Successful Baby Shower

A little Mama-to-Be scare the day before the shower landed Em in the hospital for a night and gave us all a little concern she might miss her shower. But, with reassurance from the good doctor and determination on her part, the shower went on as planned and was a success. I think she's set for at least a few months (well, maybe weeks knowing babies!) with diapers, wipes, clothes, books, and all the necessary new baby items. Now if he decides to come a little early, she'll be ready!

We had guests from Richmond, VA who will be this little baby's GREAT, GREAT Aunts. That's 4 generations!! How wonderful!

I wanted to post a few photos from the afternoon of all the details that have kept me busy (in a good way) for the last few weeks. I totally enjoyed planning and putting together this shower and a big thanks to everyone who helped me! We definitely can't wait to meet the newest addition to our family in a few short weeks.

Non-traditional Easter "Egg" Hunt

The boys and I headed out for some Easter photos and some fun on a warm day during spring break. Brett insisted on bringing his basket (you may remember his obsession with buckets...that also applies to baskets). Instead of hunting Easter eggs, the boys hunted pinecones! Brett had a great time picking them up and putting them in his basket. Then he discovered the water...and then the pinecones found their way into the water. And so did some twigs and some rocks! What is it with boys and throwing things into water?? That makes it three for three with my kids and wanting to throw objects into any puddle, pond or lake!

I had quite the challenge trying to get all three to cooperate and let me have a photo of them together. Didn't really get what I wanted...why do my boys think I take too many photos?? They don't like to sit together or be close in anyway if I ask them to. So, I got some candids and some individual shots but nothing for an Easter card. There's always tomorrow!

Anyway, hope you are having an enjoyable Easter weekend and the Easter Bunny is good to you tonight! :)

Waiting for Baby Part II

A few more from our maternity session including the turtle family!

Waiting for Baby

I had a fantastic shoot with an adorable and "totally in love" couple last Sunday. They have been married almost 3 years and are expecting their first baby (a boy) in late May. Needless to say, there is quite the excitement around the arrival of this little guy from everyone in the family. The Mama-to-Be happens to be my hubby's cousin whom I've known, well this will make me seem VERY old, since she was about 6 years old! I'm thrilled for them and can't wait get some camera loving time with the little man when he arrives.

We went out to Isaac Walton and walked around the pond and enjoyed the great spring day. On the way back towards the car I happened to spot a daddy turtle, mama turtle and baby turtle all in a row on a tree branch rising from the pond. It was such an appropriate and completely sweet way to end our session!

Enjoy these photos of gorgeous Emily and excited daddy-to-be Ricky. And stay tuned for baby's debut on my site in a few short weeks. Can't wait!!

A few more of Kallie

I couldn't resist posting a few more of baby Kallie. She still makes me smile!

Trucks and Buckets-A Boy and his Toys!

This yellow Tonka truck has been around our house for over 8 years now. The boys' Grandpop gave it to Jake when he was born-literally! Now it is Brett's turn at the "built tough" truck and he had a blast with it yesterday. Up and down the backyard and around again. His other favorite toys at the moment are buckets. I think he gets this from his love affair with the horses at Grandad's house. Buckets (or bucks as he calls them) was one of his first words! These two little ones made their backyard debut yesterday as well and he had a blast finding treasures around the yard to fill them up with. Pinecones, rocks, dog toys, and dirt all had their place in his buckets. He even put the buckets in the truck and took them for a ride. He did have a little competition from the dog who was just as eager to take things out of the buckets as Brett was to put them in the buckets. Just a few disputes among the two of them! Brett takes it in stride and tells Rocky "no, No, NO!" So glad to see the nice weather finally arriving so we can have more backyard adventures!

Sweet, sweet Kallie

She has to be the most beautiful baby girl...so much personality for her young 10 weeks. So smiley! So active! So adoring of her parents! I enjoyed my time with her yesterday and I have to admit, enjoyed some pink in my house, too. Waaaaaaaay too much blue around here! Little miss Kallie was too busy checking everything out for us to get any sleeping baby photos, but that's ok because we got plenty smiling baby photos. Very impressive for only 10 weeks. Annie, I hope your first day back at work is good. Here's a little peek at your beautiful daughter to get you through the day. :) She's just gorgeous and thanks for sharing her with me yesterday! I'll see you soon!

"Two" much fun to be ONE!

Two birthday cakes, two number one candles, two ride on motorcycles, two adorable one year old brothers! What fun I had at Jaxson and Cash's birthday celebration yesterday! It really is amazing how far they've come in one short year. They are walking all over the place and have their own little personalities. I'm thrilled that the family asked me to capture this special day for the boys. I took almost 400 images from the event (and it was still going when I left!) so I'm barely through them, but I wanted to give the family a sneak peek at the fun. Hope you enjoy them and thanks again for having me!

Hard to believe these little guys will be one on Saturday. I can't wait to celebrate their special day with them!

Uncovering fun...

The warm weekend enticed my boys outside to do some exploring. I was pleasantly surprised that in this crazy world of video games, all kid channel tv, expensive toys, etc., my guys entertained themselves practically all day Saturday just with what nature gave them in the backyard. A few earthworms, some pinecones, sticks, rocks, and some space to run around kept them happy for hours. They even got their cousin to touch a worm! Oh, and don't worry, no worms were harmed in this process. Just a little boy trying to give his mom a heart attack by threatening to eat a worm!

Finally-OUTSIDE!

My wish for warmer weather came true this weekend. We had two gorgeous days Saturday and Sunday. The boys dug through their drawers for shorts and t-shirts and hubby found some time to do yard work. Spring was definitely in the air! I was a little sad to see the long range forecast showing 40 degree temps for this coming up weekend but at least we got a taste for what is going to come with time. March is usually like that with up and down temperatures. Anyway, I got to take my camera outside and capture these two cuties in action. There were bug hunts and earthworms involved in this cousin extravaganza! Enjoy these two sisters!

Remember warmer days?

We have definitely had enough of winter around my house. We didn't get enough snow to be fun and the most recent snow we got this week was enough, but it was too darn cold to enjoy it much. I've been dreaming of warmer days and remembering what it felt like to be outside with no coats, no hats, no mittens and no SHOES! I know that spring finally does come rescue us from winter and now that the calendar has flipped to March, it will be here soon. Today, I'm looking back and trying to remember the green grass, those lazy beach days with family, the ice cream truck, and just sitting in the porch rockers and enjoying the outdoors! I can't wait to get back outside with my camera and start taking outdoor portraits again! Spring can't arrive soon enough for me! Hope you enjoy my little bit of warmth today...