Park Pics

We went to the park today to walk for Huntington's Disease. We ended up doing more playing than walking I think but had a great time. Here are a couple pics from the park.

Joel's pool pics

Joel took some awesome pictures at our Labor Day party. I downloaded some for the September pic post on our website later this month. Here is a link to all of them...they are so good!!!

http://photos.joelculbersonphotography.com/p375487511

Sydni is on the cover!

My photographer friend, Rachel Law, submitted some pictures to be selected for a magazine. And they picked Sydni's 2 yr fall pic for the COVER ISSUE!! We are beyond excited...here is a link to the cover and you can buy your very own issue there. Now, I REALLY want this to be their best selling issue EVER so break out the mastercard please :)

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/table_of_contents.php

Photoshop actions

Here is Averi straight out of the camera...


This one is called "fresh and colorful". Probably my favorite...










This is "black and white beauty". I love this too but as much as I love black and white I can't get away from my girl(s) red hair.











This is a way cool action called "vintage". Doesn't this pic look like it was taken in the 20's or something??? Very cool...











And I guess I should probabyl give credit to these very cool actions. I didn't come up with them myself thats for sure! I visit a site called http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/. It is an eclectic blend of cooking, photography and life. She is my hero.

So which one of these pics is your favorite??

eta...I don't know why there is so much spacing in this post...it doesn't look that way when I edit. And the pics aren't that blurry. I think they just look that way b/c they were shrunk down to load to blogger. But you get the idea :)

Crystal Beach, TX

We had a wonderful time at the beach. Here is a collage I made on photoshop ALL by myself.

Catching up...

Hello all! Well, its been a fun few weeks!! Lake of the Ozarks was so nice! The girls had a great time with their cousins. And I had a great time at the outlet mall. I can't wait to go back! HA! Averi had a bout of roseola. It was a high fever followed by a bunch of red dots on her tummy. The fever was the worst part. Today SYDNI is home. She had a fever and puked yesterday. I think it was just the heat because she seems fine today.
Next trip is the BEACH!! I am so excited...hope I can keep everyone healthy. ugh...
Averi is suppose to go to the "pre-toddler" room at her daycare. She just went to "older infant" a couple months ago!! Shes getting so big...and by the way, is MUCH happier with her tubes. A happy baby makes a happy momma.
Big news for Sydni is Rachel Law, a photographer I take the girls to, emailed me and said that Syd's picture is being considered for the fall COVER of an adoptive parents magazine! How exciting is that?!? I told Jim she is going to be the next Cindy Crawford..we will be retired in Malibu by 40...heeheee. I hope its ok for models to eat pizza and mac 'n cheese because thats all the kid eats!

Last Lazy Weekend

Hi everyone! I know its been awhile and its likely to be even longer after this weekend. Let me give you a rundown of the Bottjen summer!

Next weekend- Dinner in Rogers for Joel's 30th birthday! Our friend Joel is turning 30 soon. He is going to Vegas (without me because he sucks) to celebrate but we are taking him and Alex to dinner at Johnny Carinos in Rogers with the Davis', the Settle's, the White's and of course ALL the kiddos. Should be interesting.
We are having a pool party the next day. Gotta celebrate the 4th of July by the pool!

Weekend #2- POKER night! Jim and I play poker once a month with a league the Settles started a couple years ago. We have a great time! I don't know why...I have yet to win! But I have been placing pretty high the last few months so maybe its coming!

Weekend #3- Lake of the Ozarks!! We are meeting up with Jim's family in Missouri. I am really looking forward to it. We usually see them every summer, but we missed last summer because Averi was just too small to travel. We are going to have 6 kids up there all 5 and under!!

Weekend #4- Dinner party at the Davis'. We just started this dinner party thing this year. I thought it would be fun for us to all get together every month with the kids. We rotate houses and bring side dishes. Its a lot of fun.

Weekend #5- We are leaving for Texas to hang out at my dad's beachhouse! WOO HOO! I can't wait! Dad, Trish, Aunt Patti, Uncle Ron, Lindsi and of course all of us...I am really looking forward to it. Sydni has never seen the ocean and course Averi hasn't either so it should be a really memorable trip.

By then we are in mid-August! WHEW! Our dinner party will be that month sometime...

So as you can see we are going to be so busy, but I am looking forward to all of it! As the girls get older there are so many things we are able to show them. Disney World is coming soon!! heehee