Super Jax strikes back~ {a photo shoot}

    One more reason why I heart living in the country...  my little Super Hero gets to chase "birds," Lol... I have no idea what kind of bird is! If anyone know's & would like to share, that be awesome! {Poor birdies}I promise no feathered invaders were hurt in the making of this post) Life has been pretty crazzzzy busy this last week, but a good crazy busy! I got to shoot my 1st Birthday party ( aka family Jaxy's little cousin, BUT still it was a blast!) I felt so in my element, & LOVED every minute of it. Big thanks to Daddy-O, while mama was off snappn away, he had "chasing around Jaxy duty." (I truly have one amazing guy) Now I have a million pictures to process, can't wait to share them w/ ya'll soon! 

    Now for my Super Jax Photo shoot... also known as... bribing one cute monkey-man w/ pop cycles... into wearing his cape on a walk... then mommy chasing him chasing birds! Lol... I apologize, most of these shots are of Super "J" running the other direction. My little man is a trooper, w/ mama's insane picture taking habit,

***BUT he is also still 3!***

P/S

Thank you to Jaxy's Gma, for making my little super hero the cutest cape EVER.

We love you GRANDma.

................................................................................................

Finagle a Foto challenge #11~ {8pm} & {door)

**Happy Sunday friends.**
Welcome to another Finagle a Foto challenge series.
We have a very fun theme, & one FABulous guest judge in store for you!

  <<Finagle a Foto #11>>
Themes: 
{8pm} (what your night looks like @ 8pm)  
& {door}
..................................................

Our guest host this week(is AWESOME)blogs over at...
*Finding My Creativity*

INTRODUCING...
 my A-mazing, super talented, 
& beyond sweet friend, Becky.

I can't say enough good things about this sweet talented lady! I admire her SO much. She's not only one skilled photographer, but a wonderful mommy, & great bloggy friend! Please head on over & give her some love!


Name: Becky    

Blog URL: Finding My Creativity

Describe yourself in three words: Happy, Forgiven, Hopeful (ps... this is hard)

What does photography mean to you: Capturing Memories.I, like a lot of photographers, got into this whole thing to take clearer pictures of my daughter.  I loved capturing her smiles, and chubby baby rolls ;0). So I bought my first dslr last year and absolutely fell in love with photography. 

What are you workn' with?{camera, lens's, fav editing tools, accessories}: I use a Canon Rebel xti and usually I use my 50mm 1.8 lens.  It is my favorite, I got it for Christmas and my poor little kit lens gets very little attention now.

 What are a few items on your photography gear wish list: Well... I really haven't thought about that much.  I guess a speedlight and indoor gear.  I really would love to have one of the big expAUnsive camera bodies, it would just be really nice to take indoor shots and not have to worry about cranking up the ISO, but I am just learning to be the best I can with what I have.

What is your most FAVorite photograph you've ever taken, & why: This is a really hard one, I've taken so many, but I think my favorite right now is this one of my daughter.

playing outside and it just captures her happy, silly spirit, I think.

Where would you like your photography journey to be in  a year: I would love to have a successful business or at least be on my way to one.  I really love newborn photography so hopefully that will be a huge part of it!

................................................................
Here are my takes {8pm}

My night around 8:00...

Of course, I have my camera ready to go, at all times!

I thought it be fun to show ya'll just a glimpse into our...

wonderful, crazy, fun, hectic, wouldn't change it for the world life!

*Bath time*

(Insert heart melting)

Jaxy's favorite bath toys, (of the moment) Hot Wheels & Lightning McQueen color changing cars.

They are pretty darn cool.

Uggg! Even the back of his head is CUTE.

Time to get out of the bath. I have one sleepy monkey-man on my hands!

*Watchn' baseball w/ daddy*

Uh OH... It's the "Tickle Monster!" (aka the daddy)

Somebody loves to show off for daddy?

Hope you had a good time looking into my normal crazzzy everyday life!! 
......................................................................................


What's your take?
Care to join us? Link up & share your photo!!!

<div align="center"><a href="http://happyjax-melanie.blogspot.com/2012/04/finagle-foto-challenge-11-8pm.html" title="Happy Jax"><img src="http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/4happyjax/hjcamdraft1Picnikcollagebutton.jpg" alt="Happy Jax" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

We would LOVE for you to join us!
1. Please be a follower HERE and of my Co-Hosts *Kirsten & *
 Marilyn
AND our Guest host **Becky**

Feel free to show off shots that lead to your perfected photo of choice!

{Lets us know to follow YOU too so we stay connected!!!}

2. MUST be your OWN shot, please do not finagle other's work.

3. Please Link Back To Your ORIGINAL Actual Photo Post.

4. Please display Finagle A Foto button on your post.

5. Help Us Know YOUR Favorites By "Liking" The Photo

6. Winner gets to help us choose the challenge themes..!!

7. Visit around and check out creative versions of the focal point of the week!

8.Give some comment LOVE. Everyone loves & little LOVE!

*NEW CHALLENGES WILL START EVERY SUNDAY*

.....................................................................

Hello Angel eyes!

In awe.

In awe that I get to be the mommy of this AMAZING little blue eyed naughty boy.

Seriously, I don't know how I got so lucky.

The most beautiful thing about this little fella...his BEAUTIFUL happy soul.

They say, "The eyes are a window to the soul...."

PROOF. This is true!!

Jaxy, you made mama's soul whole again.

LOVE u the most, momkey-man.

***********************************************************

P/S

 I need to give a big HAPPPPPPY  1st Birthday shout out,

to one sweet little boy Joshua!!

He has one of the sweetest mama's around! 

Happy Birthday little guy!

..........................................................................................................................

Finagle a Foto #10 Winners!!~ {Inner Geek} & {Rustic}

Hey ya'll!

<<Welcome back to Finagle a Foto Challenge>>

**Week #10 Top Finaglers (WINNERS)**

{Inner Geek} & {Leading Lines}

This was such a fun week, our themes had it goin ON!

How fun was {Inner Geek}, & {Inner Lines}? Opened my eyes a bit more when I go to snap a picture.  It's not something I usually thought about in my photography, I'll add it to my crazy photography brain! Lol... do any of you see in pictures? By that I mean wherever I may be I am CONSTANTLY thinking about taking a photo there... wherever "there" is. How I would line it up, what I would focus on... I see in snapshots. I really have lost it! hahaaa)

Onto the important stuff! 

I want to extend a BIG thank you to our super lovely guest host this week, 

Cheryl, via Deckside Thoughts.

 Here are her final picks!
..........................................................................................................

***Congrats to our #1 Finagler***

 Kely-Marie, via Our Footprints On The World (Inner Geek)

The head tilt, the hint of a smirk, and her slightly jutted hip fairly dare anyone to mess with her inner geek. Technically, the points that stand out are the straight lines in the concrete background

 and the bottom left intersecting lines sitting right on Minnie's face. Really fun and well-composed shot.

*2nd*

 Mary-Gene, via I Wanna Be In Pictures (Leading Line)

The angle, the focal point, and her use of the tracks to lead the eye to the oncoming train make this a really pleasing shot.


*3rd*
Melanie, via Happy Jax (OMGosh. That's me!)

My eyes went straight to her gorgeous eyes, in large part because her very flattering glasses provided a nifty leading line. The rule of 3rds also drew my eyes right to hers. Very sweet self-portrait.

 .........................................................................................................................

Cheryl, thank you again, it was fun!

 Ladies, please head on over here to get ya' some good ole fashioned button love!
.....................................................................................
<<Come on back tomorrow for
 Finagle a Foto Challenge #11!!>>
Our theme will be {8pm}
(what your evening looks like around 8pm)


AND one of my very FAVorite gals will be our guest judge!
Super excited to show her off!


For a list of upcoming themes & more Finagle a Foto info go here

This or That Thursday~ {a Jax to do list}

Surprisingly Jax & I have many fun adventures, 

& even meet a new friend or two, on our afternoon walks... 

down our rural country road.

(I just wanted to give ya'll a great example of a run on sentence) Lol.

This walk was no different, & just one reason why I never leave home w/ out Cece (my camera)

You never know when you're going to run into a cute lil winner of a Wiener Dog!

(sorry that was lame, but I just can't bring it to myself to delete it) hehee

......................................................................................................................................................

Wordless Wednesday~ Soccer & grape soda... oh my

Note: Do I usually give my crazy little monkey soda... 

Heck NO!

This was a special day at the park though... we hit 80 degrees, & I had one thirsty kiddo... he went though one sippy cup full of  apple juice, & mama's bottle of water... 

AND finally( he met sweet victory)made it to my grape soda.

At least it was diet & caffeine free.

Plus he sat still long enough to enjoy his new favorite drink.

Which = some pretty darn cute pics!

Ohhh yah... & before the non-caffeinated sugar high...

there was soccer...

....................................................................................................................