My music man...

I was ready to post a picture of Jake's Bose system we recently put in his room, but the picture is gone. It's the first one I've lost. I wrote over it somehow. I had this system in my kitchen to play music from an old iTouch. I never used it. I am addicted to Pandora which I play through my tv. I was ready to move the system out of the kitchen and put some trip pictures in that space. I asked Jake if he wanted the system for his room, and he flipped! I made a playlist of his favorite songs and added it to the iTouch. He is having a blast listening to music and playing in his room...independently!  Now he wants music playing as he's falling asleep. I've been allowing it...against my better judgement. I don't want him to become dependent on it for sleeping.

This has been a great summer of growth for Jake. He's making his bed in the morning without asking. He's becoming more independent. I can leave him alone in a room, and I no longer have to be concerned when he's too quiet. He's dressing, brushing teeth, and combing his hair the first time he's asked. It's making the summer easier than I expected.  Don't get me wrong...I am ready for school to start. ;)

We had a little issue the other night at the dinner table. I did not set the table with 4 forks for Jake. He got them out.

I posted this picture on Facebook and asked my friends what I should do. Everyone agreed that if he's eating this well, just buy more forks. ;) 

Jake was so excited when his birthday book arrived from Shutterfly!

I did it the easy way on Shutterfly. I couldn't keep up with trying to make a layout for each page. It looks great! It's done and he's happy, so that's what counts.

I'm having a love/hate relationship with Project Life right now. I gave up on my photo a day project. :(  Times like this make me want to keep going. I found all three of them (Kate's boyfriend included) in my office looking at the album.

If I just had a few extra hours in my day...
 
I got a new throw pillow from my mom. I planned on using it for the couch in the basement, but it's so cute I kept it upstairs.

I had to laugh going through the photos on my iPad. Jake did this while we were in Marco.  This is going to be a layout.

I ordered a bunch of new backdrops for the studio when my favorite company was having their annual sale. Izzy came over for her 6 year old shoot, and I got a couple of shots of her with this one. I couldn't resist buying it!

Someone else had to get in on the candy action, too.

I'm so excited about this shot of Ben and Izzy together.

I will get in trouble with my sister if I share anymore shots right now. I'm making a card for her to send to family and friends, and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Here are more favorites from my shoot with Kristin and Julia.

The feet were not posed! I thought that was hilarious when I raised the wrap!

I have SO many shoots coming up in the next two weeks. A little guy with lots of personality was in the studio this morning smashing cake. Those will be ready to share soon. Tomorrow I'm spending time with Emily and David! They picked me to shoot their wedding next year! It's always such an honor! We are doing their engagement pictures in the morning, and I'm super excited about the theme.

Have a great weekend!

My baby fix...

I promised my new moms that I would be available to meet their sweet babies during my month off. The timing has been great, and I'm getting my baby fix. ;)

Meet Emma...she's 3 weeks old. She held this pose for a long time. If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it.

Yesterday Julia and Kristin came to the studio. Meet my first set of twins.

Can you guess which one is the big sister? ;)  They were angel babies for their session. They were trying so hard to sleep, but I just kept messing with them.  More to come!

a little embarrassed...

It's been a long time since I've been here. When I said I was taking July off, I really meant it! ;)  I've been busy at work on Jake's birthday video, our Marco Island pictures, and Izzy's birthday party. I've also been busy around my house. I bought a few new things to wear on vacation, and new clothes always motivate me to clean my closet. I have no pictures to share of this process. It wasn't pretty. I'm proud to say my entire closet is organized and dust free. I eliminated a bunch of things I don't wear...especially shoes that screamed 90's!  I try to stick with that rule...if you haven't worn it in a year, it's gone.

I also worked on Jake's closet and all my kitchen cabinets. When we remodeled the kitchen 2 (?) years ago, I eliminated a lot of clutter. It's amazing how fast it grows back. It was time to get rid of lots of kiddy dishes and sippy cups. We've grown past that phase around here.

Jake and I spent lots of time at the pool before vacation last week. He's back in camp in the mornings this week, so I'm trying to get caught up in my office. I sent out a bunch of invoices today for fall shoots, got a gift certificate ready for a client, and worked on a senior shoot special for the friends of a young lady who occasionally assists me. I feel so accomplished today. The only thing I didn't do was make dinner. I've made a big effort to do more cooking and focus on eating clean. Tonight was a fail. We had takeout from Bandana's...my favorite BBQ place.

I've also stepped up my workouts in a big way. Dan and I walk almost every evening and have since April of 2011. We've been trying to incorporate some short sprints in our walks. I think tonight we probably walked half and ran half our route. Once we are home (usually around 9pm), I do another 20 minutes of light weights, stretches, and ab work. I have figured out that I really do best when I workout at night. I just can't move my body in the morning, and the afternoons are too busy. I get a second wind at night and like to stay up late. I haven't seen any difference yet. My love of eating and drinking is what is motivating me.

So...my month off has been very productive in many ways.

Check out Jake's birthday video!  I'm really excited about it. I never did an official 5 year old shoot. It's just too hot around here. Jake gets red fast and sweats a lot. It doesn't look good in pictures! I did his pirate studio shoot, but really wanted more shots outside. I decided to get as many as possible in Florida while on vacation. I don't get a lot of cooperation, folks. All three of them give me trouble. Jake always looks so cute in pictures, but I wish I had video of what it takes to get those shots! I got more shots of the back of Kate's head than her face. Dan likes to make funny faces. It's very frustrating!

Back to the video...check it out here:
Click here for Jake's Birthday Video!!!!!

I haven't had a chance to start the vacation video, but I do have lots of favorites to share. Just keep in mind...I have to jump through hoops to get these. You have no idea. The first three were not posed. Those are the easiest. ;)

I think smoothies taste better when you drink them on the beach!

I bought that raft at Target, packed it in my suitcase, and then had to threaten to ever get to use it!

Jake has a new favorite cartoon. It's one Kate use to love...CatDog. I hope it isn't inappropriate. Honestly, I've never seen an episode!  After a day at the beach, he liked to crash on our bed and watch an episode on the iPad. I just love the toes.

We are all dressed for dinner, and Jake comes out on the balcony in a swimsuit. There was no way the other two were going to wait while I changed him. I had to roll with it.
 

He still has the cheeks. Yummy.

Some of my Facebooks friends think the colored shot above is the framer, but there is something about this black and white one that I really love. I think I need to blow this one up.

I have lots of fun zapping strangers out of our shots and making it look like we vacationed on a private stretch of beach. I wish!

Elements above available at DesignerDigitals.com and used with photographer's license.

This last shot is SO special to me! We've been visiting Marco Island for years. We always get a shot of Kate sitting on this bench near the elevator of our resort and looking out over the island at her favorite house.

This first shot was taken in 2006, I think. I'm much better at organizing pictures now.

This next bench shot was taken when we did a trash the dress session on the beach with Kate's high school graduation dress.

The next one has so much meaning to me.

I'm blowing this one up...big.  I'm not sure where it's going yet, but I'm doing it. I just can't stop staring at it. :)

Still waiting...

I still haven't been able to do Jake's birthday shoot. I really want to do it outside...not in the studio. Nothing beats natural light. I just need a break from this heat.

I did get this cute shot last night.

I've just finished up my last two shoots before I take a little break. I'm taking off the month of July. August is filling up fast, so let me know soon if you wanted a shoot before school starts.  I will be answering emails and taking bookings during my time off.

I was glad to be able to get Tom and Charlie's shoot in despite the heat. We got out early in the morning. It wasn't too bad in the shade. The boys were very cooperative and fun, so that helped, too!

Kaiden has changed so much since his last shoot. He just cracked me up! I love his personality!!