Long, cold winter...

I have always been a fan of the winter.  I have always been a fan of snow.  I run warm, so I have never minded the cold.  This winter changed that.  I have no idea if the snow and cold have anything to do with it, but all we've been is sick.  I'm so tired of it.  We've had colds, stomach flu, asthma issues, and Jake had pneumonia.  I'm sure that living with a kindergartener is part of the issue, too. ;)  I can't wait for spring.  I can't wait for green.  I wonder if this winter will have a lasting impact on how I feel about the season.

This is how Jake feels about pneumonia.

Between viruses I was able to get out with my friends for some fun.  I heard the band The Kin for the first time when they opened for Pink.  They came back to St. Louis and played at the Firebird. It was the perfect  Girls' Night Out.  The best part was that my buddies loved the music and the performance as much as I did.

You can check out my favorite song here:

Never Be the Same

I wore a fake tattoo to the concert, because I get crazier the closer I get to 50...and I'm REALLY close.  It was comical to hear my dermatologist's reaction the next day during my exam.  He's known me for a long time.

Wow.  I took a lot of cell phone pictures this month.  This is a reminder to take my big girl camera out for my family and not just my clients.  I am overdue.

The big girl camera did come out once for some snow shots.

This was at the end of the pneumonia.  Jake begged me to let him go outside, so he got 15 minutes.

I wasn't able to get as much detail as I wanted, but my friend, Kristi,  gave me some tips.  If it snows again (and I really hope it doesn't), I have a plan.

We've had some family fun this past week at the Blue's game and celebrating Sam's birthday.  We've managed to expose them all to everything, but no one is sick.  Thank goodness!

Once Jake recovered from the stomach flu, he asked for his favorite breakfast.  I finally got his request on video.  We love the way he says sausages.

I've seen lots of beautiful faces in the studio recently.

100th Day of School!

I don't remember this being such a big deal when Kate was little, but it definitely is now.

He took in 100 pennies. ;)

I did some very cold location scouting with a friend today.  I LOVE bare trees.

A little honey...

I've read that eating local honey might be beneficial for people with allergies.  I've been searching for a local honey that I love.  I finally found it.

It's perfect on Jake's favorite snack...graham crackers, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips.  Of course, he drinks a big glass of milk with it, too!

I feel like studio shooting season just begun, but I'm already antsy to get back outside.  This was taken through my office window. 

I'm offering Valentine mini sessions this year!  I'm super excited about these, because I just love my new backdrop!

I have a bunch lined up for next weekend.  Can't wait!  I'm also very excited about that fact that two of the families are new clients. :)

My friend and fellow photographer, Kelly, brought her sweet babies to the studio.  I loved spending time with them and have so many cute images for her!

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...