Photography...

 I took a photography workshop from a local Photographer.

I learned how to really use our DSLR camera on the manual setting.

We took pictures of a little boy....

and then also took pictures of a family.

Check out the link to see pictures by the photographer, she is wonderful.

http://www.derksenphotographyblog.com/

Here are my little models and I am constantly using my camera on manual now!!

Corben is 29 months

Mason Kate is 10 months

I love that they are in focus and the background is blurry!

Caleb and I are also looking for fun places to take pictures (like the brick wall above).

No texting while riding!

Brother Corben saying "no texting" while riding your bike Mason!

Little sister revving up the bike for a ride with brother on back!

She loves doing anything with brother!

Corben goes to the Dentist

Corben and Mason playing with the toys in the Dentist waiting room

Corben was such a good boy and let the Dentist clean his teeth!!

To the MOVIES...

Corben and Daddy walking to the FREE movie day at the big theater.

Corben's 1st time going to the MOVIES!!

Ordering popcorn

The free movie: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Seating in their seats and Corben already enjoying his popcorn

Nonie went along and had such a good time with Corben

Corben had such a great time at his first movie and really enjoyed his popcorn!

Mason Kate having fun

Playing with her toys

Crawling on her knees

Playing with her spikey bouncy balls

Such a fun little girl!

Nonie with the kids

Nonie, Mason Kate and Corben

Mason Kate riding the horse

Corben hanging up his Fire truck wind chime with Nonie

Nonie and Mason Kate

Bath fun...

Nonie gave Corben and Mason the fish wash cloth mits.

New Hiding Location

The kids have a new hiding location...under our dining table.

Yes that is Mason too, she follows brother under the table.

Happy new hiding space.

Swim Lessons # 3

This week Caleb took both kids to Corben's swim lessons....so only a couple of pictures.

Corben did cry quite a bit, but his instructor Jason thought it was less.

Corben did stop crying while kicking on the blue fish...he really likes to kick his feet!

Jason said he was also busy watching a cute little girl in pink swim with her instructor and that kept his mind off crying.....haha!

Mason getting into....

Mason helping Daddy with the dishes

Mason getting into anything she can find!

Swim lesson # 2

Instructor Jason wanted to start with going under water again

and Corben kept saying "no, me kick"....

so Jason let him kick on the big blue fish!

While kicking Corben had to pick up different ducks and starfish toys in the pool.

He was doing everything Jason asked...but he did cry the ENTIRE time.

Next Corben picked rings up from the steps and had to go a little deeper in the water.

Then Corben had to reach for the edge of the pool and knock over the blue foam turtle.
He wasn't too thrilled with this...but did it for Jason while he continued to cry.

Mason and I sat around the corner and only peeked at Corben during his swim lesson.

Jason said it might take until the fourth lesson until he calms down...fingers crossed!

Mason Kate 10 months

Look who's 10 months old....Mason Kate

She loves to stand and cruise around the house.

She is showing off her two teeth.

and her cute 'side sprout'!!

She loves to clap and dance to music (loves music on mom's ipod)

She is always standing and wanting to push chairs or her toys around the house!

...

She is still eating homemade pureed food....

and finger foods!!!  (chicken, avocado, mango, cheerios, yogurt bites, sweet potatoe)

She is drinking water out of a sippy cup

Baby sign language: waves, more and all done

Words: Mama, Dada, and ut-oh.

...

She no longer uses a Pacifer.

She wasn't sleeping great, but thanks to the Ferber Method....

she not only sleeps, but falls asleep on her own without a pacifer and without night time feeds...Yeah!

Mason is a very sweet little girl and she loves her brother dearly!

Corben is showing Mason how to push her toys around

(even Dixie dog is watching for moral support)

Corben's 1st Swim Lesson

Corben's 1st swim lesson with instructor Jason

First job was to pick up the rings off the steps...and he was doing great...

until Jason thought Corben should go under the water!

He was a little scared and then the crying started...

Jason quickly moved onto other things...Corben riding on the frog.

Next job was to kick while on the frog...

A little kicking, but Corben mostly saying "no more" and crying at this point...

Next job was to pick up the penquin and fish from the frog float....

Corben not that into it anymore!

This is the pool where Corben will be taking swim lessons for the next few months

Corben still on the frog and then ended the session with telling Jason thank you and we'll be back!!

Eliana & Cole visit

Mason & cousin Cole playing (3 month age difference)

Mason curious about baby Cole

Stacking blocks with cousin Eliana

Cousin Eliana & Corben