Twin Cities Family Photographer - Irrational Fears?

With the help of a magic marker, Debbie decided to re-make her doll-house dolls.

These dolls (Dahls?) are affectionately named: Mommy, Daddy, Debbie and Baby Byron.

Lately I don’t know if these dolls or Debbie scares me more!

It's pretty close, but I think the Dahl-dolls are just a tad freakier.

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Happy Birthday Luke!

My youngest brother Luke had his birthday yesterday.  He's a full 9 years now!  I was 18 years old when he was born, and when I left home he was barely out of toddlerhood (5). I was so sad to leave my sweet baby brother, and now every time I go home for a visit I'm amazed at how much he's grown and changed!

But he'll always be my cool baby brother. :-)

(I took this photo of Luke when he was only 2.  Seriously, this kid was simply born cool.)

Twin Cities Family Photographer - A Dream Family Session for Lianna

This weekend I was delighted to finally deliver on the "Dream Photo Session", promised to last year's contest winner, Lianna.  Lianna chose to extend her prize to her parents and siblings - resulting in a fun family get-together and some beautiful family portraits!

Though it sounds difficult to take a family photo of 10 adults and 3 kids, it really wasn't.  I truly couldn't have asked for better lighting, setting OR subjects.

35 years of marriage, and such a beautiful, loving family to show for it.  Congrats, you guys! :-)

Thanks again for entering the contest, Lianna!  It was such a pleasure to meet with you and your family.  May God bless!

Twin Cities Wedding Photographer - An Iowa Wedding (October 2010)

 



One of my favorite things about being a photographer is all of the amazing people I get to meet, and semi-intimate experiences I'm invited to share. I just love it.

Thanks again for inviting me, Abigail.  I had a blast!

Twin Cities Mother Photographer - Blessings of Motherhood

Being a mother is the most incredible job in the world.  Yes, photography is cool and all, but where would I be without my inspiration?  My kids are my joy and inspiration in so many ways.



Sure, they tend to make life a little more complicated.  I've lost sleep - lots of sleep! - since they got here.  My clothes seem to never fit.  I can never vacuum enough, tidy, wash, or scrub enough - like magic my work seems to undo itself within minutes.  It now takes at least an hour to simply get out the door to go anywhere - and usually longer than that.  "Free-time" - what's that?  Not to mention all the training and teaching that must be done!  They rely on me completely, and its my job to be there for them.

But it's more than a job or a responsibility.  It is a joy and a blessing.  Sometimes it's easy to loose sight of this when scrubbing makeup out of the carpet, or when suffering through a sleepless night with a fussing baby - but really, besides meeting and marrying my hubby, they are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  God has shown me such love through these little ones, and I pray every day that He will help me show them love in return - in a way that they will feel right down to their little souls.

I am very blessed to have a Mother who did this for me.  I always thought she was a great mom, but it is only now that I have begun to comprehend the extent of what she has done for me and the rest of my 6 siblings.  Now I realize what a brat I probably was! lol  But she was always there for me.  Always ready to listen.  And though in no way perfect - always loving.

Mom, I love you.  Thank you for always loving me.  You've taught me the most important part of how to be a good mom.  With God's help, your grandkids will be the better for it. :-)

Twin Cities Child Photographer - Chair Sleeping

Chair Sleeping: The Next Olympic Sport

Twin Cities Baby Photographer - Christening Overalls

Just before I got married, my grandmother gave me a beautiful antique china doll that had been made by my Great Aunt Ista.  I grew up around this doll and can remember being a little kid and specifically going to "visit" the China dolls placed in my grandmother's guest room.  This life sized china doll (when I say life-size, I mean its about as big as a 2-3 month old baby - and is actually *chubby* looking!) is named Michael, and was meticulously dressed in a beautiful white, hand made Christening gown, complete with a lace cap, white stockings and patent leather shoes.

The day my grandmother gave me this doll, I said to myself "This will be the Christening gown for all of my future children!"

And just as I had planned, a little over a year later I had my little Debbie, and dressed her in this gown for her baptism (see the image on the left - Debbie at 3 months).

However, when I mentioned this plan to my husband, he said that though he liked the tradition for the girls, his future boys were not going to wear a dress.  "Not even if it's cammo!" he said.

Two years later...enter Byron.  The first boy, and no Christening gown for him!

I thought it would have been cute to find him a little suit or something for the baptism, but I couldn't find anything locally, and I didn't plan ahead enough to purchase online... so I found a little blue bow tie, and this cute overall w/polo shirt combo at Target.  He looked adorable in it, as you can see!

So my boys may not get the Christening gown, but I think we have a sufficiently cute replacement.  Christening overalls (w/bow tie!).  Oh yes, I'm satisfied. :-)

But I wonder if Byron secretly feels a little jipped?