Happy Harveys

Another great trip to the Harveys this past week. I don't know what it is, but those shoots (we've now completed our third) are just so much fun. Perhaps it was the GORGEOUS Georgia afternoon that carried us along so happily, but I suspect it's because these folks are so natural in front of the camera.

This time, I spent most of the time chasing Be-ah (aka Ben) and Sam around their backyard and cracking up at Ben's silly faces. Funny sidebar: "Be-ah" is what Sam calls big brother Ben and, according to his mother, got that from the way she calls him when she needs him, "Beah-en." Two-syllabled, so naturally you can see how Sam got Be-ah. How adorable is that??

Below are some of the pics from the day. Thanks again guys!

Smushy face, Huggie bear

On Saturday, my brother, sister-in-law, niece and brand-spankin-new baby nephew came for their first visit to Suwanee. For reference, this is my Army brother who was just recently stationed at Fort Gordon, GA. The boys were so excited about the visit this weekend and couldn't wait to see their aunt and uncle, and I couldn't wait to get my mitts on that baby.

At two months Liam is already smiling and is just the cutest thing! He looks nothing like my brother Ian, although I did see flashes of him in certain instances. He was such a good baby the whole day and was passed from person to person without much fuss. I forgot how often the ity bity ones need to eat and be changed -- this kid ate every 90 minutes or so and hollered for it each time. (Yup, we're definitely done at two, thank you very much. No going back to those days!)

Liam (baby, baby Liam, baby Leo according to Sam and Jack) also generously slept through dinner while the rest of us chowed at our favorite local noisy Mexican cantina. Certainly nice of him don't ya think?!

So, while I didn't want to have the camera in the baby's face the whole day, I HAD to get a few while they were here. I'm just glad we'll have them around these parts a while so we can watch this little guy grow up.

Notice anything?

I have a new look! No, I haven't gotten my braces off yet, but I do have a nifty new logo. My friend Jenny, who reps my fave new jewelry line www.stelladot.com/jennylau, happens to be married to a lovely fellow (Derek) who HAPPENS to be a graphic designer (they also have the most gorgeous kids). Well, one day a few weeks ago I sheepishly asked if he might be interested in helping me design a new look - my old logo wasn't quite what I had hoped for - and lo and behold he said yes! Whoo hoo!

After discussing what I was looking for: something more professional, fun, feminine, etc., he gave me a bunch of different options to look at - all were quite good. We whittled it down some, and he let me tinker a bit (I'm sure I drove him nuts), and finally we landed on what you see here. THEN, he went WAY above and beyond and designed a handout and stand up display sign that I can use while my new biz cards are on order (Derek, I'll be calling ya soon about that).

I just love the new design, and Derek was so great to work with. I can't wait to start using this stuff. Hey, if you need a good designer some day - call me - I gotta guy.

How cute is the little clothes line?

Dreary on Halloween

It's been raining a lot lately so no surprise that it rained tonight on Halloween. It also rained enough yesterday to delay my flight home from DC by 2 hrs, but that's another story. But no worries, tonight's rain did not dampen the spirits of all the little princesses, super heroes and goblins that live on our street. They trudged on with umbrellas and slickers without a care in the world - I mean free candy is free candy after all, right? Sam retired early and helped me give out candy, and thankfully almost all of it went. That's good in this house because I'd end up eating the leftovers.

I'm also including a few pics from our church's annual Trunk or Treat from earlier this week - which I just love. That night was absolutely stellar so we got at least one good night of costume wearin' in without having to bundle up. Gotta love Halloween in Georgia!

I thought this little pumpkin was a small child at first glance - I think Jack did too

Beetle bug Sutton

In betweeen raindrops, Bill took these

I've got my eye on you

Our lovely senior pastor, Dr. Self

Chicken Johnny and Chicken Gee

Polka dot princesses

There's just something about polka dots on little girls, isn't there? I got to photograph these two lovelies along with their lovely parents on Saturday after t-ball fun and putt putt madness. It started out a beautiful day - and that lasted about 10 minutes before the clouds rolled in and blocked out the sun - again. It was cold and blustery and grey, but these gals soldiered on and never complained once. I, on the other hand, was whimpering into my SCARF. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little - but I was wearing a scarf.

Anyway, Chris and Krista and their polka dot gals were great to photograph and even their youngest miss - albeit between adorable pouts - managed to sneak me a few smiles. Bribery works every time! Below are a few from the afternoon. Thanks guys!

Too much fun

Last night - official pumpkin carving night - was too much fun. I hadn't carved a pumpkin since middle school, and going in I was worried I would come out with a lopsided face (the pumpkin's not mine) or one less finger (me, not the pumpkin). Luckily neither happened. Jack and Sam were great helpers - they told me where to cut, cheered me on when I sliced around the top and poked out the eyes, but did they reach in and dig out the pulp? No way. "Ewwww, that's gross." Jack helped with a spoon (protected by safety goggles) - you never can be too careful - but I was so surprised that neither wanted to dig in with their hands. That was the best part for me! Thankfully, Bill was the expert cleaner-upper as we splattered pumpkin everywhere.

The kitchen was a mess, and I had pulp in my hair, but we ended up with two reasonably well-carved jack-o-lanterns (at least from far away). The big mouthed one is named Jack (surprised?) and the toothy one is named Sam in honor of the first lost tooth. We also have an un-carved, smaller pumpkin named Timmy. Why you ask? No earthly idea.

Normally (and sadly), I'm usually focused on too much of everything else - too much email, too much TV, too much work, too much laundry, but tonight was just too much fun. We danced in the kitchen, carved and dug and scooped, of course saved a few seeds to plant in the yard (does that actually work?). In the words of Jack, "it was the best time ever!" Some before shots

And now for the fun part!

All aglow on the stoop!

Pumpkins are here!

My favorite season is the Fall. I love the crisp mornings, having a great reason for decadent hot chocolate, wearing jeans and a t-shirt (in Georgia you can do that), and I just love the changing colors of the season. I also love pumpkins and the quest to pick the perfect gourd. It's sort of an obsession for me. I don't know about you, but I much prefer the fat squatty ones to the tall thinner ones. There's just something about a round, fat pumpkin that is pleasing to the eye (at least mine).

So, off we went to Uncle Shucks with our Sunday School class. This year was a little disappointing though - the pumpkins were a bit picked over, and the gorgeous, sky-high sunflowers from last year were nowhere in sight. I'm sure this awful rain had something to do with it, but I was SOO looking forward to watching the kids run through the giant stalks.

Anyhow, I snapped a few pics before we left and ended up stopping at another pumpkin patch on the way home. There we found three for the price of one at Uncle Shucks. I guess I know where the Andersons will be pumpkin shopping next year! The boys loved the pumpkins we picked and of course haven't stopped asking me when they'll be carved. Stay tuned for the before and after pics. Happy Fall!