Pumpkinpalooza

Recently, I started photographing at one of my favorite places, Paulus Farm Market.
It is just 3 miles from our home, literally 3 turns. Audrey and I would visit there alot this summer to see their farm animals and enjoy the sunshine.
In August, I approached Amy Paulus, the owner, about having a party at Paulus.

And, to make a long story short, I ended up beginning a relationship with Paulus as a photographer there.
Today, we had our party.

A gathering of mostly family, but a handful of close friends and their kids. We call it Pumpkipalooza. We fed the farm animals, played in the fun forts, took a hay ride to a pumpki patch and corn maze, had great food and just truly enjoyed ourselves.
My cousin Jamie announced that she and her husband Vince are having their 3rd baby! So exciting.
Overall, the kids had an awesome time.

Audrey was Minnie Mouse, a last minute costume change, when my mom and I discovered it in the storage closet, waiting to be worn. The food was great!
Thanks to all of our attendees and especially to The Paulus family for an really enjoyable day!

Fall Camping

is now my favorite kind of camping.
This past weekend, we went to western Village Rv Park, which is right in Carlisle just 20 minutes away from home, but definately felt like a good vacation.
Val and Lathan came along with us, so Audrey had her best buddy.
The weather was great and they had so many great activities for the kiddos.
we participated in a family scavenger hunt, a halloween costume parade and trick or treating.
What fun!
Here are some pics of our great weekend!

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Building a Business

A year ago I set out on a journey to start a "side job" as a photographer. And, it seems that my side job has really taken off. I am sitting here trying to come up with a more compatible schedule that fits my kiddos needs as well as my businesses needs, but hers didnt come first this week and it shows in her attitude. she needs me, and that is a good thing.
She caught a little cold earlier in the week, which carried with it a fever. Jim held down the fort, while I did 3 back to back shoots. WOW! I came home and she was at 102. BUT, not 105 or 106, so not too bad. It didnt go higher, but lingered until today.
In that time I had to edit 3 new shoots, 2 deliveries came in with photos that I had to send out and I booked 4 more appts. WOW!
Seriously, I feel so blessed. I never imagined that I could do this as a real job forever and make income and still have the opportunity to be a full time mom. I am still not sure I can sram everything I am trying to do into this already hectic life. But, I feel blessed to try!

Ahhhh...the terrible and terrific twos

Audrey is smart. She's my kid, so maybe I am the only one that thinks so, and right now that is the only person( and her dad) that matters.
But, she is also a smarty pants, lately. UGH!
I feel like our days are filled with alot of temper tantrums and crying and flinging of her body, and kicking and running away.
She doesnt like the outfit I put on, it "hurts" her. She doesnt want to read the story I chose. She wants me to "go away". She doesnt want to go inside. She doesnt want her shoes on. She doesnt want to listen to ANYONE. And I am maybe losing my mind.
I am seriously reevaluating what I have done to get us here. Is it me? I am happy to take the blame and help to change it.
We have left gymnastics early because she just doesnt want to sit down and listen. I also think that has to do with the maniac child in her class who appears, leaves the kids in her wreckage and my "monkey see-monkey do" follows her lead. But, maybe it is just Audrey.
If anyone has any advice or a book to read or reassurance, I am here and open.
Until then, we are living with a crazy beautiful smart tantrummer( is that a word...spell check says no...I say YES)!