What's up......

I'm turning off the news....no news is SO much better than the negative that is pouring out of that box today! Even the postman was a grouch expressing his thoughts about how things played out yesterday.

I'm very late posting today because I was working on a slideshow of the seniors I had the pleasure of photograping this year. I had a little trouble finding the perfect song. I do wish the seniors the best of luck with their future plans!

It's something different....I hope I can get it to work!
Looking for the slide show? go to http://www.kellyroyphotography.slide.com/

Have a great day!
~kel~

Summary of the weekend.

I felt bad making a negative post about my Kenna girl but its part of my life. Anyone who knows my family personally knows that she's been the one child that challenges me. She's a blessing just the same - I wanted that girl sooooooo bad! It's okay that she's strong-willed and sometimes defiant - I have the energy to take it on and I know she's mild in comparison to other children.

Friday I had a nice visit with my friend Kendra. She served us lunch and her super cute boys entertained us. I always bring my camera along - never know when a cute moment will present and the baby didn't let me down. Loved this photo....he was getting melancholy as he got closer to lunch and naptime.

Then there's her next oldest: He and Marleigh got along great. As we were leaving I told Marleigh to give him a hug - she had no problem wrapping her arms around him and he turned as if he was completely embarrassed...it was so cute! I love these little people!

Me: "Fin, can I take your picture?" Fin replies: "SURE!" (gotta love it!)

Then, Friday night we took the kids out to dinner. We don't do that much anymore so it was a nice change. Two of the kids ate free with an adult entree because the Red Sox won Thursday!! It's SWEET when I show up and they tell me I'm getting a deal!

Saturday I got my gram all beautified....I missed her the weekend before so we had lots of catching up to do. I love to share funny stories with her because she has the cutest giggle!! She says neat things like "That'd be swell" and "Oh my goodness!" I tell her stories because the rise I get out of her is good medicine and sometimes it triggers a story from her too! I was telling her how Marleigh says daddy long leg really funny, it comes out like "dilly dong leg". I tried to tape her but I haven't figured out how to get an audio clip of it online...its hysterical! The kids and I also visited with my mom. Mom and I always have tons to chat about and right now we are on a high for the trip!

Sunday was a catch-up day for me and I had a photo shoot in the afternoon. Karen won an auction (Thank you, Karen!) and brought her two girls in for a mother/daughter session. I mentioned that I had pettiskirts and the girls came prepared to wear them. I felt bad, they wanted to wear them home but I'm as addicted to the skirts as the girls are! Here are a few photos from their session:

Have a great Monday!!!

~kel~

Tough Love

This is a post that I'm not proud to put out on the net but I want anyone reading this to know that my life is normal and not always so perfect!

Its 8:00 AM Saturday and if you happen to be walking by my house, you've already gotten an ear full. I'm guilty....sometimes I yell at my children! It takes a lot for me to get this ugly, but on occasion I just lose it! My fingers are typing at top speed because the adrenalin is still pumping through my veins. It's not about the opened boxes of cereal they forget to put away....its not about the drips of milk on the floor that mysteriously appeared there that can only be seen with mommy goggles on....its not about the dirty clothes on the floor AROUND the hamper...its the disrespectful tone and snotty words that I will not tolerate!


I think I'm a patient mom and I talked about it yesterday....the overtired nature of the kids is something I expect throughout September and October. I'm a seasoned mom and I just know that there are some things that are beyond our control and no matter how rested the kids are, the start of the school year exhausts kids physically and emotionally. I know this and I work so hard to tolerate the odd nature of these beasts for these first few months. BUT....when my daughter talks to me with attitude and disrespect, I am forced to kick it up a notch. Maybe yelling and time removed from the rest of the family is not how others handle situations like this but I refuse to let any one of my kids be disrespectful.


She doesn't realize how much my heart aches when she acts like that....where does she get the idea that it is acceptable to talk to anyone with such a nasty tone? It cannot be a learned behavior because I certainly do not talk to others like that! I am respectful....to my husband, my family and my friends. It's a struggle! If she didn't look so much like me, I'd wonder whose child she was!!! I know I'm not alone....lots of my friends with daughters ask that very question too. I feel deeply it is my job as a mom to change her evil ways. I love her......more than anything I love this girl.

In a short while I will go to her and explain how change has got to happen. She's lovely when she wants to be and ugly doesn't suit her. We are not all perfect and we all have bad days - I will be the first to testify to that....but we need to work to get along. I hear her pleading from the next room....she's sorry, wants to apologize and....in words I have given her....she's saying she loves me, her heart is heavy and she needs to hug me. I'm starting to think she got the message - this house has no tolerance for disrespect.

Hugs to you my sweet Makenna....please, be a nice girl!

Love, Mom.

Friday...friday...F*R*I*D*A*Y!!!

Meet Chelsea....a local senior who wanted anything BUT the beach! I was delighted when she told me she was up for anything! Look at this beauty....we ran around town stopping at cool places for photos. Then her mom called a friend with a beautifully manicured yard and asked if we could stop there.....well the night fell so quickly that I wasn't able to capture much in her yard, which completely bummed me out because it was amazing! I was in awe at her fall decorations....both inside and outside of her home. This woman is talented!! She removes ALL her regular decor, including curtains and photos and replaces them all with halloween/fall themed items. In her living room, she had two trees (like Christmas trees, but halloween theme) with lights and ornaments...it was amazing.....wait....I took a photo (added below)!!! This one is painted copper, lights added and though the dreadful photo I took doesn't show it....the ornaments are black cats, spiders and I even saw a witches shoe! Soooo cooool!

Thanks for calling me Tammy!! Chelsea I had a great time meeting you and wish you the best in your senior year!

HOME: Its Friday! I really needed it to be Friday this week. Nothing special planned for the weekend...just hanging with my little family.

I haven't mentioned it in a few days....20 days til DISNEY! Okay...I'm over it.

No photo of Makenna's school outfit today...it was a jeans and T's kind of day for her and since it doesn't involve much creativity I didn't bug her for a photo for the blog :) Just as well, she's cranky lately and I'm looking forward to helping her catch up on that lost sleep with a nap or two over the weekend. Color me mean I guess but I've had enough of getting snapped at by overtired children. It's my fault.....I allowed the boys to play football this season and its tough on their little bodies adjusting to school and then to practice three nights a week. Even though its just the boys that play, the entire family is affected by it. I saw a pediatrician on the news the other night stating that children Kenna's age need 12-14 hours of sleep for their bodies and brains to function properly....its is my duty as mother to put my child to bed earlier...said with sarcasm and a big grin. This means more time for me and the hubster!

QUOTE: Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. ~Doug Firebaugh

I'll be BACH.....tomorrow!

~kel~

Turkey Talk & Football Practice.

On Tues, Weds and Thurs evenings the boys have football practice. For at least the last three weeks, we have a ritual of looking for this silly turkey bird that hangs out on the street corner at the same time every day. I finally remembered to have my camera ready because the intersection is fairly busy so I had to snap these quickly from my window as I was driving by. In the second photo you can see how busy it gets and how close he is to the road....what a turkey!

This looks like an accident about to happen but its just the angle I was at - took it from the drivers seat of my minivan!
I had to take the camera out for a few football practice photos. I always donate them to the team for the end of year slideshow at the awards banquet. While waiting for the boys to gather and start practice I took a few shots of the kids....I have no idea what this face is all about...
or this one.......
but this one.....she's just trying to be like her sister.

Then I stopped at the studio and took some shots of the preschool's mums decorating the doorway. Wanna see a closer shot.......

....here it is....I think its neat!

Well, I must go pull myself together. I hope your day is great!!

~kel~

Mumma, where's my leg?

.....well.....I thought it was cute when Marleigh came to me with her pants inside out and one of the legs still tucked up inside asking me where her leg was.....her tone was as if someone had taken it! She's already learned how to use the accusatory tone when she thinks one of her sibilings as wronged her and especially when there's a mess she doesn't want to be blamed for. But she's always the first one at the door when Kenna and Cam get home greeting them with "Kenna, I missed you so much today" and "Hey, Cam, Buddy!"

Yesterday I packed her into the car for some errands and I always try to use the time to chat with her because she's at the perfect age...like one of those Bill Cosby shows where he asks the kids questions and they say the funniest things. I asked her if she'd brushed her hair before we left (I always ask Makenna and I wanted her to feel like a big girl too). Her reply "No, I didn't". I asked her why....she told me in a very matter-of-fact way: "I was too busy playing toys and making a mess". So now I know the mess making is a conspiracy and I hear her doing it now!

Branden is off to his first Red Sox game tonight. He's so excited! It was generous of his friend to offer to take him. I guess my boys are nice kids even when I'm not around so that means I'm doing something right. (I'll take the credit).

I'm finishing up the edits on my last few seniors and wanted to share this photo from Katie's session. I just like the perspective.

Happy Hump Day!

~kel~

A chocolate senior & yard ball.

Here's Melissa...She arrived at my studio claiming she was nervous...I don't see nervous here at all! I wish I could just forewarn anyone meeting me for the first time....I'm REALLY nice!! :) Actually when we ended our session, she told me she had a great time and that makes me feel awesome.

I liked this pose and it screamed for a chocolate conversion so here she is!

I asked if she had a cell phone (how stupid am I?) and her mom sorta laughed and said "Oh yah she does"....I kinda had a feeling she was a typical teen and then when she told me she probably had missed calls from her boyfriend....I knew this photo would be cute. I always ask for a non-smiling photo...its not like people go through every day with a big huge smile on their face so the serious photos are more "real" to me. She's just so cute!
I had to throw this one in there.....we were all done shooting and saying our goodbye's when I saw her little stool and told her we weren't quite done yet....she's a Cheerleader and that's important to the high school years!!

Enjoy your last year, Melissa, and thanks so much Debra for contacting me...I had a great time!

AT HOME: This is what happens on my lawn after school....boys.....boys everywhere!!!! I think its the the green grass that makes for perfect stains that draws them all to my yard. I don't know if other moms are like this....but when my boys were really little and I enjoyed watching them play with their matchbox cars on the windowsills...I wondered about days like this when other boys would come to our yard to play football. I pictured them older than this but I think its neat to watch them. I kept my window closed because I often get drawn into the commotion and I wanted them to have their space.
SCHOOL DAYZ PHOTO: I'm updating Kenna's school dayz photo and asked her where she'd like me to take it. She said on her bed in her new room....I'm totally loving walking down the hallway and seeing girly colors at the end of it. Right now its only her bed and a lamp in there so its looking really tidy...I'm sure that won't last long and I'll be back to closing the door to hide the mess. For now, its a refreshing change.

Enjoy the day!

~kel~

24 days and counting!

I received our Disney package Friday and finally had a chance to look through it all last night...WE'RE SO EXCITED!! Gotta get used to the Disney posts....its where my mind is at right now and its all the chatter at my house. I have my grocery list all together and in a week or so I will hit the send button and the groceries will be delivered to our room (thank you Heidi and Amy for that tip). I figured having some regular food to nibble on and bottled water for much less will be good for the kids and gardengrocer.com will deliver them for a small fee!

Saturday the girls and I went to a local harvest festival and got way more than I thought we'd get! It was well done - not that I make a habit of going to them and am an expert at critiquing which ones are best....it was a cute little festival and offered lots of things to do from pony rides to making your own beaded bracelet for $1. I love good cheap fun and we found it there! I don't see the guys enjoying it as much as we did so this yearly visit will be our own little girl venture. When we arrived Makenna was on a mission to find a face painter and I was happy for her that we found one! The best part.....for the $2 it cost to get the rainbow, she got a lollipop or a balloon too! She also picked up a pumpkin and spent a good part of Sunday afternoon carving it (should be yummy looking by October 31!)

Kenna suggested that Marleigh get a flower on her cheek and she was so mad at me when I tubbed her and had to wash it off.

I wanted to show off this photo from a session I just proofed. I love the classic look of it....this may be one for the walls of the studio!

This morning I told Kenna I was going to start showing off her daily school outfits. She dresses herself every day without my help. She will come to me and ask "do I look cute in this" (its not her fault she's so self confident...its all she hears from me). I like that she has a Punky Brewster sort of style that's all her own and sometimes she's dressed like she works in an office. Here's today's outfit: (skorts, not a short skirt) She does ask for a little help with her hair but she's very into combing it and styling it herself too. My baby is growing up!

Happy Monday!

~kel~

Welcome Fall?

I hate to say it in September but the air is so crisp and the chilly nights require turning on the heat so it really is feeling like Fall. We took the kids apple picking this weekend with our friends. It was a great break from the usual!! All four kids had to pick a bag so we ended up with 28 pounds of apples....lots of apple crisp in our future!

Friday was the visit from Kim Peek. I am always in awe with the stories he and his father share. Kim does not have the ability to tell a lie - everything he says is literal and his thinking is logical. His honesty is refreshing and often humerous. If you know my photography style, you know that I like to show personal connection through photos and when Fran stood behind Kim to tell the crowd their story, he rested his hands on his shoulders, I was elated to capture it.

Someone in the audience asked Fran about Kim's siblings and I think the crowd was a little warmed at the information Fran shared. He talked about the plans for Kim should Fran (age:82) pass away before him. Kim's younger brother and his family have offered to move into their home so that Kim will not have to be displaced from his usual routine and familiar surroundings.....I found that gesture to be pretty amazing.

If they ever visit a school or facility near your town, please make an effort to see them......they are a humble couple with a beautiful story to share!

We were planning to close our camp this weekend but decided to extend it out one more and hope that Mother Nature cooperates and gives us another sunny Saturday. We were up very early this morning to make the venture back home (so much to do here too). I loved how the fog was lifting off the water at this pond so I turned back around......beautiful, huh?

Enjoy the day....

~kel~

Busy, busy, busy....

But hey, most who know me, know that already so I'm not gonna go on about it.

I attempted photos of these two cuties a few weeks ago but that was just a short time into the school year and they were both just not having any part of a photo session so we tried again yesterday. We met up again for about 20 minutes and I got some of the best photos. My experience as a mom and a photographer has taught me that kids don't want to be tortured by the lady with the big black thing on her face for too long....keep the sessions with little ones short and sweet and you get excellent results. Not only that.....they dont dread seeing me the next time!

So here you go Lori and Kyle.....your little men looking so sweet!!

I think this is sweet......the innocence and the connection.....a boy who needs his mom!

I ended last night with another on-location senior shoot with Katie. You've seen her studio session but the stormy evening prevented us from getting outside for any fun ones. I suggested a fancy dress at the beach and she had the perfect one...poor katie can testify that spaghetti sauce LOVES fancy gowns! What a fun time we had....I think even her Dad enjoyed watching us!!!

Thanks for the fun Katie!!

This weekend we close up our camp :( Seems like it wasn't so long ago I was posting about how exciting it was that we were opening it for the season. I suppose nothing stays the same forever and I'm trying to embrace the change in seasons....just seems the older I get the more I hate the cold!

Before I go....I wanted to send out a Thank you to everyone who has emailed me with Disney suggestions....love them and I've printed everyone's advice! I have to seriously thank Heidi and Amy for a nice lunch yesterday - they got me really pumped up!

Have a great day!
~kel~

What's for dinner tonight?

At my house we're having....Marleigh burgah.....because she's just so EDIBLE!!!

She's my helper too - bringing in the newspaper!

The other day the kids were trying to tempt a baby chipmunk out from hiding in the culvert that runs under the driveway. Sean (Branden's friend - in this photo with Kenna) had already picked it up and it ran around his shoulders before scampering off. Cameron was tickled at the whole idea and was at that culvert until nearly dark.....not even sure it was under there anymore.

With school starting again, so does Cam.....and his wants and needs for a dog. We've already seen several books checked out of the library about caring for a dog and how to train a puppy. He's started pleading and promising and has even tried tears that just don't work on this cold-hearted mother! Our lives are too busy for a pooch. I tell him he can have as many dogs as he wants (and his eyes get really big) when he moves out of my house and into his own! He walks away with his head hung low.....he's pretty sure his life will be dogless as he plans to reside with me for ever more!

KIM PEEK:
So off I go on a busy day - many appointments and Kim Peek (The real Rain Man) is in town to assist with awareness for the Autism Society and I am going to try to get more photos from this visit. I submitted a few photos to the Weekly Sentinel for their write-up on Kim and it should hit stands tomorrow (so exciting...I'm published with full credits!) If you get a second to watch his youtube video, you'll get an idea of how interesting he and his father are!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2T45r5G3kA

They are going to talk to the public Friday night at St. Martha's Church on Route 1 in Kennebunk if anyone is interested in attending (be sure to find me!)

Have a great one!
~kel~

I'm here...all is well!

My man is home safe and sound!!! He surprised me last night with an early return so we spent the evening watching a movie and catching up.

We are making changes at the Roy home and moving rooms around. I'm getting a bigger office, boys are getting a bigger room and Kenna is getting her own room....its total chaos here!!! My pc was down for most of the day due to the move but now I'm online again. Maybe some didn't even notice :(

I love my new space and hope it will help force me to organize my "stuff". I have way too much of it hidden in places I'd forgotten about! When I'm purging like this, it takes me ten times longer because I have to actually stop and look at the old photos I haven't seen in so long.

Today while clearing my desk for the move, I actually got embarrassed as Jean helped me with all the junk I've accumulated since the last time we painted my office. I actually got a little red faced and apologized for being a piggy. Oh....and readers....you can all stop telling your dust bunnies that my office is a great place to hang out! I could not believe how they collected under my desk....eeeeeeww!

I'm off to proof some sessions now that I'm back online!

Good evening and sweet dreams :)
~kel~

A personal note:

I miss him.....

Jean has been away on a hunting trip and I miss him terribly and so do the kids. I know he's missing us too because even though he's due home shortly, he called this morning. The saying about absence makes the heart grow fonder is so true! Funny how it can make you remember the sweet memories and good times.....I think some time apart is a good thing for a relationship...even though my heart does not agree.

We started out as friends.....for three years I listened to stories of other women coming into his life and treating him terribly...all while my crush on him grew stronger. We were close but I knew my feelings for him were more than what he felt for me. I don't really know when things changed for us....it was gradual....I could tell that finally the attraction was mutual. June 9 marks the day...he stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me and whispered in my ear that his feelings for me were growing and he wanted to be more than friends...as I type this, my stomach flips and my eyes water bringing me right back to that moment. I already knew I was in love and even though we were taking a chance on ruining the great friendship we had, it was worth it to me. Look at us now.....14 years and four kids later!

I think we look old, but cozy, here.

He's always made me feel beautiful and deeply loved. We have a respectful relationship and though we may disagree sometimes we never throw harsh words or insults. I'm missing him....its obvious!

Each day is bringing us closer to our Disney trip....I can't believe how fast time flies...its 30 days away now! I'm trying so hard to be prepared and I worry I will forget something. If any experienced DW travelers have any advice to this mom of four on our first venture as a family, please email me with your suggestions! I'd love to hear them all! jkroy(AT)roadrunner.com.

~kel~

Monday....short and sweet.

I'm actually at a loss for words today. I have a mountain of work to do and client's who will appreciate that I am getting caught up on sessions.

My email is broken....I can receive messages but all the responses are still sitting in my outbox. If time permits, I will call those folks at TWC and ask for their assistance so that I can reply to those who are trying to contact me. It's just low on the priority list today so if you need me and see this, please call.

This weekend I spent some time with the kids finding monarch catepillars for their classrooms. We only found three....they are tough to find this year. I found the plants but they were already dying off so there can't be much for them to eat. I notice too that the Morning Glories are just coming into bloom...something strange is going on!

I'm off to work. Enjoy this day!

~kel~

Oh what a day...and it's only 8:00 AM!

I had to have Branden to the football field for 7:00 AM for team photos and a game to follow. Cameron got an invite to a Boston Red Sox game with one of his pals and they were departing at 7:00 AM too. I really wish I was a baseball-hat-wearing kind of girl but the truth is, I just don't have the face for a hat and I look like a boy when I wear one so I had to get up a bit early to shower ahead of the kids. I got Cam dropped of with pals and they are so excited...left them and brought Branden for team pics and while there a parent offered to bring him home for me. Its a rainy miserable morning here and the girls were already complaining they were cold (which is NOT normal - my girls are usually up for anything) so I took him up on his offer!

We ran to Dunkins for a bagel and water and then returned to the field (I felt guilty) because I was sure the game would get cancelled and Bran had a gap in time before he actually played so I was going to hang with him. We got back to the field and Makenna told me she needed to use the potty....a Port-a-potty....GROSS....she couldn't tell me when we were at DD (not that it's better...but its better)! I stood outside the potty with Marleigh (rain got harder as we stood there waiting) gently and quietly I reminded Kenna not to touch ANYTHING. She took FOREVER, my hair was melting down around my face (where's that ballcap now) and Marleigh just kept asking me to take her home. I asked one last time...."Makenna, are you all set in there"....when I heard a soft cry "No, I think I need your help". I opened the door and there she was...poor thing was exhausted from trying to hold herself above the potty and get that tricky toilet paper off the role. She was emotional and I was grossed out. I stepped inside, hauled Marleigh inside and could see why she was having such troubles....the paper on the role was so thin and broke off with each square.....not nearly enough for a girl to wipe with (sorry if graphic but its life). I felt bad for her, I felt bad for me so I told her to just pull up her pants and we would go directly home for a shower. I reached for the antibacterial hand sanitizer.....EMPTY! (luckily I'm prepared and have my own bottle in my purse)

So, here we are....Kenna showering, Cameron calling me to tell me he's at the train station and would call me when they arrive in Boston and Branden toughing out the rain at his game. I am so happy for Cam to have the opportunity to see the Sox....he's so tickled! I thought it would be hard for him to be gone all day without any of his family with him but he seems excited.

Enjoy the day.

~kel~

There's something in the air......

Today......I am yearning for another child....this happens to me now and again (usually about every three years as that's how far the kids are apart in age) so I'm feeding my desires with more photos of my girl Jackie's new prince. I'm in love with the images and really wanted to share them.

His daddy's hand

If you know someone having a baby, please put us in touch...these first few weeks of life are incredibly precious and go by faster than the rest. The speckled, peeling, wrinkly newborn skin and barely there hair. But I know that my desires are just for today.....and maybe just for the next hour because I am enjoying the freedom of independence now and the best part is the conversations with my kids....Makenna's sense of humor...Marleigh's silly, off-the-wall questions and comments...and listening to the boys talk sports with each other. Every age has its beauty!

Enjoy the day!

~kel~