Have I ever said I love having a little girl?

She just makes me smile!! She has definitely come into her own. Her own attitude, her own style of clothing, her own one track mind. We hear 'I do it myself' numerous times during the day.

I tried a few days ago while we still had some beautiful weather to take some images. She was all on board until I got out the camera and we walked up the street to a beautiful opening, where the awesome fall colors were making a gorgeous backdrop. Unfortunately, the neighbor was out doing yard work with your dogs. She flipped out!! And was done letting me photograph her. I never even snapped one picture.
Until we got back to the house and 'G' wanted me to take his picture. Not the center of attention she was back to letting pose her.

love this image. My mom found the little chair for me. 'C' loves it!

And this one is just what I saw while I was dying this antique umbrella that use to sit in my Grandmothers house. Love the way it turned out.

not sure if I like the selected color version better


I'm trying to enjoy these last few months of just one princess in the house.

Fall fun

This fall has just flown by. I am in shock that October is almost over. It has been usually cold and yucky. We have had baseball and soccer on the weekends. 'G' is in full swing of his first year in preschool. I have been on photo play dates almost every week, Thank you to all my clients! Galleries are slowly getting up so watch your emails.
'F' has been doing odd side jobs while still on the job hunt. Trying to stay busy.

About the only plus to job hunting is 'F' got to take 'G' on his field trip to a local pumpkin patch. These images are from my wonderful husband. He was so thrilled to take the camera for me!! LOL!

On the search for the biggest most perfect pumpkin in the patch. One catch you have to be able to carry it out by yourself.






Found it and can carry it!!


another favorite.. the hay maze


and the fun animals on the farm.. or should I say the dogs!



With Halloween right around the corner we have started treating early. Last night we attended our first 'Trunk or Treat' thanks to the MECPTA. It was a lot of fun. Filled with a dj playing kids music, crafts, yummy mummy mix , pizza and of course, trunk or treating in the parking lot.
spider cookies:








Benny the Jet and my pretty princess



And trunk or treating...

But 'G' favorite part handing out the candy from the trunk.




So much for fun even in the rain!!!

We have gone fishin'

Well the boys have. Ms. 'C' and I either swing, walk or practice photography. I am totally obsessed with trying to capture sun flare, bursts or rays alone or with a subject.

Recently, 'F' has taken up fishing again and 'G' is totally on board. It has worked out in my favor because besides the early morning the best time to fish is early evening. And it just so happens that the best time to capture the best 'buttery' goodness from the sun is early evening.
Such a win win.

We have been eating early dinners and then seeking out the most perfect fishin' hole.
I am still just practicing so any tips are welcomed. Tips on taking and or editing them. Among the hundreds of images I have taken here are a few of my favorites.



Notice where Ms. Sassyfras is. Strapped in her stroller so she would stay put. It takes a few moments to get the angle right plus the shutter and aperture settings were they need to be. I am no so quick on those yet.




This one is more flare then rays but I love that you can see the fishing line.

WOW! i need to update over here!

And new images are up on my photography blog.

Head over and check them out.

I am putting 'update blog headers' on my to-do list!!

I heart faces week

This week over at I heart faces

they are celebrating HATS!!
I just had to play this week. Let me tell you that the decision was a tough one as I have a ton of hat images! I *heart* Hats!!

Here is my kids...
And my adult entry..



Head over and check out the other adorable entries.

May means my baby girl

Is going to be a year older.
In preparation for this big event, I have been taking many practice shots in her petti skirt.
Again, not so interested in making her mama happy.
Here is how the conversation and events unfold.
I usually begin to ask her if she wants to try on her new pretty skirt. To which she replies yeah! cheerfully.
So I get the camera ready and then Ms. Sassyfras is no longer cheerful about trying on her skirt.
No amount of bribery works with her either.
I am really hoping in 18 days she will want to wear her new petti skirt on her special day.
doesn't she understand she is my only girl!!


'I'm two' or this was when we were singing 'twinkle twinkle little star'


probably the best one.


maybe in 18 days, maybe!!

I *heart* faces Easter/Spring

This is my entry for I *heart* faces

this week.


I have not played along in so many weeks. But had to show off my Easter girl!


Join in the fun! you know you all have Easter photos. Post them on your blog or facebook or flickr and share the link over at i*heart* faces.

Easter cuties

Finally, Getting some images up of my kids.
We had a great Easter. Wonderful to get to church early. The Easter bunny hid the eggs at church to help us save time in the morning.
Then a dinner and more egg hunting at mom's.
It was great day. Sunny but chilly. Better than snow and rain!








and the only photo i have of 'S'. Him in the back with just his back side. Nice!

Where are the pics of the kids?

is this what you are asking yourself every time you visit this blog.
I apologize. I have been the worst blogger ever.
But I can't take all the blame. This weather is not helping. Today is the first day of the kids Spring break and it is 36 degrees and SNOWING!
Not great photo ops going on.
I promise to do better.

Meanwhile, over at my photography blog. Some exciting things are about to take place.
Head over and see what I am talking about.
Thank you Prop Insanity and Sugar Lime Designs. Links to these sites can be found over there.

Images coming soon!

Still alive.

We have just been busy. Myself with the launching of the business and other photography avenues. We have enjoyed a couple of really spring-like weather days so the little ones and I meet friends at the park.
'S' is playing tennis, which means I have becoming the pick up taxi.
And then the little ones caught a virus and have been fighting it. Fever and the 4 'c's. Crabby,cough,congested,clingy children.
Makes for one tired crabby momma.
So we have all been going to bed early.

I am hoping to get back to being a better blogger. Especially once the weather breaks I will have things to photograph.

thanks for hanging around.

My winter cutie

Last week I made my two favorite little ones stand outside for some shots. It was a warmer February day.

For being almost 2 Ms. 'C' can follow some minor instructions but on this day following and understanding were 2 completely different things.
I asked her to lean up against this wall but not with her head.


Then the rest of the time was easy, or so I thought. 'Please just look at the camera'
'Over here', 'the camera in front of my face.' 'The big black thing.' 'Can you see it,'C'?'
'Just once please look at me.'


But my persistence paid off and I captured these cute images.




And my favorite of this set, Yes we can finally do something cute with her hair.


Now where is 'G' you might be asking yourself. He was totally not cooperating. Not even cute ones just to show. He was making funny faces, talking, whining, and yes, even crying.
maybe next time.

Fix it Friday play.

Over at I *heart* faces they are doing another fix it Friday.

This baby is too cute. And the photo had really good exposure to begin with.
Just needed to adjust the color and clear up a couple scratches and mark on arm.
Then it was all fun.
I actually really liked the basic fix and van bw. I tried some other conversations like old school and honey but really like the simplicity of the black and white.
Here is the SOOC {straight out of camera}shot


and my fixes. using Photoshop CS, MCPActions magic skin, magic eyes. A clarifying action and hue/saturation adjustment. I did use the patch tool to remove the imperfections on face and arm before running magic skin.
Then, of course, bw conversations.



If you want a shot at fixing or just to see others fixes head over to I *heart*faces. then leave a comment here so I can check it out.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Last birthday until May

Well, over the weekend we had the last birthday celebration until May.
Then in May until September we have a birthday or two each month.
this was 'A' 9th birthday. Wow! 9 years have gone by.

This year he is still into WWE wrestling. And a new love for the Cavs.
As always his expressions are the best of any kid I know. He totally appreciates each gift and acts as if it were the last one on earth. It is awesome! plus it makes it exciting to watch.


He asked for a Vicki "action figure" she is the GM for smackdown. 'F' told him he was not getting it just so he could beat her up. But he got her and was so excited.
The Cavs jersey was another big item and the derby hat is acually worn by another one of his favorite wrestlers.

'A' asked for a wrestling cake again this year but 'F' and I pursueded him in a different direction. So he choose a soccer field cake.


The best gift and reaction goes to 'the Ohio State garden gnome' Apparently, he has asked for this ever week.
do you think he loved it?

Uncle 'M' seemed to really like the gnome as well.

Fix it Friday(on Saturday)

Over at I *heart*faces the owners have 'Fix it Fridays'
They pick an image and have some professional contributors take their shot at fixing the image. Then they open it up to the world.
Very brave as the image is shared SOOC or in scary photographer terms Straight Out Of Camera.
This weeks was Angie's daughter. I loved this image the first time she posted it.
So glad I had a chance to play.
here is my 'normal' fix, basic workflow for an image.


my favorite bw conversion and horizontal crop.


And just for fun. bw with texture.


bw conversion and texture are my favorite actions from LCH designs.
I used photoshop CS.
Adjust levels, mcpactions for skin and eyes. A color pop action. then just begin to play around with the image. cropping and actions.
Last I ran a noiseware action to get rid of some of the noise or grain.


Thanks Angie for being so brave.

little boy + bb + ear

What an adventure 'G' and I had yesterday.
When I was getting him out of his car seat I noticed something green in his ear.
me ~'What is in you ear?'
'I don't know', he replied
me ~ 'Hold still there is something in there, turn your head. 'G'!! you have a air soft bb in your ear. How did it get in there?'
'G'~ 'i don't know.'


Here is a closer view. Excuse the ear wax. I was not cleaning it. In fear that I would move the bb further down.


Went this morning to the doctor. Bribe of a Tootsie roll sucker, renting a movie on the way home and a very gentle awesome ENT doctor.
The bb is now out and in the bio-hazardous box at the doctor's office.
doctor to 'G'~ how did that get in your ear?
'G' ~ I don't know.. like this, moving his index and thumb up to his ear.
doctor ~ we won't ever put anything in our ear again, right?
'G' ~ right.

On the way out of the office 'G' said "I love that doctor. He got that bb out my ear!"
Me too, I replied!
Me too!

All night of worrying for 5 seconds in the office to remove the bb.

Wonder.. theme for I *heart* faces

Wonder. Man was it hard to just pick one for each category.
but these are my selections for

. this week.

Kids:



Don't you just WONDER what she is thinking? I love that expression.

Adults:



Wonder what he will become? Where he is heading. One of my favorites for seniors.

Don't forget to head over to i *heart* faces to see everyone else interpretations of Wonder. There are some great ones and if you join in leave a comment and let me know.

Hats!

I am so in love with hats right now. I can't explain it. I just think they are so cute.
On newborns or Ms.'C' that is not on me.
I have been cruising etsy shops for adorable knitted hats.
but yesterday Ms.'I', aka 'S' girlfriend, came over and gave Ms.'C' the cutest most adorable kitty cat hat.
She loves it! wants to wear it all the time.
So while dinner was cooking we had a little 'model the hat shoot'
Check it out!


working the camera. model material?


my favorite


There are plenty more as she was not minding me in her face with my camera as long as she had the hat on.
Ms.'I' she loves the hat.. to say the least.
And 'G' said you are making him a Rey Mysterio one. Good Luck!

my date night

Friday evening I had the most fun date night I have had in awhile.
He was funny, kind, excited to see me and so cute.
He even paid!
We went to the high school basketball and ate our way through the JV game.
Watched the first quarter of the Varsity game before he had had enough.
Plus it must have been close to his bedtime.
Here are some shots of us before the date.

Must have been looking out for his competition.


Getting some sugar!


Keeping an eye on his money!


He was so cute and excited to have just a mommy date.
He now calls me his "date dirl"
So sweet!

Wishing everyone a very

Happy Valentine's Day!

my valentine princess


i love you! in the way only ms. 'C' can do.


and kisses from 'G'

Week five over at i *heart* faces

I have decided to enter the contest over at I *heart* faces this week.
Only because I found this image while uploading yesterday.
This weeks theme is SILLY. And while I am quite surprised I don't have more images that fit this category thought this one fit the bill the best.

I was trying to be a head of the game and get some valentines done so I dressed the little ones up and gave them the fun heart pillow.
this is what 'G' decided to give me that day.

Just pure silliness going on!

So head over to their blog and join in the fun or just check out everyone else's entries for a good smile.

Sweethearts!

This past Saturday was the Sweethearts dance for 'S'.
I talked them into letting me take some photos on the square because outside our house is just disgusting looking. black snow and ice everywhere.
It was freezing and winding, so I only got a few good shots.
When we got back to the house I MADE 'S' pose for some better images under the "bright" lights. 'I' and I think he is the biggest baby.
Here are a few of my favorites.


the traditional pose


some for fun.. I love when I have people who can follow directions and stay in one spot.




a natural smile from 'S' FINALLY!!


And a couple from outside..




Isn't she so cute in her hat? I love it!


that's all folks! we are out of here.


They were so cute. 'F' and I had plans that evening so my mom and the babies were their chauffeurs for the evening. in the mini van no less!! ;o)

announcement, announcement!

I am so excited to announce the launch of my new blog.
From now on you will be able to see my favorite images from recent photo play dates aka
PPD on my new photography blog.

This blog will be kept for family snapshots or PPD practice with my own children.

I want to keep it separate.

So the previous two posts will be the last here on this blog.
Head over and check out the new banner.

Thanks,
Kate

Blessings number two

This was one of my favorite newborn photo play dates to date. This precious baby was so relaxed, easy going and slept!! Not to mention she was soo cute! I had a difficult time narrowing down just a few. So it is a little photo heavy today.
Hope you enjoy her!!







She is adored by her mom and her grandparents are just head over heels for her as well.






And these are my absolute favorite from the shoot.

and this hat!! OMWord!!! adorable


It was so much fun!! I loved both blessings so much.

Baby blessings

I have been blessed this past week with being able to photograph two precious newborns.
They both were so absolutely adorable.
I had so much fun with both of them.

blessing number one.. I have to say I don't think Ms.'C' has this much hair yet and she is almost 2!! I have hair envy.




She was so alert. And listened intently to every move I made.


One of my absolute favorites of the whole shoot.


And enough she said enough..


Blessing number two.. I will save for her own post.

Mr. Medina

Meet MR.MEDINA


You may recognize him from this post
He was my first h.s. senior model.
He is..
the nicest young man.
a great athlete.
a great friend.
a tender heart.
and has a great set of parents.

This honor was awarded to him by his high school peers. you know that says something right there in its self!
and I could not agree more.
He is very deserving!

Congrats! 'D'

fyi ~ to view more images from his shoot join me on facebook. Just click on the image in the upper right hand corner in my sidebar.

14!

WOW! is the only word that comes to mind when I think 'T' turned 14 yesterday.



Isn't it amazing how as a mother you can remember vividly the day your children were born. I wonder if it gets foggy for those mom's out there that have 10 or more births.
I can remember everything about each of my births.
Like yesterday. I actually think 'T' was born on a Tuesday. It was cold but no snow.
I had an appointment in the morning. 'S' was with my mom 'just in case' the dr. sent me to the hospital to be induced.
You will have this baby by noon. said the doctor.
We called my mom said you better hurry up the doctor thinks it will be quick once they start the "pit".
noon came and went..dinner came and went.. early evening came and went.
Finally at 9:58pm 'T' made his entrance.
A very long exhausting surprised filled labor.
He was the only one I had an epidural with. Per the doctors orders.
He was also the only one that was whisked away after a brief meeting.
He had a high pitched squeak after every breath. They took him for observation and x-rays.
I finally held him the next morning.. early the next morning.
The only one to have the doctors fingerprints bruised into his little forehead.
because he was sunny-side up!
The only one to make my heart race so high the doctor turned to my mom and asked if there was any heart problems in the family history.

Oh, I think I could go on.
But I will stop because here we are 14 years later.
He still make my heart race.. we have our moments
But I wouldn't trade him for anything.
He will always be my
"ty -ty the Popeye eye!"

Did i hit the millionth reason why I love having a girl?

If so, then add about 100 thousand more reasons.


Love these babylegs leg warmers. She finally has a little chub to make them look really cute!

And this hat! My mom found it and I have been putting it on her head everyday. Waiting for the right moment to catch her in it.


No, she still won't look at me. But you get the idea of the cuteness!

I heart faces week 2 photo contest.

Week 2. Over at I heart faces photography forum.

Here is my entry.


The more the merrier so join in.
I will look for you link over there.

to cut or not to cut?

Now that is the question.
I am thinking a trim would be nice for the hair to grow.
And her hair is just so uneven and fine.


These are the questions of a mom who has only had boys.

And my adult entry

Here is my entry for adults.

This was even harder. I have come to realize I take hardly any adult images.
This photo brings a smile to my face every time.
My grandpa's smile is so contagious.


Wish me luck!