Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I have not been a faithful blogger:-( I have been so busy as I'm sure you all have but I confess..... blogging is the furthest thing from my mind these days. Oh I would LOVE to have the time to let you all know how my days are spent but I barely have the time to register it myself. The month of December is a big one for us. We are a 4 person family with 3 out of the 4 having birthdays in December. 2 of those have passed with the third coming p on New Years Eve. On top of that I host an annual cookie party every December and add to that the fact that my office is moving to another location So needless to say this has been a VERY busy month for me:-) So for now I have a few pics from the cookie party and one or two from Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas this year by the way, my boys got just enough to know we love them and I think we still have money in the bank!

So the cookie party would not be complete with loads of these!



and then we need a few of these to take care of all those cookies:-)





So a great time was had by us all! I LOVE having this every year and each year I am reminded of how blessed I truly am to have the friends and family that I do:-)


And now for a few from Christmas....... My boys:-) They are getting so big........




and a couple of ornaments just for fun!






Thanks for looking and I wish you all The Happiest and Blessed of Holidays!

Happy Holidays:-)

So, it's been a while again since the last time I posted and WOW has it been busy! The month of November just flew by as little more than a blur! We had our women's shopping trip with the Church which as usual was an absolute blast! We always enjoy that but really come on now, who wouldn't? Well except the men maybe, which is why we leave them at home:-) So we had a blast and found tons of great deals(wish I had more $$ to spend oh well, maybe next year:-) So here's the gang at California Dreamin (our absolute favorite place to grab a bit when we shop! We've actually never been anywhere else:-) oops those may be for another day as I don't have them on here, they must still be on my phone!
Moving right along, we also had our Thanksgiving dinner at Church and the real one on the actual day, at my home, which I (being the steller Photog I am got not the first pic of! Can you believe it? I sat down for the first time that night and realized that I had not picked up the camera all day! Shame on me! So you'll have to take my word for it that it was a total blast:-) Good food, friends and family, a wonderful day was enjoyed by all:-) I also had the great fortune to shoot not one but TWO gorgeous families this Month and both were a joy to be with. The first family was visiting from New Orleans and had the entire clan in town for Thanksgiving and although we wanted to shoot outside, weather was not in our favor so we had to settle for indoors. With a family this large there were bound to be some less than thrilled with the picture taking but all in all I think we did pretty well:-) I had a blast and I hope they are as thrilled with the results as I am!



This next family has been a repeat customer all year so I must be doing something right:-) This little guy is just about the CUTEST thing ever and his newest shots look straight out of a baby magazine! Yes, he is that cute:-) I'll let the shots speak for themselves but he is always a joy to shoot and I can't wait to watch him grow:-) Is a year gone already???








And WHEW! like I said what a crazy busy month and December promises to be just as busy if not more so but I promise myself I am gonna shoot more personal memories this month:-) You'll see:-) I will............

Trunk R Treating

Well, we had a great time doing this this year and who knew the cake walk would be such a hit? LOL! I opted to run that bc I needed to be free to take pics and from the time I started it I don't think I was able to leave it! We had SO MANY people donate baked goods for it they were coming out of our ears:) Which is a good thing..... well unless you're on a diet and then it's maybe not so good;) Anyway, what a blessing it was that we had so many children and adults come out for the night of fun. It was such a blast! Here are a few shots from the evening, nothing too major but still a day to remember:)



Our resident popcorn popper:)


The CUTEST lobster I've ever seen!


Who say Adults are too old for facepainting?


and no post would be complete without my Nick! Even if he is on the verge of tears:)


A great time was had by all and I look forward to the next gathering! The Holidays are just beginning:) :)

A Day at the Fair!

So Sunday we decided to take a family day and go to the fair, and by we I mean the REST of the family bc honestly, I don't like the fair:( Well, I mean sure I loved it when I was a kid but it has gotten much smaller since then...... or I've gotten bigger, not sure which;) So, I was dragged along, against my will, and after all day walking and waiting and sweating (yes sweating) and it was a mildly cool day too, I must admit, I had a lovely time. I really did. The boys loved it and that made the whole thing worthwhile, well, that and the fact that I captured some moments to prove it:) And while these shots are not news worthy they are full of memories I will treasure for a lifetime:)

This is totally NOT why I went but hey, it didn't hurt!


My Oldest DS must have ridden this like 10 times!


Just look at that smile:) HE was so psyched he got to ride the "big kid" ride



The oldest in his glory:)


And the last one I'll bore you with today I processed a little differently bc this is what the fair will always be for me:)

Camera Club Competition

So I know it's been a while and I totally stink at this blogging thing because, well, life! That's what does it:) ANyway, this month is a Camera Club Comp and I am really excited about it because I enjoy being a part of the club:) It's something that I do solely for myself and that feels great! The theme of this one is streets and while this was not the toughest them, it definetly got you thinking. I mean, as all of you know there are streets everywhere but you can't just go out and shoot a pic of the road, come on:) you've got to do better than that:) So I knew WHAT I wanted to shoot from the beginning but I wasn't sure HOW I was gonna shoot it. I ended up with this one bc I think this is the coolest building in our town! No seriously, I do! I mean, sure Target's great and all but it doesn't have the memories this building does! This building has been here FOREVER! Can you imagine what it's seen? Ok, I'll rest on the history lesson but I just thought I'd share the pic and see what you all think:) Feel free to leave CC, I'm always open for it and it's greatly appreciated!

A Day in black and white....

So after looking through some of my pics and realizing I haven't done many BW's lately, I decided to go back and convert some favs that I think will do well in BW:) This is what happens when a photo junkie gets bored see? We HAVE to have something to do that involves pics so here I am! So this first one is a BW of Nick, I posted the color the other day and though I love the colors in the BG and I know he does too, I thought they distract from him and so I knew this would be a stronger image in BW, what do you think?



Here's another of our sweet new kitty, she just LOVE to have her pic taken:)




And that's all I've got for now but maybe I'll have more later:) You never know when boredom may strike! LOL

As Hannah Banana heads our way........

Or maybe not, Who knows? I personally don't think anyone really does until she's closer but oh well! I do know that the kids are out of school tomorrow because of said storm, so..... I get another day off:) Gotta love that! I must say, I wish the stupid thing would just turn around and head back out where it came from...... Not likely huh? Didn't think so:( I was able to get out and shoot this weekend, FINALLY! I could not get anyone to pose for me long enough to get a good shot but at least I got something, right? Oh wait, Puff Dog was actually quite a trooper, now that I think about it, especially considering he HATED my flash, and I do mean HATED! LOL! But alas, he listens better than the children when I tell him to stay:)



Who wouldn't love a face like that?


And from my Nick, I get this. Hmmmmm I think I may be losing him, or at least his willingness to pose for me:(

TFL and CC is always welcome and appreciated:)

Monday, Monday, Monday.....

Oh how I wish it was next Monday;) Paid Holiday day:) Can't wait! I LOVE long weekends, who doesn't? LOL So I am TRYING to be more faithful about updating my blog(yea right) for now anyway:) I was playing with some older pics of my Nicholas since I don't have anything new to play with really right now. We have had terrible rain lately with the storm out there coming in so I haven't had a lot of opportunities to shoot:( Oh well, gives me time to re-edit right? Everyone does that don't they? LOL! My boys( like most kids) started school last week and as all of us mothers know, they aren't gettin any younger. He is my big first grader this year and I can hardly stand it......... Why oh why can't they just hit that great age and stay there? Can anyone explain that? Well, I mean I feel that way now but I guess after about 5 years of a 5 yr old.............hmmmmmm....... yea ok......:) So here are a couple I chose to do a little something different to. Rest assured though, I will be getting some more new stuff when my new lens comes in this week:)

THAT SWEET INNOCENT FACE....


THAT LOOK OF BOREDOM.....


That's all folks! (for now)

Another lazy Sunday.......

What a blessing it is to be able to sit here in the quiet of my home (yes I said quiet) and do nothing:) Well, at least not HAVE to do anything is probably the better way to put it. This week has been so draining, as I've had this nast cold all week and then Friday night I start getting what feels like the flu but only in the am? What is that? And I KNOW what you are thinking;) Trust me I know but it's not that! I had my tubes tied when my Nicholas was born so I should be safe on that front:) I just don't know what it is but I do know it kept me home from Church today, and though I don't like to miss, I have to admit, I am enjoying the peace and quiet of having the house to myself:) I have listened to last weeks sermon on the internet adn done my nails and am now blogging! I mean.. really, how much better could it get right? God is so good! he always knows exactly what we need at the very moment we need it and I think today he knew even though I didn't:) Big shocker there:) I am in awe of his glory and grace always! So to those of you reading, Happy Sunday and God Bless!

Work.....

So I know I've never done this before but I just thought I might show you all what I do. I mean, Of course, Photography is my <3 :) But I do also have a "day" job now since my boys have gone on to bigger and better things... like..... school:) LOL! I work at a Cabinet Company as an Office Assistant :) I love my job and all of the wonderful people I work with, which in my opinion is rare;) But what I love MOST about my job is that it affords me to do what I love 1) bc I am off every day at 4:30 and don't work weekends and 2) bc I shoot all of the finished projects we do to add to both the company and my personal portfolio. I don't know that it can get much better than this. Life is pretty good and I feel very blessed to be where I am both personally and professionally:) So now I though today I would share some images from the company for you. These are a few of the houses I've done that I am quite please with. To explain, we are a custom shop so we build the cabinets from the ground up. We design them and build them to fit the space we are working with. So in the pics, the cabinets are the main point:) Just wanted to let you know that:) TFL and as always CC is welcome and appreciated:)





I am in LOVE with this chair;)

been a while

I've just been so busy I can hardly breathe:) I know that happens to me often but this is the first summer I have worked in quite a while and it is tough. The kids have been on the go so much they are running me ragged:) LOL Anyway, here are a few recents, I haven't shown any in a while and these are just a few of my favs. We had my Mom's bday at the beginning of the month and we made a trip to the beach for that. You know when you live by the beach you just don't go very often at all. So we went to the beach bc that's what she wanted to do. And other than that I've just not shot much personal lately. Most of it's been sessions and I must say, although I lOVE what I do I also am missing the joy of shooting just for the sake of capturing memories for myself....... so with that said I will leave you with a few recents and get my butt in gear and go shoot something for me this weekend:)

Here is the Bday girl!




The party...




As always CC is welcome and appreciated:)

The Prince & Me 2 The Royal Wedding (2005)

Trailer: The Prince & Me 2 The Royal Wedding (2005)

For all of you who think I'm crazy......

and I show favoritism to my youngest DS, these shots are for you. I get a lot of these comments bc my desk, I will admit is covered with pics of my Nicholas and few of my firstborn. Now I know that sounds wierd bc if you are going to pick favorites it should be the firstborn right? Well, I decided that I would give you all just a small sampling of what I get when I turn the camera in his (oldest DS's) direction. This is the view I get.....


and I will have you know that he turned that hat that way just for me! LOL! Don't I feel special?
Now here is what I get whenever I ask YS to look at me:)



So You tell me which you would take more pics of? LOL I mean a Mom can only have so many shots of her kids head or hat or back in the home.... right?
TFL and as always CC is greatly appreciated:)

A Week in the life....

Well now wouldn't that be fun? NOT..... Our lives have been so totally and completely crazy that I have not had time to do anything let alone blog. Last week we had VBS at our Church and though it was a tremendous success and a wonderful blessing, it was also a TON of work! I mean, seriously, for those of you who are able to take your kids to VBS please take a moment and thank the helpers that are giving of their time to make it possible bc although they are doing it for the Lord it's still nice to hear a heartfelt thank you for their efforts. I have had the distinct pleasure of directing VBS at our Church for the past 2 years in a row and without the support and help and love of all of those volunteers and helpers it would not be possible. So enough with my ramblings, I want to take this moment to wish a heartfelt "thank You" to all of those volunteers that give so willingly and lovingly of their time, talents, and thoughts! You all know who are;) Thank you! and as soon as I recoup from the week I will blog away:)

My boys!

So most of you know I have 2 little boys who hold the key or keys ;) to my heart. Well, my youngest if just such a card. He will let me shoot him whenever I want and will do just about anything I ask him to..... Now, the older one......... not so much. He is rather difficult, as he hates to stand still long enough for me to get a shot of him Is this the norm for 11 yr olds? I just don't know! Anyway, on Sunday, we were out in the yard just hanging out when my little N wants some pictures:) So being the good Mommy I am I oblige, and I think I got some really great ones. Actually these were all shot with the 85mm that I have for sale, or HAD for sale:) LOL I think I may just hang on to it fo ra while:) LOL So here are my 2 little monsters in all of their glory:)







And this one, I am not quite sure what I think of it, but would love to hear your thoughts;\



Thanks for looking and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

For Sale!!

So I have a coupe of thing that I am listing for sale, one of them is a Nikkor 85mm 1.4 leans. It is a beautiful lens and I do LOVE it but for the amount I paid for It, I just don't use it enough to keep so I have decided to part with it. I am asking $750 for it + shipping. It is the imported version but I have NEVER had an issue with it. B&H sells them new for $930 so this is a very reasonable price. I do not have the box or paperwork for it but it does have both lens caps.

The second thing I have is a Nikkor 24-85mm 2.8-4 macro and it is in perfect shape as well and I do have the box and all paperwork for this lens. I purchased it about a year ago from Wolf for $680 and it sells on B&H for $569 and it is out of stock. I am asking $500 for this one + shipping.

I have a couple of others things I will be listing as I go through them so check back often:) And if anyone is interested just leave a comment:) Or you can peamail me if you came to this through 2peas:)

Thanks for looking:) Here are a few pics of the 85mm, I can take some of the 24-85 later if anyone wants them:)

Another Cutie:)

She was just as cute as she could be! And when Mom put a Saints Jersey on her I could have died laughing:) Apparently she is an avid football fan and even requires it sometimes to quiet her. I mean really, the guys are gonna be lining up at the door! I hate to tell you Dad but this is not the way to ward them off:) LOL Anyway, it was my pleasure to spend time with this little doll and I can't wait to watch her grow:)

Whew!

Been a few days since I was last able to blog. I've been crazy busy setting up my new website:) Yep, you heard me, a website! I've finally decided it was time to move on to a better site since the one I have been using just doesn't show the best quality for my pics, and well, ya know, I want people to SEE the quality when they preview their gallery or when they look through my portfolio so I had to find something to do that with:) I happened across these wonderful ladies a couple months ago on ILP and finally after much dragging of the feet I ordered:) LOL So between that and the shoots I've been doing I can hardly think, but for now I'll leave you with a fav from the weekend:)