Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Pretty + Handsome = Gorgeous ~ A Photo Shoot ~

What do you get when you have a pretty mom and a handsome dad?  A seriously gorgeous baby.  Not only is she adorable, she has the cutest little personality.  I wanted to stuff her in my camera bag and take her home with me.   She had just turned one and this was their first time getting family pictures taken.  I felt like I was taking photos of celebrities because the mom is my daughter's teacher and she just adores her.  She really is the perfect first grade teacher.  Pretty, young, fun, and soft spoken yet firm.  My daughter was so disappointed that she couldn't come on the photo shoot with me.  She did have fun going through all the photos with my afterwards though.  And I just have to tell this embarrassing story about myself because on my photography website it says that I will most likely do something to embarrass myself while taking your photos, and I'm not kidding when I say that.  I made them walk down to this creek with a tiny little waterfall and the water in the creek was really low so you could walk out on the rocks so I had them sit down on this rock ledge.  And as I'm backing up to get the shot framed properly I totally stepped in the creek up to my ankle.  And it was freezing!  I'm so glad it didn't happen in the summer since that water is normally like knee high.  When I got home and told my husband he just shook his head.  Nothing that I do that's clumsy surprises him anymore.  My daughter even drew a picture of it in one of her books she wrote at school.  It's infamous now.  Okay, back to the photos.  Here are my favorites.

See what I mean?  Gorgeous baby.  And so happy.

Beautiful family.

I like how they are so attentive to her.  You can just tell that they totally adore her.

She was the perfect little model.

She was not quite walking yet, which is perfect for photos.  She can't run away yet!

I love this because of the light hitting mom's hair and the baby with her personality showing.  She was cracking herself up.  I think she liked being the center of attention.

Last one.  What a doll.  It's almost enough to make me want another.  But not quite. ; )

What a fun time!  I can't wait to see their Christmas card and which photos they pick for it (this was one of my Christmas mini-sessions).  Don't forget to send me one!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Thankful

I feel like this post is super late since I am suddenly surrounded by all things Christmas, but it's still November, so I think it's okay.  I just wanted to share a little recap of our Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  Our health, our home, our jobs, our beautiful children, family that cares about us so much, food to eat, friends to laugh with, a happy marriage, and most of all our salvation.  Wow, we are so blessed.  This year we headed up to my husband's Aunt and Uncle's home to celebrate Thanksgiving.  They have a big meal followed by a men vs. women game of Trivial Pursuit.  We actually played two games this year.  The first one was a major blowout due to completely unfair ridiculously easy questions being given to the men's team.  And because they know really inane facts about things that no normal people should ever know.  It's seriously annoying playing with people like that.  So we had a rematch.  And it was very, very close.  The women got all of their pie pieces and got to the middle first.  But what is it about those green sports questions?!  Trivial Pursuit is prejudiced against women.  It's not right.

My son had fun practicing his fine motor skills while putting all the pie pieces in their spots.  My girl was the die roller for the women and my boy was the die roller for the men.  

I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of the food.  Guess I was too busy eating it!  Can you believe that lady was chatting on the computer with her sister?  I was totally impressed.  I hope I can keep up with the times like that when I'm her age.  That's my husband's uncle (my uncle in law? I don't know what to call him!) and his cousin who is in the Navy.  He's moving to Nevada soon so maybe a desert vacation is in our future.

I have no idea why my kids like coming here...  

I promised my girl I'd put a picture of this turkey she made on my blog.  It was so cute, and she took it so we could use it as a centerpiece.  She gonna be a great hostess someday, that girl.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  We've already got the Christmas tree up!  On to the Christmas festivities next.  And the shopping.  I haven't even started yet!  Yikes!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Photo Friday ~ 47 ~

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday!  We spent over 6 hours of ours driving in the rain, but it was totally worth it to spend some time eating turkey with some of our favorite people.  This week had two important events though.  One, of course, being Thanksgiving.  The other involved my girl and something she'd been wanting for months now.  I'll give you a hint by sharing this link to an older blog post.  She had been begging for so long that she finally wore me down.  And I'm not one to easily give in to begging.  Here she is in her favorite new thing.  Glasses.


I love the picture on the right because it looks like she's got a secret.  And she does...they are not real.  She does not need glasses to see.  She just needs them because she thinks she looks awesome in them.  Really, she thinks she looks better with them than without them.  I honestly don't really get it.  But I do think she looks pretty darn cute in them.  Let me explain how this came about so you don't all think I'm insane.  She had a friend in kindergarten who wore glasses for real.  But for some reason my daughter was under the impression that this girl didn't really need them, she just wore them because she looks cute in glasses.  She did look cute, and I'm 99% sure that she really did need them to see.  So, all of last year she'd ask if she could get glasses.  Then, this year, one of her best friends who she rides the bus with got glasses.  I'm like great, I'll never hear the end of it now.   So, one day when I was dropping my girl off at her friend's house (she gets on the bus at her house on my son's preschool days) I asked her where her new glasses were.  Her mom then informed me that they weren't real!  What?  I've never heard of that.  She said they got them at Wal-Mart, just for fun, for her to play in.  She said they only cost $9.  Okay, well, that works for me.  So, ever since then she's been relentless with the begging.  And I have to say that the lady at the optical center at Wal-Mart was totally sweet and fit them to her face and helped her decide which pair to get all as if they were "for real", even after I explained that they were just for fun.  She even got a case and the little cleaning cloth and was told how to take care of them.  It was totally cute.  And her brother was sad because he really wanted her to get a purple pair.  But she knew exactly what she wanted.  All this week, she's gotten compliments from strangers on her glasses.  And they were a big hit with her friends at school.  Their parents probably all think I'm nuts.

Pondering deep thoughts.  She thinks they make her look smart.

I think they make her look adorable.  I just hope she doesn't ever need them for real, or she'll probably hate to wear them.  Like me.  I should be wearing them right now.  If only I could find them.  That's what happens when you don't have to get glasses until you are in your 30's.  I still can't get used to wearing them and I always misplace them!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Senior Freshman ~ A Photo Shoot ~

This senior photo shoot is a little unconventional.  This girl had somehow neglected to have them taken last year during her senior year of high school.  Must've been because she was so busy getting straight A's and playing water polo...and I don't think having her picture taken is her favorite thing.  So she's actually a freshman in college now.  I actually sort of love the idea of having photos taken after you're done with high school.  The pressure is off and you can be yourself more.  I thought it would be fun to meet her down on campus (she goes to a local college but lives in a dorm) and get some photos of her around there.  It turned out great.  She told me it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.  Thanks, I try!  We got a ton of cute shots.  Here are some of my favorites.

I'm loving this collage.  She is so adorable and she doesn't even realize it.


I love the yellow leaves and her purple scarf.  Perfectly coordinated!

Her major is engineering so I think this is totally appropriate.  Did I mention she is a total smartypants?


You know I love dimples, and she has double dimples.  I love these black and whites and couldn't decide between the two.


I love this too.  And I'm usually not into the whole chopping people's heads off trend, but I love her stance.  A little shy and unsure.  Perfect for a freshman year photo, don't you think?  And I love the fall colors.


Last one.  

I had a great time walking around campus with her and getting to know her better.  It brought back so many college memories for me.  It truly is some of the best years of your life.  I hope you love your pics!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Photo Friday ~ 46 ~

This week I didn't really take many personal photos (story of my life) because I have been busy editing like crazy from all the amazing fall photo shoots I've done.  So I have decided to share one from last Friday evening.  So, technically it's from last week (I'm such a rule follower, it pains me to break my own rules!) but I took it after I posted last week's Photo Friday, so I feel like it should fall into this week's category.  But I also took some photos of my kids as they were getting into bed last night, so those are completely within the rules.  And I'm still going with my ordinary everyday things theme.  No time for writing today, so I'll just get to the pics.

This is the one from last Friday.  We were at the park scoping out a location for a client.  I have no idea what was going on with her hair, but man, her eyes are amazing here.  Oh, and the other day she kept talking about her pretzel shirt and I couldn't figure out what she meant.  Heart shaped peace signs kinda do resemble pretzels!

I brought my camera up for bedtime and this is what I saw when I got in his room.  He was all propped up and posed himself.  I decided to do a few black and whites since a recent client had requested some and I realized I don't do as many as I used to and I really do love a good black and white photo.  I like the timeless quality of them.

I really love this one.  What do you guys think...is she sleeping or faking?  
She's faking.  But she wasn't feeling well today and she said she was about to fall asleep for real just from faking for 5 seconds.

Definite faker.  I like that he has his old man jammies on here.  They make it look like an old photo.

Have a great weekend!  I'm going to try to enjoy what's left of fall.  I'm dreading what's to come.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Night Pirates

We read a bedtime story almost every night.  My kids have a ton of books because we have some wonderful relatives in our family who keep our library updated and always know what books my kids might like.  I admit, I have some books that I dread reading and that I hope they won't pick.  You can hope they like the same books you do, but you just never know which book you're going to end up reading time and time again.   "The Night Pirates", along with a few others, is one of those.  So I thought I'd share it with you...and also I want to remember why they like it, so I better write it down.  I got this book through one of those school book order things.  I usually will just get whatever is really cheap so that my kids can get a book when they pass them out in class.  This book has become a classic at our house that I never expected.  And here's why.  My son thinks this book is about him.  One night, I can't even remember when or why, I started replacing the name of the boy in the book with my son's name.  And he loved it.  And the boy in the book has reddish hair just like my son, which must've been subliminal because I didn't plan that.  This book has been well loved and slept with many times.  Just the other night the kids emptied our entire bookcase looking for it.  Here are some pictures.


I love the illustrations.  

It's kind of a ridiculous story about little girl pirates who steal the front of the boy's house and put it on the front of their pirate ship to disguise it.  And then they steal treasure from some mean, grown up pirates.  So, maybe the message is a little strange, but it's just one of those adventure before bedtime type of things.

Yep, every time we get to this page my son says, "That's me!".  I'm wondering when he's going to realize that it doesn't really say his name in the book.  He can read and write his name, so I'm kinda surprised he hasn't yet.  

My kids think this is hilarious.  

My son loves this ending.  He always points out the train set in the floor.  "That's me and that's my train" is what he says.  It's so cute.

If you haven't ever done it, definitely find a book (that you won't mind reading over and over) with a kid that resembles yours and start reading it with their name.  They'll love it!  I'm wishing I'd done it with my daughter, but now she can read...maybe I'll find one that really does have her name since she does have a common name.  Happy reading!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Photo Friday ~ 45 ~

This week things have been very different around here.  I'm not babysitting anymore, which is bittersweet because I had been babysitting for the same family for quite a long time.  But it's been freeing not having that responsibility anymore.  It's something that I had been praying about for a long time, and I'm happy to say that I'm pretty amazed at how I got a pretty definitive answer this time.  It's freeing when you trust God like that, and then don't question Him in the end.  I highly recommend it.  So, this week was different.  I got some much needed cleaning done, began my journey of researching private schools (that's a whole post in itself), used our museum passes for the first time with some friends, went to a Bible study without feeling guilty, and got some photography work done too.  I feel like a real stay at home mom now and I can say without a doubt that this is where I belong right now.  Spending time with my baby.  I've been sitting down to lunch with him and having the best time (something I never did before since I was busy feeding a bunch of kids, I'd always stand and eat while they sat at the table) and it's just nice to sit and look across the table and enjoy him in the moment.  Which brings me to this week's photos.  I said a few weeks ago that I was going to get some more photos of my kids just doing their normal stuff around the house, so while eating with my boy yesterday I sat across from him and snapped a couple pics.  Here they are...

How could I sit across from this cute face and not be in a good mood?  He's eating a banana here.

Eating the usual...Sunbutter, no jelly.  Sunbutter is kinda like peanut butter but made from sunflower seeds.

I'm looking forward to more time to volunteer in my kids' classes and visiting my grandparents and having time to just think and not have every second planned out...I need to work on that last part.  I tend to see a block of free time on my calendar and plan something for it.  But I'm working on it.  Growing as a mother is a process and I'm trying my best and trusting God for the rest.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

One ~ A Photo Shoot ~

This adorable baby girl just turned one.  I think I will always have a special spot in my heart for her because her newborn shoot was one of my very first when I started doing this "for real".  Click here to see.  Then she came back for her 6 month shoot with some adorable chubbiness here.  I can't believe she's already one now!   And she is more adorable than ever and was already walking at her photo shoot which was before her actual birthday.  Little overachiever.  I did some family shots this time too, but I'm not going to share many of those since I don't want to ruin it in case they use one for their Christmas card this year.  Here are some of my favorites from her shoot.

I can't believe this is the first photo shoot that I've ever done at this park.  If you are from Cincinnati, then you'll understand.  Love this family shot!  

I think this is my #1 favorite from this shoot.  Her dad was making her play peek-a-boo from behind the pillar.  She has such a cute little personality.

She's worn this flower in each of her photo shoots, so it's tradition now.  I had to share one.  She actually hates it, but I caught a quick moment where she was enjoying being thrown by her mommy.

Another favorite.  I'm a sucker for a dimple.  Cute!

This is just so them.  Dad is the constant entertainer and his girls love it.

She looks so tiny here! 

This is right after we took a bunch of family shots on the bench.  She's outta there.

I really like this photo and I was trying to figure out why.  I think it's because she was sad (that's a little tear right below her eye) yet she was totally determined to climb those stairs herself.  I like her cheeks too.  Kinda  makes me wanna squish them. : )

The only request from mom was some pictures in the leaves.  She wasn't completely loving it, but I think we did okay.

This is so stinkin adorable.  Love.

Luckily, I'm friends with this family so I get to watch her grow up.  I'm thinking there will be some more photo shoots in her future.  Happy Birthday, baby girl!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Perfect Slipcover ~ Found ~

I have this chair that I have an unnatural attachment to.  I can remember the day I bought it.  Who I was with.  How much I paid.  Where it was.  What I was wearing.  Okay, maybe not what I was wearing.  But I remember that it was at a second hand furniture store.  They had this back room that you could go in and it was part of the store, but it was like a giant storage garage thing (I'm totally not doing this justice).  And you could go back in there and explore.  And they'd have stacks and stacks of old chairs and tables...all kinds of stuff.  It was heaven for a girl like me.  So, I saw the chair sitting there and I was in love.  This was back in my bright vintage stage of decorating (if you could even call it that).  I had just gotten my first apartment and had a bunch of hand me down furniture from my grandparents.  So I was trying to put my stamp on the place.  Back to the chair...I found it in this dirty garage and it was filthy.  I asked the man who ran the store how much he wanted for it.  He said $100. Way too much.  I said $50.  I can't actually remember for sure how much I paid, but I know it was closer to $50.  I have definitely gotten my money's worth, considering I've had it for about 10 years now.

So, you can see, I have a special attachment to this chair.  I cannot get rid of it.  Plus, I just really like the shape of it.  But it was bright red and my bright vintage stage is long over, so it didn't exactly go with anything else I own.  I decided to get a slipcover.  Have you ever googled slipcover for a slipper chair?  Not much luck finding anything.  Apparently there isn't much market for chairs without arms anymore.  So, I asked my good friend who sews how she'd feel about sewing me a slipcover.  She said yes and began her journey...she had no idea what she'd gotten herself into.  Apparently sewing something like a slipcover is quite different than sewing say, a dress.  But she did amazing.  Seriously, I'm in love.

So, here are the pics.  Disclaimer ~ that pillow is from my more formal room and doesn't exactly go with the chair.  It's too dressy and too tall.  I need something about half that tall and in a much more casual fabric.  I'm on the lookout.  But for now, that's the closest thing I had.  And it just looks better with a pillow.  

Please excuse the toys in the background.  See what I mean about the shape of the chair?  I just love it.  It reminds me an old fat woman sitting on a porch.  And the pleats?  Love.  Like the old woman's skirt hanging down and showing off her ankles.

I had to go deep into the bowels of my computer to find this "before" picture of the chair since I didn't want to take the slipcover off to take a picture.  Wow, this room has a come a long way.  And see that couch?  That was part of my bright vintage stage.  It had a chair that matched.  I loved it, but it was not comfortable at  all.  Oh, and we had that Steeler guy thing for like 2 days and it broke.
DSC_0225_1

If you've ever thought of slipcovering some furniture, I highly recommend it.  Just don't ask my friend...I don't think she's in the slipcover making market anymore.  But feel free to check out her blog post about sewing it for me here.  I will be doing a photo shoot for her in the near future with her beautiful family.  I can't wait!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Photo Friday ~ 44 ~

I just realized that it's Friday and I had nothing planned for Photo Friday.  So, I checked to see what photos I had taken this week and I haven't taken any since Sunday, which was Halloween.  Whew, at least Sunday still counts as this week!  So, I had planned to do a whole Halloween post, but I guess I'll just kill two birds with one stone and do my Halloween pics for this.  The older my kids get, the more excited they get about Halloween.  My daughter is old enough now to trick or treat for a long time, so we ended up with a ton of candy.  Their costumes this year were some of my favorites, although there was some drama involved (of course) with my son's costume.  You see, he loves his bones shirt, so I figured he'd love to be a skeleton.  So I bought a skeleton costume well in advance of Halloween.  He was afraid of it because stupid me told him to look in the mirror while wearing the skull mask.  Oops!  So, then after much convincing by daddy he decided to wear it without the mask.  But then, the day before his preschool party where he was supposed to wear it, he informed me that he would not be wearing it...and he wanted to be a monster or a dragon.  Ugh.  So, I went on Craigslist and actually found a dragon costume in his size and my husband went and bought it on his lunch break.  When he brought it home my son refused to put it on because it was too scary (it was one of those stuffed animal looking ones so I have no idea what was scary about it).  So his sister put it on and chased him around the yard in it.  Fun times.  Anyway, he decided to wear the skeleton costume after all.  And it was super cute and glowed in the dark.  Here are the pics.

 My little cheerleader.  I was a cheerleader so of course I love this!  We saw another kid wearing a wig dressed as a cheerleader and  I said to them "Cute costume" and they said to us "I'm a boy!", and my daughter was so shocked.  It was all she kept talking about.  It was really cute.

My little skeleton.  He was so cute!

I love this with the light hitting him and his dimple...and him on the move.  Very him.

She's got the cheerleader attitude down.  Love her stance and the sun setting behind her.

This isn't like a super professional looking photo or anything, but you gotta love a pic of both your kids looking cute and actually looking at the camera.

Okay, I didn't even take this one, so it doesn't even count for Photo Friday, but since it's a Halloween post I had to share it.  This is me and my hubby as Clark Kent and Lois Lane for a party we were going to, while me kids were having their own little party with their grandmama.  My daughter has taken to wearing those nerd glasses around the house.  It's pretty cute.

Have a great weekend!!

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