Hello, hello!! {Southern Maine Photographer}

I made it through the holiday! Happy times, great gifts and smiling faces all around the Roy house!! The 26th, it seemed my body just knew the rush was over, I wanted to sleep the entire day! I didn't though...we enjoyed some relaxing, a quick trip to spend some Christmas cash and then lunch with my mom to help her gobble up those leftovers. It has truly been a relaxing last few days for me and though there are times I feel a bit lost because there are no deadline pressures on me at this time, I am getting my home organized and that feels so great! Goodwill has benefitted from my purging and since the kids are content to stay home and play with their new stuff, I'm keeping Jean busy with projects that have been put off for far too long! Its all good!

The boys got to skate on the ice rink Christmas morning....the first time all season. Jean was so pleased to be able to tell them it was a go, a gift to himself to see them skate on his manmade masterpiece. Its really too bad the 50 degree rainy weather we had yesterday created more problems for it than he'd anticipated.

Tonight we are going to enjoy some time with dear friends and we're all excited to get together! I have oodles of photos to share as I've only taken a few days off and have so much back-tracking to do on the blog!

Stay tuned.......
~kel~

As real as it gets {Southern Maine Photographer}

Good Morning Maine!!! This is how it looked a few days ago on a warmer morning after the snow. It was foggy and the sun was trying so hard to burn it off....it was pretty and actually warranted me turning back for my camera to grab these shots. They are taken just at the end of my driveway.

Since I always post the smiley, happy side of Marleigh on my blog, this time I had to post the opposite today. I would never have taken these photos if she was in pain from injury. Follow the story in the photo and look at her hand......

You see, my little girl is trying very hard to grow up. She wakes every morning and primps in the mirror, brushing her own hair and dressing herself in a style all her own. While working yesterday morning, I heard Marleigh in the bathroom getting frustrated with something. I didn't get up to see the problem, only asked if I could help. At first there was hesitation and then she walked through my door. She'd been crying quietly but when I spoke to her, she sobbed stating "yes, I need help".

I'm not one bit sorry that I grabbed my camera......as a mom, these photos are wall-worthy and capture her sweetness through tears and I can live with that knowing she's not in pain in them, only frustrated with her attempts.

It was intertwined pretty good but I patiently picked the pieces out and offered her the brush to put in the trash! We never use that brush in this house......and this is why......

I'm so glad its Saturday.......

Enjoy!
~kel~

So this is how it goes....{Southern Maine Photographer}

The decorating of our tree.........

Marleigh showed me EVERY ornament before she hung it.......she and Kenna really love to find the ones that are special to me.... (our first Christmas together)

I seriously had to look at...e..v...e...r...y....ORNAMENT.....before she found the perfect spot (usually all on one limb)!

Remember when you were ten....getting your ornament hung the highest on the tree was the goal!

And here's the traditional "line up in front of the tree" snap!! Mis-matched clothes, Cameron sporting his patch and Marleigh in her "face" phase......this is my life every day!!

As for Jack......I'm not sure he likes his new haircut. Jean says he looks like a sissy now and I truly think he understands our human words. The kids try to pump the poor pooch back up telling him how cute he is....soon enough he'll be a mop again and hiding those big brown eyes.

Here is a snap of the kids the next night. I wanted a shot for my Christmas cards but this one just didn't make the cut (actual card to be announced at a later date). This one made for a good profile photo for my facebook!

See what I mean about the "face" phase. I wish she was edible, I'd take a nibble every night!

Well, my day has come to an end. I feel the pull to the comfort of my cozy flannel sheets. Its the first night in a long time I feel "caught up" and I think I'll actually sleep through until morning!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Our Tree Adventures {Southern Maine Photographer}

Photo overload but this is for the mom in me who wants to document our adventures in choosing the perfect tree. My aunt and uncle own a tree farm and since the kids are older now and the memories are more likely to stick, we venture out to choose the perfect tree. When they were really little, we had a tree in a box that was a nightmare to put together. The itchy fake branches irritated my arms as I put it together and rearranged each limb so it wasn't as obvious it was fake. Now that the boys can help with the cutting and carrying, the experience is fun and happy for us all.

This year we went the day after the first snowfall. The trees were covered and it was beautiful....
This shot of my family venturing out is one I will treasure....its life in Maine.

This boy is the one who gets into the season for all the right reasons! He LOVES gift giving and helping as much as he can.

Branden gets the job of making the cut....second year in a row.

Marleigh's excitement keeps everyone up......

Cameron tagged it so we are sure to take home "Our" tree.....perfect in every way, its full and shapely.... My guys carry it out....

Then is time for some hot cocoa and a tractor ride.......
....there she is.......
before we left, I looked back over the landscape and took this shot for memory sake......the perfect day to choose our tree.......
it waits for us at the bottom of this hill.....all netted and ready to go........
It was a good day. Waiting for the snow to melt off the limbs was a long one for the kids. We decorated the next evening. That story........tomorrow!!!

Today the kids are home from school...there's a storm outside and the excitement to stay in our jammies, eat fun foods, watch some Christmas stories and play in new snow is at its peak right now. I hope it stays "happy" here all day!

Enjoy!
~kel~

Monday's race....{Southern Maine Photographer}

The craziness of a new week begins. Jacky boy goes to the beauty parlor today to get himself all spiffed up for the holidays. Usually I take on the joyful task of grooming him myself but I'd like to see how a pro would make him look so I'm treating myself this time around. Ms. Marleigh has school this morning and is already packed to go (still an hour away) and I'm going to take advantage of the alone time and see what Walmart has for my kiddos for Christmas gifts. I'd like to say I've got it all figured out but this year my boys are so hard to buy for! I see Cameron is worried that his taste is too expensive so he tries hard to keep his list filled with not-so-pricey items. We let him in on the secret of Santa so now he has a more emotional connection to the "big guy" and thus the financial concerns for his choices!


This weekend I had a session with Sweet Avery. Look at her proud new parents......

I love how cozy she is in this one.......

I have more time scheduled with her this week as I didn't get as many of her alone as I wanted so they are coming back to see me again!

I'm off to deliver the little ones (Marleigh and Jack) now. Wish me luck with shopping!!!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Keep your hat on! {Southern Maine Photographer}

First things first, I gotta mention this to my local readers.... go to Norton Lights (in Southern Maine) website for all the info. The Norton's are clients of mine who are not only creative, they are generous and giving. I am honored to give them a shout out about their efforts and their partnership with the Make A Wish Foundation!

Every year Stan outdoes the year before with his amazing decorations that dance to music. They ask passerbys to tune their radios to the music and enjoy the dance from the comfort of their vehicles. Stan is out there, representing the spirit of the holiday dressed as Santa and handing out small treats to the kiddos. If you go, tell them I sent you!!!

Thanks Stan and Melissa for your service to the less fortunate this holiday season...its an honor to be your friend!

*I bought some new hats/props for the sweet babies that come my way. I took photos to send my supplier, Amy, knitter of these lovely pieces.

Sweet Maggie came to see me yesterday for her four month photos and was very willing to model them for me! This was my favorite! Not sure why they look so strange when I upload them to blogger....I may have to break up with blogger if it keeps making my work look so strange.
Isn't she totally edible!?!
I'll see you in a few months, Maggie, when you come to show me how much you can grow in such a short time!



Here's my hockey player....always ready to go and usually eating on the run. It was crazy during the football season when we were merging into hockey, seemed we were always eating out. I'm not fond of dinner time planning but I was really missing the time with my family to discuss the day. It seems Cam was too - he comments often how much he likes dinner time when we all sit together talking and laughing. He's my sentimental guy.
I'm off to get the kidlets on the bus.....then Marleigh and I are off to do Gram's hair.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Tip-toe, tip-toe.....{Southern Maine Photographer}

I'm tip-toeing along because I don't want my workload to see that I'm taking a break to update the blog. I typed that sentence, then left to bring Marleigh to school...on the way, my car decided it didn't want to run anymore so it hopped a bit and then it stopped completely, right there at the stop sign. I put it in park and started her up again...but I made a quick call to Jean and he advised me to call AAA. I'm not sour about it one bit, yet. (the car is still at the shop) I am thankful that I have a hubs who comes running to my rescue!

Since my last post.......I enjoyed an awesome Thanksgiving holiday with Jean's family the Sunday before the actual holiday and then with my family on the day! Its always relaxing and great catching up with my sibs. I tell Jean all the time how lucky we are that our families all get along so well and there are no ill feelings.

I saw New Moon the first weekend it was out.....loved it! But I'm the type who enjoys most movies for purely entertainment purposes. I think its more about the company and state of mind as I'm usually very relaxed when I get the time to sit that long and it's not in front of my pc.

Today I sent my girl off to school in a sweet little dress she picked out herself! She's off to see the Nutcracker with her class and last week came home excited and screeching how she needed a fancy new dress. I curled her hair for the occasion...she's over the moon about it all! I see that smile and it makes my mommy heart think "I did okay" (which isn't always easy to do with a girl of her elevated maintenance level...KWIM?) LOVE HER!

I must admit....I took the photos this morning and then when I went to edit them for the blog, I saw how grown up she looks and it made me tear up a bit. I can't think about it too much....I want them to stay little forever.

I've been creating Christmas cards for my peeps! I've had some last minute family sessions and I have to admit that the weather has been amazing for the end of November! I'll post a few so you can see what I mean. We may not have super green grass or even leaves left on the trees but its still a beautiful place this State of Maine!

Look at this adorable family........
and their beautiful dog, Brady.....who I had to make center stage for this photo....

Lorri, thank you for sending Lisa and her guys to me!! Lisa, thank you for making the call....I truly enjoyed my time with you guys!

Enjoy!
~kel~