"Happy Birthday!"...

...so says Frosty the Snowman.  Except for, of course, it's March (hey, I dream of snow all year long okay?).

And being March, it is not only right after Daddy's Birthday, includes Nathan's Birthday, it is also...

Trey's Birthday!

(busy month for us...Trey says he tops it off. ;-))

Ya big fifteen-year-old. :)

We went out a few days ago and took some "freshman" pictures for his birthday (if you're in my family, you get pictures every grade, uh possibly every month, or...day.  Needless to say, I like my camera. A lot.).  One of the great things about Trey is that he is so easy-going, that means he also doesn't care about being in pictures.  Whenever I point the camera at him, he doesn't shy away: he faces it head on.

However, most of the pictures look like...

this...

and this...

and last but not least...the rock-star pose.

I have three brothers.  Trey is the lead goof-ball. Then follows Nathan, and finally Ryan.  

They keep me on my toes.  All the time. ;-)

I think it is good though, they help me to filter stress through hysterical laughter.  'Cause let me tell ya, when they get going, it is like one wave after another.  

Trey remembers pretty much everything.  Of course, that helps with his wit, but he also uses it for other things such as memorizing Bible verses or math & physics formulas (yes, he is in physics.  This guy is smart.).

Trey loves his guitar.  He loves playing the guitar.  And he is really good at the guitar.  Recently, we learned about this Contemporary Christian artist named Josh Wilson who plays the guitar really well.  When Trey first heard Josh Wilson play an instrumental version of "It is Well," he has wanted to learn how to play that piece.  Trey wasn't able to get around to the piece until he was asked to play his guitar for church.  The problem (well, Trey thought it was a problem, ) was that he only had one month to learn how to play the piece.  But he didn't let that deter him. :-)

He emailed Josh Wilson asking for the tab, and when Josh Wilson's manager emailed Trey back with the music, he got to work.

After working really, really hard on it for one month, he got the piece down and was able to play it for church (with some minor changes though :-)). It was so gorgeous when he played at church, he played it really well.  But, the thing that struck me was Trey only wanted to give glory to God.

Playing "Amazing Grace." Another of his favorites. ;-)

He is actually playing "It Is Well" here.  I wanted to record him, but he wouldn't let me.  Oh well, one day I will get it. :-)

So Trey, I am so glad you are my brother.  You make me laugh so much, you truly enjoy life.  I just wanted to take this post and tell you how much I appreciate you.  Thank you for protecting me from the red lobsters and lava. :-)

Happy Birthday Trey!

-Love "the Sis"

Silly boy. :-)

For Trina & Russel

So I know you wonder why I haven't posted in a little while (although it is much better than my, ahem, six month break :)), but this time I do have a really good excuse.

I was in a wedding.

No, I didn't get married (for some obvious reasons), but I did get to be the photographer. :)

About a month and a half ago, Trina called me and asked if I would be their photographer.  This would be my first wedding to do, so naturally I was really excited--and nervous.  I am so thankful to Trina and Russel for trusting me to take their wedding photos.  I learned so much and had a great time.   

Anyway, so I thought I would post a few from their wedding on March 18.   

The groom getting ready.

The rings.

The bride getting ready.

Walking down the isle.

Trina and the mother-of-the-bride.

Two little nieces: (left) Rachael, (right) Abby.  So sweet and photogenic!

 

During the whole wedding, dark clouds kept rolling overhead.  We didn't have much of a chance of rain, but it looked like every second the torrents of heaven could've poured down! Trey came to the wedding with me to assist me, so he kept checking the sky and the forecast.  Thankfully, we didn't get any rain until much later, but it made for an exciting (plus slightly nerve-wracking :)) day.  It was interesting editing the photos afterwards because some of them look bright and sunny, while others look more dismal.  Oh well, even with all the craziness I was still so blessed to be able have this experience!

In Him,
Kristin

Surprise! (We threw one at least...)

A few weeks ago right before my Dad's Birthday (Feb. 27), all of our family schemed together to throw him a surprise birthday party!  Now, it is very hard to keep secrets from my Dad--normally he can see right through me--but this time we were able to give him a big surprise!

We had planned it out to where my Nana would nonchalantly text Daddy and tell him that we could get together for leftovers at their house.  I had a violin practice that afternoon, so we planned that Daddy would come and pick me up and take me too my grandparent's house.  It was sooo hard all the way there to keep from smiling and raising suspicion.  I just kept thinking, "I hope he doesn't know, I hope he doesn't suspect anything!" all the way to their house. 

When we pulled up I had to work really hard to keep from smiling, I was so excited!  Daddy didn't have a clue about anything, and I just knew it would work out.  The funniest thing was that we had hid everybody's cars behind the house, and at the last minute he saw one!  He kept questioning about the cars as we walked towards the door, I was just praying that it wouldn't click in his mind what we were up too!

Of course, he was incredibly surprised.  The look on his face when everyone yelled "surprise" was so priceless!  Later he kept saying how he couldn't believe we pulled it off, and that he was so happy to see everyone. 

I was unable to get many pictures of him (he is an expert dodger :-)), but I was able to take a few of the party.  Pretty much all of our family was there, our Aunt Marilyn even skyped in from Colorado.  It was a great time. :-)

Aunt Kera and little Anna, plus cousin Caleb talking to Marilyn.

  

  

Besides Daddy, of course, there was another little person that everyone was quite excited to see.  Little miss Anna has now officially come to her first family get-together.  She probably won't remember it though. :-)

Aunt Sharion holding Anna.

Cousin Jonathan

I don't think Daddy minded too much having another little person steal the show. :-)  She might get just a little bit spoiled by everybody.  Only by a little bit though. ;-)

After we had finished eating cake and ice cream, Trey pulled out his guitar and played for everyone.  He has become incredibly talented on the guitar, sounding out different hymns and songs by either watching them being played, or just by ear.  His most recent song has been Amazing Grace by Josh Wilson.  I'll tell you what, it is really, really neat to watch Trey play it.  I know I just said this, but he has become so crazy good on the guitar!  I am so glad God has blessed with this ability.  It gives so much joy to others. Anyway the party was a great time to talk, just relax and enjoy ourselves. 

Us Alexander children had a surprise in-store as well, Mommy and Daddy had secretly bought tickets for Steven Curtis Chapman's Songs and Stories Tour, and finally told us that night.  We were so shocked, and soooooo excited (big SCC fans over here).  It was a totally awesome way to end the night, plus we had something to look forward too.  I personally had been feeling a little swamped with school, and so I was very, very thankful to Mommy and Daddy for giving us the privilege to go. :-) 

Anyway, I highly recommend throwing surprise parties.  They are so much fun. ;-)

Have a blessed day!
Kristin

Happy Birthday Mr. Nathan!

Dear Nathan,

You are so not supposed to be 11.  I mean you make ME feel old. Nah, just kidding, I know I'm still pretty young, but you are getting so big! 

  You are such a great brother.  You are so considerate, and you love taking the time to play with Ryan and Ashlyn.  You have also got the blue-est eyes I have ever seen, are great at many sports, but yet you don't let little things like that go to your head (and also, please, never get rid of your freckles!).

 You are a hard worker.  When you are given a task you DO it,  DO it well, and as fast as you can. Whenever we ask you to do anything, you always go at least a little above and beyond what you have been asked to do--whether it be cleaning your room, or fetching a glass of water--you try to go the extra mile. 

 

 You show great responsibility in pretty much everything you do.  Especially with the outdoor animals, and your new little puppy (now officially named Tebow ;)). 

  

 You are not afraid to face the unknown.  I mean, you will probably never see me going down the side of a cliff.  But you do it, and then do it again--even if it is a little scary.

 

 You are so sweet Nathan.  My favorite memory is when you saved your money and bought a little hair-bow for our new cousin.  You couldn't wait to give it to Aunt Kera, and you made sure that everything was perfect: buying a little bag and card so that Anna will know who gave it to her one day. 

I know I am a little late in posting this, and for that I am sorry, but I want you to know that I love you.  You are the best middle child I will EVER know, our family would not be the same without you. 

Happy Birthday Buddy-Boy!

Your big Sis' loves you.  

  P.S. So this is why you wanted my camera.  I am so glad I found this of you silly boy. ;)  You always seem to find a small way to make me laugh, even if I feel swamped with school.  Happy birthday  again you goofball. :P ;)

Fun with the Kids

 

  A few weeks ago I was babysitting for a family we know, when I decided to pull out my camera.  All the girls were playing so well with their jump-ropes, that I couldn't help taking a few snapshots of them.  These are some of the sweetest girls to take care of, plus they're lots of fun to be around!

Miss Vivian: Just keep practicing, you'll get it, I promise. :)

Lil' Miss "Milly" or Amelia: I hope you like me now. ;)

Miss Sophia: You are such a great help to me.

 (You are too Jacob, I just don't have a picture of you ;). Keep making movies by the way. ;))

I am so glad I get to babysit.  I love doing it so much! 

One of the best memories I have of babysitting was when one young boy came up to me and said: "You know Kristin, you'll make a great Mommy one day." Statements like that mean so much more to me than even the money.  I hope and pray that one day I will get to be a Mommy. Even though I know it's harder than I could imagine, it is so worth it.  

(Plus, if I am half as good as my mom, I think I 'd probably be pretty good. ;) Love ya Momma.)

Have a blessed day!
Kristin