just the girls

I got to meet up with these girls on Saturday and we had a blast walking around Morris Ave. and scoping out cool places for pictures. We've been trying to get together for our session for quite awhile and I'm so glad we finally got to meet up and it was the PERFECT day! Here's a couple of sneak peeks for you guys! It was so good to see you all!

isn't she gorgeous?

I had the honor of photographing an old college friend (ok, we're not THAT old!) and her precious little boy last weekend. I had no idea that she lives in my old hometown in the SAME neighborhood as my family so I was so excited to have the chance to go over and see her! Her husband is currently serving in Iraq so I'm so glad I was able spend the afternoon with them and get some shots so she can send to him. :)

He has such a loving family! I can't wait until he's home and I can take some pictures of the whole family at home together- complete with baby Emery in their arms! Coming July 2008!

Here's a few sneak peeks for you!

Gracias Tia Danika!

One of my best friends, Danika, came to visit this past weekend and it was the first time she's gotten to meet Hannah. She decided to make up for it by taking Miss Hannah shopping at a super-cute boutique in Enterprise. She picked out this uber-adorable tutu and it was definitely a hit today at ballet class. She got SO many compliments on it!

Thank you, Danika!! We miss you already! We'll have to come to Miami soon....

Hannah now says she's going to the "ballet house". Everything has a "house" now- in fact, we got dinner at the "chicken finger house" AKA Zaxby's tonight. Too funny!

As promised, here's some pics of Hannah in her tutu....





*off to class!*

Houston, we have eye contact.

Yeah, it's typically that big of a deal to get Hannah to actually look in my general direction! Let me shout it from the rooftops- I got a picture of Hannah looking at me! AND it's in focus because she wasn't running away!

I was getting Hannah ready for her ballet class and it went a little something like this:

Me: Hannah, are you ready to go to dance class?

Hannah: Momma, pictures?

Me: You want me to take a picture of you in your tutu?

Hannah: Yeah! Let's go mom-ma! (exits stage right to the front door so I can take her picture)

WOW! Maybe this will be a new trend of her actually WANTING me to take her picture. I could grow to like this.....

Here's a couple of my beautiful, gorgeous brown-eyed girl. :)





Ok mom, enough with the pictures- time for ballet!


p.s. Anyone want to vote for Hannah? I entered her in the Parent's Magazine cover contest! Here's the link- be sure to give her 5 stars! There are a couple of pictures on each link so please feel free to vote away! It'd be so fun to have her win! :)
Hannah's Contest

Hannah's Contest Part 2!

sooooo cute!

I got to meet the cutest couple today! J is 39 weeks pregnant and has definitely got that pregnancy glow. :) Her and her hubby were such troopers following me around and posing for me. :)

It was so great to meet you guys and I can't wait to see that new baby boy! Thanks again for everything today! Here's a few sneak peeks for ya!

Mingusphere

Hey Birmingham folks! Looking for something to do on a Tuesday night? Come on down to the Bare Hands Gallery and check out Mingusphere! Shows are every Tuesday through the summer and starts at 6:00. Even better news..... it's FREE! Ok, so the musicians would really love some tips. and so would I considering my husband is in the band (he's the really tall one) and he has our family to feed. :)

Hope to see you there!

Hannah's first dance class!

I must admit- I've been looking forward to this day since..... well, since I was in dance class myself growing up. (Did you know I was a dancer? Yep- I took ballet, tap, jazz, clogging.... oh yes. I was awesome- lol) I always dreamed of the day I'd get to take my own little girl for her first ballet class. That day was today! It was so much fun getting her ready and dressed in her pretty little leotard and her ballet shoes (oh, and her tights that she calls ballet socks!) :)

I was about to get some pics of her before we left when she decided to throw one of those famous "I'm two" fits. Yep, this is the best shot I got before we left. Silly girl! She was ok as soon as I said we were getting in the car to go to class!



She waited patiently in the lobby as we waited for her class to begin. She just sat and watched all the other ballerinas walking around.... I think she was already dancing her lead role in the Nutcracker ballet in her head.... :)


The class was for 2.5-4 year olds but Hannah was the youngest by far. The others were at least 3-4 years old but she really tried to keep up!


I just love, love, LOVE this one.... look at that sweet face! They were pretending to be princesses who were going to sleep...


As soon as we got home, she had to put on a mini-recital in the driveway to showcase all she learned today!



My prima ballerina!

and the winner is.....

#7- Miss Hannah!!!



and coming in a CLOSE 2nd.....

#10- Miss Matalyn!


Thank you SO much to everyone who took the time to vote and leave such sweet, sweet comments! I have truly been blessed this past year and can't wait to see what the future holds. I hope to get to work with each and every one of you! And to my winners- can't wait to see you again for your FREE sessions!

Let's party!!!

Today after work we headed over to Alabama Adventure for an event for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. What that equaled for us was free hotdogs and coke and access to the park. :) I must say- it was dreadfully hot though- and my poor friend, Alisha, had her 8 week old baby in tow along with her 2 year old so I felt bad for her. She was a trooper though! What we'll do for our kids..... (thanks for coming with us!! Hannah had a blast!)

The group was definitely divided between the "kiddie riders" and the "wild bunch" with me being in the wild bunch. Here's Crystal and I waiting in line to get on the Rampage roller coaster! Don't we look daring? (photo courtesy of Drew)


The kiddos had a blast riding all the rides- the cars, the train, the planes..... I didn't do so well on the plane ride though. By the third spin, I was in position with my head down and eyes closed with Hannah hitting my head saying "mama, look! look!" but I just couldn't do it. Stephanie does not spin very well. I can ride those coasters all day- but if you spin me, it's all over.

After a long evening- it was time to say our goodbyes but we did get this group shot before we left the park! (another photo courtesy of Mandy and Drew)


We had so much fun! We all need to meet up and do something like this soon! (as long as it's AFTER the sun has gone down!) :)

These are the days....

Ok, I must catch you all up on the major cuteness that I have endured these past few days with my precious 2-year-old, Hannah! Have I mentioned I just love this age?!

For example- yesterday evening Hannah and I were going to go to Target to get her some new Disney DVDs (this due to the fact that someone decided to steal her bag of movies out of our car. How sad is that??) When I got home from work, I told her we were going to the store and she said “Momma, go store- find Thomas?!” She’s all about Thomas the Train these days, silly girl! It also catches me off guard because she is really starting to talk in full sentences!! It’s crazy! She’s still my baby…. She can’t really be old enough to TALK, right?! She was also telling me “Momma outside- Hannah’s blue pool!” (See post below to find out just how much she loves her new blue pool. :))

I think my favorite part of our evening had to be when we were walking out of Target though. We were on the way to the car when someone beeped their horn and Hannah exclaimed “Goodness gwacious!!” Oh my- where does she get these things?! I immediately cracked up and just smiled at her and she just looked up at me with those big brown eyes and just smiled right back. Gosh, I love that kid!

These are definitely the days to remember.

p.s. I don't think I've shared a recent pic of me and the Hannah... here we are!
(it looks a little pixelized but if you click on it- it will bring up a clear version!)

It's my anniversary!

I can't believe it has been a year since my first session! To celebrate my one year anniversary- I'm holding my first ever blog contest! It was very hard- but I've narrowed down my favorite 10 pictures from this past year and now it's up to YOU to decide the grand prize winner!

What will they win, you ask?

First Place will get a free session, $50 print credit and an 11x14 Gallery Wrapped Canvas! (my favorite thing!)

Second Place will get a free session and $50 print credit!

Now.... it's time to get voting. Please comment on this post with which picture you think should win. Only one vote per person, please, to keep it fair. You must have a valid name and email address to vote. Voting will be open until Monday, June 9th at 9:00 p.m. (central)

I truly appreciate all of you who helped make my first year a success! I have enjoyed meeting each and every one of you and I hope to photograph your family again soon. Thank you!!!

(You can click on each picture to bring up the full, clear version!)

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#10