Being a Photographer's Daughter...

...certainly isn't easy!  I was feeling bad that I hadn't done any shoots with Charlotte lately, especially since about every client says "ohhh...I bet you have the best pictures of your daughter!"  Well...not really.  I mean, it's not that I have bad pictures of her, but she just isn't as cooperative as other kids.  After all, I am her Mom. 

I had a vision for this shoot and I really wanted to find a field, so we got in the car and drove.  Jackpot!

A beautiful field...

overlooking a quaint trail...

a beautiful daughter and ONE smiley moment...

the trail went down to a small stream...

and an annoyed girl...

That was where the fun ended.  From there on out it looked like this.  Oh poor thing.  I am convinced that someday she will love these pictures...in fact I know she will.  But for now, it is one grumpy girl.  Oh well!



Happy Birthday Jimmy!!

For Jim's birthday this year I had promised to get him great carrot cake.  After debating and looking I decided to head down to Kansas City to eat the best carrot cake either of us had ever had at Jack Stack BBQ.  His birthday was on Saturday so we loaded up the car and then I told him where we were going.  SURPRISE!!

Our first stop when we got there was the Crowne Plaza where we had lunch at Fritz's.  It has a unique railroad theme.  You call in your order from a phone on the table and then it is delivered by train!

 We all got into the fun with our train conductor hats.

 Whoa Mom and Dad...you guys look crazy!!

Dad and Daughter on his birthday!!

Outside Fritz's by the train.

The Crowne Plaza was having a Clifford exhibit so we went and played for awhile with the girl.

Sliding down Clifford's tail

 Gathering his bones.

 and picking flowers.

While walking around we decided to get a family caricature done...yeah we're dorky!!

 After leaving we headed outside to check out all the fountains.  We wished we would have brought Charlotte's suit but just after this picture they cleared the fountains to do a show to music.  It was fun to hang around and play outside.

 Treasure hunting...

 sometimes when she is pouting she bends completely over...funny girl.

 That water is awfully interesting.

 Awww...I love these pictures

Charlotte played a ton with her Dad before we left the Crowne Plaza fountains.

From there we headed down to Country Club Plaza where we walked around, browsed shops, and hung out.

 We stopped by the fountain while we were down there.

And eventually headed to jack stack where even Charlotte browsed the menu.

After a super-fantastic meal we got our carrot cake.  When we arrived I snuck them these candles as a surprise when they brought the cake out.  Jim had no idea because I never left them! 

I would highly reccommend this carrot cake.  Warm, ooey, gooey and dripping with delicious frosting.  Happy Birthday Jim!!

Re-Check

We headed to the surgeon's office for the final re-check of Charlotte's cyst.  You can sort of see in this picture but it is healing very nicely and pretty scabbed over.  Last week at her one week check the visiting nurse had been coming everyday that week to pack it but they told us that we didn't need her to continue, we could do a smaller packing on our own.  Today we found out we don't need to do anymore packing at all!

We knew form the get-go that she would need a 2nd surgery.  Today they scheduled us to come back October 6th to do a re-check and schedule the final surgery. 

Saturday Morning Tradition

At this point, I would say with certainty that if we are in town on Saturday morning, I don't have a photo shoot, and the weather is half way decent we will most definitely be at the Farmer's Market.  We headed down this time with Jesse and Cheryl who were visiting for the State Fair. 

There was a steel drum band there with a ton of hula hoops for the kids to jam while they played.  Charlotte got in on the action.

One of the booths had this and I loved it.  Mostly because it said be obnoxious.

The Many Faces...

Indecent Exposure

I was driving home and caught Jim and Charlotte walking Petey down the block.  Charlotte had no pants on.  Way to go Dad.

No Bath...

Man oh man....Charlotte has not been able to take a bath since the day before her surgery.  We can give her wipe downs, but nothing else.  Let me tell you, this girl has some of the STINKIEST feet EVER!!!  When her hair get greasy it is especially boingy.  At least when the visiting nurse comes I can bum some wipes to clean off the goo from the tape and bandages she has to wear.  Even stinky...no one can resist those brown eyes.

Iowa State Fair 2010

This year we knew we would head to the fair but not sure when.  We got a call from friends of ours on Saturday (08/14) asking if we would like to go.  We practically hadn't been out of the house since getting home from the hospital so we took them up on it.  Like usual, it was a scorcher out there.  Charlotte was dozing when we got there and eventually woke up.  She enjoyed seeing everything and hanging out with her friend Kinsley.

At one point Char and Kins were in front of a giant fan.  They thought it was pretty hilarious.

By the end of the night it was actually very nice out.  We were glad we ended up going and getting out of the house.  Thanks Kelli and justin for inviting us!