Better in Bulk - Family photographer with a large family» Give Me Your Best Shot

Being a Kid for a Day #YesMemory – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:32:37 +0000

It seems like ages ago that I got back from my trip to San Jose to visit YesVideo’s headquarters, but it really wasn’t that long ago. “Real life” tends to envelop me and make those glorious days of travel seem to be more distant than they really are.

I left my memory card with all of my pictures with YesVideo (on purpose) when I flew back home, so even though these photos were not taken this week, I thought it would be ok to share them now, since I just got a few of them yesterday (these are a combination of photos from my camera and from other members of our group, which included Drew from BenSpark.com, Kim from Mommycosm.com, Dwan from MommaDJane.com, and Stephanie from QueenScarlett.com, among several YesVideo employees more than happy to sacrifice some of their day to entertain us).

Here are a few fun shots from our lunch trip to Dave and Busters, where – I’m proud to say – I totally blew everyone away with my horse racing skills. Ok, maybe I DID find out after the fact that not everyone had two balls like I did…

We really did feel like kids playing games all day. Everyone totally got into the role! I love how Drew was video taping himself while driving (I’m just hoping he doesn’t do that in a real car…).

Gotta love the expressions here!

Stephanie and I got in the photo booth together….

…And came back with this very silly picture of what our baby would look like. Ha!

Despite all of the tickets that these ladies collected, no one came close to my stash. Yes, I AM a rock star.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

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Disclosure: I am a YesVideo ambassador and receive compensation for my time and involvement with them. I also received an expense-paid trip to California earlier this month to visit their headquarters. All thoughts are my own.

Potion Making in the Kitchen – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:00:25 +0000

A package arrived earlier this week filled with dry ice (and Blue Bunny ice cream treats for AJ’s birthday next week). As excited as the kids were about the ice cream, they were equally as excited about the dry ice. AJ started making plans to make potions the next day after school.

He used a ladle to scoop a bunch of dry ice into a bowl and then slowly poured water over the dry ice. Instant cauldron!

It’s amazing what simple things can entertain kids for so long.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Back in My Hometown – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:02:09 +0000

What a nostalgic week! I’m currently traveling back from a quick trip to San Jose, California (writing this from the airport as I wait to board my plane).

I spent my childhood in San Jose. Although we moved from San Jose when I was 11, we lived less than an hour away and still returned to the general area for shopping (hello, Great Mall!) and playing (yay for Great America!) when I was older and until my parents finally sold their California house in 2006 and moved away.

The street signs, the banks, the restaurants, the trees, the hills that look so massively mountainous now that I live in the East Coast. I remember thinking that these hills were nothing. Now I am blown away by everything. So big. So beautiful.

I miss my California.

While I don’t have my “real” pictures yet and won’t for a little while, I thought I’d share a few of the California shots I got this week. Now I’m kind of kicking myself for being so pro-slr this week, since I have hardly nothing to show for my adventures from my phone.

I guess I’ll have to show a little bit of patience while I wait.

And, yes, those last two pictures are screen shots from my iPad. I’m tired.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Monster Moth – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:14:12 +0000

A little while ago, my kids were playing outside and discovered a moth in our front yard. The kids ran inside to tell me about the moth. Finding insects and little critters outside is pretty common occurance, and nothing to get all excited about, I thought.

And then I saw the moth.

Yes, THIS moth was worthy of pulling out the big camera. I don’t know if you can tell perspective in these shots, but the moth was bigger than my hand. And that shot of him flying at me (shudder!)? His body was thicker than my thumb.

I swear he was coming to attack me here…

As scary as this moth was….wasn’t he beautiful?

PS – I believe I identified our moth as a Polythemus moth, or giant silk moth. And what’s so cool about this discovery is that my kids and I found the caterpillar predecessor in our front yard last year. Here’s the Instagram shot I caught of it:

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:20:28 +0000

How do I adequately describe the experience of being taken behind the scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, being led on a three-hour private safari where I was close enough to reach out an touch animals (don’t worry – I didn’t), and enjoying African-inspired delicacies on the savanna?

I truly felt transported to another world. I was relaxed, in awe of the beauty of the Animal Kingdom, and thoroughly entertained. My experience on the Wild Africa Trek at Disney World can best be shared through the pictures that I captured. I’ll apologize now for the sheer number. I swear I did narrow them down…

Me at the start of the Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Our group at the beginning of the Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Our guides on the Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Crossing the bridge - Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom

We were so close to the giraffes!

The "African delicacies" were so good, and the presentation was fantastic!

Sara, Emily, and Carrie shared a peaceful meal with me

So many simple, special touches!

I love that I caught 4 different kinds of animals in one shot!

One of the cheetahs put on a show for us - she climbed a tree!

The lion was stunning, and he was looking right at me!

3 hours later, we were a little more tired but so thrilled with what we had experienced!

PS – Did you know that you can experience the Wild Africa Trek next time you’re at Disney World, too? I highly recommend it for a totally unique theme park experience.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Disclosure: I experienced the Wild Africa Trek as part of an expense-paid media trip to Disney World for the red carpet premiere of Disneynature’s Chimpanzee. All opinions are my own. Photos are from my own camera as well as group shots from our safari guides (yes, you actually get a photo CD to keep as part of your ticket price!).

Give Me Your Best {Kissimmee} Shot – PSF

Lolli — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:06:09 +0000

I am overwhelmed by today’s experience here in Florida. After a late night getting settled in our Global Resort home and visiting with all of our blogging buddies, the morning came very, very early.

We left in a Pegasus bus around 7:30 this morning to travel over to Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida. What a gorgeous setting! After signing some waivers (not that it’s dangerous or anything) our group of 24 split up into smaller groups. My group headed up to the brand new Rattlesnake Rollercoaster (it just opened last Friday. Imagine combining a zipline (ie – you’re hanging from a cable high in the air) with a roller coaster (quick drops and spins). It. Was. Awesome.

And, yes, I did squeal a few times.

After the roller coaster, I headed over to the Cypress Canopy Cycling all by myself and had quite a workout. Three quarters of a mile of cycling in the air, above the Florida canopy. If it hadn’t been for the physical exertion of the cycling, it would have been a wonderfully relaxing ride in the air. Truthfully, I was pretty proud of myself for accomplishing it.

After the EcoSafari adventures, we headed over to Boggy Creek Airboats for lunch and an airboat ride. Oh my! What a thrilling boat ride and a perfect Spring day.

While at Boggy Creek, I not only got to EAT alligator and spot alligator in the wild, but I got to hold a 3 year old rescued alligator. I can’t wait to show my kids these pictures!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Note: I traveled with a group of bloggers on an all expense paid trip for these events. My photos, excitement, and opinions are my own.

Give Me Your Best Shot….From Pennsylvania!

Lolli — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:23:06 +0000

My kids and I have spent the last 2 days in Pennsylvania with my sister and her 2 girls. It has definitely been the highlight of our Spring Break.

Here’s a peek at all the fun we’ve had together…

We’re heading back home tonight, and will sleep well after all the excitement we’ve had here, but come tomorrow, I can almost hear the complaints of boredom…

Luckily, Easter is right around the corner (new excitement, more cousin time) and then…. Back to school! And in less than one week, I’ll be enjoying some Florida sunshine with my blogging friends. I can’t wait!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Celebrating Day One of Spring Break with #TCBYGrocery

Lolli — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:10:34 +0000

Sorry I’m late getting my PhotoStory Friday/ Give Me Your Best Shot post up. And please forgive my lack of fancy-camera pictures. I’ve been a little preoccupied partying with my kids.

We’re celebrating the start of Spring Break!!

Today the kids were in school….and tomorrow we all get to sleep in. Yes, glorious, wonderful vacation. Of course, I’ll still need to work, but just the thought of not having to set my alarm for 5:45 every morning sounds incredibly relaxing. I can hardly contain myself.

In honor of the first day of Spring Break, I threw my kids a party tonight. Granted, I’ve been SO busy this week that I didn’t have a chance to head to the store to pick up the supplies, so I ran to Walmart after dinner. The kids were motivated to clean up (a little) because they knew that I was bringing back some TCBY frozen yogurt.

There’s something about frozen treats that screams of vacations and warm weather and happy times. I couldn’t be more happy about our Spring Break, although by the way the week is shaping up, I’m sure I’ll be sitting at the other end of the break wondering where all the time went.

Spring Break is a traditional time for us to explore our area. While we almost never go to downtown DC on “regular” days, we always make a point of heading to DC during Spring Break. We have a picnic at “airplane park” with friends and spend a day “old-city-hiking” at Harper’s Ferry. Oh, Spring Break is a wonderful, glorious time.

Definitely cause to celebrate….

Oh, Spring Break. I love you!

PS – in case you are wondering, I haven’t had TCBY frozen yogurt for ages, but it was one of my favorite treats as a teen. We had a TCBY not far from our house. Now that TCBY is at the grocery store, I will definitely be eating it more often.

The kids were slightly skeptical about eating frozen yogurt….all but my oldest, KitKat, who is out tonight. She was so upset that we’d be eating frozen yogurt without her because it’s her favorite. She made us promise to save her some for tomorrow. Luckily for her, as much as we all loved it, there was plenty left for KitKat.

Tonight, I tried some of the cartons (vanilla bean, supreme cookies and cream, and English toffee crunch) but I’m already planning a next time so that I can try their ice cream bars and sandwiches. Have I ever mentioned that I have a *slight* sweet tooth?

Want to find out more about TCBY at your local store?

Website: tcbygrocery.com
Twitter: @TCBYGrocery
Facebook: facebook.com/TCBYGrocery

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. See my entire store to party purchase path on my Google + album. All opinions, tastes, and excitement for Spring Break are my own. #CBias

WICKED Day in New York City – PSF/GMYBS

Lolli — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:06:06 +0000

Riding the train to New York City is wonderful. I love the 3 hours sitting in a comfortable seat (there is so much more leg room than on airplanes) and the free wifi is a huge bonus.

The trouble I have with trains, however, is that I have this odd tendency to miss them. Yesterday, I missed not one but both trains going to and from home and New York City, making my long day trip insanely long. It’s a long story and only partially due to my recent habit of waiting til the last minute to do things. Ahem.

Luckily, once I got to NYC and met up with Sue from My Home Wellingtontown, I had a fabulously exciting day.

After a cab ride with a cab driver who wasn’t familiar with the Plaza Hotel (what?!), we enjoyed a beautiful lunch and then a stroll around the Plaza. Then we hopped in another cab to the Gershwin Theater to see WICKED.

Oh, what a fabulous show! Other than the very limited leg room and a few too many candy wrappers making noise (no, I am NOT complaining…), the show was inspiring, moving, entertaining, and altogether fantastic. I’ve been singing the songs all day.

The 2 1/2 hours at Wicked was up too soon, and Sue and I headed out for a walk around the streets of New York.

Before heading back on my train, Sue and I stopped at the Marriott Hotel near Times Square for a light snack. When we ordered key lime pie (a very appropriate Emerald City dessert, don’t you think?) we didn’t expect something so tiny and cute…..but they sure did taste good. I refrained from ordering two more for myself.

This next picture is a surprise to Sue. She didn’t know I was playing stalker from the floor above on my way to the ladies’ room. I kind of liked the result, though I did feel like the whole hotel was looking at me as I leaned my massive camera over the railing to take a shot of the woman sitting alone at the cafe…

After I missed my second train, I had a few hours to kill, so I walked around Madison Square Garden a little more and enjoyed the first colors I’d seen in the sky all day. I also enjoyed watching all of the hockey fans arrive for the big game that night. Boy…I really was feeling stalker-esque yesterday, wasn’t I?

Have you seen WICKED on stage? What did you think? Were you as blown away as I was?

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

The Picture That Sums Up This Week – PSF and GMYBS

Lolli — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:38:11 +0000

This week, we transitioned from mild Winter to full Spring.

Windows were opened, the kids stayed outside until dark, and we all pulled out our shorts and t-shirts.

It has been glorious.

I’ve taken shots of the blossoms popping up on the trees in our court, sandaled feet, and the temperature reading on my car’s dashboard. But nothing makes me smile like this shot of AJ from Wednesday afternoon on our “secret” trip for McDonald’s ice cream cones.

Pure cool and creamy happiness, that is.

Would you believe that 30 minutes after this photo was taken, he was whining at me to let him buy something from the ice cream truck?

PS – I decided on a whim (you know, one of those whims that you stew over for months and then decide -BOOM- it’s time to act?) to change some things around on my blog. I probably should have waited til I had more time (or money) to dedicate to it, but for now I’m taking it a little bit at a time. So I apologize for some of the quirky things that I haven’t quite figured out yet. It will be good once I’m finished!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli