To John & Deborah for winning my monthly FREE 8x10 drawing! They simply commented on a post and were entered into my monthly drawing for a FREE 8x10 and were randomly picked! Don’t forget to comment when you read my post for your chance to be entered into the drawing! Next contest ends Sept. 30 so get your comments in! The more you comment the better chances you have of winning!

Today Kathi and I took the girls to the school for a mini Back to school session! The girls had a blast, as did we! When we get them together they are such a hoot, Kathi and I cannot keep from laughing at some of the things they say and come up with. They were very great about preparing the "set" for me for the shoot. We had to dodge the sun most of the time and wait for it to go back behind the clouds in between shots. We were burning daylight! Kathi brought an apple and some old books ( what? your kid doesn’t bring a bible to school  ) to tie up in an old belt like the days of our grandparents! It was a simple but sweet touch to the pictures and overall I am super excited to have some of these in print! I am also hosting a special for homeschool children and parents of school children who are looking for an alternative to the traditional school portraits. These will look lovely on my website to help advertise for that! If you are interested in this special please contact me for more details!

So the first week of Kindergarten is through! Kensey was sent home with her good behavior apple and although you cannot see it on the picture she had five stamps! That means everyday she was good and followed the rules! YAY! She also got a WOW! on her cutting page so we were very happy about that! We had to put them both immediately on the fridge right next to her swim class certificate! Since she was already at the fridge she had to show off some of her alphabet skills with the magnets Gammies sent her. Oh yes, and now I know why my mom got so irritated when we left our backpack and shoes on the floor… I tripped right over them and fell on my face! So… to document the first week I would have to say it went great and I must say I do enjoy that extra 3 hours of time to myself!

So it is the hour after Kensey’s official first day of Kindergarten and she comes home upset and says she does not like school and does not want to go back…? I ask her what she did and she says "All we did was read a story" I say " That is all?" She says "Yeah" and then "Oh yeah! There is something in my backpack for you" So I reach into her bag and it is a weekly agenda with EVERYTHING that she will do each day this week, including more than just a story for today. So… I say " It says here you practiced writing your name.. " she says " Oh yes we did that" and I continue " It says you learned about the calendar and weather bear…" she says " Yeah that too " and I say " Ooh what is the Name Game?" She says very excited "Oh! That is this really cool game where we all sit in a circle pretend to be a pizza! It was really fun!" " Oh! Fun?" I say. She quickly puts her hand to her mouth and says "Oh no! I did not mean to say that… it was not fun at all, school is boring - do I have to go again?" Keeping my laughter inside I say " Yes Kensey you have got to go to school " then I think hmm.. maybe she got in trouble? So I ask her and she says " Well… I got in a little trouble for talking " Lord knows she is my child! So I assure her that she will have more fun tomorrow! We get home and Kensey heads directly to the fridge ( can you believe it? ) pulls out the turkey and bread and carrots! For those of you who know my child , you know she does not willingly or even at force eat fresh vegetables, so imagine my shock when she does this! So I make her the sandwich and slice the carrots and add her preservative free dressing on the side and she gobbles it all up - with a glass of milk and a bottle of water no less! So I do not know what magic Mrs. Norris has up her sleeve but I think this will be a terrific school year!

First day of my little girls venture into the educational world! As I type this I am in tears! I am not sad but proud! I was so happy we were allowed to take a few pictures today as her classroom was taken through the school to learn their surroundings and rules. Kensey’s teacher seems perfect for her and I am excited that Kensey is excited! Today was just orientation for kids and parents, it is tomorrow that I will have to let go of that little hand that once clasped mine at all times . Not sad though … remember! Plus it is only half day ( 3 hours ) so I will manage - hey maybe I will even have time to work off that "baby fat" after all of these years hee hee!

What a day! We had a blast taking the girls to Monkey Dooz today in Boise! The girls got the Best Friends Package which included updo’s, makeup and a manicure! They enjoyed sparkling soda in thier princess dress up clothes and shared tons of giggles that lasted through the day! After we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Olive Garden and then off to the mall for school clothes! Needless to say I am super tired but could not wait to post a few of these pictures! Keep in mind this is not natural light but salon lighting! Don’t forget to comment to increase your chances for a FREE 8X10!!!

What an awesome family! Dyan got in touch with me up at the base pool where she is the director. I am so glad she did because I had a fantastic time photographing her family! Of course their babysitter, Trina ( my daughters swim instructor ) had to come along! What fun! She was so helpful with the girls and I got some really fun shots of her and the cutie pies. Not only is she an amazing swim instructor but she would make the PERFECT photographers assistant!  I know this is just supposed to be a sneak peek but I got excited and went overboard! I had such fun at this session and I hope it shows through the images! Don’t forget to leave a comment! Each month I will be drawing names of those who have left comments and the winner will receive a FREE 8x10 !!!!

I had a ton of fun with this session! This family goes to the same church as my family and I had the pleasure of working with Jen this week through VBS! Such a sweet family with a hilarious teenage boy! I truly hope you enjoy this sneak peek and I am thrilled that you chose me to do your family portraits! Enjoy and look for the rest of your pictures this week!