Okay, so I typically limit my sneak peek images but I’m feeling a little generous…these images just made me happy.

So, what started out as this…

and this…

ended up with these…

Thanks M family for a great night…I had a ton of fun chasing Mr. L (you probably had fun watching! ha!)…hope you like your sneak peek!

Okay, so it seems like an eternity that I’ve been working on this post.  I have something so very exciting, well exciting for me, to share.  I have been looking forward to something very special for months now and last week, well, it happened!  No, my house didn’t start magically cleaning itself and no, my skin didn’t turn to porcelain.  Even better!  Let’s just say my three most amazing moments have included that moment I knew Mr. Hatten was my guy, the birth of my baby girl, and the birth of my baby boy.  AND NOW I have something to add…the JinkyArt workshop retreat!  It rocked my world.  For those who do not follow photography, Barb Uil is the mastermind behind the Australian based JinkyArt Photography.  Not only has she inspired every other photographer (including me!) with her most amazing way of capturing the moments and the details we long to see again and again, but she’s also a profound teacher, so transparent and open, and is so stinkin’ funny that I couldn’t help but be whole-heartedly entertained for two and a half straight days.  She made 12 hours fly by in what felt like 15 minutes.  The kicker about this workshop was the fact that Barb traveled from Australia to Montana’s very own little town of Hamilton, which truly was a dream.  The workshop was held at the Meadowbrook Farm, which is the most quaint and amazingly beautiful fully restored farm house and grounds…I had to pry my white fingertips from the banister to head home.  It was all because of the lovely Teresa, whom with her family, gets to spend their days gazing at all this beauty.  If you haven’t checked out her blog, you ought to.

Anyway, the retreat was filled with endless knowledge and so very much fun.  I have to say that I’ve been a bit scattered this week as I’ve had to come back to reality from my star-struck state of awe.  On an even more positive note, I have images to share from the several sessions we had to opportunity to partake in.

Life on the farm…I wish I had taken more…she’s a beauty.

1. Train graffiti fascinates me.  It just does.  Don’t quote me but some of it is actually really good!
2. I’m really not much of a fan of spearmint…why does ANYONE like it?
3. R&B music from the 90’s, yep, still like it.
4. American Pickers on the history channel is a new favorite…if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out.
5. There was a time as a kid that I collected mechanical pencils and hot wheels cars.
6. I love pepperoncini peppers.
7. I have crazy, uncontrollable eyebrows.  They really can’t be tamed.
8. I can recite the alphabet backwards in under 5 seconds.
9. I’m a stickler for good quality shoes.
10. Men really should shave their armpits…what IS the point of all that stuff under there?

AND as for the intention of this blog post, just wanted to share some more from this session…I’d say he’s a keeper, eh??

Just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a Happy 4th of July.  I do have to admit that I haven’t really been into fireworks in years but now that I have kiddos, it’s starting to wear on me again.  For as busy and curious my littlest buddy in the house is, I can’t help but be a bit surprised by how tightly he grabs my leg at the sound and sight of fireworks.  I have a feeling that he may be in bed before the festivities begin but Little Miss is ready to go!

Anyway, off to a fun-filled family day but just leaving you with some pics of this little lady (here too)…yes, folks, living proof that they just don’t stay tiny forever…how about that smile??!

I had to steal this one of Mr. B…

Awww, this gal has it down.  She has to…she’s the only girl in the house!  She holds her own though and I had the pleasure of spending time with her and her team of boys.  What cuties they are and they gave me a glimpse of what is in my future…can’t wait!  Thanks so much H family for a great evening…you guys were a blast!

I first met this mother of two a couple of years ago at a friend’s house.  She brought the most amazing baked brie (caramel apple baked brie, I believe).  IT WAS AMAZING!  And since then, I’ve found that she ALWAYS brings amazing things to any function we’ve been at together.  Not only is she a great cook but she’s also polite and pleasant and kind and this was a great opportunity to get to know her and her family a bit more.  Let me just tell you, they are beyond sweet together and they just have that sense about them that just makes you feel good.  I will say though that my first impression of her husband was quiet and shy and let me just mention how off I was on that one.  He’s a firecracker who I think may be hoping for another photo session right away!  As for the kiddos, sweet, sweet, sweet…you just want to squeeze them!  They were so very good to me.  Thanks K family for allowing me to capture some moments of your family tonight…you have a good thing going.

So, I had this vision for this photo the other day.  It actually started when I saw this bike parked at a house near mine.  I’ve found that it never hurts to ask so here’s a shout out and thank you to Jody for letting me borrow her Mother’s Day gift…it worked like a charm!

Okay, so I have typed something completely pointless and deleted it probably twenty times now as I attempt to write SOMETHING.  I sit here eating my cookie dough ice cream (second bowl!) pondering the verbal content of this blog post.  The reason?  This week is certainly just one of those weeks…way too busy and just not enough of that quality time I thrive on.  I’m not going to lie, if there is something that is signature about me, it’s “quality.”  Yes folks, I only buy good shoes and good towels.  It’s just the way it is.  Most importantly though, I long for quality time and if it just isn’t happening, I’m crazy!  Enter this week.  Beyond busy.  On the positive note, I’m starting to see the light and if anything, it has been a reminder to chill a bit and just “be” with the ones you love…time marches far too quickly not to.

Thought I would post some more from this session.  Lately, I have had this mindset of imagining what people will think of photos so many years down to road.  With these, truly, twenty years from now, something tells me that they may still bring a smile or two…loved these ladies!

There really isn’t another word to describe this little family and they made MY early morning beautiful just spending time with them.  Aren’t they adorable??!

Thanks K crew for putting your trust in me for your first family photo session…you guys did amazing!  Truly, you are the sweetest little family and your kiddos, oh your kiddos!  Wow, what sweethearts!!  I absolutely cannot wait for you to see the rest of your images!!

So, we go to the doctor the other day for the scary kindergarten appointment (AKA:  THE shots.).  It wasn’t great but I have to admit that it wasn’t really any worse than I had expected.  In fact, overall, I thought she did great.  She’s a wee bit on the dramatic side so given that personality trait, she rocked it.  As for the memorable parts:

Nurse:  “We need to check your hemoglobin levels so that the doctor knows that you’ve been eating your green beans.”
(Let me explain a bit, this is the finger prick and slight blood draw.  Let me also mention that Little Miss dislikes green beans more than fresh cow pies.)
Little Miss: (Extensive questioning and resistance to this little procedure.)
Nurse:  “Look, your mom will do it so you can see that it isn’t that bad.”
Me: “Ummm, yeah, look, I’ll do it.”  (shooting the wide-eyed “WHAT?” look at the nurse)
(So, I do it.  Then, she does it and it really wasn’t that bad.  The nurse leaves and the doctor comes in.)
Doctor:  (Fun and random questions including…)  “What is your favorite food?”
Little Miss:  (long pause…quite unlike her.)
Me:  “You know what some of your favorite foods are.”
Little Miss:  (a brief pause and the shy yet matter of fact answer)  “Green Beans.”

I don’t know why this one was so funny but I just thought it was…

Doctor:  “How high can you count?”
Little Miss:  (again, very matter of fact) “Finity”  (aka “Infinity”)

Anyway, hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day weekend…when did it become near the end of it??

Thought I would share a few more from this session…aren’t these two beautiful together?!

Oh my goodness, seriously, I feel duped…This little family of four “claims” that they’ve NEVER, ever had family photos taken before.  THEY.DID.AMAZING!!  Not to be a huge sap but I could have shown so many images that just warmed my heart.  I can’t wait to dive into all of their images.

Thanks “O” Family for allowing me to capture some moments of your family…it was certainly a special session for me.  Hope you like your sneak peek!