Christmas travels

Christmas morning went by in a rush.  After the boys opened up all their presents, we packed up and headed to Phoenix to spend the rest of the holidays with our far away family.  We did spend a little time singing Christmas carols at the piano.  Stephen had to work so we said our goodbyes and headed out on our "long" road trip.

 

Our first stop was in Phoenix where we met up with our cousins at the Skousen Park in Chandler.

 

We had a sack race, egg race, and egg toss.  The kids painted whistles and hit the piñata.  I, somehow, talked my family into getting a picture.  Although, I didn't get a single shot with everyone smiling and looking. 

 

Next we drove up to Kingman and enjoyed the New Year with family.

 

My initial plan was to leave New Year's Eve and travel back to Albuquerque; however, the weather changed everything.  We ended up staying until Saturday and driving home after all the snow melted.  The boys had an awesome time snow tubing in my parents back yard right off the patio!  If they got cold, they just came in side and warmed right back up.  Such fun!

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!

 

Merry Christmas from the Barnes Family

The Taylors

 

*The offer still stands: free and or cheap pictures until the end of the year.

Gymnastics!

These boys started gymnastics back in May.  Nolen loves it.  Edward, eh, not so much.  Both boys have learned a lot and gained more confidence with their bodies.  They are learning how to balance, flip on the bars, and jump on the trampoline with the correct form.  I am not sure if Edward with stick with it, but here's hoping. 

A better mom

Lately, I have been slacking on my mom duties. I have been MIA for months now. I need to get my act together. More on this in another post. 

Anyhow, in an effort to be a better mom, I have, yet again, walked away from Facebook and turned off my computer while my kids are awake. Today, I took the boys Christmas shopping, out to eat at a sit down resteraunt alone, and made sugar cookies. One step at a time. 

Ami

Tonight, I took some pictures at Old Town.  It is one of my favorite places to take pictures.  Again, it was freezing!  I made Nolen wait in the car again.  He is getting good at patiently waiting while I take pictures.  Please call, email, or text if you want a free photo session before the end of the year.  I am hoping to build my website so that I can start raising money to pay for Nolen's ABA therapy. 

Ami was the perfect subject!  She is so sweet and kind.  I love how the shots turned out. 

The King Family

I am hoping to start a small photography business this coming year.  After being hit with a lot of health care bills, we are in need of a few extras bucks to pay off the bills.  I figured I might as well do something I really love and I am sort of getting better at it. 

So, I am offering cheap/free photos until the end of the year so I can practice and build my website.