Halloween 2010

Gwen, Iba, and Caden

The skunk, horsey, and Ninja

Trick-or-Treating at the Zoo

The horsey just couldn't make it...

Megan's Preggo Pics

Oh Baby!

Love is in the Air

Chris & Ashley

I feel a blog face lift coming on....

As my every-weekend photography days come to an end, I feel like it is time to re-design my blog page. My blog has been acting as my photography website for a while now, where I add in my personal pictures and comments here and there. Boy #2 will be here in March and we all know that life changes with a second child....or so I have heard. My photography days will never be the same either. Not with a full time job. So, I've decided to personalize my blog and have my photography work pop up here and there. The face lift will be coming soon. So much to share!

Haley & Carson

double click to enlarge....

I took Haley and Carson's pictures last fall for practice. It's fun to look back and see the improvement I have made in learning photography and editing. We found a great spot near Standing Bear Lake with fall flowers and colors. It gave us a great background to take 'oh so cute' pictures of these two.

The BIG birthday party: Cake and Gifts

All in all the party went well. The food turned out good and lots of people were there to help us celebrate Iba's 2nd birthday. In the end, I am not sure who was more worn out: mommy or Iba. Needless to say, the second one may not get as big of parties as Iba did:) It is wonderful to see and feed friends and family always. Thanks for everybody to came and helped too!

The BIG birthday party: Nini Fairy

Here is how the story goes....At 2 years old, we send Iba's nini to the Nini (pacifier) Fairy on balloons. The Nini Fairy then gives his nini to a baby who needs it and brings Iba a gift in return. We told Iba at 2 he is a big boy and doesn't need his nini as much as a little baby does. It was hard for me. I think the combination of knowing my little boy is no longer a baby, being pregnant, and knowing how much sleep I would NOT get that night brought tears to my eyes. Yep, the first night was terrible, but everyday got better. Every time he brought up his nini, I said "Remeber, the Nini Fairy took your nini to a baby because you are a big boy like Caden and Samuel now." And Iba's respons every time is "Oh." (With a big smile) A big step for the both of us:)

The BIG birthday party: Pinata

Everybody had a chance to take a swing at Pablo, our backyardigan pinata. The final swing took his body right off the head. I'm not sure who had more fun....the kids or Jennifer and Angela??

Swimming Lessons

This summer we learned that Iba was, in no way, afraid of water. Several times I had to jump in after him into the deep, as he would run away from me and jump where I wasn't. It's a good thing that he isn't afraid. However, he needs to learn how to close his mouth and not drink the pool. And that's when swim lessons came about. If he still swallows water by the end, at least he had fun. We will give it a shot anyway.

The Schabens

I took the Schabens to some of my favorite photographing spots downtown. They turned out so good! What a photogenic famlily! I love how all of the vibrant colors and textures really pop in the pictures.

A few announcements concerning photography...

Just a quick note about some changes. As you all know by now, I am 4 months pregnant. Anyway, with that said, I have made my last photography session November 14Th, 2010 for this year. I apologize for any inconveniences, but I feel the need to spend more time with my family. I also feel the need for more rest, which I haven't been giving myself lately either.
I will also start the new year with some changes in pricing and scheduling. Some of my prices will go up as I have realized that I put a lot more work into my pictures than I had originally anticipated. I will also be allowing only 2 Saturdays or Sundays per month for pictures next year. I think this will give me a good balance with photography and family.
I will be posting new pricing for next year on the right hand side of my blog soon. I will also share next year's dates available withing the next couple of months on the left. I am due in the beginning of March, but still planning on taking pictures through that time.
It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to take pictures of your family, friends, and treasured moments. I look forward to seeing what next year brings. Thank you for all the support. Katie Jo

2 years old!

2 years just flew by. Iba keeps us very busy, loves to play with other kids, look at animals, go to Grandma and Grandpa's, and anything that has to do with water. I can see he is becoming more independent and stepping into "the terrible two's," as everyone likes to call it. Like any typical boy he enjoys making messes out of pretty much everything and is very very curious. I remind Oz that Iba got his stubbornness and he also got my attention getting skills as he tends to crack himself up often. He is a wonderful little boy, so cute, and awnry. He will be a great big brother!

Iba's becoming a big boy...

Happy Birthday Iba and Grandpa Lehan!

It's party time!....more like, "It's time to catch up on all of the cleaning that I haven't done in the last 3 months that I have been puking!"