Play!

We are building a play set in our back yard for the kids. Well, let me clarify. Travis is building a play set for the kids. Travis was recommended to us by my friend/coworker at the flower shop, David. Travis and David live in the same building and David had noticed that Travis has impeccable craftsmanship. Travis does a lot of projects for his business out of the basement of the apartment building and so David has seen some of his work. I must concur... Travis has great craftsmanship. I compare every "builder" to my dad, and I believe my dad would be impressed.
Here is the playhouse in the early stages (last week):

And here it is at the end of this week... just about done! CUTE or what? I made some notes on the picture as to what still needs to be done. In case you can't read it, there are swings going up on the left. The door will be painted (likely to match our front door of our house). There is a slide and ladder going up on the deck. A fire pole will be installed for our Fireman Jack. And, the sandbox will be filled with fun sand... we're trying to figure out a cover for the sandbox to keep rain and critters out.

I think there will be some new photo ops at the playhouse!

Jack took this picture of Travis. I think it's cool .



I will be back early next week with pictures of the final project!! I am excited about it. If you are local and want Travis' contact info for projects, let me know and I will be happy to pass on his info.

Play!

Curly Locks

I have recently had the privilege of working with another local woman business owner, Kathleen Komar of Curly Locks Gourmet Food. Kathleen asked me to take some pictures of her products for both her website and print material. I had a lot of fun with bowls full of hot habanero and jalapeno peppers and jars of her delectable jelly and sauces. Kathleen's story is lovely- organic, local, passion, family... and she is enjoying much success (she's going to a million food shows and recently got to meet Ina Garten - the Barefoot Contessa!!). Check out her website, read about her and her company and go get some of her delicious products!!

Fun with Avery

I promised some pictures from our trip down south a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun playing with our cousin who is about 18 months old.

Jack got a haircut from Poppy, we got to have lunch at Chick-Fil-A, we went to a fun kid's museum, Addie and I took a bike ride, and we had a great time just relaxing!

hello cutie

This little cutie lives with two cute parents in a fabulous house. From the minute I walked into their home I could feel the love, and sense a certain peacefulness and calm - even with an active little 14 month old! They have done some major renovations themselves - and let me tell you... the results are magazine worthy. The colors, the design, the layout, the furnishings... all beautiful.
More important than the beauty of their physical house, though, they truly have a beautiful home and the center of it is this little one:

can you see the love?

Thank you so much for having me out to your home. I really enjoyed meeting you!

a chick magnet indeed

I have a little crush on this guy. All 20+ pounds of him. Every single roll on his arm, I love. His legs - don't even get me started! His eyes, give me a break - they are GORGEOUS. Goodness, he is cute.
This is the second time I have had the privilege of photographing this lovely family. I need to give a shout out to Dad who would have much rather been golfing during our session - it was an absolutely beautiful Saturday morning. I hope you got to head out to the golf course in the afternoon. Here's a picture for you, Dad...

And one for Mama... I love this one... there are more in this series that I love and can't wait to show you. Actually, I love so many from this whole session.

Thanks guys. I enjoyed seeing you again and will look forward to our next meeting, although I don't think Mr. B can get any cuter - if he does I will probably have to steal him!

heading home

We are getting ready to head back to NY today after a great week in NC and SC. Check back soon for a slew of fun pictures of the kids and our cousin. It was so much fun playing with her - Addie especially loved just toting her around everywhere! So long Charlotte -- we'll see you in the fall!

New little friends from Charlotte

I am in Charlotte right now on a combination business/vacation trip. I was lucky to meet two beautiful families - one with lots of energy and one with lots of sleep deprivation!! I quickly scanned the images and am excited to get home for a closer look at these sessions. Here are just a couple from each family that jumped out at me.

This little guy is 4 years old and reminded me a lot of my kids. Spunky, smart as a whip, full of energy, CUTE. Love his hair.

He is such a good big brother to his little sister. Now, isn't she too cute for words?

Little Baby C was born just about 9 weeks ago. Would you please take a look at his eyelashes... look on the right eye - they are about 15 miles long.

What a sweet baby boy - so alert, so chatty, so adorable.

And, here is our cute as a button cousin. Addie has been LOVING her!

We're off to Beaufort today... fun in the sun!

Easter and Spring

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

We have spent the last week coloring eggs, visiting a farm and celebrating the baby lambs (SO cute!), having Easter dinner at house with our good friends and getting ready for our trip to Charlotte!

Maria Taylor - Cartoons and Forever Plans (music video)

Absolutely my new favorite song!!!!!!

Read to Pooh

Met a new little friend... almost two and such a smarty pants.

She loves to read and loves her Pooh bear.
Combine the two and you get this:

Love the grip she has on Pooh. I wonder if Pooh knows how special he is?

Did I mention Miss S is adorable?


Oh, yes she is!
So much to post about when I get a free minute --- Kevin and I took a trip to Lexington BY OURSELVES, meaning NO CHILDREN! It was heavenly! Lots to talk about regarding the weekend.

First, I need to go watch the BIG game - UNC is in the championship game.

Go Tar Heels!

new

Took this picture with my newwwwwwwww lens.... details to follow! yea!

Do you ever look at your children and wonder what they are going to look like when they get older? Will their hair change color/texture? How tall will they be? What will their voice sound like?
I often just stare at the kids (not in a rude way!) and try to figure it all out!

Spring Sale

I have been mulling over some ideas for a Spring Special ---- I'll be posting the details soon. Stay tuned.

A gorgeous day

A beautiful, BEAUTIFUL spring day. My favorite kind of day. Warm sunny skies. This day is truly a gift.

Happy to spend it with my superhero.

The tooth fairy visits again....

Addie's second tooth finally came out. Her older friend, Kate, suggested she just pull it out and so she did (do I need to worry about peer pressure at this age??!!). This all went down at the Y before swim lessons on Monday. The tooth fairy paid a visit. And, the tooth fairy paid TWO quarters this time. We're still in a recession after all!

Ugh

My friend Kelly found a gray hair on MY head today.

Enough said.

cute guy needs a haircut

sweet little guy. love him.

addie has a loose - very loose- tooth. will be coming out in a matter of days, so be on the lookout for a second tooth fairy post.

Charlotte, NC sessions available in April

I have planned a trip to Charlotte, NC to visit family and have a bit of time to do some sessions. The dates are April 14-16th. Let me know if you or anyone you know may be interested and we can work out the details. Just send me an email - info@stephanieantshel.com. Thanks!

Roller Derby

Look who learned how to roller skate this weekend...


Roller skating is near and dear to my heart, as I was an avid roller skater in my younger years!!! I had a FABulous pair of blue and yellow roller skates and I wasn't afraid to use them! I'm pretty sure my mom still has them in the basement, do you mom?? I remember my parent moving the cars out of the garage so I could skate in my very own roller rink! I also remember going to the local roller rink -- what what the name of it??? --- as I recall it was a shady place, I think it was on the bad side of town - not a place I went often. It was dark, and the music was loud and the disco lights flashed all over that glorious rink! My, oh my, those were the days! I wonder if there are any roller skating rinks anymore... probably not.

So, Addie now loves roller skating. She'll be flying up and down the sidewalks this summer.

hi there!

too cute to resist posting!

The President

Funny conversation with Addie today.

Addie: Barack Obama (pronounced correctly) lives in Washington.
Me: Oh really. Who is Barack Obama?
Addie: (with a "duh" look) He is our new PRESident.
Me: Oh. (laugh). What does the President do?
Addie: He is like the mayor!!!

I thought that was super cute! I am so impressed that she a.) knows who the President is and b.) can correctly say his name and c.) sort of knows what he does!!!!

A special day for Mr. J

Big Man J had a big day over the weekend. He was baptized! Many of his adoring family and friends witnessed his big moment and I was so happy to be a part of the day.
Check out the stained glass at the lovely church. I think I need to attend a mass at this church... I do like to visit other churches every once in awhile - a new fresh perspective on weekly mass.

Since it was his day, he was allowed to enjoy a yummy bottle while being blessed. Life doesn't get much better than this! Seriously. In the presence and grace of God, nourished by food, being held in loving arms, surrounded by family and friends??? Lucky little man!

Did I mention adoring family? I think Grandpa loves him just a little. Uhm... shall I say A LOT! How do I know? Couldn't keep his eyes off the little guy, big smile and cooing voice... It's love!

J is totally in love with his family, too. He thinks his Auntie is super silly and funny!

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the day. You are such lovely people!

Twins on the go!

Oh, how I love mild days in March! Even though it was a bit gray outside, the temperature allowed this lovely family to have a fun session this afternoon.

I love this first image - playful, fun, spontaneous. But... my favorite part of the picture is how Miss M is holding onto her daddy's finger. Can you see it? I love it!


Sweet moment with beautiful Mama.

The girls chatted and talked a lot! I think Miss R was practicing her "uh oh!"

Perhaps my favorite! Love it!!
Sweetness!
Thanks, thanks! I enjoyed meeting you and your adorable twin loves.

Dreaming of the garden....

Many of you know that we have quite a lovely garden at our house. The woman who lived in the house prior to us was an avid gardener to say the least. I believe the gardens were on the Garden Tour a few times. I have tried to maintain the yard as best I can over the several years we've been here. It has been very rewarding. I have made several changes --- I've amended it to meet the needs of our young family (creating more green space to play) and my time restrictions (raising two little ones, working part-time). More importantly, I made changes so that the yard became ours.

Every year around this time I start craving the dirt. I want to dig, transplant, nurture and see the beauty that our yard offers. I have several projects in mind this year --- big projects!! Stay tuned for some of my ideas. I may even offer photo sessions in the yard --- perhaps even a barter system -- you bring your gardening tools and help with the pruning and weeding and I will take pictures of your children!!!!!! I'm only half kidding!

Jack is excited about the garden, too... even in the cold of these remaining winter days.

I think I'll "dig up" (no pun intended) some of my garden pictures.... stay tuned for some of my new ideas for the yard this year.