Busy, Busy, Busy!

So, it has been awhile since my last post. I blame this on many things, but the biggest reason is: I am starting my own photography business this Spring! I have been taking so many pictures for my portfolio. I want to thank all of you who helped me do this, and I hope it was worth your time and effort to come to my home. I am very excited about this new phase of my life. I have always been an artistic person, but had a hard time honing in on what I wanted to do. I love the idea of having a photo studio in my own home where I can still be a stay-at-home mom and schedule photography around my family. I will keep you posted as we are going to have some fun give-a-ways and promotions for my new business. Tell all your friends and family about me and I hope that I can be the one who gives you those photos you cherish the most throughout your life.

Check out my photography blog (so lovingly made by my husband)

www.nikimartins.com

Hannah's hair...straightened.

So, I decided to straighten Hannah's hair today. This is what it looked like right after I used the hair dryer. She has SO MUCH HAIR!

This is the final product. I used a ton of hair product, to protect her hair, and then used a hair iron, a curling iron and brushed until she was totally sick of it. I think it looks so cute. But I don't think we will make it a habit of doing it this way. It is weird to have a Hannah and no curly hair.

Love these two girls!

Isn't Niki Amazing?

How does she do it? I'm amazed and in awe to all of the stay-at-home mothers out there. You really have an tough job. You ought to be praised every day for all that you do for your families.

Niki has been dog-sitting for her parents in St. George this week and so I've held down the fort here at home with the girls; it's not an easy job. I have to also thank Mimi for watching the girls while I've been at work, that has been a huge help.

In anticipation of the upcoming Valentine's day I want to express my love for my wife who is a bright shining star in my life and in the life of her children. You are missed when you are not here. Our family simply isn't the same. Enjoy the mini vacation, but just know that we're ready to have you back!

So as I have a 16 month old crawling all over me while I write this post and every two seconds trying to press a random key on the keyboard and when she's not doing this she's pulling her older sister's hair, I again thank my wonderful wife and also pay my respects for all you mothers and for all that you do.

P.S. - Niki, I used this picture because both you and I look really cute, especially you :)

Two amazing grandmas!

My girls are so lucky! They have four very loving grandparents! But, I have to say, that their grandmas are amazing. They are so fun with both my girls. They play with them, read with them, love them and do all that I think a Grandma should do. I am so grateful to these two wonderful women in my life. Thank you Gramma Kim and Vovo for all that you do for my two girls! We love you!

Mother-in-law lottery

I have to admit, before getting married I always wondered what my mother-in-law would be like. I had heard scary stories that taking a mother's son away from her can be bad. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I really wanted her to like me.

Well, I have to say I won the mother-in-law lottery! My mother-in-law is so wonderful and I love her very much. We had so much fun having her here and she really gave me an awesome break from the everyday "Mom" duties. She is sweet and patient and loving and kind. She has so many wonderful qualities that I hope to acquire some day :)

Thanks, Mae, for all that you did and thank you for being the best mother-in-law a girl could have!

Love you!

Free Pictures...

This past Christmas my husband got me my own photo studio equipment! I am very excited and I will be starting an official business this upcoming summer. However, I will need some photos for my new studio portfolio. I am taking some classes during the month of January for studio lighting and then I will need to practice. :) I am offering, to the first 8 people who reply to this blog post, a free 1 hour photo shoot with the max of 6 people. So we can do family, individuals and kids groups. You will also receive a CD with 20-30 photos done in color, black and white and if desired sepia. We will set up a time during the months of February and March for you. Again, it is to the first 8 people who reply, and you can't reply more than once ;) I will do my best to give you beautiful pictures.

Thanks!

Niki
www.nikimartins.com

My Family

For those of you who don't know, I am an only child so you think that getting a family picture with my parents would be easy right? Well, we were just able to get this one done at Thanksgiving (first one with Lia). I took it, so this was the best we could get with the timer. Gotta love the fam :)