As I sit here working and stalking, err I mean waiting patiently, for MY family portrait session to be posted on another photographers blog, I know how hard it is to wait after a session to see pictures.  So, here is your sneak peek Suzanne!  And a few extras to tide you over!  Thanks for your patience!  XOXO

Enjoy your sneak peek!  :)

Does this little guy look happy or what??

And here is mister bunny (same one from his newborn session).  He’s VERY attached – don’t you DARE try to take it away!  ;)

And finally, I wanted to share this picture we did for Evan’s nursery after his newborn session.  The canvas (with his Yankees hat) between two old fashioned Yankees pictures.  What a great idea!  Dad is a big fan.  :)

A quote: Bittersweet October.  The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. -Carol Bishop Hipps

Something personal: Our trip to Cagle’s Family Farm was wonderful!  Although I have come down with some kind of cold/allergies/sinus infection, I persevered for a wonderful day with the family (okay, I admit it, the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks did help a little).  This was definitely the best weather we’ve had in our four years of making the trek up to Woodstock.  The kids had a blast and really loved running around with flashlights after it got dark at the bonfire.

I didn’t have the energy to bring the Beast with me (AKA: my Canon 5D MarkII), but I did use my Point & Shoot and I thought the pictures were still worth sharing.  :)

Can you see Jake in the background?  He really does not like having his picture taken.

Oh Jake, do you have to make that face???

It’s the most beautiful sunset while we sit around the bonfire and make s’mores.  :)

Right before leaving we wrangled the kids for a group picture.  HEY, at least we tried!!!

Now that Kylie has switched schools, she is always telling me how much she misses her “boyfriends” — Danny, Wyatt, and Brennan, from her old school.  Sebe is in her class now, so she sees him everyday.  She was beyond excited that Danny was going to the Pumpkin Patch and as you can see in this picture, they were connected at the hip for much of the evening.  ;)

On another personal note, Jake drew on himself with a marker this weekend.  I’m sure EVERY kid does this, but Jake did it with such intention and defiance, I can only wonder what other schemes he has planned for us in the future.  If only he wasn’t so darned cute!  It’s really hard to stay mad at him.

And the last personal note — we are having family pictures done at the BEACH this weekend by my friend, and fellow photographer, Andrea Halsey!  Just like all of my clients usually do, I’ve spent way too much time working on the “perfect” outfits for the session.  We are not a typical khaki/white shirt type of family so that was definitely out.  We love our jeans, and Kylie loves her skirts, so I wanted to find a way to make that work together, and still have it look like fall (even at the beach).  What do you guys think???

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Mom LOVES pictures.  Her home is filled with pictures on almost every wall.  And I’m honored that most of the pictures are ones that I have taken for them.  I should have taken some pictures of the pictures!  ;)  I wanted to get her sneak peek up quickly because I know she’ll be checking!  Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday Miss Maggie!!!

I have lots of smiley pictures of Peyton, but, at this age, it’s always nice when I can get a natural, peaceful look.  Love him!

And who can resist a little cowgirl like this???

When we discussed the session Bridgette had two very important things she wanted to capture: Marin’s stunning blue eyes and Brynn’s long golden hair.  CHECK and CHECK!  Of course, I had to capture much more than that – like what a happy family they are and how much the girls love each other.  *wink*

Enjoy your peek!

XOXOXO!

A Quote: There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. – Jane Austen

Something personal: Many of you know that we put our house up for sale at the end of January.  It was so much hard work, packing and filling an entire storage unit with “stuff” we thought we could live without for several months — until we unpacked it in a new place.  And then spending many weekends cleaning our house for strangers to peruse and inspect, always making the “top of the list,” but never getting an offer.  Many things have happened between then and now, but the bottom line is: we are staying.  While it is such a relief, it’s also so overwhelming.  We want to do several things to make our house easier to enjoy (top priority is a fence!) and we have to deal with bringing back all the “stuff” that once cluttered our lives.  All of that aside, I am truly happy to be in my home and to spend an amazing weekend with my family (without worrying about a showing).  This is our first house as a married couple, our first house as parents, and our children’s first home.  It is so very special.

Jake has been enjoying the garage (aka Daddy’s workspace) during our transition process, because there is soooooo much trouble for him to find.  Hammers, screwdrivers, wood, power tools — any boy’s dream.

Love this pic of my Jakester.

Kylie got to spend time with her BFF – Ainslee.  Love these girls!!!!

The highlight of the weekend was the hour spent playing in the sprinkler.  Our house has a HUGE front yard and very small backyard, so Jeff put an old-time sprinkler head in the grass and let the kids run around out front (yes, clothing on, very redneck).  They laughed, we laughed, it was so much fun.  Kylie announced that we should do this EVERY Sunday afternoon!  Hmmmm, okay.  :)

I had to share this last one of Kylie, along with a little story.  Being the primary caregiver for my children, I have spent so much of my time in “mommy-mode.”  You know the drill: feeding, changing, kissing boo-boos, scolding, hugging, bedtime, etc.  Of course, Jeff does MORE than his fair share of these things, but the kids have always looked to me a bit more as the authority figure during these early years. I remember reading something about these stages of parenting (in Rosemond maybe?) and how the mother needs to transition away from sole-caregiver and make sure that she allows for the father to re-insert himself as an authority figure so the mother can be the “wife” too – not just always the mommy.  It’s much deeper than what I’m explaining – but that’s the gist.   Anyway, I have really tried to “let go” of my control a bit, which is hard for me since I’m a control freak anyway.  This morning Kylie and I had yet another battle about her clothes and when she went to Daddy, he over-ruled me.  I didn’t say a word.  Later today I told Kylie there would be no “treat” after dinner.  She went to Daddy (who was sitting right next to me) and he over-ruled me again, and agreed to let her have a Fig Newton.  Logically, Jeff and I both know it’s a good compromise, because one fat-free Fig Newton is WAY better than ice cream or cookies, etc.  But to Kylie, it was another victory.  I didn’t say a word.  On one hand, I believe that parents should stick together and back each other up with decisions (big or small).  On the other hand, I feel like this is a transition and Kylie is beginning to see Jeff as more of an authority figure – and granting him the respect that he very much deserves.  With these little victories Kylie can see that Daddy also has the “parent-power” and that he is an equal in parenting and in our marriage.

And so, my Kylie Bear, wet from the hose and so very happy with her “treat” from Daddy…..

A cool shopping find: I wanted to share this cool shopping list from Real Simple that I have been using for the grocery store.  Maybe you already have one, but I used to just list the items randomly on a piece of paper, and then curse myself when I forgot something that was way back on the first aisle when I had reached the last aisle.  This list also helps keep me from buying things I don’t need, since I don’t even go down an aisle unless I need something from my list.

Weekday Dinner Plan

A peek: Last but not least, a teeny-tiny peek from my Mommy Sessions on Saturday!  ;)

I love that mom thinks just like me — pick an outfit that shows off her adorable chunky legs!

Ava and Chloe are sooooo happy, always smiling and giggling.

*sigh* — I’m in love with this little face.  XOXO!

See you soon!!