Worth It All

Mill City Ruins

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 05:14:00 +0000

Enjoying the beautiful afternoon, walking on the stone arch bridge and taking in the sites.....

For anyone not familiar with Minneapolis, the large bridge in the background (below)
is the new 35W bridge after the old one collapsed back on August 1, 2007.
Its still hard to believe something so unimaginable could happen.

Up, Up and Away

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:16:00 +0000

Wow.....I totally need to update my header since it is WARM now. :0)

Our little bull in a china shop is officially a walker. Those rolly polly thighs move most every second she is awake. Olivia walks for practice. She walks for sport. She paces the living room in circles, always holding something in both hands. She has found her freedom....And she loves it!

So much has happened in a month and a half since my last post. Olivia has turned one and Ella just had her first dance recitals. Thankfully, I have had more of a chance to pick up the camera and take pictures now that Olivia can get around herself. I totally see that "second child" thing has happened. There's certainly a lot less pictures of Olivia than there is of Ella. I really gotta do something about that before I forget how small she once was/is.

And just for good measure....a picture of Ella. :0)

Time Flies When Your In Love.....

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:19:00 +0000

Today marks our 11th wedding anniversary. It's unbelievable to me how fast time goes by. I love how life works though....Between all the different paths Keith and I have taken in our lives, together and apart, it has led us to where we are today. It was purposeful and it was fate, and there's no place else I would rather be.

My Tiny Dancer

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:43:00 +0000

I cant say that while I was trying to get pregnant or even going through the last couple of years that I envisioned myself being the Mommy of a little girl who was in dance class. And if I did, I certainly didnt think about doing her hair and makeup in preparation for pictures and a recital.

So last night, while I was knee deep in curling irons and hairspray, blush, mascara and cute little costumes....it hit me. The whole week leading up to last night I kinda had anxiety because now it was my turn to be the one responsible for putting my little girl together, not the other way around like it was when I was in dance class. I was the Mommy. Would I do the make up correct? Would her hair stay in place? Would she have all the little pieces of her costumes she needed?

Yes, on all accounts. She was as close to perfection that I can imagine, if I do say so myself. :0)
Now we just have to do it one more time for the actual recital.....

April Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:19:00 +0000

Macro lens attached on each photo. Fun little toy! :0)

Lens: Chunky, Film: Kodot Grizzled, Flash: Off

Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Lens: Kaimal Mark II, Film: Kodot Grizzled, Flash: Off

Lens: Chunky, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Lens: Tejas, Film: Kodot Grizzled, Flash: Off

Macro iPhoneography

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Pinecone
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Pineneedles
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Tree Stump
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Thorned Bush
Lens: John S, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Cracked Acorn
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Buds Fallen From Trees
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Tiny Feather
Lens: Tejas, Film: Ina's 1969, Flash: Off

Day 100

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Today is Day 100 of my Hipstaprint A Day project. I am enjoying it much more than I realized I would. I think because I am able to use my iPhone, it makes it so much more convenient to take a picture a day. That being said, my beloved Nikon seems to be collecting a little dust. :0(

I am hoping now that the warmer weather is here, we will be outside more, and Olivia is able to crawl/walk on her own that I will have more time to take pictures with my dSLR.

But in the meantime, the wonderful Hipstamatic app is helping me enjoy iPhonography like I never thought I would! It is like a whole new take on modern photography with all the different lens/film combinations. I'm a junky....that's for DAMN SURE!

Check out my other 99 days thus far, and thanks for sharing in my journey!

Team Up Thursday - Design

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:54:00 +0000

This weeks theme was Design. I racked my brain on what to do for this theme. And then I walked past the gate at the top of my stairs and saw the two layers overlapping eachother. It was design in my eyes!

Christina on the other hand, has quite a talented daughter. Nadia likes to be a clothes designer.....but quite the talented little artist as well! :0)

For more Team-Up Thursday diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

Team Up Thursday - Food

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:46:00 +0000

How many types of delicious and delectable foods can you think of wanting to look at? Dont even get me started! Thats why I find it funny that even though our theme was FOOD this week, Christina and I both managed to portray the theme using these sweet little hands.

For more Team-Up Thursday diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

Still Waiting for Spring....

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:24:00 +0000

I'm feeling a tad envious of the ladies who have mentioned how beautiful the weather is and being barefoot and fancy-free this week. It can only get warmer from here! :0)

Team Up Thursday - Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:32:00 +0000

Mine on bottom, Christina's on top. Look at the detail in the hairs on the tomato vines. Fantastic shot C! I longed to get outside and get a Springy shot too, but the weather did not permit it for most of the week....So I had to improvise! :0)

For more Team-Up Thursday diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

WW - Raindrops

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:00:00 +0000

For more Wordless Wednesday images, click here and here.

Team Up Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 02:16:00 +0000

This weeks theme is MUSIC. I think its great that our shots are complete opposite of each other. Christina's portrays the theme in an almost nostalgic way, where as mine is of modern day. I love the contrast between the two this time around.

For more Team-Up Thursday diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

Team Up Thursday - Upside Down

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Yup, you can totally guess which is mine and which is Christina's! I am loving the jewel tones of blue in her shot....The blanket, her shirt, her eyes. It looks so beautiful.

I just happen across some upside down cards playing Go Fish. Nothing special....except for the game with my big girl!

For more "Team-Up Thursday" diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

A Peanut Feeding A Monkey

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:35:00 +0000

I tend to be a little uptight sometimes especially when it comes to the kids....wanting to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, get in get out, no side tracking sorta thing. Ella had been asking me for weeks if she could feed Olivia so this day we went for it. I had to ask myself what's the worst that could happen? We had all the time in the world and she might just need a tubby by the end of it....or both of them!

I got some good shots off before Ella got frustrated and had yogurt all over herself from Olivia swatting the spoon, shaking her head back and forth and spitting at her. ;0) Even if it wasnt the sisterly bonding that she had hoped it would be, atleast I gave into the moment for once.

I allowed Ella to do what she wanted, Olivia was down to her diaper sticky with yogurt, and ironically those messy and carefree times seem to be when I enjoy my camera the most.....

Team Up Thursday - Everyday Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:13:00 +0000

This weeks theme is Everyday Beauty. Even though we are in the middle of winter, I automatically think of nature and flowers. So did Christina, although I love her little "touch of Nadia" to add a bit of sweetness with perfect focus.

Ella and I went to the flower store and I let her pick out some for herself. She is totally going to be the type of person that goes and buys fresh flowers just to cheer herself up when she gets older. She loves them!

For more "Team-Up Thursday" diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

Team Up Thursday - In the Distance

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Is it really Thursday already? Why yes it is, which means its time for a Team Up Thursday diptych! This weeks theme is In the Distance.

Wow did this one stump me. I literally did not take this picture until last night at like 9pm. Hubby and a friend had a few shots of Tequila sitting on the table, and this scene came to mind. I toyed with making the bottle the one that was in focus....but I am not one for Tequila, so for me....it being in the distance was fine by me!

My partner Christina has determination on her mind. She is currently studying to be a nurse and this portrays her future....in the distance. Loving the reflection on the table of this cute little nurse and her interpretation of the theme.

For more "Team-Up Thursday" diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

Team Up Thursday - Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:49:00 +0000

Christina and I are jumping back into it with a new Team Up Thursday diptych. This weeks theme is BLUE.

Look at how cute Christina's shot is with her shoes and blue jeans. It's funny to me how the focus is on her blue jeans, but I am drawn more to the shoes. They are so cute! If only my feet were that small and cute!

Mmmmm, M&M's......Only BLUE, of course.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's this week!

For more "Team-Up Thursday" diptych's, head over to Megan's and check out the groups Flickr page.

My Big Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:46:00 +0000

I love my big sister......

......And my big sister loves me.

WW - First Beach Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:58:00 +0000

For more Wordless Wednesday images, click here and here.
Also, thanks to Melody for the link to the free action! :0)

Vacation Was A Success

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:01:00 +0000

We arrived home today from our vacation to Florida. We did SO MUCH...although it is the norm whenever we go to Florida. My family lives down there and we went this time to introduce Olivia.

First stop...Fly into Orlando, where my aunt and uncles live. Next, we headed down to West Palm Beach to see my Grandmother. Then, we headed to Hollywood to stay at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel for the night. A vacation really wouldn't be a vacation unless my family gathered at a casino. It's just a fact.

Then it was time to head north back to Orlando. LOTS of traveling in the first few days. 3 hour flight. Close to 8-9 hours in the car the next couple of days and then back to home base in Orlando.

The rest of the week was spent swimming in the hotel pool and going to Disney's Animal and Magic Kingdom's (which we visited both in one day!) It was really great to bring Ella back again. The last time we went was 2 years ago when she was 3. It was a whole different experience in just 2 short years. The rides and characters she was/is interested in at those two ages are completely different. Also, Olivia was excellent for the most part. She did great on the flights, the long car rides and the long day spent at the parks....The down side was that she barely slept more than 2 hours at a time during the night and she was recovering from double ear infections, which made us all more exhausted than we already were. *Fingers crossed* that she sleeps better in her own crib tonight!

Part of my exciting and busy week was making sure that I took my Hipstaprint A Day picture. I was determined to not fail my 365 project just because I was out of my normal routine. I really had a great time taking pictures with my phone and found it so much fun trying to find things to shoot to be my pic for the day. But I must say....It is good to be home. :0)

Olivia Outakes (Group 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:43:00 +0000

WW - Angel In Hipsta-Land

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:21:00 +0000

For more Wordless Wednesday images, click here and here.
You can also check out my 365 project, a Hipstaprint A Day.

Olivia Outtakes (Group 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 03:51:00 +0000

It's been quite some time since I picked up my Nikon. Thankfully, I have been able to use my iPhone/Hipstamatic app lately to make up for it. I'm addicted! Since Olivia was born, I dont have as much time to take my camera and just play around and shoot what I want while Ella frolicks beside me. It bums me out sometimes.....which is why I decided to do my Hipstaprint a day project, so I can continue to be creative and take pictures as I enjoy doing.

That being said, I did manage to sneak in some time the other day and get some shots of Olivia. These are just a few.....

Hipstaprint of Today

noreply@blogger.com (Joanna) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Ella got some glow in the dark stars for Christmas that we put on her ceiling. Since our dog died just before xmas, we decided to make Lulu a big shooting star right above her bed. The other small stars are me, Keith, Ella and Olivia. It comforts her to see it every night. :0)

Lens: Melodie
Film: Kodot XGrizzled
Flash: Off