Birthday time...

My little man turned 5 last week, but he was too darn sick to enjoy it! It hit right after his family birthday party which we hosted on Father's Day. By midnight is was throwing up and running a fever. That's why you haven't seen a birthday post! He was home all week from camp, and we had lots of snuggle time. Fortunately he started eating again on Friday...just in time for his kid birthday party which was Saturday. I promise to post pictures soon. Here is just one to get started.

We did a mini shoot before he got sick, but I can't share those just yet. I need a few more days. I am also planning a big birthday shoot at the park with Mr. Jake. I haven't been able to talk him into it yet. I'll keep trying....and bribing.

I have a few more client pictures to share, 3 more shoots this week, and then I'm taking a month long break. Of course, there will be a birthday shoot for Izzy in July, and then I can look forward to a bunch of fun shoots on the calendar for August.

Loving my 85...

My 85mm lens is so awesome. I really must remember to drag it out more often. I don't use it with clients because I like to get close. I may have to change that because it really might be my favorite lens.

I got these shots with it when we hung out at Dan and Kathy's house. It's a great lens when I'm shooting near a pool. I can stay far away and still get the shots I want.

For some reason I didn't get a shot of Sam when we were together, but I got this cute one of the boys the week before. I love that they are buds.

Kate started a second job as a waitress at one of our favorite restaurants. She went through a few weeks of intense training and finally got to start handling her own tables. We went to dinner on her first Saturday night, and I had to have a picture. The iPhone had to do.

Mommy left her a very generous tip. ;)

Keeping Jake entertained during this busy month of June has been interesting. He's in camp during the morning...that helps. One afternoon I was rushing to finish up for a client, and he was busy behind me in the foyer. This is what I saw when I turned around.  Bob the dog was zip lining between my front door and staircase.

Yes. Really. Zip lining. This is why I am taking July off. Or maybe I should keep working and continue to encourage this creativity?

I've also been keeping him busy with chores around the house. He's earning an allowance this summer.

My parents kept Izzy and Jake overnight recently. When they came by to drop Jake off in the morning, this is what I saw when I opened the door.

This cracks me up. Dad has a tattoo and face paint...and he's wearing a grandpa t-shirt. Classic.

I have to share this shot that my Shutterclub buddy, Kristi, took. This was from Tiffany and John's wedding shoot. I am the one in the front...on the ground.

In all honesty...I was down because my legs gave out. Ha!

Last weekend, I kept Izzy and Ben while Eric and Em worked Eric's booth at an area wedding show. They did a huge favor for me by promoting Gigi Wagner Photography at the booth also in addition to Eric's St. Louis Wedding Guitar business.

Ben was SO good all day. He took a 3 hour nap for me in his swing!

Izzy and Jake discovered that if you flip the bounce house over, you can make a fort out of it.

All I got was a fake smile.

To end this varied and random blog post I have lots of cute kid shots to share.

I told you I was ending with lots of cuteness. I love my job. I get to play with the cutest kids! 

He keeps us laughing...

Jake: "Mom...I want a bowl of cereal."
Me: "Jake..how can you be hungry? I just finished dinner dishes."
Jake: "I'm still hungry."
Me: "Which cereal do you want?"
Jake: "snap, crap, and roll"

I'm sure you've guessed it...Rice Krispies. I think I laughed for 10 minutes.

I picked up two of the cutest cakes to save for cake smash sessions.  I grab mini cakes when I see them and keep them in the freezer. I must do another girl session soon! I walked up to the Walmart bakery, and the cake decorator was working on this.

 I payed more than I usually do for mini cakes...but I had to have it!  Then I saw this one:

I'm not sure if I'll use the burger cake for a smash. I might take it out for Jake's birthday. I couldn't resist adding it to my cart.

Em brought Ben to the studio for a few shots. He only had eyes for his momma...the way it should be.

I have a few other shots I love that I will share later. I'm working on something very special with them.

The studio has been a busy place filled with cute, cute kids!

This cutie is the youngest of 5. They were amazingly well behaved in the studio. 5 kids is a lot for my small space.  I was so impressed! I'll share more soon.

I love when moms bring props.

This little one is only 4 months old...but so strong!

I have a great before and after to share from the shoot.  I like to get great images straight out of my camera (SOOC)...who doesn't. It saves a lot of time!  However...sometimes work is needed. In this case a lot of work was needed. I didn't have enough backdrop, and the image was much darker than I like.

Here it is SOOC:

Here it is after I was finished "playing" with it.

The "playing" part is so much fun! :)

Here are a few more from Tiffany and John's wedding shoot.

Quick announcement (copied from Facebook for those who didn't see it):

Hey friends! Thanks for a wonderfully crazy spring! I've decided to take July off...just like last year. We need some summer family time. :) I still have some limited weekday availability for the rest of June. I'm booking August, September, and October now. Let me know if you want a shoot before school starts or if you want to be on my fall schedule. (The above message does not apply for my new mommies! I'll meet those babies whenever you are ready!)