Star

The baby's name, Stella, means 'star' in Italian. She has beautiful stars painted on the ceiling in her room. She is coming very soon and I had the fun privilege of meeting her parents for a session.

They were snow troopers. It was cold. The snow was deep. It was very cold and the snow was very deep!! But, it was fun and invigorating (of course, I wasn't actually the one in the snow!).

Pretty Mama to be...

 Sweet!

 Thought this was funny of Dad... acting goofy!!

Best wishes for a wonderful delivery of your star!! Thanks so much for a great session.

Coming Soon!

Baby Boy is due to arrive any day now. What better way to celebrate being pregnant in the winter than to play in the snow!

I thought doing a snow angel might start labor, but alas... she's still waiting!!

Can't wait to meet the little guy. I'm sure he will be a perfect addition to your lovely family.

The trips turn 4 - out of this world!!!

I have had the privilege of photographing these three youngsters for a couple of years now. I just saw them in the fall with their whole family, but now they've turned 4 years old and they had a birthday party!! The party was at the MOST (as it was last year - fun place!) and they were high energy, as you can imagine!!

 Happy Birthday Triplets!!

Family Album

Each year I promise to organize our family photos. I take a lot of photos of my family!! Inspired in part by a friend who created her family book with her Mac and in part by creating albums for my photography clients, I decided to make one this year using my Mac (vs. using the book company that I use for my clients). The project took me about 3 full days of organizing a years worth of pictures into a file, uploading that file to iPhoto and designing the layout of the book. Indeed, it was a time consuming project. However, we received the book yesterday and it was worth every hour and every penny (not cheap) I spent on it. A treasure that our family will enjoy for years to come. In total, I used close to 500 pictures and the book was 98 pages long (100 is the limit for this book!).

I HIGHLY recommend you find time one year (soon) and do this project for your family. Yes, it takes a long time to get organized but the result is worth it!!

I found a way to stay on top of it -- I have created a folder in my "picture" files called '2011 book.' Now, whenever I take pictures of my family that I want in the book I am going to copy them directly to the folder. At the end of the year I will have the pictures I want to use for the book already organized! Try it!

111

I have never been good about making resolutions, let alone keeping them. Like most people, I'm good on it for a few weeks, maybe a month or two, but then old habits come creeping back.
This year I thought it would be fun to make a list of 211 things to "do" "accomplish" "work on" in 2011. I started making my list and then decided to stop at 111. I also decided to publish it here on my blog so that I can periodically look back at it and see how I'm doing. I don't expect that I will do everything on the list... and hopefully I will do much more than what I have written!!! Nonetheless, I'm excited about this little project. I actually have already done # 81 - we saw the adorable movie, Tangled, today.
So, here it is... 111 things for 2011...

211 Things to Do in 2011

1. exercise more
2. paint addie’s room
3. paint jack’s room
4. re-do master bathroom
5. finish the pond project
6. re do garden around the pond
7. make a 2011 picture book of our family
8. floss regularly
9. clean the car (inside) once a week
10. clean out my closet
11. clean the linen closet
12. lose 5-10 pounds
13. organize the junk drawer
14. write letters to long distance friends
15. call friends more often (long distance friends)
16. compost
17. plant at least two veggie seeds
18. plant dahlias
19. go away for a weekend with Kevin
20. meet Baby Andrew
21. take a photography class or workshop
22. buy an iPad
23. take the kids to Strong Museum
24. paint the hallway trim
25. make a meal for someone
26. get a massage
27. take Addie to get a manicure
28. pray more
29. have coffee in the garden
30. have a glass of wine in the garden
31. send actual birthday cards to family and friends
32. go to the beach
33. see a live band/concert
34. organize photo albums
35. get up early and take a walk
36. organize/help organize the block party
37. run 6 miles
38. take a long bike ride
39. bike ride with the kids on the Erie Canal path
40. take the kids to have lunch with daddy at work
41. buy organic produce at the Farmer’s market
42. buy a new bathing suit
43. clean the windows
44. fix the front door
45. touch up the cottage room floor
46. paint the door in the back room
47. have lunch with the kids at school
48. spend some time volunteering
49. soak up the sun
50. make fresh lemonade
51. make a fun summer cocktail
52. have a party in the summer
53. throw a fabulous holiday party
54. dine al fresco
55. switch to gmail officially
56. buy more local products
57. support small businesses
58. learn how to make dvd slideshows on the mac
59. make birthday picture slide show for jack’s 6th b-day
60. make a birthday picture slide show for addie’s 8th b-day
61. use reusable bags more often at the store
62. walk and bike the kids to school
63. make a new playlist for exercise
64. go shopping in Rochester
65. pick apples
66. pick strawberries
67. make a real Lenten sacrifice
68. keep exercise journal/calendar
69. go to Green Lakes for a winter hike
70. go golfing
71. try a new restaurant
72. take a daytrip to somewhere we haven’t been in CNY
73. get a new website
74. send camera in for cleaning/maintenance
75. organize Jack’s closet
76. order two canvases that I have “on hold”
77. clean out my wallet
78. clean out my purse
79. drink more water
80. keep my “piles “of papers under control
81. take the kids to a movie
82. clean out addie’s closet
83. have an Elm St. parents night out this winter
84. list unwanted items on eBay/Craigslist
85. plant zinnias
86. put extra $ into kids’ 529 plans
87. clean PC files
88. hook up wireless printer
89. attend 20 year high school reunion
90. go to the Thousand Islands
91. run 10 miles
92. make a new recipe in at least 4 of my cookbooks
93. organize pots and pans
94. go out to a diner for breakfast
95. clean out my socks and undies
96. help Jack work a hard puzzle
97. turn the music up loud and clean
98. buy a new workout outfit
99. organize the kid’s artwork
100. go the The Nutcracker
101. go to Beaufort
102. have an ordinary dinner with the fine china
103. open the windows on the first warm day of late winter
104. get a down comforter for Jack’s bed
105. get a correct size hockey stick for Jack
106. use the clinique potion consistently for 4 weeks that claims to minimize sun spots in 4 weeks
107. get blinds for addie and jack’s room
108. use the food that is in the cupboard
109. use teeth whitener
110. find the cords to the video recorder
111. let people know how much they mean to me

Whew...

Well.

2010 was busy.

Very very busy!!

I am so grateful, humbled and happy to have worked with all of my wonderful clients. I enjoyed meeting all of your beautiful children, whether they were a week old or a young adult. I loved capturing smiles, smirks, hugs, pensive moments, sleepy heads and even the tantrums and tears! I saw so much love and beauty at the weddings I photographed this past year. Thank you, all, for allowing me to step into your lives for a brief moment.
I'm still catching my breath after a super busy fall and holiday season and I still have a few orders to fill. My mind is full of ideas for the new year. I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming winter days when the kids are back at school and I have the house to myself again. I'll tie up my loose ends from 2010 and get busy with 2011 plans. What is in store? I'm not really sure yet... possibly a new website (been thinkin' about this one for awhile), online ordering, new marketing material, re-vamping some pricing, some promotions, take a class, buy some new gear, etc... I'm just not sure yet, but I am excited about 2011.
Thank you again. I'm very blessed to love what I do and to be able to share it with you.
Cheers!

Snow Bunnies

My last session of the season was scheduled during what became a 95 hour long snow storm!! I was thrilled to spend an hour or so of it with this super family. The snow was deep and cold but we had a great time playing in it!

The beautiful older sister...
The super cute little sister...
Thought this was funny of the brother...
Some snowy snowy group shots!
Mom was providing a little extra snow burst in this cute shot! Love the expressions.Winter Wonderland!!
Thank you so much for making my last session of 2010 a flurry of fun!!!

Four!

I had the pleasure of photographing this wonderful group of 4 kiddos again this year. This year was especially fun because someone was having a birthday!!! Four years old is a very big deal!
Getting some cuddle time with big brother.
We made cookies and the little guy was way more interested in tasting than making.
AND... we ventured out into the snow. I think someone was V E R Y excited about the snow. I'm sure she is bursting at the seams now... a few days later and oh, about 2 feet of snow!!!!!!
Thank you AGAIN! Merry Christmas to your beautiful family.

Extra Awesome

I love what I do... I love meeting new people and spending a small bit of time with each family to capture the essence of their life. This family was no exception. Actually, these boys were extra amazing! From the minute we said "hello" I felt like they were people I've known forever. Easy, kind, charming, spirited, full of life and love...

They made my job seem so easy. We had a grand time on a *perfect* late November afternoon... the setting, perfect... I could have stayed there all day.

They were a very touchy, physical pair. There were headlocks.


And over-the-shoulder grab and carries (not sure the official name for this!)...

Climbing on the backs...
Being hung upside down. Poor younger brother...
And even an attempt to bag and kidnap the older brother. The action didn't stop the entire time I was there.

In the end, you're still brothers and you love each other. Looking up to big brother and keeping a watchful eye on the younger brother... that is what life is about.
And, Life is GOOD!
Thank you SO much! Your boys are very special!! I had so much fun!

Getting closer...

It is just about December, it is beginning to feel holiday-ish. Lights adorning homes glow at night, Christmas carols can be heard at any store, wreathes are being hung... 'tis the season!

I'm winding down my sessions, just a couple more scheduled for the season.
I was so happy to meet this young family with a two year old and seven month old... always fun ages!

Pretty pretty little girl... i adore this grin she is wearing!
Love from Mama.
Love it! My favorite part -- the Tigger clutched tightly in his hand. Apparently it is a well-loved stuffed animal.

You can't see it, but Tigger was in his left hand. CUTIE!

Thank you!!

On being grateful...

As I sit in my parent's home in Ohio getting ready for what undoubtedly will be a fun, noisy and delicious day, I realize how thankful I am. My kids are so happy playing in the basement (with ALL the toys) while Papa does his crossword. Nene and I will set the table for the 20+ family who will be here in a few hours. Life is good today, and every day. We have SO much for which to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This sweet family makes me feel very grateful, too. I have photographed them several times and was so excited to visit them in their new house last week!

So cute!


Thank you guys for being so wonderful! Enjoy this day in your beautiful new home!

Did I say lickin' and touchin' and crazy?

Yesterday I posted about a fun and wonderful family who I enjoy photographing every year. The past couple of years they have had the cousins over for some shots, too. There is never a dull moment...
Here are a few of the cousins...

Pretty girl.

Pretty girl and brother. Love his smirk here. It seems as if he "tolerates" her.


Sister wasn't too happy the morning of our session. A bit grumpy some would say. I love her expression here. Didn't I mention that someone was always lickin', touchin', yellin', antagonizing, or bothering (and smiling and having fun) at all times?


What a great bunch of kids!

Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!
You guys rock!