first baby bump

NO, this is not an entry on my blog about another Smith baby bump... yet ;) TEASING! A few weeks ago I did my first maternity photo session. I was a little nervous because 1) I've never done this and 2) maternity shots are extremely touchy... could easily go on the cheesy side of the fence. I'm definitely the more discrete, comfortable, relaxed type...

Thank you SO much to this willing couple (the soon-to-be G Family) for inviting me into their home to get these! I'm very happy with how they turned out and also a big thank you to my sister, Casey, for the editing... SOON I'll convince Dave to get my Mac ;)

beginning in 1865

A little late to post this but definitely intended for this to be for yesterday. My computer had other plans...ggrrr!

There are so many people to appreciate on a day like yesterday (and every day) that it's very hard to even try to express gratitude but here's a heartfelt thank you to all the men and women who serve our country every day.

Thank you!

farewell beautiful tulips

The beautiful tulips from my front yard are gone. So SO sad. BUT an even better photo op was one of Austyn and Tayt and their petal sales.  Adorable!

Austyn's sales went like this...

She gave me her pretend money.

She let me pick a petal.

I paid for the petal with her money.

(I like this kind of sale.)

Tayt's sales went like this...

Nash destroyed all his pretend money.

Nash also destroyed his neat row of petals before I could make a purchase.

(Tayt's sales are a little low this year.)

the night that ended in tears

It's been a week since Austyn's birthday and the small celebration we had that night. We let the kids choose their birthday meals and this princess choose pizza. Of course Dad (Dave) wanted to go all out... notice the pizza is larger than she. :) Unfortunately, the night ended in tears because she did not receive a dress AND her bike... a talk was had and I think she forgot by the next morning but just goes to show her princess is still holding strong in that heart of hers. And thank goodness her Godparents brought her a brand spankin' new dress for her birthday just this last weekend. She has worn it almost every day since :)

girl power

Thank God the world did not end this weekend! Here is a tribute kindly sent to me by my Mom :)

These little girls gave me chills!
(ages 8, 7, 7, 6, and 6)

Maybe someday Miss Austyn will be doing something like this ;)

natures beauty

Bare with me... I took wayyyy too many photos of my tulips the other day. I was playing with the settings on my camera... thanks Mom for being my personal tutor... and then put my 70-300 mm lens on to get a few shots from a distance and man... they are SO beautiful... I couldn't stop! 

I'm also quite certain anyone driving by caught a "glimpse" of my back side while squatting to get up close and personal with these darn tulips!

Enjoy! :)

Princess Austyn Marie

There is no doubt in my mind this little girl will be famous some day. She loves everything princess. She loves to dance. She loves to sing. She loves mini pom pons. And most of all she loves dresses! You have NO idea how much thought is put into clothing this child daily for school during the winter. Coordinating heavy tights with dresses and skirts sometimes drives me batty! But to see her smile when she has her dress or skirt on just makes me giddy :) and those blue, blue eyes don't help arguments either. Here's to a beautiful, determined, very adorable, now 6-year-old girl...

Happy Birthday Austyn Marie!



November 2005 - 6 months

 

July 2007 - 2 years



October 2007 - 2 years

July 2008 - 3 years

August 2008 - 3 years - our Princess

December 2008 - 3-1/2 years

July 2009 - 4 years

October 2010 - 5 years

the many dresses of Austyn Marie :)

Austyn: Mom, I was smiling then too...

adorable Rory

I feel like my posts lately have all started "a couple weeks ago"... and I can't claim that I'm not procrastinating on this blog... I'm just behind. Story of my life.

Anyway...

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph another newborn. Man, I just love newborns. They are definitely my weakness. I'm in love with this little gal's name... Rory. SO cute. Here are some from her "photo shoot." I'm still not sure I'm comfortable calling these sessions photo shoots... makes my "photography" slightly official... maybe...