first try

these next few posts will be out of order. lots to post. busyness has enveloped our house recently and this mama/mama-to-be can do little but walk my utterly exhausted body to the couch after harper goes to sleep for mindless television watching. but these photos, i'm excited about.

yesterday was my first unofficial photography session with the 2 adorable boys of my friend, katie. the entire time i was just hoping and praying that at least one photo would turn out. that my iso wasn't set too high, or too low. that i focused on what i meant to be focusing on. that i could keep the 2 happy and engaged enough to get a shot of both of them. that i had ideas creative enough to be different, but not too out there. that katie would be happy with this, my first attempt.

i wasn't too nervous. i work with little kids all the time in my speech profession. so i did what i know works best for kids- i followed their lead. i directed a bit, but then didn't obsess when things didn't go my way. kids will be kids, and some of the best moments i captured weren't planned. so here we go. my unedited (so far) photos...

katie and jeff- i had a blast with this. thank you for letting me practice on your beautiful, fun little boys. hope at least one will fit into your playroom space. ♥

a full fall day of fun

today was not an active outside day. today was a day of getting things done around the house. but last sunday, we took advantage of the beautiful fall weather- crisp and cool, with the sun peeking out behind sporadic clouds- and captured some outdoor fall fun.

first off, was early morning apple picking. a bushel full to be exact. (our home will be filled with lots of apple recipes in the coming weeks, so if you have any great ones to share, please do.)

our little helper loved being able to reach the apples off the trees from her spot on the ground, and also getting a boost from her daddy to reach the high ones way up at the tippy top.

a few times, she'd find a good one, take a bite or 2 and throw it on the ground. just a taste of each kind.

notice the white coating on the apple? you don't think toxic pesticides are used, do you?! ugh.

and how could i not get some posed shots?? perfect setting, perfect weather, happy girl. that all equals a clicking mama.

and isn't she just delicious?!

we completed our apple picking with traditional cider and donuts. the good pumpkin-batter, cinnamon-sugar coated cider mill donuts. and they were fabulous. we lugged our bags of apples home, and curled up for a nap.

later that afternoon, we participated in our third annual buddy walk to raise awareness for children with down syndrome. i have the absolute privilege of working with several children with this extra magical chromosome every summer for summer speech groups, and they are delightful. their spirited, happy outlook on life gives me only positivity. it's so fun to catch up with these children and their families at the buddy walk after working with them all summer. harper was a mere 9 weeks old at our first walk, so it's fun to also see her enjoy the live music, good food, cotton candy machine, and of course, the one-mile walk surrounded by so many wonderful people. it's a great event for a great cause. and this year, their 6th annual, brought a record-breaking 850+ walkers for this support team. what a tremendous day it was.