Shhhh.......

It's me....I'm typing quietly....it's early AM and though the girls are awake, the boys at my moms for a sleepover, and Jean is already on the road, I'm enjoying peaceful silence and hoping that the clicking of the keys won't draw the girls to me. I MUST update the blog!! They are still in a daze, sleepy and stunned. We returned home sometime after midnight from a pig roast to celebrate my mom and brother's birthdays. Even though the skies are dark and cloudy, the early morning still wakes my creatures of habit.

I didn't photograph a single thing last night - some memories are best left in your head! Jean and I had to leave the party for a while to attend a wedding - it was lovely and I'm incredibly happy for the couple who finally decided THEIR time had come .... I believe she said they've been together 13 years!

Friday I enjoyed some time with Ms. Marleigh in our back yard...she's waited ALL winter to blow this "bouncer thing" up.....

I had to have a close-up of her....

Then she took one of me!! (note the horizon behind me...gosh did I giggle at watching her try to hold my big heavy camera)

Then I held it at arms length and shot this one......

I'm off to catch up on blogs I haven't read in a while....Scene's from the Wild, The Lettered Cottage and The Shabby Nest...here I come.....oh how I've missed you! ME TIME, ME TIME.....as I hear Makenna returning to her bed....its rainy and cool, a perfect day for lounging!

Enjoy!

~kel~

First Communion....

My niece came in for her First Communion photos. I did her sisters last year so I attempted to give her mom some that would compliment them.

I love her serious look........but her smile is beautiful too!

Enjoy!

~kel~

First senior of the year!

The youngest of three boys...his mom knew exactly what she wanted for his senior portraits...she wanted him to look like "him"....just my style! Duncan was so great to work with...we got in a few laughs and that makes the sessions so much less painful for the guys! I chose a few of my favorites. Loved this one in color but just had to try a conversion to black and white....

Here he is in studio - casual and relaxed.

But this one....a laugh....makes me smile!

Deb, thanks for contacting me and Duncan, thanks for being such a great sport!

Enjoy!!

~kel~

Happy Mother's Day!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU & ME and all the other moms who make a good faith effort every day to be the best moms we can! It's never easy - children don't come with warranties or money back guarantees and certainly no instruction manuals. We do the best we can with what we have..and....as Maya Angelo says: "When you know better, you do better."

I just asked Jean to take this photo - it's the end of a very windy, chilly day, no warning and no makeup or hair touch-ups. This is who we are by 5:00PM on any given day...tired, hungry and one of us (Makenna) slightly worried the dog is going to run away as he nears the road behind us. This is my 12th year as a mother....the best years of my life!!

To my mom, thank you for giving me life.
To my husband, thank you for choosing me as your partner and giving me four beautiful babies.
To my babies, thank you for unconditional love!
To me, a promise to forgive myself for my shortcomings and move on through this next year with good intentions to continue making them all feel loved.
Enjoy!
~kel~

Silliness today......

My life as a mom of four and a full time photographer is BUSY to say the least....good busy, no complaints....but there are some things I find to be completely MUNDANE. While waiting patiently for the blow dryer to dry my thick locks, I got to thinking.......wish THIS came in a pill! So....(yes, senseless chatter today and possibly NO PHOTOS!)....I got to thinking about all the things I wish that came in a pill - just to simplify my life so I could enjoy all the great things....

So here's my list - feel free to add too it or make your own list on your own blog...and if you do, be sure to send me a link so I can see what else I'd like to add to mine!!


Scientists, are you listening....I'd like a pill for:

1. Dinner for 6.
2. A daily shower.
3. Hairdos.
4. Bank errands.
5. Tick removal.
6. Vacuuming.
7. Dusting.
8. Laundry. (including folding and putting away)
9. Dish washing.
10. Bed making.
11. Children's memory issues.
12. Lawn mowing.
13. Raking.
14. Sunless tanning.
15. Potty breaks!

I think that's all the time I have to list right now because half of the things on this list do not come in a pill yet and I must manually do them while this beautiful sun is shining.

Enjoy!!
~kel~

Brochures & Postcards

FIRST OF ALL: I hate how my photos from yesterday posted - when I went back in this AM to start this post, the grainy ones are really muddy and gross - not how they look on my pc - I hate that blogger does that :( After uploading these, it looks like they will be that same muddy consistency - but you get the idea).


SECOND: I made brochures! Southern Maine Medical Center inquired about showcasing my work in the hallways of the birth suite and asked if I had brochures for their patients. I got right on the ball and designed these. I wanted to show a variety of my work and this is what I came up with (for now). Here's the inside (its a trifold).

Here is the outside/front and back.

THIRD: I made postcards!! These will be given to all new moms in their packet of info. Here is one side - done in black and white so that I can pop an address and a stamp on if I want to.

This is one of my design choices for the other side.....with a bit of information about my "Here I Grow" plan.

This is my other option........

I can't decide if I like the brown to match the rest of my materials or if the pink/blue is more appropriate for capturing the attention of a new mom.....If you feel like giving me some feedback, I'd welcome it!

Thanks & Enjoy!

~kel~

Fast Forward - Day 5

Technically, it's only the third day of school closing and all is well here. Nobody is sick except Branden....about the fact that he has school and the others are off. He tried to fake a stomach ache...but I guilted him into the piles of work he'd have if he didn't get back to school.


Friday afternoon we decided to go to camp knowing that we'd need the break from home and it offered a nice change of pace. It was a great break and we (Jean worked, I supervised) got lots done!


It's spring....and like new baby birds, so many new babies are being born this time of year.....how appropriate we have a newborn in a nest.....sweet, huh??!!

Here she is again.....sleeping beauty!

I'm off to get some work done now that Marleigh is resting!

Enjoy the day!
~kel~