A little experiment

Is it almost Friday already?  This week has flown by.  Since I have been spending all my time blogging all week, I decided to try something new with my housework.  I wanted to see how full everyone's hampers could get and to also see how long it would take us to wear every article of clothing out of our drawers and closets.

So far, I am impressed with the amounts of dirty clothes that have piled up.  Likewise with my dishes, I have let them pile up in the sink and plan to do so until we use every last plate and cup out of the cabinets.  Because, really, those lost dishes in the back and the lonely undies at the bottom of the underwear drawer should get used every once in a while too.

Not sure what this has to do with this great family session I did recently, but I just thought I would share.

Kelly, Eric & Colin, you rock.  I had so much fun meeting you guys and playing, "Do you know so-and-so?"  

I just love this one.

Thank you guys! Happy Fall!

Separation Anxiety

Now that Ky is 12 1/2 months old, he has jumped head first into the "separation anxiety" stage of toddlerhood.  And, no "separation anxiety" is not when the mom doesn't want to leave her baby...it is quite the opposite.  (I just had to clarify for my sweet hubby, Chad, who was a little confused of the concept.)

Ky loves for me to hold him all the time and gets very clingy, especially at the end of the day and into his bedtime.  He wants to be with me so badly, that now he has started the very bad habit of waking up in the middle of the night so I will come in and hold him and rock him and love him and sing to him (have I mentioned what a good singer I am?  Well, at least my kids think so). 

Don't get me wrong, I love that quiet time with him alone, but I also love the warm snuggliness of my bed too.  Not to mention that fact that Brynn also still wakes me up at least once a night to crawl in bed with us.  She just told me this morning how comfortable our bed is.  Now, if I could only make her bed as appealing to her.

Kari & Alex, I hope you are resting up now, because your nights of sleeping without interruption will soon be over.

(You may recognize them from their wedding last October which you can view here.)

I love how playful Alex is with Kari.  They sure have a good time together.

Kari is rocking out her Stella & Dot necklace.  I think it photographs so well, and well, let's be honest, Kari is a stunner too.

Poor Champ doesn't know what is in store for him.

I love it when my clients turn into my friends and I get to document them going through different stages in their lives.  I feel so lucky to do what I do for such amazing people.  

Kari & Alex, I have enjoyed watching your journey and I look forward to capturing more memories for you in the future with your growing family.

Best of luck to you both.  xoxo

Boys of Fall

I have been shooting lots and lots of little boys this fall so far.  It is fun to change up the pace a little, but I tell you what...they don't love me as much as little girls do.  They seem to be "over" me way faster.  I thought I always had a way with the boys...maybe I've been kidding myself.

Speaking of boys, my boy Kenny released his new album "Hemingway's Whiskey" today which has his new #1 song "The Boys of Fall" on it.  I just downloaded it on iTunes and have been enjoying it so far.

Here is one of the many boys of fall to come...this is my third year shooting my little Jimmy Mack.  It has been so fun watching him grow year after year.

Running on the treadmill

After a long summer hiatus, I have gotten my butt back in the gym.  Normally I opt for the elliptical machine, because it is like the wimpy man's way of running.  I hate running.  Let me clarify: I hate running longer than 30 seconds.  I prefer a quick sprint and getting it over with.  That is why sprints were my specialty when I ran track in high school.  Cross country?  No, thank you.

Yesterday, however I decided to kick it up a notch and jump on the treadmill.  I cranked up my iPod with a little Beyonce and let 'er rip.  I was going to get crazy and run a mile.

Two minutes in, the pain in the lungs kicked in.  I sucked wind through it.  I was determined.

To the people running along next to me, I tried to look like I run all the time.  Like it was just another day, another mile.

I did it. It only took 10 minutes, but I crossed my mental finish line.  My quads burned, but I also felt a feeling of accomplishment.  Tomorrow I may try for a mile and a half.  I try to keep my goals attainable.

Chad always says, "Slow and steady wins the race."  I am trying to apply that to my workflow as I try to bang out a few blog posts for this week and get some sessions edited.  The shooting part is the easiest...it's the hours spent on my computer color correcting, editing, blogging and posting the photos that takes so long.  For every hour I shoot, I estimate at least three hours on my computer afterwards.  Those hours add up!

This adorable family has been waiting so patiently for me to "win the race."  

I had so much fun a few Sunday mornings ago up in Huntley with these guys.  "Adorable" doesn't even do them justice.  They are not only blessed with good looks, they are genuinely nice people and a loving family.

I am pretty sure this next image was the reaction I got from the kids when I asked mom & dad for a little kissy face.

Noah:  You want them to what?

Abby:  Ewwww.

I swear I did not even ask Abby to put her leg up.  She is just a natural.

Thank you so much for such a fun session.  You all are so sweet and I hope you love your sneak peek.  Also, thank you for your patience!!  xoxo