Cara's Preschool Graduation

Tonight was Cara's preschool graduation.  Do you think she's a little excited?!

I don't think she really knew what to expect, but she was sure excited about it.

The ceremony wasn't really much.  There were no songs or anything.  Just flag salute, a brief slide show, some parent awards, they called the kids names to get certificates, and we went home.  I was able to get a picture of Cara with her teacher after the ceremony.  We wouldn't let Cara hold her balloons for the picture, so she was pouting.

 We took another quick picture out in front of the elementary school and headed home.  Now, on to Kindergarten! :)

Bath Time

Cara will be 5 years old in two weeks and she's becoming very independent...much more independent than I would like!  She will say, "I'll wash my hair, and you can check my work.  I'll brush my teeth, and you can check my work." 

So tonight at bath time, I couldn't resist grabbing my camera to photograph Little Miss Independent as she "worked."

All done!

Ready for bed!

Selah Community Days {Sunday Snapshot}

Today was Selah's Community Days.  The girls had to be at the pick-up location at 6:15 a.m.  They all spent the night together this weekend, too, so I'm sure they were very tired.  I snapped this picture of A and S sleeping on the float as they waited for the parade to start.

The security guards asked to have their picture taken with the girls.  After they left, the girls were all giggling.  I asked them what was so funny and they told me the boys were saying, "You girls are hot.  Are you on Facebook?"  They thought that was pretty funny. ;)

The float won the sweepstakes award, which is the highest honor in the parade.  The girls were pretty excited.

After the parade, we put the float away and the girls changed into their luncheon dresses for the luncheon.  They were all home by 1:00 p.m., so they at least were able to get a nap in this afternoon.

Next weekend the parade is in Moses Lake.  It's an evening parade, so this week we will spend 3 nights putting lights on the float.

My camera is a Cannon T2i and I shot it automatic today and edited in photoshop.

For more Sunday Snapshots, click here:

Dance Pictures Today

Today was picture day at the dance studio.  I think costumes this year are especially gorgeous.  I love Cara in purple!  I came home from work an hour early to curl Cara's hair.  Her hair curls pretty easily.  Once she was ready, I snapped a couple of pictures out in the yard in front of the viburnum bush.

Not sure about make up on my 4-year-old...we couldn't find the eyelash curler.  Too bad, because those suckers are long...especially curled up with mascara on them!

The dance teacher would not let the big girls have their picture taken in their ballet costume unless their hair was pulled back in a bun.  So A had me put in a dutch braid and she pulled the rest of her hair back into a curly bun.

En pointe in grass...difficult to do.  Just wait until I make her do it in the sand at the beach for senior pics this summer! :)

So pretty!

She had to put her crown on for a picture or two before we left! ;)

Tomorrow she has another parade in Selah.  We need to meet in town at the float barn at 6:15 a.m.!  Ugh!

Community Days

Community Days were this weekend, and it was the first time A and the rest of the court got to see their float that the parents have been working on the past few weeks.  This picture is the girls' reaction the first time they saw their float:

A posing in front of the float:

A posing by her mushroom seat.  The float is called, "Jewels of the Rainforest."

A got to see her friend G, also a 1st princess in a neighboring town.

All of the girls posing in front of the float with Cara:

A and B in front of the float at the end of the parade:

It was a magical day for A.  One I hope she remembers forever!

Miss Zillah Pageant {Sunday Snapshot}

A's pageant was Thursday night.  She did a wonderful job!  At the end of the evening, she was crowned 1st princess and was very excited.  Cara had a big hug for her sister following the pageant:

A in evening gown competition.  Her dress looked amazing on her.

 The girls waiting for results:

All of my kiddos:

A and her daddy:

All of the girls did really well in the pageant.  The parade was yesterday and I will post pictures about that tomorrow.  I now have a little more free time again because the float is finally finished!

These pictures were shot in automatic with a Canon T2i.  I didn't play around with settings too much since the lighting was pretty bad in the school and I didn't want to make things worse!

For more Sunday Snapshots, click here:

Pre-pageant {Sunday Snapshot}

My last few Sunday Snapshots have been of A, and most likely the next one will be, too.  She is running for Miss Zillah and the pageant is this week on Thursday night. 

Since she is running, all of the contestants have been attending pageants in other local towns.  Friday night was Selahs pageant, so I snapped a few pics of A before she left.



The top one was taken in the kitchen and this one was taken out against the house in the back.  She is wearing the dress purchased for the girls to wear when they attend pageants.

I wish I had her hair!  Her interview is Monday after school.  Wish her luck, please!

These shots were taken with a Cannon T2i, 1.8 lens, shot in automatic and edited with Photoshop.

For more Sunday Snapshots, click here:

Sale Day At the Livestock Show

Here is B's last picture with one of his pigs:

Here is A's last pic with one of her pigs:

A selling one of her pigs:

B selling one of his pigs:

A got $2/lb on one of her pigs and $1.50/lb on the other.  B got $1.50/lb on both of his pigs.  The display is down, hogs are sold, and camper is home.  We are DONE for another year!  It's fun for the kids, but a whole lot of work!  I wish I had another personal day to stay home and relax.

Livestock Show Day 3

Today was fitting and showing.  Both A and B did very well.  A did not receive a call back for the senior championship round, which was surprising; she did an excellent job.  In my opinion, she was a way better showman than one of the boys that did receive a call back.

I think Cara has had the best time at the livestock show picking dandelions out in the grass by the trailers.

B is an excellent showman.  He is all business.  The judge this year is new (to B) and B had to get used to a different style.  This judge asks questions and expects the showman to know the answers.  Fortunately, B knows them.

Look at that intense face.  His pig kept going to the corners, and B had to patiently dig her out and try to get her back out in front of the judge.  B was called back to the championship round...

And he won!  Here is the pic of the judge congratulating him on his gold medal.  I was so excited I almost missed the picture!

Tomorrow is sale day.  I hope they both get good prices on their animals.