my sweet 'lil chickadee

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned! We're being blessed with absolutely incredible weather over the next few days and it couldn't be better timing! Tonight we're heading out to my sisters for a cookout on their new grill and to celebrate her hubby's birthday. Then tomorrow we plan on visiting a Luxury Home tour that we go to each year. Sunday brings another cookout with friends and Monday a relaxing day with family.

As you can see we aren't going to be home much this weekend. So if you email me about a session or my actions I'll get back to you just as soon as possible, but it may take a little longer then the usual hour or 2. :-)

she loves time outs

Sometimes I think I have the funniest little girl ever! A couple weeks ago she was getting a little cranky-just whining and getting close to a throwing a tantrum. So...I asked her if she needed a time out so she could adjust her attitude, not really expecting to get an answer other then some more whining. Well, she told me yes! I wasn't sure I heard her right so I asked again and she said yes, she needed a time out. LOL! So she sat on the chair for minute and when she got up she was happy as a lark.

Well, yesterday we repeated this, except this time when I asked her she said yes and ran smiling to the time out chair! Silly little goose. My daughter loves time outs, lol! She sits there for a minute, just talking about her babies or singing or just sucking her thumb. It cracks me up! And you would think the time outs wouldn't work since she likes them so much, but nope. She gets up off that chair with a smile and goes about her business with the happiest little attitude. Am I lucky or what?!

I've been tagged!

I've just been tagged by Brenda and Melissa to list 8 interesting things about myself and tag 4 others to do the same, so lets see what I can come up with!

1. I have 7 brothers and sisters and I'm the oldest. People always ask me if I like having that many siblings and the answer is most definitely yes! I had so much fun as a kid...there was never a dull moment and we always had someone to play with.

2. I have a fabric addiction and the only things I've sewn are curtains, a pillow and changing table cover. Well, when I little I made doll clothes and purses, but that was a LONG time ago, lol.

3. I'm half Italian and my grandmother (Nonnie) lives in Italy. We're hoping to go visit her next year.

4. I love gardening, and I especially love growing vegetables. The last 2 summers my veggie garden has been smaller (something about 3 busy kids that makes it hard to keep up), but I've grown peas, carrots, beans, squash, corn, tomatoes, eggplants, kale, lettuce, all kinds of herbs, watermelon, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatillos. Ummm...I think that's it, lol!

5. I had horses while I was growing up and I hope to someday own a couple again. And I want to raise chickens too! Can you tell I grew up in the country and was a tomboy?

6. Snakes, lizards, bugs and most other little critters don't really scare me. I used catch them when I was little and scare my mom half to death. :-)

7. I owned a GORGEOUS 65 Thunderbird when I was 17 and I LOVED that car so much. I will have another one someday.

8. Our house used to be my grandma's, which means my children are the 4th generation of our family to live here.

My 65 Thunderbird

I tag Lulu, Ellen, Amy, and Tiffany

superman and his trusty sidekick

fall is just around the corner

I took Bella into the small town near us for a session to photograph some clothes for a designer.
We wandered around the historical part of town and found an incredible old abandoned Victorian house...that I dreamed of buying and restoring-it's a sickness, I know! It was so pretty to photograph, I have to go back again. We also took some outside of the wedding chapel next door too.

window ledge at the chapel

and they're back!

to school that is. I can't believe how different (read-easy!) life is now. Ok...so I love my boys to death and they are sooo fun! I guess I just didn't realize how busy they keep me during the day. This is the first year that they have both been in school all day and the difference around here is amazing! I can actually sweep the kitchen without having my pile spread all over by 2 little boys accidentally running through it. I can take a shower without having the boys knocking on the door 25 times while I'm in there! Bella still takes naps so I have time for JUST me!!! I can think again, lol.

I do miss watching the boys play their crazy games outside. I actually miss the million questions that Christian asks me about EVERYTHING. I miss watching Garrett make his artwork. I miss hearing them laugh all day.

But it's all good. And wow...can I get a lot done now! I just can't get over that.

Here's a quick snap of them from yesterday just before they headed off to school.

florida

I have so many photos that I haven't edited that I want to post. Oh well, I bet I won't get to them all until this winter...that's ok...I love coming back to summertime photos in the middle of winter.
Anyway...here are a few from our trip to Florida way back in May/June.

he's been hit!


hot, tired and slightly grumpy Bella.




watching the seagulls while a storm rolled in




my little Chris, always exploring and searching for some little creature.




parting the red (orange) sea. He was just standing there like this and I asked him what he was doing and he said he was "making the ocean part 'cause it was red".

:-)

will work for cookies

With school just around the corner I took Garrett out for some photos that we'll use instead of the usual cheesy "school" photos. He insisted that he get some really cool ones to share with his friends-he said we also have to do more with his dirt bike (his bike that looks like a dirt bike, nor real engine). We just walked around discovering cool spots and talking about all kinds of things. I love spending one on one time with my kids.
And all he asked for in return was a "big cookie"from Starbucks and to share a Frappuccino with me. He did say that next time I have to take him to the park to play afterwards. :-)

my fave














lol, this one just makes me laugh. Mr tough guy.




and the payment

I need decorating inspiration

We have an older home, well over 100 years old. When we bough the house it had been mostly remodeled, but not the way we wanted it to be. Well, after living here a while, it's time to start our own remodel! And let me tell you, it's going to be a BIG job. Some rooms only need new flooring and a fresh coat of paint, but it's not all going to be that easy. There are a couple of rooms that need the old plaster torn down, new wiring installed, new walls, floors, trim-the whole deal!

So...to get prepared for all of this work, I need home decorating inspiration! We'll be going to the local home show in a couple of weeks, but I need some immediate gratification, lol. So, if you don't mind sharing your favorite online decorating websites to visit, I'd love ya forever!

BTW, this will be my going in my bathroom!

how cute is she?!! plus more Matilda Jane Clothing!

I just loved little M! She was such a cutie and in spite of having to get up early for our session, she was so sweet. And she's wearing one of my favorite outfits. ;-)

Also, I've had several people ask me where they can buy Matilda Jane Clothing and I have the answer, lol! Just contact Sarah Woodworth at 317.577.2846 or email her at mjctrunks1@yahoo.com and she'll get you all set up. Don't forget to ask her about the new fall line, it's TDF!