Monthly Archives: October 2007

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Carving Pumpkins

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The boys carved their pumpkins tonight, well Isaac did.  Owen drew a face on his pumpkin and scooped one spoonful of guts out and left the rest to me.  Truitt did a little better than last year.  He drew his face on his pumpkin and then gagged (literally) through about four scoops of pumpkin guts.  He finally had to leave the scene because he felt too “pukey”.  Last year he barely made it through drawing the face.  One look at the pumpkin guts did him in.  You would have thought he was dissecting a frog.  Isaac, on the other hand, carved TWO pumpkins all by himself.  He did an awesome job!  All the pumpkins look really good.  I carved the face in Owen’s just the way he drew it- tiny.  By the way, thanks to Tia for finishing up Truitt’s pumpkin for him!

Pumpkin farm!

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This morning we went on our annual pumpkin hunt.  Every year we go out to Iron’s Farm in Lebanon.  We planned on going Saturday, but the weather was pretty miserable.  I’m SO glad we waited.  It was such a gorgeous day!  The boys love the hayride out to the pumpkin patch.  Then it’s off to find that perfect pumpkin- the rule is “as long as you can carry it, you can have it”.  I think we found some good ones.  After the hayride back we get some delicious cider donuts at the Iron’s bakery- YUM!  We had a great time! 

Pierce, Cassidy and Blake (mom and dad too!)

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How adorable are these three?!  Meet the rest of Blake’s family (featured in my last post).  A couple of weeks ago we met up at Glenwood Gardens, a new spot for me.  It was such a great location!  It’s in the Hamilton County Park system, but I had never heard of it.  I need to back with my boys and check out the walking trails.  Anyway, I had a great time with these three.  I think every one of them could be in commercials.  Pierce went to the same (awesome) sitter as my boys do about four years ago when his mom taught at Sycamore.  I haven’t seen him since he was a chunky little baby.  He such BIG boy now and so full of spunk!  I just loved photographing him- I don’t think he gave me one cheesey smile.  Cassidy and Blake were so good too.  I just loved following them around with my camera.

Trying to get caught up . . .

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I’ve been working on getting a handle on my proofing this morning.  This little guy is from a session I did two weeks ago.  I’m loving so many of the shots of this fun family.  I thought I’d share this one really quick- the full sneek peek is coming very soon.  I just fell in love with this little guy as well as this photo of him.  Just wait until you see his big brother and sister :).

A little bit more . . .

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I had grand plans of posting lots of photos this week, but as reality set in I realized that my busy life wouldn’t have it.  Hopefully this weekend I can get caught up.  Anyway, here are a few photos from my Chicago trip.  These were taken on Michigan Avenue.  I know- it’s not exactly what you imagine when you think of the “Magnificent Mile”.  These were taken in the courtyard of a little church that sits on Michigan.  One of the great things about hanging out with my sister is that she doesn’t mind stopping at a whim and taking some photos.  Better yet, I actually have a few with me in them :).

Dave, Andrea & Britney

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Meet the McClain’s.  Dave and Joe grew up together in Mansfield.  Dave is like Joe’s sixth brother.  Dave has camped with the Speelman’s almost as long as I have.  Now Andrea and Britney come along too.  They fit right into the family.  Last weekend we went to Pine Hill Lake park in Mason for some family photos.  Andrea has caught the photo bug recently.  Check out her photos here- they’re great!  I love this one and this one.  It was fun photographing “big kids” for a change.  We really had a great time.

p.s. If it looks like Dave is winking in the last shot then you probably have a pc (not a Mac- for some reason is doesn’t happen on Mac’s).  I’m not sure why, but my blog seems to overcompress my photos.  It sometimes causes distortion in faces and “winking”.  He’s really not winking- I swear!  If anyone out there knows how to correct this leave me a comment.  It drives me CRAZY!!!!

Chicago!

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I just returned from Chicago this afternoon.  I left right after school on Thursday.  Due to severe weather I had a tough time getting there (my plane didn’t land until after midnight).  B and I had such a great weekend.  I have so many photos to go through!  Here are a few pics from Friday brunch at “Vella”.  It was so yummy!  One of my favorite things about Chicago is the fabulous FOOD!  We had plenty of great eats- that’s for sure!  More details (and photos) to come.  I have lots of pics to share this week- I just need to find the time to do it!

Shameless Plug . . .

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I never really mentioned the Capture Cincinnati badge posted on my sidebar.  Cincinnati.com is putting together a book of Cincinnati photographs that will be published in November.  I submitted some of my photos.  I know that many of you have already voted for my photos (thanks!), but I thought I would give one last plug to those of you who haven’t (hint, hint).  In fact, if you only vote for the photo above I would still be happy as a clam.  It’s been the chapter header (#1 in it’s category) on and off throughout the duration of the website.  I’d love to keep it there.  Only TWO days left to vote.  Just click the badge on my sidebar and it will take you right there (I told you this was a shameless plug :) ).

Josh

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Josh Ferris will be deploying for Iraq Tuesday morning, October 16th, at 4am.  Josh is the son of my boys’ second “mom”, Kim.  I have known Josh for the past eight years- ever since Isaac was just six weeks old.  The kids all love him and he’s so good with them.  I have seen Josh grow into quite a strong and honorable young man.  The Army has given him a certain gleam in his eye and pride in his smile.  I could see it as soon as he returned from basic training.  I want Josh to know how proud we all are of him and that he will be in our prayers everyday.  Take a moment, even if you are just a lurker out there, and leave a comment for Josh.  He’s taking a laptop over with him.  I’d like for him to be able to see the incredible support he has back here at home.  Thank you!

Boys!

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I had such a great time at this session!  This is my friend Jodi’s brother and his family who came all the way from Belpry, Ohio.  You may recognize those trademark blue eyes.  They have four adorable boys who were SO incredibly cooperative at our session.  Their boys are just about the same ages as mine with the addition of a 4-year-old.  I have to say it made me wish I had one more little man running around my house :).

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