Five days in the ABQ with a Family of Four

Last week I took off to Albuquerque to visit my best friends Mike and Michelle and their two kids.  You’ve probably heard me mention them here and there, I’ve taken Michelle’s maternity photos and lots of candids of Ethan, just search his name and you’ll see many posts pop up of this cutie pie.  He’s two now.  He no longer calls me Auntie Dinahnah, but a actually says Diana.  That sort of makes me sad.  He sings, he answers in complete sentences and he knows words like locomotive, fire hydrant, and his opposites.  Let me add that he just turned two last month. My future children will now be sent to boarding school at Mike and Michelle’s.

I didn’t take my 5D Mark II with me, I was just so tired and frazzled from last week full of three sessions (I still need to edit them) that I just hopped on a plane.  So, I took Michelle’s Canon Rebel and snapped these shots of Ethan at the zoo.  Just to show, you can still get adorable photos with whatever equipment you use.  I even used a kit lens.  I KNOW!  This was shot at probably a 5.6 since that’s the lowest it would go on manual mode. (For more tips, whatever your equipment, sign up for my 4-week online course.  Sorry, had to plug it. I’m really excited and am thrilled seeing my attendance list grow!)

I discovered the next GAP model, y’all.  I’m his manager, if you want to book him, call Auntie Diana. He prefers payment in toy trains, cars, and fish crackers.  His parents prefer payment that goes towards his college fund, if he doesn’t get a scholarship for being a genius.

Look at all of this adorableness.Sometimes telling a two year old to find his pockets is a bit difficult.  Just remember to never stop snapping when they are moving around.  You might miss out on some precious moments.

Don’t let me fool you.  I only look like a glamorous mom for the two minutes I actually pushed Avery around. Isn’t she a cutie?  She smiles all the time, and even with a fever, she was such a good baby.

As for Michelle’s younger brother Tim…well if you couldn’t already guess I was out there over St. Patrick’s Day.   I don’t think I have ever celebrated St. Patty’s day at a bar or any other party in my entire life but I did when I was out there, we all had dinner at Kelly’s which was ridiculously crowded and well, overwhelming at times.  Tim is a 6’6″ police officer.  He found his kilt online, shipped directly from Ireland.  Of course I had to ask what he was wearing underneath.  Then I prayed the wind wouldn’t pick up. Thankfully, it didn’t.

Diana Elizabeth wanted to share with you all that a single girl’s vacation involves other single girlfriends going somewhere.  Visiting friends with a family, means you are visiting your friends and their family and getting up on their scheduled time and running around on their schedule.  Note the difference.  You will be wiser because of it. :)