Just one year old, not quite walking, bright fall color, and the face of an angel – what more could you want?

I love to share little places that I’ve found in my internet travels at this time of year. Maybe one of you will see something you like or something that would make a perfect gift and NOT have to leave home & fight the mall crowds for it! Somehow I found this site – Lisa Leonard Designs – and I just have to show you a few of my favorites…love quotes and personalization so this is right up my alley. Check her out!

I have been using Cecil Park for my PA sessions when possible…it’s close to my old house, and it has some wonderful spots with great light for family pics. This is my third year for this family….here’s one from 2006:

And now…these kids just keep getting more adorable!

Mom & Dad:

I have been getting pretty tired of all of my cute but inexpensive beads and necklaces getting all tangled up. A regular jewelry box isn’t big enough to hold them. I tried hanging them on hangers, but then I kept forgetting what I had. Then one day I was in Walmart’s sewing area and voila! I saw this:

Its a thread spool holder/rack for under $10. I just hung it on a hook in my closet, and everything drapes on the pegs easily seen and tangle-free!

I think I’ve photographed Julie’s kids for three years in a row now – always a fun time, they are easy & so photogenic! But this year I noticed a change; they are slowly entering that pre-pubescent stage…losing their baby looks….starting to stretch up, thin out, and give us glimpses of the teens that they will be. I love that – and I hate that at the same time. (sigh). But let’s not think about that too much! Just enjoy these wonderful kids, as always dressed perfectly in a fun colorful style that suits them so well!
Last year:

This year:

Always a great reminder of what the season really is about….visit Advent Conspiracy  to learn more, and Rethinking Christmas for ideas to make your holiday more meaningful and memorable.

Things are moving along now! The plumbing, HVAC, and electric are all in and they are hanging drywall now. You can really get a feel for how its going to look now. We finalized all of the kitchen and other cabinet details today including the hardware, so the cabinetry will be ordered at the end of this week. Hopefully next week they will be starting the cement board siding. I am pretty much finished selecting paint colors for all of the rooms, and just have to pick out the actual light fixtures that we are using, although I am pretty close to finishing that as well. Jim had the pool crew out there today figuring out exactly the placement of the pool and hot tub and fence. (Yes, I know we have an 18,000 acre lake in our front yard, but he has always wanted a pool…so whatcha gonna do? He deserves it!). We are hoping to be in it around mid-February, but we shall see.

Here is the great room…the fireplace will be stone to the ceiling with an inset for the tv…there is a huge display ledge for pictures beneath the transom windows:

Standing at the great room window & looking into the kitchen/breakfast room:

In the kitchen looking out to the breakfast area:

Standing at the great room window looking back to the front door…you can see the stairs and the bridge right above the beam…it will be open on both sides to the entry and great room, and will have an iron railing:

Standing on the bridge looking down into the great room:

Looking into the room over the garage where the grandkids’ bunks & playroom will be…it is now drywalled since I took this picture yesterday!

On our screened porch:

One of the upstairs guest rooms with a vaulted ceiling…the dormer window & side window both have great lake views:

My office:

Our view keeps getting more open as the leaves disappear!

Total of 6 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths…we should be able to sleep a minimum of 18 comfortably…plenty of room for all of you to visit!

I would SO make these…are they not the cutest things EVER???? Cake pops for Thanksgiving!

Go to Bakerella’s blog to find out how to make them…and will you please send me one if you do?

A few weeks ago on my way from Stacey’s to Pittsburgh I was able to stop in Sharpsburg MD and do a session for Jody’s kids – um, the last time was for Jimmy’s newborn session 3 years ago! Now they have a brand new home surrounded by beautiful fields. It was drizzling on my drive there, and I was worried that we weren’t going to be able to do the session, but just as I drove up the driveway we had the most wonderful golden light…love it on their blonde hair!

One with Mom:

Yes, you have always known it. And I’ll bet you know a few others as well. What a FUN grab bag or hostess gift…or perfect for a sister-in-law or overworked mom. You can buy it here at Wrapables