Here we go!
Our moving date has been set for Labor Day weekend, which is, by the way, this weekend! EEK!

We are really looking forward to our new home and our new studio! It may not be up to its fullest potential on Sept. 9-10 when our school pictures are scheduled, but the show must go on!

I am so excited to have a cool little office that has a window that is actually from our existing home. It has the name "Birdie" inscribed in the window pane, no doubt scratched there by a small child in the early years of our home.

We also took 6 original doors from our home and put them in the new house, along with their matching trim. When we go up to bed, it will actually look somewhat like our the dear 150 year old home we are leaving.

We are sad, to be sure, that our home will be torn down to make way for a parking lot. We are also celebrating because the school our children attend is expanding and building a new gymnasium and an auditorium!  Progress is progress and we are happy to be a part of this change.

Our school picture date is Sept. 9-10. Friday evening times are full but we do have afternoon time on Saturday the 10th.

Our studio number has also changed. It is now 402-618-4804. Make note, because if you dial the old number you will get that crotchety voice telling you its been disconnected!

I will end this entry with a picture of our home. Taken the first fall we moved in with a Polaroid camera. Ken then manipulated the colors and it turned out like this. I edited it in Photo-shop with the words, "The House that Built Me". It has a double meaning. The house in the picture did indeed help to build the new house. It also helped to build our children. They have many happy memories there. We have a 24x24 inch canvas of this image, hanging in our upstairs hallway.

We are now ready for new memories! Let the growing begin.

Until next time,
Mary

So, here we are. The last week of July. Its hot. Its humid. Its Nebraska. I would simply melt if it wasn't for air conditioning. It makes me truly grateful I am not a pioneer woman trying to care for my family on the hot, humid, WINDY prairie. I know I would have been one of those women who would have stayed in Boston..., where surely they would be the first to invent great things like FANS.

I photographed these children in the evening, of a 101 degree day. The didn't seem to mind a bit and we finished the session with a run through the sprinkler!

What a tricky brother.

Refreshing nonetheless.

Enjoy the rest of YOUR summer. In Nebraska City, school starts on August 18.

Stay tuned for more moving news!

-Mary

I photographed baby Cyrus as a newborn, and here he is, a chubby 6 month old! This was at 9 AM, on one of the most humid days so far. There is not a breath of air. This did not seem to bother him, as he just smiled away. Love me a happy baby, no matter the temperature!

Here we go. We are on the last month here at this house. Its a bit crazy here, but it will all be worth the anxiety and endless packing. I do think moving is good for me though. I really tend to keep way too many things.

We will be closing our studio in the month of August to prepare for the giant move. We have furniture to sell, household goods, clothes, rugs, you name it. I will keep you posted here and on my facebook page about all that is happening.

No worries about our Back To School Pictures. We will STILL have that special, but it will be in September, not in August this year.

In the meantime, I am packing and photographing.

Here's what I've been up to the past few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!
-Mary

I love photographing my own kids. However, they only love it when its THEIR idea. If I try saying, "Hey, lets go out and get some fun pictures of you." I am met with, "Naa. I don't feel like it" or I'm tired."

Well, last night, in the warmth of the evening sun, Francie felt inspired. Maybe it was the new curl wand she bought. "Makes my hair look like Taylor Swift!" or the new dress that is all colorful and cool. Or was it the shoes?

I don't really care. When she's in "the mood" I grab and go! This was fun, and taken out where our new home/studio will be located. Yep, a gravel road and lots of fields. She's relaxed and happy and it shows. She's 13. I love her, and want her to stay this way....excited about her hair, happy and smiling despite a mouth full of braces.

Great memories.

Now, go out there and take a picture of your own child! They don't stay young...they grow up, and they do it right before your eyes.

Happy Shooting!
-Mary