Cheesy Christmas Photos

So, I figured since I have done a few family's Christmas photos, that I would try to do a few of our own... which, if anyone has seen our past year's card, normally turns out pretty hilarious. I think last year we skipped it because we were so busy with the shower, but... we try to make the most ridiculous cheesy card possible.

So, this year, having a baby seems like it would be super easy to be cheesy... the verdict is still out... I mean, she's cute, and that kinda ruins it... I sat her next to the grinch and she hugged it and smiled.. Next to the Christmas tree??? nope, she wants to eat the candy cane (that's from her Daddy) Not even too sure what she's doing with her penguin.... looks like she's trying to pose for a cheesy photobooth shot, which, could work i guess... argh...Well, we will try again and post more soon.

November Afternoon-sneak peek

At times, when you're photographing kids, you just have to roll with the punches :) These beautiful girls were so sweet and smiled and laughed and we had a good time rolling around in the grass together. I adored these little ones so much. Another important part of portraits are easy going families. I normally only sneak peek one photo, but these few moments with these girls were so endearing, I couldn't help it. What a beautiful family, and great way to spend a November afternoon. More to come.

Beautiful girl(s).

Kris and I have not up to this point bought the baby anything more than a toy or something here and there. So, we went on a little shopping spree the other day and bought her a few new things for winter/fall season. I'm pretty happy with them :) She got a bunch of warm stuff, and I must say, having sleeves on her arms really confuses her at times. Well, I wanted to photograph her but was squeaking a toy, so luna was very interested, so.... up on the bed she jumped and I said... what a better time than to snap a photo of my girls... aren't they cute??? well, I'm a bit biased I suppose.

the other photo if of my baby's toes... i'm not attracted to toes in any way... in fact, feet kinda gross me out (may be my heightened sense of smell) but for now... my baby's toes are my slight obsession. Every time I see them I can't help but grab them and love on them and smile...

Our baby girl is getting sooo big! Still no crawling, except backwards, and lemme tel you, she can MOVE!... we need one of those beepers for her, cause she's always bumping into everything around the house.

I seriously just can't get enough of her, she's the best.

Happy Halloween!!

We decided to stay home and pass out candy for Halloween. So, our friend Abby came and helped and we watched as the kids ran around. Next year will be your turn, baby girl... but for this year, we needed to stay in (cause mommy and daddy would have ended up eating all your candy by ourselves!)

So, we bundled up and got you ready for the cold and headed out to the porch to watch the trick or treaters, and gave you a treat of your own! :) (Note: She didn't eat a snickers bar... we just let her chew on it for a while, and she actually loved it!)

Clara and Grammy and Poppop

Yay! Grammy and Poppop came for a visit! We got to hang out, eat seafood and I grabbed a few photos before they left! I'm so glad they could come down to visit for a bit, cause we won't get to see them again until the holidays. It's hard living only a few hours but just not having the time to go see them with Kris's schedule. Clara is so lucky to have three sets of Grandparents (especially since she has lots of aunts and uncles and adopted family :)

Tinkerbell and pumpkins.

So, I have been working off and on for weeks on our "family" costumes... hopefully I will be able to post a photo of us in them ugh.... we have awesome costumes... but, here's the baby's.... she is tinkerbell. and a quite cute one, if I may say so myself.

Our costume party was cancelled due to the rain, so, we had to find something to do tonight... so, we carved our pumpkins. It's pretty obvious which pumpkins are which, Kris did a Ravens one, and I did one based around my favorite children's book "The Giving Tree"... pretty successful.

Look, Ma! I've got hair!

she's so funny with her fake crawling, backwards every time one of these days!

Our daily life...

...so, sometimes I feel like everyone thinks our photos on the blog are always planned out and set up of the baby... and some are, but most are just our everyday lives. And this was just a day when she was so happy I wanted to capture it forever (pretty much 90% of my child's life consists fo laughing and making me and Kris laugh and then she laughs and we all do it until we are out of breath...) oh my goodness our family is by far the cutest dang thing ever.

Pumpkin and a Pumkin

Took the pumpkin to the pumpkin patch today. We were worried people could think she looked like a boy in her black skeleton onesie... so, we added the hat :) Cutest pumpkin around ,if you ask me! :)

Clara's new Swing

Clara loved the swing at the park, so we got her one for the backyard :) Nothing like having a sidekick while you hang out the laundry :) We love getting our Vitamin D.

Hugs for Caterpillar

So, we said we would take random pictures with a big stuffed animal, and Grammy bought Clara this gigantic caterpillar. So, I posted a picture with her crying in the center of it. But, now, she loves it. She hugs and kisses it every time I get it out. It's one of those toys that every little girl sees and wants but, she actually has one. (a bit spoiled, we know :))

seven months of amazing-ness

Our baby girl is already 7 months! Wow... she's growing up so fast. Right now, since she's teething, everyday I am wishing it were closer to the time when she isn't in pain anymore... wow. I just hate for her to be unhappy :( Seeing her this way is so depressing.

So, here's to you, our beautiful baby girl, who can sit upright without help and is beginning to do baby push ups and uses her pointer finger and thumb to grasp now... wow, milestones abound, but so many many more.. she is absolutely amazing.

Pumpkin Carving

Some friends of ours had a dinner party and we all carved pumpkins.. it was a great time. Here's a group shot and a photo of mine and Kris's pumpkins... we had a good time designing and creating..(even though i was ridiculed for being a "professional artist") plus it gave me an excuse to make Chocolate Lava cake in the crock pot... YUM!

sometimes it is a great feeling reverting back to childhood... even if you have a child yourself...

What are YOU going to be for Halloween?

Megan and Byrne Klay

So, I have known these lovely folks for a long time now... wow, it really has been a long time. And, I just stumbled upon them in a smoky bar in Charleston, SC some friends of mine were going and I said, "Sure" and there they were.... two of the most musically talented and hard-working people I have ever met... wow.

So, I set out to make friends, and did... through photos first, but then gaining a friendship. It's pretty awesome that I have photographed them in SC, in a studio, in Arlington and DC AND now in Norfolk.. what a great opportunity to be a large part of such a great thing. So, during this shoot, which we wanted different than others, we decided to shoot at night. So, here is one shot from a series, and I promised I wouldn't post anymore until they received them, so, here's the shot that I'm pretty sure got the cops called on us... and the same shot of what I saw as I was shooting and what it looks like cropped in, which they wanted some close ups for promos, etc. but I liked doing more atsy type shots.

Sorry, Norfolk police, for bothering you at 11 pm from "flash-complaints" coming from driving cars... umm.. and thanks for being so understanding.

check them out:
meganjean.net

Congrats Elizabeth and Joel!

I met them a while back and from Arlington to Dc to Alexandria, even in Norfolk some, we dinnered and chatted and shared many great moments. It was so great knowing them together as a couple, an engaged couple and now as husband and wife. You guys are great! Love you, and congratulations!