Day 16/28:  I think I’m going to set up a studio in my sunroom. Not a working one, (my county says I can’t hold sessions in my home) but a natural light studio for my personal photos. Hang some seamless paper from the ceiling…wow that would be fun!

This was taken in my living room, large window to her right, curtains as a background and husband holding the fan to blow her beautiful hair. We had never used the fan before, I will definitely be using it again!

She’s got the smile down :)

He had a tough day today, he showed a side of himself that he rarely shows. My sister got a good view of it today…good thing Auntie loves her nephew unconditionally :) I sure do love that boy and I am every day endeavoring to teach him right from wrong and how to direct his strength and temper for good. After we wiped the tears and had a few good long hugs, he allowed me to take some photos of him and he actually enjoyed it.

Today is a day that I am thankful for, because I welcome teachable moments with my kids. But I am also going to bed tonight so thankful that tomorrow is a new day. I am happy for clean slates, like an empty book waiting for the first page to be written. I know little Z will write a good one :)

“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen.  When they’re finished, I climb out. ” ~Erma Bombeck

Christmas countdown is on! Only just last night did I start Christmas shopping. I’m kind of a procrastinator, so I’m trying to turn over a new leaf and get all my shopping done before Christmas eve (I hope I can do it!) In all the craziness of the holidays I haven’t had much time to focus on my own photos. Lily is getting so big and I need to pick up my camera more!! I’m going to blink and she will be able to pronounce it “lemonaid” and not “nemon-nemon-aiiiiid”

She was cracking me up a few days ago. When something is new she makes this face, like “oh my goodness!”  She kept hearing the neighbor’s dog bark and it was *very* fascinating!!

We’re having our housewarming party this weekend and it has kicked me into high gear. I’m finally putting up a large wall gallery in our home and in looking for the best photos to display, I’ve come across some oldies.

Baby Zach over a year ago. Look at those chubby arms!! It melts my heart…

I am so behind in my blog posts! I’ve got so much to catch up on. Its been a very crazy past couple weeks. Everything from a wonderful girls’ weekend to my Grandpa getting married (yep!) to photographing my first birth…there is a lot to share!

I was looking across the hundreds of photos I’ve taken over the past couple weeks and saw this one. I don’t think you can get anything more precious. These are the cousins…

Also, I can’t believe it slipped my mind. But remember back a few months ago when I was asking for votes for the KCRA A list? I am so thankful to everyone who voted for me. I didn’t place in the top 5 in Sacramento, so I wasn’t able to know my ranking. Its ok though! It was just so lovely to see those of you say such wonderful things about me and my photography. I promised that if you voted for me and left me a comment, I would put those names in a hat and draw a winner of a complimentary session. I’m please to announce that JUANITA is the winner! She’s a photographer herself, and a dear friend. Hey Juanita! Maybe we can do a swap??? I need family photos!

Don’t forget, mini-sessions are coming up! If you’re considering family photos at all, maybe engagements or you’re a grad on a budget, these are the sessions for you. Shoot me an email or give me a call and we can talk further.

I’m taking a very rare trip with some amazing girlfriends of mine…one of which I haven’t seen since before Zach was born! To say I’m excited would be an understatement. Pray for my amazing husband while I’m gone! He’s going to get some real quality time with our kids.

If you contact me by email or phone in the next week,  I will get back to you as soon as I return! Just to let you know, the portfolio building (ahem…complimentary!) birth sessions are still available. I’ve had a lot of interest, but nothing has been able to formulate yet. I would like these sessions to be completed by the end of November! I’m not looking for a “certain type” of birth either, no two labor experiences are alike! So if you are at all interested, please contact me and lets talk!

Also, in an effort to help those of you who would like to schedule a family photo session, but the budget for professional photos just isn’t there right now, I will be holding very affordable “mini-sessions” at the end of October (Think Christmas cards! Think Christmas gifts for Grandma!) So be looking out for details about that! I’m very excited about it and I think you will be too.

And since no blog post is complete without a photo (in my opinion!) This oldie was from back when I photographed my project 52. I really miss that project! I had so much fun doing it. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, click the tag “52 weeks” and scroll through the photo a week that I took with me and my kids for a year. The following photo was from exactly a year ago, week 16. It didn’t make it as the pic of the week, but I loved it anyway!

He could hardly wait. The whole week has been torture…not sure for who the most, the little boy who had to wait until his birthday, or his parents who had to put up with all the questions! “Is it my birthday now?” “When do I get my party?” “Can I open my presents?” “Is it my birthday yet?” “Why do I have to go to bed? I have to have my party!” Finally, finally his birthday arrived and I am so glad it did!!

He chose Coco-Puffs for his birthday cereal, just like last year. I’m thinking maybe he doesn’t know he can choose another kind? He opened one gift, a nerf gun, and played with it all day long, it is so wonderful seeing him really understand toys and how to work all the little buttons. Each year he gets bigger…older…I guess that’s the point right?

We had a small family birthday party at a park, we all came to the conclusion it was the fastest birthday party in history! Zach just needed to open his toys and eat cake…I love it! It was so his personality….

(beware…photo overload!)

His Grandmas who love him so much…

MIL made the cake of course…she outdoes herself every time!

He came out to play…we were all so glad he did!

Um…yeah…she had a baby last week?? Two words…Hot Mama!

Boys and their toys…

He’s in love…

Officially parents of a 4 year old boy…

…or you might miss it…

6 years goes by in a flash.  It feels like yesterday  it was just Jeremy and I, no cares in the world. No mortgage, no responsibilities, we traveled light, we ate exotic food, stayed up all night because we wanted to (not because we had to!), went to the movies with 5 minutes notice, jumped in the car for spur of the moment trips to the beach, slept in, had a clean house…

and then she was born…     and life finally began.

I am blessed to be her mom. She makes my days brighter, she lifts the clouds, her sing-song heart is contagious, she teaches me about Jesus’ love. (I literally just overheard her in the living room, “this is the best day of my life!”)

Happy 6th Birthday Abs, you are so beautiful, inside and out.

…by her. Everyday. She’s my heart, toddling around on her little chubby feet, following me from room to room. To her I am Mamamamama, and I love it.

She has this one weepy eye.  It carries a tear most the day that never falls. It’s not serious and it doesn’t bother her. I totally adore it. Her little lashes wet and eye glossy. Sometimes I look in her little eye and it makes me wonder what she is thinking. Those eyes can tell a story. What makes her happy? What troubles her?  Is she thinking of how much she loves her blankie? Is she sad she got goldfish for her snack and not animal crackers? Does her pacifier taste yucky? Did she enjoy that hug? So many thoughts running through her head, and I know none of them. I can’t wait to sit down and talk with her like I do with Abby. If she’s anything like her sister I will be lucky if I can get a word in, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll sit and listen…as long as she wants to…fine by me.