a new love.

we made a long overdue purchase this weekend.
out with the old bed and in with the new.
i must say it was well worth the wait.
the mattress was the same one i slept on before i became mrs. riedel.
the bedding was the same one we so carefully registered for..it was the only one we both loved.
the queen size bed was no longer cutting it...a tight squeeze for a family of five to say the least.
i had hoped to hold out until we purchased our home, but my husband's aching back told me it was time.
as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

i am in love with my new bed. my only question is, why in the world did we wait so long?

by the looks of these next pictures someone else is quite happy with the new addition....

4 on 10 {november 2011}

it was just one of those days.
i started out with the best intentions of capturing my day...10 pics for 10 consecutive hours.
i guess four will have to do for now.

happy 1st birthday

yesterday we celebrated lexa's first birthday.
i was lucky enough to be in the room when she was born, it was one of the most amazing things i have ever seen.
it's hard to believe it has already been a year. where did the time go?
then i am reminded of my riley who is not too far behind her cousin.
it's times like these that makes me wish we could put things into slow motion just for a bit.

here are a few precious moments i captured....

the elements....

a few special guests...

{present time}

{a first taste}

{sugar high}

time to clean up...

{daddy kisses}

miss alexa {1st year photo shoot}

i attempted my first real photo shoot this weekend.
my main goal was to get in some practice and to help build my confidence.
i have had friends approach me recently asking if i would take their family pictures.

"ummmmm, really?" is my typical response. 

up until this weekend my time behind the camera was mostly me having fun, doing something i enjoy and taking pics of my girls. no pressure there. 

so, to help me get over this fear of mine i have been getting in as much practice as possible. 

assignment number one is a special project i am working on with ella's teacher. it's top secret so that's all i will say for now.  

my gorgeous niece is turning one tomorrow.

her mommy asked if i would take some pictures to commemorate this special moment in time.

a perfect opportunity for me to get a little more practice in.

these pictures were taken at a park in san diego complete with props and outfit changes.

i had the BEST time ever.

here are a few of my favorites...okay, so i have more than a few♥

♥happy birthday sweet alexa♥

fun friday {november edition}

we love fridays here in our house.

fridays mean...the weekend, more time with daddy, a break from the early mornings, no schedules, and last but not least a trip to ella's class for fun friday!

it is such a treat to see what ella has been up to at school.
the classroom was decked out in all things november. ♥ it.

trick or treat

the day began very early this morning...too early in my opinion.
i had two very excited little girls who just couldn't sleep any longer. nevermind that it was barely 6 o'clock.
the day was filled with lots and lots of treats, and not just the candy type.
ella and chloe were treated to an early morning breakfast with grandma at starbucks. then it was off to visit grandpa at work...there was no shortage of candy there. next stop, daddy's work. the girls were beyond thrilled to show off their costumes. they turned out to be quite a hit at barth's clinic.

i am still not sure who had more fun...barth or the girls. i have my guess.

meet the cutest pumpkin ever...

spider girl

foofa

first stop, grandpa's office...

next up, daddy's work...

ella and her fellow superhero's

{aka barth's surgery schedulers}

you didn't think barth was about to miss out on all the fun did you?

get ready for a little dj lance...