Who Knew?

Who knew we had such a great little adventure waiting right down the road from us?  

A few weeks ago, we met friends at the Museum of Osteology.

It was the perfect indoor afternoon activity.  

Alexis and Elliot had been before so they tried to show Maddie the ropes, but she was far too busy to wait and listen.  

Finally after getting some energy out she noticed the bones.  

She really liked the lizard!  

When it came time to guess the skull, she preferred to stack them nice and neat.

It's a fascinating place to visit...I would highly recommend it!  

I would love to go back and actually look at things.  

I did a lot of corralling, chasing, and containing!! : ) 

A Year Later

This was a picture from last July...

And this was yesterday...

She was thinking, "this is OK."

and then she was having second thoughts!

Even though she wasn't sure what to make of the experience, she did really well!  

She sat really still.

At times she was surprised...

other times a little sleepy. : )  

and in the end, she looked so pretty!!  

Once we got home she was really excited about her hair cut.  

She called her daddy at work and told him, "I got hair cut!" 

We went to Kelly Kindrick at the Carmichael's Salon.  

Kelly's one of those professionals you find and know you are always in good hands!!  

We Found our Normal Again!

I've had a couple of  "off" months.  

Not to be confused with a couple of months off.  : )  

Things got really busy with my photography business and shook things up a bit around here.  

But yesterday felt like we were back to normal. 

I still had a post consultation, phone calls to make, and a few edits but maybe I've found a way to balance them better?  

I've been reading this book...

I've learned I need to narrow my focus, hire a graphic designer, and target a very specific client.  

My very specific client will want images like these for their little ones!

Taking these pictures makes my heart leap!  It's so much fun.

I'm a Playtographer : )  

Let me know if anyone knows a graphic designer.  I need a custom logo.  

And, I created a Facebook page for my photography (dragging my heels the entire way).  

But it's the way things are done these days : )  

You can "like" it by going to this link http://www.facebook.com/SamSchasteenPhotography

Maddie's Coming Home Today!!

YIPPPEEE!!!!!!

Christmas in July!

It feels like Christmas in July for me!  

Maddie has been with her Grammie and PaPa the last few days and I've been missing her

BUT

this finally came in the mail Friday...

Now when I miss her, I can look at it and find comfort...

And...a  20x20 canvas really fills the space nicely!

Me likey!! 

And Maddie comes home tomorrow : ) 

Mystery Box Challenge - Accepted!

Do you guys watch Master Chef?  

Kyle and I watch it and love to figure out what we would do with the mystery box challenges (most of which we have no idea where to start!!)

Friday night a knock on the door from Tara, Tenley's Mommy, presented us with a real life mystery box challenge of our very own!!!

Tommy had flown in from Maine and was given 4 fresh lobster, caught that morning!!  

They weren't sure what to do with them, so we graciously took them off their hands : )  

We put them in paper bags and put them in the refrigerator to await their destiny.  

The next night...

into the pot they went!

Two were made for lobster risotto...

Which we made a stock for.

And two were eaten surf and turf style.  

 Nate and Cindy came over to help us enjoy the lobster.  

Turns out they were not as tasty as we had hoped!  

Oh well... 

One knock on the door

+

Four live lobster

+ 

Two amazing friends to share it with

=

Mystery box challenge - Complete!!

Balancing It All

I love this collage.  

I stare at it all the time.  

I cannot WAIT to get it up on my wall. 

There is something comforting in having all of these images knowing that Maddie is getting bigger and bigger.  We can't hold back time, but at least we can remember.  Every photo is associated with a memory that I love.  The day we built a snowman.  The day we played hide-n-seek and her little legs were poking out under the pillow.  The day she was helping me cook and picked up the broccoli and took a big bite.  Super fun day at preschool when I discovered she was far more independent than I had ever realized. 

I've been somewhat torn lately...feeling a lot of guilt.  : {

My photography business has been great, I'm getting lots of work and growing more and more.  

The only downfall is the time it takes away from Maddie. 

I miss those long, leisurely days of playing together just the two of us.  

The good news is I've signed up for a training for photographers to specifically address balancing your photography business and your family time.  

Just what I need!!!

Hopefully there will be lots of good advice on how to manage it all.  

Fourth of July Fun!

Hope you guys had a great holiday!!

We had such a wonderful day : )

Our evening was spent with friends.  

After a fantastic cook out, it was time for swimming!

Maddie was a little hesitant at first...

but after a little bit she began enjoying herself!

Elliot on the other hand, enjoyed every single minute!

After swimming came fishing in the pond : )

Kyle took the camera and got some good shots...

I love this one of the DePauw's...

 

 and Maddie and me. 

 

After all the fun activities, nothing beats a big, open field to just run around in...

And then...it was time for fireworks!!

 

Thanks to our awesome friends Nate and Cindy for hosting such a great night!! 

Looking forward to next year already. : )

I Heart Faces Contest/Enjoying Life

I knew when I saw the topic of this photo challenge, I had plenty of pictures to choose from : )

This was one of the many times we played peek-a-boo around the tree.  

Definitely enjoying life!!