Finley's Photo Shoot

Grethel Van Epps (http://www.gvephotography.com/) and Ashley Warren's (http://www.ashleywarrenstudios.com/) photo shoot yesterday with Finley was amazing. They were so patient and gentle working with such a fragile--and somewhat temperamental-- subject. And it was a MUGGY day. But they didn't rush things to get to the comforts of air-conditioning. And their work paid off with some incredible shots.

Pictures of Finley Coming

I haven't yet posted pics of our new little sweetness because I am waiting to post the ones taken by my friend, Grethel Van Epps. She kindly offered to photograph Finley as part of a photography workshop she is teaming up with another Birmingham photographer to do. Finley's first modelling job!! (and her dad says her last :)--already so protective))

I first met Grethel about 5 yrs ago. I came to swim at her pool with someone I had met who was a mutual friend. At the time, Grethel hadn't started her photography career. She also only had one child. Now she has 3 beautiful children who are probably the most photographed kids on earth--and every picture is a masterpiece! She is seriously an INCREDIBLE artist who is constantly improving.
And being a marketing consultant myself, I have been impressed at Grethel's marketing skills. She fully utilizes all the marketing media to advertise and promote her business in a way that draws her target audience in (Advertising 101: Babies sell.), and in ways that are, I'm sure, cost-effective (facebook, blogs, charities).
I had the opportunity to see some of her very first sessions a few years ago. They were impressive. I would have recommended her to a friend back then. However, she has improved 10-fold since then. Now I would insist that anyone looking for a lifestyle photographer for their family use Grethel--she is just THAT good. See for yourself :
Her website: www.gvephotography.com
Her blog: www.gvephotography.com/blog
Enjoy! And look for little Finley pics to come soon!!

What you get when you cross an Artist and an Engineer

Uncle Winston

We visited Uncle Winston and Aunt Dorothy a few weeks ago to surprise Uncle Winston on his 94th birthday. Eli and I were the only ones who came from our family (we came with my parents and Melyssa and her girls), and Eli and Uncle Winston really had a nice time chatting. Eli favors (for you Northerners and Westerners, that means he looks like) Uncle Winston, and it was fun to see the two of them spending time chatting. He told Eli stories about when he swam across the Mississippi River, about being a golden-gloves boxer, and about being in the war. Eli had heard that Uncle Winston was a welder, so he soldered a creation for him for his birthday present.

Preggo me

I know I'm late in posting a picture of me pregnant, but better late than never. This was a week or so before Finley's birth.

Eli on Tacky Day

I'M BA-ACK!!!

(That title sounds a bit like what some horror movie character would say in a demented sing-song voice in a sequel performance. heehee)

So here is a quick recap of what's been going on since I last posted many months ago:
I'm pregnant--30 weeks today.
It's a GIRL!!
Eli and Brandt played basketball in the winter and all three boys just finished up track season.
Track was ALOT of work this year--we had 100 kids register. But thanks to excellent support, it turned out to be a great season.
Eric is running more and ALOT faster than me. And he does it early in the morning--go Eric!
I am still running, though. Not sure at what point I'll stop. I've never run this far into a pregnancy--but I still feel good. I usually go 3-4 days a week for 5-6 miles.
It's a GIRL!
I've had quite a bit of marketing work to do, which has kept me busy at the computer and is my excuse for not blogging. We have felt blessed to have another source of income. Though not a huge amount, with the economy negatively impacting the construction industry so much and Eric's job being so closely tied to construction, we have been grateful for every little bit extra.

Here are some notable pics from the last few months:

Eli showing off some of his race bling

Brandt getting some air in the long jumpBrandt tearing up the track

Eric and Eli at a scout campout at The Farm

Asher feeling baby girl kicks

Asher the shot-putter

Asher asleep--I found several similar pictures of him dozing in this position but decided to just post one.