Back in October, I posted a peek of some of my oldest’s Senior pictures.  I cannot believe how quickly his senior year went by.  Yes, they go through messy stages, shy stages, talking back stages, testing the boundaries stages, stages that will drive you completely batty….but I’m warning you….embrace each stage for our children pass into new stages in just a few short blinks.

The past month or so has been a bit of a roller coaster in our household.  My oldest, Alex, recently graduated from high school and is now at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD working hard at what they call “Plebe Summer.”  We took Alex to the USNA to report on July 1.  No cell phones, no internet, no computer access, no texting his first six weeks.  We are currently relying on good ‘ol fashioned snail mail.  In a world where we rely so heavily on technology and using it as means of communication….when it is abruptly taken away from you…..well, let’s just say it is difficult to deal with.  While I mail letters to Alex virtually every other day, he has only 45 minutes of free time each day which is usually spent polishing shoes, keeping his room in immaculate shape, cleaning his uniforms, memorizing his rates, etc.  His letters are short, but they are reassuring.  “Hearing” him write so positively about the chaos his life has temporarily become is reassuring and it makes my heavy heart just a little bit lighter every time I open the mailbox to one of his letters.  The good news is that we return to Annapolis mid-August to spend 3 days with him before he begins the Academic Year.  I am literally checking the days off the calendar.  I just can’t wait to squeeze him! 

I took tons of photos while we were in Naptown, but this one tugs at my heart and makes me tear up every time I look at it.  Alex, in his newly issued Plebe uniform, head freshly shaved, USNA issued glasses (awful, aren’t they?), being adored by his baby brother minutes after he took his Oath and minutes before we said goodbye to him and he marched into Bancroft Hall. 

So that is the short of the latest and greatest in our house and why the poor blog has been so neglected.  The couple weeks before he left were consumed with placement tests, celebrations and getting him ready to go.  The almost two weeks he has been away I have been consumed with worry, with writing letters, with sending care packages, with catching up on everything I put on hold to be with my family.  I have so many sessions coming up to make up for the last three weeks I had taken off.  Check back soon!

I haven’t shared photos of Porkchop in awhile and I am in love with this set….so….I’m sharing.  I did a photoshoot with Luke as a surprise for my Mom for Mother’s Day.  Now that I’ve [finally] delivered her goodies, I can share some of my favorites {ahem, sorry for the delay Mom}.  Luke rocked this shoot.  I had him laughing so hard that he had me laughing until tears ran from my eyes.  Those laughs are so contagious - - I wish I could bottle up that belly laugh of his and unscrew the cap for a listen on a rotten day. 

I have lots [and lots] to blog.  Hopefully I can find time to update my little sliver of the www soon.  Although the photos have been edited for awhile and private galleries are already available to them, I’ve got some client sessions to share on here.  Some from our April vacation.  Some from random wanderings.  During my busy months, my personal editing gets knocked to the end of my to do list.  I hope to get to my here and there photos…..soon.

Well.  I’ve left you all hanging.  I posted back in December about securing studio space and have not kept you all updated on what its become!!  The inspiration started with the peacock feather and the peacock chairs and took on its look from there.  I absolutely love how its turned into something so clean. so fresh. so friendly. so inviting.  While I can shoot studio/lighting work, I can also shoot natural light all year around.  The natural light that peeks through the massive amount of windows is simply divine!  I could not be happier with form this space took on and I’m so excited to call it my home away from home.

An announcement will come later this week about a grand opening promo.  You’re not going to want to miss this opportunity as significant savings are involved!!!  Because, without you - -  my clients and friends - - the studio would not exist.  I’m excited about the opportunity to reciprocate.  Stay tuned for the announcement!

My baby recently turned four.  There are days when I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed.  Days where I recall the time not so long ago where he would fit in my lap and suck his thumb, when he was less independent, when he relied on me to make his days perfect. 

Then there are more recent days.  Days where he has me giggling because he says things like, “If I keep sneezing, I’m going to turn into a chicken” or “When I grow up and turn 34, I can watch movies about magic and bad guys.”  Days where he shocks me with his sincerity by saying things like, “The world looks beautiful today Mommy.”  Days where I look at Luke and see myself and my husband in him and think we’re doing a pretty good job with this whole parenting gig.  Of course I miss the days of cooing, tiny clothing, baby drool and toothless smiles.  But days like this….when he is visibly happy and comfortable in our home……being goofy, wearing ski goggles and a cowboy hat at the dinner table…..days like this make me look forward to what he has up his sleeve for tomorrow.  I’m sure it will be nothing short of amazing.

This is my oldest, Alex.  He is a Senior at Catholic Central and is just itching to begin his journey.  I generally do not use the photo blog for bragging but this boy deserves some serious kudos.  He has earned all A’s throughout his high school career, his current GPA is a 4.53 (is that even possible??), he’s in National Honor’s Society, Gabriel Richard Club, he’s earned numerous awards, a varsity letter in track.  He is kind and generous and is an awesome brother and son.  He is on the road to success and there is no doubt in my mind that he will do wonderful things. 

I am terrified to set him free in this crazy, chaotic world; scared his brothers will miss him tremendously (and even more scared about the withdrawl my husband and I will go through!). . . . .yet. . . . .I am excited for him to begin his adult life; make choices that will contribute to his success; experience life beyond the nest we’ve sheltered him in for so long. 

Here’s a peek of Round One of senior pictures!  Stay tuned for Round Two. . . . .

First, let me apologize for the lack of blog posts lately.  I’ve been consumed with end of summer chaos!!!  I almost feel like I am smack dab in the middle of the Holiday season.  On that same note, if you are interested in booking a Holiday session, please contact me asap.  I have very limited openings between now and mid-November. 

Since I haven’t been posting sneak peeks on the blog, I thought I’d better share something so you all don’t think my boys locked me in the attic!  Today was my Porkchop’s first day back to preschool.  He was beyond excited this morning to go back, sporting his new sock monkey backpack and shoes covered in scary monsters.  He had such a great time today that when I picked him up, he didn’t want to have a special lunch with mommy - instead, he asked if he could eat lunch with his friends.  He’s growing up way too fast. 

I hope your children have had a wonderful summer and are excited about learning and exploring their creativity this school year!

And the first morning back to school would not be complete without the signature kung fu moves.  I’ll have to warn his teacher that Mr. Luke thinks he’s the next Jackie Chan. . .

Sometimes before I have a client session, I take Luke in studio to make sure my lighting is spot on.  Sometimes I get crazy kung fu moves like this.  Oh, and excuse the jammies, it was bright and early - I still wonder how he gets this kind of energy without a cup of coffee.  And, for the record, the lighting wasn’t perfect for these, but I love ‘em anyway.

And sometimes I get loving gazes like this one.  He begged me to take his picture again that same afternoon - - I know that when he asks me to take his picture I’ll get good results.  Why?  Because it was his idea - - it happened on his terms.  What?  No shirt you say?  My porkchop hates getting messy and this was taken after playing with playdough.  He refused to wear a shirt while he was playing with it.  Yes, he’s three - any parent of a three-year-old recognizes their knack to be stubborn.

A couple posts down I told ya’ll about the portraits I had done with Jen Kniivila of Visual Poetry.  I’m planning to make some of these into ginormous cavases to hang in my home.  She did a fantastic job and I’m just so happy to have some photos of Porkchop and I together.  Thanks Jen!!!

And, I had her take a couple of just myself so I could update my biz pictures.

The Moon!

No, not really. . . better than the moon.  I’m back from our anniversary trip to Key West.  It was an absolute blast.  We slept in late every day, checked out the island, laid by the pool, rocked it out in world famous Sloppy Joes.  We actually flew into Miami, rented a convertible and drove down through the keys.  Our first stop, Key Largo, we witnessed a mama manatee and her baby hanging out in a canal.  One of the local guys grabbed a bucket of cold water and started dribbling it over the side of the dock - baby manatee floated over and was literally drinking the cold water, rolling around from belly to back.  It was, really, the cutest thing ever.  Did you know manatees do not have teeth?  Store that somewhere in the back of your noggin with other Jeopardy factoids.  See here:

Did you also know that Key West has the.most.amazing.sunsets?  Its funny when people take photos of sunsets.  People generally wait until the sun hides behind the horizon and then bolt, as if the spectacular beauty is over.  Next time, sit and hang out for a bit after the sun disappears.  The most beautiful shades errupt in the sky - the best part of the sunset is after the sun actually sets.

Did you also know that Key West has beautiful blue water basically everywhere you turn, with some hotels boasting they have views of both the Gulf and the Ocean?  Yep, its that small. 

It was a fantastic trip - half the fun was driving down in the convertible, checking out everything new and foreign to us, basking in the hot Florida sun, jamming to really bad music on the radio.  The island very much reminds me of the Midwest - a very laid back atmosphere!  I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Well the Easter Bunny made his way to our home and my kids are bouncing off the walls and I don’t think I can eat deviled or hard boiled eggs for 365 more days.  Whatever your plans are for this sunny day, I hope they include family, love and chocolate.