New Year!

I am way behind on blogging and updating photos and laundry and writing and . . . . the list is endless. But I've been enjoying some quiet time at home, resting from my end of year cold (an annual event apparently) and I will get back to work in the new year . . . at least that's the plan. Happy New YEAR!

Bathroom!!!!! & Laundry:)

Well, it begins. We have only been on our sabbatical about 2 weeks and we are beginning another project. I've decided we like projects and are especially good at demo construction work so we started to remodel our current laundry room into a new laundry and bathroom. Once that is done we'll have plumbed for an upstairs bathroom also. I can't really write down how excited I am - whooo hoo. And I'm pretty aware of the work ahead and still excited to start the process. By the time we actually finish our house to the picture in our heads, I'm thinking we will be pretty skilled laborers.

But like I mentioned, we are better at demo so I plan to hire out the things we know we dislike and are not all that good at like the plumbing and sheetrock and probably the tile work as I want it done right;). Here is a few beginning photos. As you can see the boys like the demo phase as well!

Random summer memories as it's snowing

A little retro fitting on this one but fun mud photo nonetheless.

workout Insanity

Doug's new workout . . . the boys decided they want to do it too.

Ten things I learned about fixing old windows with plexiglass

10. Waiting until November when it is cold and rainy may not be the best time to get all ambitious and patch up windows

9. Boys should not break windows but if they do, you might want to wait until they are out of the house before replacing the windows with glass

8. Measure for your windows before you go to the store and buy the plexiglass and pay the extra few dollars to have the people at the store cut it to size

7. Plexiglass is not easy to cut and generally if you are cutting it yourself you'll want to buy twice as much as you think you need because 50% of the time the cut will not be right or the side you are cutting will shatter

6. Plexiglass does shatter. Especially if you drill it too quickly or score it and have your 7 year old help you hold it when breaking it off. Drilling slowly and being very, very patient is necessary for success.

5. If you choose to cut the plexiglass yourself - think again and refer back to #8.

4. Be prepared to have lots of "extra small pieces" that didn't break right or because you didn't really measure - don't fit anything.

3. Clear caulk is a nice idea but you really want an opaque color that matches your window frame so the glazing points don't show

2. Caulking well is definitely a skill that cannot be acquired in three hours while your hands are half frozen.

1. It will inevitably be the very last glazing point you are putting in the window frame that not only makes you slip the screwdriver into your hand but in doing so you crack the edge of the plexiglass. Thankfully caulk fills gaps:)

**And #0 - although plexiglass on your broken windows may be a good short term solution, you probably want to start saving your money to just tear off the porch and old windows and rebuild it new . . .

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and enjoy the long weekend!

Since we are on a break

I'm going to post some of the many, many, many family photos that never got posted because I've been living in this sort of crazy existence of working, driving, homeschooling, moving, parenting, learning . . . well it's a long list.

So now that I've taken a few things off my plate for awhile I think I should look through the archives and post some photos and say things I haven't said but thought (only the good ones).

These photos are some random ones at the studio . . . I do miss it sometimes and I look forward to getting our home one up and functioning with the same ease as our RF one.

My boys are growing so fast . . . it's hard to believe it:)

Coming into winter - studio sabbatical

It has been a gorgeous November blessing us with warmer than usual days and lots of sunshine; both rare things this time of the year. As we approach Thanksgiving, we have begun our sabbatical from studio portrait work until Spring. I'm enjoying the break to refocus on our family and personal goals. My children especially enjoy the extra time we have to simply relax and enjoy family and friends. I'm looking forward to doing some winter hiking in the afternoons after morning school and challenging myself creatively with my photography and indoor decorating.

And as always, Thanksgiving gets me thinking about being thankful, which honestly can be a challenge sometimes. But the other evening while driving home with the loud din of the three boys coming from the backseat, it occurred to me that it is pretty easy to find things wrong in the world. We live in a fallen world and you don't have to look far for discouragement. And unless you are that very rare sort of optimist who sometimes drives people a little crazy with their enthusiasm, finding the good can take a little more effort.

Which makes it all the more worth looking for. And more rewarding and exciting when you find it. AND once you make a habit of looking for things to be grateful and thankful for, well, you start to begin to see that even in a world full of brokenness, hope exists light a piercing beacon of light in the darkness. For that, I am very thankful:)

PET CALENDARS are HERE!

St Croix Animal Friends now has their calendars for sale! Please contact them via their website OR email to order yours. These would make a GREAT gift for the upcoming holidays so get yours soon!

Back Home

opening night at the studio - 2 years ago

This week has gone by quickly with lots to do here at the farm and trying to catch up on errands and appointments. It's also been a week of reflection, beginning with Yom Kippur and just a time of transition for our family in general as we approach Succos. Looking back at photos from our opening in River Falls 2 years ago, I am sort of stunned to see how much changed there and with our family. Our boys have grown so much and we've learned a lot of things but none so poignant as gratitude.

I think I look at the road ahead of me with a playbook all ready to go and G-d seems to like to change it up a little and challenge me to walk outside of my safe preplanned path. Although following Him seems to bring out both the most joyful mixed with sorrowful moments, I can't look back and say I would change anything . . . because I am only where I am at in this moment because of the road I have walked. And though I don't always anticipate what might occur in the future, I can meet it with hope.

I like to think I have grown more humble and grateful as I age. In approaching my middle 30's I look at the people in my life who have sacrificed and walked before me in awe at their courage because I am beginning to understand some of the greatest challenges in life are those we fight in our own hearts and minds. When I look at them, I am humbled and grateful. How blessed we have been in our journey.

A special thanks to Steven and Kareen Buri who took our family portraits yesterday! As always we had a wonderful time with you!

God Bless!

HOME

After a crazy week, we moved 99% of everything from the studio to our home yesterday afternoon and into the night. So after a little housekeeping duty tomorrow we are officially moved. Now we'll have our on location sessions through mid-October and then begin our sabbatical/planning through early next Spring.

It feels good (other than being really really sore) to be home again and planning for the future. I'm excited to see how everything comes together. And today we got our fiber optic internet (12MB) and all that fun stuff so we are pretty well wired for anything I would think (at least within reason of the farm).

Congratulations to my brother Lee and his wife Melissa and my nephew Ellis . . . they welcome a new little son/brother into the family: Shepard Wilson Ullom. Busy week for all and I'm looking to a few moments of relaxing this weekend between church, weddings and our family photo session with Steven & Kareen Buri.

God Bless!

Beautiful daughter of Bridal Couple

Frisbee

Even our dog loves to play. . .

13 years ago

Was my wedding day. That time has gone by pretty quickly. It's been a great time. I'm amazed to look back and think how we've gone through good times and hard times but still are best friends. Pretty special;)

Quick Preview

But here's a quick preview of one from today's senior.

Cousins

Celebrating a little birthday (Marcus) with his cousins and some ice cream at Great-Grandma & Grandpa's house. Then they got to spend a few hours just enjoying the perfect summer day! Naomi and Elijah start school tomorrow - best wishes to them both!

A few things I've been doing

These are pretty random but things have been busy as we prepare to move the studio (in about 5 weeks!) It's been a strange summer - gone by pretty fast and we are rapidly approaching school season. I've finished up the school schedule and am excited to try a few new things this year as having the studio nearer will allow me some extra time to plan. This Autumn we plan on doing on location sessions through October and then take a sabbatical until the spring. I think that might give us some time to reformulate our plans for the farm and see what works best for the business. Exciting and busy times . . . thanks for all your well wishes and advice!

using my 30 year old film yashica camera . . .

birthday madness

Josh

Josh G

Ryan M

family fav

One of my family favs . . . the only thing was this one we did without their new baby girl (because she can't stand up yet - she's only a few months old:). but I really liked the concept. And I gave it a little extra grunge which I'm pleased with as well.

sneak peak (3 minute edits too late at night)

just a quick few images from a couple senior sessions . . . i just had 10 minutes to cut out these from the raw files - i still have to edit the rest for Ryan & Josh later this weekend!

it's been busy

Almost a year

Funny Mood

I'm in a sort of funny mood - not really ha ha funny but more like, I need something funny to make me laugh.

Anyway, since this is my "post a picture blog" here is a family that we photographed on Sunday. I love how it turned out!

Daniella

Cutie Pie

Because of my schedule I don't always get to post photos from sessions up . . . but now I'm going back over older sessions and picking out some new samples . . . this little girl is so cute:).

my walk

too sweet not to send out a sneak preview

. . . we waited for a long time for this sleeping pose:)