Thanks, Dad!!!

So I have been trying to figure out what to do with our front room ever since we moved into our new home.  It has been lacking something, but I couldn't really put my finger on it, until I got some great inspiration from....yep, Pinterest.  :)  Once the idea of a faux fireplace mantel made its way into my brain, there was no letting it go.  So I put my mom on a mission to help me find one and we went from one antique store to the next looking.  After much searching and contemplating, this was the end result!!  And the very best part about this particular mantel....it didn't come from any of those stores, but was actually built completely by my dad!!!  He is not usually a big fan of our crafty projects, and it has definitely been a long time since I can remember him building anything.  I was AMAZED to find out that he had made this!  So, needless to say, this mantel is now something I will keep forever.  If ever we move, the mantel comes with me.  And if the house ever catches fire...I'll have my daughter in one arm, and I'll be dragging this mantel out with the other!!  I love it!  Thanks, Dad!!!  You are awesome!!

Kyle's Senior Session

Every year, as Fall turns cold and my busy Senior season winds down with the colder temps and the holidays approaching, I give myself some time off to focus on my family.  And today's session was a fun way to close this season and go into hibernation for the winter!  I definitely enjoyed Kyle's session!  Upon first meeting him, I wasn't sure if he would be able to get comfortable in front of my lens.  I know most guys tend to have a harder time just letting loose and being themselves.  But Kyle was somehow able to just relax and go with the flow for me and I was so glad he did!!  We ended up with some really great images!!  Check him out!

Happy Halloween!!

With the cold wind blowing and the fallen leaves crunching under our feet, we set out for a spooky walk around the neighborhood.  As we walked from one haunted front porch to the next, we saw lots of creepy Halloween sights.  We saw scary monsters, wicked witches, ghoulish goblins, thirsty vampires, glowing pumpkins, flying bats, and even a black cat.  As the sky got darker and darker, our little trick or treater seemed to get more excited, running happily past the cob webs and skeletons along the way, up to the front doors of the houses, smiling and collecting her treats at each stop.  She was so cute, talking to each person passing out candy, thanking them and wishing them a Happy Halloween!  What fun we had tonight!!

(Point and shoot camera we used tonight, inexpensive......adorable smiling face, PRICELESS!)

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Happy 2nd Birthday, Olivia!!

What a great day!  A day full of memories of all the amazing moments we had two years ago when our tiny, precious miracle baby was born.  It's so hard to believe that it's been two whole years since our lives were completely transformed by her arrival.  And it's even harder to explain how much every single minute of these two years has meant to me.  Being a mommy has been more fulfilling and rewarding than I could ever have imagined before she was born.  And she has added so much joy and genuine happiness to my world.  In recent months, she has really become quite the little sidekick and I get such a laugh out of hearing the crazy things she comes up with sometimes.  She is smart way beyond her age already and she has such a strong opinion and personality for such a small package.  She lights up every room she walks into and she draws people in with her big, beautiful eyes.  And very recently she has been saying "I love you, Mommy" so frequently that I can't help but feel special.  It's funny how a few little words spoken by a tiny, soft voice can have such an impact on me, but they really do.  I feel so lucky to be her mommy.

Happy Birthday, my sweet Olivia!!  You are my sunshine, my smile, my heart.

 

My Sweet Olivia is turning TWO!!

Today was so much fun!  It's still a few days before Olivia actually turns two, but we had her 2nd birthday party today and everything turned out so great!!  She had a princess/castle themed party, complete with her very own castle!!  My mom and I found ourselves on Pinterest again and got all our inspiration there.  The castle turned out really cute!  We even added a chandelier in each tower!!  And then we had a really adorable castle birthday cake made.  Olivia had a blast playing with all her friends.  She apparently had so much fun that she wore herself completely out, as she fell asleep on the couch shortly after her guests had all gone.  Definitely another fun birthday party for our girl!

Macy's Senior Session

WOW.  Just...wow.  The wind was completely insane today!!  Talk about not your ideal day for a session!  Although the temperature was fantastic, the wind was like an annoying little kid that just won't leave you alone!!  My hair was one giant tangle by the end of the session.  But somehow, Macy's hair just kept looking better and better!  Not sure how that was even possible, but I witnessed it with my own eyes, so I know it happened!!  And yes, I know we could have always rescheduled and perhaps had a less windy day.  But then we also could have been stuck with a dark, dreary day, rain, or freezing cold temperatures.  Indiana is just so unpredictable!  So we thought it best to just go for it and see what we get.  And I think it was a good choice!  Macy and her super-wind-resistant-magic hair did just fine!!  What an adorable gal she is, this one.  A petite little model complete with poses from her own inner modeling handbook!!  Love it!!

Lacy & Troy - Engagement Session

Fall is just the most lovely season to take photographs outside!!  Just the experience of it makes it better!  I love the all the color in the trees.  I love the crunchy leaves on the ground and the crisp, cool air.  Lacy and Troy couldn't have picked a more beautiful day for their engagement photos.  While we didn't have any sun to speak of, the colorful leaves in every direction were amazing!  What a gorgeous backdrop!!  And what a FUN couple!!  So cute together and so comfortable just being themselves in front of the lens.  They made my job a breeze!  Congratulations to you both on your engagement!!

 Here is a Sneak Peek!!

(More photos coming soon!)

Pumpkin patch here we come!

I have always enjoyed Fall and all the things that go with it....hayrides, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, hot chocolate, Halloween, etc.  But somehow I enjoy it a million times more now that I am a parent!  For the past two years I have had a blast at the pumpkin patch, watching my baby run around and explore all the Fall festivities.  Her face just lights up and she has such a good time that we can't help but enjoy ourselves that much more!  She really loved the pumpkin patch this year because she was old enough to really participate.  And even though she was coming down with a cold that day, it sure didn't stop her from having fun!

Messoroch Family Portraits again!

It's FALL again!!  It's by far my favorite season.  So, needless to say, I enjoyed this Messoroch Family session a lot because we had such a beautiful day to be outside.  We chose to go to Eagle Creek park and I am glad we did because the leaves are already looking so pretty and there was no shortage of scenic places to photograph them!  Little Maksim always makes me work for it when I am photographing him, but I am a pretty patient person when it comes to waiting for the shot.  And luckily I was able to get several adorable photos of him, despite his trying to avoid that!  lol  Even though there was a little parental frustration for his parents here and there when trying to corral an active toddler, we had a great time and have the images to prove it!  :)

Oh, Pinterest....you have so many great ideas!

So, aside from being a photographer, I actually do have a personal life with some free time here and there.  And one of my favorite things to do in my free time is to complete little projects around the house.  Sometimes it's painting a room or redecorating.  Sometimes it's just getting caught up on laundry and dishes.  And sometimes it's creating something special for my daughter, Olivia.  My most recent project was exactly that.  I recruited my mom to help me in building a play kitchen for Olivia's 2nd birthday coming up next month.  I had browsed Pinterest and had seen a ton of really adorable little DIY kitchen's....one in particular even had the building plans so that you could make your own.  So make our own, we did!!  We went to Lowe's for some lumber and we worked until 4am one Saturday night putting it all together.  (My mom is awesome to stay up that late with me!)  We make a really good team when it comes to handy projects.  Then I spent the next several days getting it all painted and putting on the finishing touches.  I even sewed the little skirt for the sink cabinet myself!!  (I finally own a sewing machine!)  I know Olivia is probably still a bit young to really enjoy it fully, but she does already play with it and I think she is going to enjoy it for years to come!  Look how cute she looks standing next to it!!  :)

Update:  Just added burners to her stove to finish it off and it looks great!!  :)