{Real Life} Kiddos PJ Party

One of the things we do with our kids for the month of December, well, not even a whole month, but from the 1st until Christmas is a countdown calendar, with a special activity each day.  Some days we make projects, some days we bake cookies, some days we 'relax' & have slumber parties by the lit up Christmas tree.  On this day, we had a couple friends over & had a pajama party!!! 
I blew up the air mattress, stuck it in front of the tree & the kids had a free for all jump fest.  We took a few photos & then they watched a short Christmas movie while eating popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels & an assortment of other things thrown in a bowl.
I'm pretty sure it was one of the funnest things we've done this December and hope that next year we can do it on a little bigger scale, with lots more room!!! 

I love these shots and the best part was the fun for everyone.

  Normally I wouldn't keep the blurrs, but it really sums up the afternoon. Pretty sure that all the kids were beyond ecstatic that they were allowed to jump on the 'bed', especially because they could jump from couch to bed without any trouble at all! ;)

 Thanks to our friends M&E (of course their mommy too) for joining us.
 

{Sneak Peek} Baby T, 3 months

We had a little visitor last week.  My sister and nephews came down for a few days, since her oldest didn't have school. Of course, it was perfect timing for a few Halloween portraits and a couple 3 month photos of my newest nephew Baby Tata (in Grace-ese that means Baby Trevor). And then we just had to wrangle the 5 kids (most under 4) for a 'cousins' shot, which proved that the 8 year old was more difficult than the other 4 combined.
I also did something new this time, and while it didn't quite work like I had it planned in my head, I learned a few things & have them noted for another day, which is always a bonus.

 And the expression here says: ""We are boys, we are anti-cute anything, anti-photo, anti-cooperation. Seriously mom/auntie, Halloween pictures, are not our thing!!!""

The cousins shot, gone all wrong.  Yes it's fall (feeling a bit wintery at the moment). No we don't live where it's warm. Apparently though, my children are in denial that clothing in necessary in their world. They are completely content running a-muck sans pants.

 See you guys soon for a nice Turkey Feast. ♥

{Sneak Peek} Miss A is 6 months & family portraits

Woohoo!! It's Wednesday, that means we're half way through another week. The end of the year & holidays (which I pretty much consider from October 1st through the new year) is always such a blur. It goes so fast and seems to sneak right up on me.
Saturday I had the privilege of photographing little Miss A for her 6 month portraits.  I can't believe how much she's grown in 3 months. Her little personality is just blossoming and I love it!  Such a sweet & smiley girl.
 And just because Halloween is coming in less than a week, we'll start of the peek with a look at Miss A & her big brother dressed in their finest Halloween attire. Which they wore for a brief time at the Pumpkin Patch, where we began our session together.

 After a little time exploring the patch, we headed into town to grab some of that fall color that's gracing the park these days. We also met Grandma & Grandpa. 

Thanks for a fabulous session!! I'll be in touch with you soon with your full gallery. Have a great week.

{Scenic Shots} A Painted Morning Sky

TGIF!!!  Hip, hip hooray, lets hear it for Friday.  This is the last thing I'm doing today and then I'm off to bed, unusual for me, as I'm normally more of a night owl than an early bird.  But one of the perks to being the early bird, especially where we live, during the fall/winter is the gorgeous sunrises we get.
I love when our sky is painted in pinks & clouds & sometimes fog. It's gorgeous really and photographs don't do it justice. To see it here, in person is something everyone should witness.
Anyways...here's a little peek at what I get to lay my eyes on every early weekday morning.

And last but not least, a little photo magic, in the form of a composite panorama. Made using 4 images from this morning. (click to see a larger version)

Have a great weekend!!

{My Life} Welcome To October

October pretty much begins my favorite time of year. First of all it's fall & it really starts feeling more fall like & fall is my most favorite of the seasons. Everything about the fall, is warm & cozy in my heart. October pretty much ushers in the holiday season, it seems that after Halloween (which we only celebrate to spend an entire day playing dress-up and cooking up 'silly' food) the other favorite holidays just speed right by and in a brand new year comes. 
October is leaves & pumpkins & rain (or maybe even snow) & cozy drinks in the warm house. We get to visit the pumpkin patch and do fun projects.

Here's to October and the beginning of a grand 3 months (my gosh they all look so small and innocent...it's a wonder what a year can do for a kid)

{My Life} What a difference a year can make

It's crazy what a difference 1 year has. Just one year.

This is Brody early last October, just over 6 months old. So sweet and inncocent.

This is Brody last week...a bit over 18 months, and full of mischief & orneriness.

My last little baby, growing up to be a little monster...err, kid!
Have a great evening.