Extended Family Portraits :: Gram's Family

Over this Easter weekend, Anne's (a.k.a. Gram's) family was visiting from out of state and her daughter, Sue, had contacted me a few months ago to see if I would take a family portrait. Initially, working out a date and location was not a problem, but the iffy weather kept us guessing! So we went to the beautiful Nissley Vineyards on Saturday just before they were all headed off to a surprise birthday party for Anne's sister.  We had a wonderful time and Anne's kids and grandkids are all so warm and easy going. Turns out that Saturday was a special day of remembering her husband, who would have been 77 that day. Her youngest grandson, just 4 years old, kept us all smiling (and at times, laughing) and even gave me a hug when leaving. This is why I love what I do!

These next three all have beautiful blue eyes, but there's something so timeless and classic about black & white...

Bits of Life :: Harrisburg All-Breed Dog Show (April 09)

The kids had off school today (a very LONG Easter break this year!) so we headed off to the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex for a dog show that runs today through Sunday. Our daughter LOVES dogs, and we rescued a wonderful chocolate lab mix, Henry, who has been with us nearly two years. She is very interested in dog breeds and would love to someday be a junior dog handler. The show was not crowded so the owners and handlers were very willing to let the kids pet the dogs and share some information about the breed. We had a fabulous time and may have to go back on Saturday. I couldn't resist posting some images here, so enjoy these loveable pups!

The Adorable Jack Russell


I don't know why, but I love this image...maybe it's his concentration


The Price of Beauty


The kids and I could barely resist hugging these perfectly groomed Siberians,
but I know their handlers would have freaked after all the detailed brushing!


Sweetest dogs ever...Greater Swiss Mountain dog...I want one!!!


GSM "Honey" taking her turn around the ring...


Admittedly, I am not a fan of small pooches, but Miss Georgiette sat sooo pretty for a portrait


Australian Cattle dog...another one to take home, if I lived on a farm!

Baby Portrait Session :: 6 Months and Growing!

I had the pleasure of hanging out with this adorable little guy for his 6 month portraits~ Baby O. has grown quite a bit since last fall when I photographed him as a newborn (see Tiny Blessing), and he's now sporting a couple of new teeth! He is such a delightful little boy for his parents, Doug and Joy, and has a wonderful giggle that just melts my heart. Looking over the session edit, I just had to laugh ~ if he wasn't smiling, he was putting something in his mouth~ his favorite stuffed animal, a fave toy or best of all, yummy toes!

Bits of Life :: Annie & Sam

Sam's best friend is our neighbor, Annie, and if arranged marriages were in style I know for sure these two would be a match made in heaven. Their conversations are hilarious and together they are just a joy for me and Annie's mom, Denise, to have around. Although these two play wonderfully together, neither Denise or I ever seem to get anything done because we hide around the corner listening to their chatter and call each other in fits and giggles to share what's going on.

Today Sam, Annie & I celebrated the first day of spring with a trip to the Bounce-U and Chocolate World. Our tradition at CW is to hit the tour ride and then take a cookie break, and that's exactly what we did. So enjoy a few pics of our yummy day and have a Happy Spring yourself!

p.s. Normally, other than my kids, I do not post children's names on the blog, but in this case I was given permission~ really, how can I write this blog post without saying "Annie & Sam"?? Just too cute!

Bits of Life :: 90th Birthday Celebration

On Sunday we spent the afternoon with my husband's grandmother~ Grandma Weidler (who officially is a great-great grandmother), was visited by her family and friends, as she celebrated her 90th year. She is a special lady~ one with a big heart, a lot of spunk and a ready opinion on any topic, often of her choosing. Her advice topics cover hair styles, clothing and fashion, gardening, marriage, and raising children, just to name a few~ and you don't need to ask because if you need to be told about it, she'll tell you. Her children, grandchildren and great-grands have many stories to share about her~ some funny, some a little surprising, but in the end after Grandma tells a story, we all just smile, shake our heads and say "oh, that's Grandma for you!" She still sews and keeps busy, and although she no longer drives a car, you can sometimes catch her on her riding mower driving on the road to her sons' homes nearby. Every Christmas she makes me a beautiful wreath for our front door, and I can't bear to take it down come spring.

It was also a bittersweet day for me...what seems like a just few years ago, we celebrated my grandmother's 90th and I missed her terribly, as she definitely would have been there to wish Grandma W. a happy day~ so if you are lucky enough to have a grandma in your life, give her a hug and cherish every visit. I promise you won't regret it ;-)

Celebrating Milestones :: Smiling Sisters

I think I must have the best friends in the world. Really. Tiffany is a dear, dear of mine and she had a great idea to capture a special time in her daughters' lives...in the past week they each lost a tooth (or two) and she wanted to capture the moment with a photo session. Now, to be fair, the oldest lost two BOTTOM teeth, so the images below only show their pretty smiles, but I checked and yep~ there are two big gaps on the bottom row! I like Tiff's idea so much that I will soon be offering "Capturing Milestones" mini-sessions to highlight those unique times in a child's life that seem to pass by so quickly~ please email me for more info! and here are a few of my faves from our mini-session today:

Baby Portrait Session :: Cute As Cute Can Be

I am so excited for this post~ This little girl's mommy and I have been close friends since we were in grade school together (which really kind-of-freaks-me-out since my daughter is now in the same grade as when Alissa and I first met.) Alissa & her husband Mike live in Chicago and she brought her adorable baby girl back to the Palmyra area this week to visit family and friends. This cutie has the BEST expressions for a three month old... the ones I posted here definitely show her sweet side but I have been cracking up all afternoon at some hilarious expressions this girl gave today... I may just have to post some of those another time! Enjoy!