Project 365 Complete!

Project 365 has been complete for over a week now. The project has had a major impact on my photography skills and on the way I view my everyday life. I've learned to trust my instincts when it comes to composition. Trusting my instincts has lead me to develop a strength in my personal vision. Having the responsibility of making a photograph everyday has heightened my awareness of everyday simple moments that are often over looked, these images will be my most cherished in the years to come. It's the little moments that make life so spectacular. A photograph a day over the past year has been a wonderful journey. It's become a habit and I find myself wanting to take photos everyday. Although I will probably never do another Project 365, I'm sure to continue making photos as a daily practice.


Project 365, the complete set is here.

Sweet Bella

There's a new addition to our family. Her name is Bella and she is a 5 month old Boxer. She is so sweet and spunky, but likes to sleep. The kids and Justin love her and I must admit she has a spot in my heart as well. Sweet Bella is a welcome addition to our family.

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating was so cute this year. Evie and Lane were little troopers. Lane went as the Transformer, Optimus Prime, and Evelyn was sweet as can be as Little Red Riding Hood.






We walked the neighborhood and went house to house. By the 3rd house they had this whole trick-or-treating business down. The kids were great. They said "thank you" to everyone who gave them candy. Evie just about melted a heart with her soft and sweet, "tank-ooh." I was surprised at their endurance. I guess being a kid and fueled and motivated by candy one can endure anything. At one point in time they were running to each house...I could barely keep up. And all along the way Evie was eating candy. I learned that she is a big fan of Kit-Kats. And Lane loves Laffy Taffy. Once we were home, the costumes were off and the candy was dumped onto the table. Then the indulgence began. After about five minutes of this free for all, they got to choose two pieces and the rest was put away for tomorrow.


It was a wonderful experience taking Lane and Evelyn trick-or-treating, I enjoyed every minute with our precious trick-or-treaters. Next year we may have to leave the bowl of candy on the porch so both Justin and I can take the kids out.

Festive Crafts

Lane and Evelyn had a fun week of crafts. They decorated mini-pumpkins with their playgroup. Lane's is on the left, the one with all the transportation stickers. Evelyn's is full of flowers.

Then it was a special Halloween edition of story time at the library. During one of the Halloween themed book readings, the story teller had asked the group to make a scary monster sound. To my surprise Evelyn's monster noise was the loudest and scariest of the bunch. After the reading it was craft time. Lane did an excellent job making this bat mobile.

We decided that Lane needed a special place for all his school work, craft projects and found objects. So we came up with the festive rope. Here Lane is "working." Notice his safety scissors and stylish sunglasses.

Our Jack-O-Lantern

Lane and Evelyn did a wonderful job of choosing the pumpkins. Two small ones for a craft project and one very large one for our jack-o-lantern.








Lane and Justin using the carving tools. Lane waited all week to use these tools. He was loving this.


But not loving the pumpkin guts so much.

Justin, the precision carver.

Our jack-o-lantern. Lane and Justin did most the carving while Evie and I mostly observed.

Lots of fun to carve such a large pumpkin! I'll be making pumpkin seeds tomorrow.

In The Pumpkin Patch!

On Monday we met our play group at the pumpkin patch. When we first arrived, the kids had to immediately pet the bunnies. Then it was off to the jumpy things and a haunted house tour. Lane was brave and went in the haunted house all by himself. When I asked Lane what his favorite part of the pumpkin patch was, he said, "the tools." They sold a bunch of carving tools there and Lane loved looking at all of them.

Here are some pictures of Lane and Evelyn exploring the pumpkin patch.










We had a great time, and the kids got to pick out a small pumpkin to take home. We decided to wait to pick out the carving pumpkins for when Daddy is with us.

"Bubble"

Here are two videos of Evie from last month. She is so adorable as she makes bubble sounds and then says the word "bubble."

"Playful Pause"

Project 365 Day 278, Peeling Crayons
Originally uploaded by ewhitakerphoto

Scrolling through my blog roll, I was surprised to find my photo featured with the daily post at Shutter Sisters. It's always such a special treat for one of my images to be featured as the One Word Project photograph of the day, but this really takes the cake. How wonderful to have a fellow shutter sister reflect upon my photograph. I'm beyond thrilled!!!

Here is the link to the post
http://shuttersisters.squarespace.com/home/2009/10/1/playful-pause.html

On another note;
sorry for the absence of blog posts lately. Things have been busy for me as my photography business is taking off. I will be posting more often as I establish a more efficient work flow. Hope everyone is well and I'll be back soon with some more photos and videos of the babies.

A Quick Trip to Michigan

Over Labor day weekend Justin, Evelyn and I made a trip to Michigan while Lane had a special weekend with Grandma and Papaw Whitaker. We woke up early and were on the road by 5:30am. Once we arrived at my sister's home it was a rush to get ready for a big night out. Justin spent the evening with the guys and I was thrilled to be spending mine with the girls. It was a much needed reunion with some dear old friends.


Saturday Evelyn and I met up with a few of my college friends and had brunch, then it was off to spend the afternoon with my Dad.

Evelyn and Grandpa hit it off right away. She took to him like she had known him forever. It was a wonderful visit that included my Grandmother and Uncle. It was hard to say goodbye to my Dad, I miss him so much.



From my Dad's house we went to the wedding rehersal. We spent a few hours helping to set things up and learning how the ceremony would unfold. As Justin rehersed Evelyn and I enjoyed the beautiful setting. As we were leaving we were struck by the most beautiful full harvest moon.






Sunday was the big day. Our dear friends Brian and Jodi were getting married. I was honored to be the photographer and really enjoyed all the extra time I got to spend with Jodi while she was preparing for the big event. The wedding was beautiful and perfect in so many ways.


We re-connected with so many friends and family over the trip, but still not enough time to see everyone. We enjoyed every moment and look forward to our next visit.