{Puppy Love}

The boys have named her Penny.
They want to keep her.
Over my dead body.
Though she is cute...



I could almost fall in love with her. She is very sweet. My brother-in-law, James, found her by his front porch this morning. We think she was abandoned, dumped. How can someone do that?
We also think she's not very old, 4-5 weeks maybe.
She's probably missing her mama.


Mallory is helping us with her. Mallory is the queen of dogs. She is the most knowledgable dog lover I know. She will help us to know what to do.

In the mean time, Tye, my own little dog lover, is in heaven.

Baby C.

Somehow I get to photograph a lot of baby boys. I don't know why, but I hardly ever get girls. My because I have 2 boys of my own, and fate knows I hold a special place in my heart for them. Or maybe fate knows I can handle it when they pee everywhere...
Meet this baby boy, C.


I love photographing the way hair swirls on a baby's head.

He has a big brother & big sister who really like him!

And of course I had to get a couple of shots of them, too!

And lastly a smile-y photo!

Melinda + Ian

Truth be told, I still get very nervous when I meet new people. I wish it wasn't that way. All my confidence in my abilities flies out the window when I show up to a photoshoot location to shoot people I've never met before. I felt that same way when I met Melinda & Ian. The anxious feeling passed very quickly though.

I had so much fun with these two. It was like I gained instant friends. They are getting married in September and I will be photographing it for them. I think it will be a blast. We did an engagement shoot for now and I am thrilled with how the photos turned out.

I can't decide which of the first 2 I like the best, but they both have a Summer Haze treatment on them.

May Tidbits

First, can I just brag a bit? Tye got third place in his school track meet in the triple jump. He made it over 15 feet! He got a ribbon and was so proud of himself.

Next, we had a great time at Matt & Deb's for a grill out the Sunday before Memorial Day. The kids stayed with grandma and we were able to just be adults. It was relaxing! Here is the party leader, Matt, with his glowing party lights he strung. Matt is a grilling king!

Matt's wife, Deb, got to hold her new niece, who you recognize from my post "Baby L." She getting so big already!

We played Lawn Darts and John was my partner. We actually won!

We played a game where we had to eat Bamboozled Jelly Beans from Jelly Belly. There is a bad flavor (like earwax, pencil shavings, etc.) for every good flavor (popcorn, licorice, peach, etc.). I never seemed to get a good flavor. Here's Kevin who also got a bad one...

...which made Sam laugh!

Denise is explaining why she will not be eating this bean.

We also had lots of good food to eat. Everyone brought something to grill and it all was delicious. Matt, the grill king, watched as Theresa made her awesome Hawaiian Kabobs!

Other things for May:

*Bodie has taken to saying "Oh snap!" & "oh chit ( a replacement for the bad word)" which is kind of hilarious. He has also mastered the art of "that's what she said" even though he still doesn't know what it means. He just knows when to say it.

*He also lost his 2 front teeth this month.

*I had 6 photoshoots in May!

7 Kids & Paper Mustaches

Just trying omething new... and very fun!!!

I brought out the mustaches about halfway through the session and the kids loved it! They were so excited to wear them and make funny faces. So, be warned that I may use this idea again in the future.
Here's the group photo without the 'staches.

And the next ones are my faves from the session, which we shot at the Village of Yesteryear here in town.

One more mustache just for fun!

Graduate

My brother, Eric, graduated last week from the University of Dubuque. I took the kids down with my sister and our friend, Nicki, for the weekend. Eric looked so handsome in his cap and gown. His mom was so proud of him, and cried tears of joy. Fortunately, her friend, Mary, was there for her.

My boys also got to spend some time with their grandpa. They haven't seen him in a year and a half, so it was a big treat. Here's Bo showing him how to play DS.

Mary brought her two boys with her from Omaha. They became fast friends with my 2 boys. They were also so well behaved all weekend, which was nothing short of a miracle.

Here are both my brothers, no doubt trying to determine who is a better athlete through deep discussion.

My dad had 3 out of his 4 kids there. Kelcie, the youngest, is still in Australia and couldn't come back for the graduation. Dad & Lisa brought a "Flat Kelcie" with to the ceremoy though, so she would feel left out.

I took this one just before we left. Eric tossed the Bo-monster over his shoulder, like good uncles do.

It was really nice to see everyone and finally meet Monsignor and Mary, who Dad & Lisa speak of so highly. I really wish we could all see each other more often, but I'll take it when I can!

Sneak Peek for Tina

Her new baby boy...I love when I get a smile.

Fall session- The Green Family

Last fall I had the privilege of meeting the Greens. They are all extremely nice, and seem to really enjoy being in each other's company. Maybe it was becasue their kids were older than other families I shoot, but I had so many of the large family group shots turn out perfectly during this session.
 

 

Isn't she gorgeous? I love the water in the background.

He sure had a time getting up the tree. It's a popular spot n the park for photos and the bark is very worn & slippery.

 

I love photos where boys hug their mothers. Maybe because I have boys. Maybe also because every time, after I shoot the hugging shot, boys also try to put their mom in a headlock :)

 

I love the sun in this one. It makes me smile.

Fall session-Jessica's family

You might recognize Jessica and her family from this blog. I have photographed them several times now. Jessica was kind enough to let me practice on her sister, her mother, and herself nearly 5 years ago when this whole photography thing was merely a twinkle in my eye. And I'm still suprised every time she calls me again for more photos. ("She likes me, she really likes me...").
Since I'm trying to get caught up on posting photos from last fall still, here's ur session from October. Jessica is a great mom and came very prepared, with lots of activities, like hula hooping and bubble blowing. Her husband, Andy is a pretty cool guy, too. I really had a lot of fun with all of them on our outing in the park.

*Put me in coach, I'm ready to play*

Last weekend I went down to the Dubuque/Galena area for the weekend. I spent most of it hanging out and scrapbooking with friends. But, I also finally got the chance to see my little brother play baseball. Since we didn't grow up in the same house, I didn't get to go to his little league games or anything like that. I've tried to see him play for Dubuque since he started going there, but something has always come up at the last minute. Once, I got a nail in my tire on the way out of town to Dubuque.
Since he's a senior and about to graduate, I knew I had to see him play, now or never. I'm so glad I was able to last week. The weather was perfect and he couldn't have pitched better! I got some great shots of him I'd like to share...

Cousin Hannah

When we were down in Texas over Spring Break, I was able to get some picture of John's cousin, Hannah. She's a teenager now, which freaks me out a bit, because she was just a baby when I first met her, just before John and I got married. I can't believe how quickly time has past. She's a volleyball playing, horse riding beauty, and is the spitting image of her grandmother at this same age.

Eric + Julie

Do you want to see one of the cutest couples ever? Meet Eric & Julie...

I met Eric about a year and a half ago, and you might recognize him from the images at the top of the blog (he's the one walking with the 2 girls). When you meet him, you know immediately he's one of the world's nicest guys. This past fall, I went out to his home for another photoshoot with Eric & his girls and met Julie (I still haven't posted the photos from that shoot, but will soon, I promise). Although he introduced her as his "friend", I knew right away there was something more there. He was obviously smitten.
Just after the shoot, Eric proposed to her, and they were married Valentine's Day. Here is a glimpse of their day, starting with Julie being laced into her beautiful dress.

Getting her pearls on...

We were able to snap a few photos before the ceremony of the wedding party.

Eric with his groomsmen...

Julie with the kids in the bridal party...

Here she is walking down the aisle...

Julie presented both of her new step-daughters with a necklace during the ceremony...

and the girls presented her with a ring...

and then they prayed...

A friend lent Julie a gorgeous cape to wear. Not only did it look great, but it was very needed. It was so cold & breezy that day! But we got some great shots just outside the church...

This last one is my favorite of the day. I love the sweet expression on her face and they both look so happy (and I love the sun flare from the cold Minnesota winter sunset!).

Thanks again for letting me be a part of your day you two!

Baby L

She is as beautiful as the flower that is her name. I'm really happy with how these turned out. A bit of a change up for me, as I didn't not use just the black backdrop this time. I was feeling like I needed more spring color, I guess, as you will see below.

With her beautiful mama...


I could decide which of the following set was my favorite, so you are getting to see many of them...




Something new for me. I love this branch photo, but I need to practice this more...

Here great aunt made this blanket or her. I love when I get to include things like this:)

On a side note, we decided yesterday that we will be going o Texas next week. One of our elderly relatives is really ill and since it is Spring Break for the boys, it seems to be the right time for us to go. It's very impromptu, but I will try to check in as I can!

Mother & Son from last fall

My friend, Shawn has a really great kid, E. His grandma brought him to the park early so we could start while Shawn finished work. We joked, and walked around the park. He is hilarious!


I got a serious shot or two in...

Then Shawn finally arrived and we got some great Mother & Son shots...

I love this one. I was laying on my belly on the ground to capture it.

This one is one of Shawn's favorites, and mine, too...

I had to sneak one in of just her...

And lastly, a fun shot in the middle of downtown Owatonna. Thanks for dodging the cars with me Shawn & E.!

Deann's Family

I love when I get to meet another mom who only has boys. There is something special about moms of only boys. When end up a little off our rocker. I think its a side effect from our estrogen being bombarded with belches & burps, fart jokes, action movies, and wrestling moves.
But there is also something special about the way us moms love our boys. We somehow can see past all the wild recklessness of the little dirt devils to find the charming sweet souls and love them more than anyone else ever could.
I met Deann through her sister, Melanie, who happens to be one of my best friends. She has a great sense of humor, topped off with dash sarcasm. I think you have to have a good sense of humor when you have boys. I think she's very funny.
And she's lucky enough to have 2 of the most handsome boys ever, don't you think?

I love this shot of the just the guys...

I loved thier jumping shot. We only had to try a could of times and they all got great air!

Thanks for letting me photograph your family, Deanne!