Fast and Furious

I often feel like I am constantly running on the treadmill....go, go, go. If only I could get the treadmill results, hmm. This week has been no exception. It is the last full week of school for the girls, another school year has come and gone. New schedules and routines, or lack thereof, are upon us.

But this week started off a bit different than my normal. Monday afternoon I headed to the airport, by myself, to fly out to Orange County, California for my own little adventure. A workshop. I have wanted to attend a photography workshop for quite awhile. Derek and I had decided that we could make it happen this summer. I had kept in my head that if I was going to make the effort to attend a workshop I wanted to just go for it, go big, find someone who I knew I would enjoy. Over spring break an opportunity came into my inbox, a Jasmine Star workshop. Her workshops are known to sell out in as quick as an hour so there was no time to debate! After texting back and forth with Derek we decided to go for it. No regrets.

Tuesday was filled with information, laughs, challenges and new friends. I am now looking at my business through a different set of eyes. My head hurts a little and my lists are long but I am excited to dig deeper and see what I can find.

I truly am thankful for such an opportunity to come my way...I plan to post more, just waiting for some of it to settle in.

We had a quick shoot with these two hotties.

Jasmine and I

St. Patty's day - {Lawrence, KS photographer}

A parade, Lawrence style. If you know Lawrence you know it will be fun and well ummm, unique. One of the very reasons I love this town. Having gone to college here that of course is another big reason I love Lawrence. The university puts so much energy into this town. I did leave the state of Kansas after graduation and got to experience other parts of the country, to which I am thankful. I always knew that if I came back home to Kansas, Lawrence is where I would want to land. A small town, yet it has so much diversity and spunk. A great place to raise a family.

So, enjoy some photos from our St. Patricks Day parade. It didn't disappoint!

Harper and her buddy Maddy not missing a beat.

March madness in a basketball crazed town is an experience all of it's own!

We love our Hawks and this time of year.

The "real" Jayhawk was in the parade too but was not at a good angle for me.

The Sandbar, yep it is a bar.

If their objective was to make me want to leave this parade and go have a beer with them, they were successful. Unfortunately it was in the middle of the afternoon and I had my kids in tow.

Yes, those horses really were green!

And who doesn't love a cute little "leprechaun"!

Thank you Lawrence. I do love to call you home.

Where have I been?

I have been absent on my blog, whoa, big surprise. Let's just say I haven't been home much and when I have been it has been playing catch up.

It started with a trip back to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Ah, a heavenly getaway in January! It was brutally cold in Kansas this January. To lay on the beach in the warm sun was so incredibly refreshing. I am pretty sure I suffer from season affective disorder (SAD). I always have. Maybe someday we will retire somewhere warm. Unfortunately, the vacation "high" didn't last long. Upon our return back home we were welcomed with a snow storm and the kids out of school for 3 days. Ahh, reality.

This is the view from poolside at Casa Jose.

Just a short walk to the beach. That is Cozumel in the distance.

We would walk to 5th Avenue multiple times a day.

It is lined with shops, restaurants and fun locals!

Five days later this was my view in Denver.

My friend Tahl asked if I could come back out to get more photos of her Medical Spa.

I had been there in May but they had made some changes and needed me again, darn.

Vitahl is a wonderful, wonderful Medical Spa with a great professional staff. "Medical spa's " have become more common, so do your homework before booking an appointment with anyone. Vitahl is over 5 years old and is Doctor owned. They also have a plastic surgeon on staff three days a week. Botox injections are only done by a Doctor or a nurse practitioner, facial treatments are done by wonderful estheticians and the lasers are done by estheticians who have been trained by the laser companies. Not sure why I felt the need to throw all that information out at you besides the fact to brag at what a great place it is! I also enjoy getting a little pampered while there, something I probably wouldn't do at home.

This is Tahl aka Dr. Humes and her dog Botox.

Sometimes it is strange that I am grown up enough to have successful friends!

Four days from after returning from Denver we headed to Oklahoma City for the Nadia Comaneci Invitational. Nadia is actually there and presents the awards to the girls after each session. Yep, pretty cool. Josie went to camp this past summer in Norman, OK at Bart Connor's gym (her husband), she had the opportunity to meet both of them at that time. They are two of the nicest people! Gymnasts train year round so it is fun when meet season is upon us.

Josie in a handstand on the beam.

It is fun to watch her as she truly looks like a graceful gymnast these days!

Miss Jo on the vault.

Before we headed out of town we went to the Oklahoma City bombing memorial.

I may sound old when I say this but I remember exactly where I was when news of the bombing broke.

The girls were full of questions and very respectful, I am glad we went.

Over the next month we have three more gymnastics meets, St. Louis, Kansas City and Wichita. Then right into spring break!

I have lots of sessions booked for March and April and am excited to get out and embrace spring! I am going to be doing give away on my facebook page so if you aren't already a fan head over there and become one!

Have a great weekend! Our 65 degree weather turned to ice and snow today. Grrrr!

I heart faces - smiles

So I am throwing another photo up on I heart faces this week! This week the theme is smile. SMILE, I get lots of those! I am telling you the hardest thing about entering a photo is picking which one! I have loads of photos and so many that mean so much. But I didn't dig very deep for this one. This was taken just yesterday. We had our first snow of the year yesterday and we had to get out and celebrate a little. We have now had two days out of school, some good outside play time and lots of inside time, the snow can melt. I am over it. It is super pretty but yep, over it.

So for tonight...here is my youngest in all smiles over the falling snow.

Click the link below to go and see many more fun smiles! This weeks judges is one of my favorite photographers to follow. None other than Jasmine Star. Incredible.

What have YOU been doing?

It seems like I run from one thing to the next these days. It is Monday, the kids are out of school, I am caught up on my photography (whew) and Derek is done traveling for the year. I feel like we can finally sit back and truly enjoy the Christmas season. Or week I should say. No, my shopping isn't 100% complete, but almost. The UPS man knows us well. What did we do before online shopping?

Life with three little people and a business leaves me with my new fashion trend, dark circles! But I wouldn't trade any of it. We have been blessed beyond measure and I know this time in our lives will speed by. So for now we soak it all in and keep running. Here are a few things that have been going on in our household.

Josie got her braces off and is now sporting a straight smile...

but bottom braces are coming in January, her mouth is a bit of a mess.

So thankful for a great orthodontist!

Harper had her Christmas sing-a-long.

Nothing cuter than a group of 3 & 4 year olds singing their hearts out.

Maybe a few picking their noses.

-Josie had a music concert too-

We have kicked off Josie's gymnastic season

Her hours of hard work paid off!

She got 1st place on the bars, beam and floor (resulting in 1st place all-around)

& a 3rd place on the vault.

Looking forward to watching her all season!

I had never taken my girls to the eye doctor as I had no concerns.

This summer I decided they should all go in for a vision exam (it is free for 3 & under)

Ummm...the result, a follow-up visit last week and TWO kids in glasses.

WHAT?

I can blame their dad as I still have perfect vision.

But I must say they are pretty cute.

We are currently taking bets on how long until these beauties are broken.

We have taken in a few great Jayhawk games!

I rarely take my camera but I did this weekend and got some fun shots.

Our seats are pretty incredible this year so it is much more fun to snap away.

This is our view, no fancy zoom on my camera, just a 50mm.

This was against USC...another barn burner. I had a headache after this game!

Hoping for a great season.

ROCK CHALK!

A visit to Santa is a must. My girls requests?

Harper - a nintendo DS

Emme - a nintendo DSi and science stuff

Josie- a laptop

Electronics? What happened to good old wooden toys?

Christmas shopping.

The girls skipping their way to the Toy Store.

Ahhh....I love this time of year.

Now off to bake some cookies!

I hope you are enjoying the season!

Happy Thanksgiving

I write this quick note of Thanksgiving while cozied up in my PJ's. Who can stay in their regular clothes after a day of feasting? Can we say over eat? Oh so yummy though!

I have so very many things to be thankful for and it is always nice to slow down and really take it in. I think as I get older I realize more and more what truly matters and how fortunate I am.

We made a cute little turkey to sit among us this year. The kids cut out the feathers and handed them out to everyone. We wrote a small message of what we were thankful for on the feathers and stuffed our turkey. The small feather could not possibly hold it all...

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Last of the Colorado vacation - Day 3

Day 3 of our trip to Colorado was the day our girls were looking forward to the most. We had made arrangements to head over to a ranch and go horseback riding. It was about an hour and a half drive but we had zero problems getting everyone up and going that morning! We watched the temp drop as we climbed in elevation but honestly, it was a picture perfect day.

As we pulled up to the ranch (who does not have a website or I would share it here) they were cleaning up from a party the night before. The owner of the ranch was getting married the next day so they had a big bash with friends and family. Evidence was everywhere that they had a wonderful time! Our guides admitted to being a little "slower" on this morning but they didn't show it at all.

There were dogs everywhere, I am talking something like 20. All different breeds and all of them totally laid back and just chillin'. Two of them joined up on our ride, what a big playground they have to romp on each day! We met our horses, got quickly acquainted and headed out. The horses were great and it was evident the confidence the guides have in them. My girls hadn't ever ridden a horse on their own (think pony rides at the fair), but you wouldn't ever have known it. No one showed any concern...so off we went! I do have to say it was a little tough to ride a horse and take photos, I did my best!

They were so excited for this day!

Harper and daddy were the first ones up and ready to roll!

She was a total natural, she was up in the front of the pack most of the ride.

Bringing up the rear.

Emme was ready to trot shortly after this & she did!

What fun is horseback riding if you don't go a little "faster"!

Although the horses pretty nautrally just followed each other our guides encouraged us to do and go as we desired. If we wanted to get off the path or trot, whatever, they allowed it.

It was such a beautiful day.

The blue skies and puffy clouds almost look fake.

This was the top or the turn around of our ride.

The view was breathtaking.

Josh, one of our guides snapped this for us!

We saw some elk moments after this...

It is such therapy to be in this environment.

crossing through a creek

Yes, she really is asleep. How in the world do you fall asleep while horseback riding?

Like I said though relaxing & therapeutic!

Oh & it was a two hour ride.

She too was such a natural and was not even slightly intimidated.

Our awesome guides.

They were so laid back, it was just like going for a

ride with friends.

A model moment when done riding.

On the drive over to the ranch I had seen this little spot that was yelling at me to stop.

This happens alot but I don't always listen. More often no one wants to be in front of the camera for me. But on the drive back home I asked if we could just pull over to the side of the road and Emme was a willing subject. A cute one at that...

Old (but colorful) buildings, mountains, wild flowers.

See what I mean,

it was literally yelling at me to stop!

What an incredible day. We went over to Breckinridge for lunch then headed back to Canon City in time to watch football. It was a day we will not forget for a long time. My girls expectations of horseback riding are forever ruined.

Colorado trip - day two

On our second day in Colorado we decided to make a day of the Royal Gorge. I had been white water rafting out this way in the 90's but hadn't ever been in the park. The park is a bit of a time warp but you cannot deny the natural beauty . We headed in and went straight over the bridge...wait, no we hit up the carousel first, then the bridge.

Derek's palms might have sweat a little (he is not a fan of heights) but not any of my girls.

No big deal.

It is a long way down folks. The river looks like a tiny pencil drawn line.

Emme picked some wildflowers...shhh don't tell. I am sure this is discouraged

I didn't see it, honest.

I was just the recipient of the sweet gesture.

We trekked around for quite awhile then decided we would take the cable car back over the gorge vs. walking back across the bridge.

It was quite a haul up and around so we enjoyed the ride back over.

This is our view out the cable car

gorgeous view of the bridge

Josie taking in the view

Emme wanted to pose for me. Note her hands. Silly girl.

But this is what we did next...we went down into the gorge on this incline railway.

I had no idea what to expect. It was very cool!

Harper hanging on..going down!

I think the view from down here was spectacular.

That tiny line in the sky is the bridge.

Wow!

See that pipeline off to the right? It is made of redwood.

That is what was carried water from the river into Canon City, until the mid 70's.

Grandpa Bob lived in Canon City during this time and had a part in building the

system that replaced it.

The sun was just peaking through.

So Jo got serious for me.

In all the fun that was had that day and all the things we saw

what do my kids gravitate to?

Can I have a quarter mom?

Ummm, no, I am still out from the last gum ball machine.