The Best Gift Ever

The Best Gift Ever
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

Dayton could not wait for Christmas morning so he could get his long awaited GUN! Well it finally arrived and he is so excited to have it. As scary as this little man looks he is the sweetest boy on the planet. For more Christmas Photos click here.

Brett Meyer

Brett Meyer
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

We had a wonderful opportunity to spend the holidays at the Meyer family cabin in Ninilchik Alaska. We had so much fun spending time with family and playing in the snow. One of the highlights for me was going into the back country to get some photos of the boys on their toys. The shooting conditions were perfect, subzero temperatures and high winds. The moment I took the camera out of the pack my hands were numb. Needless to say I did not get many opportunities to shoot but was able to come up with a few great shots. Thanks for the great time Meyers!

Give the Gift of Cooking

Give the Gift of Cooking
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

"Give the Gift of Cooking with Allen & Petersen Cooking & Appliance Center"

www.aphome.com

www.vikingonly.com

Happy Holidays!

Dave

The REAL highlight of Christmas

Nativity2
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

The highlight of the  Christmas season should be on the birth of Jesus Christ. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the parties, the gift giving, the good food and all the fun that comes with Christmas and forget the real reason we are celebrating, the birth of Jesus Christ. I hope we can all step back a moment and refocus our attention on him.

Strobist: One SB-600 camera left with homemade vacuum attachment snoot 1/8 power

Plush Moose

Plush Moose
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

I finally received some of my lighting equipment and stayed up all hours of the night getting used to them. Trina had a good time as well helping me come up with fun ideas and getting creative with things we had laying around the house. For this shot we used on of my SB-600's and put it in my new Micro Apollo softbox, with the flash on about 1/128 power. I have a few more photos that we did posted here.

Grandma's Hands

Grandma's Hands
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

Project with Grandpa

Project with Grandpa
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. The kids where so excited to do projects with them. I was able to catch what apparently is a rare moment, Grandpa doing projects with the kids. Usually Grandpa is working or doing something Grandma has tasked him with. We are thankful we got to take part in such a moment. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, we love you.

Cere (aka Cereal)

Cere (aka Cereal)
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

There is no substitute for a late night snack of cereal.

Strobist: One SB-800 camera left above shooting through diffuser.

Nothin' like an Alaskan Man and a Snow Shovel

Dayton was so proud of his efforts, he actually was the one to request
that I take his picture! Hope he still likes doing this when he's
13. :-) Fat chance.

High waters or capris?

Sydney fell in love with these pants almost two years ago. Are capris
still in?

Sydney, working intently on her Christmas project

Have we mentioned how much Sydney likes to do projects?

We're on our way to the Temple

Dayton and Sydney told me that they are in the car, going to the
temple. When she was picking out clothes after bath time, she
informed that she needed to pick out a pretty dress. Grandma and
Grandpa just got back from the temple and Sydney must have caught
on. :-)
Trina

Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

Having lots of family can be both a blessing and a huge pain in the neck. Each year as we get toward the end we add the stress of coming up with something to send to our family members and friends to tell them that we appreciate and love them. I of course look to the local merchants to come up with something that does just that, but each year I am vetoed and my wife proceeds to stay up all hours of the night working on her creative ideas that end up saving us huge chunks of cash.

She is so good at coming up with a cute idea that we can make from things we have around the house. I am not sure how she does it, but each year I end up amazed at the beautiful things she makes. I hope each of you enjoy her long hours and creativity ( I sure do).

Trina's Creativitiy

Trina Card
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

Trina has such an amazing ability to be creative. She decided last night that she was going to make this card for some people in our ward to congratulate them on their adopting children. I am always amazed at what a great job she does making these cards from scratch.

1st attempted family photo shoot...

Was a little disasterous, ending with Sydney getting a spankin'
because she refused to smile the 'entire' time. Funny thing though,
she ended up with more smiles than Dayton in the favorites. How did
that happen?

Refinishing a dresser

I love doing household projects, especially when a power tool is
involved. :)

Finished cake

Gum Florets

I got this really cool cake decorating idea while waiting in line at
the grocery store. Flowers made with gum. :-)

Wifey

TrinaThanksgiving08
Originally uploaded by dave_mdavis

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at Brandy's house and as always enjoyed the wonderfully decorated home she has. I of course walked around with a camera hanging from neck taking whatever photo I could. I really like this one of my wifey, isn't she cute!

A Davis Favorite

Playing games together using Dave's cell phone is a family favorite.
In this photo they are shooting turkeys.

Davis Family's 1st Dining Table

It's a little big for a 750 sq ft home, but I really liked the style
and couldn't resist the low price of $75 from Craig's List. I was
hoping for rectagular but when you shop craigs list, you can't be
picky. A similar style table, less one chair was selling at the same
time on craigs list for $400, but it had a photo similar to this one
(very nice and clean). (So much of marketing your product is the
presentation, as you know). This one had a terrible photo in dirty
garage with stuff all over it. It just didn't show it's true beauty,
but I could tell it was just what I was looking for. It was time for
our family to be able to sit together as a family. As a bonus, Dave
loves the table too, so I guess I get to keep it. :-)

"Why don't you be the mom, and I'll be the dad."

Today was declared a 'Family Day' after Sydney had been showing increasing signs of being a 'Very-Difficult-Child', not quite a 'Mother Killer' (See book titled, The Difficult Child, by Steve Turecki) but difficult non-the-less.  Whenever she starts getting more difficult, we know she's in need of 'daddy daughter' time.  :)  So, this morning, Dave and Sydney were cuddling on the floor while I (Sydney's mom) was on the couch nearby.  With her bottle in her mouth and snuggled up to dad she said "Dad, let's pretend that you're the dad and I'm the Mom.  I was asked to be the baby to which I agreed. 
Soon, the baby started whimpering, it was an effort to play my part.  Neither parent was jumping to comfort the baby so dad told the mom that she needed to help the baby, to which she said, 'why don't you help the baby?'   "Well," said dad, "that's just what mommies do".  Not liking that answer she trotted off to her room, gathered toys and came out with an armful of dolls. 
Upon entering the living room, dad said, while pointing into the kitchen, "Since you're the mommy, will you go clean the kitchen and make some breakfast?".  Sydney stared into space for a brief moment then said, "Why don't you be the mom, and I'll be the dad." 

Scate, the best pet we'll ever own.

Scate lived a good life at the Davis residence where he spent most of his days laying in the bathroom sink and bathtub.  He grew quickly and reached his full maturity at 5 days soaking up mere tablespoons of water every day.  He was purchased at Michael's on a Monday, and by Wednesday of the following week was laid to rest in the owners garbage can.  The family said a quick goodbye, took a picture with the owner, Dayton, and with no regrets about the time spent with Scate, went back to wrestling with dad.  Dayton and Scate enjoyed splashing in the sink together and Dayton was often heard saying, "I need to check on mine, he's going to grow up".  Yes, this not a type-o, he simply called it 'his'.   The neighbor girl, Ella, enjoyed playing with Scate too when he was just a wee 2" long, a baby sponge fresh from the store.  The family felt good about the dollar they spent on this pet and was grateful for the lack of bodily fluids expecterated as well as the lack of hair and pet odor that would have remained from a dog or cat.  "Overall, scate was a great pet," said Trina Thursday, "we hope to get another one some day. You can bet we'll be saving up our money for the next one".  The family is considering trying a turtle next time.
These fantastic family pets can be purchased at your local Michaels store in the children's section for only $1. 
"Great Stocking Stuffers", say the Davis'

Like Mother, Like Daughter

I remember watching my mom de-bone chickens and turkeys growing up. I
think this could be considered a 'right of passage' for a Jackson. :)

DAVE, as Sports Photographer

Dave probably wouldn't survive if he couldn't get his hands on a big
lense now and then. This is at Brittany Meyer's state volleyball
game. They took 5th. Way to go Skyview!

Sydney calls the pose

I wanted to get a new photo for 'myspace'. Sydney was having a lot of
fun telling me and showing me what kind of pose we should try. Sydney
is very funny when she's not testing our patience.

Halloween Princess

Sydney wanted to go as a princess to her first ever Halloween party.
This is more hair accessories than you'll ever see Sydney wear for the
duration of her life. They came off before the party even started.
This is no surprise to those who know her. :)

And you thought you were having a bad hair day!

Dayton works on his hair while watching Kung Fu Panda, a new family
favorite. 'Sca-doosh'

Guess what we are doing!

Dave Davis
Allen & Petersen Cooking & Appliance Center
3002 Seward Hwy
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 276-0252 direct
(907) 240-3095 cell
(907) 279-4490


Sent from my iPhoneWe (as a family) are taking the 75 (bus) back home from the new
Target. It's not far from our house and Sydney and I hit up the
dollar section. She got a new puzzle and I got a head band. Target is
like a jazzed up Wal-Mart.

A bathing alternative

Dayton found that using his electric toothbrush to clean those 'two-
thousand' parts works quit well, although, we as parents don't
necessarily endorse this practice.

OR if life gives you snow...

Throw a snowball!

If life gives you snow...

...might as well play in it!

These ain't no Halloween nails!!!

The secret: Girls Camp. That's right, one week of camping where my
hands were so absolutely filthy the entire time, that it gave my (as
many of my family knows) nonexistent nails, a head start. I still
put my hands into my mouth, but as I told my husband with excitement,
I can finaly open a can of pop without prying it open with a
knife. ;-) The world with nails is now before me. Someone, please
show this to my mother. She probably will have a heart attack, so
make sure you're up on your CPR sills if you are the one to show her
this tabloid worthy photo. (Possible tabloid title: Alaskan woman,
finally able to grow nails after 29 yrs.)
This is literaly, a miracle! This also goes out to my siblings
Marlene and Martin. I finaly did it!!! There is hope for the chewers
out there struggling with nail biting addictions. This self-
destructive, nail madness can end. I'm living proof. :-). We no
longer have to be embarrassd of sharing a hymnal with someone we don't
know. Just 5 days of camping in the depths of the great Alaskan
forest can bring peace to your life as well as to your nail beds.
I'm offering a support line. Just call 907.240.9145. You don't have
to do this alone.
This idea is backed by a 30 day, money back guarantee, no questions
asked.
Join nail biters anonymous now, and get a free back-pack to help get
your nails back on track.

Free Hair Cut, By Yours Truly

So, Pres Uchdorf said to create, and my mom called later saying cut
your own hair to save money, and I figured I had two things going for
me.
#1.) I've seen my hair be cut at least 50 times now, maybe more.
#2.). If I messed up on my hair, I could go have the stylist fix it
and I wouldn't be out any more than for a usual cut.
I also figure, next is learning how to make homemade make-up. I
already make killer play dough, how much different could it really be,
right? ;-).

Autumn drive

I left to go for a drive and enjoy the fall leaves one last time.
This is what I got instead. 10.5.08

Practicing face paint for carnival

Dayton likes fish. So I attempted a shark.

Fall in Alaska

Although we live in a small condo next to a busy highway, we make the
time to find sanctuaries of nature near our home. Sydney is always
collecting leaves, berries and flowers. Dayton is always finding
sticks and hitting all the trees and shrubs in his path. As always,
Syd is coatless and Dayton is in full gear. (His hat and gloves came
off after a little swim in a nearby puddle. Gloves don't swim well in
muddy water. :-) Shocking that he would find the one puddle in the
entire parking lot to try and long jump over). Sumo (sp?) wrestling
is more his sport I think.
Between doing projects for Sydney and going outside for Dayton, I am
keeping very busy. No soaps and Bon-bons here. Just gold fish
crackers and string cheese. Hm! Not extremely tasty (unless you
catch sight of them on fast sunday), but filling none the less. ;-)

Baby Buns

Why are baby butts so cute?

First day of joy school

We first did music, but getting free play time was the favorite.
From left to right: Dayton, Kaedon, Sydney and Sydney.

Getting Dayton off to the right start

There are some things that only dads can do :-)

Chuck-E-Cheese

We told our kids that if they went potty on the toilet, they could go
to chuck-e-cheese. Every time they go #2 they scream in delight and
say "we're going to chuck-e-cheese!!!". So, here we are. :-). It's the
best $5 we've ever spent.

Our up and coming photographer

Sydney was playing games with the I-phone and she figured out how to
take pictures. What do you think?

Learning to cut hair

... With play dough

Dayton

Our little carpenters

It's amazing how much fun kids can have with a ladder and a few tools.

Projects

Sydney makes sure we do lots of projects. We love our new kids table
& use it all the time. Since getting a little more organized we have
much more peace in our home.

Dayton, the animal lover

Aunt brandy's cat

Alaskan limo

Getting to the cabin Alaskan style:-)

Sydney's favorite person in the world

Daisy

Our flower girl

Sydney can't leave a playground with out a bouquet of flowers. Sound
like any relative we know?

Early Christmas present

The first year I buy a present early and they find it. When they got
it out I didnt have the heart to take it away. It was suppsed to be
for dayton but Sydney really likes it as you can see. I guess I'll
have to get a little more creative with my hiding skills.