My LOGO!!

Lookie what I got! An official logo! Custom designed by the very friendly and talented Erica Hernandez. She is closing up shop and has some great deals for any of you fellow aspiring photograhers out there. Can't wait to get some business cards and marketing material. So, which do you prefer, green or blue???

As for other happenings, Eli had rice cereal for the first time last week! He enjoys it VERY much and gobbles up every last bit! Hope to post some pics soon of this "first". I don't if I've mentioned this before, but he is a *blankie* boy! He loves to hold his blanket just before bed or nap or when nursing. And, he can ususally be found cuddled up with it. He has 2 favorites, one is knitted from my mother. He likes to put his fingers in the holes. The other is soft on one side and silky on the other. Guess which side he likes... the silk!

Mackie had a great bday weekend last week. There is actually a girl with more spunk in her than Mackie. One of her bestfriends, Katie! Whew! From the minute that girl walked in our house it was a whirlwind. She kicked off her shoes on the mat and was off running and screaming with McKenzie. Guess what McKenzie did the Friday before her bday party. She cut her hair!!! It was drama. It was quiet (a sure sign of trouble). I walked into the girl's room to find Mack with scissors in her hand and a pile of hair on the floor! I over reacted and started crying. So Mackie starts crying saying "what did I do?" Then, Schuyler starts crying "will McKenzie's hair be okay". Mark walked in wondering what in the world was going on. The good news, it's not as bad as I thought. She cut bangs plus a little more. It will take a while to grow out though. On a brighter note, if you get a chance, ask Mack to say sunscreen. It's hillarious. She says scrunscreen or scrunchcream!!

Okay, pics of the kids to come! I promise!

Mackie turns 3!!!

3 years ago this day, our little McKenzie was born. She was our father's day gift that year. I had been having contractions that a.m. but we managed to meet Mom and Dad at Hy-Vee for breakfast. Everyone, but myself ;-), enjoyed a nice, but quick breakfast. Schuyler stayed with them while we checked in. Labor was a breeze and she arrived at 2:09 p.m. I remember the first thing I noticed was her sweet little dimple chin. Happy bday Mackie!! We had to already open 1 present this a.m. Schuyler "urged" her to open a specific one b/c she remembered it from several months back when we bought it. A Cars slip-n-slide. Mackie took rice krispie treats to share during snack time as well as pictures from when she was born.

Other odds and ends. I was able to shoot a 15 yr old last week as well as a darling little 6 month old. I can't wait to share. The field trip on Friday to the nature center was a success. I took my girls and another friend from their class, Amelia. Amelia is a bit of a personality too! On multiple occassions she said "this is taking too long". We all touched the snake and turtle (yes, myself included). Schuyler was the teacher's pet! Not only was she front in line for everything, she had answers to a lot of quetions. For example, she knows what a cold blooded animal is. Amazing! We had lunch with daddy and went to Star City Shores in the afternoon. Mom met us there which was awesome b/c I would have had my hands full!!! Papa took the girls in the evening for a work celebration where they had a good time! Sunday was father's day and Mark's bday. He celebrated with a golf lesson and round of golf on Saturday. We took him out to lunch Sunday and I made a homemade strawberry cheesecake. It was delicious. NOTE: to anyone with baby, do not feed him/her cheesecake. Yes, Mark thought Eli should share in the celebration. Maybe I should have made him get up with him in the middle of the night = )

As for Eli, he is quite the little talker. He exercises his voice at the most interesting times, usually church and when we're out to eat. Alos, he is, for the most part, sitting. A little assistance is required at times.

Another busy week and weekend ahead. Just one of my little birthday girl!!

Mackie Stories

Well, as many of you know, our little McKenzie has enough personality and spunk for 2 or 3 people and she has been letting it shine! My photo friend had rented a lens and I wanted to give it a try before returning it for her. I have an upcoming shoot at Wesleyan campus, where I've never shot before. So, I grabbed the lens and kids and headed to Wesleyan. Schuyler was in photo mood, which is rare for her. I'm snapping away when I hear a blood curtling cry coming from Mackie. I'm expecting to see blood, however, it is no more than her pointing to a bug. She is deathly afraid of bugs. Rollie pollies and lady bugs are fine, anything else will elicit one of these horrendous screams from her. In fact, the guard came out from the building I was shooting in front of to make sure everything was okay. I was slightly embarrased. Needless to say, I didn't get many shots of Mackie. The ride home was terrible! There was a bug on her window. We listened to the scream/cry all the way home. Schuyler tried to ease her worries by offering her this advice, "McKenzie, don't worry. Only a mosquito will bite you and it doesn't hurt, it only sucks your blood." This makes matters worse, and Mackie starts cyring even harder, to the point where it's hard to breathe. "I..... DON'T..... WANT..... IT.... TO .... SUCK.... MY.... BLOOD". I have to laugh to keep my sanity. This is quickly followed by "DON'T LAUGH AT ME". I think she stayed inside the rest of the night!

Ready for another (shorter) story. Last night marked the beginning of swim lessons. Both girls enjoyed them but Mackie LOVES them. She was center stage. When ever a volunteer was needed, she was first in line! She is actually a very good little swimmer. I imagine after this session Schuyler and Mack will be in the same class. There were tears afterwards b/c she didn't want to leave swimming lessons. And, she was upset b/c Schuyler's class got to jump into the pool and her's did not. Oh, the drama!!

The week will continue to be busy. Violin lesson tonight, I have a photo shoot (if it stops raining), and a visit w/ a friend I haven't seen in a year or two. Tomorrow is swimming again. Friday I'm taking the day for a field trip in the a.m. and celebrating Mack's bday (a few days early). Dad is taking the girls that night. Hopefully, I can play catch up on some photo stuff. Saturday will be a 6 month shoot. Sunday is Mark's bday and father's day. Whew!

Here are a few images from my Home Portrait Party this past weekend. Cute, cute kids! These are 2 of the families.

purchased the tickets

We are officially going to Savannah, GA in September. The plane tickets are purchased and I think we have arrangements made for Schuyler and McKenzie, who will be staying here. We are taking the little man with us! I'm excited and nervous all at once. I have never been the one "leaving". We left Schuyler when she was 11 months with my parents to go to AZ for one of my best friend's weddings and it was all great until Sunday, when all the festivities were done with and we didn't leave until Monday. I remember coming home that Monday night. Dad was at our house and she had just woke up. She was in yellow pajamas (imagine that) and she was so happy to see us! I've never left Mackie. She's spent the night at my parents or down in Missouri with her cousins. I'll just not worry about it until the time comes.

On the other hand, I'm excited to see some beautiful historic areas and stay on the beach. I think we'll be staying in a beach house. Tybee island is very close. I've stepped foot on a beach on our honeymoon but it was cold, rainy and night time. I'm hoping this experience will include laying under an umbrella on the beach!!

This week has been rather calm. I had no shoots last weekend and no activities during the week. It was a nice break before this busy weekend. I have a home portrait party. My first ever. We'll see how it goes. Mark is in a gold tournament on Sunday. Next week swim lessons will begin for the kids.

Eli is a rollie pollie man!! He figured out the tummy to back roll a couple of weeks ago and since then there is no stopping him. He's trying to get his feet going to. So much so, that the other day when I picked him up from daycare, he had rubbed part of his big toe raw from trying to push off of it. I need to get him some new shoes!!!

Remember that fun family I got to shoot. Here they are!!

not teeth...

It just goes to show, even a third time round mommy doesn't always know everything! I was fooled. I ended up taking E into the Dr. on Friday b/c he had continued fussiness and restlessness and also developed a fever. The PA said it wasn't an infection, but wasn't normal either. We started antiobiotics and he is back to his normal happy self! This is a first for us as our kids have been very fortunate and not had an ear infection before. See, boys are different = )

Friday was the end of year celebration for the Montessori and the girls enjoyed the company of their friends with pizza, music and a slide show at Antelope Park. Afterwards, it was mayhem as all the kids played outside.

I had the most fantastic family shoot this weekend. M & M, if you read this, thank you so much for inviting me into your home. I hope I was able to capture all the love, fun, and silliness!! Preview to come later.

Here's something a little different. Trying to step out of my comfort zone. Schuyler loved her roses we gave her for the dance recital. I think her words were something like "Daddy, my favorite color and your favorite color". Then a big grin crossed her face. They are yellow on the outside and red on the inside. She is so sad they are dying so I'm trying to dry them out for her. The other is from a bouquet my sis-in-law brought over for the baptism. I LOVE gerber daisies!

a teething babe...

I think our little E is getting some teeth, or at the very least they are moving. He's a little more high maintenance, not his content self. He sleeps restlessly and he's not taking his bottle very well. He's very drooly and is sticking everything and anything into his mouth. My poor little man = (

The weekend was great! Schuyler was a beautiful balerina and did excellent on the stage. We were so proud of her!! We also knew a few other girls and it was neat to watch them too! Mackie enjoyed her bday party with her best friend, Shainie. And, Eli, as expected was a little sweat pea for his baptism. Though, I'm very interested in watching the DVD. Mackie was intrigued by the candles behind us on the stage. I kept having to grab her from them b/c she was so close I was afraid she would singe her hair on them and then we would be using the water to baptize her again!!

I'm experimenting with a new look for my blog. Something a little more creative that reflects my style. So, you may see a few face lifts before I get it just so!

Pictures as always. A few of the flower girls from the wedding. I could have shot these 2 beauties all day long. And, I meant to post this handsome man in my previous blog entry. This is Alex, the "other" twin. Or, put differently, brother to Reagan.

Have a great long weekend. I have just one photo shoot otherwise I'm catching up and kicking back!

Recommended Reading

For anyone out there that loves a great book, I highly recommend My Sister's Keeper (click title for details). I have found reading while I'm pumping at work to be very relaxing. I had come across this book a while back but never had time to read. I just finished during my lunch break today and all I can say is WOW. In summary, it's about a girl who was genetically conceived to be a "match" for her older sister who has some rare form of cancer. The idea was the cord blood would be used to save the older sister. Well, as time progresses, the sister's health deterioarates and various procedures are needed, requiring the younger sister to be the doner. So, where do you draw the line?

We are gearing up for another big weekend. Mackie has her first bday party that only she was invited to, not her big sis as well. This will give her something special since so many times it's the reverse. And, it's for her best friend Shainey. Schuyler has her dance recital on Sunday. Can't wait to see her all dolled up. Eli will be baptized on Sunday. Every child has something special this weekend.

I'm hoping tonight I will get my mother's day present. I wanted Mark to take some pics of me and the kids. Just playing and goofing off like we normally do. Cross your fingers that time permits this as well as happy kids!


Here are some pics of some handsome 'lil men. The one is obviously mine and the other is one of my best friend's boys. He was so delightful to work with. Thank you Miss A for letting me capture him. Hope you are enjoying them!