A Day in the Life of Liam Cross

I read a blog post today from Kelly Moore and it challenged me to take more photographs of my children on a day-to-day basis. So today I got my "big" camera out and photographed Liam doing his thing.Sadly, this kid doesn't have as many pictures of him as he is the second child. Benson has tons from this age. (first child probs) So today I am fixing that problem and capturing the little moments of Liam's life. He keeps me on my toes. He is such a busy body. I mean, he IS four years old. He is seriously like the energizer bunny from the moment he wakes up, to the moment he falls asleep. We have to tell him about five times to "go back to bed", "quit getting out of bed", "if you get up one more time..." haha I love this kid. And then I grabbed a couple of Benson when he came home from school while he was being so studious and doing his homework :)

And yes, this is all from today.

You can read more about the "9 Tips For Better Photos of Your Kids" on Kelly's blog here and also enter a giveaway: http://kellymoorebag.com/blog/2016/02/nine-tips-for-better-photos-of-your-kids/

Cristy Cross Photography's New Logo

After six years of having the same logo, I have decided to make a change. This logo fits me better as the person I am today. The forward C and backward C represent my name, and the cross in the middle symbolizes my last name. Thanks to my dear friend, Whitney Green for her graphic design skills. She has patiently worked with me on this project for the past 4 1/2 months.  I wanted it to be perfect ans she delivered just that and then some.  Thank you Whitney.  You are wonderful, and I'm glad God gave you your talents. Check out my website, blog, and cart (cart can only be viewed on a desktop or laptop) to see the updated logo in use.

New Mexico Styled Elopement Shoot

I am so excited Sarah's dress, my photograph, is featured in the"Going to the Chapel"  Etsy email today.  Go check your inbox if you get Etsy emails, and if not, check it out here and here. It's under "Best Dressed Guest"...Blushing Elopement Gown.  And, its for sale if you want it!

And because it was featured today, I am reposting the shoot.  Enjoy!

I had a dream...well maybe not a dream, but a vision. I wanted to create a styled shoot, something that would showcase my work, and other talents in my small town. I wanted to do an elopement shoot, and I wanted a storyline to go with it. So here is the story...

Guy meets girl. Girl and guy fall in love...they want to get married, but on a budget, and just the two of them...an elopement.

In preparation for the wedding, she sketches out ideas for her dress, but didn't want a typical wedding dress.  She has a talent with a needle and thread, and makes it herself.  She wanted something that said,"I'm beautiful" with a little sparkle, and something that would look great with her red hair. While she prepares in her way for the wedding, he prepares in his way and uses his handyman skills by making a wall that would symbolize an alter for the small and quaint wedding.

She meets him at their favorite spot carrying their wedding cake she made with love, and he takes her as his bride, with his grandmother's charming coral ring.  The end.

Credits include: bride/Sarah Elizabeth Pattison, groom/Jarrad Doerr, photographer+stylist/Cristy Cross, stellar tune/themusicbed.com, assistants/Callie Parr+Casey Pitts, set construction/Ben Cross+Justin Lewis+Barry Weaver, fashion consultant+dressmaker/LovelyMaid of http://www.etsy.com/shop/LovelyMadeinNM, video+post-production/Jenna Richardson Pryor of Perch Productions, Floral Artist/Cristy Cross, Cake Artist/Cristy Cross.

The video is at the bottom...make sure you watch it too.  It will give a more cinema effect to the story.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this with me.  I couldn't be more thankful, and more grateful.

http://vimeo.com/57184540

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you momma's out there. I am so blessed to be called a mom to my two sweetie pie boys. Life just wouldn't be the same without them.

My Oldest Valentine

Benson is five. Really? How is that even possible. He has grown into being one of the sweetest, most compassionate little guys.Just the other day for example, I made him pancakes for his birthday breakfast. I handed the plate to him and said, "Benson, I give you my heart." He stopped what he was doing and without any words, he stood up in his chair and wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a tight-squeezing hug.

Then this morning, he tells out of no where, "thank you for sewing up the holes on my stuffed animals." He wanted to tell me this last night, but I was gone. It meant so much to him that I have done that in the past, and he didn't forget he wanted to tell me.

I mean, seriously. Do they get any sweeter?

Ben and I are so blessed for our two February babies.

My Littlest Valentine

Time travels fast when you are having fun. It is hard to believe our little baby is one already. Liam is a cuddle bug, he adores his brother, and wants anything and everything you have. If he doesn't get it, he will make sure to let you know he's upset with a high pitched squeel. He talks non-stop and already has a great vocabulary saying, "momma, momma, momma, momma, dadda, bubba, and tank oo. Oh, and did I mention he says momma... a lot. Its the cutest thing, too. When Benson was a baby his first word was dadda, and it took forever for him to say momma. That is not the same for Liam. His first word was dadda too, but he said momma a few days later, and hasn't stopped. Liam loves: playing with paper plates and plastic water bottles apple slices puffs cheerios pizza army crawling gabbing giving hugs

Start Living

"She decided to start living the life she'd imagined."-author unknown

Halloween day with the boys

Being a monkey is hard work people. He was hot, and due for a nap.

Benson working hard on the farm.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary Ben

Liam.3 Months

Our sweet little Liam is 3 months old, and look at him holding up his head. Such a good big boy :)

Date night with a Four Year Old.Clovis Circus

Benson has been into "Dumbo" lately, and has probably watched it a couple dozen times so we thought it was only appropriate for us to go to the circus that came to town today. He loved it. I loved it. We ate popcorn, cotton candy, and a snow cone. We got dirty, smelly, and stained our faces. Good times with my little guy. The best part of it all, as we were getting tickets for the train ride he said, "I love you mommy." And this first photograph is him showing me how excited he was to go to the circus

Liam.One Month

Liam will be one month old this week. The image on the left is one week old, image on the right is one month old

William's Woodland Nursery Theme

*Update* Williams room is being featured on On to Baby! Check it out: http://www.ontobaby.com/2012/02/gray-and-yellow-woodland-themed-nursery/

Our little boy, William (Liam) Weaver Cross will be here soon. His room is all ready for him and our entire family is trying to be patient and not too anxious as we wait for his arrival.  Take a tour of our little ones room while you wait with us.

Trees and bird wall decals: http://www.etsy.com/shop/designedDESIGNER?utm_source=transaction&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=purchase_buyer

bedding: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thetextileco

yellow and orange fox pillows: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Gingiber?utm_source=transaction&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=purchase_buyer

deer pillow: http://www.cb2.com/

wooden deer head: http://www.etsy.com/listing/68736148/deer-head-sign-modern-home-decor-wooden?ref=mt

mobile animals: Anthropologie Christmas ornaments (hedgehog, fox, and squirrel) Coldwater Creek (raccoon, skunk, beaver)

Iron "W": Coyote Candle in Lubbock, TX

baby crib: jenny lind style, 30 + years old (used to be mine when I was a baby)

brown rocking chair: BabysRus (4 years ago)

super cool yellow lamp: a sweet friend gave it to us

William is here...

*update-new picture added below. I couldn't resist... William Weaver Cross is here (aka Liam)

February 7, 2012 7.7 lbs 18 3/4 inches 7:51 am MST

Benson is a very proud big brother and Ben and I are simply in heaven...

My Maternity Shoot by Linda Schilberg

MY friend Linda Schilberg took maternity pictures a few weeks back for me. Benson joined in and made it so special. These are memories Ben and I will cherish forever. Take a look...

Baby Gender Announcement

Sorry for the wind noise...not a master videographer...but I try.And in case you can't hear it, the last line Benson says is, "lets do it again."

Benson has an announcement!

I've been absent here and there and I promise I have a good excuse. REALLY! Look below and Benson's shirt will tell all.

I am currently 13 weeks pregnant and due in February. We have been blessed and couldn't be happier. Benson is learning a little bit about his new title as a big brother, and having a baby in mommies belly. When we asked him whats in mommies tummy he said, "a tiger". Gotta love that kid. He comes up with the cutest stuff. He even put a baby doll in my shirt the other day, and said "look baby in mommies tummy." Its really cute, because he is really starting to get it.

I have had a good 1st trimester. Little queezy and weak, but I know things are looking up and I will be able to keep up with Benson and have my energy back soon. Yesterday I had a session with a family who has a cute two year old. I was sore after the session, because I haven't been that active in a while :) I have to eat every two hours or I become a Preg-zilla. Its true.

We are so excited and we can't wait to find out what we are having in a month or so! Stay tuned and we'll let ya know too.

Benson Is TWO!

This past weekend we celebrated Benson's 2nd birthday party, Polar Bear style.  The reason for a polar bear party: he sleeps with a stuffed polar bear, and calls it PB.  He loves it dearly and doesn't go far with out it. (picture below) Family and friends made it a wonderful time for us and Benson. He was SO excited for the first group of people, and even pulled chairs out for the ladies. (no lie!) Then the second group of peeps came and he got a little emotional. I don't think he knew what to do with all these people in his house. And then by the time everyone was there he was SO excited. All the kids played with Benson's toys and the adults watched and visited. He LOVED the cake and he wasn't the only one. Details of the cake: Made by Kerri Davis- Clovis, NM (thank you) Polar Bear Cake-made from vanilla cake with buttercream frosting polar bears legs and iceberg-made from rice krispy treats with buttercream frosting (MY FAVORITE)

It makes us sad and happy that he is getting older.  Sad because he isn't our little baby anymore (even though we still call him that) and happy that he is growing and learning so many new things each day.

Words he says:

I wuv oo

kiss

hug

Chevy and Bailey (our dogs)

I hungby (hungry)

I happy

ow-side

pay (play)

meek (milk)

nie-nie (night night)

PB and BB (polar bear and blanket)

djooce (juice)

cheese for mac-m-chz

And someone, I honestly don't know who because I can guarantee I didn't teach him this, is he says cheese when you take his picture.  I'm thinking MDO or Children's Center taught him.  And let me just say, I have a bone to pick with you people.

Max

Cooz (Cruz)

He counts too!

Sings Itsy Bitsy Spider and loves the woosh part

Cow

Horse

puppy

monkey

And these are just a few.  His vocabulary is growing and growing and he shows us love like we never knew.

Benson, mommy and daddy love you so much!  Thanks for all the singing and dancing and constant hugs. muaw muaw.

Benson:Polar Bear

We celebrated Benson's birthday with the best looking cake ever...A polar bear.  Benson has a polar bear that he sleeps with and loves dearly, so that was our theme for birthday number 2.  Kerri Davis made the cake and did a fabulous job.  We were blown away by her mad skills.

Family and Art

Back in January we visited my grandma in Tahoka, Tx for our annual New Years Mexican Stacks get-together. I took my camera along with me because I haven't been to Tahoka in several years. I grew up there and have some fond memories of the very small town. While Ben and Benson took a nap, I ventured out and about the Tahoka roads to find some lovely treasures that only a small town can offer. I also haven't posted any pictures of Ben lately. So here is one of my recent favorites that was taken in Tahoka. I am trying to gather up pictures of all three of us individually to create a 9-8x8 canvas collage in our living room and this is one of them.

Benson's  reflection through my grandmas screen door

logo for a lumber company

the antique store that is a bit of an antique itself