called up and asked if we wanted to head to the beach- not something I usually turn down.
We drove a couple hours, had a lovely picnic lunch (including sand in almost every bite), and spent the day jumping waves and playing in the sand.
Totally my kind of day.
The kids were NOT timid about the waves at all. I wouldn't have minded if they were a little. We had to keep reeling 'em back in. They loved it!

Truely, this is my daughter. Preferring to sunbath in shallow water and collect seashells.
She did really like jumping in the waves, too. She just had a hard time remembering to keep her mouth closed!

The Smith's two cute girls, Mimi and Ava.

Me and the Mr.

We can't wait to go back.

I know...

It's been a while. BUT it's not my fault...this time.
Our lovely computer decided we had been working in too hard and needed a break.
It is up and running again and I am soooo glad. We've kept busy the last few weeks, with school starting, the end of summer, birthdays, sports, etc.
This weekend I hope to get caught up on my back-posts.

ANYWAYS....
In August Dudi and I finally got to finish our anniversary-only a couple months late. Plus, the added bonus was that we got to pick the game against Dudi's favorite team, the LA Dodgers (and we still had sweet seats).




I wasn't gonna mention this, but my team won! We had such a fun time. Dudi is awesome, I love you!

Korean cookin'

My brother, Zach, got to come visit while he was home for the summer from college. We love when he visits! He went to Korea on his mission and got me hooked on some (note I said some-no dog) of the food. While he was visiting, he showed me how to make a few of my favorite dishes.

Don't even ask me what they are called. I just refer to them as the veggie pancakes (above)...
The beef dish (above, my favorite!!!), and the desert pancake (not pictured, Micah's fav.).
Of course we all had to give the chopsticks a try.
Definitely one of those things that taste better than it looks.
It was so much fun cooking with him. The best part is I can totally make this on my own!!! It was so good!

A week at Grandma and Grandpa's

We spent a week visiting family and I'm just getting around to posting the pictures. We had a fun visit, and kept busy! This is a picture of the kids with their Uncle Zach, they love him!


Kina (my sis) and I took all the kids to the aquarium one afternoon. It is a "must" whenever we visit. The kids were a little crazy that day-shocking, I know.


Livy loves to visit her cousins=other girls! She did everything that they did.


We also spent another morning/afternoon at this really neat playground. It made for some cute pictures!


Such boys! Can they ever make a normal face for a picture?!


This was one of my favorite shots. It honestly was not posed. They were sharing (gasp) a tire swing and just chillin'.


We also braved a Mexican restaurant for lunch. Mexican is easy with kids though, it's all about the cheese dip!



More aquarium pics. I love how Asher gets into character.


Trouble.


Hannah and Livy on the riverboat ride.


Riverboat.


Micah being a good big brother.


Micah, done with his boat ride.

We had a great time. I especially loved my "girls night" with my sister. We don't get to do that nearly enough.

Thanks for the fun!

Birthday girl

Last week Olivia turned two. I seriously cannot believe that she is already that old, don't get me wrong, she acts every bit a two year old, but it has gone by so, so fast. We were at grandma and grandpa's house, so we celebrated there with her cousin Isabel who was turning 4 (note the six candle's on the cake).
My humble attempt at a pink princess castle cake. At least it tasted good.




I don't think we could get anymore pink on her. The girl loves her some pink!

Livy with her great grandmas (above and below).


All that partying started to wear the birthday girl out.
Happy birthday, Livy!!! We love you.