We had such a great time doing these photos, I was surprised that she thought is was so fun! Of course, that made my day!

The dress is so heavy, she had trouble standing up but she loved trying to twirl! I can’t get over how little she looked in it!

I will love these forever! Someone suggested giving her these photos on her wedding day but I’m pretty sure they will never be as special to her as they are to me!

The girls had so much fun!!

Ayla managed to pin Noah down for a few hugs.  This was one of the few times he couldn’t escape; she was so proud!!

May you have a great celebration of family, festivites, and tradition this year!!!  Merry Christmas from us!

Noah was a shark again this year, his favorite costume yet!  Hopefully he’ll move on next year, especially since his arms “hulk out” of it every time!

Kate was a “scary, pink monster” despite most people calling her a chicken.  It wasn’t a character, just a cute costume, but she really animated it!!  She also loved how soft and fuzzy she was and constantly petted her belly.

Noah and Kate were very excited to carve a pumpkin this year!  I assumed they realized a pumpkin patch meant photo op.  Unfortunately it took them a bit to get used to the idea but they finally came around!  We went to the pumpkin patch and Lindy, Shane, and Natalie met us.  It was a great day!

These squeaky black mice were life savers!  The kids loved them!!

As usual, I took my opportunity to torture Shane.  Some day he will thank me for all these photos… right?!

This swamp was disgusting!  I took of my shoes and walked into it, carefully balancing a baby in a cauldron.  The gush between my toes was definitely Halloween inspired!  I’m hoping these photos are worth it!!

And though we loved the idea of a baby in a pumpkin, it wasn’t easy and Shane wasn’t a fan!!

And this is what got carved….

And how we went out…

Unfortunately Noah got sick in the car on the way home from school (I think it was too much candy during the day + the whole box of Nerds in his mouth + the balloon he was trying to blow up….oy), so he had to trick or treat in shorts.  He didn’t seem to care.

Hope you had as great of a Halloween as we did!!

What jolted me back onto the blog was the need to share Noah’s adventure to kindergarten!  If you’re on Facebook, you’ve already seen the photos and heard the stories but I need to put it here too!

On August 21st, Noah started kindergarten.  We took the obligatory first day photos -

We were all very nervous!  Would Noah like it, would he do ok, would he make friends, would he wear the uniform shirt since he despises buttons…???  As everyone who had ever been in our shoes before assured us, he did just fine.  He was a little hesitant at drop off but he went and didn’t fight it or tear up.  When I picked him up I was the one running into his arms (instead of the other way around)!  I couldn’t wait to hear all about it!!!  He smiled, stood tall, and said “I liked it”.  I almost dissolved into a puddle of tears.  I’m not normally emotional about this sort of stuff but it hit me like a ton of bricks.  My little boy… my happy kindergartner.  I was so relieved!!

On the same day, Kate was officially a “Playful Puppy”.  Noah started at the YMCA in Ms. Molly’s class three years before and now Kate was making herself at home (ie taking over) the same room.  As a potty trained, nearly 3 year old, she was ready!  Here was her on the first day, sassy as ever -

But before the start of school I suckered the kids into a “back to school”-esque photo session.  They did really well through the HEAT, bugs, and occasional traffic!

Noah helping set up -

At this point the books had avalanched and the sweat was dripping off of all of us!  I will love these photos forever!

Of course every model needs a good stylist.  That and Noah loved the pearls!

Unfortunately we have to make fools of ourselves to get nice photos of Kate.  We do this because when you ask her to smile… you get… this…

Aren’t my kids the cutest!?

We’ve been very busy cultivating our photography business.  We have become crazy popular but we’re loving every minute of it!  The only downside is that it really cuts into our family time on the weekends.  Last weekend we had a request for a photo session from a friend.  His wife had a bone marrow transplant a few weeks back and because of the immune system stuff and because she’s out of town for treatment, they don’t see her very often.  Of course we were excited to help with the Valentine’s photos as a surprise for her but we were feeling guilty about leaving the kids behind for another shoot.  I think we had three that weekend and this one was a favor.  So we took them!  We let them run around the park for a half an hour before the shoot and when my friend and his sons arrived the older kids raced around like crazy people!  They had such a blast and although it certainly made shooting so much more difficult I’m glad they could join us this time.

We managed to talk them into a few photos too!

We set up a ladder/scaffolding for a few photos and the kids were under the impression we brought a jungle gym!

Kate’s hair is getting so big and long.  She’s still not a fan of having anything to keep it out of her eyes!

                                                                                                      H  O  N  K  !  !  !  !

The photos of my friend and his kids came out well; the boys were super sweet!  If you want to see those you’ll have to check out the photo blog – www.yaporiginals.com

It’s great to “see” you again!

So here are the kids in “fall” clothes in 90 degree weather.  Apparently that’s the best time to go to a pumpkin parking lot, um, pallet, um… patch since there is no one else there!

I love how she looks at him!  Noah will probably never find someone who is as crazy about him as his sister!

The pumpkin recliner.  She sat there until we made her move.  Apparently pumpkins are comfy!  Who knew!?

Noah got to pick out our pumpkin this year.  He’ll need to work on his muscles if he wants a bigger one next year!

And for laughs I have to contrast Kate’s photo with baby pumpkins from this year…

And last…

I guess thinks are looking up… please don’t call Child Services!

This year’s pumpkin actually got carved!  Far before Halloween though because pumpkins rot in 90 degree weather – and fast!  So we carved him one Saturday morning and it was quite an experience!

Noah wanted to design the face himself.  We let him draw out what he wanted and I promise you – this was the best of the worst in the idea department!

I opened him up and it thoroughly grossed out Noah.  I didn’t realize little boys who like bugs and lizards might not like pumpkin guts.

But he loved watching me carve it…

And he was in love with the end result!  Or maybe the fire, but how can you not love this smile!?

Don’t they look so excited?  We’re really into the photographic torture!

Later in the day…

And that night…

Poor Mr. Pumpkin only lasted a few days before completely rotting out.  RIP “Doc” – as Noah deemed him!

This year Noah picked out his own costume.  He knew exactly what he wanted to be – a monkey.  And when we gave him all the monkey options, he immediately picked one out.  We even let time pass, offered up other ideas, wondered if it was a phase, but he wouldn’t waver.  “Mom, I said I want to be a monkey!”.  A monkey he was, a darn cute one!

Kate had no choice in the matter.  We have been storing 4 costumes for her from before she was born.  They were all sized 6-12 months so each had it’s own obstacles as Kate is definitely not a 6-12 month size kid.  But like with everything, she was a trooper and make them all work!  Before the end of the holiday we definitely got our money’s worth out of all of them, we had so many parties, activities, photos, and trick or treating.

Since Halloween comes and goes so quickly we decided to photograph Noah in his costume before the big day.  The photos came out great and everyone had a lot of fun!  It spurred a movement.  We’re now the go to people for your Halloween costume photos!  We photographed a lot of adorable kids this season and these short costume sessions almost always leave us in hysterics!  Here are a few from the past few weeks…

We have more costume photos, it was super popular!, but we also have photos of our kids from the pumpkin patch, Halloween parties, school parties… etc. and I promise to get to them, just not tonight.  Tonight I will go and relax and enjoy the peace and quiet that the time change brings.  Sweet dreams!