The Herfurth Photo Blog

its been awhile...

2009-12-28T10:32:00.001-08:00

Yea, I know...I think I have been scared of this blog because I am so behind its completely ridiculous and I don't know where to begin to get yall up to speed!! So I am taking my sisters blogging advice and just starting from today! Briefly though, its been a crazy hectic 3 months with moving in, painting, shopping, a house full of guests for Thanksgiving, our first Christmas in the house and, Oh yea, I still have a business to run and kids to raise! Here are some pics of where we are now in our house:

Lauren's room before....

and after...mess and all...

master bedroom really before...I can't find one in the done stage...

and after...

guest bedroom before...and after...

my office before...

and after...YEAH!!!

Aidan's bedroom before...and after...LOVE this color!!

Mother-in-law suite before...

and after...

Living room before...

and after...

Master bath before...

and after...

Formal dining on the right before...

and after...now our formal living...

Game room before...

and after...mess and all...
Entry before...

and after...
Guest bath before...and after...
David's study before...

and after...
Kitchen before...and after...
Man cave aka media room before...and after...

There are a few things that are not completely finished yet...but we are going to do the rest on our own sweet time...It feels like home the way it is and I hope I never have to move again!!

the house...final post until its ours!!

2009-09-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

September 30th is our expected close date...FINALLY!!! Its a long time coming, but everything worked out and we are super excited!! The only thing they have left is the appilances, landscaping and fence...oh and a mess up on the outside balcony that they are fixing! the utility room...no more tiny mud room
Media room
Game room
Hallway...my office is to the left...
The kids jack and jill bath
guest bath...
entry way...with my favorite chandaler
formal dining and living...
davids office
my massive closet...I need to go shopping for sure!!
master bath
main living area

kitchen

Michigan Trip

2009-09-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

We are back!! We had a fantastic time...and I am not a person with many words...so I will let the pics do most of the talking...

Visited Andy and Nancy in Indiana on our way there...

First...we dropped off the babies with grandma and left for Niagara Falls for a few days...it was like a 2nd honeymoon! We stayed in this b&b and booked the turret room for us!

Under the falls...don't worry its my crappy cam... hehe!

Behind the falls...

The American side...doesn't this look fun!!
On our way to the cabin I made David stop so I could take some pics of this gorgeous sunflower farm!! These are going in my new office!!

Lauren and Aidan's first camp fire, smoked hot dogs and smores! They loved it!!

My cute hubby on the boat...
watch out lauren's driving...
Davids other cabin...there's no way I would do this kind of camping...that place was crawling with bugs!!!

Of course Aidan loved it bugs and all!!
Cali thought she was in heaven...
Off to mackinaw island...
Stop for superman ice cream....

we biked 8 miles around the island...the kids were in a buggy that david pulled...we stopped every 2 miles so they could enjoy the rocky beaches...

on the fairy back home...

our home away from home...
The kids played all day in their suit in the lake...

doesn't cali look happy

Stopped by the Bronner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth on the way to the cabin...its christmas every day of the year there!!

The world famous Dream Cruise was going on so we visited Steph at the Chrysler Mopar booth...

Back at Grandmas for the last few days...

It was an awesome 2 and a half weeks...we can't wait till next time!!

House pics before we hit the road...

2009-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

We are fixin to leave for our really long drive to MI but before we leave I wanted to update you on the house progress!! Its coming along great and its so much fun to actually see it all come together!! I am becoming buddies with all the workers now since they see me daily and bring them treats all the time!

We have shutters!!

The kitchen cabinets are stained and painted...I am in love with my color...its called ebony...its super dark!!
My master bath tile design
and in the shower
checkerboard tile in the kids jack and jill bath...its a cheap upgrade but it made a HUGE difference!
We had a leak around the turret because the roofers did not finish the roof around the turret...my builder was not happy...but it was fixed quickly!
David's study...love the built ins and stained trim...that was a last minute upgrade!
My winding stair case is coming along wonderfully...love my twirly banisters!
Main living area is painted a light brown color, I changed the color last minute...the original kacki one I picked looked orangey once it was on a large surface.
Oh, and we have to get Aidan a sand box once we move in, he wants to play in the sand piles every time we go there!
I have been told that when we return we will have granite, faucets, a front door, back splash, lighting and some other little things. Its going to drive me crazy not being able to see it but I can't wait to come back and see it!! Have a wonderful HOT August and we will be in the cool state of MI!!

Our House Update

2009-07-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hardwood is in...
Metal turret and stone is up...

These are my favorite parts of the house...and they are done!! :) YEAH!!

Locks of Love got 20 inches of hair from us

2009-07-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

You know I am not really into formal pics, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to get give back and get Lauren and I o-natural during our hair appointments together. So I asked my wonderful cuz to document this moment for us...I think it was fun for all of us!! Lauren loves that her hair is going to go to a little girl somewhere with no hair. Here is our day:
http://www.daisyphotostudios.com/LaurenHaircut/index.html

Updated slideshow of house progress...

2009-06-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

I sorta got emotional watching this...well because I can't believe we are at this point! Enjoy!
http://www.daisyphotostudios.com/ourhouse/iframe.html

theres been a few mistakes...but its coming along

2009-06-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

So all I have to say is I am so glad we are close to this house so we can keep an eye on it CONSTANTLY!!! There has been pretty major mistakes every week, but we have an AWESOME builder and he makes sure it gets done the right way!! I am so grateful for that!! Here are a few things that have happened:
they screwed up on the height of our media room walls so that if we had a screen it would touch the floor...so they made a new wall for us...

they forgot our media room colums to make it look like a real theater...

they forgot to put the half wall for the back staircase...

they never finished the extended part of our house like it was suppose to be on the corner...see before and after below...

before-
after-
They roofed the turret, which is suppose to have a metal top...

they forgot to put in our juliet balconies to the main living area (happens to be one of my favorite things of the house)...

They put 2 lights in the front and there is suppose to be one...here are some model pics to explain...

I think my builder thinks i am crazy for memorizing every detail about this house...but this house has sorta been a dream for the past year so I know every arch and detail and if I waited this long...I want every one!!! Meanwhile our town house is getting smaller and smaller every week!!

some new pics of the babies

2009-06-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Swimmin at Mama's and Papa's...

One of my favs so far of Aidan...its even a little blurry but I love it...he is just so sporty!!
Laurens new favorite thing to do...she love the Dora games...
fun with the water carton...
We wanted to play with the hair before we chopped it off for locks of love...

Here she is with her hair to mail off...we both did this and I showed her the website so she understood what was going to happen with her hair...she didn't want to part with it at first but then when I explained what was going to happen to it she got excited about giving it away...
I had my cousin take photos of this big event so there will be a slideshow to come soon!!

Framing is almost done...the roof is next!!

2009-06-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

night out...

2009-05-31T19:59:00.001-07:00

One night after one of my Saturday weddings we stopped by the new slab and there was a gorgeous sunset behind our land...since I still had my wonderful 2nd shooter with me, Beth, we actually got to take a family photo. Thanks Bethy!!
Aidan sees Lauren doing her ballet and feels he needs to perform as well... :)

Progress...

2009-05-23T06:58:00.001-07:00

Sewer line...uhm...although very interesting...let move on...

Front of house
Its so interesting to me how much stuff go underneath the house...I just thought it was a bunch of cement...

Home, sweet home!! ...not yet...

2009-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

We are finally in and settled, living on the bare minimum in our loverly 1155 sq ft townhouse. Its 3 small bedrooms & 2 small baths...but its home for at least 6 months. Here are some pics, and no I didn't bother cleaning before I took them so you get to see my messy home!

The stairs hallway, which Aidan has already fell down once...at least he learned his lesson.
Master bath...yeah, I don't know how they can call this a master bath...it the smallest one in the place!

The master bedroom...our king bed barely fit...so its very cozy!

The kitchen and dining area/my workspace...who ever decided to put carpet down under a dining area doesn't have 2 kids...yeah, there goes our deposit!

The living room...it actually has a fireplace behing our entertainment center...but we had no place to put it...thank goodness we live in Texas!

The bigger and upstairs bath...its the kids bath.

Aidan's messy room...actually the biggest room in the house, but we didn't want to move all our furniture up here so its the play room too.

Storage closet/my office closet

Lauren's bedroom/David's office/part my office when he is not working

Oh and this little girl kept following me around saying "cheese" as I was taking the photos. I think she came with the house!

Easter Pics

2009-04-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, since Aidan was sick on Easter Sunday we waited till yesterday to get dressed up and go take some pics at the park. They both look so grown up in their easter outfits...but they are still my babies! You know I do this almost every day with other peoples kids, but because I am their mother they just wont sit still for me...so we get fun running shots and I run after them with my camera...I guess I can live with that! :)

Peek-a-BOO...its really me!

2009-04-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I am actually posting on this blog!! The last few months have been a little hectic and if you follow me on Facebook, you know I have been really focused on selling the house and making sure we are still building a new one. Not to mention still being a mother and business owner!! I never do lists, but they seem to be pretty popular these days so here I go...

1. We had an offer on our house the first weekend it was on the market but the last night of the option period it fell through because we wouldn't fix some ridiculous things that she wanted us too. It was really OK, we had no where to go and didn't want to give up the house yet anyway!

2. We had an open house on March 27th and then received 2 more offers that next Monday...a sellers dream!! The problem was the offers were EXACTLY the same amount so we had a fun and friendly bidding war and returned both offers and asked for each of their highest and best offers hoping to decide who would get the house...well they came back EXACTLY the same AGAIN!! So the only reason we decided one was because one of them asked for David's rear living room, top of the line speakers in their bid...uh..no...so we declared the winner!!

3. Our option period will be finally over tomorrow and we had a really clean inspection, just really minor things. So we will be moving out on April 25th and closing on April 30th.

4. We were going to go live by one of my best friends in her apartment complex, it would of been just like college (except for a husband, kids, a business, a dog...ok nothing like college). But we found out we could get a rent house with a garage and an extra bedroom for almost the same price, so reality set in and that's what we are doing. We found a few in Lewisville that we are going to go look at on Wednesday.

5. Lauren had her first dress costume fitting a few weeks ago. I have been in my share of cute costumes when I was in dance back in the day. So although I think she is so absolutely cute in it...the costume itself isn't the cutest. All the moms in the class were going gaga over it and saying how cute the costume is...in my head I am thinking "I have seen better". They were probably looking how cute their sweet girl looked...because that's what I had to do! You will just have to see it for yourself. It was sorta an unexpected fitting (AKA: I forgot) so I will take photos next time!

6. 2008 was my first year as an LLC and taxes are even more confusing...I am so glad I have a wonderful sister in law! She defiantly knows what she is doing. I also hired a bookkeeper because my head spins when I try to do it anymore. It feels so good to know its being done and done RIGHT!! I love being organized!!

7. Easter wasn't the same without the Lowe basketball team! ;) It was almost too easy for the kids to find the eggs. We did have Mama & Papa over for pot stickers so we did enjoy that! We miss you Heinzen's and Lowe's!! 8. Kids are back in pre-school because wedding season has begun but because I have an AWESOME team behind me now they are only going 2 days a week. It's perfect, I get the best of both worlds!

9. I am really wanting a new camera (I know David keeps reminding me I just bought one, but that was 2 years ago...that's e-ons for the digital world!) Defiantly sometime after the move!!

10. Michelle and Brad are married!! YEAH!! I have never cried so much behind the lens when a bride was walking down the isle. My camera was fogging up!! It was beautiful to see them so happy together! Go here to see their slideshow.

11. Packing is sorta sad...especially since we are just going to a rent house. If our house was ready, I think I would be too excited to be sad. My wonderful mother has reminded me, its just a house and not a home unless your there and you take your memories with you! I guess that's right...thanks mom! :)

12. I can't promise regular blogging, I am sorta addicted to the easiness of facebook (I can do instant phone uploads of my pics & video) so add me as your friend if you need more of the Herfurth's! http://www.facebook.com/

13. Good number, I'll end on Lauren's favorite place to sleep lately...till next time, love ya! :)

Could it be...??

2009-04-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am finally back from Utah...and uh oh...

Happy April Fools day everyone!! :)

off to Utah...

2009-02-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

We had an exhausting 8 showings this weekend...whoooo that was tiring!! Lauren and I are off to Utah tomorrow to take some pictures and meeting our new family member, Lucas! We will be updating my facebook with a few pics of our trip so you can go there to see them and be my friend too! See ya later!

Click below to see a pic from our bare land before they start building soon!!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=339824&l=93895&id=1194122387

The official listing!!

2009-02-11T15:01:00.001-08:00

I love to see it in writing...and I love how my realtor makes it sound so luxurious!! The funny thing is that if you saw the rest of the house in each one of those photos it would look like a tornado hit...I only cleaned the area where I took the photo then went to the next area...hehe...photos can be so deceiving!!!

Go here to see the actual listing:
http://www.ebby.com/details/333313.html

The new Hinzen...my nephew Lucas!

2009-02-11T09:10:00.000-08:00

Well he is finally here...and Lauren and I are getting ready to go to Utah to get some newborn shot of Lucas next week. But until then here is one I stole off my sisters blog, which she stole off Enos' sisters blog...
We love you Lucas...can't wait to meet you!!
Go here for all of them:
http://hinheinzens.blogspot.com/2009/02/baby-pictures.html

last few pics of the house

2009-02-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

The new carpet is in...and we are ready to go! Here are the last few pics of the dining, master and living rooms! Now the count down begins!

New House Update...

2009-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Well you have probably been wondering why there hasn't been any posts of our new home...that would be because they haven't even started yet!!! Its been a stressful 4 months since we signed the contract! If you didn't know before, our builder was Sotherby...yea the one who WENT UNDER in December!! Here is a quick history lesson of the company: Peter Shaddock Sr. (The Daddy) has a company, Shaddock Homes, then Peter Shaddock Jr. (The son) decided he wanted a company so he created, Sotherby. It was a great company for 15 years, then the economy hit...he didn't make right choices...the banks pulled Sotherbys funds...they went under! Then Daddy comes to save the company and do the right thing by helping the honest home builders that have money invested in their non-built home. We hired a layer and we wanted out because we felt like we were stabbed in the back customers...then Shaddock Homes (Daddy) decided to give us $5000 in upgrades to keep building with him...we said YES!! So thats what has happened in a nut shell...I didn't bother you with a heck of alot of boring details and headaches but you get the gist!!

So we just put our house on the market and just renegotiated a new contract with Shaddock to start our home within the next 60 days or we get all our money back. We are hoping its a win, win situation. I have been living and breathing, cussing and crying over this home for the past 4 months so I am glad to have a resolution. And because I am a very impatient person, I have assigned David all the new home issues while I focus on selling the old home so I don't get stressed. Its been keeping me very busy and I am trying to get it all done before wedding season hits and things get crazy busy. This week alone we have painted, rearranged, shampooed, caulked and planted to get our house looking tip top shape. Our realtor was going to send a photographer out for us...I was like "Yeah, right!!". So I am taking our house pictures for the internet... to me its all about the photos!! Here are a few:

David's office-The den

Lauren's room-used to be my old office before kids.
Aidan's room- was lauren's room until we had Aidan
Master bath

The kitchen

The formal dining-we aren't formal so this is the kids room with our old TV, this room used to have carpet but we replaced it with wood floors about 3 years ago.

Formal living-was my office until we needed to declutter the house for the viewings. This week we threw out my old desk and my office is in that corner you see to the left. yeah, I will be doing most of my stuff at the studio for awhile.
The entry-we also made this entirely wood floors
The front-I was smart and took this photo back when the grass was still green. I knew I was going to need a great one when we started selling it.

I will be taking the living area, breakfast nook and master bed room photos after the new carpet has been installed. Our house has never looked better! :)

Day 2 - Who is this impostor??

2009-01-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to this strange kid wanting to come into bed with me...he looks so familiar to me...what happened to my Aidan!! His lip is swollen 2x today, this morning it was worse...this picture was taken a few hours after that. The actual tooth looks better and now I think most of the impact was inside his upper lip. He has a huge sore there which is making his lip puff out like you see. Isn't it strange how just a puffy lip can change the face! Love you Aidan!

You want drama...i got it!

2009-01-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

My Aidan fell and hit his mouth on a wooden chair today! Its was horrible! If you know me, I don't do well with blood, pain or any kind gross bodily thing...this was all of those wrapped up in one! I didn't actually see the fall, but was in the same room when it happened and I think he was just spinning around and fell on top of a chair...the corner went right into his mouth and he screamed bloody murder!! I quickly picked him up and blood was everywhere...I started feeling faint but kept it under control. Then I saw the tooth, it had been pushed back into his mouth and his whole top lip was swollen...I couldn't contain my sickness! I was nauseated by the fact that this had happened to my little Aidan and with the blood gushing everywhere. I am so glad David was working from home, he took over and I had to go sit somewhere and just cry. I don't do well with these kind of things at all...call me a wimp...but I mostly get nauseated about the thought of the pain he was going through..then of course the blood doesn't help the situation. I think i go through a shock process when these kind of heavy drama things happen because for a brief moment I couldn't think rationally at all and was just crying and crying, then I just wanted to hug him to make him feel better. Dr. Shurby, my friend the dental hygienist, says I can into the doctors office but they would just say watch it...so that's what we are going to do. She also said half the time the tooth will go back into place, and if it doesn't, these are just his baby teeth. I just don't want him to look weird because he is going to have them till his is about 8 years old!! Right now, with his swollen top lip and Dracula looking teeth...David and I think he doesn't look like the same kid...its weird! Here is a photo of our beat up little kid(please excuse the speggetti-o's on his face, no its not blood, I cleaned him up!)...our poor little Aidan:

JURY DUTY

2009-01-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

OK, I was selected to be a juror on this civil case in Denton, Co. so for the past 3 days I have sworen to secrecy about the details...ITS BEEN KILLING ME!!! I never relized how important it is and how influencial talking to friends and family can be, until this week! This case was the most stupid, penny pinching waste of time its pathetic!! We are in a sue happy world for sure!! Now that I have been discharged, I can discuss all the details. So just because I can...and I couldn't tell anyone, not even David, for 3 DAYS...I need to spill my guts to my blog readers!!!

Ok, basiclly this upper middle class single asian guy rear ended these two mexicans girls. The car was barely going 10 miles an hour when they hit, no air bags went off and they even drove the cars away! But here is the dollar signs...the guy was driving a LEXUS...so of course the girls thought, great lets get some money from this whole thing and go to an Accident and Injury place and get lots of money. Yeah, that was before I became the Jury!!! hahahaha!! I hate people like this!! I won't go into all the boring details...but the "chirprator" said they both needed 6 weeks of treatment & and MRI...yeah right!!! They were sueing for 12,500 dollars split between both of them, when neither of them lost a DAY of work!!! Yeah, not much pain and suffering there!!! Anyway, it took us 1.5 days to come to a compromise...half of us (the older half) wanted to give the girls everything + $1500 in pain and suffering!!! The other half (the younger side, including me) said she doesn't desearve anything but a few massages and an x-ray. Well after many hours of dileberating, I finally said "OK DUDES, NO IS BUDGING LETS MEET IN THE MIDDLE SOMEWHERE AND GET THIS THING OVER WITH!!!" Finally, we decided on 3,500 for each girl, $7000 total. Ok, here comes the kicker...after the trial we are discharged and were allowed to talk among ourselves about the case and even chat with the attorney's. We found out, when they tried settling this case out of court they were going to give them $7300 split between the both of them...but instead they decided to waste ALL our time and our tax paying dollars on a jury trial to get the EXACT SAME THING even a little less!!!! After working so hard to get a verdict they had the answer all along but wouldn't accept it!! This URKS me to no end!! Oh and I forgot the best part...THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED 4 YEARS AGO!!!

Here are my lessons learned:
1. most of the time, the justice system works...even if stupid people can't admit it!
2. I learned so much about cases, attorneys and how things are dealt with legally.
3. I am too impatient to ever be in an attorney! I need satisfaction NOW not in 4 years!!
4. Although you are told to not consider any personal experiences in our life during jury duty...its almost impossible...we are, who we are today because of those experiences and learn little things from all of them.
5. Although I had to reschedule a bunch of meetings and sessions, I am glad I got picked...I love learning new things about the world and how things work!

PS: Austin, are you sure you want to be an attorney...on the other hand...I think you will be a great debater...just don't ever cross examine me or I will slap you! :)

Lindsay's Inspiration

2009-01-17T07:42:00.003-08:00

OK, I thought I would post why I love my blog header so much and how much it is so like my Aidan & Lauren! As a 2 year old Aidan doesn't talk much, so to express himself he uses expressions. One of his biggest and cutest expressions is when he wants something. Instead of saying "yes, please mommy" he throws his hands in the air and says "YEAH, COCO" or in this video "YEAH, PASSY!!" *please excuse the half fit he throws before the reaction...we are working on that!

My new header...

2009-01-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

Well, Linds thought it was time for a new blog header for the Herfurth fam...and I agreed since Aidan hasn't crawled in about 1 year! I told her to get some inspration from the kids while she was down here for christmas break...and of course my Aidan was quite a pill (as my aunt marian would say). So I was wondering what Lindsay would come up with...I love it...she is so awesome at capturing someones personality in a character! Thanks Linds!! Hope to see you soon!!

Our cRaZy Christmas week

2009-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

So I uploaded them in the wrong order...so we are going to go backwards...

29th Lindsay's shower...we played a "who can make the best monster" game and Linds was the judge! Lucas' room theme is little monsters...we had some pretty weird & cute little monsters made!!

We also played the "multi-tasking mom game", they had to be holding a baby, talking on the phone, and putting clothes on the line with clothes pins...yeah, I know, its old timey...but you get my point! Surprising enough...the non-mothers in the group tended to be the fastest...they probably have the energy to try a little harder! :)

No Lilly, you can't hang the baby on the line...that's a penalty...and illegal!!

The scruptious monster cupcakes from Kroger!

PRESENTS!! Lauren had to help the big woman...

A few days before christmas my friend Jill and I took our little ones to go roller skating...ok, she took her niece and nephew...but we still had a blast!

Lauren rocked the rink!! What a poser!!

She also made a new friend...Kalynn...Jill's niece..

Christmas morning...more Rella stuff...

a huge doll house for her Rella Barbies...

Finally, BIG boy toys...a huge inside basketball court...he is always on this thing now!

The double birthday party...an under water adventure...complete with the real Ariel and Spongebob (as a balloon)!!

Kora's face painting...

The partiers..

The sweet cousins...

Since Aidan was sick and learning about the terrible two's, he wasn't as happy the day of the party...we tried again on his real birthday, the 22nd at home...yeah...he was poopy again...at least we tried!!

Lauren making holiday frames for the grandparents...
All in all it was crazy but fun, we drove to Rockwall about a million times because that's where both my sisters were staying while they were in town and we had things to do every day...but the good news is that we have had the entire New Years week off to be lazy and do absolutely nothing...so it evens out!! Happy New Year!!

Happy Birthday to my little Aidan!

2008-12-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

This ball of fire just turned two...terrible two's here we come...or we might already be there!!! I did the best I could with his portraits...you can't tell but I literally had to wrestle him into these clothes...finally after a few minutes of that he was all about going outside to get them messy...so that part was easy! We kept it short and sweet...here are my favs:

Snuggley babies

2008-12-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

The only thing...yes the only thing I love about winter is I get to be cozy with my babies!! And see them in cute winter outfits...here we are at starbucks with our cocoa in our warm wear!!

Mighigan wedding photos

2008-12-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

A few people in my family have requested to see some photos of the kids at David's cousin's wedding I shot in Mighigan. They were so cute on the dance floor...it was there 1st real wedding that they were old enough to play and dance so boy did they!! Liz provided cowboy hats for all the kids and they just loved them! It was also their first time to actually see me at work, it was sorta cool, but at the same time Lauren didn't understand why I couldn't play with her the whole time. I think she is getting the hang of what I actually do! :)

Guess what Lauren did this week...

2008-12-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

...she decided to get her ears peirced like Mommies!! She was so excited and kept talking about it...I even warned her that its going to hurt when they do it and she said that was OK, so we went for it!! Luckily we did both at the same time, because she didn't like it for a second...until they showed her a mirror with her new ear rings...then all of a sudden she felt better!! We got a cookie afterwards and bought a mirror for her so she could look at them any time she wanted...this is afterwards with her mirror:

We also saw the movie Bolt together a few days before...she was so good in the movie and loved her popcorn and slurpy! What a big girl!! So far this is my favorites age!!

A little bit of Christmas decor...

2008-12-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

So we are not going totally all out with the decor this year because we are getting ready for our move...but we still have made some new additions to our christmas collection!!
Our new christmas countdown...Yeah!! It holds more then one candy so they can both get one each day!!
Our newly embroidered stockings...we ordered them in October so we could have our choice of styles...and I finally found one I liked!! Linds, the penquin is waving at you...

And we could not, NOT have a christmas tree...

ITS ABOUT TIME!!! ....I KNOW!

2008-12-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!! I know I have been really bad with my blogging today...so please forgive me...things are finally calming down a bit!! I have been wanting to share some photos with yall of the kids...so here are some in the past month...

Thats all for now...I will have more later!! :)

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

OK, here are our halloween photos...we had 3 full days of trick or treating and costume wearing!!
1st Day: Trunk or Treat at church
Mama & Papa came to take the kids to all the cars while David and I passed out candy at our trunk...

Lauren was all business...

Day 2: Day Care Halloween Festival
This little jedi was scared to death of this scary monster...he started crying when he jump at him...what a mean monster!!
She loved showing her teachers her costume
and twirling with her friend Megan...
She was so serious about the face painting
and showing off her costume
Aidan almost got killed in the bounce house...he was the smallest one in there

Day 3: Halloween Night

By this time we were pros!!
They loved ringing the door bell and did it everytime...even when they didn't need to
Bethy came over to man our door for the trick or treaters...

A little sword fight before we left

What a cute young jedi...my sweet and crazy padami
she wants more and more...

It's official!

2008-10-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

We signed a contract a few weeks ago to start building our new home! Its a huge step for us and sorta scary because of what the market has been doing...but it was now or never!! We decided to stay in the area, just down the street actually, but we are going to be in Castle Hills now. If anyone knows me, you know how I am about the way things look so I am totally having a hay day at the design center!! I visited it about 3 times before our official design appointment!! Because I know how I am, I went to the model home and took about 100 wide angel photos...if I didn't, I swear I would be there every day...so to spare the workers the the burden of my face every day I took alot! My favorite part of the house (and the reason we love it so much) is my office will be in the top of the castle...how cool is that!!! Here is a slideshow of the photos I took...please keep in mind THIS IS A MODEL with about a million dollars of upgrades so it looks allot better then it will actually be!! You might we see a cameo or two of Lauren she was my helper and she just loves that pink "rella" room...she gets excited every time we go see it!!

www.daisyphotostudios.com/ModelofOurNewHome/index.html

Here are some photos of the land we are building on...really cool huh!!! NOT!! The slab won't be poured until the design fase is done so I will keep you updated with photos!

And our new street...

Fun at the Michigan Cider Mill

2008-10-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Going to the cider mill in Michigan...its a ritual that we must do when we are up there in the fall season! Yum...yummy!! You actually get to see them press the apples to make the juice!! It was the kids first time and they loved it!

We are in a red tent so these look like oranges but they are freshly picked apples!!
Lauren watching the mill...
The goods...ummm...apples (good for you) or fudge (not so good for you)...she choose fudge of course!!!
Lauren was playing will daddy's hats and her purse... ...so Aidan had to follow her lead...he automaticly put the hat on this way and grabed another one of Lauren's purses...at least he has a baseball cap on...right??
One of Lauren's favorites toys at grandma's house in Michigan...she felt so special when she got to play with them because I would only take them out when Aidan was asleep. She would ask "Mommy, Aidan nienie??" so she could play with them. See how they are all in a row...she would do this about a million times...she is so dang organized with her playing its funny!!

a day of fun...

2008-10-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

We couldn't find a regular pumpkin patch...so we went to something even better...Calloway's Pumpkin Patch!!! In the green house the lighting was so much better anyways!! Lauren & I had some fun picking out our pumpkin...then she found some really cute tiny pumpkins that she was holding so tenderly so we had to get her one!

After Aidan woke up we had a small picnic outside...notice Aidan's stuff is flung everywhere...and Lauren, well she has some very organized eating going on!!
If I had sound...you would hear Lauren counting her crackers here...

WOW, 2 posts in one week!!

2008-10-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent videos...

Lauren singing Popcorn Popping...please excuse my singing...she wont sing it unless I do too!

Aidan eats ice cream like a sippy cup...its so funny I had to get a video...if you can handle the whole thing...you will get a nice sloppy kiss at the end!!

Time for a new post...

2008-10-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't looked at my personal blog in quite sometime...and realized I had left a negative post up WAY to long...so we are way over all those things...we actually decided to go with the house in Castle Hills...its not official yet...but its real close to being!! I am pretty much all caught up with all my summer weddings and am feeling really good about this fall weather...makes me wana spend all day outside!!! You know I can't post without photos...so here are some from this past month...
St. Ann's Carnival...we go every year!!

My superstar....
My big gulp...this kid loves coke TOOOOO much!!
Lauren's organized play time...she is definately my child!
Girls day out for Beth's birthday...
Lauren in Mama's and Papa's new pool...isn't that water fall cool!!
I have some videos too, but David is gaming right now so if I upload them right now it will kick him off...so I will save those for later! :)

OK, I have to vent a little!!!

2008-09-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

I never do this...but jessica does it all the time so I had to try it to see if it makes me feel better!!!!

1. I feel so scattered this week, I have finally moved all my computer/papers/stuff to the studio to have a more structured working enviroment for Clay and myself as well, and I am just having a hard time getting used to it. I am all about hands on all the time, 24/7, answering emails in the wee hours of the night, editing images at all hours of the day...anything to keep everyone happy...but that tends to lead to a worn out Amy which leads to an unhappy David & babies. Clay is working so hard and getting so much done for me...but I always have so much more...I am feeling overwhelmed and wondering when I am going to find a happy medium! My only motivation...I LOVE what I do and LOVE my family so I have to make it work!!!!

2. We keep talking about building a new house, but things keep getting in the way!! Like cars breaking down, lay offs in Davids company (he is OK so keep your fingers crossed), the economy, etc... We have even found a model we love but we can't decide where to build...Castle Hills (Gorgeous neighborhood & only 2 miles away from our current home) or Frisco (great area, $35,000 cheaper for the SAME home but 30 more minutes away from everything!). I lived in far away Rockwall for most of my life so I don't want to be too far from the big city ever...I don't know what we should do...and I love being so close to my studio right now!

3. Laundry, laundry, laundry...yes I know I stole this one from Jessica, but she has no idea about the pile in my closet all the time! I have figured out that anything that is a never ending cycle I don't do well with! For example: DISHES - your get them dirty, you clean them then you get them dirty again...its never ending! LAUNDRY - You must continue to wear clothes so you are constantly getting them dirty and cleaning them...its never ending! CLEANING HOUSE - you clean it and get it dirty again...over and over...its never ending!! I like to see that things have an end...because then and only then do I feel accomplished. I am AWESOME at ToDo lists...because you can check things off and never have to look at it again!! I am a crazy todo list person...I remake my list about 3 or 4 times because it has to be a clean list in order for me to be excited about marking things off! I know I am weird!!

OK, everything major is out for now...I will see if this helps or just releases my problems for the world to see!

Lets end on a cute note...what you all have been waiting for...my little Lauren in her ballet class...keep in mind I have to shoot through a window so I can't get too close...don't worry she will have her recital in June and I will get lots of close up!!!

Very disappointed :(

2008-09-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

I tried posting a photo from my phone and it had a bunch of junkity junk around it!! Whatever, I tried...I wish it looked better because now I have to download the photos from my phone to put them on here...and you know that will take forever for me to do!! Hey I tried!

Lets see if this works...here is Lauren in ballet...can yo tell she loves it!

2008-09-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

You have got to be kidding!!

2008-09-08T03:58:00.000-07:00

New Kids on the Block are back!! Is this a joke? Is it just me or does my old time favorite one, Donnie, not look as cute anymore, and really doesn't look into that girl his is with in the video!! Check it out!

PS: I just got a really cool INSTINCT phone, so now I can post and even publish photos to my blog on the go...hopefully this will help me be better about posting...because I know I should be in Jessica's time out, but she wouldn't dare put her favorite sister there...right Jessica!! :)

Here are the days of our lives...

2008-08-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Aidan wanted to walk and hold his own drink in the mall...

Daddy time... I love this photo...I think because I have a picture of them really little just like this in this chair...
I was looking back at my photos and I have tons of photos of Lauren sleeping and realized I have hardly any of Aidan sleeping so here ya go...he is my cute puff ball...
At the Rangers Game before the Lowe's left...

My chubby boy...

My superstar...

all of a sudden everything was really quiet...so I was franticly looking for both my babies when ...I finally found them in our closet corner playing with their toys...

Watching Nemo...In Vegas for David's neice's 21st birthday...we stayed in the new Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin)...
We haven't had a photo together in forever...so here ya go...

My favorite thing to do in Vegas...watch the Bellagio water show...we did it at least 8 times!!!

While in Vegas David made me go to the Hilton Star Trek experience...well we later found out that it would be torn down in 2 weeks...all of a sudden I was happy we went one last time...

If I were a Disney Princess, I'd be...

2008-08-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Lauren's "Rella" Party

2008-07-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

I can't describe how wonderful it was to see Lauren be so happy at her party!! Thanks to my wonderful sister, Jessica for providing Cinderella, it wouldn't of been the same with out her...and thanks to Emily for the wonderful performance of Cinderella, it was amazing how you kept the kids attention, your the best!! Click HERE to see the slideshow of my favorites!

My very own princess "Rella"

2008-07-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

If you don't know this already, Lauren is the proud recipient of all Kora's old clothes. So every once in awhile I go through a bag and throw them in her drawers. Well the other day she was going through her drawers and she ran to me with this huge petty coat looking slip. She kept yelling, Rella, Rella, help me Mommy!! So once I put it on she started playing the part...she was loving her new Rella dress!

The real "Rella" party is in 12 hours and I bought her a real Rella dress for that...so stay tuned for some of those photos soon!!

Herfurth Hotel - Part 2

2008-06-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

I told Jessica we should shoot her maternity photos while she was over...she said sure...well when it came to actually getting it done...she said, "I have to be pretty during labor, I don't want to be pretty now"...so this was her extra mini-maternity session with just the kids and her belly...simple and sweet!
Yes, Jessica...I am burning your CD as we speak!! Hold your horses...some of us have a business to run! :) Love you!

The Herfurth Hotel

2008-06-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a few photos from the Lowe's weekend at the Herfurth Hotel before baby Isaak came...

Isaak's very own slideshow!

2008-06-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

I put all the photos I took and put them in a slideshow so you can see the miracle yourself...Enjoy!
http://www.daisyproductions.net/Isaak/index.html

Isaak Keith Lowe is here to stay!

2008-06-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

FINALLY, Jessica delivered at 5:16! This being my first actual birth to photograph, I got very emtionally...but this was to be expected...I can't watch the TLC baby show without crying!

Its a busy weekend, and I know everyone is wanting a sneak peak so here it is: I will have a slideshow up very soon too I hope! And don't worry I didn't take any shots down under so its PG! :)

Isaak Update...

2008-06-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

No baby yet...should be within the next hour...lots of great photos though so far! Lots of pitocin, contraction are 1min 30sec apart, this is very weird for Jess...she promised me a baby by noon...but nothing yet! I'll keep you updated!! :)

In the hospital...on call for a baby...come on Isaak!

2008-06-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just waiting around for this baby...glad I brought my labtop to keep busy...here are some photos from Jessica's weekend in the Herfurth Hotel...ok nevermind the hospital server won't let me post them...but I will keep you updated with Isaak's progress...he sure is taking his time!!!

FINALLY cute videos!

2008-05-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

After much demand...here are some videos of the kiddos. I finally set up my account with Utube and its so much easier to do longer videos this way!! Let me preface this first video...we watch Happy Feet in the car WAYYYY to much...so anyway...if any of yall know the part where mumbo finds a happy place and lets loose...well thats our favorite part and me and the babies go wild when it comes to that part! They are a little intimidated this time because I am video taping them and I am not dancing with them...but you get the idea!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqyTla0OQzc
Ok Linds, this one is for you...it might be boring for others because it actually takes her awhile to actually do anything...but Lindsay wanted to see some of Lauren's many faces...like I said its hard to get her to do them on cue...but here is a shot at it! So here is 4 minutes in the life of Lauren Marie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIxt7_XcG8Q
Last but not least here is Lauren's favorite water ride at disney world with Joren and Lena...she rode this with her cousins about a million times...she felt soooo big on it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D08uLXfB1D4
I hope my Jessica's are happy...love yall!! ;) I have more photos to come later! :)

Not my fault!

2008-05-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

OK, I have some really cute videos of the kids that I have been tring to upload for a while now and blogger is having some major issues...so its not my fault I haven't posted!! Lindsay one is of Lauren and her many faces, one is of the kids wrestling, and one is at disney I think! Anyway I am going to try one more time and then forget about it! Just thought I should state my case!! :O

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

2008-05-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

Its my birthday today...this year it falls on a Saturday so guess what I will be doing...photographing a wedding! Everyone I talk to is so surprised that I would schedule a wedding on my birthday...well I look at it like this, I can celebrate it any day of the week...might as well make some money while I am at it...right!! :) Aidan and Lauren got me a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream for my Bday and I ate the whole thing!!!! Sorry Beth, I guess I will need to work out a few extra times this week!!

Yea!!! Disney!!!!

2008-04-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

Although, I would suggest to everyone who has children under 4 to stay at home...we did have an absolute blast at Disney World!! It was very stressful at times and so much fun other times...maybe its just me...I don't take...get up and go, go, go vacations well especially with small children. Lauren and Aidan did absolutely LOVE playing with their new cousins and I have to say without Laura (David's sister) to tell us where and when the best time to do things, I think our stress levels would of been alot higher. All in all, I wouldn't of changed a thing because just watching Lauren & Aidan's WOW expressions on some of the rides and places was worth it all!! We had tons of great photos, but here are a few to keep you busy:

My crazy baby on the plane...

Lauren riding the airport train... The first time the cousins met...didn't take them long to be best friends...
Lauren loved holding her cousin Joren's hand...Lauren remember your cousins!!
Fam photo in front of Epcot...our resort was only walking distance away...thanks Laura!!
We tattooed our kids with our names and numbers...I stole this idea from Jessica...

Ola Aidan!Rella's castle at night...I loved it when it changed colors to purple...
Aidan and his koolaid keg at the water park Typhoon Lagoon...
Lauren rode this kids ride about 30 times...and I am not exaggerating...
Joren loved it too...
Lauren in Downtown Disney...the lines to the real Characters were soooo very long so she settled for the statues...
Lena and Lauren playing with mickey and minnie...

Hello Daffy...did I spell that right? Lauren being Goofy...literally....
Tea (Coco) Party...Lauren was such a little princess with her tea cup...
Lena had a beautiful Rella dress she wore to our tea party...
Aidan in the "Honey I shrunk the kids" maze...
We found a ride Aidan could go on in the Pizza Planet arcade from Toy Story... The AMAZING stunt show...the final grand explosion...
Lauren playing with "Pirates of the Caribbean" swords...
The kids...
Everyone... :0)

Off to see Rella!

2008-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

We leave tomorrow for Disney World!! Lauren keeps talking about Rella (Cinderella) so I know she is going to love seeing all the princesses!! When you ask her "where is rella?" , she pulls down her pants and points to the princesses on her pull ups...well I guess I asked! :) I plan on taking alot of photos so Aidan remembers that we did take him so I will post them when I get back! Have a great weekend!!

Can you tell wedding season is among us?

2008-04-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, I have lots of new photos of the kids & stuff but have had no time to upload them because its wedding season and I am in the middle of training my new Creative Director, Julie Raines!! AND its pretty much a wedding every weekend until the middle of November so forgive me if I have been neglecting my personal blog.

Let's catch up...
1. You have probably already read this on my sister's blog, but the Herfurth family went to the Dallas Temple to get sealed to each other for time and all eternity! YEA! Don't the kids look adorable in white!
2. Aidan playing in the mud...he is such a boy!!! Lauren at least was an organized mess...

3. We tried out that place called GO BONKERS and they loved it!!! Here's Aidan...Lauren was too high in the jungle gym maze to take a photo. 4. We went to the Dallas Auto show to find a more fuel efficient car...

5. A fun day at Target...Kora do those boots look familiar??

6. Here is a little from Easter morning and the hunt at Mama & Papa's house...
(Jessica I have lots of your kids too, so I will make you a CD)

This is blurry...but its so Aidan...he's got the crazy George gene in him!
Lauren, I think you missed a few...
Wait a minute...I think Marian is cheating...hehe...GO AIDAN!!
All the cousins...
Aidan with a chocolate face 7. And finally...for my drama driven sisters...here are my photos of the surrounding damage from the funnel cloud/storm. The weatherman said it wasn't a tornado because it never touched down, but I beg to differ! It actually jumped over our neighborhood and touched down about 2 streets away from mine....that's the last tower photo! This is actual damage on my street and alleys...I don't know how we came out with only a leaning fence. We spent about 20 minutes in the tub at about 4am in the morning after we heard the sirens...the kids of course thought it was a game!

This is our cross the street neighbor...
and their neighbor...
and their neighbor...there used to be a fence around this yard...
and then their neighbor...
This one is our next door neighbor...I was standing in our back driveway when I took this one...
and this one...and this one...
and this one...
and this one...
I was standing in our front lawn for this one...
After this last photo, you tell me that's not a tornado!! Those things don't come down just for a storm...the neighborhood on the other side is the one that really got the gut of it...

Aidan's new do!

2008-03-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess Lauren read my last post about Aidan's hair because she took it upon herself to get some sissors and cut it for him. So we had an emergency trip to the kids barber down the street. Enjoy the before and after!

Before:

After:
His teacher at day care says he looks like a marine...Austin do you have room for one more marine??

Lauren's potty chart

2008-03-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

This is sorta a late post...because now she has already gotten one treat from this chart. She gets to put a sticker on the chart everytime she potties in the potty. If she potties in the potty 10 times she gets a treat...either a small toy or piece of candy. She is my child because she always goes for the candy!

Just because...

2008-03-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Aidan's new hair cut

2008-02-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

We call it the monk due. Obviously I am the one that's cutting it and I really don't know what I am doing. So I just go strait across all the way around...and that is hard enough with this little wiggle worm!!

I thought about a spike...

I thought about a slicked back Elvis...

I even thought about a nerdy style...

but I have realized until he can sit still in a barbers chair, this style will have to work!

Let me know if you have any ideas for this boys hair!

Chubby Hubby

2008-02-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

The name says it all!!! It is a very rare Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream that I only find maybe once or twice a year. Here is what it is: Fudge-Covered Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzels in Vanilla Malt Ice Cream Rippled with Fudge & Peanut Butter. Now if that doesn't make your mouth water, nothing will. You definately have to be a peanut butter person to love this! Anyway, I an always searching for it at my local grocery stores and just when you least expect it, it will show up!! This time it was on Valentines day so I treated myself to a whole pint!! So now I am a chubby wifey!!!!

Making Daddy a Valentine

2008-02-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

Lauren gets so focused on arts and crafts since she has gotten bigger. Just look how serious she is about making Daddy's Valentine picture perfect. She got frustrated if I tried to interfere. She did let me cut a few hearts for her, but that's about it!

The Valentines

2008-02-14T14:03:00.000-08:00

I used to love those cards in grade school that you gave everyone in your class for Valentines. I always remember looking for the one from the cute boy in class and thinking he put so much time into writing it...haha!!! Well Lauren came home with a bag full of Valentines and she has not put it down since her teacher gave it to her. She has a friend named Owen that she really likes to play with. Her teacher says in their class the girls mostly play with the girls and the boys play with the boys...well except for Lauren and Owen...they love to play together! Anyway, when I heard that I found the card from him in her bag and told her it was from Owen...and now she keeps pulling it out and saying "Owen". Her teacher says it probably because they have been in the same class together since they got there...but I know this is my daughter and I know better then that! Here are some photos of her playing with her cards and having fun outside:

Valentines Breakfast

2008-02-14T11:54:00.001-08:00

If you don't know its a tradition in our family to wake up at the crack on dawn on Valentines Day and make a creative Valentines Breakfast! Well, of course I over slept...but because I know myself I had everything prepared the night before so all I would have to do is do some quick cooking. Here's what we had:
Even Cali had a special treat for breakfast

Toast
Eggs with cheese
For the kids: cheese and raisins

We even had red, heart shaped ice cubes

Lauren loved the toys
Aidan loved the food
Lauren loved the heart shaped peanut butter cups
Aidan was just excited about everything
It is early, so although they don't look excited, they are jumping for joy I am sure inside
Since I woke up late, these cupcakes are waiting for David when he comes home. And to save my hips from enlargement, we are deliverying the rest to Lauren's class at school since she missed the valentines party today.

Our days of FUN!!!

2008-02-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

If you don't know by now, I have had the month of February off, so I am soaking in time with David and the kids. Here are a few things we have been doing to have some fun:

PLAYING AT THE IKEA STORE

ALOT OF PLAYING AT TARGET

We have to go at least one place each day or we all get stir crazy...so if we have no where to go...its Target here we come!!! This is our daily routine...pick up a muffin...goto to Target...shop for nothing...get slurpees on the way out!

PLAYING ON THE CAROSEL (what is the deal with blogger spell check lately...it hasn't been working!!!) AT FRISCO MALL
EATING AND PLAYING AT LA HACIENDA RANCH

Lauren's first beer...root beer that is...

PLAYING AT THE DALLAS WORLD AQUARIUM

Yes, that is a baby shark above our head

I love Lauren's reflection in this shot!
the penquins..Linds he is standing alone... :)
We were watching a show about the Mayan's with lots of music and we were holding them on a ledge so they could see. During the show Lauren was clapping then hugged her brother when it was over...its was so cute...I am so glad I captured it!

Our Guitar Hero

2008-02-13T20:10:00.000-08:00

Because of this really stupid game David got over Christmas, Lauren and Aidan have really taken an interest in the guitar that goes with the game. Well sure enough they made a Sesame Street toy from that guitar and now they can pretend to play the game together. She couldn't figure it out at first, but then Daddy showed her how to hold it and now she really thinks she is cool, if you can't tell from these photos!

She is really starting to play to the camera now...I guess my continuous picture taking is catching on. :)

This is why we have down time...

2008-02-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

OK, so I have no weddings until March 8th and I have these 2 really AWESOME cameras I just bought and I HAVE to play with them...so I am taking ALOT of random photos of the kids! I am trying really hard to enjoy my time off because from March 8th-August 16th I am completely booked and I will have hardly any down time!! Its really cool though... my creative juices are boiling and they have to burst sometime!!
Lauren's daily toe jam cleaning...she has a fedish...she won't let me put on her socks until she cleans all her toe jam out... she gets really mad if we are in a hurry and don't have time...and she eventually takes them off anyway to get it done!

My cute couch potatoe
I can't wait to start shooting weddings with these beauties!!!

Snack Time at the Herfurths

2008-01-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

OK, I was really just playing with the focus on my new camera but they were too dang cute not to share!

I know it's been awhile...

2008-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

I finally had the chance to shoot Aidan's 1 year portraits, click here to see more. He is wearing a sweater that has been passed down to all the siblings and niece's and nephews for about 40 year in David's family.

YEAH!!! LINDSAY DID MY NEW BLOG HEADER!!

2008-01-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

Isn't it just the sweetest! Thanks Linds, it's perfect...I love it!!!

Happy Birthday to Aidan

2007-12-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Aidan's 1st Birthday while we were up in Michigan on the 22nd when we had the family Christmas party so everyone could come! He was so cute and loved his cake!

HAPPY 1 YEAR AIDAN!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Our Christmas Vacation

2007-12-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

It was loads of fun...I have lots of photos so I will just briefly describe them as I post...

We opened gifts from Joren and Lena before we left...

This one is for my friend Jill who says I only post happy & perfect times on my blog...well this one is of Lauren throwing a fit in the airport...there you go Jill!!

Lauren helping Daddy with the luggage...

Checking out the exit diagram...just in case...

What tall trees you have Grandma...

My big cousin Taylor...
Happy in the snow....
Aidan really perfected his walking while we were there...Aidan and Mommy...
Playing cards with the big kids...

Present time...

The parents...
Our favorite place to eat when we are there...

Piano lessons...

The cute boys in our family...

Santa came!!!

My babies...

They loved all the gifts...especially this toy train set...

One of Aidan's many weird faces...

Gr. Grandma feeding Aidan...

Gone for Christmas

2007-12-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

We are outta here and up to Michigan to visit David's family. I am crossing my fingers for snow so I can post some awesome photos of the babies bundled up and playing in the snow!! We will see!! Merry Christmas!!!

Lauren and her Snow Globe

2007-12-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

She was in love the moment I showed her how they worked in Target so I had to buy one for her even though I am scared to death she's going to break it! So far she has been such a big girl and very careful as she carries it around the house all day long. This video shows how much she loves it because she gets so excited when the music stops and she needs to wind it again and make the snow twirl. If you can't tell she is giving it hugs and kisses in the video. Enjoy!

Christmas stuff

2007-12-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

Since we did so well with the ginger bread Halloween house...Lauren got really excited when she saw one in the grocery store...so we tried it again. This time the house was not already put together so we had about 3 almost major disasters...but we pulled through and made it work! This time Lauren was more into eating the icing then anything else...maybe that why she got so excited...anyway here is our Christmas house!

Also, we got a wonderful "Pajama Gram" in the mail today! At first we had no idea who sent it...but after much searching (ok David found the card) we figured out Marian & Charles sent it as a "thank you" for their wedding photos & flowers! If you need a gift for anyone and you don't know what to get them, this is a great idea!! All four of us got our own pair of PJ's with our names embroidered on them with a fun gift...we plan on wearing ours Christmas morning! THANKS MARIAN & CHARLES, WE LOVE THEM!!

Aidan's 1st sip of Milk

2007-12-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

Because I am so tired of cleaning bottles, we have decided to break the rules and get Aidan on real milk 3 weeks early...I know, I know we should be shot! Well he is a big boy now so we had his first sip of milk to be coco (chocolate) milk and he totally loved it!! Just see the look on his face:

Aidan's walking!!

2007-12-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

Its my first time video taping with my still camera since my father taught me how...I know, I know...of all people I SHOULD KNOW...but you know I am used to complicated professional equipment....so when I found out it was so easy to take video and upload it to my blog...I was amazed!! Anyway, being a photographer I wanted the best composition and shot the video vertical not thinking video has to be horizontal...but there is an easy fix... just turn your head and watch it side ways! Haha!! Enjoy!!

He actually took his first steps about 2 weeks ago, but now he is officially walking!!

Painting our fingers like a big girl

2007-12-03T21:58:00.001-08:00

She was so excited she wanted me to paint Aidan's afterwards! And she was good about letting them dry!

Lauren's 1st Big Girl Haircut

2007-12-03T21:08:00.000-08:00

OK, so we only cut off about an inch and a 1/2 but it surely needed it. She has never really had a hair cut before this one!

Decorating the tree...and anything else around!

2007-11-29T10:32:00.001-08:00

An early trip to Santa

2007-11-19T14:03:00.000-08:00

With 2 babies we weren't even thinking about seeing Santa and standing in those lines!! Well to our surprise...there was NO LINE at the Frisco mall this past weekend...so we got a picture with Santa extra early this year!!

They were scared to death of Santa so the lady suggested for us to stay in the photo with them. Lauren still doesn't understand who Santa is yet...I guess she'll figure it out sooner or later!

Oh and by the way...this Santa was no helper...it was for sure the REAL one!!!

Little time for Christmas pictures

2007-11-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

As a photographer you would think I would set aside a special time for pictures...well thats not how its done at our house! Literally two hours before these pictures were taken I decided to make some photo calendars for Christmas. A trip to target later for some outfits... and wala... I had to use lots of bribing with candy...but we did it!! It's hard to be the mom and the photographer! These are my favorites:

Wrestle time with the babies

2007-11-16T09:04:00.001-08:00

Believe it or not, but Aidan usually doesn't cry...he takes it like a big boy!

Our double decker bus

2007-11-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS!!!

2007-11-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

Lauren has pee peed in the potty two mornings in a row!!! This is amazing compared to all the times I have tried to get her to do this. The visual is old...but I had to post something to celebrate!

MOTHERHOOD: The signs of a disaster

2007-11-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

I always wondered how Kora got into so many things...well I just realized that I am in that stage with Lauren now. Again, they were WAY too quiet playing together, and nicely too, so something had to be up! Of course, I went to look for them and they had both jumped into the shower with one of my MAC lipglosses (those things aren't cheap) and it was all over their faces. I am definitely learning the signs of a disaster...I wish motherhood came with a book (well like I would ever read it anyway)! I like how Aidan has more of it on him then Lauren...who was the makeup artist here?!

The result of too much blogging...

2007-11-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

OK, so last night I really caught up on some of my blogging because Lauren went to bed right away, which is really strange for her. Anyway about 11:45, after I was completely done posting all my pictures, I hear little foot steps coming my way and she looked like a little white mime. She had completely covered herself in baby powder! So at first I thought it was hilarious and the pictures would look great on my blog so I snapped away. Then I went into her room, OMGOODNESS!!!! Everything was covered in white powder!! The reason it seemed like she went to bed so early was because she literally shook the entire bottle of baby powder everywhere until it was completely gone!!!! And we don't use it much, so she had ALOT to work with!

Sorry I didn't get pictures of the room, but by that time it wasn't funny anymore. 45 minutes later we all went to bed! :)

Aidan is becoming a Mama's boy

2007-11-07T20:24:00.001-08:00

This is how you will see him almost all day long...hanging on my leg. It's cute, I know, but at the same time its very frustrating tring to get things done. He is so close to walking and has already taken a few steps on his own, but not completely there yet. I think he feels he needs to catch up with his sister, because Lauren didn't walk unil 12 months and he is only 10months!

My Japanese daughter

2007-11-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

Lauren got this REAL komono from Japan when David's Mom went there last year to visit our Uncle Aaron. Well she is just now starting to love it and wears it as a robe walking around the house. I almost wish I had dressed her up as a little Japanese woman for Halloween now! :)

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of this years Halloween:

On a mission to get some candy The anticipation...and would they have peanut M&M's for mommy...

Lauren would grab the candy out of the bowl and...

wave goodbye as we left at each house
Aidan and I were in the sidelines most of the timeBeth and Joyce gave out candy at our house while we took Lauren and Aidan around...don't you just love men in tights!

Stuff

2007-10-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

Going to Garden Ridge to look for last minutes decorations and finding out there was none, but they had plenty of Christmas stuff...Lauren was fascinated by the trees that were lit...I think she is going to love Christmas this year in Michigan...we might actually get to see snow!!
Leaving Garden Ridge

At Toys'r'us trying out the over loaded hemi instead of the little pink jeep

Eating candy

Carving our pumpkin

2007-10-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

OK, lets see I have been tagged by about 3 people now so I guess it time to put out:

1. ROUGH LOVE:
I have a tendency to love my babies, husband, pets and family too much and show them a type of uncontrollable rough love. Let me explain: I mean sometimes I have to resal to much, hug too tight, play to hard, tickle too much, or bite to hard on those chubby cheeks...I don't know what it is I just have this happy energy inside when I love something and tend to let it out aggressively. Don't worry MOST of the time I don't hurt anyone...honestly I think I get it from my father, he used to do the same thing!

2. NEAT FREAK
I know some of yall are saying "yea, right", but I honestly am like this with my business ONLY! I can go to bed with my house completely a mess, but its hard for me to go to bed with my desk a mess or a session only half edited...it drives me INSANE!! This is why I stay up weee hours of the night to get things finished even though I probably have time to do them the next day. Isn't that weird??

3. MONSTER AMY
I know I completely scared David the first time he saw this! When I feel I am getting taken advantage of, pushed around or conned there is another side that comes out and it is not pretty!
Example: One time we left our car to get fixed at a repair shop while we were on vacation so we didn't have to deal with a rental (for some reason rentals are so annoying to me). When we arrived home (7 days later) we were informed our paper work was lost and they hadn't even started our repairs!! Boy did I rip into them, as David just sit on the sidelines being scared out of his mind of me, having never saw this side before! After my huge scene, long story short, the repair shop was so scared of what I might do they fixed my car, gave us a rental ALL FOR NO CHARGE! Haha...you can basically get what ever you want when your in the right and you raise hell for it!!

4. FACE IMPERFECTIONS
Along with Jessica's love for popping anything that needs it...mine goes a little further! I spend hours at night plucking, popping, tweezing, clipping everything. My face is a red and swollen when I am done. When I was in college living with Joyce, we both loved doing this and would egg each other on at night. We used to love those Biore strips that you can pull out all your black heads all in one swoop! Now that I have kids, I don't have as much time to spend doing it, but I always get in at least 10-15 min. per night before I go to bed. It gives me some kind of satisfaction...I know I am weird!

5. LET'S THROW IT AWAY
I am obsessed with throwing things away! I never clean my house...but when I do feel like cleaning it's a mad dash to the trash can!! I think this came about with having kids because you end of having so much junk everywhere. Also, I got it from my mother...I used to hate when she would get on her cleaning kicks and just start throwing things away...she used to say "If you don't want me to throw it away, then put it up!" AHHGGG!!! It would drive me crazy...NOW I find myself telling David the same thing!! I guess you DO turn into your parents!

6. MENTOR OF THE WEEK
Well maybe not every week, but close! I love looking at photographers websites, you know the big ones, the ones that I aspire to be like everyday! If I find something I love, I get obsessed and stock their blogs daily because I strive for new ideas everyday...then I get bored and move on to someone new because I need something else to spark my creativity! I think that's what keeps me going, knowing I can constantly be changing and learning something new to better myself!
Here are some of my past Mentors if you want to check them out:
http://www.davidjay.com/
http://www.mikecolon.net/blog/
http://www.f8studioblog.com/
http://www.jessicaclaire.net/
http://scottandtemphotography.blogspot.com/
http://kjimages.blogs.com/
http://www.salleephotography.com/blog/
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

Hope you learned a bit! Have a wonderful weekend!

Pumpkin faces

2007-10-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

It's unanimous...Aidan is the blond pumpkin and Lauren is the red pumpkin! Help me decide which one looks like Lauren and which one looks like Aidan! I have my own opinion but want to hear yours...

Halloween House

2007-10-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, as my attempt to be a more entertaining Mom I found a pre-made & pre-assembled ginger bread Halloween house for Lauren and I to decorate, because face it, that's the funniest part anyway! I did the frosting and she did the candy decor and of course tasted it for quality check. The orange icing got a little runny so it made the house even more scary!! Take a look at our creation:

Blogger was having some picture uploading issues a few days ago...so here are a few more photos of the fun we had and the final house!

The many faces of Aidan Mark...

2007-10-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

All taken within 30 secounds of each other

If you look closely you can see he just got his first hair cut a few days ago...he is my clean cut boy now! :)

Fun Photos!

2007-10-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, blog stalkers...here are some new photos finally...just kidding I love all my blog stalkers:

Hanging out side while we had no air conditioner
Lauren putting Aidan nienie (to bed)

Another one of my chubby baby hanging outside

The 2 in their new car seats...OK Aidan 2 is months shy of legally facing forward...but you try carrying that 22 lb baby in a car seat! He is so excited to get to face forward like his sis! And Lauren got a big girl booster!

Jessica this one is for you...it was dangling above us while we were playing outside and we never saw it till until after we went in...if you look closely you can see its furry legs...oooohhhh!!!

The Herfurth Photo Blog

its been awhile...

the house...final post until its ours!!

Michigan Trip

House pics before we hit the road...

Our House Update

Locks of Love got 20 inches of hair from us

Updated slideshow of house progress...

theres been a few mistakes...but its coming along

some new pics of the babies

Framing is almost done...the roof is next!!

night out...

Progress...

Home, sweet home!! ...not yet...

Easter Pics

Peek-a-BOO...its really me!

Could it be...??

off to Utah...

The official listing!!

The new Hinzen...my nephew Lucas!

last few pics of the house

New House Update...

Day 2 - Who is this impostor??

You want drama...i got it!

JURY DUTY

Lindsay's Inspiration

My new header...

Our cRaZy Christmas week

Happy Birthday to my little Aidan!

Snuggley babies

Mighigan wedding photos

Guess what Lauren did this week...

A little bit of Christmas decor...

ITS ABOUT TIME!!! ....I KNOW!

Happy Halloween!

It's official!

Fun at the Michigan Cider Mill

a day of fun...

WOW, 2 posts in one week!!

Time for a new post...

OK, I have to vent a little!!!

Very disappointed :(

Lets see if this works...here is Lauren in ballet...can yo tell she loves it!

You have got to be kidding!!

Here are the days of our lives...

If I were a Disney Princess, I'd be...

Lauren's "Rella" Party

My very own princess "Rella"

Herfurth Hotel - Part 2

The Herfurth Hotel

Isaak's very own slideshow!

Isaak Keith Lowe is here to stay!

Isaak Update...

In the hospital...on call for a baby...come on Isaak!

More videos & photos!!

FINALLY cute videos!

Not my fault!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Yea!!! Disney!!!!

Off to see Rella!

Can you tell wedding season is among us?

Aidan's new do!

Lauren's potty chart

Just because...

Aidan's new hair cut

Chubby Hubby

Making Daddy a Valentine

The Valentines

Valentines Breakfast

Our days of FUN!!!

Our Guitar Hero

This is why we have down time...

Snack Time at the Herfurths

I know it's been awhile...

YEAH!!! LINDSAY DID MY NEW BLOG HEADER!!

Happy Birthday to Aidan

Our Christmas Vacation

Gone for Christmas

Lauren and her Snow Globe

Christmas stuff