Hannah in Black and White for The Paper Mama

Playing sweetly with her toys Hannah looks up to her mom for one quick moment just long enough to capture the beauty of the light on her face. This is my entry for The Paper Mama Photo Challenge in Black and White.

Cold and Windy Day at the Park + Paper Mama Green + LEM

Playing at the park, Hannah took a moment to focus in on something curious. I'm not sure what it was. It may have been her sister playing on the other end of the field or her ball roll away, but her focus sure is adorable. I hope you like it too!

I have linked this photo up for The Paper Mama's Photo Challenge: Green 

(the green is a bit of a stretch since the grass isn't so, but there is green in her coat!) 

and

Live Every Moment: Anything

You can see a diptych of Miss Hannah playing with her Dad on Theme Thursday added in to celebrate St. Patrick's day for Green from the same collection. The Theme for Thursday was Jump. Thank you to all of those who have already entered. If you haven't linked up and would like to the linky is still open.

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Fall

There is something I like about this photo and to me there isn't anything more like fall than a windy, cold walk on the beach with sweaters, jeans and sneakers. It was chilly, but beautiful and I really had a great time. When Lorelei decided to climb the rocks (which normally I wouldn't have let happen...but) it was an obvious photo opportunity. I took a nice handful and this is the one I chose to share with you for The Paper Mama's photo challenge "Fall." I may share more of these photos later in the week. You've seen a couple from this day for Sky Watch Friday, Flowers on Saturday, Macro Friday and even the challenge Me and Mama. I think I'm getting the hang of these photo challenges by preparing early!

Have fun and take a look at other photo entries after clicking the button below! That's where I am heading as soon as I am done here!

Confusion aka Picking Out The Perfect Pumpkin

It came down to three favorites for the confusion shot for The Paper Mama photo challenge but when you include my husbands "Vote" for this black and white shot it is the winner amongst family and friends. I hope you guys like it! This is my Miss Hannah picking out her perfect pumpkin!

Please check out The Paper Mama and other confusion shots by clicking the button below.

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Fingerprint

Today is a new day. A new day with a new challenge over at the Paper Mama. After Chelsey over at the Paper Mama posted new challenge themes I was on it. I started taking shots of fingers and toes right away. I "accidentally" ended up with quite a few. Whoops. Well, in the end I have chosen some of my favorites to share with you. Please enjoy and don't be afraid to tell me what you think. Comments are always welcome! 

My Pick:

Mischievous Fingers and Toes:

Hannah is digging in daddies flower pots.

More Little Piggies:

Dancing and Dirt Stompin' Toes:

Water Splashing, Teamwork Fingers (and toes):

Beachy, Rocky Toes:

Watery Toes:

Sandy Toes:

Okay, so I like the "Dancing and Dirt Stompin' Toes too! For more fingerprints please head over to The Paper Mama and link up your own photos! 

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Self Portrait

Over at The Paper Mama the newest photo challenge is for a self portrait. I'm not so fond of photos of myself. I enjoy being behind the camera. Don't get me wrong, I like having photos with my family and to remember events and time with them, but I've never done well being the center of attention so I tried taking this challenge in a more artsy way. Please enjoy my interpretation of the challenge. I have labeled my photo self reflection.

For more self portraits please take a look at the Paper Mama's blog.

Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Flower

Flowers, flowers, flowers. Another photo challenge that I just can't seem to pick my favorite photo, but here it goes. The Paper Mama's newest photo challenge is flowers. Please Enjoy and check out The Paper Mama's photo challenge for more floral beauty!

My Favorite:

Others:

Lorelei's favorite (above)

I have to admit my husband Matt took this one.

Photo Contest Hosted by The Paper Mama

The new photo challenge on The Paper Mama's blog has the theme orange! I absolutely love the color orange and own a few orange shirts myself. For the girls I was quite surprised to realize they don't own all that much orange stuff. Although the more I looked around the more I saw the color. It's beautiful isn't it. Okay, so I know a lot of you don't like orange, but it's always been amongst my favorites.

I came home last night and gave the girls orange popsicles on the patio and started shooting away. At the last minute I picked a flower and put it in Hannah's hair, but she just wanted to dig in the flower pots and play. I bribed Lorelei with a cookie as a reward if she'd let me take a few photos. A cookie is a mom's best tool I believe. It's close with a sucker for sure. Funny to think I just admitted this being that before children I thought it was a horrible idea to "bribe" children, but in the end I really like to call it positive affirmation or being rewarded for good behavior.

Lorelei did beautifully. She sat on her slide and put the flower in her hair and became the perfect model right away. After all she really wanted that chocolate cookie her grandparents sent home with her. She definitely earned it I would say. There were so many fantastic photos to choose from and in the end I chose this photo because it's beautiful and serene at the same time. The colors and crop weren't edited. It's naturally beautiful just as my daughter Lorelei. I love the beauty and calm she is giving off and her wild post play hair.

Check out the photo contest and enter your own photo.

I am also continuing the thirty day blog challenge.

Photo Contest on The Paper Mama's Blog

As you might know I started my blog just over three months ago and have been enjoying my personal growth within the walls of blogging. I enjoy reading other blogs and putting myself out there in my own blogs. It's a wonderful thing.

Last night I spent some time going through other blogs online. I came upon a wonderful blog called "The Paper Mama" and noticed there was a photo contest that was ending at midnight. The theme for the photo contest was water. I decided on a whim to enter a photo of Lorelei that I thought was priceless.

I chose this photo because I thought it was perfectly imperfect and the water was just beautiful. I didn't win first place with the guest judge Ashley Sisk but I did get mentioned as one of "The Paper Mama's" favorite of six photos out of just over 70 pictures entered. I only wish I had known about the contest sooner and could enter in others as well. One left and the theme is orange. I may just enter.

Please take the time to check out Ashley Sisk's blog Ramblings and Photos as well. Thank you for judging the photo contest Ashley!

I am also continuing the thirty day blog challenge. Take a look!