September 23, 2007

Megan gave Brandie Lynn her first bike ride today! We went to see Grandma and Grandpa and they have alot of old bikes that my kids just love! They went up and down the drive and Brandie kept saying "Do it again, YaYa, that's fun" I always remember riding at my granny's house with all of my cousins, it was a time of innocence and not a care in the world!! Sunday was a great day to reflect on the things that are most precious to us, our family, our health and just being able to do absolutely nothing, even if it was only for one afternoon.

PS:How long has it been since you saw a banana seat? That is a blast from the past!!!

E

September 15, 2006

Andy lost his first tooth!!! It was a little bit wiggly but not quite ready to come out. He asked EVERYONE to pull his tooth!! After several days, I really wanted his tooth to come out! We all gave it a pull and finally John was able to pull it out. Andy was so excited, he put the tooth in a baggy for the tooth fairy. After he woke up and found his money he came into the kitchen with a great big smile and said, Mom.....

I think I have another loose tooth!!! It was so funny!!!

E

July 2, 2007

We watched the most amazing thunderstorm from our balcony on vacation. I took a lot of shots but this one was my favorite. It was about 10:00 pm and I usually don't like thunderstorms, but this one on the water was incredible. We had a great trip and I will post more details later.

E

June 19, 2007

CAN YOU SAY ITS SUMMERTIME!!!

Andy, Megan and Brandie played in the hose pipe this afternoon. It was only like 95 degrees outside!! To hot for me. They just love getting wet and running around the yard. We bought a little bitty swimming pool, one of the ones a baby plays in (lol), and they were not amused. K left hers here one day and they have really enjoyed it. (she has the one that blows up and I guess its about 2 1/2 feet deep, they say its better that nothing) We leave in a few days to go to FL. The kids are so ready to go.

E

June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day

These handsome guys are my two dads. They are as different as night and day and I love them both dearly!! Did you know that fathers day is the least celebrated holiday in our nation!!
Anyway just wanted to say that I am happy to have two dads and I thank the Lord for them both.

E

May, 24 2007

SAFE AT THE PLATE!!

Megan and Andy are finish with softball. Megan played a great game and scored a run for the team. Go Megan!! Her skills have really improved this year and we are all proud of her. Andy learned a couple of cheers this year (too funny) and he would sing for his ya-ya when she was in the outfield or batting.

E

May 11, 2007

OM Gosh!!! I actually got a smile out of her!! She seemed to enjoy picking flowers. There is a field in front of my house that has the most beautiful flowers in it. Brandie picked flowers and Andy was eating sweet weed, go figure!! LOL

E

May 13, 2007

Today is Mother's Day and I could not be a prouder mom!! Although Andy decided that he did not want his picture made today, Megan was very happy to cooperate.
God has blessed me with two beautiful children that I do not know what I would do without them. It is so easy to take for granted the very thing that makes everyday worth living. Being a mom is one of the most challenging and rewarding things that I have ever done.

I had a great mother's day. My mom was working so I didn't get to see her (we will celebrate tomorrow, Moma... yeah) but we did go and see John's mom. The weather could not have been more perfect!! The grandkids went out in a field of wildflowers and made Louise a couple of bouquets. They were amazing flowers!!!

Until next time.....
E

May 2, 2007

This was taken in Anderson at the Botanical Gardens. Shannon said look at those berries, so I snapped a quick picture and I absolutely love it!!! Thanks Shan!

E

May 1, 2007

Megan went with me to model for our photography class. She had a great time running around with Cody and Justin (the other two models) She did a great job and I think she enjoyed it. We were walking down a path and she stepped on a snake!! I don't know who was more frightened, her or the snake!!!

E

April 28, 2007

Brandie spent the night with us last night. We played outside for a little while and I thought I would get a recent picture of her. As soon as she saw me this is the look that I got. We had a great time anyway.

April 23, 2007

Baseball games have begun!! Andy plays first base and absolutely loves it!! I have a new found respect for sports photographers, because it is very hard to catch these guys in action, add to the mix full sun.... they can have it! LOL

I have really enjoyed just watching him and Megan play. Go BRAVES!!

E

April 1, 2007

We went to see John's Mom and Dad and they were not home from church yet. There is an old house there on their property, so Megan and I did a mini-shoot. It started to rain outside and we found an old umbrella in the house. I think they turned out beautifully!! We had a blast.
Andy said he didn't need an umbrella because boys can't melt!

E

March 26, 2007

Let the Games Begin!!! Both of them are playing ball this year and both are excellent players.
Megan's practices have not started yet because the C-team at Byrnes has not finish their season. Practice will start some time in April. Andy had his first game of the year on Saturday.
He played a great game and actually hit a triple!! Go ANDY!!!!

That's all for now, we are off to practice.

E

March 5, 2007

Okay! I posted now get off my case!!!
I have been so busy this past month that I have not had the time to keep up with my blog. I am so sorry. Many people have e-mailed me and asked me to post a new pic. I am glad that so many people have been watching my blog. YEAH!!! This one is of Andy watching cartoons. He has baseball practice today and could not be more excited.

E

February 1, 2007

This was such a fun day for Andy, although he has seen snow in Pennsylvania and once here when he was very little, there was just nothing like having it in your front yard. He went outside and built a snowman all by himself. YaYa tried to help but he really wanted it to be his very own. I think his snowman turned out perfect!!!!

February 1, 2007

Today it snowed!! Well I say snow, it was white and it did almost cover the entire ground. The grocery store was completely wiped out of bread and milk. By 1:00 pm the only thing that remained was a lonely snow man that Andy had somehow managed to scrap together. We did have a good time. John pulled Megan around on the four wheeler and Andy did not want any part of that. He said "that to scary, mom".

E

January 31, 2007

I had to go to the chiropractor today because I pulled something in my right shoulder. This fountain was behind the doctors office and I just thought it looked really cool!!!
E

January 27, 2007

Brandie came over to spend the night and I had a few things left to do in the office. I asked Megan to keep an eye on her while I finish up what I was doing. After a while I heard Megan screaming for me, so I ran upstairs to see what was wrong. This is what I discovered. Brandie had decided to try out the lasted color of my lipstick!! She also diligently unrolled two rolls of toilet paper. I am sure it could have been a lot worse and we got a really good laugh out of it.

E

January 24, 2007

My husband had a tractor go down today. I went down to the shop to take a look at it. It was smoking black and then it turned to gray. It should have costed around 3k to fix, however John fixed it himself and saved a lot of money. He is very mechanical and can fix just about anything.

E

January 21, 2007

Today was my niece's birthday. Her name is Alaina and she turned 5 today. I told her I was going to take her picture because today was her birthday. At first she was really into it, after two pictures this is what she said to me "Aunt wane, how many pitures are you goin ta take, I need to go payyy". What a dollie!!! That is my sister, Jessica, in the back.
Alaina got a bear for her birthday that you can color with "special markers" that wash off . A doodle bop bear. While we were taking pictures, Andy colored the bears face completely green and then gave it a big old kiss.... He looked like the incredible hulk. . . . . . . Buyer beware: The color may wash off of doodle bop bear, however it does not wash off of children!

E

January 20, 2007

Brandie spent the night with us last night. She has learned a new word . . . NO. I must have put her hair in a ponytail 6 times. Each time I put it up she would tell me no. I said yes, she said no. . . you get the game. As soon as her moma walked in the door the pony came out and she just laughed and laughed. Guess who won. . . . . . . .

E

January 18, 2007

It was cold and rainy today. The south is notorious for canceling school if the temp is low and it is raining. So we had a two hour delay today. Megan had a dentist appointment so she got riped off, as she put it. I made her go outside in the rain so I could take her picture. John said I was being mean. I don't think I was being mean, I was trying to be creative.....

E

January 17, 2007

Bath time! Andy went down to the shop with John and got absolutely filthy!! After he had won the battle between Patrick (from Spongebob) and sharkboy, and soaked the floor, we washed up and took a couple of pics. He looks so innocent....

E

January 16, 2007

Brandie came over for a little while this afternoon. We ate some beans and franks and then played ball for a while. I gave her this sucker and I practiced a little natural light photography. Did you notice that I did not remove the cellophane wrapper; mean old Meme**.
My main focus was getting the eyes tact sharp. The eye on the left is still a little soft, but I was very pleased with the results.

**Brandie calls me Meme
E

January 15, 2007

What a stinker!!!! We went to Spartanburg to meet John's parents for supper. I asked Andy to let me take his picture while we waited for Papa and Grandma to arrive. He smiled for a couple and then when I tried to get in really close, he gave me this look and said he was done. "Mom, I'm already to tired for this." The second picture was my favorite of the day.

E

January 14, 2007

Megan and I went outside for a little girl talk and I asked her to sit while we talked. She is growing so fast. It seems like just yesterday she was learning to walk. Now she is 13 and very intelligent. I am so proud of the young lady that she is becoming.

E

January 13, 2007

Shannon and I had a session this morning with a litter of 5 bulldogs. Shannon (my partner at the studio) fell in love with one of the girls, Gracie Mae. It was love at first sight. She is going to pick her up on Monday afternoon.

January 12, 2007

Okay, my kids are sick of me already. I wanted to post something that means something to me and I looked outside and saw the stack of wood that John so diligently cut, chopped and stacked all summer. Our house has been so cozy and warm. The smell of a wood stove takes me back to the days of my youth.(It is actually the very same stove that was in the house that I grew up in) I never realized how much work it was to keep that stove going.

Thanks John!!! I love you

E

January 11, 2007

Are you kidding me! Does the child not own any socks without holes in them??? I swear I buy him a pack of socks every two weeks. This morning . . . NO SOCKS!!! So, I am sorry son that you have to wear socks with holes in them. I dug these out of the basket full of socks that need a "sole mate."
Look on the bright side, they were clean and they are the same brand...
Until tommorow

E

January 10, 2007

Today is my sister in laws birthday. Happy B-day J! I did not take these photos today, I took them the last time we went to visit her. I thought of her often today and I just wanted to post these images in honor of her. She is a fantastic cook and an awesome gardener. Her whole yard has flowers and trees everywhere. I am still amazed at the retreat that they(J&C) have created for themselves. It is a lot of work, I'm sure!

E

January 9, 2007

When I went to pick Andy up from school today, I went by and picked up Brandie too. She played for a little while in the sink. She has the most amazing blue eyes I have ever seen.
I just adore this baby.......

e

January 8, 2007

This is my daughter Megan. All she wanted for Christmas this year was a punching bag and a couple of cute green guys, preferably Benjamins. (LOL) Today after school, she went down to practice on her moves and I snapped this shot.

E

January 7, 2007

What a rainy day. It is very hard to come up with things to do for a five year old when it rains all day. So after we had exhausted everything that you can get into inside, Andy and I trudged out into the rain to have a little bit of fun. The puddles were absolutely irresistible.
The next time God gives you a little rain. . . . Go outside and stomp in some puddles.
It sure did put a smile on our faces. . .

E

January 4, 2007

My husband, John planted grass a few weeks ago on a bank near his shop. He had some left over so he spread it out in the back yard. This morning, me half asleep, I hear him "Holy crap, I have GRASS"!!!! I could not help but chuckle as I rolled over and went back to sleep. I later went outside to view for myself this magnificent feat , yep, sure enough we've got grass.

E

January 3, 2007

This is my bestest friend in the whole wide world, Lisa. We went to eat Mexican and then came back home to relax. She was deep in thought when I snapped this photo. Love ya Lisa!!!

E

January 2, 2007

Andy had to go to the doctor today, so Megan stayed with Lynn and Brandie. When we got back I told Megan (aka: Ya Ya) to get her shoes and Brandie went running thru the house yelling shoes... shoes... She picked up her baby and her blanket and told her mom "bye, bye". She fell asleep with Ya Ya watching tv and I could not resist those precious shoes.

E

January 1, 2007

This is me, Elaine Martens. I am doing this blog for a couple of reasons, the first being that I hardly ever take pictures anymore of my family. When I wanted to become a photographer, I always took pics of my kids, I actually tortured them just about everyday. The other reason is that I wanted to document a whole year of my life, the good, bad and amazing!!! There are no uglies in my family (lol).

So look us up often. I hope you laugh, because if you can't laugh everyday then you need to change something!!! Laughter is contagious and it is a necessity for life!!!

E

This picture was taken a my mom's http://bettypearson.com Remax Adventure New Years Party. Someone grabbed my camera and told me to smile. This is the only pose that makes me smile when I look at it later. I just love to make silly faces, my son tells me "Mom you are too too funny".