"A Maggie"

So it seemed like everything went wrong during this photo shoot.  I didn't realize until about half-way through that my white balance and ISO were off, and Rachel literally fell in a pond.  Yes, I just said that Rachel fell in a pond. Good Grief.

I was so anxious to get out of the car and set up all the wonderful ideas in my mind that I forgot to calm down and realize that this is suppose to be fun! It was everything trying to take pictures of a one year is... hard, squiggly, squirmy, and always on the move.

Oh and how I love this one year old of mine.


Have you ever heard of this old year I speak of? Yes that's the one! I'm talking about Maggie Ila Payne. What is "A Maggie" you ask? Well, I'll tell you..."A Maggie" is every good moment.Her smiling eyes are like playing in the rain. The shape of her mouth is like picking all the cookie dough's out of the Blue Bell ice cream container. Those blue eyes are like a long day out on the lake fishing with Dad.Her strawberry hair is like the feeling of the ball hitting the bat in just the right spot.That fair baby skin is like a slow dance with your best friend.All in all... "A Maggie" is the thing that gets me through my days. (that and another little something called "A Rachel")
I know that was way corny. But, I like corny. ;) That is simply the best way I know how to describe my Maggie girl. She is my calm place, the "roo" to my "kanga".  I just can't imagine life without her. 
I want to make a bazillion more of these banners now! Too much fun! The girl is always trying to get that bow off her head. Jeez Louise! However, I think I came out pretty victorious considering...      Maggie and her Lamb... She loves that thing! It suits her.  I just can't get over how drop dead GORGEOUS this girl is!  Seriously, that smile! And those eyes! The shape of her face and her fuzzy strawberry hair! I'm in love. Obviously.     Rachel and the pond.  Like a match to a flame. {sigh}
The crinkle nose.  hehe. After a while she paused for a moment and got this look on her face like... "where should I run to now?", making sure that crazy Mommy was still behind her with that black box thingy... haha, I love this look! This is my FAVORITE!!! "I can smile too Mommy!"   
squiggly, squirmy, always on the move!haha, I love the one of her standing up... It's hard for any girl to get up in a mini-skirt!   "Lollipop, Lollipop, oh lo lo lollipop!"My secret weapon.    
Happy Campers... I was hoping to get some good expressions outta this one, but it took way too much concentration, haha.      The two things that get my through the day... 

      

Where I Come From- It's in your genes

Rachel and Maggie,

I just want you girls to know that your Daddy is an absolute stud.  He has always had a passion for sports.  Growing up with 10 kids in the family, sports wasn't in the budget or even in the timeline for that matter.  However Tyler persisted- he just had to play.  After a year of begging and pleading, Mom and Dad Payne finally caved in. After that he's been the Judo state champion three years in a row, varsity football player as a sophomore, and a state qualifier in wrestling. 

Everywhere he goes he is the guy to beat. With 8 brothers you know there's a lot of wrestling going on, and lets just say that Tyler's on top. He can beat them all, sometimes 2 at a time! He was known for his wrestling in the Corps at A&M, at basic training, and at Ranger school. {okay, that's enough bragging I guess... some of you are probably starting to yawn- but remember, this is for my babies!}                        
 He smokes everyone. Period. 

(and your Momma ain't too shabby either! hehe) 

So you may not get the artsy fartsy gene or the musical gene, but you better believe you've got the competitive gene. 

Just so you know.

 Love, 

Momma

   There he is! Daddy the stud...

 I love to look at the opponents face... haha, he's so finished! 
Isn't he cute?  Can't you see so much of Maggie is his face? I can.


Senior year

A First: Viewer Discretion Advised

 I killed a chicken!  I not only killed it- I slit it's throat. I've shot things before, but never killed anything quite like this. 
The neighbors were butchering their chickens and welcomed the help.  Tyler could tell that I really wanted to give it a try, so he grabbed the camera and pushed me at the chickens.  Gotta be honest and say that I was scared.  But Tyler kept calling me a wuss, so I couldn't back down now! There was something very cool about it... made me feel self-reliant and... what's the word?... country. 
I look like such a dork! Why am I laughing so hard in the first one you ask?  Let's just say that chickens get scared before they die... so scared that poop comes squirting out everywhere.  Yep, it got all over me.  so GROSS! Tyler and I had a good laugh.

I know this picture is gruesome, but it's real life.  The hardest part was grabbing a hold of it's head and yanking it down.  After that you just take your knife to the throat and cut fast and hard until you feel bone. Before you know it blood will come gushing out.        Once they've bled out, they get chopped, skinned, gutted, plucked, and boiled. Then soaked in ice water, quartered and bagged. Ta-Da!

It was definitely a first for me. I enjoy learning these sorts of things. (minus the poop! haha) 
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We certainly did! There is so much to be thankful for. Now it's time to run off this pumpkin pie! :)

Gone Country

I think Alan Jackson puts it best- 

"She's gone country, look at them boots
She's gone country, back to her roots
She's gone country, a new kind of suit
She's gone country, here she comes
Yeah she's gone country, a new kind of walk
She's gone country, a new kind of talk
She's gone country, look at them boots
She's gone country, oh back to her roots"

We've Gone Country! 

Thanks for the cowgirl boots sweetie, I LOVE them! 

Alamo City

We "had" to attend something they call a yellow ribbon event last weekend.  Basically one of those mandatory army things where they talk about deployment and give you lots of useless information that you already know.  It's supposed to be nice, relaxing, and informative, but I've got to be honest and say that I was totally fine with deployment until going to this yellow ribbon event.  If anything it stressed me out! I hate it when that happens.  
The cool part though was that we got to stay in a super fancy hotel right on the riverwalk.  Oh how I love San Antonio! The city just has so much personality and flare. Not to mention amazing Mexican food.  yummmmmmmm..... 


Here we are at the Alamo- I need to learn to switch the camera to Auto mode before handing it off to someone for a family shot. Such torture to have to switch! They turn out so much better on manual. {sigh} At least the Alamo was in focus...
My three favorite people...Out to dinner...there's something about this picture I couldn't pass up.  It's just sooo Rachel. ;) I love that big personality of hers.
    Maggie would not take a nap in the hotel or even sleep at night for that matter... but, of course decided the perfect time for a nap would be when we're out on the town.  Can't blame her though, I like sleeping on Daddy too. ;)
Look! A mariachi band! The girls LOVED it!  
Lesson learned- Camera on Auto this time.  And we're all in focus! Dancing the night away... Rachel was in heaven. The famous Riverwalk... it goes on and on... full of shops and restaurants. So much fun, and I must say beautiful at night...    After dinner we decided to give into our sweet tooth and try out this Ice Cream shop... I love old signs like this...
Gotta love all those drips down her belly...You scream, I scream, We all scream for Ice Cream!!! 

Strike a Yoga Pose: Happy Baby

"Happy Baby" 

• Begin lying flat on your back.
• Bend both knees and hold onto the outside edges of your flexed feet with your hands. Keep your arms on the outsides of your legs.
• Gently use your upper body strength to equally press both knees to the floor below your armpits. Try not to tense your shoulders or chest, but keep everything relaxed.
• Stay like this for five deep breaths. To release, let go of your feet and straighten your legs to the floor.  

Almost there...
getting closer...

A-Ha! There it is! Nice work! 
I must say, she has excellent form...Definitely my favorite yoga pose. ;)

Game day in Aggieland

We had an amazing opportunity to go to an Aggie game a few weeks ago. It was one heck of a gorgeous day for a football game. I know you've heard me say this before, but I'm going to go ahead and keep saying it.  I love Aggieland.  The school spirit on A&M's campus is remarkable.  I love being an Aggie, even if it's not so easy.  One of these days our football team will be on top, until then I'll keep hootin and hollerin until they are!   

Kyle Field 

We were lucky enough to get to the game with no babies.  Now that would have been one crazy football game! Thanks Mom and Dad.

Here we are... Us and Joseph and Teancum.  I think they had a good time. ;)   My best friend and I where it all began!    
I really like this picture, so I decided to include it.  I definitely married up.  (at least I think so) The pre-game show- It gave me goosebumps. I know, I'm a nerd.  If there are any "about to go to college" people out there reading this blog... {cough, cough, MIKE!} Don't forget to consider the best school in the great state of Texas.... Texas A&M University. :) 

Halloween 2011

For Halloween this year...


Maggie was a flower

   And Rachel was a honey bee.  

I'd definitely pick her. ;)

A honey bee pretty much sums up Rachel's personality this year.  Busy- always buzzing around Maggie the Flower, definitely has a little stinger {hehe}, but still just as sweet as honey.  She looks so grown up in this picture to me...

We had an authentic trick or treating experience this year.  Since we missed our wards trunk-or-treat and we were in a new town we decided to drive through a few of the neighborhoods near by. 

Ahhh, would you look at that! How nice of these people to leave a bucket of candy out even though they were going to be out... I tried explaining to Rachel that the sign said only take one piece of candy... ummm  yeah, I don't think she understood.  Don't worry, it all equals out- Daddy got one, Mommy got one, Maggie got one, and Rachel got one- and they are all in Rachel's sack...

I just like this one.  Maggie didn't know what was going on, but she sure enjoyed being outside. :)

We would practice "trick or treat!" with Rachel in between houses, but every time someone answered the door she'd still get flustered and end up saying, "Candy, please." 

Happy Halloween! 

Goodbye Everyone!

Until next year...............buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....zzzzzzzzzzzz......buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........