Let's finish off February...

I'm sitting here just a bit relieved that my sister didn't have her baby today...on leap day. Em didn't seem to care if the baby came today or not, but I did! How weird is that...having your real birthday every 4 years!  No thanks.

Jake and Dan spent a lot of time playing this weekend. If it was up to Jake, he would be outside from the minute he wakes up until the minute he goes to sleep. I don't usually mind, because he sleeps really well the longer he's been outdoors.

We have to find a different net. The puck goes right through this one. It's a great soccer net, Aunt K! We are going to need one for each sport. ;)

We don't require a helmet for hockey. He just never removes it after riding his bike. I think he forgets it's on his head.

When Kate asked for an Xbox for Christmas, I wasn't sure she would really play it. She rarely touched the Wii. I was wrong. She loves the Xbox and dominates some of the crazy games she plays.

Izzy went with us to allergy shot like she usually does on Tuesdays. I took my camera along and then forgot to take it out during Jake's shot. He's so brave and so mature when it comes to his shots. He rolls up his sleeve like he means business and takes the shot without any problems or complaints. I missed catching it on camera, but I did catch these. This is what it's like for a 4 year old boy when that boy must wait in a tiny room for 30 minutes after his shot each week. It's really hard to be patient despite the iPad or iPhone to distract. This was really funny to watch.

Once we got back to the house, I noticed that a package came in the mail. I couldn't figure out what it was by the label. Were the kids ever excited when I finally opened it!

Their Cuddlepets were here! My wonderful in laws offered to take both kids for me a couple of weeks ago so I could do some shopping. When I returned to their house, the tv was on and the kids noticed a commercial for these pets/puppets. They both immediately asked me to purchase. I took down the information on my phone and decided to check them out later. The website looked pretty convincing, so I ordered. I'm really glad I did. They are super cute and really well made. The kids were thrilled and carried them around for the rest of the afternoon.

While the kids were busy with their new pets, I made a recipe I recently discovered on pinterest.com. I'm always looking for gluten free things for Kate. She is not completely gluten free, but she definitely feels better when the gluten in her diet is reduced. These banana muffins are made with rolled oats and oat flour.

I did throw some mini chocolate chips in half the batch.

I bet you think those chips are disgusting, right? You would be SO wrong. Next time you are at Whole Foods, grab a bag. They come in minis and chunks. Kate needs to try to stay soy free, and it's really hard to find chocolate without soy lecithin.

The muffins are pretty yummy! I would like them to be a bit sweeter, but the rest of the family is really enjoying them.

Let me know if you want the recipe, and I'll link you. I'm too lazy to type it out right now.

Jake brought lots of art home this week, and this smurf picture was my favorite!

His snake was pretty cute, too! I love his smiling face.

Here are a few more favorites from Sam's 4th birthday shoot. I love this boy!

I can't wait to meet Mason on Saturday. He's coming to the studio for his 6 month pictures.  I can't wait to have new baby pictures to share, too! It won't be long!

More studio awesomeness...

When I set up the studio, I was really just thinking in terms of taking pictures of babies in the winter. I really didn't expect it to get a lot of use. Well...it's growing. I'm happy about that. I'm having lots of fun adding props and backdrops. I would also like to add one more light. It's a matter of finding the time to play around with what I have and see what needs to be done to make it even better. I wish my space was just a little bit bigger, but I'm trying to be creative with what I have. I'm doing part of Erin's bridal shoot in the studio and should be able to get a full length shot...although I haven't seen the dress. ;)

Here are two of my new drops...the dark brick and the gray wood floor drop. This picture is SO Sam!

"More pictures, Gigi? Are you kidding me?" 

When Kelly brought her kids to the studio, she came in and announced that this would be the most mismatched photo shoot ever. Let me just tell you...it works in a BIG way! I hope all my clients take notice of this. I get asked all the time for clothing recommendations. I always say...don't match...just compliment. Well...I absolutely love Kelly's eye, because I think these outfits rock!

I happen to think that I rocked that pose, too! ;)


Here are a few more favorites from that shoot:

I've reworked my pricing for 2012, so email me for details!  I've also added some great printing packages to make it affordable to get professionally printed pictures on your walls. 


I guess I was hungry this past week, because I have lots of food pictures for my Project 365.

I love taco and quesadilla night. It's healthy and easy. 

Jake asked for shaped pancakes after the sleepover with George, Sam and Izzy. Apparently Uncle Dan can rock a shaped pancake. ;)  I made a big batch of Mickey's and stuck a bunch in the freezer for fast meals.

I love having the chalkboard wall in the studio. It's such a great extra at the end of a shoot when the kids are tired of pictures.

Dan gets up first every morning and will occasionally surprise us with cinnamon rolls.

Daddy and Jake took some extra practice time after basketball this weekend.


(I know I'm missing a shot. It included a new neighborhood friend, and I don't have mom's permission to post her picture online.)

I have one more food shot that I think I forgot to post. It's pretty, so look at it again if I already did.

Last night I asked friends on Facebook for help. My sister will be having a baby very soon...my guess is next week. I'm the birth photographer. I'm excited..and nervous! Isn't that funny? I've had two babies! I think it's because this is my baby sister, and I've always felt so protective of her. I have my equipment ready to go...and am keeping the batteries fully charged. I want to have a bag of extra stuff ready in case the call comes in the middle of the night. My friends have great ideas! The list is growing, and I'm writing everything down. I'm home all day Wednesday, so that will be bag packing day. :)


I'm heading out on a scouting trip with my friend, Brooke, today. She's assisting me with the wedding in April, and we are going to check out the church, reception site, and  parks. I have a list of parks and farms in that area and want to find a pretty spot to take pictures after the ceremony. Today should be fun, and the weather is cooperating!

Project 365 catch up...

Last Wednesday I took Aunt Janie to lunch for her birthday. It's become our little tradition. I really need to upgrade my iPhone. I'm sick of blurry pictures.

My friend, Therese, gave Jake her son's old erector set months ago. Jake loved playing with it, but he just now realized that there is a working motor! He discovered the battery compartment. Now he's building all sorts of crazy things and making them spin. No worries...since this photo was taken, I got smart and am now requiring protective glasses.

We had a scare Thursday night. My mom ended up in the ER with VERY high blood pressure and lots of strange symptoms. I can't say much at this point except that she was given the wrong medication in a prescription 4 weeks ago, and her symptoms were the result of this. We are very lucky she didn't have stroke. She's been very, very sick since, so say some prayers that she will get well quickly. PLEASE...check your prescriptions online when they are filled to make sure you've received the correct medication. According to an ER nurse, this happens more than you would think.

Friday night Jake and Izzy spent the night with George and Sam. I really wasn't sure how it  would go. They did great and had so much fun!

Kathy texted me after they ate cake for Sam's birthday. Jake said to her, "Kathy Brown, you make the goodest cake!"

After we got Jake home, we jumped back in the car and left for the Blue's Game. We saw another winner...yay! 

I decided to take my camera to Church on Sunday. We love to go to Mass with a small congregation of local Sisters. They are so sweet to Jake and so understanding when he gets a bit antsy during Mass.  He's job is to extinguish the candles when Mass is over.

I picked Jake up from a birthday party Sunday afternoon and noticed a bunch of neighbors staring at a tree. Since I'm so nosy, I had to figure out what was going on. ;)  This is what they were looking at...pretty unusual site in our neighborhood!

Dan thinks it's a hawk. Another neighbor thought it was a falcon. If you are a bird person, let us know who has it right.

This layout is a lift of a layout by Katie Pertiet of DesignerDigitals.com. Let me know if you would like links to the supplies.

I have to end today with a Jake video. I think he now knows the words to most of the best Beatles songs.