First Day/Week of School...

Well this week has been a whirlwind, but that is exactly what I expected.  I am teaching a new grade level, new subject, new group of kids, sending my baby to big school, my daughter to 4th grade, and helping my husband transition into a new position.  Needless to say, it has been a week!  But we survived and now playing a little catch-up from the last couple of weeks this weekend and then off to week two of the school year. 
It was so exciting for both kids to go to school this week.  Jaedyn is back  at the school where she started in PreK with old friends and familar surroudings.  Peyton started "big" school for the first time in Kindergarten.  He was SO excited, even more so than I thought he would be.  My how he has grown in his confidence.  He walked right in the first day with no reservations, even when being the only kid in the room for a while until the others arrived.  The 2nd day he asked when I would let him walk in alone - can you believe that?  Already wanting to be "man" and walk in without anyone!  Proud and sad at the same time!
My two favorite things this week were #1: of course back to school pictures and the first day excitement for the kids and #2: Jaedyn wrote  Peyton a note for his first day of school to encourage him (I love it when they show unselfish love for each other) and made his PB sandwich for his lunchbox special by using a cookie cutter and cutting it into the shape of a dinosaur! So sweet!  He showed everyone that note and has kept it in his little pocket in his backpack all week :)  Makes my heart so happy! 
Well, onto my pictures.  Not what I wanted but when you are a teacher and have SO much on your mind that first day it is hard to really take the time to get the exact pictures that you want without being pressed for time  and hurried!  I think these convey the emotions pretty well.  (Still kinda sad at how they are growing - please slow down!!)

Jaedyn's  4th grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Burt

Peyton at Meet the Teacher night

Big Boy walking into his class the first day

Peyton's locker.

Peyton's Kindergarten  teacher Mrs. Brisco

Jaedyn on the first day!

Peyton's after school snack on Friday, Wildcat shirt too!

So cute with all her stuff!

Cuteness #2

Peyton and all his stuff

His lunchbox, his favorite thing!

Two kids ready to go!

Bubba's note from Sister

Love this one!

Love, Love, Love this...

Please take the time to click on this link and read this short blog post about why pictures are so important.  I don't say this just because I am a photographer because anyone who knows me knows how important pictures have always been to me, especially since my kids were born.  But this post describes my feelings exactly on why pictures are so valuable to individuals and families.  The feeling that whatever is happening at that very moment will never come again, that special feeling for that second, that particular phase your child, whatever age, is in.  These  moments are just so easily forgotten or passed by that I choose to preserve them to revisit the wonderful and  maybe not so wonderful times in my life that have brought me joy or lessons learned.  Life is beautiful and God brings us to and through amazing things!  Now off my soapbox...
God bless you and have a wonderful day!
http://www.spankimillsphotography.com/blog/if-i-could-turn-back-time/

Fall/Christmas mini sessions

I know you are thinking...What???...but I already have several sessions booked for the fall so dates are getting filled.  I even have a couple of Christmas family shoots scheduled!  In the next few days I will have mini session details on my blog.  So stay tuned and be checking those calendars...

Have a blessed hump day!

Minnesota and back...

We headed to Minnesota to see family.  We were so excited to be getting to experience a little of summer in the north with temperatures in the 80s, but with our luck as it turned out, we took the heat with us.  The temps were in the high 90s and close to 100 every day we were there with amazing humidity!  So much for a different climate.  Luckily the Minnesotans (sp?) got their normal weather back the day after we left.  We had such a great time though,  just getting a great visit in with MeeMaw, PawPaw, Uncle Cody, and Aunt 'Lissa.  We headed to Duluth our first day to see Lake Superior and we toured a lighthouse.  Beautiful and green, everywhere we saw.  Nice to see grass again and live vegetation.  The second day we played at the Mall of America, shopped at the kid's two favorite stores, American Girl and Build-A-Bear, and played at the MoA amusement park.  Too cool!  The third day we checked out the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Loved the old churches, bridges, and local architecture.  A photographer's dream... Below are a few pictures I took that were my favorites or highlights. 
Click on picture if you wish to see it bigger.  If you are family and want to see more (as you know these are just a few) please e-mail me and I will send you link to them all! 
Blessings for a great weekend...

Little Miss Rory...

Now this is one little two year old with a mind of her own, but what fun she is!  Love her sweet expressions!

Our 4th of July Weekend Fun

Every 4th of July we go to my mom's house in Austin for a long weekend.  We usually swim, cook out, hang out, and the last couple of years go to a Round Rock Express game. Lots of fun and some relaxation, very nice, especially since we don't get away very often in that direction.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.  ( Again I will have my disclaimer that these are in no way my edited pictures, they are my "every day, be-in-the-moment" pictures with my family :)



Sunflower in Mom and Clay's garden



We created a monster.  Evil Kenevil :)

Bumper boats...coolin' off

1st go-kart ride ever!

Smack it!

Batter up!

Putt-Putt at  Austin's  Park



1st roasted marshmallow



An All American Girl



Roasting marshmallows on the 4th



All American Boy

Spike the RR Express mascot



Two cuties at the ballpark



Cool girl in her Ranger's shirt



Peyton's dive :)





Jaedyn's snow cone tongue at the ballpark




Jaedyn learning to dive




giant sunflower in Mom and Clay's garden