Mid November

Wow.  I am shocked that I haven't touched this blog since mid November!  I will be the first to admit it.  The holidays overwhelm me.  I thought things would be different this year since I didn't host Thanksgiving.  I didn't notice a difference.  I had a packed calendar.  I pushed myself too much, and I got sick the day after Christmas.  I was sick for 2 weeks, and it wasn't even the flu.

I know I need to get organized.  I'm trying.  I made detailed notes this year.  So many times my buying is last minute because I forgot someone.  It doesn't help that I am a procrastinator...a forgetful procrastinator.  It's not a good combination. 

The one thing that I could easily drop through the holiday season was this blog.  Done. 

I am always looking for ways to simplify.  I've found something I'm really excited about thanks to my friend, Mary.  I've been trying to keep up with Project 365 for a few years.  Some years I do better than others.  2013 started out strong, but by late summer and early fall, I was slipping.  There are some months with big gaps.  I keep the images in a folder on my computer, but I usually try to also keep a book going on Shutterfly with my daily images and journaling.  That didn't happen in 2013, and I do not have the time or energy to try to catch up. 

This is what I'm doing for 2014.

DAY ONE

I do a few lines of journaling on my phone or computer, drag in an image, done. I'm a little sad that I will no longer be printing books for this project, but in the long run I know that this is the only way I can keep the project going. 

I have a folder with images from this fall that I really wanted to blog...personal and professional.  I think the best way to share is through a quick photo dump...so here they are.  You'll get a mix of everything! 

crazy hair day...

 Buddy the elf's special messages...

lots of Minecraft...

my favorite ever picture of Jake, Izzy, and Ben...

Jake's idea of the best photo shoot ever...

lots of missing teeth...

the best pout ever...

super fun Christmas card I designed...

sissy moves out and into her own place...

new favorite shot of me and my guy thanks to my friend, Kym...

Christmas morning picture tradition at our house...

our family on Christmas Eve...

Christmas card Jake picked out himself...

a guy who is looking way too grown up...

making some happy noise...

and one crazy boy...

Catch up time...

I've fallen way behind with posting favorites here.  Here are a bunch from my recent fall sessions.  You won't see very many family images...I don't want to ruin Christmas card surprises for my clients!!

 

Brittany and Brad...

Brittany and Brad just got engaged!  Brittany's mom contacted me about doing a shoot for them as a celebration gift.  We had a gorgeous afternoon and lots of fun together.  Enjoy this year, you two. October 2014 will be here before you know it!

3 babies!

Mona and I booked this shoot, and then I realized as it approached just how cold it would be.  Add to that the fact that there were 3 little people involved.  I was not sure how this would turn out, but the shoot was wonderful!  What Mona got were many, many images that showed a slice of life right now.  This was lifestyle photography in it's truest form.  We played, we chased, we laughed.  It was a great way to spend the morning.