My daughter Emma thinks Fall is on one single day – the day all the leaves fall off the trees.  I’ve been working with her on the fact that fall is a process, not a single day.  She still doesn’t believe me, but what can you do?

Anyway….she & Brooke have been wanting to rake & jump in leaves for a few weeks now.  It seems like there are quite a few to be raked now, so we went out and tried today.  And, as usually happens, when one kid is out, they ALL come out.  Here are some photos of my girls & our neighborhood friends enjoying the leaves!

Everybody ready?

THROW!!!!

And here’s a little pumpkin carving for fun….

Well, today is my birthday.  Here’s how I awoke to my special day:  Emma coming in & me turning on cartoons & drifting back to sleep.  Two phone calls that I didn’t answer…sleep was more important to me.  The dog howling at the phone (because it’s the kind that talks).  Emma – my 4-year-old – going in to my 2-year-old Brooke’s room & letting her “out.”  Me finally wiping the sleep dust out of my tired eyes & checking the weather on my phone.  My surprise & smile at noticing over 50 emails from my Facebook friends wishing me a happy birthday.  A text from my mommy wishing me a great birthday.  A phone message from my sister-in-law wishing me a happy day.  Lunch at McDonald’s with my two lovelies.  And now…probably a nap!  (Oh, and the husband said to expect some packages that I can’t open ’til he gets home!)  What a wonderful day.  Thanks for all the love everyone.  I feel very special.  And, to end this post that is selfishly all about me, I give you a photo of Emma & Brooke!  Happy Tuesday!

Have you ever been to a wedding of two really unique & creative people wondering if it will be as equally unique & creative as they are?  Well, I just did!  Mark & Lindsey are two just really neat-o kids & their wedding was just as awesome as they are!  When the three of us met to talk about what kinds of things they wanted from me for their wedding photos, Lindsey had a ton of really great ideas.  She asked me if I was bothered by that, and I said, “No way!”  I L-O-V-E it when brides & grooms, couples, parents, whomever has an idea of what they like.  It helps me to get to know their personality a little better & in turn, to give them some memories & photos they will hopefully cherish.

Lindsey & Mark had their wedding & reception at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.  What a great venue!  Who needs to decorate when you have a hot air balloon, giant pink poodles, a car covered in blue soda bottles, and tons of other things all around you?!?!?!  There was so much to entertain your imagination it was unreal!

Beverly & I totally loved your wedding day, Mark & Lindsey!  Thanks for inviting us & enjoy your preview…

If you are a faithful blog follower (or stalker, for those of you who follow & don’t comment), you may remember Clara’s newborn & 3-month shots.  Well, here are her 6-month photos!  Can you believe how quickly she’s grown?  I can’t & she’s not even my little girl!

Clara’s mom got this super sweet Candy Corn outfit from Etsy & it fits Clara perfectly…from the little ruffle on her butt all the way down to her candy corn tights & headband!  (If you have never looked at Etsy before I urge you to do so, but with great caution – it’s addicting!)

She was an absolute gem & gave us many smiles.  I think Clara’s favorite outfit was her cloth diaper.  As soon as she got down to that she just sang & talked & growled to her heart’s content!

Thank you again Clara, Kelly & Grammy (and Zelda the cat) for letting me into your home to photograph such a sweet, darling little girl.  I always look forward to it!

Clara’s Halloween costume!

Almost exactly 2 weeks ago the uber talented Beverly & myself drove up to Lancaster, PA to photograph the wedding of Dan & Cindy.   You may remember them as winning my award for the most lovey dovey looks, the most enthusiasm, etc.  Well, they got married!  And the enthusiasm & energy didn’t stop at their engagement session.  It went all the way through their wedding & reception.  We had some rain (which I heard is good luck on your wedding day!), but we made the most of it.  Congratulations Dan & Cindy on your new beginning together!