Wednesday, July 30, 2008

getting older


getting older
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

how did the last 3 years and 11 months go so fast?!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

the eyes


the eyes
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

color shot is even better...we still can't believe the blues are sticking around...amazing. '-)

peek a boo


peek a boo
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

introducing...


introducing...
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

My first creation doing both photography and Photoshop layout.
Template courtesy of www.lchphotography.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 27, 2008

an oldie...


an oldie...
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke


but SUCH a goodie. This is the favorite among family and friends of my two little dreamboats...this time using www.mcpactions.com - "Take Action on Cancer Awareness" Actions.
I also met the owner of MCP today for some training and it was awesome...thanks Jodi! I will definitely be getting the Quickie set soon! :0)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

dreamboat


oh my little niece is a dreamboat....I can't wait to capture her more as she gets older. :)

is that me?


is that me?
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke



yes but those hands are definitely chubbier!!!

taken 2 months ago
flickr.com/photos/siripokefamily/2526778734/in/set-721576...

Clickin Moms


I just signed up for this great forum for photographing mom's - all levels of expertise - come to share info and learn from each other. I have to say that I am amazed at the level of talent out there, but more so of all the kindness and generosity of so many people. Ideas, techniques, and tricks are all shared to help others out and make them better.

www.clickinmoms.com



Grant got really comfy on one of the couch pillows the other night and I managed to capture it on my camera phone. 

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Rocky Mountain High



I just returned from an awesome weekend visiting my friend Stephanie and her hubby Ray, 2 choco labs - Holly and Shasta, the wonderhorse Buster and cats - Oakie and Murphy. They live on a new farm and its a fun-filled place, and the brood is soon to be increased with a new baby boy in September! 

It was a fun-filled weekend and it was just me - no hubby, no kids. My first trip away from all my boys! It was wonderful to have a special weekend with a friend and amazing to come home to hugs and kisses galore!! ;0)

Steph is a very accomplished horsewoman and is still riding with only 8 weeks to go! This little boy is going to be a born rider. ;0)

I got to ride too - both English and Western - and I am happy to report that my few years of lessons as a child got me an A+ rating in mounting, walking and even a trot from Steph! ;0) But I leave it to the pros. ;0)


Wednesday, July 16, 2008

mommy's hands

I had an awesome opp last week to photograph my new niece, Malia. This is one of my favorite shots from the set. More to come...photos that is...hahaha. Dont get any ideas...



mommy's hands
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Malia...improved


Malia...improved
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

I am using a new action from MCP Actions. This one is called Color Explosion.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

beach lovers




We went to the beach again today, we can't seem to stay away. I am recovering from a bad cold and we felt it would be good to get out and blow the stink off of us. Plus the salt air does wonders for the respiratory system, well at least mine. ;0)
James once again was a beach lovin dude and baby Grant was right behind him crawling through the sand without a care in the world. He didnt have one moment of "ick" or "ew" or "what is this stuff??!" - just like he was born to play in the sand. We are heading to NJ at the end of August for our annual Jersey shore vacation and we are glad to know that he will be a little beach comber. ;0)

Today Grant also perfected "da-da" - its all he says lately and its SO cute. I will try and get it on video, but everytime I hit record, he stops. Naturally.

Have a good week!



brother lift



James said he would get his brother and well, he got him! ;0) Not graceful but made it from A to B without incident.

;)

another find












Saturday, July 12, 2008

new find
























For all those creative people out there, I found this great site to purchase templates to create baby announcements & more in Photoshop. www.mylilcreations.blogspot.com

I hope to make my sister-in-law's baby announcements soon. ;0)

There are some awesome holiday templates too, so I am going to offer to create all my family and friends greeting cards this year! So get ready people! ;0)

I will be in New Jersey at the beach on LBI from 8/29-9/6 so if you want some beach photos of the family let's set something up! Email me please! Then we can get you some holiday cards ready by the Fall! One less thing to think about come December!

For those of you in Cali, you know where to find me....;0)

Love,
Sarah

get it!


get it!
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

bubbly fun


bubbly fun
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

note binky stays even when smiling

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Malia Tessanee Harding











































New Arrival!

We have a baby girl in the family! Our new neice arrived today ~

07.09.08
Malia Tessanee Harding
7 lbs 10 oz
20 inches

She joins her big brother (and our super fun cousin) Blake! The crew just gets bigger and bigger making my in-laws VERY happy! Being the first granddaughter on the Siripoke side, she is going to be very well outfitted! I wont be able to control myself in the girls section. ;0)

We are THRILLED to welcome her into our family! I will post her picture later today. I get to meet her this afternoon!

xoxo,
sarah

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

good form. bad form.


This photo is courtesy of my friend Nathiya, who caught James in our backyard practicing his golf swing...Daddy is really hoping he makes the tour. Hey a Dad can dream...

On another happy note, James' teacher Ms Rebecca told me yesterday that James has become her little helper in the classroom. Running to get the phone for her if it rings, cleaning up and being a a big brother to the other kids. James has come a long way from his many months of tearful drop offs at school and we are very proud of him. Its easy to forget that he is 3.75 yrs old...just a little boy, but yet is so mature.
He reminds me daily that his birthday is "coming in August". I always remind him its the 25th but he is leaning towards more of a month-long celebration...
If you are (and you all are WONDERFUL and incredibly GENEROUS family & friends) reading this right now, thinking - "What shall i get James for his birthday?" - let me just graciously take this opportunity to say PLEASE DONT GET HIM ANYTHING. However if you are completely overtaken with the NEED to get him SOMETHING (trust me I am guilty of this with other family and friends) may I suggest a book or a hug. ;-) Oh dont call me a stingy mommy people! For those that have not seen our family room or garage, its CRAAAAAAZY!
Love to you all in cyberspace and beyond...
xoxo,
Sarah

Monday, July 7, 2008

brothers

Baby Grant has a cold, nothing too bad, but lots of green goop and a cough. Poor kid was up in the night and well that's just not good for any of us, he's feel bad and we feel bad that he feels bad...;0) Hoping the germs take a vacation...stat!

Its pretty much guaranteed that I take him into see the doc for a well baby visit and we take home a souvenir. ;0) Its life.

xoxo
sarah




Saturday, July 5, 2008

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Having the 4th land on a Friday this year is pretty sweet. Its 11:02pm on Saturday night and I feel like my weekend has been going on forever and I STILL have Sunday to enjoy. 

On Thursday night I  had the pleasure of photographing a friend's little boy, Brian. My friend Nathiya and her hubby joined me too. 



Friends Michelle, Kevin and baby Cameron also stopped by the park for a visit. I was so engrossed in running after my 2 yr old subject I didnt get a chance to really spend quality time with them...so guys, if you read this - we are going to have a real visit again soon!! 




On Friday we vegged around the house and in the afternoon headed to downtown San Jose to join the masses and listen to music and watch the amazing fireworks show. Grant managed to stay awake until 9:25ish and watched the fireworks without fear. We strategically covered his head with a blanket so the sound was muffled and he really seemed to be mesmerized, or totally pooped...;0) We reminisced that this time last year, I was pregnant (very pregnant) and we had just moved back into our newly remodeled (and really not 100% finished, but will it ever be??) home. What a difference a year makes!! 

Today Daddy worked 1/2 day and then we all headed to Aptos to spend a little time on the beach. Then we topped off the evening with some dinner in Capitola and some Mojitos...yum! And here I sit after getting 2 boys down to bed....


Grant has become a serious man on the move. He is a professional crawler and super FAST. He now pulls himself up and has perfected gingerly settling humself back down on his tush. Today he approached a small set of stairs and climbed it as if he had done it 100 times before!       Another ability is to find a pacifier and place it perfectly into his mouth....for a while he just gnawed on it if he didnt get the correct side in his mouth at the first pass, but now he looks at it, finds the proper side, puts it in and sucks away. James wasnt a paci kid, so its interesting to see Grant's attachment to it still now at 9 months. I just hope the detachment is smooth...;0)

Hope everyone out there has a wonderful weekend....

XOXO

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

9 months young


9 months young
Originally uploaded by ssiripoke

Update: we went to the doctor today - 7/2, and Grant is 21 lbs. (50th%) and 29 1/2 inches long (90th%).

Tuesday, July 1, 2008