So many exciting things are happening around here!  My kids are going back to school tomorrow.  I’m actually a little sad this time.  I feel like I really didn’t have enough time with them.  My girls are both starting a new school, a whole new era in their lives.  Of course I’m nervous for them, but I’m also excited!  I need to get back to my regular work routine; it was so difficult when the kids were home, plus having lots of teens around here all summer.  I loved it, but need to work.  My to-do list is a mile long and I really need to start crossing some things off!

October 10th I’m getting married!  We are trying to finalize all of our plans.  So far, I have a cute, simple ivory dress.  It’s kind of unique with satin stripes and satin flowers.  Shelby picked it out for me.  :-)  The girls are wearing eggplant dresses, but I’m not sure about the guys just yet.  Our ceremony will be just us and our 6 kids, but we don’t have a location picked out yet.  I’m open to ideas!  I’m narrowing down the flowers and we have a dinner location.  It’s the cutest little cafe called Whole Day Cafe.  It’s in Wadsworth and if you’ve never been there, you have to go!  The owner is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.  Check out the website:  Whole Day Cafe.

I have a great Fall Special and School Picture special going on now!  I’ve posted them on Facebook and will post them here.  (not sure if I already did!)

Don’t forget to check out my article and many of my friends in the Women’s Journal.

I am editing many session and a wedding so I will be posting some images very soon.  I’ve been having such a blast shooting outdoor sessions!  Many cool changes coming to my studio in the near future!

Book your holiday sessions now - my schedule is quickly filling up and I’m not available for two weeks in October.  That is my favorite time to shoot, but we love that month so much we decided to marry then.

One more thing…that I can think of haha.  Sign up for my newsletter HERE.  I have some cool contests and mini sessions coming up that you won’t want to miss.

That’s enough for now.  If I remember anything else, I’ll post later. 

I was so excited to be a part of the Women’s Journal!  If you find a copy, pick one up and read all the great articles.  Many of the women in there are my friends.

For more photos of the articles, check out my Facebook Page.

If you are a woman in business, send me an email!

I say little because she isn’t quite 5′ tall!  My Shelby is 14 and loves track.  Oddly, jumping hurdles is her favorite part.  I cringe every time she gets to the hurdle because I can’t see how her little body could possibly make it over that hurdle, but she does!  She struggled a little at first, but is determined.  I’m so proud of her!

I have to say, too, that the whole team works so well together and their coach is the best!

Clay and Madison in the stands watching their sister.

My girls were outside playing in the snow recently.  We certainly have way more than we really need!  I guess they figured they would try to enjoy it instead of complaining about it….like their mom.  I quickly ran outside for maybe 4 minutes to take a few shots of them and amazingly a few were in focus - I was shaking a little too much haha.

I’m finally getting a chance to post some of the images from the birth.  There is something about watching a baby enter the world that makes you realize the world is going to be OK - it’s truly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed.  I was so honored to be a part of this whole experience and just captured everything I was feeling.

My favorite image!

Last week I had the amazing honor of photographing a birth.  Kate is a good friend of mine and we’ve known each other for about 10 years now.  I love all of her children, but I had the privilege of being there when the last two entered into this world.  Last week she called me to tell me she was being induced and I could hardly sleep that night!  I waited a good part of the day for her to call and let me know it was time to get to the hospital.  Finally she said it was time so I got there around 4:00.  I was literally shaking and bouncing off the walls with excitement!  If you know me at all, you know birthing, newborns and everything about it is right up my alley.  That is part of the crunchy side of me haha.  Kate and I are just alike in this.  So, I sat with Kate and her amazing midwife and doula while Kate labored like a champ.  It was hard for me to watch her in so much pain even though I know pain is good during labor.

When it was time for Miss F to enter the world I had my camera ready and captured some amazing shots of her daddy catching her into his strong arms.  There is something about being with your friend during such a special time that really bonds you to your friend and to the new baby.  F entered the world at 7:43 pm - yes, it really was that fast for you, Kate lol.  SHE didn’t think so, but everyone else did.

When I’m done editing I’ll post a few if Kate approves.  :-)  The room was dark and I was shaking so I’m praying I made some great memories for her that she will love.

Here is Baby F the next day when I went to see her at the hospital.

Over 30 vendors will be here!  Stop by to see me  - I’d love to see you or meet you!

Here are some of the details I took of Gabe.  Last I heard he was doing very well.  He’s on oxygen because the doctor was concerned about his breathing, but hopefully he will be off of that by tomorrow.

OK one more for now.  It was pouring outside recently so my girls and a friend decided to run outside and play!  I have a bunch more, but this is all I have time for now.

I’m so guilty of not photographing my own children.  It’s rare that I get out my camera when they are doing something cute or fun.  Christmas and birthdays seem to be the only time my camera is out so I’m making an effort to capture the daily things they do.  Of course that will probably mean it’s just my youngest since she doesn’t mind the camera and the other 2 do!  Here is Madison drawing pictures with 3D chalk.

It was Madison’s idea to shoot through the 3D glasses - it actually worked!

She looks so cute in the 3D glasses!

I love these next 3 of her doing hopscotch!