I wanted to share this really cool new kids album (do they still call them albums? … ha!) that was just released on iTunes today called Do Fun Stuff. Why is it important? Well, for a couple of reasons. First, it was put together by a friend, Cole and her husband, local photographer Ryan Marshall. (Ryan also writes a really fun blog — you should follow him.) He put the album together to raise money for a little known syndrome called SMS – Smith Magenis Syndrome. Their 6 year old son has been diagnosed with this syndrome and they are both huge advocates for their little boy. Every penny raised in selling the album goes to the charity and to families around the world who are dealing with this in their lives.

One of the “rules” in our household is that any kid’s TV show, movie or music has to pass the parents test … meaning that we have to like listening to it or watching it too. Well, I can tell you that this definitely passes the test. I think I’ll enjoy listening to it as much as my little one.

Bravo, Ryan & Cole. Its a hit!

When the alarm went off at 5:15am this morning I had second thoughts about our great idea to get up early and take pictures of the sunrise over the St. John’s River. It was sooooo tempting to just roll over and go back to bed, but I knew I’ve ultimately regret it. While it was very early, I’m so glad we did it because it WAS beautiful. And I’m so glad I was able to capture some of the beauty with the camera. Major props to the toddler who had the best attitude of all — she was loving it!

I was going through some of my personal photos today looking for some images to hang in our house.  We’re having people over tomorrow, so its time to spruce up! (Doesn’t everyone do this??)  I fell into the way back machine when I opened up the file with my daughter’s baby pictures. Awww.  She was about 2 months old here.  This was actually the first time since she was born that I actually got “newborn” photos of her: sleepy, curly poses.  Up until this point I think I was too overwhelmed being a new mom to really dedicate the patience needed to get these kind of shots.  I remember this day she had a doctor’s appointment earlier in the day and received some vaccinations.  The vaccinations must have made her sleepy because she let me pose her for about 60 minutes in my bedroom, where some really beautiful light was coming in.

I posted this today for a couple of reasons.  First, because … awww … isn’t she adorable?   Second, because I encourage everyone to make sure they use their photos as art in their home.  I have several spots in my home dedicated to my family’s pictures: on the top of the staircase, outside all the bedrooms; on the fire mantle; on a wall in my living room where I have 3 large canvas prints hung; and in my kitchen where I’ve dedicated one wall to a “collage” of framed 8×10, 11×14 and 5×7″ prints.

A photographer friend recently shared a term that I really love: happy snaps.  Happy Snaps are those photos you take (with camera, camera phone, etc.) of your day-to-day life.  They may not be photos that you want to frame and hang on the wall, but they are a piece of you and your life.  And, they make you happy.  I love that.  I get asked all the time if I have a ton of photos of my daughter.  I do, like any other mother out there, but they aren’t always taken with my “good camera”.  In fact, I only bring the good camera out about once a month.  All the other in between photos are usually taken with my iPhone camera.  I have a couple of camera processing apps on my iPhone that seem to make the photos just a bit more interesting.  For example, the photo I’m posting below is processed with the Shake It Photo App.  I thought I’d share some of my Happy Snaps with you from time-to-time.  This one was taken this weekend when we were on the road.  It made me laugh and that’s what happy snaps are all about.