Meet Otis

Ok...as you saw in my previous post, I just bought my first Digital SLR camera and I'm very excited about it! I'd like to introduce you to Otis. As I mentioned before, I like to name inanimate objects that are important to me and give them a personality. I tend to lean towards "old men" names hence Owen and Rudy (the dogs) and Sam (my precious baby boy). I always name my cars. So far I have had the honor of driving a Jerome, Peter, Haans, and am currently cruising around in Hank. Sooo, I have attached some pictures that Otis and I took this morning.

No More Tire Kickin'

I took the plunge! I finally bought my new pride and joy...my first DSLR camera! I'm super excited!!! For months I have been beating a dead horse...researching and analyzing as I do with most purchases and finally decided to just do it already! Soooo, I haven't yet named him but as many of you know I like to name inanimate objects that are important to me and give them a personality. So, stay tuned, I will soon introduce him to you by name followed by many rough, early pics (of Sam Bo of course) :)

He Got Me!

Well, for the past decade, I have been casually inviting people to my 30th surprise party. It started out as a joke but as I got closer and closer to 30, it spiralled out of control! Although I told Matt that I was really joking all these years and that I would be perfectly content with a quiet date with him, he pulled through and planned the best surprise party ever!

I was supposed to work at the church nursery that night but he called and told them about it. They later called me and told me that they didn't need me because they weren't going to have many kids. Being very easy to fool, I was happy to have a night out with my hubby.

We were supposed to be going to dinner and a movie. We went to Tuscany which is a new Italian restaurant nearby. After a great dinner, he suggested that we go upstairs to checkout the attached bar called Sky Bar. We always see it when we are out and about and say to each other, "That place looks really cool". Apparently, Matt and Sam went and checked it out a while ago and decided that it was a great place for my party. I was a little annoyed when Matt suggested that we check it out because I didn't think we had much time to make our movie but I agreed to go because I had been wondering what it was like. As I got to the top of the stairs, I saw a banner and lights and for a split second thought to myself, "Ugh Matt, see, we aren't supposed to be up here...it's someone's party!" (There had already been a surprise party in one of the private rooms while we were eating dinner. I was secretly jealous) Then, I realized that my mom and friends were there and that my name was on the banner. Although I am never one to shy away from attention, I was actually kinda embarrassed but thrilled :). I loved every minute of it!!! Matt did such a great job planning it. It really made my 30th Birthday special. Here are a few of the pics below...

"Nooo"

Like most toddlers, Sam is really into saying "NO". That is his answer for everything. For now, it's really cute but I know that will quickly fade so I shot a 30 sec. video of it. He starts to lose interest by the end and insists on not opening his arms wide for the "How much do you love Mommy?" prompt. Meow Meow was much more interesting than professing his undying love for his Mama....just a glimpse of what's to come in about 10 years :). Ugh! I could cry right now! I'll just keep feeding him onions. It's all part of my master plan to remain the love of his life forever and ever. (Insert evil laugh here) *Be sure and pause the music at the bottom of the page so you can hear the video :)

Never Again...

NEVER again will I complain that I have had a hard day at work as Mama Clay...

19 month. & Clay Family Photo Session!

Last month, we had our family pictures taken by a great friend of ours, Melissa Darst. She captured some really great shots that I am so thankful I will be able to cherish forever. I love it when a photographer simply gets it. Melissa just gets it! She got the silly faces that Sam makes and his little personality so that I will always be able to look at them and remember this wonderful stage we are in. (Even though Sam was super cranky. He didn't take a nap that day and I forgot to feed him dinner before we went to take pics. I know, I'm a terrible mama) For more info. on Melissa, please see her website: http://www.melissadarstphoto.com/

Here are some of my favorites...

This one kinda gives me that lump in my throat :) These were taken on my dad's antique tractor.His "I'm in a pickle" face.

His "Suprise" face.