Fall is in the air...

 We went apple picking today!

You may remember, we got carried away last year and came home with 40lbs of apples.

This year we came home with 20lbs.  :)

This week our house will be filled with the scent of apple cobbler and apple bread, our favorite apple dishes. 

When we arrived at the orchard, the owners told the kids that if we found "the marked tree" and came back to report what numbered aisle we saw it, there would be a prize. 

Well, if you know Jack, you know he was all over this and was determined to find the "marked tree."

Jack made me take a photo so we could prove he found the tree. 

Is this not hilarious???

 Lucy and Jack making a new friend. 

 I found this little lady bug and had to practice my focusing skills. 

I love this photo! 

This shows each of the kids personalities.  

I may use this as my Christmas card photo.

What do you think???

In case you were wondering....

In case you were wondering what we've been up to lately....

This is it!

Our new school has much higher expectations and my three have been super busy. 

We have designated the dining room for homework/study time and study hours are from 6-8.

Everyday, Jeff or I will hear "we love our new school, thank you for sending us there." 

The kids have a two hour bus ride each day and two hours of homework each night and they thank us???

I think that speaks volumes! 

Here's a look at my hard workers....

We have a busy weekend ahead with soccer games, homecoming and a trip to the apple orchid. 

More photos soon!

Editing...

Editing is the one thing about photography that I find the most intimidating...

maybe, because it's so subjective.

I know in order to "step it up" I have to conquer my fear of editing and let's face it, it sets apart the amateurs from the professionals..

Editing takes it up a notch. 

I bought some photoshop actions last week and I have played with them ALL day today.

I am trying to edit Sami's senior photos.

Oh, the endless possibilities....

Crazy fun!

Color Vibe

 

Olivia and I participated in the Color Vibe 5K on Saturday.

It was so much fun!

I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves...

 

the before....

and the after!

Match Day... 8 years!

8 years ago today, we got the call....

our baby girl was waiting for us in Hunan, China.

I stared at this baby photo for weeks, counting the days until I could hold her in my arms. 

Now, here it is....8 years later.

We love you Lucy Lu!

Silhouette

Olivia's best friend, Sami is here visiting us from Denver.

I am taking Sami's senior photos while she's here.

Last night we went out for some fun photos in front of my favorite "blue doors"... I will post those later.

The sun started to set and I knew I wanted to capture some silhouette photos.  

I absolutely LOVE these photos. 

I actually started to cry to when I previewed them in my camera.

These capture the joy and love between two childhood friends. 

So sweet!

Dragon Dance

Our new school has a "Dragon Dance" tradition.

It's an annual event to kick off the new school year.

It was at the end of the school day on Friday.

I was excited to see the dance and to pick up Olivia from her backpacking/camping trip. 

As soon as I arrived on campus I was told that Olivia's group had taken a wrong turn while hiking and would be delayed by 3 hours!

The whole freshman classed missed the dragon dance.

This was the first time a class had missed the dance in 55 years!

While I was waiting for the dance to start, I took some photos of the campus and the class activities.

 This is an old house on the campus.

It currently serves as the head masters house.
Nice job perk huh???

Jeff and I attended a new parent orientation inside the house last week.
Trust me when I say, it's beyond amazing!
I will get back in there with my camera...soon!

 This is the lower school for K-5th grade. 

 Here's Jack playing a game with his classmates. Look at that smile!

 Here are the classes lining up for the dance.

 The senior class gets to carry the head of the dragon and lead the festivities. 

 Jack got to hold his class sign.
So cute!

 This is the band made up of the schools music teachers.

They were "rockin"  

 The procession ended in the gym.

Here is the senior class introducing the kindergarten class. 

 Here is Lucy,  jumping up and down for her class cheer. 

She's the 2nd one from this end.  Yes, that's curly hair.... we braided it wet and took it out that morning.  

Lucy will be starting cheerleading at the school later this fall.  

 Jack showing me how he works his locker combination.

Last, but not least...

Olivia's bus finally arrived!

Poor Olivia was exhausted, but she had a great time!