Trying to catch up.

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I determined to blog about this as soon as it happened. 

In the beginning of this month we all piled into the van for a road trip to Chicago. There I attended the workshop of Audrey Woulard in her famous natural light studio loft. I was in attendance with only 9 other women. We learned a lot about business and about natural light photography. It was a great experience, and I totally recommend it for anyone who is interested. 

This is a tree that was irresistible to photograph, with its fall colors just beginning to show. I loved this tree. 

This is a beautiful little boy who was a model for the workshop. I didn't shoot much at the workshop, because there were too many photographers per kid, and I really hate both fighting for attention, and also overwhelming the kids. But I like this picture because of the beautiful eyes and Audrey's colorful pillows.

Here is a shot in the loft, with a bunch of the women adoring the kids as they got dressed for the shooting session. 

Yes, you're seeing right. This is Claire at the workshop. My kids were also there as models, but there was a miscommunication and we ended up with too many kids, so her regulars were used first, which meant my own kids didn't end up being photographer too much. And probably just as well - you can see how shy she was feeling.

Audrey's display wall of her own photos in her loft.

This is one of the other photographers, modeling for us in the middle of the street. 

I fel in love this weekend. With whom? No, with what. I fell in love with a lens. This is me, testing out Audrey's 85mm 1.4 lens. See how it's all blurry around the chicken (a prop from another photog) and you see the detail on the pillow and the chicken? That is the beauty of this lens. I adore it. And I'm now saving....

How can toys be so pretty?

While I was in the workshop, photographing toys, Vlad and my Aunt Pam (who came up from central Illnois) took the kids to the Shed Aquarium. The kids had a great time this weekend. They also got to go to the Field Museum, and a petting zoo. Vlad is such a great daddy! The boys were thrilled about the fish, let me tell you!

And here is Claire, who was thrilled about the climbing aparatus.

Claire didn't warm up to Aunt Pam too quickly. Until we were about 5 minutes from leaving the aquarium (I caught up with them later in the afternoon). All the sudden, in the elevator, she turned to Aunt Pam with delight and surprise on her face and stuttered "You.... You... You Grandma!" And then broke into the hugest grin. She was so happy and so so pleased! I guess my Aunt Pam does look like Claire's Grandma! Claire loved her Aunt Pam from that moment....until we reached the car and drove away. She told me "I yuv Damma." This is funny because soon after Aunt Pam came, one of the boys looked at her really hard and said, "Um, did you copy Grandma?" Evidently they are looking more alike with time. ;) LOL
This is the exact moment the light bulb went on for Claire, and she realized who Aunt Pam "really" was. :)

After Chicago we went down to the family farm in Indiana to spend the night with my Uncle Brian and Aunt Jacki. The boys haven't had too much experience around a farm, so they delighted themselves with the big machines and tractor rides.

After visiting the farm, we went to the cemetery. I have to say, it's a very very odd feeling going to the cemetery and seeing all the names of the people you used to look for first when going to church on a Sunday in this little town. There they all were: My grandma and Grandpa, his two brothers and their wives, my cousin who died when we were both only 16, yet another great aunt and uncle....A whole section of our ancestors, just lying there in eternal peace. It was overwhelming, and I cried. Such dear people who are no longer with us. I only hope that the generations who are left can continue with the legacy that's been left to us.
This is a strange pic, with my kids on the gravestone of my grandparents, but there's a purpose. We are studying family history and ancestry this month. I wanted a pic to remind my kids of their visit to old family sites.

My Grandpa and Grandma. Sometimes I can't believe they're both gone, because they are both so alive in my heart.

This pic reminds me of the verse that talks about running the race with patience and endurance because we are surrounded by such a great host of witnesses. Can't you imagine them there in the sky, looking down on us. They now have a heavenly perspective.

This is the kids - an awful but precious pic of the kids enjoying DQ dilly bars at the hotel, half way home. We stopped Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Katya and her very first ice cream she was allowed to eat all on her own.

Sorry for the VERY quick recap. It was a wonderful trip, and we got to see several precious family members. Then it was a quick retreat back into the cold country. Short, but very sweet.

Collin's Chores

This is what I found this evening after Collin completed the task I had given him of "lining up the shoes in the garage."



I know he was wondering why I was trying to keep a straight face while I watched him finish the last two.

Odds and ends in my kids' lives.

About 10 days ago while I was busy working on the computer, my kids got quiet. It was heaven. They were quiet for about 45 minutes before I realized that there had been no disturbance for quite a while. But I could hear that they were busy with something - they were just happily immersed in their own world. When they finally called me to see what they had been up to, I found their room had been changed into a jungle complete with hanging vines and wild animals.

This was their "safari jungle."






They even had an ocean on the floor. I loved the creativity! The jungle is still hanging up. I don't want to take it down, and they love it enough to keep it.

Spencer has also been trying his hand at "no boys allowed" signs (except for him and Collin). Evidently he hasn't figured out that he is supposed to be making "no girls allowed" signs. Lol


They made some for Claire too.



My beautiful Katya. Who can resist this smile?


Collin's giant frog they found in the ditch in front of our neighbor's house. They are always searching for frogs.


Spencer has designed his own airplane. When it's small, it flies pretty well. This was his first attempt at a larger model using poster board.

Grandpa's 90th.

My Grandpa turned 90 on Sept. 11. The whole clan on my dad's side, minus only a few people, went to Wichita to celebrate together. For those of you who don't know us, that is a heck of a lot of people! I think we counted 140 people who showed up at my cousins' house for the Saturday birthday bash. And we had loads of fun!

Grandpa and Vlad (and Collin)


The festivities. Can you see it was fun, and chaotic?








The kids at the beach.














My cousin, Blake, who is always sure to make things interesting...


My beautiful niece, Audrey.


Collin enjoying Uncle Bob.


My one and only nephew, Owen. Isn't he so kissable?




Claire, about 1/2 second before her bagel fell on the floor at Panera. We always have to stop at Panera if there is one nearby.


Spencer, digging in the bagel box at Panera.


It was a great time to reconnect with family, and revisit the blessings that God has bestowed on my Grandpa's long life.