Snug as a kid in a fake fur blanket

It finally got cold here a couple of weeks ago, after being spoiled with beautiful spring-like weather for a while.  All I can say is this is going to feel like a short winter.  I'm OK with that this year, although some pretty snow would be nice about now.

A cute little family, expecting baby #2, made their way to my studio and then braved the cold weather for part of their session.  Can't wait to meet the newest member of their family!!  We'll stay inside for that meeting :)

Still trying to decide if I like this chair (covered in a blanket here).  

Garage sale find for $10, so it was worth a shot!

The photo this post was named after.  Reminds me of a cute little ewok :)

Freckles

Freckles is a sweet cuddler looking for her forever home.  Her only requirement is that you have a lap she can use to snuggle in!  Her foster mom mentioned that she may do better in a house where she is the only female dog, but Freckles gets along well with everyone else.  She met both my kids and was super sweet with them, even my grabby 1 year old.


Check out Small Dog Rescue of MN for adoption information!!

Freckles would be the perfect little Valentine  :)

Sprout

Sprout /sprowt/ : 1. to put forth; produce 2. begin to grow; put forth shoots  3. the nickname of unborn baby who will be adorable!

Little Sprout is planning a world entrance sometime next month, so before the big arrival mom and dad decided to get some photos of her/his gift wrapping!  Can't wait to find out if big brother is going to have a brother or sister!!

Cake smash!! or frosting time!

My baby turned 1 today!!  I'd like to say this was her first taste of sugar, but she has been familiar with it for a while.  We've had fights over ice cream already.

Cake ready to be smashed!!

Tentative at first...

Wait, this isn't so bad!

Mmmmm, frosting

Done!!  Now to work off the sugar high!

Cute Headbands

I am getting ready for some cute kids to come to my studio for Valentine mini sessions tomorrow!   Today I started prepping for that and I also had some adorable headbands from Alicia's Design that I wanted to show off.  Luckily I have friends who put up with my antics and let me use their cute kids as models.  My kids also get a playdate out of it which tires them out.  So really it sounds like I just use people...

If this doesn't make you want to twirl, I don't know what will!

Here are a couple of the Valentine templates I have available.  

You can see the other 4 options at Summit Avenue Design.

Friday the 13th!

Well, it is the first Friday the 13th of 2012.  I think there are 3 this year??  I feel like I read that somewhere, but don't quote me on it.

So far so good (knock on wood), no major issues happening yet today.  Both kids are napping (YAY!!) so I'm catching up on some photo sessions.  So, if you are staying inside and laying low to avoid any bad luck, then the least I can do is give you some photos to look at.  I'll try to get another post out for your enjoyment in a bit :)

These are from a family session back in early December...

Cute Brothers!!

My kind of photo shoot!!  Coffee Break Time! :)

Guess how old this cutie is! 

Fitness Inspiration

It's a new year, which to some means resolution time.  One of my "resolutions" was to go to bed earlier, meaning at a somewhat decent hour since midnight just does not seem to cut it for some reason.  The problem is, that is MY time!  The kids are finally sleeping, it is quiet, I can finally get something done.


Things just seem to get out of hand the longer I work...
10pm, working but I should probably go to bed
1030pm, just a few more edits
11pm, what about that blog post
1130pm, Pinterest!  Yes, by this time I am not functioning and have no idea what I am doing on the computer.  I should have been in bed an hour ago!

My brain gives up around 11pm and all it wants are pretty things to look at, and fun crafts and baking ideas that I will never end up doing - but I might, right?  Oh, Pinterest...

Needless to say, going to bed earlier has not happened.  Maybe I need to aim for going to bed later to trick myself.

If you made a new year's resolution I hope you have better determination then I do!  And if you made a "get in shape" type of resolution then these photos are motivation for you!!  Emily Nowlan of Your B.E.S.T. Fitness is a supermom and she looks the part too!  Two gorgeous girls and abs that conceal any hint of being stretched while pregnant.  I guess she knows what she's doing!

If you made it this far you get an outtake shot!  How do you take photos in a studio with no windows and you didn't bring a studio light set-up?  A fabulous assistant named Lori, your speedlight, and a reflector.  Plus a few trial and error shots!