today

Shockingly, these pictures were taken TODAY!

I often think of how I should play catch up but knowing that I never will I've decided just to post whatever is recent and leave the past the past. Eventually I would like to put Christmas pictures up as well as a video of the kids thinking they were seeing Santa... hehe But until then, enjoy day one of John Michael's unofficial potty training (if I make it official then I have to actually be consistent but right now our lives are a bit too busy to make the full plunge.)

I tried for some pictures of all three kids in my bed.

Addy & Nicholas were loving cuddling... UNTIL




The monster brother joined them.



John Michael must've done something painful to Nicholas because he lost it FAST.

"Three kids in a bed gone bad."




And Addy was so cute talking to Nicholas and comforting him.

"Little Mama"



I thought I'd sneak a picture of myself in....

"Self Portrait."



For some reason the kids REALLY wanted to take a picture of themselves sleeping.



Because Nick was so upset I laid him down in his cradle with his paci. I fully expected this to fail and fail quickly... but when I put him down he went right to sleep!



How can this be comfortable?




Hopefully the new year will bring a new comittment to blogging. I really do think this whole photography biz stuff keeps me from sharing pictures because I always feel like they have to be works of art! Well forget it, if I can make something cool and pretty I will.... but if its P&S (point and shoot :)) then that's fine too. :)

David & Goliath

David & Goliath from Michelle Hamstra on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas!

Well, we finally got our Christmas cards created... and then never printed or mailed them!  Don't be surprised if you get one late.... I'm still considering sending them for those people who don't check the blog!  

We had a fantastic Christmas enjoying all of our favorite out of town family, as well as those in town too. :)

And for you southerners... we don't have dandruff, its SNOWING (that's the white stuff that takes over the world out here!) in this picture!

Merry Christmas!

We *STILL* haven't taken any family pictures for a Christmas card so don't hold your breath to get one from us... ::cringe::

As a matter of fact, we're so behind that we just bought our Christmas tree on Monday! Its still in the living room with NOTHING on it. Tonight Johnny brought up the decorations only to discover that we somehow misplaced or threw out all our Christmas lights last year! Luckily my mom brought some for the kids and his mom had some extra ones so between the two of them we will have plenty of lights to light up our overpriced tiny tree. Is it just me or were trees super expensive this year?

Here are some hilarious pictures of John Michael and Adeline playing with some reindeer antlers they found in the decorations box.



John Michael is getting cuter by the day. He's also getting sweeter and more obedient. He's a silly little guy and the Lord is graciously answering our prayers for him!





Idk why but I love this picture of JM



Funny kids!










I think John Michael looks like Johnny in this next one.. :)





I guess this little Santa needs a nap before driving his sleigh




More soon, I promise! But here's an update - Nicholas weighed 13 pounds 9 ounces at his 2 month check up and was 24 1/4 inches long! That's 4 pounds 6 ounces and 5 1/4 inches growth since birth! He's been a busy little guy. :)

Here's his 2 month picture:

Laird Angus McGangus & Duke, the dancing dogs

no pictures

I thought I'd do a rare post without any pictures. I'd be interested to know who actually reads through this instead of scoffing that I took the time to enter something that didn't include visual reminders of my children's innate cuteness!

I've decided I have a love hate relationship with photography. I love it. I love capturing images that are a reflection of who someone is... whether its the unfolding love of an engagement couple or the sweet wonder of a child, capturing that on film (okay, a memory card) can be invigorating.

I also love edgy, different, unpredictable images.... cutting off parts of the body that you thought might be vital - like half of someone's face or the bottom of their chins.... I love that its different and creative and that sometimes it just works.... even though you can't explain why.

I won't lie... I blog stalk. I love finding photographers who are doing something amazing and try to learn from how they think. I love finding ideas and recreating them. Its funny to me that everyone thinks I'm so creative - I'm really just a copycat. I heard someone say once that God is the only TRUE Creator... the rest of us are all just trying to recreate something we've seen before. I think thats true to a degree.

I also love post processing... taking an image that I've captured in camera and creating it into something more.... using editing tools to draw the viewers eye to understand what it is I'm trying to capture. I think that's why I love my photography tagline - Capturing Life. Creating art. I don't want my images to just be photographs.... I want them to be art. Maybe that's why I'm "into" textures right now.

But as invigorating as capturing those moments can be it can be downright discouraging to *miss* it. Lately I think I need to be on meds my love-hate relationship has been so intense! Sometimes when I peruse a beloved photography blog I get overcome with how much I *don't* know. I dream of living where all these incredible locations must be hiding. I wonder how there are so many beautiful people to photograph in the world. And worst of all, I lust after the Canon 5D. I insist I'd be better if I had it. I convince myself that once I do have it my photography will become instantly excellent, my house will always be clean, sin will cease to haunt me and I will lose 10 pounds. Well, okay, maybe I need to quit eating McDonalds and drinking Dr. Pepper to lose that 10 pounds...

Then there are days like Monday. Monday I had an *aha* moment. I succeeded in Manual mode. I usually fail. I almost always resort to Program mode or Aperture Priority mode because its "safe." I was doing a session as a gift though and knew I already had some rockin' images of this super gorgeous couple so I chanced it and it was.... amazing. I think I was on an adrenaline rush for half the day... and no, I hadn't had any Dr. Pepper yet. I'm ridiculously excited to process those images but for now they are waiting in line. Business has been busy.

Speaking of Manual mode... I'm pretty sure my in camera light meter is junk. I'm sure the on on the 5D is remarkable and will change my life. :)

All of that to say that its late.... my kids are at my moms so I feel justified in being online so late... and guilty for not editing pictures right now.... and amused that even though I said I wasn't going to post any pictures of my inhumanly cute kiddos that I'm struggling not to do it as I type.

Okay I'm giving in. After all... its their blog - I was just stealing a soapbox for some public personal reflection. Hope you enjoyed the insight into my mind.

Happy Halloween!

Thanks to my grandparents we ended up with a Spiderman costume! Thanks TuTu & Grandfather! :)

Not much time for blogging these days - I'm super busy at home and all my "extra" time has gone to photo sessions & editing! So, enjoy these snapshots, comment free. :)

(the pictures of Nicholas in the "bones" shirt were taken a couple of weeks ago. He's a bit chunkier now!