Photo Phun ;)

Well, this will be the last post for now (make sure to scroll down and even go to the next page to get all caught up on the last month and a half).

After Amara was born I have been really slacking on getting photos of our daily life.  Which I am very disappointed in myself for.  It's a real struggle for me to take my camera with me, remember to get it out and snap some photos.  I've been relying on my phone to capture most of the day-to-day stuff, which I am slightly ashamed of.  I hate most (not all) phone pics, and have a wonderful DSLR that I should be using instead.  So after some encouragement from a photographer friend, I'm trying to be better about taking photos every day.  One way to keep me at it is by joining a 365 photo challenge.  The one she and I are doing (together to keep each other accountable) is called Project Life 365.  (click to see more) Each day they issue a prompt (usually one word or phrase) for inspiration and your challenge is to take a picture of something representing that to you.  I love it!  I've really gotten into it, and love taking the challenge each day.  I like that it's Daily too.  I thought it might be too much, but I know that if it was weekly it would be to easy to forget by the end of the week.  And if I miss a day the world isn't going to end, so there's no pressure.  I'm slowly getting better at my photography, at least I hope so!  I just have to keep at it.  I also like that most of the prompts I can relate to my children, which is the whole reason I want to take photos now anyways - to document their growing up. 

Anywho - I started last week, on May 15th, and have only missed one day!  (I'm pretty proud of myself!!)  So here's my PL365 so far. 

#good

#better: hot days are better when wet

#best: cloth is best on the bum

#makes_my_heart_sing

#real

#curious

#souvenir

Make sure to follow me on Instagram if you can, I post most of them on there.  And here's a few of my other favorite photos I've taken as I get better at recording Life with the Louie's. 

Indy Visits

Two Visits to Indiana this month!!!  Can you believe it!  The first trip was Cam and Riley.  They went so that Cameron could run the Mini-Marathon with his dad.  It was just a quick weekend trip, but Riley did get to miss a day of school to go. 

I don't have any pictures to share unfortunately, I haven't downloaded them from Cam yet.  So I'll add those later.  But he did an awesome job running (as did Dale too!)  Cam ran it in 2:03, which averaged out to about 9 1/2 minute miles.  Dale ran a 2:40 which put him just over 12 min miles.  Not too shabby for being 75 years old!!!  Way to go guys!!!  I'm so proud of you!!! 

Then two weeks later I got to take a trip to Indy.  Amara and I went (since no one other than Cam's parents had gotten to meet her yet) to see my sister graduate from college!!! Yay Anna!!!  She and I have both taken the long route to finishing school (the 8+ year plan . . . and no doctorates) but we did it!!!  She now has a Bachelors of Science in Fashion and Retail Management.  And is on her way to working for Coach!  So Cool!!!  So here's some pictures from our trip to Indiana to watch her walk and meet the fam. 

Saying her name

College Grad!

Amara and Grandma Wilson

Getting some lovin' from Grandma Louie

Amara and Aunt Anna

With Cousin Maddie

And Cousin Vanessa

And one more thing I will add in.  Right before we left for Indy, Mowgli decided to go gallivanting around the neighborhood.  He took off one day when I took Riley to school and got into what appears to be a giant mud hole before finding his own way home an hour later.  He also got into something, and was possibly stung or bit on the bottom of his foot.  So after a $300 vet trip to make sure nothing was broken he has to wear a cone to let it heal.  Serves him right!!!  ;)  Stupid mutt! 

Filthy Mutt (a week after his semi-annual bath)

Wearing the "Cone of Shame"

May Catch-up

Well, May has been a busy month too, so I'll probably break this into multiple posts. 

I'll start with Amara.  She has made some leaps and bounds this month!  Starting with rolling over.  She rolled over first on April 28th, but we thought it might be a fluke since she was screaming and flipped as soon as Cam laid her down.  But then she did the same thing the next day.  And the next day!  So After that I "tested" her, and decided she can officially roll over.  Later on the next week I was taking some pictures of the kiddos and just happened to catch her rolling on film.  Here's the sequence:

Starting to roll . . .

Yay!!!  She did it!

And of course Jayce had to push her over again. 

She also had her 4 month check up (even though she's now 5 months I'll still give you the stats for that).  She weighed in at 12 lbs. 6 oz. and 24 inches long.  That puts her in the low teen percentiles for those (smaller than Riley but slightly bigger than Jayce) but her head size is in the 62%!  Gotta love those Big Louie Heads!!  ;)  So she's growing great, and I have a feeling she's going to be the perfect size to be a gymnast or Cheerleader.  She already loves bouncing and getting tossed in the air so she will most likely be a great "flyer". 

On May 3rd I had the great chance to share some artistic talents with Jayce.  Cam and Riley had left for Indiana (more on those visits in another post) so we headed to my favorite painting place Picasso and Wine in Windsor.  On every other Friday they do a "Club Pablo" toddler painting class.  It was so much fun!!  They let the little kids help with the painting, and even include handprints in the picture so that we can treasure that time.  Naturally Jayce's attention span didn't last throughout the entire thing and I ended up finishing it mostly on my own, but that's ok!  Here's the trip to Club Pablo:

Jayce and Jozy playing before we got started

Painting the background

getting dirty

Making handprints

Our Handprints (sorry for the blurry pic)

Jayce was the first boy to add his hand to the "Club Pablo" Wall

All Done!

I've also been trying to spend more one-on-one time with him.  He's very clingy, a mama's boy for sure, and since Amara has come along he's been left out a little more than he would like.  One time that's is perfect for us to spend together is while I'm cooking.  Lunch or dinner, quick sandwiches, or full meals, he is content to sit on the counter next to me and "help."  So my super talented friend Trista made him an apron so he can feel even more special during this time together.  I absolutely love it!  He looks so adorable! 

Riley's Year in Kindergarten is coming to an end!!!  I'm so sad to see him growing up so fast, but also so proud of how well he is maturing. Last week the entire Kindergarten (over 90 students) put on a music program and project showcase.  It was so cute, and special for us!  I loved it!  He did great and really got into it.  A lot of the students got to perform solos or special displays and he was one of them.  (Although I'm sure they found something for each student to do to feel special!)  Riley got to do a scarf dance, and play the xylophone for one song.  He did a fabulous job!  Here's some pictures.  I took a few videos too, so hopefully I can get those to upload. 

Riley and Mrs. Carlstrom

Also, since Riley's birthday is in May he got to bring treats to the class.  I like the way his teacher does this.  The last Friday of every month they have a "Class Birthday Party".  Then everyone who has a birthday that month gets to bring in treats.  The parents coordinate so not everyone brings cupcakes and the kids don't OD on sugar.  It was really great.  I let Riley go through some of my pinterest boards and find something to take into the class.  He picked "Monster Cookies".  They were pretty easy, and super cute.  It's is quite a bit of sugar though with the frosting, but its the end of the school day anyways!  The kids loved them!  And Riley had a lot of fun helping me make them. 

Well, I'll leave the May post at that, and fill your in on our trip to Indiana in the next one.  More to come!!!