SHINE

Q & A With Amy Lauten

Here is another little cutie I have photographed since she was a newborn. I have really enjoyed getting to know their family!

NAME: Amy Lauten

FAMILY MEMBERS: Brian, our daughter Charlotte (23 months) and our dog Major.

OCCUPATION: Attorney

THE LAST TIME MY CHILD MADE ME LAUGH WAS: when I rolled my eyes at her while she was playing in the bathtub and she immediately imitated me by rolling her eyes at me. Hilarious!

I REALIZED I HAVE TURNED INTO MY MOTHER WHEN...my daughter misbehaves and I start counting out loud to her before I take action.

THE GADGET THAT SAVES ME THE MOST TIME IS...my blackberry.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR KIDS CLOTHING IS...BeBe Grande. They have the best clothes! My daughter's entire closet is from there!

WHAT SURPRISES ME THE MOST ABOUT PARENTING IS...how much of it comes naturally.

MY FAVORITE RAINY DAY ACTIVITY TO DO WITH CHILDREN IS... Little Gym or the playround at Chic-fil-A

A FAVORITE TRADITION I SHARE WITH MY CHILDREN IS...on the night before Easter we gather the family together and dye Easter eggs and write funny nicknames we have for each other on the eggs. Then in the morning, my husband and I hide the eggs and Charlotte gets to hunt for them. Her favorite thing is to drop the eggs in her basket and when they crack scream, "uh oh!"

WHAT I WANT MY CHILDREN TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE...to find true happiness in family and friends and not in possessions.

THE INVENTION I WOULD CREATE TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER... a diaper changer.

IF I HAD AN ENTIRE DAY ALONE WITH NO RESPONSIBILITIES, I WOULD...float in the swimming pool drinking margaritas and reading gossip magazines.

THE MOST FUN THING ABOUT BEING A MOM IS...being able to be silly without having to worry what other people think. Getting a laugh out of my daughter when I act silly is the best feeling in the world!

THE LAST BOOK I READ FOR MYSELF...I can't remember it has been so long!

I HOPE MY KIDS INHERIT...my husband's ability to mimic people. He is incredibly talented at imitating others. It always gets a laugh!

THREE THINGS MY KIDS HAVE TAUGHT ME...Patience, patience, patience!!!

WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT BEING A PARENT BEFORE I BECAME ONE...how much happiness a child can bring to your life!

THE BEST THIING MY SPOUSE DOES FOR ME TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER: is give incredible foot rubs! Not to mention that he is a wonderful provider so that I can stay home with our daughter!

Regina Frederiksen

I have been photographing Regina's daughter Savannah since she was a baby, and now she has a new brother. Here she reveals the great things about being a mom, how funny her daughter is, and how fab her husband is!!

NAME: Regina Frederiksen

FAMILY: husband Christian, Savannah and new baby Chaz

THE LAST TIME MY CHILDREN MADE ME LAUGH WAS... As her grandmother was leaving she said "I am blowing you a kiss, catch it!" To which Savannah replied " I can't. My hands are too dirty"

I REALIZED I HAVE TURNED INTO MY MOTHER WHEN...We say the exact same thing at the exact same time.

THE GADGET THAT SAVES ME THE MOST TIME... Decorative hand soaps. Savannah no longer fights me every time I ask her to wash her hands.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR KIDS CLOTHING IS... Bebe Grande for little girl stuff

WHAT SURPRISES ME THE MOST ABOUT PARENTING IS... How it can be so rewarding and so exhausting at the same time!

MY FAVORITE RAINY DAY ACTIVITY TO DO WITH MY CHILDREN IS... Cooking! We either make rice krispy treats or cookies from scratch.

WHAT I WANT MY CHILDREN TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE... To love learning about new things, and have an open mind and an open heart.

IF I HAD AN ENTIRE DAY ALONE WITH NO RESPONSIBILITIES, I WOULD... SLEEP!!

THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A MOM...Being pulled in different directions.

THE MOST FUN THING ABOUT BEING A MOM.. Seeing my children smile.

THE LAST BOOK I READ FOR MYSELF... Charlie Wilson's War

WHEN I WAS A KID, I SAID "WHEN I AM A PARENT I WILL NEVER...." say "because I'm the mom, that's why!"

THREE THINGS MY KIDS HAVE TAUGHT ME... Selflessness, organization, and the true value of things in life.

THE BEST THING MY SPOUSE DOES FOR ME TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER... He gets me coffee every morning.

Meet The Coopers

Meet Mary Cooper and her sweet little family! We have gotten to know each other pretty well over the last few months, and her family is such a joy! She is also the genius behind Mommy Mixer, and if you are a mom and have not checked out her site, do it NOW!

After you finish reading my blog, of course. :-)

www.mommymixer.com

It is a perfect and fun way to find a great baby sitter.

We were invited to spend a wonderful weekend in Austin (they are so lucky as to live there!) and hold one crazy photo shoot for their website, and we had a great time.

And by the way, schedule update

We are so grateful for everyone who has booked with us this fall! We are now officially booked until December 7th, with a few spots open in mid December before we close for the holidays. We are taking names for a waiting list, so if you would still like to book something, let us know and we will call if an opening occurs.

We are looking forward to the holiday season, and have many exciting things in store for next year, so stay tuned!!

How do I love this kid? Let me count the ways!!!

Last Saturday was a very long day for us, as we had our mini sessions at the Hickory Street Annex. We had 10 photo sessions that day!!! So about mid-day, my dear husband and sweet little Sammy brought us lunch. Sam had picked out his own clothes that day, so I had to snap a few images of him while he was there!! He is such a funny, sweet and stylish little boy! :-)

and the one that melts my heart...