Every time Paul and I go on a date night we sit cozily with a wine in hand and chat about our life.
We are away from any distractions and begin to mention all of the things we want to do and type of people (parents, husband, wife) we want to be.
One important goal is to spend some quality time with our children.
We want to focus on making them happy, travel around, take them to places that will create fond memories!
Since the new year we’ve been trying to make Saturdays (or Sundays if I HAPPEN to work) a day where we do something out of the house!
Get unplugged and enjoy one another and go places that are out of our bubble.
It’s not as easy as it sounded. The past three Saturdays we have been out on little adventures, but with the kiddos there can be challenges.
A two year old may throw a fit, about which way the wind is blowing. You may have to drag her into a shop kicking and screaming… bribing her with fudge. 🙂
The baby may need to nurse or be changed – at inappropriate times and places.
The 8 year old may pout about anything and argue until we’re all blue in the face. Even when you threaten spankings left and right.
Well this Saturday was the MOST pleasant.
Why… you ask?
Um, a few words:
Stock Show. Rodeo. Midway. Park. Enchiladas. Fun.
Need I say more? They were never bored.
There was never a dull moment.
Paul and I even were on the KISS CAM at the rodeo…
When the announcer asked if we were married… I pointed to the baby I was WEARING (after smoochin’ my fella) and the announcer said,
“OH I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE, now I am blushing.”
I loved that people in the audience who knew us… or peeps from FB noticed it was us. 🙂
The kids were able to ride rides, eat popcorn and caramel apples at 10:30 am, watched bull riding, and knew the day was for them.
This is very encouraging to us as parents… seeing their happiness and without ANY meltdowns.
Moments like this is teaching us how to cater to the CHILD in them and have some fun.
I have been bringing my camera on these excursions… which has been fun in helping me learn how to capture candids and fun moments.
(not my best photographer attribute)
I hope you enjoy these COLORFUL, fun and precious images of my sweeties!
I wondered if Parx would be afraid of all of these rides… NOPE, she was so excited and ready for the next one!
 Pierson was so loving and wanted to go on all of the rides with his LITTLE sister. Passing up some of the BIG rides, to go with her.
About two seconds after this Parx started screaming… so they stopped the cars to let her off.
All she wanted was the BIG bears hanging from the games.
 Pierson wanted to go on the haunted house ride… but NOT alone. 🙂
 How magical.
These are GREAT! What fun and creative captures of a fabulous day. It is so hard getting “artistic” shots of fast moving little ones in real time and less than ideal light; you made the most of it! Love, love, love the shots of P & P in the bumper cars — just adorable.
Oh thank you… I am also really bad at shooting at this time of day and really tried to get things in a good exposure (it was high noon!).
Arden those are GREAT… **side note… we were at the stock show too and I kept thinking “i might see Arden” LOL I knew you were from Ft. Worth… couldn’t decide whether to come up and say “hi” or not LOL… didn’t want to appear all facebook/stalkerish
Awh Kellie you are so sweet. So you did NOT see me? I was there on Saturday AND Sunday. Also at the food park a few days back this gal was like, “I KNOW YOU, I follow your work and FB!” I felt so honored and excited!
So BEAUTIFUL Arden!! I love all the colors but most of all, I love the LOVE that you all share. Such a beautiful family unit!
Oh ML thank you so much. We had a great time… plus they served beer at the 10am rodeo. 🙂 ha
Oh my goodness Arden, these pictures melt the heart! I am such a big fan of yours as I also have a two year old and now 4 month old. I too am working on my candid shots and from what I see you have got it down!! If you ever want to share any tips on what you’ve learned I’d be so grateful to hear them! 🙂
Ps: Your children are so gorgeous!! 🙂
Oh Ali thank you! Gosh, I don’t even know about tips. I guess make sure your shutter isn’t super slow or your aperture isn’t super wide, for more depth of field and speed. I like to do the whole “Oh look CANDY” trick to at least get them to look at me, though on the rides it was all ‘them.’ 🙂
These are fantastic. Absolutely love them. These are the pics we all need more of….magical moments of our kids just being kids…. You did an amazing job.
Thank you so much, they had a blast and I love the images!
Arden! Your pictures are so amazing! They tell such a story. I just want to see more every time I look at your post.
Thank you so much Richelle!
Parker’s face is priceless! I can just hear her giggle on those swings. xo
Thanks my sweetiE!
awwww LOVE these!! soooooo cute!
Thanks B!!!