Halloween Week

This week has been full of Halloween festivities, and lots of chances for Barrett to wear his Halloween costume. THANKS to my sister-in-law, Kim, who helped me make the chaps and vest for his cowboy costume. The Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots came from the big consignment sale I go to every Fall and Spring with my girlfriends. The boots were brand new when I got them, and they fit him perfectly!

The kids were invited to wear their costumes to our PAFT playgroup on Tuesday morning. Funny...Barrett, Lydia and Norah Kate were the only ones in costume. We tried to get a few pictures of them together after playgroup was over. Easier said than done!

Tuesday evening was the annual Spooks Parade down Main Street. It's always a bit chaotic, but there were some super cute costumes! It's so fun to see all of the creative ideas. Barrett did NOT want to leave my hip the whole night. He's usually a momma's boy, but not to this extreme. He wouldn't even go to Mimi, Gigi, Grandma or Daddy! I was worn out by the end of the night, and not able to get many pictures. I had to hold him while we waited for the parade to start, and then carried him for 2 blocks (I think) in the parade. Lydia was out of sorts too, and wanted to be carried. I think Norah Kate was the only one that wanted to walk. After the parade, they awarded prizes to all the age groups and gave out goody bags. I love that our little town has such great events for kids and families. Hopefully Barrett will walk next year!!

Tomorrow, Barrett gets to wear his costume to KDI (Kids Day In)/school. That reminds me, it's almost 11, and I need to pack his lunch! Goodnight, friends!

I hope to get some better pictures of him in his costume on Saturday when we set out to trick-or-treat! Happy Halloween!!!

just for {FUN}

October and November are my BUSY months for portrait sessions. I have sessions booked every weekend through the first of December, and several during the weekday evenings. I LOVE all of the fun families and children I'm meeting...but it's a LOT of work!! I spend all of my nights and Barrett's nap times editing images and corresponding with clients. I keep reassuring Justin that this is my busy season, and as the weather gets cold, things will slow down...or I just won't book myself so solid :)

I've been working on updating/polishing my photography blog & website in the midst of all the sessions and editing...so, if you haven't been to visit them lately, let me know what you think! Are they easy to navigate, information clear, not too cluttered, anything you want to know that you can't find, etc. I would love your feedback. Especially on the new menu bar at the top of my photoblog. You can leave comments here, there or email me: elephantjuicedesigns@gmail.com

AND now...just for {FUN}
a sprinkling of my current favorite things!

And you would know you have my heart...

All of my life
I have dreamed
that somehow love would find me
now I can't believe you're standing here

If beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
wish you could see
the love for you that lives in me

And you would know you have my heart
If you could see, what I see
that a treasure's what you are
if you could see, what I see
Created to be
the only one for me
If you could see, what I see

I know there are days
when you feel
so much less than ideal
wondering what I see in you

It's all of the light
and the grace
your belief in me drives me to say
that I promise you
a faithful love, forever true

if you could see
then you'd understand
why I fall down to my knees
and I pray my love
will be worthy of
the one who gave His life
so our love could be

You're created to be
The perfect one for me
If you could see
What I see

if beauty is all
in the eye
of the beholder then I
am beholding...
true beauty

Seven years ago today, Justin and I were married in front of our friends and family. This beautiful Geoff Moore song played as we lit our unity candle. I wanted to do something special for this part of the cermony, so each of our guests was given their own candle when they came into the church. During the song, our candle-lighters lit the candles at the back of each side of the sanctuary. The guests passed the light, up and down the rows, until it reached our moms at the very front. It was so amazing for us to stand up there and watch the glow of the candles take over the sanctuary. And it was so symbolic to have the light that traveled through all our friends and family, be the light that we used for our unity candle.

Our usual anniversary tradition is to take a little weekend trip together. We've done it every year since we were married (1st-Oklahoma City, 2nd-Branson, 3rd-Tulsa, 4th-Manhattan, 5th-Branson, 6th-Branson). BUT, with my photography business booming this time of year, I WAY overbooked myself for the month. Next year I'll be sure to leave a weekend open for our trip! I did have Saturday night free though, so we celebrated with dinner out together. My mom was out of town visiting Mamo, so Papa (my dad) kept Barrett for us. Tonight, we'll probably pick up some $6 Gambino's 'beat the clock' pizza, and snuggle on the couch to watch Monday Night Football.

Happy Anniversary, Babe! It's hard to believe this all started at the mini-golf during the summer of 1995...now here we are 14 years later. We've been through so much together, and I love you more every single day. You are my best friend. Seeing you as a father, when our baby boy was born, made me fall in love with you all over again. Having our Little Bear has been the sweetest chapter yet! Thank you for always being so kind-hearted, encouraging, funny and supportive. You have my heart...I love you!

THIS is my man...

...created to be, the only one for me.

(and he will probably not like that I'm posting this picture...but I love it)

Pumpkins!!

Last weekend was our 4th (is that right, Kim?) Annual McPherson Fall family day. We have a fun little tradition to spend a day together every October. We usually visit the pumpkin patch, have dinner and hang around by the campfire. The pumpkin patch was pretty soggy this year, so we didn't get to spend too much time out there.

The only family picture we got at the patch...Barrett was not interested in sitting still or looking at the camera.

After the pumpkin patch, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's for soups, cider, breads and dessert around the campfire. Barrett rode the four-wheeler with Mimi and Kylie, and roasted his first hot dog over the campfire. After it got dark, he snuggled in a blanket on my lap and we shared some cider. Ahhh...he's so sweet!

****

On Thursday morning, we took another cold and soggy trip to the pumpkin patch. Our PAFT (Parents as First Teachers) playgroup met there, and all of the kids got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. We wanted a picture of Barrett, Norah Kate and Lydia together...but they were way too busy for that! Maybe next year?!?

THIS is the adorable little pumpkin that Barrett picked out!

He was so proud of it, and had to show Daddy as soon as we got home. I keep it on a little bench by the front door, and he carries it around everyday. He even kissed it goodnight the other evening! I think our pumpkin adventures for 2009 are over. Next week will be busy with our community Spooks Parade, and Barrett gets to wear his costume to playgroup and school.

For Mamo...

I'm excited I could win this one, in honor of my Mamo!
My entry placed third this week at I ♥ Faces
(out of 369 wonderful entries)

Thank you to Rebekah Hood, this weeks guest photographer judge.
Head over to I ♥ Faces to check out all of this weeks' winners!

Happy BIRTHDAY, Jones!

My first nephew was born on October 8th!! I know...I'm a little behind announcing his birth. I have been (patiently) waiting for some pictures to go along with my post. I wasn't able to go out to South Carolina for his birth, so I sent my extra camera with my parents. Mom stayed out there for awhile after he was born, so I just got my camera back, and the pictures downloaded last night! The new mommy and daddy must be busy, because I haven't gotten any new pictures from them yet. hint, hint!!

Announcing... Jones Carl
baby boy to my older brother, Brian, and sister-in-law, Sarah
little brother to Emma and Lauren

Namesake: Carl Eugene Bush, Bapo
(my mom's dad)


I think he looks like my brother! I can't wait to meet him at Christmas, and love all over him!


At his first soccer game :) Looks like he was enjoying it!


I'm so glad my mom took pictures of the nursery! I {LOVE} baby rooms!
Brian and Sarah did a great job with this one.


I love you already, sweet baby Jones! I can't wait to meet you.

I am happy to announce your birth today. Even though I'm a little late...
today is Bapo's birthday! We miss him so much, and we are all thinking about him today.
You can be proud of your name, and I know one day, your daddy will tell you all about Bapo!

****

This is the only picture I have on my computer of Bapo and I.
It's not great, but we were doing one of the things he loved best...

I can assure you that right before this picture was snapped, he had taken
that fish off the hook for me :) I can also assure you that he's not looking at the camera, because he's looking up to the front of the boat where one of my girlfriends (either Megan, Audra, Amber, Christie or Bethany) has their line tangled, or is needing a fish taken off their hook too!

Happy Birthday, Bapo. We miss you everyday...
I'm sure you've spent your day golfing or fishing, or both!
AND I'm sure the courses and lakes in Heaven are amazing!

SuRpriSE!!

I had been looking forward to yesterday for a couple weeks! Christie, one of my best friends, celebrated a birthday yesterday. In the next year, all of my best friends {the bfe's} will be turning 30!! Audra, Megan and I planned to drive up to Manhattan to SURPRISE Christie, and take her out to dinner for her birthday.

Everything went just as planned...and it's so much FUN to surprise someone!

We left the kiddos with family, and headed to Manhattan around 1pm. Audra had done a little detective work ahead of time, so we knew that Christie was going to be at the salon from 2:30-4:30. We rolled into town around 3:30, and headed to DQ to pick-up some birthday dessert for after dinner. We dropped Audra off at Christie's door (convienient that Audra has a key to Christie's house for football season), and Megan and I parked/hid the car down the street. Megan made fun of me all the way back to the house, because I was so nervous Christie was going to come driving around the corner and see us! But that didn't happen...we had plenty of time to get inside, and we hung out on the couch until she got home.

Christie's mom called us at 4:30 to let us know that she was on her way.
We got our cameras ready to capture the {look} on her face...
and it was priceless!!

Christie got these flowers for her birthday. They smelled soooo good!!

Christie's Aunt Peggy came by to drop off a card for her, so we had her take our picture.

Then we headed out to dinner at Christie's favorite place...Coco Bolos!

After dinner, we drove around the K-State campus. It was such a beautiful, Fall evening. Made us miss our college days...but our 30th year is going to ROCK! Then we went back to Christie's for our DQ birthday cupcakes :)

We rolled back into Winfield around 11pm.

It was the perfect evening with my favorite girls (we wished Amber could have been there).

Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Christie!

21 months

On October 18th, he was 21 months...

that's 1.75 years!

Oh my gracious, my baby boy is getting closer to TWO!

*Yes, he's wearing Christmas jammies! I bought them at a consignment sale in August thinking they'd fit in December. Decided to start using them now, because they will be SHORTS come December :) Right now, they're just capris! HA!

Some of your new words:
apple, football, tower, school, cup, block, down, bop (sucker)

You love... playing with cars on the back driveway, talking on the phone with Kylie and Emmy, watching football with Daddy, going to visit Gigi & Papa and Gma & Gpa, carrying around the pictures you make at school, throwing balls/playing catch, eating pizza, taking baths, sitting in Mommy's closet trying on all of her shoes, watching Elmo, coloring with crayons, asking for a cookie-cracker when you get up from your nap, and giving kisses

Happy 21 months, Little Bear!

Mommy & Daddy love you VERY, VERY much...
and so do many, many other people! You are so lucky!

I ♥ Faces "Pink Week"

It is {PINK} week at I ♥ Faces:honoring breast cancer awareness month.

Although I would love to have a face in my photo entry...this week, it was not a requirement.

I took this photo last week on the 9th Street bridge in Winfield.

According to the Winfield Daily Courier, USDA members hung the bras a couple weeks ago as part of a Bridging Awareness with 'Bras for the Cause' event. Over 600 bras from all over Kansas were donated and hung on the bridge by a local breast cancer survivor and her friends.

I am dedicating this weeks photo to my Grandma Patsy (Mamo). She is currently fighting breast cancer for the second time in her life. Mamo is a beautiful, spunky and strong woman, with a lot of courage. Please say a little prayer for her, and everyone who suffers from this horrible disease.

To learn more, or make a donation in honor/memory of someone you love...
visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure

just braggin'

Braggin' on my adorable Little Bear! I just went over to I ♥ Faces to check out the winners for the {Week 40 "Excited!"} photo contest. He wasn't one of the top 10 winners chosen by this weeks' judge, but I was EXCITED to see that Barrett's pictures was chosen as one of Angie & Amy's "picks."

Each week Angie & Amy (the I ♥ Faces Co-Founders) showcase a few photos that caught their eye!
THANKS!! We'll keep entering :)

It's a PARADE!

Last Friday evening we met up with Mimi, Kylie & Emily, to watch the high school homecoming parade. It was a little bit chilly, but really a beautiful evening. I have some great (and hilarious) memories from homecoming parades with my girlfriends when I was in high school, so I think it's fun to be able to take Barrett to watch them. I look forward to going to watch when he's in it...walking with his elementary school, as a football player, band member, homecoming candidate, or whatever it might be. I love our little town, and the traditions that we have! Although the parade is pretty short and sweet {don't blink, or you might miss it}, it was still FUN! Barrett brought home a big 'ol handful of suckers too!

After the parade we went home to eat supper and get on our warm clothes. Once it got dark, it was COLD!! We met Kim and the girls at the game, and snuggled into our spot. Our brother-in-law, Todd, is an offensive coordinator (I hope that's right) for the team, so that makes it even more fun to watch. I'm not sure if it was the band right next to us, the football game on the field in front of us, the hundreds of people constantly walking by, or the cold...but Barrett Russell was sooo sweet at that game! He sat cuddled up under a blanket on our laps the whole time. He would go back and forth from my lap to Justin's, and to visit Mimi a couple times, but he NEVER once wanted to get down. Not like our little "on the go" toddler at all. We were lovin' it though. He was such a warm little cuddle bug! Daddy says "he was just watchin' the game." He does like his football...one of his newest words. He loves to throw the "fooball," and kick the "fooball," and is always asking "mama, fooball"?

It was a great game, and the Vikings had a BIG homecoming win!! I felt sorry for the poor homecoming queen candidates. They were all so pretty in their dresses and heels, but they must have been FREEZING! The girl that won queen {Hannah-also pictured above in the red car} used to live next door to my parents. She is so sweet, and I could not get over the fact that she was a senior and that tall!! Her sister, Amanda was in town for the game and cermony, so I got to say a quick hello to her.! I think I heard them say during the halftime ceremony that Hannah's going to K-State...wahoo, Hannah!!

Had to throw in these pictures from the homecoming parade and football game last year...
B is so little!!!

(at the parade with Norah Kate)

(getting ready to go to the game with Uncle Bobby)

(watching the game with Uncle Bobby...where we always sit, right by the band)

Hopefully we can make a few more games before the season is over :)