Creative Fun!

I'm not sure who had more fun playing...Paxton or me? Its crazy the things they have for play dough. Paxton's been asking for the ice-cream set, I'm thinking that might be a good idea.

Just to add...table covers, the cheap ones you buy for birthday party's, work GREAT to play on.

Meet the farmer and his animals.

Spaghetti and Meatballs...Paxton said, "meatballs? what's that?

Mrs. Piggy. She even grows a tail...I thought it looked weird so I cut it off :)

yet another favorite

I love that in this picture you can see his little mole/freckle on his neck...one day it just appeared.

Here's to 2010!

I love pictures like this. It's close to my heart. It's so Paxton. His eyes, his hair, his look of concentration, everything.

I LOVE that I can see the dark speck directly below his right eye (the one on the left) :) I have always noticed it, since he was a baby. It's not that big, but it's there and for some reason it's special to me. It's one of those things that make him different, makes him Paxton.



I love you Pax....forever and always.

Hooo-Rayyyy!

...for me!!! A year ago TODAY I started this blog...hip-hip-hooray, I am so proud of myself. I'm almost doing a little dance-party in the living room by myself :) Speaking of dance parties, that's Paxton's new favorite thing. We get my iPhone and a little speaker we bought for Enrique for Christmas and we blast the jams. Usually Pax insists that Dance Parties take place in his room jumping on the bed, but whatever I'm down with that. We've even had a dance party at the store in the middle of the isle...to the stores music that is ;)

J&J- Pax has really been enjoying the "sunbrella" we got (stole) in the gift exchange.

We finally took out the scooter for a cruise


The plan for 2010:
Learn more...lots more.
Take more photos of myself (maybe a selfie-project)
Be in more photos
Get more photos with Enrique in them
Find new subjects
Buy a new lens
Maybe purchase a new website (a real-professional-one)
....the list continues!

Color/Black & White

Color/Black & White, originally uploaded by Andrea Lopez Photography.

Today on another blog that I follow she asked, "what is your style, color or black and white?" I think that usually I prefer color, especially when the colors are bold and beautiful. BUT...a good black and white always steals my heart, with my portraits and others. I get more emotion out of some black and whites than I do out of color.

I think with this picture of Paxton in the sand, I prefer the black and white. Mostly because the color doesn't have any bold colors and his eyes seem to pop more in the black and white.

Winter 2009

Winter 2009, originally uploaded by Andrea Lopez Photography.

Can you believe?

That in five days it will be exactly a year since I started this blog.... I can't believe it! I was just looking through some of my first posts and realizing that I had no idea what I was doing with my camera. This blog has been such a GREAT experience. Not only did it push me to try and make sure that I was getting my camera out nearly everyday it also pushed me to learn how to use my camera. Manual modes and all. I now have a documented year of Paxton. I can look back and see what he was like on the exact day a year before. How awesome is that! :) I can also honestly say that I didn't think I'd stick it out...usually I get tired of things fast, but not this time. I think the best part of this blog...I realized how much I LOVE photography. I no longer view the world through my own eyes, but through my "photographer" eyes.

I'm hoping that in the coming year I'll be able to grow even more as a photographer! Next on my agenda is a new blog--a real one; one where I can post larger pictures and have my own domain. I've found the one I want...I'll just have to wait to get it. I just don't see the point of buying one yet, maybe when I'm actually "working" as a photographer, but until then I'll remain at Blogspot!

Here's to another year! I hope you'll continue to follow along with our lives and my photography!

MUAH!
xoxo,
Andrea

Nobody likes a post without a picture so here's one from our weekend.

Catch Up

Isabelle and Addesen came over to play sometime last week, Pax loves when they come! Isabelle came with a really pretty scarf...I was playing around with her and tied it around her head. See like this :) (see below)


She then told me that she looked like a fortune teller-smart! She did. She even had a really creative "fortune-tellerish" voice to go with it! She and Paxton then went into his room to play fortune tellers! The used Paxton's chairs and some play cards. They even used Paxton's tools on the hands! I thought it was so creative. I even heard Paxton tell Isabelle, "you will have a good day and be happy." I had mine read a few times too. They played for nearly two hours! It's amazing how well those two get along. Too bad Addesen wasn't feeling well, I'm sure she would have loved to play too.

Here they are hard at work.

Paxton got some new tools...he thinks he's pretty cool. So do I :)

Here is a little reminder of Christmas...It came and went TOO fast! I actually caught myself yesterday telling Enrique that we should go to the lighting festival in Leavenworth. Whoops! We are going to try and make it for a sleigh ride sometime! We're really wanting to start some new traditions, ones that Paxton will remember. I think the sleigh ride will be a great one!

Until my next post....

HAPPY 2010. May your year be filled with all your hearts desires.

Cancun

as promised...

More to come later. Have a great week!

Loves :)

We're back...Ten on Wednesday

1. Vacation was great...Cancun was okay! We realize that our hearts belong in Puerto Vallarta. We liked going somewhere new and we LOVED the Caribbean waters in Cancun, but other than that Cancun was too touristy.





2. Now that we're back from Vacation, I need a vacation to re-coop from the vacation. Lets just say that Paxton is too busy to enjoy a relaxing vacation.



3. During our trip Paxton ate a lot of bananas. Every morning they would have them out for breakfast so I'd give him one for breakfast and then I'd pack one in our bag in case Pax got hungry later. One morning we were all headed to our Jungle adventure. Mom knew that we probably wouldn't make it down in time to get breakfast so she grabbed some bananas and bread for Pax...she then gave his banana and he was good. Well the next day we were on our way into town when Paxton thought he needed a banana. I didn't have any so he asked my mom--she didn't have any, but he thought that she needed to have one and that he REALLY needed a banana. So he kept saying, semi-screaming, I want a banana. Over.and.over! Mom then said, "It wont surprise me if someone gets out a banana for him." Nobody did, but a few minutes later a lady hands us a cookie. It was a ginger cookie in the shape of a Christmas tree, but really it was a Shut-Up cookie. I was okay with that though, it worked :)



4. I love how Paxton always tells me, "I miss my grammm-ah, I wan't my grammm-ah and Papa." It's just so stinkin' cute!



5. Where is all the snow?



6. I love being tan. Why can't I be tan all year round, naturally?



7. I'm expecting a package from FedEx. It was scheduled to be here before 3, it's now after 8 and still no package. I get that they are busy, but if I don't get it I'll be very upset!



8. That package came at 9:00. I'm just glad it came!

9. It's now Saturday. Four days after I started this post! Let's just say we've been busy...

10. Christmas was great! We love being able to see all the family. Later we're heading to watch the Alumni Game at the high school...

I'll post pictures from our vacation soon, I promise!

Ten on Tuesday...Yup Tuesday!

1. I'm finished with Fall quarter...YAY! It was actually a good quarter, it went SO fast, which was good...now on to Winter quarter.

2. I've been a BAD-Bad-blogger lately. SORRY! I'll be better, I promise!

3. My computer got a really N.A.S.T.Y virus last week. It was so bad that I couldn't even work on my computer with the Internet off; it completely took over all my files. I took it in to the computer place Friday and still haven't heard from them-maybe I should call tomorrow.

4. This past weekend we celebrated my mom's 50th birthday. I cannot believe that my mom is 50, the number seems so old, but she doesn't...nor does she look it :) Be proud mom, you are one good-lookin "old-woman."

5. I'm lost without my own computer. I don't have any of my stuff. I have a huge list of pages under my favorites tab that I look at almost everyday, now I'm missing out! I WANT MY COMPUTER!

6. It is freezing outside. COLD! It's funny, when Paxton and I go outside now he covers his face with both his hands and says, "it's SO cold mom." Yet, he still kicks and screams when I make him wear his jacket. What is it with kids and jackets? I remember being the same way, I hated wearing one!

7. I'm finally free of tooth pain....THANK YOU! It puts a huge damper on things, tooth pain is like no other!

8. I really want to try Rosetta Stone, but wonder if it really works like they say. Have any of you tried it, or know of anyone? If so let me know. If it does work as well as people say it would definitely be worth every penny.

9. We're getting ready to head to Cancun, and I am so ready! I'm a little terrified for the flight since we're going non-stop from Seattle. I will be packing one bad full of stuff to keep Paxton entertained....hopefully it works.

10. If you hear on the news of another plane making an emergency landing because of loud-out-of-control-2-year-old that will be us :)

I'll be back soon with some AMAZING pictures!

11. an extra :) I think in the coming year I will be getting my small business license and really be taking my photography further...I'm excited for it! stay-tuned!

Thankful...

For these two :)

OCTOBER 2009

OCTOBER HAS COME AND GONE...LUCKILY WE'LL HAVE THE MEMORIES :)

Editing FUN

Something about this picture just gets me. It's so Paxton. I love how his eyelashes are inter-twined, how his mouth is puckered and how his hair falls around his face. I just did a classic Black and White conversion...I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. I wouldn't call this a grey-scale. :)


In this edit I added a texture (the bokeh (dots) in the background) it's just something to make the picture fun...I like it! It's different, but fun!

Vote for Paxton

Vote for me in this contest!

Contest details

Ten on Wednesday

1. In the blogging world Ten on (Tuesday) is the norm, but for me Wednesdays just work better, so for now I'll do Ten on Wednesday :)

2. Today at Miss Cindy's, Paxton, made a Thanksgiving wreath-ish :) On it Cindy had written different things that Paxton was thankful for (she'd ask and he'd tell her different things) a few of my favorite were his toothbrush, the color red (rojo), and of course his mommy and daddy.

3. Paxton and I have been baking a lot. His favorite part is cracking the eggs and mixing with the beater. I love cooking with him, but then we have cookies or muffins sitting on the counter and when they're there they get eaten, usually by me--that's not good!

4. Today it was a sunny 83 degrees in Cancun...only 22 more days!

5. I'm finally feeling like normal again after my root canal last week, except now I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. That takes place tomorrow! :(

6.This Friday is my dad's birthday (Happy Birthday Dad) but the parents are leaving out of town to go have an early Thanksgiving with the grandparents so we won't be able to celebrate. Hope you have a great birthday dad.....Happy Birthday Papa :)

7. This year for Christmas we've decided to do gift exchange at my parents. We've set a spending limit and each couple is supposed to come up with two gifts. We'll then exchange them in a white-elephant-ish way. This is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated because I want to make sure I have the best gift, the most creative-off-the-wall-usable-gift. We'll see how it turns out.

8. Finally last night there were a few good dances on SYTYCD. When ever I watch that show I really wish I could dance...if only :) I have decided that I'm going to look into getting Paxton into some kind of dance. He loves watching the show, and I think it will be a great way for him to get out a LITTLE of his extra energy. I say little, because I don't think we'll ever find anything that could even possibly come close to using half of his energy.

9. I really wish Amy lived closer. Best-friends aren't supposed to live so far apart. Hopefully sometime in the near future I'll be able to fly down to Arizona for a visit! I'm thinking Spring!

10. On Saturday we went to the girls' birthday party. Paxton had a great time, and I still can't believe that they are 7...how time flies!

ToT (Ten on Tuesday, or Wednesday)

1. The was really supposed to have been posted yesterday, but I sorta' forgot :)

2. I have had the worst imaginable toothache this last weekend, I went in to see the dentist on Monday and now I have to get a root canal, oh and then Thursday I'll be getting the rest of my wisdom teeth pulled. I guess it as just my week to have dental work done.

3. Our babysitting duties are over, Josline was a great little girl. She did better than I thought for it being her first time away from her parents. Paxton didn't like sharing his mommy, but I think he did enjoy having another person in the house to play with....but it's not pushing us to have another baby anytime soon.

4. Exactly 30 days until we leave for Cancun...YAY baby! That means I better get tanning :)

5. Can you believe that it's almost Thanksgiving? I can already smell the Turkey roasting and my amazing fruit salad :)

6. So this year I'm a little disappointed with SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) I haven't seen any great dances or dancers for that matter. I remember that most seasons I already have my favorite by the first show or two...this year not so much, maybe soon. Especially since I recruited some new watchers, this isn't the season to become a fan.

7. I really love living in Wenatchee this time of year. The colors are amazing!

8. I can't believe that this weekend the girls will be celebrating their 7th birthday...I remember when they were born. It was the year after I graduated and Jr. and I were living in Yakima, I was able to get off work and we went home to see them. They were so little and precious! I'm so glad I've been able to be around for almost all of those 7 years.

9. I really should finish this and start studying for my test...that isn't as interesting though.

10. It's Wednesday-Hump day! Have a great rest of the week!

Mr. K

My handsome little nephew, Kendry.

Ten on Tuesday...(something new)

1. I've been so bad at blogging the past two weeks, no reason really...just a little busy!

2. Ten on Tuesday is where I find 10 random things to talk about, nothing particular really just whatever I want to talk about :)

3. Paxton is blowing my mind everyday. He is starting to remind me of a 4 year-old more than a two year old...I'm telling you, he knows things that most 2 year olds don't know. I've been told before that I have an old soul, and I'm starting to understand what that meant because sometimes I feel like Paxton, too, has an old soul. ;)

4. Paxton rode a horse for the very first time this past weekend. He's gone to see the horses before with Papa, but has never actually gotten on. I think that the first time we went to see the horses he wouldn't even touch one, and now he's comfortable enough to ride one. It was short-lived however...he wanted off almost as quick as he wanted on. I'm still proud though, he's making steps!

5. Starting tomorrow I'll be watching a 1 year old for almost a week. Her parents are going on a much deserved vacation :) We'll see how it goes, I'm looking forward to having her and I'm sure Paxton will enjoy her company...she might not enjoy him though :)

6. You know what comes along with having a 1 year old around? ....another person to take pictures of. She probably won't even mind!

7. Fall is here. I. Love. It!

8. Everyday I keep telling myself I need to get started on Christmas...maybe tomorrow!

9. I love the new show Trauma. It's on Monday nights, if you haven't watched it yet--DO! I'm sure you'll love it just as much!

10. Today I dropped Paxton off at the park to play with Miss Cindy and the boys. He really loves them. When we're heading to the car after I've picked Paxton up he'll say his goodbyes and tell me, "momma they are my best friends." How cute is that?

See there you have it...Ten on Tuesday. Maybe next week I'll get more creative, but for now this will work. And since most of you tune in to see pictures here's some more :)

Mason (one of miss Cindy's son) and Paxton