Hello 2013!

I can't believe my last blog post was in August. Oops. Busy season came and went and before I knew it, 2012 was over. The holidays were a blur... between editing etc, my husband surprised me with a weekend away in Nashville for my 40th birthday (it was wonderful!) at the beginning of December. Just when I thought I could relax and enjoy the holidays, I got sick. Being sick over Christmas is not fun at all! I blinked and next thing I knew it's Feb. and now March is literally next week. I'm posting a few highlights from the end of last year and hopefully I'll be back very soon!

Part Two

Slight recap

Clearly the poor blog has been neglected. Realistically I know I'll never get around to doing full posts on all of the sessions since the last one was blogged, so here are just a few snippets. This summer has FLOWN by, but we're definitely at that point where we're ready for school to start (at least I am) Hopefully soon I'll also blog some pics from my Chicago trip as well as our vacation this summer. For now, I'm trying to get school supplies purchased, fill our days and we've got a big patio project that's about to begin (so excited about that one!)

Progress

Still here, still working, just haven't found time to blog. Since my last post I've been chipping away at my "before 40" list. The biggie was losing weight and I'm happy to report I'm now down 10lbs. It's been a lot of HARD work, but it's easier to stick with it when you start seeing results. Ideally I'd love to lose another 10- last week I added something that I'm hoping will help my efforts...
Enter my new toy:


I've also spent more on workout clothes than regular clothes in the past 2 months- that scares me more than a little bit.



I have good days when it's easy to stay on track and days when it's not, but I'm still loving myfitnesspal.



We've had a good pretty healthy winter with the exception of two WEIRD maladies. Some bizarre hive/allergic reaction for my oldest which resulted in a very expensive prescription



And most recently my youngest was diagnosed with MRSA- again, weird and random but NOT fun.



I've also checked a few other things off of my list:
Family Pics? Check. (taken yesterday!)
Vacation without the kids? Check. We're heading to Chicago in May!

I've got time for the others, and honestly this whole exercise/dieting routine has eaten (pun intended) into my time a little bit. I so badly need to blog my recent sessions (including those pre-holiday ones) but it's been on the back burner.

I'm still shocked that it's almost April- and maybe a bit in denial since it will also mark my youngest's SIXTH birthday :(

I will be back soon- but first up is Spring Break!

Four Oh in Twenty Twelve

Happy New Year! Things are usually quiet here on the blog in January and this year has been no different. The past few weeks have flown by and I can't believe it's almost Feb already.
I never make New Year's resolutions, but this year I am making some "resolutions" for lack of a better word. They appear to be New Year's related because of the timing but it's actually goals I have for the coming year before I turn 40 in December.
I had my husband take this photo on my birthday- what I'm employing in this pic is called strategery...if you don't like your body, hide it with cute kids! :)


So, my first goal for the year is to lose at least 15lbs. My husband decided to start a new plan as well so since the start of the new year we've both been logging our calories and exercise on myfitnesspal.com (LOVE that site!) It's so easy entering your food (and kind of fun!) and I'm a very visual person so being able to see exactly how many calories I have to work with for the day is key. So far I'm down 5lbs and it hasn't really felt like dieting so as soon as I'm done writing this post, off to the gym I go!

I thought I would have a "40 before 40" list, but so far I'm nowhere near 40 things... but I'll keep adding on to it. Right now here are few:
Go ziplining
Go to a movie by myself
Take a winery tour/wine tasting
Get at least one chemical peel
Vacation for us sans kids
Check out some Charlotte museums- there is so much of this city that I haven't seen!
Have our family pics done-it's been almost 2 yrs so it's time!
Get a full physical- I'm embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I've had one

I'm looking forward to the coming year and closing out my 30's with a bang!

I'll be back soon with sessions from the past busy Fall season!

Happy Holidays 2011!

Although I haven't blogged all of my sessions from this fall, I'm signing off until the New Year! Thank you to all of my wonderful clients! I'm so very lucky and look forward to seeing you next year!
From my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday season!

Home for the Holidays

For the third year in a row I'm linking up to Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes. This year includes a lot of iPhone pics for two reasons: 1. I love Instagram and use it to document everything and 2. I was too lazy to properly photograph the house (ie clean up to make it photo ready :)


What's cuter than a 5 yr old's handwritten Christmas list to Santa?
The annual Lego Advent calendar makes it triumphant return with the Star Wars version
The kid's playroom tree
Hers and His ornaments :)


I bought this photo holder thing at Nester's yard sale last year and hadn't figured out what to use it for yet- It's a great spot for the yearly Santa photos!











Can't believe that Christmas is only 10 days away!

How is it December?

It truly feels like school just started and the holidays weren't even on my radar. I'm trying to get the house decorated and am having tree light issues so I thought I'd take a break and try and play some catch up on the blog. This session was in October- yes that's how behind I am. It's been a very busy season (which is good!) but, when something has to give it's always the blog.
Anyway, I've gushed about this family many times before...and for good reason. In the past 3 yrs I think they've had like a dozen sessions? If I had a frequent client punch card, there's would have been filled many times over :)
To me they are friends and I love seeing them. Our sessions are always easy and laid back and they are up for anything which I also love.
Kristen, I'm so sorry it took me this long to do a blog post- I know you like to see which ones I pick!

August in November

Since this session was in August, I'm guessing I'll get around to blogging my current sessions sometime next year.
Last year one of my neighbors was hosting an event and asked me if I'd be interested in donating something for the auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It's a cause that's near and dear to me as my brother is a Hodgkin's survivor. This young lady's mom won the session and was looking for some photos to use for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah. And since it was 30 degrees this morning, these pics make me miss the late summer, late evening sun!

Not a Writer

I wish I was better at writing blog posts- I have the images, I get ideas about topics (unrelated to sessions) and yet when I want to post session images I go blank. Not because I don't have thoughts about my wonderful clients because I do- I have amazing clients who've been around since my beginnings many years ago. But, I don't want to just throw out a blanket "this family is great" because it sounds insincere and doesn't convey how I truly feel. Just know when you see your images on here, even if the wording is brief it is not for lack of thought or caring. But, there is a reason I'm a photographer and not a writer :)
All that being said, I am so happy this gorgeous family chose to do the first year sessions. I mean, look at this little girl- I could photograph her all day every day and never tire of it! And I have a little soft spot for the big brothers as well.