Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago, we had our first "mini-session" shoot with Autumn Fields Photography. I've blogged before about how Matt hates paying for pictures, but we got a really good deal on this shoot.

The shoot was a bit of a hike for us, and Matt was complaining questioning why we were driving so far for some pictures. I explained that Sara was highly recommended and that this would prevent my annual "What are we going to use for the Christmas card?!?" meltdown. (Spoiler alert: if you get a Christmas card from us - and if you're actually reading this blog you probably do - you're going to see a few of these pictures again.)

We were impressed as soon as we got to the site. The girls were super-nice, prompt, decisive and efficient. We were in and out in about 30 minutes and everyone stayed happy. In addition to the shoot, we got the rights to 10 shots, both in color and black and white.

Cannot wait to put some of these up!

Seriously? Melt my heart.

Those cheeks.

Obligatory cheesy couple-shot. We're going to put a huge canvas of this one over the mantle.

I'm not going to lie, I spent a fair amount of time studying what you're "supposed" to wear to these things. I went through a few options (and may or may not have had my friend Katie come over to help), but was pretty happy with our coordinating-ish outfits. And the only thing I had to buy was the shirt for myself.

Maybe my favorites.

Enjoy these. Matt said they have to last me for at least a year.

60th Anniversary

We went down to St. Louis this past weekend to celebrate my grandparents' 60th anniversary. Pretty impressive! The whole family came and we shared stories and letters with my grandparents as well as watching a video montage of them through the years that my mom and uncle put together. It's really amazing and inspiring that Matt and I have great legacies of long marriages in both our families.

While we were down there, we also got in lots of quality cousin time, including a couple of breakfasts out (Cracker Barrel is always great for entertaining the kids in their store for a little while.).

Story time with Uncle Tim is another big hit. Whenever we come away from a visit with my brother, Brooke is always expecting a bunch of stories from me. Unfortunately, I'm not as creative as my brother.

 

We also took the kids to Gigi's in their costumes for "trick or treating".

And visited Aunt Esther.

The boys enjoyed some quality time with each other the iPad.

My mom tutors Lexi a couple days a week, and since Brooke missed a day of school for the visit, they let her join them. She loved it!

Miles and Aunt Krissi. I swear he did things beside play on the iPads this trip, I just didn't do a good job documenting them.

Can't wait to see you all again soon!

Halloween, cont'd.

I found a few more Halloween photos on my camera. Here's Brooke ready to go trick or treating.

She also had a Halloween "parade" at school. There were many replicated costumes, so I was happy that she was relatively more original, even though she called herself "Ariel" instead of just a mermaid.

They sang a couple songs and did a little poem. Short and sweet.

Maybe this is why I'd forgotten about these shots. Miles was NOT in the mood for pictures on Halloween.

I actually kind of love this shot. Happy Halloween - last time, I promise!

Randoms

I'm going to lump a lot of the other shots I have into a random post. The other night, we had some people over and Miles could not get enough of Uncle Mike and Aunt Jane.

Mati and Beck also came up to visit a couple of weeks before Brooke's birthday. The girls had fun together.

We embraced the Cardinals this post-season because, as Brooke quoted his words back to Matt, "The White Sox stink!" Miles sported his jersey multiple times and Brooke was excited every night a game was on. (Spoiler alert: They lost. It was a good run, though.)

We drove down to Amy's to meet up with them and Krissi and the kids to go to a pumpkin patch. It was freezing that day, but we still had a good time.

Before it got really cold and wet here, we had a few weeks of really nice weather and you'd better believe we were out every chance we got. They are randomly this cute fairly often, but to be fair, they also hit and push each other fairly often.

Miles making his funny face. He loves to make people laugh.

The kid really likes to eat.

Bring on November!

The Rainbow Fairy

Brooke did a class (with Kali, natch) at the community center this fall call "Fairyland".

It was lead by a woman who's a published author and in it, the girls basically came up with their own story that the teacher then turned into a narrative that the kids performed for us at the last class. Brooke loved this class and talked about it more that anything else I've had her in. Maybe acting is in her future?

The "play" was pretty cute, although I can't quite tell you what it was about. Each of the girls got to pick which fairy they wanted to be. Can you guess which Brooke picked?

Parenting fail confession - I spent all this time getting Brooke's costume together and painting her face, then we got to the class and I realized that I forgot her wings! And we have multiple sets at home. Ugh. Thankfully, she didn't realize. (And if you're reading this years from now, Brooke, I'm so sorry. Thanks for not realizing and making me feel worse than I already did/do.)

Brooke's Birthday

Brooke had her birthday party with family up here about two weeks ago due to scheduling conflicts. Our immediate family, Grandma Audie, Uncle Dave and Kevin, and Aunt Karen and Uncle Bruce and Erin all came over to celebrate. We had Portillo's (a birthday tradition around here) and of course, cake. Brooke was in Princess Sofia/Doc McStuffins heaven.

Miles enjoyed himself, too.

She was so excited about her dress that she wanted to wear it to bed that night.

And the next morning, we got a Princess Sofia serenade. I would say the night was a success.

She also celebrated her birthday at school that week, then last weekend, my parents and Tim and Krissi came up. Here she is on her birthday morning. We had cinnamon rolls.

Then, she got to open her presents from my parents and Uncle Tim and Aunt Krissi.

That afternoon, we had her "friend" party at My Gym. Brooke hasn't been going to My Gym since starting preschool, but occasionally she'll go to Miles' class with me and said she'd like to have her birthday there. We really couldn't have been more happy with how it went. They were super-organized and controlled with the kids and they all seemed to have a great time.

Her guests were a combination of a few friends each from neighborhood, church and school, plus cousins, who we were so thrilled were able to make the trip up to celebrate with us.

Love the action shots. Special thanks to Debbie and Krissi for getting all these great photos for me.

Little brothers were invited, too.

Puppet show!

Hanging with her besties. I really think Kali had a good time, despite her half-smiles.

At the end, they rolled her out on a "float". It was awesome and hilarious and she loved it.

Snack and cupcake time.

Miles was busy with his cupcake, so we just got a shot of the 3 of us.

I realize that every birthday can't be like this, but it was fun to go a little over-the-top for our girl and make her feel extra-special. Once again, happy birthday, Brooke!