My child the track star

One of the cool things about being a teacher and having my child go to the same school is that I get to be at all the stuff she does. Field day is always such a big deal for kids...like it's the olympics or something. I don't get it but maybe it's because I am a grown up. Anyways her class came in 1st place...4 points away from a perfect field day score...which is apparently the first time in our school's history...ha ha and yes someone keeps track of it...like I said...I don't get it.



much to my dismay she sat next to her "boyfriend" the whole entire time. I don't condone her having a boyfriend at this age. But these two have been close for a long time...since they were in Kindergarten together. She's sad because he is going to a new school next year...I am not so sad though...she's too young to be thinking about boys..ha ha

First Communion

Before: Waking up my daughter is sometimes like waking up the dead...I am dreading the teenage years...



AFTER! She looked so beautiful and was so excited. I am not catholic myself so I guess I just don't understand all the hubub. But I was excited for her!




a very rare shot of Brady actually behaving in church

This is my niece and nephew. Many of my clients know about my neice. Two years ago she was diagnosed with Luekemia. I get a lot of people asking how she is doing and I am so relieved to say that she is now officially CANCER FREE. She did two years of treatment and now is doing great. There is a reason why she is known as "the bull". We just knew nothing was going to stop this girl!

I am probably going straight to hell for taking this picture. We were told absolutely no pictures during the ceremony. But I had my big lens and no flash and I just had to do it! Priceless. I had to run out right after this to go to saint charles for a wedding. I thought I was going to miss this shot because communion was running late. I am so glad I stayed because to me this pic is priceless.

dorks

Totally forgot I had these until I saw them on my external hardrive. Ladies this is what happens when people at the reception don't dance. I have to make my own fun...j/j

funny story

ok, so what is it with guys and picikng out meat to cook? When did it become a competitive sport? Does anyone else know someone who thinks that no one can pick out meat better than them...like seriously everytime there is a bar-b-que or fancy dinner, they have to give you the play by play on what a terrific find this certain piece of meat they are about to consume is and that it might be the best ever chosen...

I have this "friend" who shall remain anonymous...that told me this story and I about peed in my pants. To protect this "friend" I will refer to him as TMP (Top Meat Picker) but I am going to tell it from his point of view...

"Sara, OMG you are not going to believe what happened to me at Schnucks. I was in the meat aisle and they had no good meat. I mean it. All the stuff they had out was terrible. And I noticed the old man next to me had a really good peice in his hand. So I waited him out to see what he was going to do with it and as soon as he put it down, I grabbed it, threw it in my cart, and took off. I bolted because I knew as soon as he put it down he would realize he had picked up the best piece of meat in the bunch and would try to get it back. The next thing I know this man is chasing me yelling "sir...Sir..." I kept thinking their is NO WAY I am giving this peice of meat back to that guy...so I was practically running at this point...darting down different aisles and back tracking so he didn't know which way I was going to go. I kept hearing him yell after me and thought to myself...I knew this meat was good because, man he is really wanting it back!...I was prepared to throw down for it right their in the middle of the shampoo Aisle...Somehow after a few minutes of me trying to dodge him he caught up with me and at this point we were both out of breath. When he finally confronted me I just told him "Dude" you're not getting this meat back." and in between pants the guy gets this weird look on his face and says..."sir...you have MY CART"

Apparently in TMP's mad dash to grab the "perfect meat" he threw it in the wrong cart and then made this poor guy chase him down for it for 5 minutes....
Don't get me wrong I like a good bbq as much as the next girl...but I'd hate to think it caused someone to have a stroke at the supermarket... hee hee

top 10 reasons I love living in Jefferson County

10. When all the big boxes from the holiday aftermath start piling up...it's perfectly fine to throw them in the backyard and catch them on fire...no need for recycling out here!

9. no "mall traffic"...because there is no mall....

8. When trouble starts a brewing and you have to call for help because someone keeps stealing the stocked mini-fridge that is bolted inside the outside cabana bar...you get to call the sheriff...no police station in Imperial...just the sherrif... with the big ol sherrif hat who is very much like Roscoe P. Cotrain from Dukes of Hazard

7. We are the Meth Capital of the United States...hey at least we're famous for something...right?

6. I am never lonely because everywhere I go someone strikes up a conversation with me...and I am talking lengthy converstaions...usually with drunks at the gas station

5. All the country roads = no plowing= more snow days :)

4. 4 wheelers and golf carts are prefectly acceptable modes of transportation

3. I have a wide variety of indoor shooting ranges to choose from.

2. I got selected as the jury foreman my very first time I was called. I think it may have been due to the fact I was one of the only ones there with all of my teeth

1. I can roll out of bed and go to the store in my jammies with no make up and a severe case of bed head and still be the hottest person in the store...

ha ha...those of you who know me well know how much I dislike it out here...I am still venting about not getting phone, internet and cable! I'll get over it soon. I have been out here for almost three years now, and I must admit that is is growing on me...but after visiting relatives in St. Peters...it makes me miss my old neighborhood.

I have the best mom and dad ever

These last few months have been very trying for me to say the least. We ran into one huge obstacle after another trying to sell our old house and purchase the new one...not to mention all the "personal drama" that was going on. My mom and dad stood by me the whole time and supported me in every way they could. Not only did they save my butt financially a few times, they truly saved me emotionally as well...so I decided to dedicate this post to them. I love you guys! You really are the best parents ever!!

these are some pics my dad took on vacaction. He is the main reason I am where I am today with my photography. In fact he gave me my first real digital camera that I used to shoot my first two weddings. Of course now I am the one giving him all the "tips" ha ha j/j dad!

the new house

well one good thing about not having internet is that I have had lots of time to get the new house whipped into shape. I am posting these because I have quite a few Bpic sessions booked for January-March and doing them at my house saves people some money! When I do them at a hotel or loft, I have to charge more than $250 (depending on how many girls book) to help cover the cost of the room, but I can do them for cheaper when the shoot is at my house!

Happy Halloween

Those of you who know my kids personally know how fitting these costumes are...people say "a picture tells 1,000 words" and it is so true in this case!

cutest kids ever!

but then again I may be a little biased!

ahhh, finally some relaxation time!

The fam finally got away for a weekend! We went to Gma and Gpa McDermott's lake house for Memorial weekend! We had lots of fun and it was so nice just to relax and have absolutley nothing to do...but then I went through withdrawals and had to whip out the camera...ha ha Here's a quick recap of the weekend
this is grandma (aka "bad girl shirl")

we went on a boat ride...


can you tell who the ham in the family is? always "workin' it" for the camera...
and went fishing...



and played with squirt guns...
made s'mores....mmmm

and finally just came back and relaxed