Suburban Life

We've moved...

2009-02-06T21:01:00.006-06:00

This blog has moved to a new home on the web. Visit us at:
http://www.oursuburbanlife.com/

8/5/08

2008-08-05T21:11:00.002-06:00

little_fish, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Jayce has taken to swimming faster than I ever imagined.

8/3/08

2008-08-03T21:38:00.001-06:00

circuslight, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

The circus had her undivided attention... until she fell asleep a little over halfway through.

test message

2008-08-01T19:00:00.001-06:00

Test to see if the blog kicks me out.

7/30/08

2008-07-30T23:08:00.002-06:00

golden sky, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Storm clouds moved through the area during sunset this evening causing this beautiful golden sky. Oddly the sky the other direction was a beautiful vivid blue.

7/27/08

2008-07-27T21:48:00.001-06:00

splash!, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

These two could spend hours just going in circles up and down the slide. A nice way to spend a 100+ degree afternoon.

7/26/08

2008-07-26T21:10:00.002-06:00

garden6, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Richard has decided to start a garden in our backyard and the kids are more than thrilled to help out - at this point.
See more at: Garden Photos
I'll hopefully be updating as things grow.

7/24/08

2008-07-24T23:14:00.001-06:00

Rag doll , originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Maggie loves this outfit - especially the headband. She struts around like she's the biggest girl around when she's wearing it.

And on a side note, she also absolutely loves tattoos. Tiffany & I dropped into a tattoo parlor while we were in Atlanta and Maggie was pretty darn angry when we left without getting her one.

7/23/08

2008-07-23T22:19:00.001-06:00

Fearless, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Maggie feeding peanuts to the animals at the Waccattee Zoo in Myrtle Beach. Jayce would push the peanuts through the fence as long as the animals were no where near his fingers. This girl is afraid of nothing.

7/22/08

2008-07-22T22:50:00.001-06:00

Danny & Jayce, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

This is Jayce walking at the zoo with my Uncle Danny. Jayce took and instant liking to Danny and followed him wherever he went the whole time we were in Myrtle Beach.

7/21/08

2008-07-21T23:33:00.001-06:00

nicolausness, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

I was teasing N about how it looked like he was drinking beer because of his root beer bottle - unfortunately the picture of him picking up the bottle and taking a big swig didn't turn out. :D

7/20/08

2008-07-20T22:46:00.002-06:00

grahamness, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Why, yes, he really is as adorable as he looks :D

7/17/08

2008-07-17T22:47:00.002-06:00

The Pier at Garden City, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

See more beach pictures here .

7/16/08

2008-07-16T22:55:00.001-06:00

Tide comes in, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Tide comes in... Maggie's first experience with the ocean. Taken at Myrtle Beach. Hopefully I'll be putting a bunch of vacation pics up on flickr over the next day or so.

7/15/08

2008-07-15T22:15:00.002-06:00

regal, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

A peacock at the Waccatee Zoo in Myrtle Beach, SC.

7/14/08

2008-07-15T00:24:00.001-06:00

Sandcastle, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

J & M buried in the sand at Myrtle Beach.

7/13/08

2008-07-13T22:40:00.001-06:00

Mini golfer, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Just a quick snap from our trip to Myrtle Beach last week. Looking at this you'd think that Jayce takes mini golf very seriously.

7/7/08

2008-07-07T22:38:00.001-06:00

maggie_monkey, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Maggie was being a little monkey yesterday.

7/6/08

2008-07-07T00:22:00.001-06:00

Fireworks & Friends, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Taken on 7/4 in Atlanta. :)

7/4/08

2008-07-04T23:26:00.001-06:00

GrandOldFlag
Originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography

Not a photo but definitely my suburban life... Jayce has learned this song over the last couple of weeks at daycare and I figure I'll share it with everyone.

6/30/08

2008-06-30T22:22:00.000-06:00

Jayce poses.... Maggie copies.

6/29/08

2008-06-29T23:20:00.001-06:00

bad_dog, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

This was Tie-Dye's 2nd bath in as many days - we think he's digging a tunnel to China underneath the shed when we're not at home.

6/26/08

2008-06-26T22:45:00.001-06:00

pouting, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Jayce was pouting during tee ball practice one day and I was mean enough to take pictures. He might just be pouting now that teeball season is over but I can promise that I'm not.

6/23/08

2008-06-23T23:23:00.001-06:00

Baby Barn Swallows, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

These barn swallows were on our porch for the last couple of weeks. Only one survived and he has been christened Damian.

6/22/08

2008-06-22T22:27:00.001-06:00

feet, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

For a challenge called "feet". This was taken at a fountain next to the lighthouse in the previous photo.

6/20/08

2008-06-20T23:19:00.001-06:00

Lighthouse, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

This is a fake lighthouse on a lake near us. I was playing with getting sunflare here.

6/19/08

2008-06-19T22:27:00.001-06:00

funnyface, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

What a ham!

6/18/08

2008-06-18T22:05:00.001-06:00

jayce_tball, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Jayce's TeeBall picture.

5/28/08

2008-05-29T01:07:00.001-06:00

web_sister, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

A few more from Jeanne's maternity portraits. Does K look like she's ready to be a big sister?

A favor to ask

2008-05-15T13:59:00.004-06:00

Oh faithful readers, I have a favor to ask. I have entered a photo in a Mother's Day contest to win some cool photography stuff. Now I'm in need of some people to go vote for my picture. So if you have a moment, please click here and vote for #9.
http://viberesources.com/blog/?p=187

5/13/08

2008-05-13T22:35:00.002-06:00

(Splash), originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Our first trip to the spray park this year. Both kids had an absolute blast and I'm sure it was just the first of many.

5/12/08

2008-05-12T23:24:00.002-06:00

Batter Up!, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

One from Jayce's t-ball game on Saturday.

5/8/08

2008-05-08T21:28:00.001-06:00

growing, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Growing up way too fast for me.

5/7/08

2008-05-07T22:52:00.001-06:00

punkydoodles, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Conversation with a 2.5 year old:
Me: Hey Maggie, can you say Maggie?
Maggie: Nenee
Me: Can you say eggie?
Maggie: Eg-gie
Me: Can you say aggie?
Maggie: Ag-gie
Me: Can you say baggie?
Maggie: bag-gie
Me: Can you say Maggie?
Maggie: Nenee
followed by Maggie cracking up laughing... {punk}

5/6/08

2008-05-06T23:32:00.002-06:00

For Nicolaus, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Taken at the renaissance festival this past weekend.

5/5/08

2008-05-05T22:40:00.003-06:00

Hugs, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Sibling sweetness

5/4/08

2008-05-04T23:02:00.001-06:00

watching, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

4/30/08

2008-04-30T22:40:00.001-06:00

T-ball practice, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

T-ball practice started today and Jayce could not be more excited.

4/24/08

2008-04-24T21:03:00.002-06:00

sunflare2, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

About a month ago there was a challenge on a photography message board I frequent to catch a sunburst. At the time I didn't even have time to take to take my camera out of its bag but when I was at the Arboretum a couple of weeks ago I made sure to give it a try. These are my best attempts.

4/23/08

2008-04-23T23:05:00.005-06:00

Jeanne's Sneak Peek :)

4/8/08

2008-04-08T22:24:00.002-06:00

Stopping to smell the flowers, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Another one taken at the Arboretum on Sunday.

4/6/08

2008-04-06T22:52:00.001-06:00

Spring, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Maggie at the Dallas Arboretum on a beautiful spring day.

Just sharing...

2008-03-18T23:04:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to share a picture of the canvas everyone helped choose. I think it turned out splendid but now I want more. :D

3/18/08

2008-03-18T22:49:00.007-06:00

Rain, rain, go away....
These were taken on the drive home from work today. All of the water in these pictures is usually not there - generally dry creekbeds or wooded areas.

Notice where the road leads in this one:

This little lake is usually a hayfield. They're starting the construction to run a highway through here - hope they plan to build it high.

And it's still raining right now as I type...

3/12/08

2008-03-12T23:25:00.002-06:00

Growing Up 1, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

I think that this photo is a total case of "mommy goggles" but something about those little legs sticking out from under the almost-too-short dress just say something to me about my baby girl growing up. Oh, and I thought I'd have some fun with texture and Tiffany's brushes. Thanks girl - you rock. :)

3/11/08

2008-03-11T23:16:00.001-06:00

silly pose, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

It seems that I can occasionally get Jayce to sit still and actually look at my camera as long as it's basically on his terms. I was taking pics at soccer practice and he "posed" for this one.

3/10/08

2008-03-10T23:08:00.002-06:00

kendall1, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

For Jeanne. :)

3/9/08

2008-03-09T23:32:00.009-06:00

I need the help of my few faithful readers. :) I have a free canvas to order but I need to order this week so I took the kiddos out for a little shoot this morning. I'm not super happy with any one picture so I can't decide which one to get. So what do you think?

3/7/08

2008-03-07T23:57:00.001-06:00

It's all in the eyes, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

I've been trying to work on my website lately and this is one from last year that I reworked to the point that I want to blow it up big and hang it on my wall... and it's not even my child. :)

3/6/08

2008-03-07T00:32:00.001-06:00

Bubbles!, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Beautiful weather + closed daycare = outdoor fun

These were taken last week and are a nice memory after the snow and freezing rain of this week.

3/5/08

2008-03-05T23:11:00.001-06:00

Goofing Off, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Jayce was goofing off during soccer practice today. I think the angle of this picture is rather awkward but his smile just melts my heart.

3/4/08

2008-03-04T22:50:00.001-06:00

Snowy Night, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

All right - I'm trying to get back into the swing of updating this. I'm finally taking pictures again and that's the first step to posting them everyday.

I took this last night while trying to capture photos of the snowfall we were having. I didn't capture the snow in any of the photos I took but I like what I ended up with.

2/19/08

2008-02-20T00:15:00.001-06:00

Messy Girl, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Taken last week during soccer practice right before the sun set.

2/13/08

2008-02-14T00:04:00.001-06:00

Coming atcha :), originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Another soccer practice shot.

2/10/08

2008-02-11T00:03:00.001-06:00

Little Sister, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

She wants to do everything her bubba does.

1/7/08

2008-02-08T00:45:00.001-06:00

Sera, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

A cat called Serabear.

1/31/08

2008-02-01T00:49:00.001-06:00

Bathtime, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

Just can't go too long between bathtime photo sessions. :D

1/29/08

2008-01-29T22:14:00.001-06:00

Blue-eyed Girl, originally uploaded by Nina B. Photography.

To go with yesterday's post. Not bright smiling faces but I think I actually caught their real eye color with these. Maggie's have more brown in them all the time so I wonder if they'll stay blue or continue to change.

1/28/08

2008-01-28T23:34:00.001-06:00

Brown-eyed Boy, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

1/24/08

2008-01-24T22:18:00.001-06:00

Rapt Attention, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

More bedtime cuteness. Maggie and Jayce found the Oobi eyes this evening and we had a whole new bedtime story experience.

1/23/08

2008-01-23T23:05:00.001-06:00

Just peeking, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Jayce was playing peek-a-boo with my camera after bath. Being the typical almost-4-year-old, he really only wanted me to take pictures of his hiney. :D

1/22/08

2008-01-22T21:57:00.001-06:00

Bedtime Story, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Richard and the kiddos reading Goodnight Moon.

1/17/08

2008-01-18T01:50:00.001-06:00

Little Monkey, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Just hanging out.

1/16/08

2008-01-17T00:25:00.001-06:00

Little Rocking Chair, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

I know, I know, another picture of Maggie. I know I need to branch out a bit but I've just been in a funk lately with taking pictures and this is another one from the same little session I did with Maggie yesterday. This is when I was setting up the lights and I just love her little 1/2 smile.

1/15/07

2008-01-15T23:37:00.001-06:00

My Little Valentine, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

1/13/08

2008-01-13T23:18:00.001-06:00

Little Performer, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

We took the kids to a indoor play place last week that is very sadly closing at the end of this month. The kids had a blast in all the different rooms and not so surprisingly we couldn't get this little diva off the stage.

1/11/08

2008-01-12T00:48:00.001-06:00

This Little Piggy, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

This Little Piggy didn't want to take off his costume.

1/8/08

2008-01-08T23:09:00.001-06:00

Gorilla, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Another from the zoo this past weekend. I could spend all day just sitting and watching the gorillas. I find their expressions so intriguing and would love to know what's going on inside their heads.

1/7/08

2008-01-07T22:43:00.001-06:00

Lemur, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Lemur at the Dallas Zoo.

1/4/08

2008-01-04T23:08:00.000-06:00

The model train exhibit at a local mall. Both kids were completely entranced by the whole set-up.

1/3/08

2008-01-03T22:42:00.001-06:00

Maggie in the kitchen, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

I was playing with taking photos in our kitchen the other day while the kids were eating lunch. One of my goals in 2008 is to learn to really see light and how it shows up in a photo.

And I see that I'm already missing days in 2008... but sometimes a girl needs her sleep more than computer time. :D

1/1/08

2008-01-01T23:57:00.001-06:00

Walking with Dinosaurs, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

And into 2008. I have decided to continue with this little project to the best of my ability. It was really a good experience and I hope to continue to develop my photography skills through this blog.

12/23/07

2007-12-23T23:54:00.000-06:00

Christmas Goodies

This is hot cocoa mix we made for the teachers and staff at the kids' daycare.

12/20/07

2007-12-21T00:50:00.001-06:00

Star at the top of the tree, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Star at the top of the tree

12/19/07

2007-12-19T22:42:00.001-06:00

2007 Ornament, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Some of the ornaments from our tree this year.

12/17/07

2007-12-17T23:35:00.001-06:00

Talking with Santa, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

We took Jayce and Maggie to see this wonderful Santa this evening. I actually left there thinking it was worth the 2+ hour wait because this guy was so good.

12/16/07

2007-12-17T00:35:00.001-06:00

We dragged the kids to a drive-through Christmas lights exhibit on Saturday night and ended up getting home close to midnight. They loved the "pretties" but boy were they tired today.

12/13/07

2007-12-14T00:30:00.001-06:00

Little Bowler, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

12/12/07

2007-12-12T22:56:00.001-06:00

Family Portrait, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

The family portrait I took this morning before work. I never, ever like pictures of myself but since I needed something for the Christmas card, this one will have to do.

12/10/07

2007-12-10T23:59:00.001-06:00

A friendly game, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

A friendly little game of checkers.

12/6/07

2007-12-06T22:11:00.001-06:00

Jayce posing, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Lately, Jayce poses for me as long as I let him choose the pose.

12/4/07

2007-12-05T01:12:00.001-06:00

Yummy Ladybug, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

The cake for Maggie's 2nd birthday. If only you could smell the incredible wonderfulness of this cake through your monitor.

12/2/07

2007-12-03T01:19:00.000-06:00

No picture tonight. Between work, Thanksgiving, Maggie's birthday, and a whole slew of other things I'm sure the internet has no interest in, I have not been picking up my camera a lot lately. But I just have to share Jayce's latest creation. This is the first time I think I've ever seen him draw anything other than scribbles. They've been discussing family at school lately and this is what he came home with last week. I think it's a keeper. :)

11/30/07

2007-11-30T21:59:00.001-06:00

Two Years Old Today, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Birthday Girl
Maggie's saying that today she's two years old.

11/28/07

2007-11-28T23:08:00.001-06:00

Maggie's tub head, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

More tub hair :D

And I have to share Jayce's hairdo - even if he does look a bit, um, stoned in this picture.

11/23/07

2007-11-24T00:52:00.001-06:00

The Dogs, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

The Dogs - Tie Dye in front, Zoe using him as a pillow. Is it saying something that I can't even get eye contact from my dog? :D

11/20/07

2007-11-20T23:03:00.001-06:00

2-year-old Attitude, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

2-year-old Attitude

11/19/07

2007-11-19T23:03:00.001-06:00

Better Not Pout, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Better Not Pout
This photo is all about the bribery - I bribed him with the jacket and the sucker and he still made sad and mad faces for me. But in this one he's trying really hard not to smile.

11/18/07

2007-11-18T23:26:00.001-06:00

Lollipops, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Nope, no cuteness here this weekend. None at all. :)

11/15/07

2007-11-15T21:51:00.001-06:00

Almost 2, going on..., originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Almost 2, going on...
She just looks so grown-up to me here... sniff...
Taken with that beautiful 24-70L lens I rented that must be returned tomorrow. Yet another sniff...

11/12/07

2007-11-13T00:28:00.001-06:00

Serious cuteness, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

I had the pleasure of photographing these two and their parents on Saturday. The photoshoot was a great learning experience for me and these are some of my favorites from the group.

11/9/07

2007-11-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

Just some fun at the mall playground.

11/8/07

2007-11-08T22:51:00.001-06:00

An Apple a Day, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

An Apple a Day
Jayce has just recently started eating apples whole - just biting right into them - and now he wants them all the time. So I bribed him into letting me take his picture with an apple. Hey who needs m&m's and gummy bears?

11/7/07

2007-11-07T23:32:00.001-06:00

Just Jayce, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Just Jayce
I consider myself lucky to have gotten this far with this picture but I still hold out hope that someday he'll look at my camera.

11/6/07

2007-11-06T23:40:00.001-06:00

Sleeping Beauty, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

Sleeping Beauty
I love this photo right down to that little bit of drool escaping her beautiful little lips. This and the last several photos were taken with a lens that I rented recently and I think it may have been a huge mistake. I am going to have an incredibly hard time returning this thing when my rental is up. :)

Also, I must say that I've noticed that this blog is just a big Maggie-centric lately and I will freely admit that Jayce has become a bit, um, difficult to photograph lately. It's one of those things that's hard to work on - the more I try, the more reluctant he becomes.

11/5/07

2007-11-05T23:50:00.001-06:00

Fall Ghost, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

All through October, every time we'd pass a house that had Halloween decorations Jayce would shout "they got ready for Halloween!". Most of the month our house's only "decorations" were the unkempt yard and spider webs on the porch. So we all went to Walgreens and bought a cardboard skeleton, a plastic door cover thingy, and these little hanging ghosts. Jayce would get excited every time we'd pull into the drive way and see that we'd "gotten ready for Halloween". Now we just have to take them all down before it's time to decorate for Christmas.

11/4/07

2007-11-04T22:58:00.001-06:00

Little Dimples, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

I asked Maggie where her dimples were and this is what she did.

11/3/07

2007-11-03T14:07:00.001-06:00

Daddy & Jayce, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

People I love

11/1/07

2007-11-01T21:35:00.001-06:00

My Little UPS Guy, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

I just can't not post a pic of my little UPS man. How absolutely adorable is this costume?

10/31/07

2007-10-31T21:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Halloween, originally uploaded by cmdbryant.

This last pumpkin was originally Blue from Blue's Clues - carved by Richard. Then we left the dogs in the living room with it when we went to work yesterday. Tie-Dye decided that Blue makes a tasty treat.

Happy Halloween!