Easter 2011

We had a very low-key Easter, and it was perfect!

It didn't really feel like Easter, since neither of my brothers were with us. AND the rest of the weekend had been very busy with a wedding. One of my good friends (I call her my honorary little sister), Candace, got married. My hubby helped me with the wedding...setting up equipment, carrying cameras, and even a little shooting at the ceremony and reception. It was fun to have him with me, and we worked really great together. I'm going to have him studying up on his gear a little more, and I told him we could make a good hubby and wife wedding team! Here is the beautiful bride....

So, after 12 hours of wedding photography, I came home Saturday night and stayed up until 2:30am editing some {peeks} for Candace and John! I should have known that was a bad idea! We were planning to go to early church for Easter. I set the alarm for 7am, so we would have plenty of time to see what the Easter Bunny left, and get ready for 8:30am church. Well, I'm not sure what happened between 7 and 7:56am...but at 7:57, I woke up, looked at the clock and freaked! I shook Justin and yelled "we have to  leave for church in 20 minutes!" Whoops!! I have no idea how, but we rushed around and made it to church right on time.

Luckily the Easter Bunny knew we'd be going to Gigi and Papa's after church, so he took Barrett's basket there! After church we went out to brunch. It was delicious, and mom and I were happy not to have to cook or clean-up! Then we went to Gigi and Papa's to see what treats Barrett got, and dye some eggs. That afternoon we all three took a much needed nap!

I can't get over how big he looks in these pictures! 

He was so handsome in his Easter outfit!!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter with family celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

Where has April gone?

Yes, it's true...

I've just had the longest blog hiatus since I started blogging in Spring 2008!

I've just been busy livin' life and drowning in work.

April has been a whirlwind.
11 regular sessions. 26 mini sessions in one weekend. 1 wedding

That's what I've been up to!

I am currently working my way through editing the 26 mini sessions, 

and preparing to shoot a wedding this coming weekend.

You can visit my photoblog to see some recent sessions and peeks from the Spring Minis.
Elephant Juice Photography

Then there's my little man and hubby.

We've been spending lots of time outside, cleaning up the house and yard.

Last weekend I had a rare weekend with no sessions, so I took full advantage,
and got outside to plant flowers and clean up my beds. It was wonderful!
I LOVE my job, but all the evenings and weekends are a sacrifice of time away from my family.

I have been too busy shooting for others, I have lost all motivation to pick up my camera and document our day to day life. It's sad, but true.
Thank goodness for my cell phone camera. It's always there, and easy!

So for now, that's all I really have...

I'm hoping in May I will be able to pick back up on shooting for me!

life's an hourglass

We did it...we finally made it to the fire station for a photo shoot with our big three year old.

The evening was perfect, the firemen were so nice, and Barrett loved it!

When we got there, the firemen were all sitting in the office. We just walked in and ask if we could take some photos of our little guy by their trucks.  (I did call a week or two before to see if they allowed this type of thing). They said sure...then they started opening all the big garage doors, pulling out the big fire trucks (and the little ones), showing Barrett their heavy fire hats and giving him one of his own. It was a hit! It took Barrett a little while to warm up, but he did. They offered to let him get in the front of the big truck, but he wasn't too sure about it. There was even a grass fire call while we were there, so Barrett got to see them running to get on all their gear, and take off with sirens on.  Our small town fire station has so much historic charm. I just love the way everything turned out. Barrett's going to make the firemen a thank you card, and send them a picture.

Every single image makes me smile....huge.

They are all just so him!

I stayed up late last night putting them into a slideshow and ordering prints.
{you can see Barrett's fire station slideshow here}

I was so excited to come across a new artist yesterday as well...perfect timing. The mom behind one of the blogs I follow {Mom*tog},  recently announced she was expecting her 2nd child. Then just this week they announced what they were having with an adorable video!! You can see it here if you're interested. SO cute!! I am going to attempt one of these sometime! The song she used was by Mindy Gledhill, and I loved it, so I looked her up on itunes and found the song for Barrett's video.

Little boy, when you speak
I can’t help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans 

Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could take a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan 

When you reach for the stars
Don’t forget who you are
And please don’t turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life’s an hourglass
Life’s an hourglass

  

Story’s read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
   

Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

We love you so very much, sweet boy!
Mommy & Daddy

Above: headed out for a grass fire

Below: Barrett watches intently

After the fire station, we headed to one of my favorite alleys for a few more shots.
The evening was too beautiful to just go home and stop shooting.

Daddy did a little work behind the camera here, and did a great job :)

I just ordered this one in a 16x20 canvas!!!
(Got it for a great deal thanks to Groupon)

{Mister B's outfit}
shirt: Pumpkin Patch Kids

jeans: Old Navy
shoes: Gymboree