Park Play Edition (including a Tutu):

Every time she swings she yells out SWINGING. So, so cute.

Heaten looks so good in black. It really makes is baby blues stand out.

*Yes, Shenzie is wearing her tutu at the park. After arguing with her all morning over bows (she wanted to wear 5, I only let her wear 2 because I’m CONSTANTLY putting them in time and time again when they fall out), skirts (too cold for skirts, but try telling her that!), hats (she is now wanting to wear TWO hats every day), and every thing else I was so sick of the tantrums I just gave in. Score: Shenzie 1 Mom 0.

A long time ago I bought the babies the Elmo in Grouchland DVD, but at that time was so anti tv that I never let them watch it. These days I need all the help I can get, tv or otherwise so I plopped that bad boy in the DVD. HOLY HELL! This is the BEST DVD ever. The first go round I was able to clean the entire kitchen. I then moved us upstairs where Heaten had a meltdown for ELMO so I turned it back on and was able to shower, blow dry my hair, AND put on makeup. Yes, yes, I know tv is bad for their little brains, but so is Mommy meltdown…kinda like the lesser of two evils. =) If you haven’t subjected your child to mindless entertainment, this is a great place to start….trust me, there is no going back from here!!

Shenzie’s newest fashion accessory…ELMO slippers (Heaten has a pair too, he just wasn’t willing to model for me).

A couple of photos from the park last weekend.

Peek a Boo

I see you.

Just strollin’ along with Daddy

Today I’ll be posting over here for a change. *Warning* Enter at your own risk, the cutest factor is through the roof! I’m in the middle of editing two photo shoots so no time to type, type, type away. =)

Don’t worry though, I can’t leave without a photo:

This is as good as it gets with getting them both in a picture at once. It is IMPOSSIBLE. They are always going in opposite directions making it very challenging to get a good photo. *I just noticed the trail of (hopefully not duck doodee, behind Heaten’s foot…I’m pretty sure that was there before we got there and he didn’t step in something icky).

Nothing new to report here, just trying to get through each day without pulling my hair out or sending Shenzie to live with Grandma Jan(not that she’d have her, but whatever)!

She sure looks like an Angel, but trust me, she doesn’t act like one!

Things are busy around here. And you’re thinking, well duh! Of course you’re busy, you have two year old twins and Christmas is like 45 days away or something! And I say, no sillyheads…that’s not why I’m busy, this is:

And we can’t forget this:

Yes, that would be my new baby, a Canon 50D and it’s wonderful new friend, a Tokina 50-135 f/2.8 lens. Sigh.

Heavenly is the word I would use. I am busy learning the ins and outs of my new camera and lens and loving every minute!

Canon 50D on the left and Canon 400D XTi on the right. BIG difference.

And if that weren’t enough to keep me busy, I’ve finally exited the phone stone age (my old cell phone had no camera, no web/email/music, no nothing!) Love my new phone, but not nearly as much as my new camera and lens!!!

*Side note for those interested in getting the XXD Canon line. When my camera first arrived I played around with it a bit and wasn’t as blown away as I’d hoped to be. It was bigger and heavier, and I just wasn’t used to all of the newness. I really love my XTi and it produces awesome shots so I was kind of second guessing my purchase. Same with the lens. It was super duper heavy, hard to hold steady, especially when combined with the heavy 50D. The lens is fast, but was I really going to use it enough to justify the $$ spent.

This weekend I had two photo shoots and took about 600 shots. After using both cameras side by side I am now blown away with the 50D. After getting used to the extra weight of the 50D I now LOVE it. It feels steady, durable, and balances well with the heavier lens. Picking up the XTi after using the 50D was like holding a toy camera. I am hoping to keep my XTi as a backup camera, but after seeing what the 50D can do I wonder if I’ll ever want to use the XTi. Don’t get me wrong, the XTi is a wonderful camera and I love it, the 50D has just stole my heart. It is amazing and wonderful. It is super fast, has very a very handy quick mode to change aperture, WB, ISO etc., the LCD is so big and bright, the controls are so easy to use, the custom functions and menu are easy to navigate. Add to that the live mode, micro lens adjustment (that I haven’t even used yet), ISO up to 12,800 (not so usable, but handy to have just in case) and all of the other goodies I haven’t even found yet. I am officially in love! The only problem I had was the size of my Compact Flash. I have a 4gb, 2- 2gb, and a 1gb card that I filled up completely all in one shoot. The 4gb card only holds 180 RAW files which just isn’t enough (the 2gb card only holds 80 RAW files and forget about the 1gb card in the 50D, not even worth sticking in). Solution…a 16gb card is on its way to me as we speak!!

Incidentally, not a week after purchasing my new camera Canon put out a rebate (thru Mid Jan) of $100 on the 50D and $50 on the 40D so if you’re in the market for a new camera now is the time to buy!

As for the lens. Once again I was blown away. I rarely used my ‘main’ lens (Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for those wondering). I didn’t bust out my Canon 50mm f/1.4 at all. The Tokina is fast, sharp, great focal length, very solid, and once again I am officially in love. The only downside to the lens is the tripod ring is not removable and gets in the way at times, but I am willing to live with that small downside in exchange for the awesomeness of the lens.

So all in all…IN LOVE and can’t wait for my upcoming photo shoots this weekend so I can play again! Now I’m off to Edit, Edit, Edit.

Some sneak peeks from the photo shoots with the 50D and Tokina lens will be up at my photography blog later this week for anyone interested.

Bulldog Boy and Tongue Girl Edition:

Dear Shenzie and Heaten,

It is still strange to think my two little babies are two! Strange and wonderful. Two is such a fun age (still crazy and hard, but super fun). When I look at you I see sweet, kind, fun, funny, smart, silly, crazy, energetic, beautiful little children.

Everyday you learn new things whether they are words, colors, letters, numbers, or objects. We have so much fun playing and running and cuddling. I am saddened and excited at the same time to see you grow and learn and turn into wonderful little children leaving babyhood far behind.

Shenzie Weather Echo,

My funny, funny little girl. You crack me up daily with your antics. You are so silly and so funny that your Daddy and I just look at each other and laugh. This month you have started those terrible two tantrums that sometimes last an hour. In those moments I am NOT laughing and doing my hardest to stay calm and patient, which truly isn’t easy when you’re so crazy. Luckily they only happen when you’re over tired or in need of extra attention. Most days you wake up happy and spend the day running and running and running non stop keeping me on my toes for sure. I wouldn’t change a hair on your curly head, you are simply perfect and beautiful. I love you Shenzie Bear!

New this month:
You know green, blue, pink, purple, yellow, and orange
You have started saying A B C
Giving kisses on the cheek instead of the mouth

You love:
Puzzles - you are so good at putting them together all by yourself
Ice
Moving including jumping, dancing, spinning, running, and kicking
Antagonizing Heaten
Pink and Purple
Walks in the wagon and stroller
Dead leaves
Repeating things a GAZILLION times
Bows, necklaces, bracelets
HATS

Heaten Grey Myrick,

My sweet, loving boy. You have such a sweet and gentle disposition (when you’re not hitting and pushing your sister). Your smile lights up your face and mine. We spend a lot of time cuddling on the couch watching tv (oops). You are very content to play by yourself and keep yourself entertained for long periods of time before you come back to recharge with cuddles. One of my favorite things is tickling you. You laugh and laugh and laugh these deep belly laughs losing your breath and then ask for more when I’m done. You light up my whole life and I love you to bits and bites!

New this month:
Pretend sleep
Loving your blankie
You know blue, black, pink and green

You Love:
Tickles
Reading
Drawing/coloring
Cousin Trever
Walks in the wagon and stroller
Milk
Hiding under pillows and blankets
Signing Time and Bindi the Jungle Girl
Dancing and spinning
Standing in the car rolling up and down the window

I love you little Clammies, forever and everfor.

Love,
Mama.

Strange happenings around the Barr house yesterday morning.

I was upstairs getting myself and the babies dressed to go vote. Thank heavens I had got dressed, put on makeup, and fixed my hair early this morning instead of running around like a scrub like I usually do. I hear the door knock downstairs and head down to investigate. I NEVER open my door and have a No Soliciting sign on for those late night crazy people trying to sell me something. I look through the peep hole and see a young woman with her baby in a sling on her belly. What if this poor Mom is stranded or something. Then again, what if some crazy is hiding in the wings where I can’t see him waiting to rush into my house. (Yes, these are the thoughts I have when answering my door. Another reason to hate living in the big bad city of Las Vegas). So anyway, I open the door for the poor stranded Mom.

Me: Thinking this lady looks familiar
Lady: Hi, my name is Amanda Peet, here to remind you to vote.
Me: (Because I’m so cool and used to seeing famous celebrities and all) HOLY CRAP, you really are Amanda Peet!
Amanda Peet (AP): Smiles, yes and this is my daughter Frances. We just want to remind you to vote, that every vote is important.
Me: I was just upstairs getting my babies dressed to go vote.
*Screams erupt from upstairs*
AP: How old is your baby?
Me: Twins that just turned two.
AP: WOW! That must be hard, my daughter is 20 months.
Me: She is adorable.
AP: Takes the binky from daughters mouth and asks her ‘Who are we voting for’?
Frances: OBAMA!
Me: I wish I had taught my kids to say that.
Me: Would you mind horribly if I took your photo?
AP: Not at all.

Sometimes it comes in handy to have your camera permanently attached to your neck. =) Too bad my house looked like a tornado ran through it!!

I am not a big political junkie. I mean, at all. However, I will be voting today because every vote counts and I believe this country needs change.

My Grandma Bea HATES to have her picture taken. Anytime I see her I always make sure to sneak a couple of photos of her until she sees me and gives me “the look” and refuses to let me take anymore. I must have caught her in a good mood at cousins birthday party because she posed very prettily with me, the babies, and my mom.

Four Generations: Great Grandma Bea, Grandma Jan, Me, and the crying, crazy Babies who would NOT cooperate for the once in a lifetime photo. *Side note - sorry Mom, I know you’re going to HATE this picture, but like I said, it isn’t that it is the perfect picture, just that we have it for future memories. =)

My Grandma would KILL me if she saw I posted this picture, but I love it because she looks so real and happy.