Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Spring Update

March 26, 2011

I’m still here!  But I’m here with a new baby and a crazy schedule, so don’t expect too many new blog posts.  I am shooting again just in time for the late Senior season so I hope to share a session or two within the next few weeks.

I’m currently taking limited appointments in the Victoria area, and won’t be doing any big spring promos this year — I have seen some bluebonnets (even a couple of patches in fairly kid-safe areas!) but I don’t expect them to be around for much longer, so if you are interested in trying for Easter/Spring/wildflower portraits, please email me asap through the Portfolio Site.  I’m also working on updating the site (you will notice there are only two senior portraits from the hundreds in my archives) as time permits, so keep an eye out for some newer work soon.

Until I have some “free” time for the Internet again, here’s a shot of Baby Caleb.  He’s 4 months old now and is changing so much every day.  We looked through some old pictures of the bigger kids the other day, and it was a sweet reminder of how portraits can help preserve memories.  :)

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Summer Fun

July 16, 2010

We’ve spent a lot of time in my hometown of New Braunfels this summer, and it has been nice getting to relax and see family and friends we haven’t seen for awhile.  Victoria is only about 2 hours away, but it’s hard to find the time to make the trip during the school year.

This summer, though, all four of the kids were able to go to Newks Tennis Ranch for camp.  The Big Kids went to Adventure Camp, where they camped out at Enchanted Rock, did both the high and low ropes courses, went tubing and rafting down the Guadalupe and Comal rivers, and generally had all sorts of adventure fun.  The great thing about Adventure Camp is that the kids are challenged to do things that they never imagined they could do — and then they’re encouraged to think about how these accomplishments can apply to their “regular” lives.

The Little Kids (Mac and Cheese) went to Day Camp.  My mom is usually the head counselor for at least a week or two a year, so they have been before.  But this year I had the chance to go out there and see them doing some of the cool stuff — the high ropes course.  Charley said “I’ve done this before, so I’ll just sit and watch with you in the shade.”  But Mac got harnessed up and climbed one of the elements, and then they both tried the practice (low) Committment Bridge.  We’re really lucky that our kids had the opportunity to experience all these adventures this year.  I think that all four discovered that they could do more than they thought they could.

Getting into the harness to climb the high elements.

Climbing the ladder with help from the other campers and counselors.

Coming down from the high Buddy Bridge.

My mom up in the crow’s nest, taking pictures of campers (before they go down the Screamer or zip line) for parents.

Charley chilling out down on the ground.  It was SO hot out there.

The low Buddy Bridge.

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This Week’s Picks

July 13, 2010

This week’s picks are by Mac only.  Cheese was just too grumpy to be able to find anything she likes.  But Mac has been reading quite a bit this summer and had a couple of books that he wanted to share.

He has been making his way through the Little House books this summer, but claims Farmer Boy as his favorite.  “It’s really cool to read about a kid who lived a long time ago, and who’s life was so different than mine is today, but I also think that we would be friends if we lived during the same time.”  He says the Little House books are “no way, not just for girls” and are all about adventure.

His other favorite reads this summer can be found in the Magic Tree House books.  He started reading these mainly because he had to earn AR points, but says that they’re worth reading “even if you don’t have to,” which is high praise coming from this about-to-be-third-grader.  Mac says his current favorite is Twister on Tuesday because it, too, is about the pioneer era in the Midwest, and he likes all the tornado-related action.  As a big fan of Storm Chasers, I guess this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

I’ll try to get all the kids together for more recommendations next week.  Right now, we’re off to the library to restock.

  Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Shelby Newman

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It’s (probably) a…

July 12, 2010

baby caleb

… boy!  We had our 18 week ultrasound late last week and got to see a very healthy baby boy.  Caleb is due to arrive in early December.  We’re all really excited, and we’re having fun looking at all the “new” baby stuff — I gave all my baby gear away a few years ago, so we are starting from scratch.  As the kids and I wandered around the local baby stores, we had a hard time finding nursery bedding that matched the vision in my head.  Does anyone have suggestions for cute nursery gear that is simple but not “blah”?

On a business note… I’m still not taking sessions for the time being, but hopefully will be back up and running this fall in time for the holiday portrait season (September and October).

  Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Shelby Newman

Posted in Current Affairs, Family, Mommy Monday | 2 Comments »