Think it runs in the family

This weekend, my daughters asked me for some girl time and challenged me to some "twisties" for their hair. And since I won't back away from a challenge - it was on. However, I in turn challenged my girls to do my job and be the "photographer". And may I say, I think we all did quite a great job!

Brooky was the first to be the resident photog, and with the neck strap securely in place (I'm not that crazy to just let a 7 year old freely walk around with my equipment) she started her job as I started mine:

I had no idea how she was doing or what she was taking but let me just say, I am impressed that she got quite the variety...close ups and all!

Now this next series is Madison's handy work.....notice she got DETAIL SHOTS!!!! Love it.

And when all was done.....the sign of a true photographer.....a self portrait.

I'm thinking these girls are going to be ready for some assisting jobs soon....what are the child labor laws again??? Seriously, not only did we have some fun.....but my girls got some skills!

Happy Birthday Madison!

Its 2am and I cannot sleep. I have no idea why. Well yes, maybe I do. It is January 12th, and it is my daughters tenth birthday today. She is sleeping soundly, and I am wide awake. I can't help but think back to this day ten years ago, and I'm asking myself the question all parents ask themselves....where did the time go?

I admit it....I am guilty of having "mom brain"....you moms know what I am talking about. Once you have kids, your mind functions differently...I can remember their crazy schedule, the lunch menu at school for the week, when a school project is due, but can I remember the name of the movie I watched two nights ago, or what it even was about? Nope. Mom brain. And as much as I may forget lots of things, I will never forget the day 10 years ago when this beautiful, tiny, baby girl was handed to me, with her long eyelashes, and perfect round pink lips, and feeling this overwhelming love for her.

Fast forward TEN years. I am so proud of my Madison. She is goofy and silly, yet sometimes shows wisdom beyond her years. She is ALWAYS smiling. It is a rare day that she is grumpy or moody. Her personality just draws you in, you can't help but be magnetized to her. She is honest and caring. She is smart and sharp and says some funny things. She knows what she likes and doesn't care if it's different. She is comfortable with herself. As a mom, it is my job to teach her, but I find she can sometimes teach me a thing or two. To sum it up, she really is one cool kid. And I am so proud to be her mom. Madison, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. You really are one special young lady, and I am so happy to call you my daughter!!!

a holiday wish

This is a different post. You will find no photos...just something from me. If you were looking for photos in this one, look no further. All there is here is a blurb from a girl with a heavy heart.

The holidays are upon us and for most of us, that is a joyous time. But for some, the road can be difficult. And for this group, in which I am amongst, we try to hold our head high, plaster on a smile and tell everyone it is ok. And most of the time, we will get through the day, as much of a struggle it may be, and our heads will hit the pillow at night, and we pray to anyone who is listening that maybe tomorrow will be better.

There are people we have known our whole lives who we realize we didn't really know at all, and people who we just meet who we feel like we have been connected to for ever. There are people who you never thought would be there for you in your time of need, who shine like stars, and of course, those who don't.

This is the time of year where we hear holiday wish lists...holiday lists that include clothes, jewelry, trips even.....mine is so much simpler. It would be something like I song I heard once, maybe I'd ask for a rose, or a call from work, or someone to open a door for me.... because sometimes its the little things that can bring so much happiness.

I wish all of you a happy healthy holiday season, but for those of you especially who this time of year may be a bit difficult, my holiday wish is that maybe it won't be so hard to put on that smile, and maybe you might get a rose for the holiday.

just a little walking adventure

the weather today was just so beautiful....i thought....we should go for a walk. simple enough some would say....but not for this clan. the big decision then was where to go? i gave the girls two choices, blackstone blvd, or another walking trail in which i cannot name....for this, you will understand why as my story goes on....

on the way out the door, i grabbed the trusty camera....why? well why not?

i got some great shots!

they really look like they like each other, right? don't let these photos fool you....there was a promise of gum for anyone who behaves!

i know i have said this time and time again, but out-takes are by far my fave. and this next one is my definitely the favorite of the day. i think there was some squeezing going on here, but whatever, i love it!

cute, right?

not a split second later, and one was squeezing the others hand just a little too hard....

then a turn of events, my girls wanted to be the photographer.....i'm pretty happy with the ones madison shot....

ahh, but brooky did really well too! great composition!!! tell me she's not a genius for knowing about the rule of thirds at age 7!

got the camera back in my possession and took one last shot....look.....even their shadows are fighting....

so, we called it a wrap right here, and then we had a poison ivy scare.....so we hurried back to the car and drove home, only to find that my house key was indeed gone....lost somewhere out on the trail...which is why i will not disclose the location of our adventure.....

just a typical day in the life......but it sure is fun!

Summer Days

this summer has passed me by in a blur. i am seeing facebook posts from teacher friends announcing that their summer is over. how did this happen? it feels like it just started! now, i don't know if ya'll do this, but when i start to feel like something is ending, i like to go through my photos and find where this "something" began....and thats what i did. by doing so, i came across these treasures that i literally took the first few days of school vacation.

summer is just lazy, and i love it. no plans? no worries. lets just set up a sprinkler or sit outside and make friendship bracelets. better yet, lets do both!

it's really not summer without pink leopard flip flops.

i know every mom says this about her children, but really, my girls are just too cute.

but, the cuteness must come to an end, and driving mom (and each other) batty must begin at some point. and the following photos will prove this to be fact.

now, forgive the blurriness of the following photo, but it really cracks me up. i know all you moms reading this are feelin' me here.

now i can't recall with 100% certainty, but i can almost guarantee that i was pleading with my girlies to just give me one smiley shot....

and there it is....

enjoy the lazy days of summer, whats left of it anyway!

Nathan & Kristy

engagement sessions are always fun....and nathan and kristy's session was no exception! we started off at the location where they met.....dunkin donuts!

after our mini session there, we headed over to colt state park, which i LOVE! nathan and kristy brought their lovable little pups, who by the way, as cute as they are, are quite the handful.....

as you can see.....

these little cuties were actually reminding me of my own children, no matter what i tried, i just could not get the little rascals to cooperate!

but it didn't take much to get nathan and kristy to concentrate on each other! seriously how cute are these two?

one of my faves from the day.....

oh wait, this one too.....

lastly, i leave you with this photo, which i am positive shows that these pups were planning their revenge on the photographer lady who kept saying she had cookies......but really didn't!!!

thanks nathan and kristy.....it was a lot of fun!!!!

CF Walk

if you know me, you know that there is a charity near and dear to me. for the last few years, i have talked about the cystic fibrosis foundation, and have participated in their great strides walk and last year even organized an event that would help raise money for this cause. for those of you not familiar with cystic fibrosis -

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

for more info on this disease, please visit: www.cff.com

i was asked to be the official photographer for their Great Strides Walk last month, and what a turnout! take a look:

warming up for the walk:

this is my team: Miss Maddie's Mission for a Cure

and it begins!

here's the adorable Miss Maddie herself and her cute little sister!

my daughter:

Finished!!!

After the walk, the Toe Jam Puppet Band was there to entertain the kids. If you have not seen these guys before, you should they are AWESOME! Check out their site: http://www.toejampuppetband.com/

my other daughter!

and at the end of the day, the big reveal: this is what the Great Strides Walk raised for the CF Foundation: How great is that???

what a great organization, and I am so proud to be a part of the effort to raise money for this cause. For all of you have donated and taken part, thank you!