what's new?

we're still busy around here! we've had a lot of days off from school for conferences and winter weather. our family has a lot of on our plates right now, and the stress is starting to take it's toll. so the days off have definitely been a blessing. it's great to have just a few days to sit in our sweats and play operation and princess monopoly. even if i do get beat at operation EVERY time! lol!

anna has been reading a TON, and i think staying up way too late at night to read. but really how can i discourage reading? especially because when i was her age when i was told not to read i would sneak under my covers with a flashlight. i'm sure that wasn't good for my eyes! anna is really into junie b jones and the american girls books. i've read a few american girl books along with her. i tried junie b too. she's cute, but her poor grammer really drives me crazy! and that's really saying something since my grammer isn't all that great anyway. in my defense, as an engineer i only had to take 1 english class. lol!

e is doing very well too. her teachers recommended that she start kindergarten in the fall, so i guess she will! since she has a summer birthday and she's so teeny tiny we thought about waiting a year. but she's really been growing up so much lately. i think i'm just still a bit hesitant because i'm just not ready for her to be gone all of the time. i thought it was supposed to get easier with the second!

wilson is still great too. he's talking more every day too. one of his new favorite phrases is, "bye, bye. see ya!" and then he gives a big smack. he's got me wrapped around his little fingers. he knows just when to give me the love eyes and melt my heart. he runs up and gives me a huge hug, puts his head on my shoulder and gives me little pats on my back. am i in trouble or what?! :)

i've been busy scrapping and trying to learn as much about photography as i can before my brother andy and diana's wedding in april. i hope i can do a halfway decent job for them. i've bought a little bit more equipment to hopefully help a little. kelly sold me her 85mm lens, and i love it! i'm definitely still learning it, but i've been really happy with the pictures i've gotten so far. hopefully my flash will be coming tomorrow. i'm really anxious about learning how to use that. i really prefer natural light, but i know i'm going to need the flash sometime. i really would like to take at least one class before the wedding too, but time is really running out. i wish there were more hours in the day! i haven't even started buying spring clothes or Easter outfits or anything like that, either. ack! help! lol!

here are my it kit pages and a few picts taken with my new lens.