The Peanut Turns 2.

It amazes me how fast a year passes, and the changes that come about in such a small facet of time. My baby is two. TWO. I can hardly believe it. She's a little girl now. Not just a baby.

We held Betty's birthday party this past Sunday at my in-law's house. Betty made out pretty well present-wise. Now it's the question of where to put all this new stuff! She got her first tricycle...unfortunately she was blessed with her father's stumpy legs and her feet don't yet reach the pedals...but, in time.

She had a Spongebob cake (as Spongebob is the coolest cat ever) and enjoyed lots of running around time with all of her little cousins.

It was a lovely day, and I'm just now kind of getting used to the idea of a two year old. Everything you've heard about them is TRUE!

Prepare to PAR-TAY.

Great-Grandpa Jack and the monkey he got for Betty. Grandma would approve.

Any kid can blow out a candle. Being that my kid is uber hardcore, she puts candles out with her tongue.

We Are Family.

Do you know how hard it is to keep coming up with witty titles to a blog? Hard. Writers block sets in and all you can think of is the obvious. So, like a cliche' wedding DJ, I've gone with the literal. Because, well, my most recent subjects are not only a family....but my family. So, there it is. Literal and to the point.

Today I shot Noah's 4th birthday. Noah is my husband's 2nd cousin (got that?). He's a ball of energy. I brought Betty to the party and all she could really do is stand back in awe and laugh at the little fireball and his equally animated brother.

But, when I got him to sit still for a nano-second we got some great shots!

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Laughing with Aunt Stephanie

Noah and Mom

Cameron got in on the action, too!

Noah, Owen, and Grandma

Brothers.

Cheeky Noah

One Perfect Rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it's always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.

- Dorothy Parker

If there ever was a person in my life I had to describe as a "character" it would be my Great Aunt Rose. Today was her 70th birthday and the family got together to celebrate. In addition, I stopped by her house pre-party to snap some family pictures with her, her daughter Kathy, and her out-of-state kids Jamie and Kip.

Aunt Rose is just a phenomenal person. She teaches yoga, loves Bob Dylan, and those in Beloit may recognize her from Beloit Hospital billboards dotting the freeway leading into the city. She's known for her jaunty hats and photogenic smile.

Happy birthday, Aunt Rose! I hope your day was wonderful!

Thankful For The Small Things.

I'm feeling thankful for the small things, today

I'm feeling thankful for the small things, today

Happy, Happy Birthday

-Cracker

Things like birthday cake, cousins to play with, happy healthy babies, and family. We travelled to Oregon (WI...not the state) today to celebrate my husband's cousin's son's 1st birthday (whew!..that was a mouthful). Little Cameron turned 1, had some cake, shuttled my kid around in a wagon that should have been his, and had a great turn-out. It was a lot of fun.

And it just reminds me, as I look around at a room full of family and healthy babies, to be positive and thankful for the small things...even if they seem ordinary and insignificant.

Birthday boy with a jaunty new birthday hat.
Cameron enjoying "Happy Birthday"

All the toys in the world, and they decide to play in the dog crate. My Betty is in there somewhere.

Super-Noah.

By the end of the day, The Peanut was a hot mess. She had pig-tails in the morning, which she promptly decided to take out, so she walked about looking like a Flock of Seagulls fan at the party. Oh well...still pretty stinkin' cute.

It Was One Year Ago Today.....

Betty Claire - 1 day old

Talk about bizarre...my little girl is one year old today. In some ways it feels like the past year sped by, but at the same time I feel like I've aged so much from last summer that it was eons ago. I am now the owner of a toddler. Wow.

Happy Birthday, my girl!

Betty the Birthday Girl

Miss Betty's 1st birthday party was held yesterday at our home. It went off without a hitch! The weather was gorgeous and our backyard, although still under construction, served well as a party area!

Miss Betty got a TON of great gifts...and daddy even got himself a new DSLR camera! Fun was had by all!

My attempt at decor.
Betty's birthday "patty cakes"....marked with a "B"!
Diggin' in!
Every little girl needs a great party dress!
Me and Betty's namesake, Grams Betty! So glad she could make it!

New Website on the Horizon

Things have been slowing down a bit 'round here, so I am thinking that now is probably a good time to focus on the new TAI website. That's right, folks, no more cheesy free Siteground template! I will be stepping up in the world to a site that features actual flash!
Woopity! Doo!

That being said, it probably won't be ready to "go live" for some time. For one, I need to dedicate at least a day or so to learn the BluDomain format. Two, I'm picky...and I'm compiling a good list of songs I can include on the site. These things are important, people!

You will still be able to find me at http://www.typeaimages.com/. It's just going to be a whole lot prettier...here's hoping anyway.

On the photo front I have a maternity session coming up in a few weeks and after that is the start of my little "wedding" season which I am SUPER excited about. There is just something about capturing people on what is probably one of the happiest but most stress filled days of their lives that I hope lends itself to beautiful images. My first wedding is being held at the gorgeous Pabst Mansion which I am tickled pink about...the possibilities are endless for great pics!

As a reminder, I am still running a Christmas in July sale for people who want to book their holiday card family sessions with me for this fall early. Book before July 31st and receive FREE holiday cards!

My little Peanut has her 1st birthday party next week....I'm crossing my fingers that the ongoing construction on our home is done by then...otherwise we may be enjoying cake in a pit that used to be our garage. I will be sure to post pictures of the event! I'm super-excited about the ridiculously overpriced but far too adorable for words dress I bought Betty. Along with her red patent leather shoes she should look like quite the little glamourpuss.

You Say It's Your Birthday!

Sunday was a birthday party for Miss Madelyn (see her 1 year shoot below) in Beloit. We celebrated in the typical way: beer and cake! (well...beer for us, cake for the babies).

My girl likes to party all the time!

Beth, Madelyn's Mom

Madelyn and some leftover cake
It's her party...and she'll cry if she wants to!