Yeah, I know the title is wacked out, but hey, it’s past midnight & I’m still working….plus I had a pretty crazy day (and no nap!).  However, because Mike & Rachel are so cool, and I know their friends (who are my friend too) are drooling to see how sweet their wedding looked, I HAD to blog these.  Normally I don’t put up this many preview pictures, but hey, what the heck, it is my blog isn’t it?  I make the rules.  So, if you don’t have the patience for a lot of pictures, sorry!

I’ll cut the talking (or typing) and get straight to the day…the pictures speak for themselves.

I think I’ve said it before, but Michele & her daughter Emerson were my first ever “official” photo session waaaaaaay back when Emerson was just 6 months old.  Well, Emerson is closely approaching 3 and is now a big sister!

Michele contacted me back in May when I was having my Avon Walk for the Cure Photo Fundraiser.  She really wanted to participate, but wasn’t able to have her session until this past July.  Of course I said YES!  I was so excited to get to reconnect with Emerson and meet the newest Hess, Mackenzie.  These girls are not only beautiful, but so much fun!  Emerson has this cool face called “crazy eyes” that made me laugh so hard I couldn’t snap a photo at first.  And Mackenzie may only be a little one, but she certainly knows how to avoid the camera.  Every time I’d try to photograph her straight on she conveniently moved in a new direction.  Good thing I brought Skittles, lollipops, and my Elmo doll.  As soon as I busted those out I had their attention.

Here are Darren, Michele, Emerson, & Mackenzie….

Okay, I’m taking a really quick few moments to blog while my dog is happy with her chew toy, my oldest is watching Pooh Bear, and my youngest is still being a sleepy head in her big girl bed…whew!

I cannot express in words my immense & overwhelming pride in my husband Josh.  Not only is he a super great husband, father, & best friend….he has also started to gain some much-deserved recognition for his hard work with iPhone Applications.

Josh has been making iPhone Apps for a little less than a year.  Now when he first told me he wanted to invest his precious time and his hard-earned money in this, I have to admit I was a little skeptical.  The selfish wife in me thought, “Now where’s the money in that???”  But, God smacked me around a bit (not literally) and helped turn my thought process into, “Hey, that’s great.  I’d love for you to have a hobby you enjoy.  I support you.”  Okay, it may not have come out that way, but it’s how I feel.  To see Josh’s excitement when he gets an idea for a new app makes me so proud.  And to see the hard work & troubleshooting he puts in to is even better.  What a great example he is to our girls about hardwork & chasing your dreams.  Anyways….I digress (& I like trying out big words for future speed Scrabble games)….

So Josh has created six apps that are in the iTunes Store.  His latest one, however, has gotten some attention of people other than me.  Josh has partnered with a great guy (whom I’ve never met) Oscar Santana to market & sell these apps to local businesses.  Well, Oscar had a connection to Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins & talked him in to getting his own iPhone App.  The finished product is here!

This is the “loading screen” as you open the App, and the following are a few screen shots…

I am just so proud of you Josh!  You have done an amazing job on all your apps & I’m so thrilled for the positive feedback you’re getting on this one.  Maybe one day you’ll design an app for me!  Also, I would be a bad blogger & wife if I didn’t thank the other great guys who’ve helped Josh along the way: Oscar Santana (marketing & sales), James Flowers (some great programming) & Brian Crane (thanks for the super cool logo in the photo below).  Oh, yes, and thanks to Jill, my former client, who gave her idea of “Renegade Apps” when I put the question out on Facebook – you rock!

When I first arrived at the Schuler family’s home, I was really stuck in “child photographer” mode.  See, I had just shot the ever lovely Madelyn the day before and the Elmo song, Yo Gabba Gabba tunes, and doggie barks were on my mind.  You know, tricks to get little ones to look.  These tricks definitely would have worked on the Schuler family!  Paul, Ben, & Kelsey were like a bunch of big kids and I totally loved being with them!

Their parents, Denise & Scott have been married 10 wonderful years, so we had to get in some kissy kissy shots just to make the kids cringe – and they did!  But the “kids” had so many cool ideas too – jump shot, cartwheels, totem poles?!?!?!?  They were awesome!

I had a wonderful afternoon with you all & thanks for having me out & making me laugh – I needed it!