Life in Motion Photography by Lyndsay Stradtner, Austin Texas Child Photographer

glowing

That's the first word that comes to mind when I think about today's session with Shannon.  Isn't she gorgeous?!

She has the most perfect little round belly too...

And the coolest nursery awaiting her little one...I'm so excited about the newborn session in just a few weeks...I have big plans for her little guy!  Photos of him in his nursery are a photographer's dream!

This session was a part of my mentoring program with MC.   I use the word "program" totally out of context here, it basically means me and MC hanging out with our cameras since I'm the worlds absolute  worst teacher ever!  MC won't admit it but it's totally true.

Oh, and thanks for all your opinions so far on the whole blog dilemma!  Please keep those votes coming - it is so interesting to hear what you think!

it's only girls, and not the boys

Taryn asked me yesterday if I would bring her to see Wall-E so today we are taking off, just us girls, no boys.  They have to stay home, causing us to do a little booty dance and sing "its only girls and not the boys".  I haven't been to the movies in probably 7 or 8 months...so yeah, I'm a little excited!

Since I can't post without a pic, check him out...love his chubby baby neck...

 

I may have to do "10 on {insert day here]" every day next week if I am ever going to catch up on blogging!

the triplets

The last time I saw them before we moved to Texas, they were just tiny little peanuts.  I was psyched when their mom booked one of the Slidell mini sessions.  And I have to tell you how impressed I was with how cool, calm and collected everyone was!  And get this, they all sleep through the night, yes, I asked and I'm totally impressed!

I'll start with this one just cause it cracks me up! 

 

Am I horrible that I love this one?  Poor baby...she was not into her birthday hat at all!  Check out that tear...

Without the hat she was a happy little thing though.

Thanks for all the fun guys and happy birthday!!!!!

10 on Tuesday

1.  I dedicated myself to going through my massive email inbox Monday night.  It was baaaaad thanks to all the vacationing we've been doing.  1432 messages down to 405, not bad.  So if you receive a random reply to a message from me, that's what it's all about ;)

2.  T's birthday was nice.  Relaxing, quiet and nice.  We didn't even leave the house and it was just perfect after the weekend we had.  I can tell you this, the first time we sung Happy Birthday this morning over donuts, she hid under the table in fear.  By the end of the night, she was begging us to relight the candles and sing to her over and over again.  Funny girl.  I took pics, but they are at the end of a very long list of things that need to be proofed.  I'll catch up someday, she might be 33, but someday.

3. Random snapshot of Riley, one of our kids many cousins.  He made the trip to the beach with us and as a result got tortured with my camera just like the rest of the kiddos.  That's the price you pay for going on vacation with us dude...

4.  Thankfully, Alli is still speaking to me after I linked her blog here.  I bet she got a ton of hits over there, bwahahaha.  If you check out her blog, you'll see we aren't the only ones recovering from the Shamoo trip from hell.  Poor thing lost her camera.  It's time to learn to use that DSLR girl, this is a sign and I'm just the person to help ya!  Thanks for coming by for T's birthday today, it was great to catch up and watch the girls play sans the evil Shamoo.

5.  This shot brings tears to my eyes.  I love it that much.  We got to see Jason's brother, parents and grandparents in San Marcos last weekend.  Jason's grandmother was holding Teagan and his Grandfather walked up behind her and started to play with Teagan's hands.  He does this all the time and I just love it.  I'm so thankful to have captured it.  His grandparents are such amazing people and we are so thankful they get to be a part of our children's lives. 

6.  Little T fending off the paparazzi at the beach...

7.  Ty has been avoiding the camera...but I managed to corner him a few times recently.  Love this one, some different processing for me and I'm not digging the crop, but it's my boys and I love em, so here ya go...

8.  I don't think I ever shared this on the blog, this is a display of gallery wraps my mom has in her house.  It's at the bottom of the stairs and I just love it.  Old photos, look how little Taryn is, but I love the grouping, sorry the color is a little wonky since it's pics of pics in a hallway, but you get the idea.  I love the way my mom displays memories.  She has photos everywhere, big and small, snapshots and portraits.  Memories everywhere, they just surround you like a big hug, wedding photos, birthdays, snapshots of anything and everything, walking through her house is like meeting an old friend around every corner, tucked in on shelves and everywhere in between.  I love that.

9.  Check back tomorrow for a post about the cute little one year old triplets I photographed at the Slidell mini sessions.  Oh, and some business news and specials I'm running!

10.  I saved the best for last.  My wonderful step-brother and his beautiful wife Dana.  I had to twist (and pull) their arms to get them to let me do this, I think I even used it being my birthday to convince them.  Pretty low, but hey, it worked.  I even had my mom hold them hostage while I ran to get a new memory card midway through because I knew they would attempt to escape with the diversion.

You two are wonderful and beautiful in so many ways, your marriage and love for one another, your love for your children.  We miss you.  8 years is way to long to not be in front of the camera together...thanks for humoring me!

Until tomorrow...

T is 3

she's fabulous . she's 3 . she's super t . lover of the color pink . and dora . plays tricks on ty . gives mommy a run for her money . she's a daddy's girl . but sometimes needs some extra mommy when she's sleepy . cuddles teagan every morning . and wakes him up every day from his nap "cause he's just so cute" . loves to check the mail . and help cook . and anything water related . except waterparks . our honeymoon baby . determined . funny . loud . cuddlebug . sings bold and loud on a moments notice . songs she makes up as she goes along . my favorites are "I'm so funny" and "daddy is so fwustrated" .  loves ice cream . and apple slices . and macaroni-n-cheese . strawberries . and anything dipped in sour cream . if I say "I can do it" she sings in her best Bartney voice "by my self" . is spirited yet very shy . hides under the furniture in fear if someone new comes to our house . loves buddy bucks and squeals with joy every time she uses one . even though we've done it 1,862 times . has an amazing relationship with our her dog . she's claimed sole ownership much to Jason's dismay . and kylie loves her the same way right back . book lover . and puzzles . and coloring . anything requiring focus . has a wonderful, big, loud laugh . and the sweetest little girl signature giggle . we pretty much love her to pieces

these are just a few snapshots, I tried to do a "birthday shoot" several times but well, my girl has PCS, so here ya go....

makin 3 look tough

this little piggie

ther is just something about this one that I love, her hair maybe, how focused she is, dunno

a little cheese for ya...

I love how she still looks so small in this one, yes I'm in denial my baby is growing up

did I mention the PCS?

she looks so determined in this one

right after this shot she kicked the crud out of my lens on accident running toward me so we called it a day ;)

Happy Birthday big girl, we love you!!

deep down, y'all knew it was coming....

it was inevitable...

here it is...

the time has come...

the oh so predictable...

baby in a basket

HA!  What I love about this is that his sweet little face is looking up at Ty who was "spotting" for basket tippage.  You can see the love in his eyes can't ya?  I feel the same way about Ty, so I know just how Teagan feels.  Gosh I love them both.

ps - When I was done proofing this photo, I ran the VIBE "Glow" action on it and really like the effect.  Check out Ren's stuff, it rocks!

I'm so far behind on ....

insert word here:  blogging, proofing, cleaning, returning emails and phone calls, birthday party planning.  You name it, I'm behind on it.  Sorry if you are waiting on me...I'm plugging along!

5 days left of being 2 and she's just as fabulous as ever.  Her signature giggle cracks me up every time....

Ultimate PCS

PCS = Photographer Child Syndrome

It's an adjective that describes the actions of a child who is overly photographed due to having a photographer as a parent.  This term is most commonly used by photographers when describing their own children in frustration.  This condition is rampant, just as any pro with kiddos at home.  Exhibit A:

Little stinker.

I love this bathing suit my mom bought for T, I'm soooo mad at myself for forgetting to bring it on our beach trip though.  I had big plans for it!  Then when I tried to do a little shoot with T at my mom's house when we got back from the beach, she wasn't all that cooperative.  We ended up giving her the hose just to get her to stay put a bit.  I may try again soon.

Oh, I have so much blogging to catch up on.  I am desperately trying to get settled in and through so many of the images (and emails) I owe people.  Bear with me as I catch up on the first 5 TTD sessions, Calla's 6 month photos, the Slidell mini sessions, Steph's TTD and I've got to get ready for Taryn's 3rd birthday party!  Busy times but I'll post as I get through it all....it may not be in chronological order though =)

We're Home.

After a wonderful 8 day vacation in Louisiana and Orange Beach, Alabama, we're home.  It was so wonderful to see our family and spend some quality time with everyone.  It was a blast showing off Teagan too.  I took so many photos, and it still doesn't feel like enough.  One thing I learned, it is A LOT harder to travel with 3 kids than it is with 2.  Well, maybe it's my kids, but man, does Teagan hate the car.  Makes it really, really difficult.  But we did it.  And it was still tons of fun.  Now we're home and in our standard "let's all be depressed and start counting the days until the next gee-gee visit" moods.

So that this post isn't a downer, I'll leave you with this until I get to proofing some of the pics from our trip...(including all those fun Slidell mini-sessions, Steph's trash the dress and I even managed to twist the arms of my step-brother and sister-in-law enough to get them in front of the camera together for the first time in years!  go me!).  Thought this might make you smile......

HANDS UP, OR I'LL SHOOT!

Super T is vicious, and I mean, vicious, with the water hose.  No mercy.  Especially not for her older brother.

ahhhh, I'm off to sleep in my own bed, sweet joy!

5 months old today

He's my happy little man...loves peek-a-boo.  He's filled with belly laughs and drooly smiles.  He watches us all, figuring us out with his big, bright blue eyes.  He's constantly chewing on his fingers, usually two, sometimes three.  Rolls over both ways, hates the car and stares at us in envy as we eat real food.   And I'm totally in love with him...

Going by way, way too fast.

trash the dress, stephanie fisher style

I love, love, love working with other photographers.  Nine times out of ten, they are totally up for anything and everything.  I was so psyched that our first thing to do once arriving at the beach was to meet my longtime online buddy Stephanie.  We started this whole photography journey around the same time and it was so fun to finally meet her and her gorgeous little girl in person.  So after a quick dinner, we hit the beach for a quick trash the dress session.  It was Teagan's first time at the beach and he was so chill about it....

A couple of confessions....first, I love it that my husband is always willing to wear Teagan, even when I only pack the girlie print sling.  By kiddo #3, he's pretty chill too, and such a trooper.  Second, I was pretty nervous about my camera and the sand.  So much so, that I took an absurd number of photos without even looking through the viewfinder trying to protect it from the sand and breaking surf when in the water.  Third, looking at these I'm dying to do a destination wedding. 

On our way down...

love the bucket for a touch of whimsy - haha!

For what it's worth, she totally dove in to the surf.  We had a blast!!

33 sounds pretty good to me

I had an awesome birthday, thank you for all the well wishes.  First, my wonderful little dude gave me the best birthday gift ever, he slept through the night for the first time!  From 8:30 pm until 5:45 am.....way to go buddy!!  Then I had several mini-sessions and a big family birthday party after that.  My husband even took over camera duty for awhile at the party, how cool is that....I love finding photos on my camera.  A great day!

I promised sneak peeks before I head to the beach for a few days of relaxation.  The Slidell mini-sessions were a huge success, we managed to dodge the rain and it was fun to hang out with some old friends....thank you to everyone who booked one!

First up, little Bradley.  Remember him at 3 months (and here)?  And 6 months (and here)?  I can't believe how much he's grown...could he be any cuter?!?

Next up, the triplets.  The last time I saw them, they were itty bitty little peanuts.  I can't believe they're a year old already!  I got a bunch of shots of them, but I have to share this one, it cracks me up!  Their mom is brave and decided to let them dive into cupcakes at the end of the session.  They loved em!

and big sister Hannah with MacKenzie

Next up, Fletcher.  He's the adorable little boy of Mary with Paper & Ink Studio.  I was so psyched when Mary booked one of the mini-sessions, I finally got to meet her.  I hired her to do some custom work for me awhile back and I'm consistently amazed with her talent.  Is Fletcher seriously cute or what?!

His parents are pretty cute too!

last but not least, my little buddy Aiden (click here and here).  I've been photographing him since he was just a tiny little thing too, it was fun to see how much he's grown since we moved and catch up with his parents...

love the lashes

Many more of everyone to come...but now I'm off to the beach!!!!

the month of birthdays

first, the good old US of A...

then tomorrow, it's my birthday.  I'll be a ripe old 33.  Which I would be depressed about if 3 wasn't my most favorite number in the world.  It's gonna be a great year.  Then Tuesday is my Mom's birthday.  I won't say how old she'll be as she's likely to reach over and smack me if I do.  ;)  Then T's birthday is on the 21st.  What do we do with all these birthdays?  Well, we have a great big party.  Tomorrow.  Can't wait to celebrate with my favorite girls!

My Mommy Is Tired

Just a few more of my funny little dude.

I bought this little getup to use during our family photoshoot with Michele, but I couldn't resist breaking it out after the last few days of exhaustion.  I got quite a few emails asking where I got the shirt.  I designed it in photoshop and then uploaded the graphic to Cafe Press.  Easy smeeshey.  Jase says he wants one that says "The Daddy is Too".  ;) 

Yeah, this pretty much says it all.

you know that movie "groundhogs day"....

where Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again.  Only in the Stradtner version, it gets progressively worse. 

Two weeks ago, Taryn wrecked havoc on the floor in Teagan's room by dumping out an entire bottle of baby shampoo onto the carpet in the doorway.  This equaled hours of steam cleaning to get it out because you know what happens if you add water?  You guessed it, bubbles.  Jase took the brunt of the work on that one.

One week ago, her two year old self did THIS.  Funny, if you're not me.  Ok, well, slightly funny if you're me and it was a week ago.  I took the brunt of the work on that one since I was the only parent at home to scrub her butt down before running out the door for the day.

I think it's pretty safe to say, that today, Jase and I have officially lost our sense of humor.  Why?

The mug shot...does this face say "busted" or what?

No, that is not marker.  It's not paint.  Not chapstick, or lipgloss.  It's NAIL POLISH.  Pink, impossible to remove without harsh chemicals on her very sensitive skin, nail polish.

She was punished in her room for throwing toys in the house again and not listening.  She was quiet and after a few minutes I asked Jase what Taryn was up to (see a theme here - I need to be listening to that mommy instinct don't ya think?).  "Oh, she's fine, she's in her room reading a book."  Correction:  she's in her room using her Dora sit-n-spin to climb up a shelf and get into a basket that has little girl fingernail polish in it.  Suddenly, she comes out crying about her lip and we took one look at her and thought she was bleeding.  That is, until we smelled her.  An unmistakable smell followed her out of her room.  And it wasn't just her face, her nose, her cheek, her chin and her lip....

feet, toes, ankles...

legs, knees, calves, hands, fingers....

she even has some in her hair.  Nice.

Only this time, I decided to have her daddy sit in the bathroom with her and let her scrub herself down while I ran off to google "removing nailpolish from my child's skin".....which, by the way, brings up some pretty funny stuff if ya ever need a good read on rainy day.   That is, funny if you don't NEED to google something like that.

Didn't do much good though.  The scrubbing or the googling.  I managed to get some of it off of her face with a q-tip and polish remover.  Quite honestly, I seriously considered just leaving it.  I'd like to say to teach her a lesson, but honestly, I don't know if I have it in me to sit and q-tip every single brush mark.  So, I focused on the nose today and left the rest.

She can just wear pants this week.    

bored

Ty is gone + Teagan can't get up and play + Daddy is working a lot + Mommy had oral surgery and doesn't feel good = one super bored Little T.

She's still cute though...

Don't ya think??

 

Trash The Dress

I cannot even tell y'all how much fun this was.  It took a lot of planning and before I share a few faves, I have to thank MC, Amanda and Anne-Marie for assisting with everything from shooting, to carrying stuff, to hauling wet dresses and even keeping one eye on security (you'll see why later).  Thanks girls....you guys rock!!

I've only started thumbing through them...

A cracks me up - she showed up driving in her dress, hair in pigtails and sportin some shades.   Love it!!!

And while we had permission to be on site, I got a little nervous we were going to get kicked out when the girls jumped into the fountain.   

Many, many more to come!  Thanks for an awesome morning yesterday girls - it was a BLAST!!!

 

Rounded Corners

I love rounded corners and I finally got around to creating a little photoshop action....

A couple of things to note:

• Full versions of PS only, sorry elements users.
• Your image must be sized at 8x12 (or 12x8) before you run the action for it to work properly.
• Two actions are included, one for horizontal images and one for vertical.

You can download them for free HERE.

Enjoy!

Oh, and that dude up there, he did great on his first solo flight to New Orleans last night.  Even if his momma did have a slight panic attack after he walked away (tight chest, difficulty breathing, you know the drill).  Being a momma is tough, especially when you have to let go just a little.

eleven

Last night Ty and I scarfed down our dinner and then ran out the door to catch the last little bit of sunlight.  We decided to go down to the river run, I've wanted to see how difficult this was to get to since we moved, and it was amazingly easy.  I could easily get Taryn down there too.  She'd love the little waterfalls and watching the fish swim.  But it was nice for it to be just the two of us and he had a blast splashing around in the water, exploring and just being an 11 year old kid...

I am so glad we have these photos, as I think they are very reflective of his age and this time.  Eleven is awkward.  A time of change, going from self importance to friends being important.  Right on the cusp of girls (other than mom, sigh) being important.  Those hormones start to kick in....the moodiness, the growing, the eating non-stop (already?!).  But these photos are him.  Funny, kind, moody, reflective.  In between.  Him.

See the moody?  Jase looked at this one and said "Yup, that's about right"

This is the look I got when I started talking to him about girls.  I'm in trouble with this one.  Big, big, trouble.

Four Months Old

Already.

He's my sweet little man.  The drooler, the blower of bubbles, the mohawk sporting, big belly laughing at everyone except Ty, little man.

Piggies are such fascinating little things...

A few things you need to know if you're gonna live in Texas.

Queso is considered a food group.

"Howdy" means "Hi, how are ya?" and usually includes a nod of the head.  Go ahead, try it out, bet you can't do it without the nod.

And cowboy hats....well....they're big here.  But, its windy....so you best hold on to hat....

A few other favorites...

when you are 18 months old, smelling pretty flowers includes puckering =)

And since I haven't shared an entire session in quite a while, and because I love them all, CLICK HERE.  Lily is one amazing little girl, I just adore her and we are so lucky to have such wonderful friends in her parents!

ps - I'll be posting about Ty's birthday tomorrow, then I'll sit down and answer all the questions from "Ask me anything" on Sunday!  Even my momma's crazy question!!

Quote of the Day

While baking cookies this morning....

Taryn:  Mommy, can I eat this?  ((pointing to cookie dough))
Me:  No, T, we have to cook it first.
Taryn:  Just one little taste?
Me:  Nope.
Taryn:  I just want to lick it Mommy?
Me:  Nope, we have to cook it first.
Taryn:  Mommy, I want to tell you sumthin
Me:  What's that?
Taryn:  Mommy, I want to be by myself with these cookies.

HAHA!  Not even kid, but nice try!!

I noticed the pretty light outside before dinner was ready.  I told myself that if it was still that pretty after we ate, I'd go out for a few shots.  We missed the best of it, the light was just dancing off the tall grass in the field down the street, so pretty, blowing in the wind.  But after we ate I took T out for a little walk and we caught the last little bit of light...have to go earlier next time.  I still love these though...

and I had to do at least one black and white...

I'm off to kick my dear, sweet husband's butt in Wii Boxing....wish me luck....better yet, wish him luck ;)

ask me anything

Ok, so I thought I would post this thread, even though it feels a little silly to me.  I get a ton of emails with lots of different questions, everything you can imagine, personal, business, photography related, you name it.  I'm embarrassed to admit that I presently have 499 messages in my inbox (it was 852 until I cleaned some out last night).  I'm even more embarrassed to admit that there are quite a few of those messages with questions that I've not replied to.  I have good intentions, I really do.  I open them and then promise myself I'll go back when I have two free hands (which is kind of rare around here) so that I can quickly type out a long, detailed reply.  Only, I find my long winded replies are few and far between, especially as I find most of my online time happening during the "one handed nurse and surf" as we call it around here. 

Annnnnd, since I've never done a FAQ post here, I thought it would be fun to mix it up a little bit.  Joy asked me in the post below about the vendors I use, so I'll be sure to answer that one, but seriously, ask me anything!  Personal, business, photography related or not....I'm pretty much an open book, so ask away!  And maybe I'll make my way through some of those emails and pull some of those questions and answer those here too.

Oh, my favorite color is green....there, no one has to ask that now ;P  Yeah, I'm sure you guys really wanted to know that!

And because I can't have two posts in a row without a pic....Mr. Teagan, sporting some cuteness....

10 on Tuesday

and it's actually Tuesday, how about that?!

1.  Our lives feel like total chaos right now.  Maybe it's the fact that summer is here and that means more time outside, more go, go, go.  Maybe its the fact that our business just opened up this week, officially, and  its been a lot of work getting things ready to go.  Ty's birthday party coming up, Jase is busy with work, Taryn's taken a liking to using her outside voice 24/7, which Teagan is not liking.  And Teagan is teetering on that 4 month growth spurt, it's coming, and the thought of it makes me tired.  He'll want to nurse non-stop.  He's been really fussy the last few days, thankfully, I ordered a new sling last night so I can wear him more comfortably.  Thanks Nancy for the recommendation!  I love the way she wears her daughter so that she can see out, Teagan is going to dig that.

2. This is their thing.  Never let's Mommy do it, just Daddy.  I secretly love that though.  Makes me go awwwwwww....

3.  We hit the pool this morning with some friends.  Our neighborhood pool is awesome, it slopes down so the little ones can play safely, has a lot of sprinklers and buckets of water that splashes down from a big pole, pretty cool.  Well, at the end of the slope are a couple of stairs that lead to the deep end.  Taryn never goes out that far.  Today I was at the edge of the pool with Teagan and Taryn stepped right off the stairs and down into the water.  I jumped towards her and started to grab her and yelled out to Alli who was close to her as well.  She grabbed her and I pulled her up by the arms.  Scary.  We now have a new rule not to go past the blue line that marks the start of the stairs.  It wasn't that deep, less than 3 feet with the other step right there, but enough for her to loose her bearings and go under.  She did not like the water up her nose and the look of fear in her eyes as she went under sticks in my mind....ugh.  Thankfully we were both right there to grab her, and that Ms. Alli is good at being quick on her toes, Lily was a swimming fish with no fear this morning!

4.  We decided at the last minute this week to participate in a silent auction through Jason's work to benefit the ASPCA.  We will be donating a session and I had to pull some display materials together really quick last night.  In addition to some large prints, a canvas, an album, business cards and some other frilly stuff, I printed this as a mounted 20x20 for the display table.  Me likey....

5.   Only two more days of school left.  Ty can't wait.  I have mixed emotions about it, probably like every other mom out there right?  I can't wait to have him home and spend more time with him, watch him have a fun summer being a kid.  He's earned that, the right to play in our neighborhood, be safe and just be a kid, ride his bike, go to the pool, get dirty and just be a boy.  We had a hard time letting him do those things in our old neighborhood with all the rebuilding, so this is a whole new thing for him.  On the other hand, he and Taryn have been in a bickering rut lately, and I'm not sure I'm ready for full, all day banter and rough housing back and forth.  Oh, and I'm not ready for the grocery bill.  Yikes can that kid eat!! 

6.  I know I promised pics of Teagan's Blurb book, sorry, I took them and just haven't had a chance to proof them yet.  I will, soon, promise!

7.  I'm considering a new blog.  For a bunch of reasons.  Some business reasons, some personal reasons.  Just can't decide.  I want to upgrade, but I'm having a hard time deciding whether to separate the business from the personal.  Part of me feels that all my work is intertwined with who I am and what I do, and then the other part of me thinks it would be better having two distinct blogs, one for each.  Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.  What do you guys think?

8.  This makes me go awwwwwww too.  Meredith and her Mommy.

9.  Must get working on Father's Day pics.  Soon, maybe one night this week.  Can't wait to work out the ideas in my head. 

10.  Ok, it's the end of 10 on Tuesday and I'm at my wits end with Taryn's 24/7 outside voice.  We've tried everything, the quiet game, jumping over the threshold of our house going from inside to outside voice (yeah, my neighbors think I'm nuts), spending quiet time in her room, reminders, nothing is working.  The loud, screeching, constant yelling at toddler volume, is making me nuts.  Help?  Advice?  Anyone?  Anyone??

you ever have one of those days

where you feel the need to apologize to every single person you toddler comes in contact with?  Ugh.  We had one of those days today.  Unfortunately, smack dab in the middle of sweet Meredith's 2nd birthday party.  Taryn was, uhm, possessed challenging.  It was bad, really bad.   But uhm, this shall we say, "takes the cake" for Taryn's orneryness....

Here is sweet Meredith, with her cake.  We were waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more for her to blow out her candles.

annnnnd, someone got tired of waiting....

Yes, my child, climbed up on the table and blew out Meredith's candles for her.  Nice huh?  She was tired of waiting for cake.  What a turd.    Although, I must admit, I'm somewhat amused to have captured it.

Sorry sweet Meredith.  Start planning your revenge for late July.

one more...

I could post every single shot from this session...I love them all...

Lily

Back in the saddle again.  I had the pleasure of photographing Lily this morning to celebrate her 18 months.

I think she looks so much like her Mommy here.

I absolutely love her little dirty feet.  So her.  Girlie and tough, all rolled into one!

And my absolute favorite of the day, I wonna blow this up and hang it in my house and she's not even mine!

Thanks for a fun time today, sweet, silly, Lily!

swim

I'm just plain out of creative titles...here are some more pics from yesterday.  We had a good time!

Uhm, when did this happen?

I'm not sure, but I wasn't looking.  It sneaks up on you, because I'd swear just yesterday he was a tiny baby, cuddled in my arms, just like Teagan.  Then WHAM-O, he's 11.  Without a doubt, he makes me feel old.  Can't wait for his party!

Ok, I gotta tell you guys about taking these pics.  I decided early yesterday morning was a good time to go and we'd likely have the pool to ourselves.  So Ty and I head down to the pool by ourselves and I'm taking a few shots.  I couldn't get close enough to him for the splash shotin the great big pool with my 24-70 mm zoom, so even though I'm fully dressed, I wade in a bit to try and get closer (the pool slopes for the kiddies).  Let's just say by the time we were done, I was soaked.  No towel, had to drive home dripping.  Thankfully I don't think anyone saw the crazy lady, fully dressed, in the pool, with her camera.  HA!