Archive for the ‘personal’ Category

If you’re like us there is always that person that is so hard to shop for. For us that’s our Mimi, she has everything she could ever need or want. Since Gabby loves doing art I figured there was nothing better we could give for Christmas than something that was created by her.

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

My little artist loved this activity, she wouldn’t stop until I finally took the paintbrush away. I see a lot of painting in our future. We’re now taking future orders for any interested parties! These will only increase in value once she’s well known so save your money and order one now!

The next photographer in the circle is my friend Kathleen Weibel so go check out her work next!

Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. The best part is that it will be totally candid, lifestyle shots of each of our own families/lives. We don’t even have to dredge up random people or make our kids pose for us. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!

My family has started an annual holiday tradition and by tradition it’s definitely unique. It’s called a turkey bowl. Everyone goes bowling the day before Thanksgiving. My family might be a little odd (shh don’t tell them!) but they definitely know how to make memories. Everyone decorates t-shirts and then proceeds to be win the honor of king (or queen!) of the turkey bowl. I would only be queen if bowling was scored like golf, lowest points win. So uhh yeah the important part is making memories together right?

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

One works up an appetite bowling. Please note the solitary teardrop on his cheek. I had dared to try and feed it to him. Mr Independant only wanted the ice cream if he was feeding it to himself.
Child Photographer in Olathe KS

Be sure to check out the next amazing photographer – Anelle Richardson Photography in this circle of life stories.

Ever see a photographer who starts out with a 365 day project, or even a 52 week project and never finishes? Yeah, me too. Well, I recently joined a group of a few other busy photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! If we fail this, we’ll be taking donations for a time management seminar. The best part is that it will be totally candid, lifestyle shots of each of our own families/lives. We don’t even have to dredge up random people or make our kids pose for us. We’re calling the series “The Story of ________” and we’ll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she’ll be linking to someone else. It’s a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!

If you are ever around young kids you know how hard it is to entertain them for long. With my kids being so close in age and young I’m always on the hunt for anything that will keep them busy long enough for me to throw some food on the stove or clean up. Anything that keeps them occupied simulateanously for five whole minutes is considered a winner in my book. Well behold the sand table. In a stroke of sheer genius I moved it to our patio while I was cooking dinner and you know what? They both played with it for 15 WHOLE MINUTES. So what do I do with myself when my kids aren’t both clamoring for my attention and I can get something done? Yep I stop to take pictures of them doing said activity. While dinner may not have gotten done any faster I still want to capture my kids just being kids.

Children Photographer in Kansas City

Children Photographer in Kansas City

Children Photographer in Kansas City

Children Photographer in Kansas City

Children Photographer in Kansas City

Children Photographer in Kansas City

At the end of each of our posts will be a link to the next photographer in the chain of Life Stories Series. There are 27 of us participating!!!!

Please go check out Verity Dokter Photography as my friend Vee is the next photographer in the circle doing this project.

The only man I ever fell in love with at first sight was you. We met a year ago today. Actually I loved you before I even met you, just don’t tell daddy that you’re cuter.

Aimee Geis Photography

From the very start you let everyone knew you weren’t going to be walked all over.

Aimee Geis Photography

Aimee Geis Photography

Aimee Geis Photography

(The above 4 images are courtesy of Aimee Geis Photography) Side note, if you are ever uncertain about having a birth photographer just do it, you’ll thank yourself later.

To this day it takes a lot to get you worked up. Give you food, and a lot of it and you’re typically good.

Bella Vida Photography

Bella Vida Photography

Bella Vida Photography

Bella Vida Photography

These above 4 images courtesy of Petra at Bella Vida Photography and yes if you’re keeping track I didn’t have just one but two photographers there on your birthday. No one can argue the value I place on photography.

Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Kansas City

Your big sister has loved you from the start, sometimes I wished she wouldn’t love on you quite so much all at once. Ofcourse everyone loves you but you’re her baby first and foremost. The first word out of her mouth every morning for weeks after you joined us was ‘baby’.

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Baby Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Kansas City

You’ve never once complained when your sister plays dress up with you. It takes a strong man to wear pink necklaces after all. Always be who you are, those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Child Photographer in Kansas City

You love everyone you meet, keep it that way. The heart is the strongest muscle in the body. Use it.

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Baby Photographer in Olathe KS

Baby Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Baby Photographer in Kansas City

Newborn Photographer in Olathe KS

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Baby Photographer in Kansas City

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Baby Photographer in Olathe KS

Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s acting in spite of it.
Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

Baby Photographer in Kansas City

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

You are all boy, fear is not in your vocabulary and although it makes me hold my breath sometimes – your fearlessness is the very thing that will take you far dear. If you don’t stand for what you believe in you’ll fall for anything.

Baby Photographer in Olathe KS

Remember though, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

You are definitely a momma’s boy, those eyes get me everytime. The sad part is you already know it. Just promise me no flirting with any other girls until you’re at least 2 right?

Baby Photographer in Overland Park KS

366 days ago I thought when moms told me how boys were so much fun I figured they were somewhat delusional. How can a baby with no bows or ruffles be that much fun? Guess they were right. Apparently I was the delusional one and didn’t realize how much I was missing out.

Child Photographer in Olathe KS

You might be classified as a toddler now but you’ll always be my baby. Happy birthday baby boy.

In some parts of the US early September means one last chance at going to the lake or beach. Here in landlocked Kansas City it means carnivals and fairs. Two weekends ago we went to Santa-Cali-Gon days in Independance and last weekend we went to Old Settlers Days in Olathe.

Gabby loves the carousel, she could ride that all day long. I made the horrible decision since we had extra tickets to let her ride something else by herself for a change. Some purple whale that went around in circles, she was fine for about 3 times around until she realized she hated it plus she was by herself and suddenly she became that kid crying horribly on the ride. I included more pics from that ride than I normally would just to show you how quickly things can change when you’re two.

Old Settlers days for us is always a lot of fun. Our church – Life Church – always has a booth giving away balloons, face painting for the kids. On Saturday the whole church will show up and walk in the parade. We give out several thousand bottles of water and candy. It’s known as the orange parade and is a lot of fun. I’m glad that our church participates in a lot of community activities and one reason I love it :)

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

Family Photographer in Olathe

After it cooled down a few weekends ago we headed out to the Kansas City Zoo. Man do we LOVE the new polar bear exhibit. I have always loved the zoo and I’m so glad Gabrielle is finally at the age where she really enjoys learning about the animals. She knows all the sounds they make and can start to interact with actually seeing them. This was the first time we got the skytram/boat/carousel passes and we’ll probably do that in the future. It’s a fast and easy way to see a lot of the animals in the Africa exhibit without feeling like you’re traipsing all over Gods green earth and pushing a stroller along said earth. Plus who doesn’t love a good carousel, Gabrielle is quite the pro at them now, she told me “momma sit down” on one of them instead of standing next to her like the normal overly protective parent.

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Gabrielle is a total social butterfly. She loves parties, she loves playing with friends and she loves having them over. I could ask her if she wants to go play with her friend Madison or if she wants to eat candy and she’ll say “Eat candy with Madison”. For a two year old that’s awesome she even thought about Madison after the word “candy” was spoken. I think that’s pretty good considering she’d probably share her candy with Madison right?

Her newest thing is to come up and barely whisper “I have an idea momma” I’ll ask what her idea is and she’ll whisper with a huge grin “CANDY” like it’s the world’s biggest secret and she’s doing me a favor by letting me know about it. If she hadn’t done it at 8am I probably would have given her some just for her creativity, that’s got to count for some m&ms right?

Anyway back to Madison, Gabby loves her friend and these play dates are serious, they’ll play with the balls, then they’ll color, then play dough, rinse repeat that for about 3 hours. The best part of play dates in my world? You can count on having an amazing naptime afterwards to get a million things done.

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

All two year olds love play dough right? My daughter could play with play dough everyday and still want to tomorrow.

Please note that all proper girls require their necklaces on in order to play with anything including play dough.
Family Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Awhile back the hubster and I decided we wanted to visit his family in Virginia. We talked about flying and instead decided to take a roadtrip. Yes that’s right, I said the word. I’m not one to be afraid of driving but 17 hours and almost 1100 miles of driving EACH way. Oh and plus we have two 2 and under? Yes I know it’s crazy and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about getting some Xanax, just in case right? Always be prepared, that’s what the Girl Scouts taught me.

When I was growing up my family of seven always drove everywhere. Yes it was more economical – who buys airfare for 5 children anyway? I am used to the logistics in driving long distances with kids. But those trips were max 10 hours of driving with stops.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing wrong with it and fly a lot for work. However, with 2 wee ones that are out of their schedules and out of their environment? Well that’s just asking for a breakdown. I’d rather have my kids break down when it’s just me that’s getting the headache from it. Then when you add all the gear you ‘need’ carseats, blankies, stroller, snack goodies, coloring books and you’ve got to get that within checked luggage limitations? Add in a non-direct flight and well my choice was to drive.

Child Photographer in Kansas City

Needless to say we were in the car alotFamily Photograph in Kansas City

We party hard, we work hard and we sleep hard.
Family Photograph in Kansas City

Have to see the sights when you’re there! Even if it’s just from said car we already enjoyed for the last 10 hours.
Child Photographer in Kansas City

Child Photograph in Kansas City

Apparently hotels are quite entertaining, bonus they’re already baby-proofed!
Family Photograph in Kansas City

We took some time to go to the Smithsonian National Zoo.
Child Photographer in Kansas City

On the way back we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Who knew so much work and planning goes into making a bat?
Family Photograph in Kansas City

Apparently you can get dinner and then 5 MINUTES later stop for white castle ‘just because you can’t get it at home’
Child Photographer in Kansas City

We’re already planning our next roadtrip, just won’t be as long of a trip.

Since last Saturday was the day before Easter of course we had to dye some eggs! This was my first time doing it in literally decades but I think ours turned out alright.

Got to get all the supplies ready beforehand.
Family Photographer in Overland Park KS

Gotta put the ‘magic’ crayon on the egg
Children's Photographer in Kansas City

Kansas City Child Photographer

Mom you gave me a dud egg, or this crayon isn’t working.
Family Photographer in Kansas City

Photographer in Kansas City

Kansas City Children Photographer

Family Photographer in Kansas City

<Children's Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Overland Park KS

Family Photographer in Kansas City

Family Photographer in Olathe KS

Family Photographer in Overland Park KS

Yes folks I know you’re all jealous of my mad creative skills right? I mean putting a letter on an egg is completely original folks!
Family Photographer in Olathe KS

Do you see that absolutely adorable apron Gabby is wearing? I had matching aprons made for us to wear from a friend. She has an etsy store so if you’re looking for something cute check her out here!