I can't wait to see this baby.

{click individual images to enlarge}

Ummm, will somebody please tell these two you're not supposed to look this good when you're pregnant!  Wowzers...

Stephanie and Josh are expecting their first baby in September and are so excited.  Their little girl is getting some smokin' genes!  I can't wait to see her!

 

It was a great shoot and as soon as they walked out of my door I took to the computer to proof their pictures.  I couldn't wait to see these!

There were many awesome shots, but the 'red wall' is always a hit!  Enjoy your pictures, Guys, and your time alone before that sweet baby girl arrives and turns your world upside down in the most wonderful way.

The Martha Stewart Mom

Some of you know I am going to kindergarten to teach next school year.  In preparation, I went to a reading readiness workshop yesterday that was so enlightening and so much of the information I could apply to my little boy who is expanding his vocabulary daily and learning the functions of language.  I know many of you have little ones so I thought I would share a simple way to help your child learn new words and apply them in context.  This is the 'Martha Stewart Mom'.

One day a little girl and her mother go to the grocery store.  As the little girl is riding in the shopping cart she is taking in all of the sights and smells.  She looks over to see a section of avocados and asks her mom, "What are those?"

Mom "A" Responds:  "It's nothing, we've got to go and get supper started.  We're running late."

Mom "B" Responds:  "It's an avocado, but we don't need any for supper and we're running late.  We'd better go"

Mom "C" Responds: "That's called an avocado and if we cut it up we'd find a bright green flesh and a large pit.  The outside is bumpy and dry, but on the inside it's mushy and we use it to make guacamole.  It's a healthy food high in good fat.  Would you like to buy one to take home and try?"

I think it's obvious which is the BEST response.  It's easy to dialogue in this way with our children if we slow down and talk with them instead of always talking to them.  I thought this was a neat anecdote and something good to think about. 

Stay tuned.  I have a maternity session today so I'll have a few to post tomorrow!

The Martha Stewart Mom

Some of you know I am going to kindergarten to teach next school year.  In preparation, I went to a reading readiness workshop yesterday that was so enlightening and so much of the information I could apply to my little boy who is expanding his vocabulary daily and learning the functions of language.  I know many of you have little ones so I thought I would share a simple way to help your child learn new words and apply them in context.  This is the 'Martha Stewart Mom'.

One day a little girl and her mother go to the grocery store.  As the little girl is riding in the shopping cart she is taking in all of the sights and smells.  She looks over to see a section of avocados and asks her mom, "What are those?"

Mom "A" Responds:  "It's nothing, we've got to go and get supper started.  We're running late."

Mom "B" Responds:  "It's an avocado, but we don't need any for supper and we're running late.  We'd better go"

Mom "C" Responds: "That's called an avocado and if we cut it up we'd find a bright green flesh and a large pit.  The outside is bumpy and dry, but on the inside it's mushy and we use it to make guacamole.  It's a healthy food high in good fat.  Would you like to buy one to take home and try?"

I think it's obvious which is the BEST response.  It's easy to dialogue in this way with our children if we slow down and talk with them instead of always talking to them.  I thought this was a neat anecdote and something good to think about. 

Stay tuned.  I have a maternity session today so I'll have a few to post tomorrow!

Nov. and Dec. booked

Only 2 left for Sept. and 2 for October.

Nov. and Dec. are now booked, but I am taking names for a cancellation list.

I love New York and I love Jennifer D.

Have I mentioned that I'm taking a trip to NY with my good friend Jennifer D.  I'm a little nervous to be traveling without my family, but I know I'm in great hands with Jen who is a super tourist.  So, I open my email just now and receive this from Jen!

NYC Itinerary

Friday

Arrive at JFK

Arrive at Hotel

Sightseeing: Downtown/Financial District

 Battery Park/Statue of Liberty

 Wall Street/The Bull

  Brooklyn Bridge

 Ground Zero

 Walk through Little Italy, SoHo, Greenwich Village areas

Dinner in Little Italy/pizza??

Cupcakes/Dessert from Magnolia Bakery!

Saturday

Sightseeing:

Times Square

MTV Studios

Letterman Studio

Empire State Building

Shopping:

 Herald Square/Macy’s

H&M

  Steve & Barry

BROADWAY!

dinner in Times Square

at Carmine’s or Tony’s??? (http://www.carminesnyc.com or http://www.tonysnyc.com )

 Hairspray at Neil Simon Theater at 8pm

Sunday

Sightseeing:

Central Park

- John Lennon Memorial

- Fifth Avenue/Tiffany’s/Shopping

- Grand Central Terminal

- Museums/Guggenheim/MOMA/Natural History/The Met

- Snack at Serendipity! (http://www.serendipity3.com/ )

Pick a Museum to explore or NBC Studio Tour

Dinner at Stanton Social on the

Lower East Side

(recommended by a friend?? http://www.thestantonsocial.com )

Would you want to go see the Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy show on Sunday night? Actors from SNL… http://www.ucbtheatre.com/ny/ 

Monday

Sightseeing

- Good Morning America & Today Show

- Rockefeller Plaza/Skating Rink/NBC Studios

- St Patrick’s Cathedral

Depart from hotel around 11a

Flight Departs JFK

I'm officially super excited!!! I've been wanting to do this for so long and I feel very blessed to be taking this trip with my good friend who is so savvy.  My darling husband says he'd rather have a hot stick in the eye than go to NYC.  His point of view, " Why would I go to NY when there are places in TX I haven't seen like Big Bend."  Oh dear, he is precious.  Next year - Big Bend, Honey!  Start praying for a safe trip for us please.  I'll have lots of pics to share when I return.

I love New York and I love Jennifer D.

Have I mentioned that I'm taking a trip to NY with my good friend Jennifer D.  I'm a little nervous to be traveling without my family, but I know I'm in great hands with Jen who is a super tourist.  So, I open my email just now and receive this from Jen!

NYC Itinerary

Friday

Arrive at JFK

Arrive at Hotel

Sightseeing: Downtown/Financial District

 Battery Park/Statue of Liberty

 Wall Street/The Bull

  Brooklyn Bridge

 Ground Zero

 Walk through Little Italy, SoHo, Greenwich Village areas

Dinner in Little Italy/pizza??

Cupcakes/Dessert from Magnolia Bakery!

Saturday

Sightseeing:

Times Square

MTV Studios

Letterman Studio

Empire State Building

Shopping:

 Herald Square/Macy’s

H&M

  Steve & Barry

BROADWAY!

dinner in Times Square

at Carmine’s or Tony’s??? (http://www.carminesnyc.com or http://www.tonysnyc.com )

 Hairspray at Neil Simon Theater at 8pm

Sunday

Sightseeing:

Central Park

- John Lennon Memorial

- Fifth Avenue/Tiffany’s/Shopping

- Grand Central Terminal

- Museums/Guggenheim/MOMA/Natural History/The Met

- Snack at Serendipity! (http://www.serendipity3.com/ )

Pick a Museum to explore or NBC Studio Tour

Dinner at Stanton Social on the

Lower East Side

(recommended by a friend?? http://www.thestantonsocial.com )

Would you want to go see the Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy show on Sunday night? Actors from SNL… http://www.ucbtheatre.com/ny/ 

Monday

Sightseeing

- Good Morning America & Today Show

- Rockefeller Plaza/Skating Rink/NBC Studios

- St Patrick’s Cathedral

Depart from hotel around 11a

Flight Departs JFK

I'm officially super excited!!! I've been wanting to do this for so long and I feel very blessed to be taking this trip with my good friend who is so savvy.  My darling husband says he'd rather have a hot stick in the eye than go to NYC.  His point of view, " Why would I go to NY when there are places in TX I haven't seen like Big Bend."  Oh dear, he is precious.  Next year - Big Bend, Honey!  Start praying for a safe trip for us please.  I'll have lots of pics to share when I return.

November Booked

That was quick!  I've got my 3 appts. for November so if you really want one for that month I can add you to a cancellation list just in case one of my appts. should cancel!

September - 1 booked, 2 left
October - 1 booked, 2 left
December - 3 left

Happy Monday!

November Booked

That was quick!  I've got my 3 appts. for November so if you really want one for that month I can add you to a cancellation list just in case one of my appts. should cancel!

September - 1 booked, 2 left
October - 1 booked, 2 left
December - 3 left

Happy Monday!

Birthday Boys

These handsome brothers celebrate their birthdays just a few days apart!  It is quite a different experience shooting a 7 year old and then a one-year old, but both were fun nonetheless.

You can tell that Daxton was eager to explore the surroundings while big brother Garret was eager to just 'get it over with.'

This next shot is perfectly imperfect and it's one of my favorites.  It seems that when a little one is learning to walk and balance Mom is always hunched over helping.  I love the perspective, too.  New walkers have a totally different view of the world than we do as grown ups.  We see faces, they see knees. hehehe.  I just love what this shot captures.

 

You know, these types of shoots and pictures are my passion.  I love capturing real moments creatively and artistically.  It's life, it's soulful, and it's real. I love this type of photography and I think you do, too judging from the hits I get daily.  I'm glad you 'get it.'

Two more heart-breaker shots. :)

Happy Birthday, Guys! Bibi loves you.

Birthday Boys

These handsome brothers celebrate their birthdays just a few days apart!  It is quite a different experience shooting a 7 year old and then a one-year old, but both were fun nonetheless.

You can tell that Daxton was eager to explore the surroundings while big brother Garret was eager to just 'get it over with.'

This next shot is perfectly imperfect and it's one of my favorites.  It seems that when a little one is learning to walk and balance Mom is always hunched over helping.  I love the perspective, too.  New walkers have a totally different view of the world than we do as grown ups.  We see faces, they see knees. hehehe.  I just love what this shot captures.

 

You know, these types of shoots and pictures are my passion.  I love capturing real moments creatively and artistically.  It's life, it's soulful, and it's real. I love this type of photography and I think you do, too judging from the hits I get daily.  I'm glad you 'get it.'

Two more heart-breaker shots. :)

Happy Birthday, Guys! Bibi loves you.

Simplify

For the last several months, I have told many people it's time to 'simplify'.  I had reached a point in my life where I felt pulled in 20 directions and was neglecting the most important parts of my life including my family and my spiritual life.  I am making a conscious effort to simplify and stop to smell the roses.  I know so many of you can relate.  So....I was so thrilled to find this sign.  I don't know where it's going yet, but I'll find a spot for it soon.

On that note, I am booked for July.  I will have a cancellation list so if you're interested in being on that list and possibly being contacted for a July session send me an email and I'll write ya down.  I've also decided not to book any appts. for the month of August to enjoy the last few weeks of summer with my family and to get ready for my new job.  So, I am booking now for Sept.  VERY IMPORTANT...during the school year I will only be booking 3 appts. per month.  I wish I had time for more, but I simply won't.  Therefore, if you know now you will be wanting a session for Christmas please, please book ASAP(This includes gift certificate clients).  Once I am full, I am full.  I will have cancellation list so if you miss out on a month, I can put you on the wait list.  Thank you for supporting me over the last 2 years.  It has been a blessing to be a small part of your lives.

The Winner....

C H R I S T I N A

 M U R P H Y !!!
Send me an email with your address and I'll mail you your gift certificate!
CONGRATULATIONS!

The Winner....

C H R I S T I N A

 M U R P H Y !!!
Send me an email with your address and I'll mail you your gift certificate!
CONGRATULATIONS!

I told you so....

If you're checking in...GOOD FOR YOU!  I'm giving away a gift certificate for a photography session!  Here's what you have to do:

1.Post a comment to THIS post or I will not see you! Some of you lurkers will have to come out of hiding :)

2.Be sure you leave your email address in the comment.

3.You have until 8 pm. tomorrow to post a comment to enter into the give-away.  I will not accept entries after 8pm.

4. When you post, I will submit your name into the drawing and late tomorrow night I'll post the winner of the gift certificate!

GOOD LUCK!!

Link ME Link ME Link Me

If you look on the left side of the blog you'll see this new handy dandy button:

I'm doing a little experiment and I need your help!  If you have a myspace or a blog, I would love it if you would post this button  somewhere on your pages.  It is linked to my Blog!  How cool is that?  I've spent way too much time tonight designing the button and figuring out the html coding to make it all work!  Sooooo....if you're willing to support me send me an email and I'll send you the html code to post on your own site!  Thanks, Thanks, Thanks and now Link, Link, Link!!! 

Link ME Link ME Link Me

If you look on the left side of the blog you'll see this new handy dandy button:

I'm doing a little experiment and I need your help!  If you have a myspace or a blog, I would love it if you would post this button  somewhere on your pages.  It is linked to my Blog!  How cool is that?  I've spent way too much time tonight designing the button and figuring out the html coding to make it all work!  Sooooo....if you're willing to support me send me an email and I'll send you the html code to post on your own site!  Thanks, Thanks, Thanks and now Link, Link, Link!!! 

Beach Bums

We retreated to Crystal Beach for a week last week to get away from everything.  We had a relaxing time in our cozy cabin and I thought I'd share some pictures with you!

The Welches came up for one night to play with us :)Notice all of the men gathered 'round the fire in a caveman sort of way. LOL

And I love the teeny tiny freckles or 'frankles' as Ethan calls them on his sweet nose!

And one of my surfer boy.

Our cabin:

Beach Bums

We retreated to Crystal Beach for a week last week to get away from everything.  We had a relaxing time in our cozy cabin and I thought I'd share some pictures with you!

The Welches came up for one night to play with us :)Notice all of the men gathered 'round the fire in a caveman sort of way. LOL

And I love the teeny tiny freckles or 'frankles' as Ethan calls them on his sweet nose!

And one of my surfer boy.

Our cabin: