I heart faces - smiles

So I am throwing another photo up on I heart faces this week! This week the theme is smile. SMILE, I get lots of those! I am telling you the hardest thing about entering a photo is picking which one! I have loads of photos and so many that mean so much. But I didn't dig very deep for this one. This was taken just yesterday. We had our first snow of the year yesterday and we had to get out and celebrate a little. We have now had two days out of school, some good outside play time and lots of inside time, the snow can melt. I am over it. It is super pretty but yep, over it.

So for tonight...here is my youngest in all smiles over the falling snow.

Click the link below to go and see many more fun smiles! This weeks judges is one of my favorite photographers to follow. None other than Jasmine Star. Incredible.

I heart faces- best face

Best face? Really? Do you know how many wonderful faces get in front of my camera? Brand new ones, ornery ones, innocent ones, loving ones, REAL ones. So instead of digging through files for hours and agonizing over a decision, I went with the first one that came to my mind. This is of one of my cousins little boys and it has always grabbed me. The blue of his eyes, the pink of his lips and the gold of his hair. The purity of it. I just love it.

I haven't placed a photo over at I heart faces in a long, long time. I am excited to post one again and to head to their site to look through many more wonderful faces. Join me! (click on the icon below)

*edit* just read further into the print for this week. I heart faces is usually on vacation this first week of the year but decided to try something different instead. No guest judge but a "peoples choice" type of voting...ugh. Not really my style but will stick it out any way!

I heart faces - photojournalism challenge

I am posting a photo this week on I ♥ faces. It has been a long time since I have taken the time to post a photo there. It is always fun to try and come up with something that fits the theme. Then even more fun to look at all the photos that get posted.

This week the focus is photojournalism. While I believe so many photos can tell a story they might be more often stories that are tucked in our hearts and memories. Our own photojournalism I suppose. But I did go a little more on the traditional photojournalism approach.

This is my Emme just this past week while visiting a local farm that has a butterfly bio-villa. They provided us with a guide to identifying the different butterflies that we might encounter while there. She held tight to it and was very serious about making a correct identification. Well, for a few seconds, then she was on to the next spot. Even though she cannot read yet, she of course could match it with the pictures provided. Such fun. I hope she is always eager to learn!

Head over to I ♥ faces to enter or check out some of the other photos!

I ♥ faces - play

I am putting a picture this week over at I heart faces, been awhile. This week the challenge is "play". I have an endless supply of those! So, the hard part... picking ONE. I even changed since typing this blog.

I just love the pure joy on her face in this pic. No, it isn't perfect but it is truly my Emme playing. No, posing. Gotta love the left over tattoos from a school carnival. What a rebel. Ha, just noticed the the baby zhu zhu pet in her hand too.

Now go over to I heart faces and check out some other kids (or adults) playing!

I ♥ faces- Collages

This week on I heart faces the challenge is collages. There are so many ways to use a collage but one of my favorite ways is to tell a story. Individually these photos are fun but when you put the series together it allows you to be in that moment. The moment when my 4 year old was THRILLED to sink a putt. I love to capture moments...

go check out other collages on I heart faces(click button below)

I ♥ faces - Dramatic B & W

I haven't entered a photo on I heart faces in awhile, I was due! Plus when I saw the guest judge this week is one of my VERY favorite photographers, Tara Whitney, I thought I must.

This week the theme is dramatic black and white. I snapped this just yesterday while playing out on the trampoline with the girls. Nothing posed, just a moment caught while playing.
Goldfish crumbs. Messy hair. Freckles. Life.
I was loving the afternoon sun that was pouring down on us. Both for pictures and because we are so longing for true spring and sunshine!!!

Go on over to I heart faces and see some other drama.

I ♥ faces OUTTAKES

Hopefully this can bring a little laughter to your Monday. This week on I ♥ faces they are focusing on out-takes. I have a few of those! Let's just start by saying siblings!!!

These two are mine and I actually love this picture. A fun dandelion blowing gone bad...

Emme still gets mad when we laugh at this picture.

"It doesn't taste good!"

Big brother taking the opportunity to pull his sisters hair while his parents are otherwise not able to pay attention to him...

sister's retaliation

Big brothers just can't resist!

I have no doubt if I dug around I would be able to find even more, but this will do!
Enjoy, and go over to I heart faces to get some more laughs! (click below)

I ♥ faces - hands on

Another post for I ♥ faces...this week is "hands on". Get it? It is amazing how difficult it was for me to choose just one picture. I don't think I even realized how many hand photos I have and sooo many I love! I might have to make a post sometime just to honor them.

I came up with this one of my little Harper girl. Who doesn't love the genuine smile and laughter that a simple game of peek-a-boo can create. Never mind the polished fingers. Such a fun treat for a two year old.

I did peek at a few pictures that have been entered this week, some great ones!

Click below and you can check 'em out too! I will be stalking more. Happy week!

I ♥ faces

**UPDATE- this photo was selected as a Angie and Amy (founders of I ♥ faces) favorite this week. Over 600 entries so needless to say, thanks for making my weekend!

I ♥ kisses....

that is the theme on I ♥ faces this week.

Brace yourself as this is not exactly the kind of kiss most of us hope

for as we are nearing Valentine's day.

But a kiss of love no doubt.

This picture is of our friends little boy Clayton and his beloved calf.

Clayton stood there and let his calf kiss him over and over.

SLURP!

A country boy at his finest.

{This isn't the "best" photo I have ever taken but thought it was a cute entry with the

big tongue kiss!}

ewww

Now head on over to I heart faces and see many more sweet kisses!

I ♥ faces; Pets only

I am putting a photo up at I ♥ faces again this week. This week they are featuring pets!

I sat on this one for awhile as I have so many different cute pets to choose from and some that might be a better "entry" than this. But I couldn't stay away from posting a picture of my sweet, sweet Dixee. She passed away this August and ugh...it still makes my heart heavy. She was my first baby girl...she was with me through cross country moves, a growing family, a wounded heart and much more. But she remained my loyal companion through it all. She slowly took a back seat year after year as my life got busier and busier with the kids and the rush that goes with it all. But she never complained and loved the girls as much as a dog could. This picture drew me in because it is just her! I can almost guarantee that there is a tennis ball at my feet as I took this picture, a plea to play ball with her. She loved that game, always.

So now that I have tears streaming down my face, I love and miss you Dixee!

Now go and check out some other cute pets!

i ♥ faces; photo challenge

I am entering a picture this week in a fun, weekly blog challenge...why not?

Well this week isn't so much about faces, the challenge is I ♥ tooshies! I love photos from behind but really like this recent one of my daughter. She was enamored by this goose who was hanging around with us while I was trying for some Christmas pictures. He even matches her outfit!

Check them out and other fun photos!