So you want pictures? Here you go!

A photo shoot in the butterfly garden with two adorable kids...





















Sometimes you just meet people and you click right away, others it takes some warming up but with Madison and Shea I think it was instant. They were so much fun and fell right into poses so naturally making my job much easier!














I met Rob and Heather downtown per Rob's request. I think he likes the night life and he just happened to have his first date with his cute fiance at Court Avenue....











Half way into the photo shoot I looked at Jake and said, "Do you play football?" Uh, just so happens he is a Lineman for the UNI Panthers! So I've taken up a personal interest in them this year. They are 4-2 so far! Go, Jake! I'm sure Maggie is in the stands cheering at every game. I hope they are both having a good semester up at UNI! I had a blast taking their pictures and I can't wait to be at their wedding.














My friend Laurie had her family in town for her niece's baptism and asked if I would meet her at the Rose Garden for a big family picture. It was a perfect October morning...

























Here is an engagement sitting I did with Brittany and Greg. I was in a completely unfamiliar place but we had a great time walking/driving around trying to find that perfect spot. They are getting married next summer in her Grandparents backyard in Pella. I can't wait to see her in her dress...I've seen it and it's absolutely beautiful. It is such an honor to be a part of this for so many reasons. Thank you B...for everything.









Ok, time for my family...


Jake


Sam


Ellie











Fun at the Howell Pumpkin Farm...
Ellie doesn't like ANYTHING between her toes...






























The smiles...the laughter...I hope it never ends.













That bag was gone in about 15 minutes...


The corn maze!
















There is more but I need to get back to work!! More soon.

A little behind...I mean a BIG behind!

I just realized that I haven't made an entry since March!!! I will catch you up on everything but try not to bore you along the way! I have a feeling this will be more of a phlog, a photo blog, than a blog. I have a ton of pictures I want to share!


In March I photographed an old friend and his growing family...

Twins, Stella and Miles


Big Sister Piper


Mo and the twins



I'll share a few things my family and I have been up to....

Samuel and Sam at Spring Soccer


Jake as Teddy for 5th grade Imminent Person Project



In May John's beautiful sister Elisha married a very handsome guy, Ryan.

I was fortunate enough to be able to capture their special day!


That smile warms my heart every time I see this picture. Talk
about true love and happiness...




They had a beautiful reception at Snus Winery


I love this guy...



Tulip Time!

Ellie doing an excellent job Sweeping the Streets!


Holding tight onto Daddy






Proud of a job well done


The kids helping at John's house




Throwing this in for good measure and because I can ;-)


Best Buddies Samuel and Sam on their last day of Preschool.
Kindergarten, here we come!!



In May John and I took a vacation to Acapulco.



The sun setting on Acapulco Bay


A perfect evening...



Shopping for silver in Taxco








An old mine in Taxco.





Uncle Sean and soon-to-be Aunt Sarah with Ellie
Minnesota in May



Kelly and Kelly's wedding at the Historical Building















A tummy full of love....



and a week later baby Eli is here!




In Daddy's hands




Shooting a wedding with a friend. Some crazy guys here...









Ahhhh, the bagpipe. Made me cry.


Flowers by Saylee were gorgeous







Over the Fourth we drove waaaaaaay up north to John's Aunt Phyllis' cabin!

3 kids, two dogs and a tarp covered trailer. What a blast!!!



















The Pumphouse on John's Grandpa's old farm.



We all enjoyed Meredith Day at Adventureland!













We waited an hour for this, I better see smiles and
we better get wet!




And the only one who didn't want to get wet, got soaked.




Fun was had by all...




A Summer evening at the driving range










I called it! This was a total phlog! Business is really gaining
momentum and I am so excited at all the weddings we've booked
in the past few weeks! John helped me at the Platinum Wedding
Bridal show back in June and we've booked a couple of brides we
met at the show!! We are planning to do another one in the Fall.
Thanks again O'Bannon for making my dream come true :) You
have given me so much support and so much love. I am grateful and
hugely blessed to have you in my life. I love you!!

Lunch with The Nadas

The Nadas released their new Album, The Ghost Inside These Halls on Tuesday!!!!! Have you bought your copy yet? If you haven't, you need to, it's AWESOME! Jake and I got to see a special performance in Studio C at Capital 106.3 studios. They performed 4 new songs from the new album and one from the archives. Usually when I've seen The Nadas it's in a bar with 100's of other people and you can barely get up close to them, unless you want to pry your way through all the girls (I've tried that many times and always get dirty looks ;-) or beer spilled all over me), my point is, is that today it was cool to sit (sit, something you don't normally don't do at a Nadas show) with a handful of people and just listen to them - no distractions. The tunes were great and I have to say it's some of their best work yet. I can't wait to see them on Saturday night at People's and what I'm really looking forward to is the Iowa State Fair!!! I see they already have the dates set for that - another MUST SEE/MUST EXPERIENCE with a turkey leg or ear of corn in hand. It was a great day and my son had the biggest smile on his face the entire time and I'm pretty sure it wasn't because he was skipping school. A big thanks to Deeya, that awesome DJ from Capital 106.3, for sending me the pictures of him!! I was slow on the draw.



Jake getting his CD autographed by the band!


Jake and the band


Check out their brand new website...www.thenadas.com!!!
And you can also see their Studio C session at www.capital1063.com!

Day O'Fun!

Everyone in the Midwest has had it with the snow this Winter. Just ask anyone and you will get an earful, the girl at the bank, the one at the cleaners, the guys at Hy-Vee and Iowans really know how to talk about the weather because it's ever changing and quite unpredictable - take yesterday for example. A 60 degree Sunday - what a blessing! We all needed it and are much deserving of it. It was the first time I've been warm since November! I could breathe and for just a moment could smell Spring coming until about 6:00 when the rain came down and snow was imminent. We knew we had to take advantage of this beautiful day. John has been super busy at Meredith and the kids have been inside since Thanksgiving! We couldn't really do anything outside without getting completely covered in all the muck so after church John came up with a place to play for everyone. InPlay!

I can make it to the top, I can do this, I will not fall!


Jake where did you go!?


No,this does not mean that I approve guns! You know better!


This is more like it :)


I whacked the mole right on his head, did you see that!


I want to be 16


Just being silly....




I hope you all enjoyed leaving your coat inside and the warm sun on your face. Now let's just pray that is the last snow of the Winter.

Happy Birthday, Nolan!

This morning I photographed the Lynch Boys for the first time. They were wonderful and did a great job at listening to their Mom. She was a big help in getting them to help pose for me. It is Nolan's (I'm sure you can guess how old he is) birthday today! Very exciting!

Baby Jane

Here is little Baby Jane who arrived last December. She is the sweetest thing and a beautiful addition to one of the best families around.

Brand Spankin' New!

The Web site that is!! For those of you that know me you can probably guess just how excited I am today. You know that I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I know that I have photographed many weddings and families but this to me is the first true step in my commitment to being a professional photographer. I am excited at the possibilities of what this web site will do for my business as I am eager to get busy and be swamped with photographs.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the Brides and Grooms who put their trust in me, this web site would not have been possible without you. You have filled my Wedding Galleries with your beautiful faces and timeless moments. I want to thank my friends who let me 'borrow' their kids to practice and who have referred me over and over again to others. My Portrait Gallery will be up soon so you can see your little ones faces up there!

A GI-NORMOUS thanks to John who literally overnight got this web site for me and got it up and running. You are an amazing Designer! Thank you for believing in me and supporting me - you made my dream come true! taim i' ngra leat