I always enjoy having my trusty sidekick with me when I am working on a photo session. Jon calls it "recon" when we first scout the area and check for best lighting.

That's his military lingo. Yesterday we found some pillars that would make for a great backdrop so I took a few test shots. While he was staring at the camera, I told him he didn't have to be so serious, he could give some "pow pow" I always say. So then he went into Zoolander mode and started doing all of these hilarious poses.

And then he became a cougar. I laughed so hard I almost fell off of the step.

Most people don't know how funny he is because he stays fairly reserved never knowing if his humor will offend. And he usually doesn't drink much caffeine and then falls off the wagon and drinks nearly half a litre of Dr. Pepper...he's still embarrassed about that...

Good reasons

Hypothetically speaking, there are a few reasons why I should stop drinking soda pop. Besides all of the health problems associated with it for one, my two-year old might get in the car and get the bottle I left behind and then act all crazy because he is on a caffeine high.

Two - that same two year-old could accidentally pop the car out of gear, while you are in the house cooking dinner. And then he could take a joy ride down the hill backwards and mow down the neighbors flowers and rip off your passenger side mirror.

Those are some pretty good reasons I think, you know, if this were ever to happen. Just thinking out loud, hypothetically, of course.

So, how was everyone else's day?

The pumpkin stand

Last weekend we set up a pumpkin stand for the kids. I didn't know that Blair would enjoy being an entrepreneur so much. We set it up at 10 am and she was determined to sit there all day until we made her come inside. She even took her lunch outside to her table so she would not miss customers. We don't get much traffic in front of our house so when she would see a car at the corner, she would hold up gourds and jump up and down and say, "Get your gourds here!" I watched a few cars make a u-turn and come back to her. Each of them said they should hire her to do their sales.

Reese loading up the wagon

A few customers

The left over gourds.

I added to them by making another trip to the produce auction with a friend. We scored some great deals on peanut pumpkins, turbin pumpkins and cinderella pumpkins.

The black gourd in the middle takes center stage because she looks like a black swan.

More gourds on a shelf.

You could say I've "gourd" crazy.

Ha ha, couldn't resist...

Happy beginning of Fall!

Fun family of four - photo session

Until I post my photo sessions on the official website, I will have to make you suffer through another one here. Although it won't be suffering when you look at this gorgeous family.

It wasn't hard to photograph them for obvious reasons but also because they are our friends and are simply one of the nicest families that you could meet. They both jump at the chance to help anyone and never ask for anything in return. Being a close knit family who enjoys being together makes it fun to be around them. Those personality types just draw you in and make you feel comfortable and I love that about them.

**Until the editing software is installed, all photos will remain unedited.

While mom is asleep

While not normally a complainer, let me tell you that yesterday threw me the worst migraine I have had in recent memory. It was the kind that kept me in bed all day with a bag of frozen edamame strategically placed right over my eyes and on top of my head.
I kept the kids in my room and turned on the t.v. so I could somewhat keep my eye on them, even if my eyes were shut.

I must have dozed off because I awoke to a little boy who looked like he had been dipped in a bin of flour. I wanted to take a picture of him but I could barely open my eyes. I wasn't worried, I knew Trae would give me more opportunities to document his messes. So I followed the perfectly white, powdery footprints which led me to a HUGE mound of powdered sugar in the middle of the kitchen floor. The girls cleaned it up for me when they got home from school and I went back to bed.

Then Jon got home and came in to the bedroom wearing hilarious glasses which caused me to laugh and made my head hurt worse. He was asked at work if he had to mug a 90 year-old person to get those things. After walking out in to the kitchen, he promptly returned to the room, grabbed my camera and came back with this photo.

I knew there would be other moments and Trae didn't disappoint.

Luckily the headache is gone and I even got in a brisk walk this morning, so I am ready for this 2 year-old.

A family in love - photo session

When this family first talked about photos, they warned that they were not the "posing" types. The kids weren't anyway. That's OK I said, we'd go completely candid and see what we get. I think that it's great to capture images when kids are, well, just being kids.

And when you factor in parents who enjoy seeing them run free
and are happy and play right along with them,
you get to witness a beautiful family in love.

** Until the photo editing software is installed and working, all images remain unedited.

Laughing fits

Have you ever laughed at the most inappropriate moment?

I have and it can be so hard to stop.

I've tried to bite the inside of my cheek or bottom lip. I've pinched myself or closed my eyes to try to think of something depressing. I've counted backwards from 1000 so I could concentrate on something else or pretended that I was having a coughing fit.

One of the worst times was during our wedding ceremony when Jon said, "I do." His voice cracked and went a little high and I began to lose it. I tried all of the above and was yelling to myself that this was serious so pull it together! Every time I thought I was under control, I'd start again so I pretended I was crying. It didn't help that my sister made a funny face at me. Finally, I composed myself, thank goodness.

So, I understand how this news anchor was feeling. In her defense, it was the picture of the criminal that popped on screen and those behind the camera who were losing it that made it worse for her.

Luckily for me, only 6 people witnessed my giggles.

Have a great Friday!
I'll be busy this weekend but hope to squeeze in photos of the Pumpkin stand!

Hugs,
Laura

P.S. I was reading the new Country Living last night and what did I see? but light fixtures like the vintage trouble light strung across a room. See, I'm not so crazy...



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