I have goobers on my shirt and it's only 9 AM

I just put this shirt on and looked down to find kid crusties on it. Lovely. I decided that I am just going to have to get used to the fact that with 3 kids, life is messy (not to mention the house and the mini-van!) Things always take longer than you think with kids. When I am cleaning one end of the house, they are on the other end of the house making a mess. That's my life right now and it's challenging and wonderful all at once.

Last night I took my girl on a dessert date (Chili's has the best molten lava chocolate cakes known to man!) and I was getting a bit sad inside because she is growing up so fast. She was telling me all about her boyfriend (aaaaaaaaaaa!!!) and friends at school. She's almost finished with Kindergarten and will be in first grade next Fall. It seems like the older I get the faster time flies.

Anyhoo, since it would be almost wrong to ramble without posting a pic, here is one of my newest products. It is a Desktop Calendar where you can switch out the image each month. I have one on my desk and gave one to my Mom & Mother-in-law for Christmas. They loved them!

Babycakes

Have you ever heard the saying that "the plumber's pipes are always rusty?" Well, that is the case with my own children's sessions. I think I work better with deadlines and when I don't have one then things don't get done as fast. Anyhoo, here are some images from my baby's first birthday that I adore!

My other kids did not get into eating their cakes so we prepped our little man beforehand with some trial cupcakes which he devoured so I knew these would be some good shots. As you can see he really went to town! These pictures make me giddy with joy (and a little hungry too ;0) Oh, how we love our little "Babe."

And since I was busy last week taking pictures and updating my product line (I can't wait to show you some of our new products in future posts!) I will be doing two give-aways this week. The first one will be 2 dozen cupcakes from the lovely Alyssa's Bakery.

The cake that my baby is eating in these pictures is one that she made and it was so good that after the baby has his turn, we cut off the top and the edges and ate the rest (alright, I know that sounds a little unsanitary but it was SO worth it!) She specializes in cupcakes and wedding cakes here in Carson City so these are not your average cupcake!

To receive the give-away, you must be the first Nevada resident to visit Alyssa's site and email her your contact information through her site. Yummy!

Do your family snapshots look like this?

While my Mom was here, I made her take a snapshot of my little family after Church and this is the only one that turned out. It makes me laugh. I thought I would post it to make you all feel better about your attempts to get a good shot of your family.

Props to Moms

I don't think you can ever fully appreciate your Mother until you become one yourself. I am in awe that my Mom raised 3 kids as a single Mother for several years. I can barely raise my 3 with my husband so I can't imagine doing it solo.

Speaking of my Mother, she is here visiting us right now and we are having so much fun planting my garden and enjoying the sunshine. It is so comforting to have her here. When she's here I feel like I can do anything. We are such good friends and it brings me joy to think that someday my daughter and I will be this way as well (I won't lie to you, my daughter and I butt heads most of the time probably because we are so much alike.)

So... to honor mothers and Mother's Day, my give-away for this week is FABULOUS and was donated by Bella Salon and Day Spa, here in Carson City. The first Mother to e-mail me her name, phone number, and address will a Gift Certificate for a complimentary haircut, mini make-over, and eyebrow arch from Bella Salon (valued at $130!!!) You must be a Nevada resident to be eligible.

Happy Mother's Day! You deserve it.

One more Gift Certificate to give away

I have one more Gift Certificate that was donated by Joy, owner of I Paint for Joy, (www.ipaintforjoy.com) to give away so tell your friends to subscribe to my blog too so they can get some freebies this month. I've got some sweet ones to give away this month. I can't wait!

May is "Give-Away Month"

Had to share a couple of silly pics of my kiddos which were NOT easy to get. They are my favorite subjects and my HARDEST subjects especially when I am trying to capture all three of them. It was tricky because the baby kept trying to crawl to me when I was taking these. I was doing all sorts of bribing and was ready for a nap when we were finished. Don't my boys look so sweet and innocent in the B&W photo?? My daughter doesn't look quite like herself but I had to keep it because of the boys' expressions.

Also, I like to mix things up to keep you checking back. This month I thought it would be fun to give away some goodies (and they won't all be from me either). The first give-away is a "Subscribe Bribe." The first 2 Nevada residents to subscribe to my blog (via the blog form) will receive Gift Certificates to http://www.ipaintforjoy.com/. I Paint for Joy is a really fun, local paint-your-own-pottery shop that my kids love to go to!

Even if you are not the first couple subscribers, you should still subscribe because I will be giving away different freebies every week and the description won't always be in the blog title.

Happy May! (Now let's pray that it will actually feel like May and warm up a bit).

A surprise gift

All of my clients who have booked a session for 2008 will be receiving this gift. What's inside it? You'll have to book a session to find out.

{Wall of the Week}

This is an image in my baby's room in a 30x30 silver frame with an oversized matte. Obvioulsy, I love to go big. It's much more dramatic.

I love the quote above it from Dr. Seuss in Horton Hears a Who that says "A person's a person no matter how small." That is a very good reminder to remember to respect the little people ;0).

Oh, and if you haven't taken your little ones to see the Horton Hears a Who movie, you should. Mine loved it! You can also get Horton Hears a Who pancakes for your kids from IHOP that are loaded with sugar but seriously yummy!

{Perfection}

Need I say more.

{Wall of the Week}

Just love how this image that I took is displayed over the baby's crib. SO cute!

Sorry no images from the Workshop yet. My son got sick and we had some unexpected company so it's been a wild week. I'll post as soon as I get a chance.

Urban boy

It's starting to warm up here (although it SNOWED this morning!) and so I can do more outdoor sessions. I said I would post this on Monday but I was doing some major catchup after getting home from my Children's Photography Workshop. I'll be posting images from that later this week too. Anyhoo, as you can see, this kiddo was so silly and full of smiles and laughter. And Mom was worried that he would be hard to photograph ;0) It was fun to do something a little more funky and urban. I let him put his hat on all by himself and I love the way he did it! SO him.

{Pretty in Pink}

It's sessions like these that make me want to have another girl. The pinkness (just made up a new word) and frills of it all are just too much fun especially with happy babies like this one. Of course, we did several different outfit changes, but these are some of my faves. Her mom and I are good friends and I felt like we were playing dollies just as much as she was with all the wardrobe changes! I guess, we will always be little girls on the inside.

I'll show more pics of this little girl's brother on Monday but I am going to another Children's Photography Workshop this weekend in Laguna Beach, California (I know, life is hard. My husband is SO sweet to watch all the kiddos, AGAIN) so I will respond to all your emails when I get back.

{Wall of the Week}

I just HAD to share these displays in one of my clients' little girls' bedrooms. Don't they look like they came straight out of Pottery Barn Kids magazine?? And can you see why I LOVE these frames??!! These frames go perfectly with my custom Storyboards and add a splash of color and whimsy to any children's bedroom.

Addi and Cassi ~ a good cause

Every year, I try to volunteer my business for some sort of charity. In previous years, I have done the March of Dimes fundraiser but this year I am doing something more local. One of my clients told me about 4-year-old identical twin girls in Reno who are suffering from a rare and fatal childhood disease called Niemann Pick Type C (NP-C). Frequently referred to as "Childhood Alzheimer's," NP-C causes progressive loss of brain function. There are virtually no treatments available for children with this disorder today.

Their parents are working in conjunction with several organizations to find a cure. They are having a fundraiser event on Saturday, May 10th at the Silver Legacy Ballroom that will include incredible entertainment, one of a kind auction items (I will be donating a complimentary session with a $100 credit), celebrities and more.

Please visit their website http://www.addiandcassi.com for more information on how you can donate or if you'd like to buy tickets to the event. Think of how sad it would be if your children were suffering from a disorder that could possibly take their lives.

Blue-eyed baby portraits

I kept most of the images from this session in color because of this baby's beautiful blue eyes. This is my 2nd session with him and I just love this little guy! Even as a newborn, he was SO content and now he is a happy, rolly-polly chunka-chunk. Love that he is sucking his thumb in the last one. So sweet!

{Wall of the Week}

My sister-in-law sent me some images that I took of her most adorable little girl (i.e. my neice) on her walls. The shelf one is kinda fun because it shows her at her newborn session, 1 year and 2 year session. She is pregnant with #2 and I am SO bummed that I can't take some Bellies & Babies pics of my SIL and future nephew when he's a newborn since they live all the way out in North Carolina. I'm sure I'll play catch-up later though ;0)

{Just one more}

Oh, I can't resist. I have to post just one more from this session. I think it is so soft and feminine.

Also, I decided to extend "Walls of the Week" to April because I am having so much fun with it. So keep watching for more awesome displays.

P.S. I will be out of town this weekend at a Bellies & Babies Workshop. I will respond to all emails and phone calls after that time.

{Sweet Senior}

This Senior girl was seriously sweet. She was so cute and nice and motivated! She wants to be an Orthodontist and rightly so, just look at her gorgeous smile. Maybe it's ironic that we took some of her photos in a candy shop, then! I thought it fit her personality well though.

She is 10 years younger than I am (can't believe it's already been 10 years since I graduated high school) and we had so much in common. I could have shown all the images from her session. She is just beautiful. I really enjoyed working with her!