This special couple got to enjoy their wedding twice – once in Philadelphia, and again at their reception in Bluffton.  What fun to get to wear your wedding dress twice!
  It was an honor to be asked to record their Bluffton reception, and also to meet Lauren.  As you’ll see, they are a very sweet couple!

  As a follow-up to my previous post, the shutters are up in Cline’s room, and I love it!  We also hung a new night light above his changing table that’s kinda fun. (Clint’s not too sure, and keeps making comments like, “If you decide you don’t like it, I’ll Spackle the hole’s for you.”  “Do you think it’s a little bright?”  “You probably don’t have much in this night light, do you?”)  But not to worry, I think it’s a great light, in a retro sort of way!

  Also, if you remember, Hudson has been on a pirate kick ever since he saw the Veggie Tales movie about Jonah.  I realize that this post could cause public humiliation to him latter in life, but we’ll go ahead with it anyway.
  (*disclaimer*  this author is a photographer – NOT a videographer.  Hence, she thought it made sense to take the movie vertically, to “fill the frame.”  To compensate for this, tilt your head 90 degrees to the left before watching this video)

hudson the pirate

  Then, yesterday in the mail, we received a children’s catalog with a pirate costume in it.  Yes, it was a very hot item immediately. We tore out the page so that Hudson could carry it around.  Latter, he asked me if we could get it or if it was too ‘spensive. 
  So, even though it was bedtime, we took a trip to the sewing room, and here’s what we came up with. 
  Luckily, Hudson isn’t too picky, but hey, it doesn’t take much to beat undies for a hat!

   This little fellow is a natural at picture taking.  He’s got the smile, the curls….you name it!  I had a very hard time picking my favorites to post, because there are just so many that are too cute;  that’s why I’ve posted practically a hundred

Due to a complicated set of events, Cline accompanied me on this session. (thanks for your understanding, Christen)  I optimistically thought that he would sit quietly in his stroller, and then, maybe after the session, I could get a few shots of him for his 9 month pics….hmmm, it was a nice thought…..

I guess I’ll get his 9 month pictures latter – ya can’t win them all

  I’ve had these vintage shutters sitting in our garage since before C. was born, meaning to put them up in his room, but just never getting around to it.  
  Well, with it getting light so early, we’ve had towels (not very attractive, mind you) tacked over his windows to keep the room a little darker, thinking that this will help him sleep in, so I decided that it was high time to get these shutters in working order.  After a trip to Habeggers to get them trimmed to size, a trip to Lowes for the “perfect” paint color, a trip back to Habeggers for shims,  I was all set to go. 
  I put both boys to bed, and got started on the back side of the shutters, since I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted…..tried dry brushing…..it wasn’t bad….maybe if I rubbed them with steel wool……a little better maybe……yikes, Hudson’s up…….started on the front side – let it dry – didn’t like it…….maybe I’ll just paint them, and sand the edges down…….start painting again, oh rats, Cline’s awake!
  I set Cline behind me with a granola bar, and ask Hudson to maybe just talk to him, and try to keep him entertained.  Meanwhile, I quickly try to finish up.  
  I’m a very messy painter.  There’s paint on my arms, hands, knees, clothes, AND the garage door – oops, I’ll just touch that up latter.  I hear lots of noise behind me, but don’t let that distract me; I’m on a mission, and am not about to be side tracked.  Whew!  I’m done….ok boys,  what have you been up to?

  Just for the record, that’s banana granola bar all over Cline, not stinky, and on Hudson’s head – it’s a pirate hat of course!

   I’ll post pictures of Cline’s room, once we get it all together.

  For all of you out there who have been asking, here’s a link to view Mitch & Jenna’s wedding album layout.  At the end of the slideshow, you can click on their names to view any of the pictures closer, or MORE pictures of their wedding day, if you’re interested. 
   Seriously though, could they be a cuter couple?

  Not my family, obviously, but the Rauch family has always felt about like family to me.  I’ve got so many great memories of growing up together;  home school plays, trips, young group days…. Jerry and Kathy are a couple that I really look up to, so it was a privilege to take their family pictures.  Now I’m not sure that the guys felt very privileged to be in long pants and dress shirts on a 90 degree day, but they endured!  Here’s a couple of their portraits.