For the record, I do my best not to kill plants. But I promise you I’m no Martha Stewart when it comes to gardening. I’m pretty sure it puts me in the category of low-maintenance gardener. I like the color, the butterflies they attract, and the blooms to bring into my house, but with several weeks of scorching heat (I swear I’ll stop lamenting over it someday) I did all I could to keep the little blossoms alive and kicking. Now that it’s cooled off a bit though everything seems to be redeeming itself. And makes me look like I’ve at least tried in the process.

So, no knocking the status of my basil and its white flowery tops. I know they aren’t supposed to be there. But that’s the kind of non-Martha gardener I am. Some days, this is the best you get.

I’m kind of fascinated by bees. I assume there’s a hive somewhere nearby because I keep seeing the workers around. Several were attacking helping themselves to the basil flowers yesterday afternoon and making me feel not quite so bad that I had been lazy waiting to pluck them off. I caught this little guy in the act ::

And the first monarchs of the season are starting to make their way to these parts. If the weather holds up this weekend we might go out to the prairie to see them (it’s a beautiful migration point on their way south). Should be a spectacular sight.

Happy Weekend!

So Little Man went back to school this week. One of those things that we’ve talked about happening, about his friends who will be in his class again, the things that they’ll do. Most of it seemed to exist in the ether…and then all of a sudden, it’s here. Gone are our carefree days of summer (and hopefully so is its heat), and we’re back into a more structured routine — something that is quite welcome in our house.

But as excited for him as I am to go back, I miss him too. See, the hubs often works at home. I work at home. Parker is home (often with a sitter while we’re working). Um, yeah. It’s like that at our house. Every day. And so for the last several months I had resigned myself to working amongst the chaos. Listening to hubs click on his keyboard while on the phone, hearing Little Man in the other room playing trucks while he talks nonstop.

And now it’s quiet.

Hubs works offsite in the mornings while Little Man is at school. I’ve gotten a run or yoga in, and then it’s just quiet. Me, coffee, and my to-do list. I’m still trying to adjust to the new normal. And breathe in these few, solitary, fleeting moments.

Because I know the chaos will return around lunchtime when everyone comes home from their morning’s activities.

Here’s a quick peek at the little man before he trotted off to preschool on Tuesday ::

(I’m going to out myself on this one :: this morning, while getting ready to prepare this post, I acutally typed the word “Chaos” instead of my username. Yup. Welcome to my world some days.)

It’s one of the first questions that gets asked, right after we select a session date. What should we wear?!? It is, hands down, one of most daunting question when booking your photography session… and we’ve all been there :: looking through the family’s closets and (if you’re anything like me) deciding that it’s not up to your expectations…so off to the mall you go.

It helps immensely to have a plan before you start shopping. What’s your family’s style? What kind of tone do you wish for your portraits to have? Formal? Casual? Playful? Do you want them to blend with your home decor (the answer is 100%, absolutely, do-not-pass-go YES if you’re thinking even in the slightest to create a wall gallery)? What kinds of colors do you decorate with the most? What colors make you feel good? Comfortable? Happy?

For the next couple of weeks, I’m going to pick a few of my favorite retailers, online and on foot, to find great outfits for the whole family–mostly casual, but I hope that you’ll use these as ideas for when you’re shopping. It’s fashion–just like art, it’s totally subjective, so you have to choose what feels right for you.

This week we’ll take a look at outfits from Boden. Super cute, a little whimsical, and totally appropriate for everyone. For this, I envisioned a casual look with lots of blues, gray, and earthy brown. With some little punches of fun thrown in.

Dad gets some clean, classic lines. Mom looks super-sharp in a sleeveless cardigan vest and skinny jeans. (And love me that leather jacket! Wowza!) Adorable in polo shirts, cozy sweaters, and snuggle-worthy corduroy dress up the kiddos just right.

I love these options because it looks cohesive…and allows everyone’s personality to come through. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

Happy Wednesday!

Justyn and Kari pledged their love among the closest of their friends and family last month, on a beautiful, warm, summer evening. It was the perfect day for two happy souls to intertwine, and surrounded by those that they treasure the most, it was sure to be a delightful celebration.

Everything they touched was surrounded in joy and love, with such thought and attention paid to the smallest of details ::

Love me a pretty cake with fresh flowers :: simple and lovely.

And don’t forget the cutest flower girl basket, ever ::

Fresh, fragrant, and fabulous ::

Some post-ceremony smooching ::

I love this image. So, so filled with happiness.

We’ve been celebrating the last few juicy bits of summer before the little man begins another year of preschool begins tomorrow. It’s been a good summer…and we’re ready for the fun and adventures of the new school year. We celebrated with a little game night recently…

Aaaahh, sweet, lazy Okoboji summer days…warm sunshine, cool lake breezes, and lots of fun. Throughout the seasons, the Glynn family has participated in everything the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer – boating, swimming, playing – and the ability to grow closer as a family.

We visited Gull Point State Park, nestled into Miller’s Bay on West Okoboji :: a great location (with a gorgeous lodge built in the 1930′s!) with so much to see and do, especially on a warm summer evening.

The little ones played and ran in the sand ::

This little guy (and those amazing eyes) was so cute in front of the camera!

Such a beautiful couple! Their best features are so apparent in their little ones.

I love how timeless these portraits feel ::

A simply delightful family…so happy together. (Bonus points if you can name the iconic boat on the right hand side of the image!)

Thanks, Glynn family! I loved spending time with all four of you! Much love!

I was thrilled to get a call earlier this summer to photograph an editorial for the fall issue of Kansas! Magazine, a statewide publication created by the Kansas Department of Commerce, Travel & Tourism Division. The story was about the wonderful trail system around the state and the many options to which explore the landscape for all ages.

Over two thousand miles of trails wind their way around the state, and for the shoot we concentrated our efforts at the Konza Prairie (which you’ve seen pieces of in some of my portrait sessions) with an adorable local family. We also visited a private off-road biking location with members of the Bad Goat Racing team…and learned that you can relieve poison ivy by using good old blue Dawn in the shower. (And we needed it!)

The weather was a perfect, sunny midwestern day with a light breeze and sunshine everywhere.

I’m so excited that the editors chose to use this image :: it’s one of my favorites from the day! He was the CUTEST little man!

And some seriously awesome riders :: another favorite shot…

You can read more about Kansas! Magazine here or check them out on Facebook! (go to the photos section and click on the Kansas Hiking album to see some outtakes from the day, too!)