MIA

I've dropped off the face of the planet on my photo blogging.

It's the nature of things when you are the sole proprietor of your business along with the full time Mother of three.

AND

you were pregnant for 11 weeks.

Then,

you suddenly weren't pregnant as of Chrismas Eve.

So I've managed to pull myself back together enough to start managing more than the basics. If you want to see that I an in fact alive, you can check back on my family blog by clicking our photo on the right.

We are preparing for our first six year old birthday party.

We (meaning my daughter) just lost a first tooth.

My little one's got their first Star Wars shirts and refuse to take them off.

Today was a good day with double digit temperatures, still no snow, but I suppose we'll get some shortly.

All in all, we have had a great year and so much to be thankful for. I am especially thankful here for my clients and friends that make so much possible. To give me the opportunities I've had.

And for the beautiful photographs....Oh, the beautiful photographs.

I was archiving and looking through the beautiful sessions. I know I've fallen short on my promise to get the last of last year blogged, but I hope you'll forgive me and we will move forward together.

This year is going to be a good one...

Mercy me...

I've let my blog go.

My apologies.

It is with good cause.
*really good!*

It's been Christmas cards and books galore around here. In my particular brand of business (a sole proprietorship, in a part time capacity) one woman just can't do it all. So the blog got cut for a couple of weeks.

Tons of projects just finished. I'll share with you when I can.

I hope the season is bringing you lots of beautiful Christmas Cards and time spent with loved ones.

Our Thanksgiving included 30 in our home for dinner (this isn't the entire family, a few couldn't make it)...

You'd think by now I would know how to look good in a picture.

I got a bug in my rug and finished this beautiful little dandy just in time for Christmas.
It's been three years.
My son was not nearly excited as I was the morning I finished it. Perhaps I'll get some better portraits later.

And lastly...everyone needs a nap.

Including me.

My Baby Sister is all grown up

I posted on my family blog, so I thought I might share a few while I'm at it.

The main reason for hitting San Diego this fall was my sister's Bridal Shower.

Doing things a little differently, left this our only way to celebrate her marriage.

The girls in my family...

I know I look a bit serious, but I gotta admit, by this point I was pretty pooped.

And a few of just my sister, she looks so grown up these days. And the bangs were a great idea.

Here's one for good measure...

Congrats, my dearest little Sister! We are so excited for you.

Mitchell-in Man

Isn't he fun?

I got to spend a whole week with this chubby guy. We decided all he does is eat, sleep, and smile.

How great is that?

Can't believe it took me this long to post these.... a little older brother love.

And my very favorite of older brothers.

Homecoming

Can you believe I've been in Kansas City for four days? Time flies when you're having fun.

I've had a fantastic time here, and have taken some great portraits. These are near a dear to my heart as they are my niece and her friends homecoming pictures.

The school they go to is an old farm.

Well, we found some of the actual "old farm", i.e. fence and barn, in a field. So on a freezing cold, cloudy evening, we took them out to take pictures.

The tradition is to find a fountain, so it took some convincing to get them into a field of weeds... But I think we all agree it was totally worth it.

My nieces date was quite chivalrous. (It that how it's really spelled?)

Today is...

My son's birthday.

He turns four. Phew, we've made it another year.

One of my favorite traditions are my kids birthday invitations. He loves anything Star Wars, Transformers, or Ratchet and Clank (don't ask). So in light of it all, I made some that were perfectly him...

Really, you're invited if you want to come. I hear there's going to be cotton candy there...

The Cross Over

Why can't some of my personal posts cross over to this blog?

After all, I'm a little shorter on time than your average single photographer.

While it's true I've got some great projects to post (allllmost there...) I've also got some don't-you-wish-you-lived-here pictures.

This is where we ended up on our hike the other day. Five kids, Three Mom's, Two and a half dogs, two backpacks, and one stinkin' beautiful day and unreal scenery.

The rare shot of me and mine.
And yes, that is the 1/2 dog we are referring too.
It is a he, and he is full grown.

"A...B...C..."

"As easy as one, two, three"

We've ended up with the Jackson 5 on Rockband. Catchy tune I tell you.

I guess on the new Beatles (oh yea, I'm getting it) you can sing harmony. Wow.

What's even more fun are the results I get when my children have my point and shoot in the back of the car on the way home.

When you just don't want to narrow them down to one...don't. Make a proof sheet and call it a day.

See? Easy as one, two, three.

If you're feeling like a pick me up, make your own.

Dear Neglected Blog,

For the rest of the week, I'm posting once a day.

Really,
I've got that much to catch you up on.

Fun projects.

Upcoming trips.

And the rest of this lovely families portraits...

Tomorrow

The summer is officially over.

In more ways than one.

Thank goodness laughing and crying look suspiciously like each other.

This is where I live...

And this is how we do it...

I get so many comments on people seeing Montana for the first time through my family blog and how beautiful it is and how much they want to live here.

It is beautiful.

And you really do want to live here.

It's been busy this summer and we have been out enjoying all that is a Montana summer.

Hopefully your summer brings you as much adventure as mine.

Summer update...

I'm back from Girl's Camp.

It rocked.

We were eaten alive by mosquitoes.

BUT,

...we skipped rocks (and all those other things you do at camp).

The itching has worn off, but the great times should "linger longer".

I also thought it would be fun to share what happens in our house when it's hot and water is allowed wherever and whenever the kids want.

I get my windows done and little one learns the joy of squirting water in his own face.



I believe I've got some wedding pictures coming up...stay tuned ;)

Camping

That's where I'm headed.

Into the wilderness for four days with a hundred or so teenage girls.

I've got a tub load of nail polish and am ready to rock.

See you later.

Busy Bee

I've have more than a few people tell me I'm busy lately.

Um, yes. Thank You.

Nothing I haven't brought upon myself And nothing that can chase away that stifled desire to close my eyes and nap every warm summer afternoon.

You don't know heaven until you've experienced Montana summers. They're perfect for afternoon napping.

Back to the busy.

I like to let my blog world know I'm a person/Mom/wife too. And to say in most circles that photography is not the center of my universe is heresy, but it isn't.

It is a huge part and very important to me. But there a lots of other parts that make up my whole.

Take for instance the newest teeny tiny part.

Meet Po.
My husband insists he isn't a real dog.
I insist he's perfect for us.
And travel sized to boot.

He likes the mustard...

And my youngest insists on dumping spoonfuls of milk and lucky charms. Do you see the X?

My daughter is old enough to catch on that I'm a photographer and do "sessions" with other people.

She and her bear dressed the same and wanted a "session". Could I really say no?

She also wanted some pictures of her and her cousin.
(there might be a pattern forming here)

A picnic on a dirt hill in Montana.

So you see, I'm busy.
But it's the best kind of busy there is.

*(photoshop geeks...all these were edited in Lightroom, and Lightroom alone...I heart Lightroom)