Little Ethan

I must say that Addi was a little easier to photograph. Ethan was so curious about the camera that I had to keep moving away from him just to get his picture. I can remember growing up, My Mom always had her camera. She loved her camera and loved taking pictures. To this day, she loves her camera, although it is a newer, nicer camera. She takes pictures everywhere she goes! I believe my Sister took after my Mom, she takes the best shots and they always turn out so great. I'm the one in the family that has to read my camera manual from front to back and work really hard at trying to get the "best shot." So, this photography venture will be a work in progress for me. I'm looking for my Mom and Sister to give me the honest (ha) feedback, I've always counted on my Sister to be honest with critiquing. If I take a terrible picture, she will be the first one to let me know real quick, "that shot that you took looks awful," ha ha!

Blaise will be so tired of the camera after he gets home... he will be a great guinea pig!

And yes, I know I should have ironed the sheet behind the pictures, but every step is a learning process.

Picture Time

OK, I've been playing around with the idea of taking my photography hobby to a more professional level (Thanks to the motivation and help from an awesome friend Mauri Hart)! I still have a lot to learn, but I'm having fun in the process. I have been reading all I can about Aperture, Shutter Speed, Light, etc. I think the most difficult part has been taking my camera off of automatic mode (YIKES), and shooting in manual mode. I must say that photography is much like a science, you have to coordinate light with shutter speed, aperture, etc. So, here are some of my first pictures in manual mode. I wanted to catch Addi right when she awoke from her nap. She was still a little lethargic and her hair looked so "bed head." I LOVE black and white photo's but I like this color picture.

Missing Blaise

Everyone is in bed and I'm adding new Post to the blog... I really miss Blaise. He is with his Dad in Southaven, MS for the summer. I miss his smiles, his endless hours of making lego "inventions," the way he eats cheez its and leaves crumbs like a mouse, I miss him coming down the stairs in the morning smiling with his hair going in all directions, but most of all I miss his sweet spirit that reminds you to have fun and to never take life too seriously! Only 48 more days until he comes home!!!!!

Addi Swimming

Addi's friend Madalyn came over today to swim. They had so much fun and enjoyed playing with all of the water toys. Addi and Madalyn have been friends since they were about 10 months old. The temperature here today was 91 degrees. I think that is a record. I don't think people in the Northwest would survive in the South with all the high temperatures combined with the humidity.

Addi loves the water! She is not afraid of too many things. She is our free spirited child who dives right into any challenge. She has officially entered the "two's." She likes to boss her Dad around and even tries to boss Ethan around but he just smiles and laughs at her! Blaise is another story, he just tries to tell her that it is not nice to boss...that is so Blaise! She is smitten with her Dad and Blaise. It is true what they say about "Daddy's Girl." She thinks he hung the moon. I could sit and watch them interact all day.

Time Flies

Where does the time go? I can't believe that Ethan is 6 months old. I can remember like it was yesterday, holding him in the hospital room! I just want time to slow down. Ethan is our last baby and I am savoring every moment. As I look at this picture I feel sad knowing that he is not a newborn anymore. Before long he will be crawling, walking and then running through the house. I wish I could freeze time. He has such a sweet spirit! He never cries (or rather screams), and always laughs and smiles! You can be in the same room with him and that is enough reason for him to smile. It is also sweet to see him wear Blaise's clothes. I can't believe Blaise was ever that small! Anyway, I'm spoiling Ethan and loving every moment! He has also made me realize that Blaise and Addi are growing every day... Slow down and enjoy every moment.

Ferry Ride

Along with Blaise we had fun as well. It is always nice to put your everyday chores/work aside and have fun. John is such an amazing father, but I have to say his best role is that of a husband. He puts up with me, right!!!! All joking aside, I'm a very lucky person who feels blessed everyday to have him by my side. The person above knew what he was doing that "Blind Date," night in Cordova, TN. And... let me add that our great friends Jon and Christy Reed set us up that night! You guys are awesome!!!!

Ferry Ride

Blaise was full of questions and would go from top to bottom, bottom to top, etc! We saw starfish attached to barnacles on the Ferry Boat Docking post. The looked really cool!

Ferry Boat in Seattle

We took a ride on the Ferry Boat in Seattle and it was so much fun! The weather was perfect and Blaise had so much fun feeding the sea gulls! What a way to relax and enjoy getting a great view of Seattle and the Space Needle!

The Trio

Here is the trio! What a task to get the three of them together for a picture. Between spit ups, giggles, and sideways glances, we finally got a decent Fathers Day Picture!

We Love our Babysitter!

We had McKayla come over and keep Addi today while we went to the Birthday Party. We were really torn and wanted to take her but we did not want her to get trampled on by the older children. It was a good thing, the older children went WILD on all of the inflatables!!!!!

Blaise's Birthday Party

All the kiddos had a blast at the Party. The party place is called Jumpin Jack and Jill, and it is filled with various inflatables as well as an arcade game and air hockey. I'm sure they will all sleep very soundly tonight!

Ethan Cruising Around in his Cadillac

Ethan stayed in the backpack carrier (his cadillac) for most of the party. He slept right up against my back... awwww, so sweet. I LOVE this carrier, it gives me the freedom to do what I have to do and still have Ethan close by.

Blaise's Birthday Cake

This is Blaise's cake. It has a speed racer theme. I felt so bad this year not making Addi and Blaise's cake, but with a newborn and toddler running around, I had to accept my limits. Next year, I will be back in the game (yeah, we shall see). Gone are the days where you get to pick out the cute cakes, now are the days when your child reaches the age where he/she has their own style and wants! You have to let go sometimes!

Blaise's Birthday Party

We had a blast today at Blaise's Birthday Party! It is rare that we get a picture together, but a friend of mine was at the party and snapped the picture for me! Ethan is hanging on in the back in the backpack carrier. I honestly don't know what I would do without it.

Addi

I am playing around with my camera and Addi wants her picture taken. This always happens when I get my camera out. Of course, she has learned to "say cheese," for the camera, which makes it so much fun! She is such a confident child and always knows exactly what she wants!

Ethan at 5 Months

This is Ethan at 5 Months. He weighs in at 24 pounds! He is our little Offensive Tackle! As always he is smiling and having a great time. He is rolling all over the place and hopefully will start crawling very soon.

John

This is John before Ethan arrived! Can you tell how alert and rested he looks. You can always appreciate sleep after a newborn arrives! He is a trooper and never complains!

Mom visits Seattle

My Mom flew up to help out right after Ethan was born. She was a huge help and we were all sad to see her leave! She makes the best tomato gravy by the way!

Mothers Day Cake

John surprised me with a Mothers Day Cake. It was my favorite cake-Red Velvet Cake. He found a cool bakery in Ballard, and now he has the perfect "go to," place. That was the best cake, no offense to my Grandmother!

Rainforest Cafe

Blaise always wants to go to Rainforest Cafe for his birthday, so here he is with an oversized frog and having a great time! He is always so much fun!

Addi's Playgroup

We started a playgroup shortly after we moved here and it has been a lifesaver! These are Addi's "friends," from playgroup. They have been doing playgroup together now for 2 years. It is so neat to watch them get excited to see one another. They all play so well together!

Blaise playing T-Ball

Blaise really enjoyed his first year of playing T-Ball! John was his coach and they had so much fun together!

Ethan at 4 Months

Ethan is really excited about having his picture taken, as you can tell..ha!

Addi and Ethan

Addi loves to sit next to Ethan and she really loves to have him sit in her lap! She is such a sweet big sister!

Seattle in March

We had several days of snow in March and Blaise had so much fun! Since we moved to the Seattle area, we get to enjoy snow during the winter season...What FUN!

Addi at Easter

This is Addi at her first Easter Egg Hunt. She had a blast and with a little help from Dad was able to scoop up tons of plastic eggs! She will be a pro in a couple of years!

Ethan at 2 Months

Ethan is such a joy and he has to always be close to someone! He loves to hang on to your fingers, or clothing, that way he can keep you near!

Ethan arrives

Ethan Hayes Tibbetts arrived on 12-22-07. I was in love all over again! He is such a ray of sunshine. He is always smiling and laughing... even when his sister is having her moments!

Christmas O7

This may be one of my favorite pictures of Blaise and Addi. This was at Christmas right before Ethan was born! They adore each other!