Beach Bums {August 10, 2010}

Sorry for taking so long, buuuuut....

Here's our Beach trip!

We had fun with Leddie and Aubrey, and hated to see them have to go back to Tennessee at the end of the week.

For some reason, we have this tradition of going to Longhorn's for dinner when we're in HH.  It makes no sense to any of us, especially since there's one a couple miles from home.  We never eat there though, because some how it's just not "the same."?  

So, after dinner that night, I took the girls in the condo for a potty break and clothes change, and we hit the beach for their pictures.  

They really enjoyed themselves, and took the modeling job very seriously.

 

I'm not usually out after dusk for a session, but boy did it pay off that night.  We were only out there less than an hour, until just after 8, and it was seriously getting dark quick. 

I turned to head for the boardwalk, and looked up at this sky. 

WOW. 

"RUN GIRLS! BACK TO THE DUNES!!!  QUICK!!!" 

They were so cute trying to run in flip-flops, sinking into the sand trying to catch up. They were just as eager to get the shots, and Leddie was full of good ideas of where she wanted to take her pictures. 

If you ever pay attention to sunsets, their beauty can literally last less than 5 minutes, and turn to flat grey right before your eyes.  It's catching the right moment that makes it tricky.  You almost have to be staring at it waiting, who does that?!  And even then, sometimes it's a flop.  Ahhhh, but it was perfect that night. 

Nana has already said she wants a serious portrait above her couch of this shot, and said it will stay there forever.  It is so fitting since the beach is her favorite place to be, and they have been vacationing on this beach for 15+ years.  I can't wait to get something hung for her.

We have taken pictures out here throughout the year, and late summer/fall is my favorite.  The dunes are "blooming" or whatever you call it, and it is so beautiful.  I would LOVE to schedule someone for a beach session next month...!  We will be on our cruise October 10th-14th and will be traveling home that Thursday the 14th.  I would love to get someone on the books for that night at sunset, but there will only be one slot since we will want to be getting home.  Call me quick!  : )

*I promise to be starting a Viva blog soon, for all this "portrait taking" stuff, but I wanted to let my friends know about the sunset shots.  Family session anyone?! 
Thanks : )








Leddie and another beach-goer were digging up starfish.  We have actually never done that, and they really enjoyed themselves.  The other family had one with all different length limbs, (weird, didn't know they could grow like that-) but Leddie got this huge one!  Wish we could have kept it in a tank and name it Peach.  (Yes, I know the ENTIRE Finding Nemo movie.)

We miss you girls already.  Love you.

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Clear the roads! {August 6, 2010}

...because Becca is 16!!!

My sweet little niece, all grown up.  She was younger than Reagan when I joined this family, and now she is driving.  Wow.  We tease her about her driving, but I'm sure she'll be fine.  Poppy has been trying to help her practice.  I'm not sure when she'll be getting a car, but I know she's had her eye on Mike's black Dodge truck, (friend of the family.)  I will just be glad if she gets a safe car, and not something small like a ridiculous little Mini Cooper. 

For her birthday we sang and had cake at family dinner, as we do for everyone, and Reagan and Chelsea even got to blow out their own candles.  

: )

Having fun in Nana's new guest bedroom.

Oh yeah, there's the belly button-thumb combo.  You see why one peice jammies just wouldn't work?!

Happy Birthday Bec.

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Big Girl Now- {August 2010}

I guess it happens to everyone, but I have just recently lost my baby.  She has been replaced with this little girl, so CUTE I can't hardly stand it.  Here's a few random things to update you on...

MUFFIN:
Her new talent is the ability to open doors around the house. Trouble. Dead bolts, safety latches, and door knob protectors are in full swing.

Still practicing her letters, and the LeapFrog 'Letter Factory' video is her fav right now. She can pronounce her G and W, which were pretty pitiful until now.  Only a couple more to work on. 

Nemo is still her favorite movie, which will probably be how we decorate her birthday cake this year. Not sure yet... : )




ME: 
I have been shooting a good bit of sessions lately.  With my fall weddings coming up I have been getting in engagements and bridals at the tail of the summer.  I've had some wonderful customers, and what makes me even happier is that they have all been thrilled with their images.  I've done some maternity's and families and have a couple newborns due this fall.  I got so excited about the newborns that I have all new props and am DYING to start using.  I am still doing free sessions for now, and having your refferals is what helps more than anything.  Your confidence is greatly appreciated and I am thrilled to see my client list grow.  I look forward to shooting a lot more families this fall- (perfect time of year, and good for Christmas cards) and alway check in on the site for new work being posted.  I will be adding a 'raves' section to my site too, to share some kind words from my happy customers.  Thank you everybody!



MUFFIN:
Reagan used the potty! Only once though, a few weeks ago, and I can't seem to get her back on it. She always tries to make herself too busy to stop and use the potty. Like I'm just distracting her. I started a couple days ago keeping a container of chocolate chips in the bathroom as bribery. She gets one if she at least tries, and I plan on giving her 3 if she actually goes. We'll see what happens, I'm in no rush.





JUNIOR:
Junior has been spending his mornings with his girls lately, since he's been working mostly evenings.  We have been horrible about eating out for lunch lately, but when you're already out and Firehouse is calling... you know.  We really do enjoy eating out together though, and Reagan can eat the heck out of an Italian Sub and a brownie. 
The properties are all doing well (knock on wood) and Junior is always looking out for another good investment.  A few days a week his afternoons are spent meeting with people or driving neighborhoods looking for 'for sale' signs.  Trying to stay busy!
This fall we have a good bit of weddings lined up which he will accompany me to.  Becca or Ashton have been helping me for my other appointments, but Junior is always there for the big events : )




MUFFIN:
She no longer needs story time in her rocking chair before bed.  It kind of makes me sad... After her bath and getting in her jammies, she goes straight to her bed and tries to climb in. 
*Daddy's pillow, check. 
*Ladybug, check. 
*The 'Daddy book', check. 
*Her belly button and the tastiest thumb in the world, check. 
*A couple foam letters from the bathtub that night, check.

The perfect recipe for the perfect bedtime.

Her bed has become a favorite place to be lately.  I can't even get her up in the mornings most of the time because she wants to stay in there and play.  Sometimes I just have to go start breakfast and come back for her so she can read to her baby dolls.






US:
We have enjoyed going on little trips as a family and look forward to scheduling more as Reagan gets older.  We've been to the beach three times already this summer, taking zoo trips pretty often, plan on going to Biltmore this fall to see the trees turn, and have our cruise next month.  I'm going to start planning a Disney world trip for next fall around Reagan's birthday, and then we'll probably take another cruise next year sometime when we can get the most family together to go (Pete's side of the family this time.)  Whew.  Sounds like a lot I guess, but making memories as a family is pretty important to us.  And we have our parents to thank for the condos.  Without them we wouldn't travel NEAR as much!





US:
We finally got the "Reagan-mobile."  A 2005 Honda Odyssey that I am so madly in love with.  I love all my cubbies and extra space, and sliding doors, and, and, and.  Junior loves driving it too.  He keeps saying we should have gotten it two years ago.  Figures.  He's just trying to annoy me now. 
The only thing I could ever see doing is getting a newer one someday, but it is seriously the perfect 'dream car' for me.  We got Reagan a little DVD player to strap to my headrest and now I'm really driving a Swagger-waggon.  Yeeeaaah baby.

Had to share this...
I have the best in-laws ever.  We always get together for Sunday night dinner at their house, and we meet up for dinner out a few times a month.  They are kind-of our "go-to" couple I guess.  HA!  I'm sure not many people would say that! 
Well as I am sitting here working on this post, I just got this text from my mother-in-law: 
"I love you" 
"Love you too, but what did I do?" 
"Just being you"
" : ) "
How awesome is that.  I wouldn't trade her for the world, and I don't think she would either : )




Til next time-

xoxo

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