update

So, while visiting with my fam at the wedding, I realized I've been a little late in letting you know what we've been up to. I talk about the kids all the time but haven't told you about Kev much. The biggest news with him is that he's completed his first semester of credentialing for his teaching certificate. He's decided he wants to be a classroom teacher, probably 5th-6th-7th-8th grade . . . somewhere in there. He's doing the coursework online thru a school in AZ that is accredited with the state of WY so he can get a position here in GR. Wow, lots of initials. Anyway, he is on schedule to finish his schoolwork and student teaching in time to be eligible for a teaching position in the fall of 2010. He'll start at the same time Gennie starts kindergarten. Ahhh, did I really just say that??!! Kindergarten???!!!

Other than that, we've been battling our way thru several flare-ups of his bone disease . . . lasted about 5 weeks this time . . . but finally today he woke up feeling much better and actually got his dress shoes on for work. He went to softball practice yesterday and took it easy so he isn't all broken for the games this week. He LIVES for softball every summer and was really worried that he wouldn't be able to play this year but it looks like we're on the upswing of this flare-up so we'll see. He says playing baseball on the video games just isn't the same.

More updates to come . . . have to go let Josiah out of baby jail before he climbs out by himself. :)

wedding sneak peek #1

Okay, the moment you've been waiting for - a few from the first round of Mila and Dave's wedding! I got the total of pictures down from 737 and still have some culling to do but wanted to get these edited and on here because they are just how I wanted them!! I hope they like them as much as I do. And yes, the sky really was that color blue that day. Couldn't have picked a better day to get married in the park! Thanks for letting me work with you two!



Mostly I've gotten to work on the bride and her bridesmaids so I don't have much with the groom and his guys but they'll be coming soon.

And my fav shot of the girls together. . . I told you they are all sisters and my cousins, right? I was soooo hoping this one would turn out and it did, it did!!! Kev says he doesn't get it but I love it anyway.

Can't wait to get some more done. Why is it when you have a pile of super fun work to do the kids refuse to take a nap longer than 30 min?

we're back, just in time for Gennie's last day of preschool.

So, we're back from our whirlwind trip to CA. Love that place. Anyway, I'll edit the wedding portraits and get a few on here for the bride and groom but believe me, I've got my work cut out for me. Final count: 737 portraits shot. Yeah, I went crazy. But like I told them, I had a blast. They all kept saying they hoped I was having fun even though I had to work and I kept telling them, this is what I live for!! And the 104 degree weather was most decidedly the hottest I've ever worked in but once you're drenched in sweat . . . I mean, perspiration, right ladies? . . . you just kinda get over it and press on. And let's face it, everyone was in the same soggy boat so no one really noticed the dripping. The little kids at the wedding got ahold of the spray bottles and took turns spraying each other down so there was no heat stroke . . . just lots of little girl screaming. Anyway, more to follow as I get the photos finished. Stay tuned . . .

We got back Tues nite and I spent Wed sick with the flu. I guess if I have to get sick it was much better to do it after the trip. Josiah threw up a bunch both days traveling back but we thought it was just motion sickness . . . if I had to ride that far backwards in a carseat I think I'd chuck a bunch, too . . . but when I got sick we figured it was more of a flu thing for him, too. Thurs I was able to pull myself off the couch long enough to take Gennie for her last day of preschool this year. They had a big party/picnic planned for the park but since it is raining like crazy they decided to keep it inside at the school. She had a blast but I don't think the whole "last day before summer break" thing has settled in yet. I'm doing a mini album thing for her of photos of her first and last days of school every year until college so I got a last-day shot then went back to the couch. (Luckily, Kev hurt his hip playing softball on Sunday so he's been home, hobbling around to help me as best he can. Well, not really luckily but you know what I mean. It's hard to chase a 9 month old with your own head in a bucket. PS: Kev's better today and back to work.) What do you think - has she grown up a little over the year? Wow, yeah.

First day:

Last day:

900 miles, 13 hours, 4 years old, 9 months old, stopping only to pee. Have I lost my mind????

So, I'm shooting a wedding in Redding, CA, this coming saturday so the kids and I are driving out with my parents. We leave tomorrow, wed, after my mom gets out of school (teaching, not attending). Needless to say, I have a ton of stuff I've been doing to get ready . . . and still to do so to appease the powers that be, and the mom-in-law :), I leave you with these photos of my cute kiddos playing outside . . . since it was finally warm enough again to do so. And yes, posing was done by Gennie. I think she should be in charge of posing from now on. Enjoy, and we'll be back Tuesday!

sneak peek #2 for Katie and Joe

So I finally finished editing the portraits for Katie and Joe. I love the ones with the umbrella . . . the colors really pop, at least in real life. These and the ones in the previous post are about a 3rd of what I edited . . . but I don't want to post them all and spoil the surprise for when they get the proof book. These are some of my favs, tho. Thanks again, guys!

Katie and Joe - sneak peek!

So, I got to hang out with these two this week . . . had a blast!! I love to shoot people in love because they are just sooo happy that the smiles appear without any coaxing and even the guy is smiley. :) I've only gotten thru half of what I shot . . . these are the cuddly ones . . . the "fun" ones are on their way . . . but wanted to get some up here for them to see. Thanks for letting me work with you guys!

9 months old

So, Josiah is nine months old! Can't believe it. I know it sounds cliche-ish but it really does feel like he was soooo small just yesterday. Ah, my little baby boy . . .

Okay, the cheese is oozing so I'll stop. Here's what he's been up to:

- dr's appt went well. got his hemaglobin tested - levels are fine. weight: 20lbs, 15 and a half oz. head size: 18 in. height: 29 in.

- he's finally mastered the crawling thing. i don't have a photo of this yet because usually when he's crawling i'm running after him to get him out of the bathroom. (remember that post with the toilet paper?!?!) maybe if i sneak up on him i'll get a good one.

- he's learning to like finger foods, provided he can get them in his mouth. he dropped this one and couldn't pick it up out of the carpet so he rolled it up his foot until he could pinch it. pretty inventive, don't you think?

- he's way more active and into stuff than Gennie was at this age. i'm constantly running after him down the hall and snatching the dog's toys out of his hands. the other day he picked up her rawhide bone and she got all agitated looking from him to me and back like "but that's mine!!!" we've decided to corral him in the pack-n-play in order for me to get anything done. he's not so happy about it but at least i get the dishes loaded in one try.

- gave him his first hair cut. he wasn't so pleased and kept trying to wiggle out of the babypod, which is why the photo is so blurry. he looks much better now and i only cut myself once!

- he's learning when he's in trouble. as i said he is often into stuff where he doesn't belong and when i yell his name he turns his head away and grins so i can't see him. then if i get up to get him, he takes off crawling down the hall as fast as he can. for being so little he sure is fast.