greyfinch

"Why would they do that?"

2012-01-25T12:14:00.001-08:00

This week Francis had her second encounter with stealing at school. A few weeks ago, she told me someone had taken her colored pencils from her locker and today she came home heartbroken at the loss of her two favorite books. She had finished SpookyBuddies and had taken it to school to lend it to a classmate. Careful to put her new bookplate in it with her name, she packed it up and was excited to share her first chapter book. She also took with her, her new book, SantaBuddies. This was something she had asked for many many times and finally received for Christmas. She was on, I think, maybe chapter 6 as of Monday. Anyway, she and her girlfriend, took their books to lunch with them (they are allowed to read at lunch time). After lunch is recess and so the girls set their books together next to Francis's lunchbox and 15 minutes later when recess was over, sadly... the books had disappeared. She has been heartbroken. She came home and started telling me the story and seemed quite composed until she got to the part about how they came back to their lunch boxes...and then she started crying. "Why would they do that? Why would someone take them if they weren't theirs?" I just hugged on her and told her it would be okay.

After gaining her composure, we worked on a plan. Francis LOVES plans. She thrives on charts and graphs, etc. So, she decided we should make signs "like when a dog goes missing" and post them up around her school. The signs were made, and went up yesterday. I was so proud of her. She took them to school, went to the office and asked the principal if she could hang them up and then proceeded to put them in the cafeteria, library, office and music room. She said that today she's going to put one up in the art and science rooms. I can not tell you how both sad and adorable this experience has been to watch.

I would be shocked if the books showed up, and I suppose it is a good life lesson, but bummer... I hate she has to learn it.

Ummm...?!

2012-01-25T06:19:00.001-08:00

I just found a small Chick-fil-a box of uneaten nuggets (wait for it)... in my purse and to make matters worse, we haven't been there in over a week. ew. Don't know if I should self loathe or just laugh.

The Stamp Game

2012-01-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Francis has been loving her new school, Daggett Montessori. She loves systems and being in control of her work plan. She has "x" amount of math, biology, language, etc. works that she has to do every week and can decide when to get them done. Right now, one of her favorites is the Stamp Game. It's a math work that teaches kids how to add and subtract large numbers. She's been so chatty about it, that I recently surprised her by buying one for our house. She was so adorably excited when it came in the mail. She couldn't get her hands on it fast enough to show me how it worked and even better, in keeping with the Montessori method, she couldn't wait to teach George. George, only 5, is now learning how to add four digit numbers together - and loving it.

Francis teaching George how to add the Montessori way, using the Stamp Game.

Francis' s classroom, also known as my living room.

There's nothing like a good friend.

2011-02-28T19:22:00.000-08:00

The Browns descended upon Fort Worth at the end of February and I can't believe I'm not reading about it in the Star Telegram. I mean, seriously... these people are awesome. Some of my favorites in the whole world.

This is our crew headed to the Fort Worth Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (Which, by the way, was an awesome free tour.) Look how happy I am over there on the left. I love these people.

I've known Becca since I was 12? and living in Panama. Yes, the Canal/Panama. Long story. But she grew up there and I lived there from ages 11-15. Fast forward to college and she (and her husband) went to Notre Dame with my (now) husband. Did she introduce me to my husband, Matt, you ask? No, I met him at summer camp when I was 15. Anyway, I've known these people since I was a wee thing. It is a unique and special gift to have a couple that you and your spouse love so dearly. I think these two are crazy smart (He: MD, She: PH.D), crazy funny, and crazy genuine. I have shared many tears and laughter with this crew. I am so thankful for them. So grateful for friendships like this in my life.

Aside from knowing each other as teens, we also got married the same year, lived in Chicago together (roommates at times) and have had three children - each all around the same time. Getting together these days (being each, a family of five) proves to be a challenge. They live in the northeast, and we are now in the great state of Texas. It means the world to have them make a trip like this. We. had. such. a. great. time.

Ryan's cousin's art exhibit was showing here in Fort Worth.

All of the kids piling on Ryan on the museum lawn.

My first visit down to the Stockyards. It was actually pretty awesome, not as hokey as I thought it would be. I definitely recommend it.

I mean, check this out:

These are not actors. They are not tourists. They are real cowboys getting their boots polished.

It's a great place to take pics, lots of great backdrops. But good luck finding kids as cute as these to take photos of. ;)

Kurt sacked out in the Stockyards. Doing his best not to look like a yankee.

Love you, Browns.
Y'all come right back, ya hear?

Cute baby alert.

2011-02-25T19:03:00.000-08:00

BareBooks

2011-02-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

Do you know about Bare books? If you don't, you should. They are awesome. My best friend, KP, told me about them a few years ago. They're super cheap, high quality empty books for kids to fill up with their stories and artwork. Certainly, the idea isn't original, but they are at such a fair price, like $1.50, they stand out as a favorite in our house. They also sell game boards you can customize, Francis has been on me about ordering one, so I'll post it when I do. Can't wait to see what game she comes up with. She is hilariously all about the rules. Don't ever play Chutes and Ladders with that girl... it takes FOREVER. I don't mean to say that I like to cheat, but people... when you land at the top of the slide for the 8th time...can't we just pretend it didn't happen? Nope. Not in this house.

Here are the front and back of the ocean themed books:

And the farm books:

I think my favorites are the completely blank books, but Francis likes the ones with the covers she can color. She likes having a "theme" for her books. She has a Farm animal book that she draws farm animals in and writes facts about them, etc. and George, well, he doesn't discriminate. He'll draw whatever, wherever. He's my free spirit. He doesn't need a themed cover...

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T21:35:00.000-08:00

We celebrated with hot chocolate on the back deck. I am loving this Texas weather. Such a shock to my system after 12 years in Chicagoland.

Yum.

Yum.

Yum.

I could kick myself for not taking photos, but here are links to the Valentines they made:
Francis made the cell phones and George made the robots.

I just went here and let them scroll through and pick the project they wanted. We actually started these about a month before Valentines Day so that we were sure they'd get done in time (without mom putting in a late night of finishing work.)

They were very cute. Again. Kicking myself for no photos. Sometimes though, you got to put down the camera and just enjoy the moment.

Baby Sammie

2011-02-08T21:22:00.001-08:00

A sweet shot of Sammie tonight. He is non-stop moving these days and growing before my eyes. Man, I love this kid. I can't believe he'll be two in just two months. Time flies.

Stir Crazy Snow Daze

2011-02-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

With the record snowfall we've been having, the kids have been a little stir crazy as evidenced by the following photos:

Sneaking snacks.

Putting the homebrew childlock back on the cabinet after he has stolen what he wants:

Watching way too much TV in mom's bedroom.

And lastly, my favorite:
Climbing the fridge (it helps when you put your knee in the water dispenser).

Snow Day

2011-02-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Last week, we had record snowfall in Fort Worth. Matt took the big kids sledding so Sam and I decided to take a walk around the 'hood.

Our snowy and drafty green house. High on curb appeal, low on insulation. ;)

And then, he fell asleep. ;)

Love.

2011-02-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

Just came across these sweet necklaces from my retro baby. I love my three little eggs.

A Time For Everything.

2011-02-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

Recently, I started up our daily scheduling again. Aside from pick-up times and drop-offs, the after school hours are filled with these things mostly. And the kids LOVE it. They love having a plan in the afternoons and I end up feeling less overwhelmed.

Monday: Gym with kids
At the recommendation from my mom, I've told the kids "if they're good, they get to go to the gym with me." And... it's actually working. They love going to the gym. And having them come in the afternoon means I have my mornings to run errands.

Tuesday: Library Day

Wednesday: Kitchen Adventure
We bake cookies mostly, but the idea is to try something new every week.

Thursday: Creative Thursday (inspired by my Squamy pal, Marisa)
Create. Paint, Draw, Build... something.

Friday: Outdoor Fun
We go outside as much as possible, but Fridays are set aside for something bigger, more planned than the backyard. Maybe a picnic in the park, chalk art in public spaces, finding a park we haven't been to, etc...

How about you? Do you schedule or play it by ear?

Super Bowl Fun in Cowtown

2011-02-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Today we headed down to Sundance Square to take part in the Super Bowl madness that's hit these parts. Never mind, the record snowfall, the sun was out today so it was perfect weather to get out and people watch.

Here's my main man and the cute little people that look a lot like him.

Me and our little people.

The ESPN sports team in Sundance Square

SuperBowl Texas style

Cheeseheads Everywhere! Go Packers! (How can you not root for a team that wears cheese on their heads?)

After walking around a bit, we found a park bench and enjoyed a picnic with our new Bento lunchboxes. So far I'm really liking them.

Sam and his new lunchbox.

Love is in the air.

2011-01-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

Time for the annual Gulde tradition of creating a family Valentine box. If all goes according to plan, it gets decorated and put in a prominent place at the beginning of February. Valentines are made and dropped in the box for family members for two weeks. I do my best to write one thing I love about each of the kids everyday. On Valentines Day, we sit down at dinner and read them to each other. So fun.

I just wrapped a box with brown paper, put a slit at the top, and the kids glued paper doilies from the dollar store on it. So easy for little hands. Sometimes, okay...a lot of the time, I tend to want to get too complicated with them. It's such a great reminder that a glue stick and some doilies can be a legit craft. No need to pull out paints and all that craziness. ;)Francis taking her job very seriously. ;) George giving me one of his signature fake smiles. Don't let it fool you though...he loves crafting. Happy with their creation.

My Bento Adventure.

2011-01-28T17:32:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, I was reading a college friend's blog, Sushi and Schnitzel. Eager to catch up on my buddy's acting ventures and the like, I soon realized, that his blog is written by his wife, Tami. Although I've never met her, I knew immediately, I liked her. She's a lovely writer, and her creative perspective on food, children and the details of life - make me smile and inspire me every time.

So, when I read this entry about making lunches for her son, it stuck with me. At the time, Francis was 3 and George was 1. There was no need for lunch making, but now... there is.

Matt and I have done a lot of lunch making in the last 6 months.

In that time, I've learned a little. 1) Francis likes variety. After giving her PB&J for 4 months, she very politely explained to me that she liked it, she just wanted something else. 2) George likes pretzels, Francis does not. 3) Francis likes applesauce, George does not. 4) There is such a thing as too much food and there such a thing as not enough. 5) George's friend, Grant, eats "Bug Bites" and "Scooby Snacks" and he "wants them too." 6) If you cut fruit, they'll eat it. If you put an apple in their lunch box, it will come back - - the list goes on and on.

Maybe it's the graphic designer who loves all things Japanese or maybe it's my type A, must-organize personality, it's unclear, but the world of Bento boxes has been in my bookmarks bar for years. Soon after our move to Fort Worth last summer, I was reading the local kid magazine and came across a Back To School blurb about a local, mom-owned company called My Square Meal. They sell American made Bento-style lunch boxes for only $10. So, I filed it in my very busy brain at the time and finally, this week... I ordered them!

They arrived and I'm so excited to get started!

I bought 6 (2 for each kid, but I may steal one for myself.)

They look a bit (okay, a lot) like a tackle box.

Spork included. (The kids loved the spork -ha!)

Time to get creative.

We couldn't wait. And because we're snowed in, it seemed like a fun way to break up the day. Picnic on the couch!

Francis and her new Bento.

Even Scout wants one.

So here we go... on our Bento-adventure!

Let me know if you "Bento" and if you have any suggestions or tips. ;)

Creative Thursday: Kid Rocks

2011-01-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

This week we painted rocks.

First, I had to find the rocks. Finding smooth rocks that are bigger than a quarter proved harder than I thought it would be. After looking in my yard, circling the block, and checking Target, I decided to seek a professional. And after just one trip to Elizabeth Anna's, our neighborhood nursery, my problem was solved. A big milk crate FULL of beautiful, smooth, perfectly sized rocks were mine for $10.

For whatever reason, George wasn't interested and played with his legos instead, but Francis and I worked on them for a couple of hours. We used acrylic paint and I have no idea if they will weather well or not. We also used circle stickers as stencils for eyes which turned out cute I thought.

The results:

My kid rocks (Francis, George and Sam):

Francis's Mommy and Daddy rocks:

Francis's "Boo and Sunshine"

Francis's "Grumpy"

And since it's *almost February, I painted this one and the kids named him "Lovey"

Francis's Ant hill rock called "Anty":

And this one. They named it "The Claw" because it looked like those little guys from Toy Story 3:

After we finished painting, George decided he finally wanted in on the fun and worked with us to make up a game called "Toss Rock." Each concentric circle is worth "x" points and whoever gets the most points, wins. Very complex. ;)

All in all, a great afternoon and it felt great to have a paintbrush in my hand.

What up?

2010-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

I have been a very terrible blogger lately... like for 2.5 months? Ridiculous. Occasionally, I just get "over-interneted" and have to escape for awhile. I should have given some warning, but hey... I think we all can relate. Sometimes, you just gotta get unplugged and focus on the kids.

So here's to ignoring the kids and blogging a little more. hehe...

So Glad I'm Here.

2010-09-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Friday was just one of those days. I chased my tail to get the house clean, catch up, scratch stuff off my to-do list, but the day had other plans for me. I thought I was seriously. gonna. lose. it. But then, my 16 month old started pushing buttons on his older sister's cd player. And soon blaring (and I mean BLARING -ha!) from her room were the sounds of this song from Elizabeth Mitchell - I couldn't help but stop and get a little teary eyed.

Nine years ago, I lost a friend in the World Trade Center attacks. Jason and I went to college together , and I would occasionally hear updates on what he and the rest of our crew were up to. In the summer of 2001, he moved to NYC and got a job with Cantor Fitzgerald. And more importantly, had relocated as a romantic gesture to his girlfriend - a kind of, pre-marriage-I'm-serious, gesture. That morning they met for coffee and when Nancy heard the news, she was certain he hadn't had time to get to work before the plane hit. However, to all of our great sorrows, she was wrong.

At the time, I was in the height of my career, and was planning my own move (romantic gesture) to Chicago to be with my (now) sweet husband. When I heard about Jason, it hit me hard. His story was so similar to mine... I had just found the love of my life, dropped everything to be closer to him...and yet, I was the lucky one to get to enjoy it. Why me?

I think if you're human, you've asked that question. What a horrible, horrible day that was.

So, time has passed and life continues. It has to. That's just what life does. But as cornball as it may sound, I think of Jason. Not every day, not every week, but every "big" day. I thought of him on my wedding day, and on every day I gave birth to a child - I can't help myself. His memory, his lost life, is so tightly wound into my understanding of gratitude. I am so thankful to be alive. I am so thankful to wake up and experience my beautiful husband and children. I am thankful for half-full sippy cups hidden around every corner in my home, my daughter who puts her dirty clothes in her dresser every single day, a playroom strewn full of too much child-safe plastic crap, my dog who gets in the trash from time to time and a little boy who bangs on his sister's cd player.

I am so glad I'm here.

Jason, we miss you... we always will.

Thank you for teaching me gratitude and giving me that extra nudge today - to smile and be grateful for this beautiful chaos called life.

¡Vamonos Lily B!

2010-09-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we joined our new friends from Lily B. Elementary and took part in the Hispanic Heritage parade in downtown Fort Worth. Many of Francis's classmates are hispanic and so we thought we'd join in the fun and help support her school. We had such a great time! We all met new friends and Dad got to entertain the kids with his awesome juggling skills. I even heard Francis tell the girl next to her, "That's my dad!"

I love my husband.

Our float, chanting "¡Vamonos Lily B!" and "Who are we? LilyB!"

Mi hijo:

The Lily B Elementary crew:

Francis and George:

Dad entertaining the kids with his juggling skills!

For Posterity.

2010-09-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

As I was editing photos tonight, I came across this one of Sam from earlier this week. I was taken back a bit because honestly, it's such an embarrassing rarity to see this kid without (a bunch of) crud on his face.

You always hear people joke about how different you raise your first child and then when you get to the third, fourth, fifth, etc... they just get progressively let off their "leashes." Did I just imply my child was a leashed animal? Never mind that. Anyway, but here I am, raising my third child and I'd be lying through my teeth if I told you I watched him every second and made sure his hands were clean before he ate. Folks, it just doesn't happen everyday.

I will say, for the record, I think I'm an organized person. I would also consider myself a bit of a neat freak. I have been known to file and stamp all my bills "paid" in a binder labeled by month, etc. I also likely have a file with your name on it if you've ever sent me a letter (with said letter in that folder), however, enter three children...and well, I'm just doing my best to kill the ants on the counter because I didn't get the dishes into the sink before the kids bedtime. Yes, that really did happen tonight.

Ah, big sigh. So, I keep hearing it's just a stage. That I'm in the "mom with small children" stage and that somehow magically when my youngest is enrolled in Kindergarten it will all fall back into place. Hmmm... but deep down, I'm thinking that's a big joke. I mean, really, do I really think that George is ever going to flush his own poops? No... probably not. Do I really think Francis is going to stop putting her dirty clothes BACK into her drawer of clean clothes? Hmm...maybe. And Sam...dear little filthy Sam, he's covered in dirt most of the time and I think he likes it. I would hate to make him change.

I think, life is evolving for me and ... even if my house is a disaster when you drop by, it's gonna be alright. As long as they keep smiling - everything will be just fine. Maybe even our own little version of perfect.

Oh, and since I'm editing photos...here's another one of Sam from this week... a more accurate window into his world. Playing on the deck in the rain... in his pajamas...around noon...

Is it just me?

2010-09-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Or do you heat up your coffee all morning? I remember being horrified going to restaurants with my mom when I was younger...who am I kidding? I'm STILL horrified going to restaurants with my mom because she always ALWAYS asks if their coffee is fresh and then insists, regardless of their answer, (no exaggeration) that they make her a fresh pot. She is totally obsessed with having a very hot cup of coffee.

I'm tempted to continue giving details and making fun, except... well... I think I'm turning into my mother.

I haven't crossed over into demanding a fresh pot at a restaurant, but I swear if I don't find myself reheating my cup of coffee 2 or 3 times a morning before i actually get the darn thing finished. I know, it's a little coo coo... I accept that... I'm just curious if I'm alone out there or if it's just me and Ma Carns?

It's a Rainy Day...scratch that... Week in Fort Worth, TX

2010-09-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

This week has been a rare, wet treat for us folks in Texas. Never mind, my kitchen ceiling is leaking and will require professional attention (roof repair and ceiling drywall), it's been fun. It's so refreshing to have a break from the heat and admittedly, I have seriously neglected our lawn since moving in, so it's nice to know my grass is getting a much needed drink of water. Let's hope it's not too little too late.

The kids had a blast playing in the Sand and Water Table (sans sand) this afternoon. They were soaked to the bone and could not have been happier. Sometimes it's good to remember how much fun there is to be had in the little things...

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-06T23:07:00.001-07:00

I had leftover lemons from our lemonade stand so I thought I'd give this frosting a try.

What's not to love about vanilla cupcakes with homemade lemon buttercream frosting? Apparently, homemade lemon buttercream frosting. My sweet husband of eight years who typically will eat just about anything...isn't that wild about lemons... who knew? Fortunately, they did not go to waste. Myself and my three children are fans. So don't even think about coming over. They are all gone.

And there were more than nine...I'm just sayin'.

And she's off...

2010-09-01T21:01:00.001-07:00

My oldest niece headed off to college today. My sister and bro-in-law escorted her out of the country and up to Vancouver, where she'll be enrolled as a freshmen at UBC. MInd you, top 30 school in the WORLD. I won't even start at how impressed I am.

She's gonna be a wild...success.

Have fun Miss Kate - don't do anything I wouldn't do.
(That should leave you plenty of options.)

You can send a girl to Canada, but she'll always be a Texan.

The Amazing Mr. Ed Emberley

2010-09-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

My sister first introduced me to Ed Emberley's books a few years ago. She bought a handful for her son for Christmas and when I asked her what they were, she kept saying "You don't know about Ed Emberley? Seriously? He's awesome. You should know about these (repeat)," etc. And so, like a dutiful little sister, I took note. And when my oldest started showing signs of being able to sit at a table more than 60 seconds (for us, age 4), I went out and bought a couple. Since then, I have found myself preaching the Ed Emberley gospel. Seriously, folks... she was right. He's awesome.

For those of you who didn't grow up with his books in the 60's, here's a bio. He's an illustrator that made easy step by step drawing books for kids. It's great because more than once I've heard Francis say, "I can't draw that one, it's too hard" and then minutes later, she's all smiles because she ACTUALLY DID IT and BY HERSELF. Not only does it teach her how to draw her favorite animals, but she has gained so much confidence from it as well. It's perfect for that rather unfortunate stage of childhood when your kids evolve from drawing everything to thinking they can't draw anything "right." I hate that stupid rotten evolution. I am in constant battle with it myself.

Francis: Ladybug and Catepiller

Francis: Rollerskating Monkey

George: (unfinished) devil

Here are some of his books on Amazon. I actually bought mine at my local Barnes and Noble. And last week, we actually found another one at our local library so be sure to check that out. He also has a pretty nice website that has a bunch of free activities and games.

Thrifting Today

2010-08-31T22:19:00.001-07:00

The boys and I went thrifting this morning. I wanted to find some old sewing stuff - maybe some zippers or velcro, but had zero luck. Instead, we came home with a patchwork pillow (that looks quite nice with my other weird pillows) and three beany babies. George carefully picked one out for each kid. He chose a Koala (he later named "Mel") for himself, a hot pink bear for his big sis and a sneaky little fox for baby Sam. All three in great, tag-still-on, not creepy dirty condition. Overall, a successful trip. Total cost $5.

Cheap Treat

2010-08-31T22:07:00.001-07:00

I am not a fan of fast food. I can't say I've officially banned it from my life, but unless a mom's group is meeting there or unless I'm on a road trip - you will never find me eating there. Wait, Chick-fil-a doesn't count, right? Okay, so like I said, it's not a hard and fast rule in my house, but you won't see me breakin' down any doors... until that is, I found out about this silly little key fob at Wendy's.

Wendy's has a frosty key fob that costs $1. With it, you get a free Jr. Frosty with every purchase you make there until the end of 2010. My kids always appreciate a special treat (especially with this Texas heat) and getting ice cream nowadays costs a ton. You can easily walk out of Braums having spent $7+ on ice cream that is: a) way too much to spend and b) way too much for your kid to eat. Half of it goes uneaten and I can't help but always feeling like it was a waste. Enter, the Jr. Frosty deal. Buy one, get one free and it only costs $1 plus tax. It's the size of a Dixie cup and I found out that if you ask for whipped cream on top, they add it for free. Perfect.

My kids think I rule... and I don't hate myself for wasting money.

Sure, sure... it's not in the healthy treat category, but you gotta live it up sometimes. ;)

George has started Fort Worth PreK

2010-08-31T21:32:00.001-07:00

Well folks, here he is: George William Finch Gulde headed to his first day of Fort Worth preK. Baby Tiger under one arm and Clash of the Titans lunchbox in the other. He. had. so. much. fun.

When I dropped him off, I expected some kind of hesitation - something-anything. He hadn't given me any indication that he was worried, but I just figured, hey... he's four and this is a new place...ya know, normal kid stuff. But what I'm realizing more and more is that George Gulde is no regular kid. This boy, much like his father, has never met a stranger. He just rolls with it and is a friend to all. Monday was no different. He just ran in, found his cubby, put away his backpack - taking special care to put Baby Tiger inside safely, put his daddy's old lunchbox on the shelf and ran to one of the tables and started playing. No hug, no kiss goodbye necessary... So I said, "George, I'm leaving... I love you, have a great day" and he said "Okay, momma - I love you too" without even looking up. Big sigh... he's growing up. They all are, damn it.

Just before noon, I talked to Matt and told him that I needed to wake Sam up to go pick up George. He offered to do it for me so he could get in on the first day fun which was great. He said George was the last one out - not because Matt was the last one there, he was just busy having fun.

When they arrived home he told me all about playing in the bike playground and how he liked playing with Max.

Cheers to your first day little man. I hope you are always this comfortable in your own skin, you inspire me.

Lemonade For Sale!

2010-08-29T21:40:00.001-07:00

The neighbors were having an open house today. So I gave the kids their first lesson on marketing (foot traffic = sales) and finally followed through with my promise to have a lemonade stand. Two hours and sixteen dollars later, I'd call it a success. Let's hope we also helped sell the house next door.

Apologies for the lame photo... there was way too much happening to pull out the big daddy camera.

Camera-related sewing tutorials

2010-08-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

Found these over at howaboutorange. I have no idea when I'm gonna have the time to make these, but I had to post this in the off chance I do and need to remember where these tutorials are. What a great blog. It's impossible for me to spend less than an hour there, so watch out. It's awesome.

Things That Make Me Smile.

2010-08-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

For some reason, while I was watching this today, I found myself wondering who this reminded me of... who was it...(scratching head)...hmm. I continued watching, giggling and smiling. I know! It's my best friend's daughter... Rosa Jane! Why, who knows? I think it must be because it makes she makes me smile and giggle.

**Here's hoping that only a best friend can handle her BFF comparing her daughter to a snail shell with shoes. ;) Enjoy KBR... I love you two more than life itself. Can't wait to see you at Squam!

Finding Friends in a new place is hard.

2010-08-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

It's hard to say I'm lonely when I'm surrounded by my favorite people all day, but here I am, in a new place, looking for a kindred spirit. Making new friends as an adult with small children can be such a hilariously awkward and painful experience. You have so little time between naps, snacks and pickup times. And assuming you do find that precious few minutes, you'll be lucky not to be interrupted by a polite little request to help wipe your sweet little one's booty. It's a wonderful thing, really, when they poop in the actual pot, but wiping the booty, well... oh, who I am kidding? I'll miss wiping their little butts when they're all grown up.

It's just one of those grass is always greener things, I think. While their young, you wish you had more time and when they grow up and you do have more time, you miss them. So, maybe the lesson is just to live in the now and not worry about the friends part. They will come... like in Field of Dreams, I'll build my happy little Fort Worth version of home and the pals will come. Right?

And in the meantime, being alone isn't so bad. There's more time for introspection and catching up on laundry.

How do you say...?

2010-08-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight, after reading a bedtime story, I tucked Francis in her bed and laid down next to her to discuss the last couple of days of school. She mentioned again that there was a girl in her class that didn't speak English. So I asked Francis, "Would you like me to teach you how to say,'My name is Francis' so you can talk to her?" She excitedly said "yes" and we began practicing "Me llamo es Francis. Me llamo es Francis. Me llamo es Francis." When she'd said it about ten times without trouble, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, how do you say 'Do you want to be my friend?'."

Have I mentioned this week how much I love this girl? Big sigh, I do.

BTW: I had to look it up. It's "¿Quieres ser mi amigo?"

Update: I have been reminded by my pal M.Anderson that it's actually "Me llamo Francis."
Whoops. It's been a few years. I may have to enroll in a class with Francis. ;) Thanks M!

She speaks Spanish AND English!

2010-08-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

She hopped in our minivan with a big grin on her face, and when I asked how her very first day of Kindergarten went, she replied with a gleeful and confident, "Great!" She looked so grown up in that moment. Maybe it was her hair, pulled up instead of the normal two piggies, maybe it was her uniform, but she just seemed a little older and I found myself with a lump in my throat.

I started to ask her for more details, but before I could gather myself and form the question, she was a million words a minute:

"Mommy, did you know there is a girl in my class that doesn't speak any English and if you want to tell her something you have to tell another girl who speaks English AND Spanish and she tells the girl who doesn't speak English? Also, I share a locker with Kate. Oh, and I didn't eat all my carrots at lunch. I don't really like them without ranch."

Today was a great first day. I love her so much.

The Drop Off.

2010-08-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

We went in as a family. My husband Matt, George, myself and baby Sam, all escorted sweet Francis to her very first day in Mrs. Bradshaw's Kindergarten class. She was quiet and a little nervous. She wanted to stay by my side, so I walked her in, greeted her teacher and found her seat. It was time for goodbyes and I don't think either of us were excited about it. I gave her the biggest hug I could, a kiss for good measure, told her I loved her, told her to have a super fun day and whispered "I'll see you before you know it!" As I started to stand up to turn towards the door, she said "Wait, I have to give Daddy a hug and a kiss!" and as quick as cricket she was running to the door. I grabbed my camera and captured the sweetest hug I've ever seen. Man, those two... breakin' my heart. Just when I thought I'd get out of there without crying...

With "transitional" neighborhoods come "transitional" schools.

2010-08-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

This week has been exhausting, but rewarding. Our awesome new home is zoned for not-so-awesome schools. Enter, the task of getting into a magnet school or getting transferred. We moved here in June, after the application deadline for magnet schools so, not surprisingly, we were denied. So the next option was to transfer to another school, that actually, our home was zoned for as little as 10 years ago. It's a cute 90 year old beloved school called Lily B Clayton Elementary in the Berkley neighborhood next to us.

After being 2nd in line for a 30 hour marathon campout, we met a lot of new friends and managed to walk away with the second to last transfer spot. We were lucky and we couldn't be happier.

Yes, we could have stayed at our zoned school and don't get me wrong, I've thought A LOT about it. I mean, it's not gonna get any better if folks move into the neighborhood and transfer out. Maybe it's my duty to stick it out and do my part in making it a better school? I don't know. I really don't, but for now, Lily B seems like the best answer for my daughter. It's still plenty diverse and it's got a great reputation. I'm thrilled for her and sad that my sweet girl is starting school. I'm gonna miss that sweet face around here.

Green Glasses Fabric

2010-08-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

How much do I love this fabric at fabric robot? I've seen it before but couldn't source it... now that the mystery is solved, on to figuring out what I need to make with it! :)

Also check out this great fabric. Perfect for Back to School projects. Maybe I'll make George a lunch bag or something?

**UPDATE: the kind folks at Fabric Robot have offered us all a 10% off coupon code: SAVE10 Enter at checkout. Gotta love that...

Vacation Memory Jars

2010-08-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Saw these on Martha's site and thought they were beautiful. My kids are young (6 and under) so this seems like a do-able project post vacation.

"Filled with souvenirs collected on trips and pictures developed afterward, vacation memory jars are like little worlds that can be visited again and again. Kids can add to them or rearrange them anytime they like. Bent wire can be used to lower and position objects in a thin-necked jar."

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Favorite Kids' Crafts

Canon 7D vs. Barbie

2010-08-15T12:52:00.001-07:00

There's really not much to add. This just cracks me up...especially given my great desire to own the new Canon 5D. Maybe Barbie will have to do in the meantime. Hmm...

Canon 7D vs. Barbie Video Girl from Brandon Bloch on Vimeo.

Love.

2010-08-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Sitting on my couch surfing etsy, I came across String Theory's shop. I love, love, love these. They are a bit pricey, but think about it. You would have these for a lifetime and what beautiful work...

Our move. Our house.

2010-07-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

As some of you already know, we recently moved from Amarillo (1.5 years), to lovely Fort Worth, Texas. Previous to Amarillo, we lived in Chicago for 8 years. Well, 12 years if you count the four my husband spent at Notre Dame (an hour away) and I spent at Wheaton (about 30 min. away). But who's counting? My point is, Chicago is the closest thing to home. There have been adjustments, some good, some...a wee harder, but finally I feel like we have landed in a home and a neighborhood I think we'll call home for a long time... hopefully forever. For this army brat, that's saying something.

We bought a 100 year old home in a neighborhood just south of downtown called Fairmount. Some folks might say it's a bit rough around the edges, and I can't hardly argue with that, but prefer to describe it as "up and coming." In fact, Southern Living featured it as one of the "South's Top 10 Come Back Neighborhoods" in the nation, just this past January. So there. It's official.

We are not new to owning an old house. We had a 96 year old brick four square in Oak Park, just outside of the city (across the street from Chicago city limits.) We did quite a bit of work, the biggest project being a kitchen that I'm certain decreased my lifespan by a few years. But thankfully, our new home in Fairmount has very little to do in the way of major remodel. Paint and tile are the main issues and even that... at least the tile isn't falling off the wall, it's just personal style differences. I am very thankful for that. With three small children, I will be lucky to get even that done.

As far as the transitional aspects of our neighborhood, well, that's not new to us either and honestly, it's not for everyone. Our previous neighborhood had it's quirks but the upside was diversity and that's something we really wanted our kids to experience and be shaped by. Truthfully, that's something I need to experience and be shaped by as well. So, we lock our doors and don't leave our bikes in the yard.

So, here it is. Home Sweet Home. I couldn't be happier and more ready to get started with this new chapter.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Wonder Woman and Spiderman have taken over my home these days! The last few years I have made the kids costumes, and frankly, prefer to. (There's just nothing better than a homemade Halloween costume.) However, this year, I couldn't help from thinking how it would cost me so much more $$ and time to make them. So, I broke down and bought them at Walmart. I know, double crime. What can I say, it was easy and the kids have LOVED them. George has even been doing his best to sleep in it every night.

Coming out of the fog...

2009-10-05T19:13:00.001-07:00

So it's almost been 6 months since the birth of my son, Sam, and I'm starting to "work" again. Work is in quotes, because as moms we all know - I've been working overtime since this kid was born. So what I mean is, I'm starting to shoot and design a bit. Last week, a friend asked me to design their wedding CD. Their requirements: The wedding colors were brown and they bought CD's that were black and turquoise (because they didn't have brown CD's at the store). They asked me to just put their initials on the front, but the more I thought about it... it just didn't work. Brown CD cover and turquoise and black disc -yuck. I racked my brain for a way to incorporate some turquoise and came up with this. I think it's awesome. A great solution. Lucky for me, Tim and Tracy already refer to themselves as "TnT."

FINAL OrangeFight Cover

2009-09-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

If you recall, just before I had baby S, I designed a CD for the band Orangefight. The lead singer, Neal Christopherson, is an old college friend and now himself is a college professor at Whitman.
Recently I realized that I never posted the final cover. And, if you're interested you can download the full final digi layout here. Keep in mind I flipped the top two panels so Neal could proof it (and you could enjoy it). So, don't hurt your head for too long trying to figure out how this folded. It's your normal digipak (Cardboard Cd case with clear plastic disc tray glued to it on the inside. One of my favorite things to design. To read more about Neal and Orangefight, check this out. Rock it, Neal!

Look what I made! :)

2009-04-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Last night I hung out with a friend and we made skirts for our girls. It felt so good to make something. Amidst all the moving and with baby #3 on the way, I haven't been inspired to pull out all of "my stuff" and create. I think I still might make a coordinating shirt, but who knows... today is my official due date so I might be out of time before I realize it.:)

My new friend Jimmy

2009-03-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

I met Jimmy in my kitchen this past Saturday night. My hubby went to the shooting range with the husbands from the Amarillo moms' group. Jimmy is actually not a dad from the group, but rather an uncle and certainly a welcome addition. Who can resist a smile, mustache and display of tattoos like this? Not me. I knew immediately I wanted to add this guy to my list of new Amarillo friends. After a few hours of poker, we learned he's a retired 20+ year veteran gorilla trainer from the OKC zoo, has 9 fingers (one lost from working in a saw mill), and recently got back from Africa working with AIDS patients. My instincts were right - we need to get to know Jimmy better.

Dirty Boy

2009-03-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Georgie loves to play in the dirt. The other day I let him dig up our non-existent flower beds (MaryFran, where are you when I need you?) and this is what I ended up with: a happy boy with dirt filled pockets. Who can resist such happiness? Maybe I should go fill up my pockets...hmmm....

CREATE YOUR BAND NAME & ALBUM COVER:

2009-02-22T20:44:00.001-08:00

To Do This

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

Cover Comps: Orange Fight

2009-02-12T08:43:00.001-08:00

A college friend recently asked me if I would consider designing an album package for him. Since having Georgie about 2.5 years ago, I've pretty much stepped out of the music industry. It's so difficult to commit to long term design projects with kids at my feet all day. However, since I owe my passing grade in Statistics to this friend and I really miss designing, I said "yes." Below are a handful of the comps I sent him last night. It's always fun to see what comes out of my brain. I never really know when I start a project where it's going to end. (Note: these are comps, so the watermarks you see in some of the images are due to low rez stock images. Those will go away once we decide on a direction and purchase the images.)

Chia Sock

2009-02-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

I recently went to a playgroup where we made homemade Chia pets (thanks to our great host and my new friend,Darla) and it turned out so great I had to share. Francis is out of her mind...she thinks this Chia sock is so hilarious.
It's super easy all you need is:

mason jar
sock
buttons for eyes, nose, etc.
Hot glue to attach buttons
potting soil
grass seed

The instructions are likely obvious, but I'll recap for the heck of it:

1) Decorate your sock using hot glue and buttons.
2) Fill first with grass seed so it is at the top of the "head"
3) Fill with potting soil
4) Tie knot in sock
5) Place in mason jar
6) Water (the sock sits kind of down in the jar, I just filled the jar to the top every day I remembered)
7) Enjoy and cut hair when it gets too long. ;)

The photo above shows our Chia sock with about a months worth of growth.

I Love Weddings.

2009-01-03T23:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending Matt's cousin's wedding in Groom, Texas. After a very long week of being in and out of the hospital that resulted in a pneumonia diagnosis for Francis and a random falling out of bed broken collar bone for Georgie, Matt decided to stay at home with the kids and encouraged me to go. He knows I love weddings. I can't help myself, camera or not, I love the energy. It's a lot more fun to have Matt there though - to squeeze his hand during the homily or have a partner in crime on the dance floor, but I did my best on Saturday and in truth, had a great time. Here are few "snap shots" from a wedding addicted photographer. Enjoy L and C - we are so happy for you two!

3 months and one state later

2008-11-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Wew, it looks like we're starting to get settled in. There are still boxes everywhere - both empty and full. However, we're officially sleeping in our own beds and have internet access. What more can you ask for? Oh, I know... how about two napping children? Done. I've got about an hour to catch up on this blog and post some photos.

Here are just a couple of George from this morning. He was playing in the giant box our new sofa came in and then began yelling at me when I wouldn't put my camera down and play ball with him. He was literally yelling, "Mommy, NO! Play ball!" Ah... poor kid. There's also one nice close up to show off his new haircut. I think he already looks more like a Texan. What do you think?

Sneak Peek for Momma M:

2008-08-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

Had such a fun day today with these two cuties. We took the train downtown and it was so much fun. I'm officially exhausted though and have so much work to catch up on. What's a girl to do with only a few more weeks in Chicago? Wew....!

She's Growing Up.

2008-07-15T22:43:00.001-07:00

Today she turned four.

And First Place goes to... me!

2008-07-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

The winning image
(shot while assisting Sarah Barlow):

A couple of weeks ago I entered a Chicago wedding photographer contest and I found out last night I won first place! :) Yay me! I'll be featured on the pictage.com blog and I won a photographer biz service (www.gigbooks.com). Can't wait to check that out.

Here are a few more from that wedding.

Slam Dunk

2008-07-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

This holiday weekend we headed to Minneapolis to see our god daughter get baptized. Sweet baby E couldn't have been more adorable. We love you guys so much and can't tell you how honored we are to be her godparents.

The "Babka-Grabka":

Two Hands = Two Beauties

2008-06-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for any interior design work - personal or commercial - look no further. These two ladies, Rachel Alcorn Petterson and Melanie Cooper Pennington own a company called Two Hands and are amazing. Truly inspired work.

I met these ladies via an Oak Park playgroup and mutual friends about 3 years ago and I cannot say enough about the love I have for these two genuine women. They are great moms, talented designers and just good people. Today I shot their portraits for their new site (I'll post their address when it's up and ready) and I was reminded once again how much I love taking portraits.

Sneak Peek for Momma L

2008-06-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I hung out with little J and his mom. Oh my goodness, what a charmer. He is so adorable. We played in his room, ate some leftover birthday cupcakes, and went to the park, but my favorite moment of the day by far, was when he just pulled down his pants and showed off his new potty training skills! Good job little J!

I love that he was peeking out the window waiting for me when I arrived. So cute.

Playing with his mom - so cute!

Boys do love their trains...

He comforts himself by twirling his mom's hair...

Eating left-over 3rd birthday cupcakes:

I just never get tired of these shots.

At his favorite playground.

Playing peek-a-boo in his crib. I love how kids fill their bed with their favorite stuff. You never know what you'll find!

Wew. The heartbreaker. ;)

Sunrise Wedding on Cocoa Beach

2008-06-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek for T and N

2008-06-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

What an awesome wedding. 6am - sunrise ceremony on Cocoa Beach Pier. Talk about beautiful. It was truly amazing. And what a fun, fun, fun couple. So much laughter!

N is a college football coach:

Some photos around the Pier...

2008-06-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

They didn't have a cake so I insisted they feed each other a snow cone!

This bride was full of smiles and laughter!We had so much fun!
All of us getting wet!

"Today's Catch"

Reception: Egg-tinis

2008-06-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Sneaking a kiss at the reception

Because it was a 6am ceremony, they had a giant breakfast spread at the reception - complete with egg-tinis (no vodka included - just eggs in a cool glass)! So Martha Stewart, I tell ya. Not only yummy, but a beautiful and unique touch. Bravo, T!

In their own world.

Sneak Peek for S: Prom Night!

2008-05-17T20:58:00.000-07:00

It's prom night! Man, times have changed! Don't these two look AMAZING!! and those shoes... wew. Where do I begin in recounting how unbelievably UNcool I was at Prom'91. Ya know, it's probably best that I don't. Let's just adore these two as they head out for a night of fun. B and T, you guys looked so great - have fun! S, enjoy the photos - they grow up fast! I think I'm gonna go give Francis a hug now. ;)

Sneak Peek for S!

2008-05-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Waiting for Grandma:

Another "emergency" maternity shoot tonight! My neighbor gave me a call today asking if I could come over after dinner and get some shots of her belly before she's induced tomorrow morning. She's an OB and I just love her relaxed attitude. Not a stitch of worry (labor anxiety) to be found, it was as though she was going to go "pick up" her baby tomorrow. I love maternity sessions...there's so much love and excitement in the air. Congrats guys - can't wait to meet the baby!

Shooting Attorneys

2008-05-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today marked a first, I drove up Milwaukee to shoot some attorney group and head shots. I've never been up there and I was totally impressed. Not only were K&H a great group of guys, but the city seemed so hip and fun. Maybe a good weekend family get away this summer?

Not as "scary" as they look ;)

Sneak Peek for Momma M! :)

2008-04-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, I got to play with one of my dearest college roommates, her hubby and her FOUR sweet kiddos. I wish I could bottle the patience and structure that oozes from her house. I've got two and my laundry never gets done - how does she have the table set for dinner with 4? Amazing. One of the reasons (and there are many) I love her and admire her. As always, I walk away from her house thankful that my life includes friendship like this. I love you, M! Enjoy this sneak peek - I had so much fun!

Sneak Peek for E!

2008-04-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting and getting to know E and her family. I met E through a friend of a friend and immediately I knew I would like her. Barefoot, jeans and a t-shirt - my kind of girl. E, I had such a great time and I can't wait to get to know you better during your maternity leave! Enjoy this sneak peek!

Showit to Chicago!

2008-04-24T23:10:00.001-07:00

The imfamous David Jay!

Rubbing noses with Bob Davis and David Jay

David Jay and Me

Taking notes from the photographers

Kenny Kim

Tonight I headed to Bellissima Studio downtown to hear David Jay talk about his new web design software for photographers called ShowitSites. I am so excited about ShowitSites. As a print designer, I end up being a frustrated web designer and showitsites makes that all go away. It's completely customizable and drag and drop easy! I can hardly wait till it's released in May. When I do end up getting it, you'll hopefully see a nice change in design and functionality on greyfinch.com.

I love living in Chicago. I love the access to such amazing meetings - full of such talented photographers.

American Girl

2008-04-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Francis and I met up with some friends for brunch at the American Girl store on Michigan last week. You apparently have to make reservations at least a month in advance and if you want a window seat, overlooking Michigan Ave, you have to hold your breathe for 6 months. Insane. Nevermind, that we arrived moments after the doors opened at 10am and the store was already packed, nevermind that it was a whooping $20 a head for said brunch, nevermind that they sell doll eye glasses for as much as my husband just paid for his real glasses - it was still awesome. A madhouse of memories I will never forget. Francis loved it and I loved her loving it.

My sweet girl.

2008-04-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

I took a walk with my daughter, Francis, after our morning at American Girl and for the first time she was such a ridiculous ham! Typically, she sees my camera and turns the other way. This time... it was different. I may have created a... monster. A really sweet adorable monster.

Rockstar Roadtrip

2008-04-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

In the land of iphones. Envy does not describe.

Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Rockstar Roadtrip Photo workshop taught by Corey McNabb and Amber Holritz. We spent the day talking shop in the downtown Hilton Towers (the same Hilton Towers that banned me as a college student for sneaking up to the roof.) I'm pretty sure I slipped in under the radar and fortunately for me, because I learned a ton and had a great day meeting a room full of other great photographers. After our workshop we spent the last 30 minutes or so rockin' out to Guitar Hero (you gotta love a workshop planned by Creatives!) and then headed to Chicago's favorite, The Billy Goat Tavern, for beers and burgers. Thanks again, Corey and Amber!

More photos from the Chicago Rockstar Workshop

2008-04-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Corey McNabb:

Amber Holritz:

Exhausted after a multi-city tour!

michaelkrakora

Sarah Regrets the Burger.

2008-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

After the rockstar roadtrip workshop yesterday, we all headed to Chicago's famous Billy Goat Tavern for some dinner. My new pal, Sarah Anne Barlow, showed up a few minutes after we got there and it was so nice to see a familiar face! Sarah, not at all a fan of fast food, ordered a Billy Goat double burger - I warned her - but I think she just must have been mighty hungry. Too bad for her, later, as we walked back to her car (thanks for the ride) she confessed that she regretted it. The greasy nastiness of the Billy Goat burger is not for all. I was telling Matt about this as we were brushing our teeth this morning and he said "Man, I love that place, we used to eat there all the time after work." Case and Point. Gulde will eat ANYTHING.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-22T22:50:00.000-07:00

This year we dyed brown eggs instead of white, and they turned out so beautiful. I laughed out loud when I found myself looking up "How To Boil Eggs" in the "Joy Of Cooking." What does that say about me? I'd like to think it just means I don't eat hard boiled eggs, but I'm afraid it might be more telling. Regardless, we had a great time! The baskets have been stuffed, the eggs are hidden, and I'm off to bed. Happy Easter!

She did it!

2008-03-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

After about an hour of contractions she pushed for 6 minutes and "baby N" arrived! SIX MINUTES... that's no typo. And did I mention she did it natural. Amazing and...beautiful. Thank you guys for letting me be apart of such a special moment. I will never forget it.

"Emergency" Maternity Shoot

2008-03-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

I got an "emergency" maternity shoot call from a dear friend of mine about 10am this morning. She told me that she was headed to the hospital at 3pm today to be induced so it was now or never for belly shots! This is her 3rd (and likely last baby) and she still hadn't had a professional maternity shoot! So I loaded up my camera bag and headed to her house. No woman should go without maternity shots, ladies! I've also heard women say they're "too big." They wished they had had them taken when they were 7-8 months prego. Well, this is about as late in your pregnancy as you can get - and look at how beautiful she is. Seriously, isn't she glowing. I'm heading to the hospital this evening and hoping to document the birth as well - sort of a "day in the life of" shoot. Very exciting... I love newborns...

Sneak Peek: Baby B

2008-03-13T20:04:00.001-07:00

Well, he's not really a BABY anymore. He just turned one a few weeks ago and given that he can already RUN, I think it's fair to call him a toddler. I tell ya, this kid is the most easy going kid I have ever met. He's just chill. It wasn't until oh, maybe the 500th photo, that I saw an inkling of frustration out of this guy. So so cute, this one. He was truly a joy to shoot. So busy and sweet. Enjoy the sneak peek momma E!

Eating peas and carrots for lunch, but absolutely positively NO lima beans. ;)

He was on the move!

Whatcha thinkin' ?

2008-03-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken at a five year old's birthday party last Sunday. I love the expressions in this. So darn cute. This house was not only full of excited 5 year old girls, but full of great artwork as well. So inspiring.

My Sweet Girl

2008-03-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

This was taken at the Garfield Park Conservatory this past Monday. The light there is so beautiful and it's especially nice to run around without your coats on. If you live in the area and haven't been...it's time. Amidst our insane weather, it's an absolute literal breath of fresh air.

I love shooting weddings.

2008-03-02T21:20:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of shooting with Sarah Barlow and her assistant Beth Laurren. Sarah has an incredible reputation with an impressive body of work to back it up. On a side note, she's looking to start shooting bands for the Nashville music industry. We recently met up for lunch and had a fun time exchanging insight. She was kind enough to offer me a chance to assist her this weekend. Sarah, thank you, thank you, thank you. I learned so much and had such a great time just hangin' with the ladies. ;)

Anna + Ryan: Riviera Maya, Mexico

2008-02-16T17:56:00.000-08:00

What can I say? The wedding was amazing. Ryan and Anna are amazing. What a joy to shoot! Congratulations guys - we're so glad you FINALLY did it! ha! :)

Merry Christmas - Take Lots of Pictures!

2007-12-25T21:45:00.000-08:00

This was my family's Christmas card this year. The inside read: "Happy Holidays! Hold your loved ones close."
Due to the overwhelming response to our card, I'll be offering this as a Christmas card package next year. It's the perfect solution for families because it's so darn hard to get a group shot of everybody smiling. This allows you to pick the best of each individual. And not to mention, it just looks cool.

What will they think of next?

2007-10-22T18:04:00.001-07:00

I was just surfing around trying to compile a Christmas list for Francis and came across this, Barbie Baby Photographer. She can play "baby photographer" just like mommy - except momma ain't playin'. ;)

My little one

2007-10-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Pulled out my tride and true scans from my former life as a designer to age this photo of little G. It felt good to be in photoshop again.

Baby N

2007-10-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

Spent my Saturday afternoon with this sweet boy. Check out those blue eyes! Whew!

Piggies

2007-10-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Creativity Is...

2007-02-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

Present for Matty

2006-07-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

One thing I love to do and never seem to have the time to do anymore is wrap presents. I love to collect old scraps of paper, patterns, tape, letters, etc. and use them to make cards, wrap presents, etc. Today while Francis was napping I finally sat down and wrapped this little gift for Matt. I wanted to give him something to remember the birth of his son who is yet to be named. I can't wait to give it to him...he's going to love it.