Michigan Trip Part I

All packed and ready to go! We left Sunday evening and drove through Chicago (at about 2 am) and then up through Wisconsin. We made a few little stops in Wisconsin before we arrived at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (aka: The Porkies) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Monday evening. We set up camp about 200 yards from Lake Superior-gorgeous! It felt like fall with daytime temps in the high 60s and nighttime temps dipping down into the 40s. The boys (and I!) fared extremely well and though it was a little chilly at night, the weather was otherwise perfect for our daytime hikes and for cozying up by the fire at night. Here's the first round of pictures from our time in the Porcupine Mountains although I'm not sure pictures do the amazing scenic views justice.

(Below: Lake of the Clouds-a breathtaking view!)

Tuesday night we rode our bikes to the beach at dusk. The lighting was gorgeous and the lake was beautiful. Mitch was having a blast near the water so I took a ton of pictures. I even managed to get a decent picture of the entire family-gotta love that self timer!

Jen and Adam: Sneak Peek

I retook some wedding pictures for a really cute couple last night. (They had a bad experience with their original photographer and wanted to retake them.) The groom was so smiley which made for some great shots. Of course, I couldn't resist a little sneak peek! Check back on my photo blog- I should have all the pics up there within the next week or so.

Pricing

I am thrilled with all the positive responses I've had to my photos. Since several people have asked me about pricing, I've decided to post a general price sheet on my k.photography blog. I would love to shoot your next family portrait or special event just click here if you'd like pricing details.

Sewing on Cards

Even though I don't necessarily intend to, all my cards end up looking very similar, with some type of flower and/or stitching detail. However, I think these ones turned out especially cute.

Bed Head

I took this picture of Spencer just as he was waking up from his nap. I love his bed head hair sticking up.

I'm Back

We enjoyed a much needed change of scenery and uninterrupted time together as a family: laughing, camping, playing and exploring. The U.P. was stunning. Definitely worth the long drive it took to get there. We got back to Columbus around midnight on Friday and I have just been trying to catch up. I'll be posting pictures from our trip throughout the week so stay posted! (No pun intended.) :)

On Vacation

I'm currently enjoying the beautiful scenery of Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Pennisula with Jared and the boys. Be back next week!

{Images via Google)

Baylor

I recently took some pictures for my friend Stacey because her son Baylor just turned two! As always, feel free to check out more pictures here.

Wee Gallery Art Cards

I have seen these Wee Gallery art cards at various places over the past several years and I really, really like them. You can find all the different collections here.

Twitter

I have a found a cure for the manic blogger! (Okay, not really.) I'm still getting the hang of it but it's called Twitter. Now I can write one sentence updates (I like short and sweet), for those little thoughts that may or may not need an entire post dedicated to them. Check out the widget on my sidebar that posts my recent "twitters." Here's to manic twittering!

Dainty Little Headband

Since our hubbies were out of town last Friday, my sister and I went out and painted the town red. (aka: dinner and shopping-here's the clincher: WITH NO KIDDOS!) Not only did we enjoy a quiet meal at the Cheesecake Factory but I also took my good old time in J.Crew taking in their new fall line filled with rich colors and flowery feminine details like this perfect little headband. {Find it on-line here.}

Oooooo, I likey

Okay, I know I said I'd spread out these posts but I just can't get this dining room out of my head -so I'm putting it here on my blog. This picture makes me want to hang white paper lanterns all over my house and find a wall to paint golden yellow ASAP.

{Courtesy of Cookie Magazine's Nesting Blog. Which, by the way, is quite lovely and potentially addictive.}

Manic Blogger

I have an urge to blog maniacally this week. I have already published three posts (four including this one) and I have six drafts waiting in the wings with more piling up in my head. While I haven't pin pointed the exact cause I think it could have something to do with a combination of some or all of the following:

1. A fun/busy weekend to report (a night out with no kids-Friday, Mitch's birthday party, the OSU game and a photo shoot-Saturday and fun company for dinner-Sunday.)
2. It's my way of relieving pent up pre-28th-birthday anxiety.
3. I have several fun internet finds to file/share.
4. I am subconsciously (okay, consciously) trying to avoid unpleasant tasks like my ceiling scraping project and potty training Mitch.
5. The sugar-induced high courtesy of the 1/2 gallon of Graeter's Mint Chocolate Chip icecream Jared brought home last night.

Whatever the cause, just bear with me. I'm trying to keep it under control by spreading my drafted posts out over this week. I'm thinking things will settle down and return to normal in the next week or so. But tell me, does anyone else ever feel like a manic blogger?

Birthday Card

I thought this was a very clever idea for a child's birthday card. I also think it would be fun to try to find enough items to make a similar card for an adult birthday.

{Inchmark via Design Mom.}

Calendars

Call me old fashioned but I have yet to transfer to an electronic calendar/planner system. I still prefer my old paper wall calendar with all my important dates and appointments scribbled on it. To appease Jared, I did try (briefly) to keep my calendar on the computer in Outlook but I just didn't like it as well. However, what I am liking is this striking Stendig wall calendar I first saw on the Cookie Nesting Blog. I wouldn't scribble all my appointments on it but it would make for a nice decoration. (Available for purchase here.)

I'm also enjoying this little letterpress desk calendar from Paper Source.

Birthday Festivities

We celebrated Mitch's 3rd birthday on Saturday with a few simple presents (including a cute Ohio State ball cap) and cupcakes at OSU's half time. I don't think any birthday is free of the shambles, and apparently Mitch is no exception. However, after about his fourth cupcake, he managed to pull it back together. :) Here are some pictures from his little celebration:

Nie Nie Day

I am a little behind in posting this, but if you read blogs at all, I'm sure you've already heard about the sweet Nielson family. However, in case you haven't heard, Stephanie and Christian (the parents of four adorable children) were in a private plan crash last week and are currently recovering from critical injuries. Stephanie is the author of the darling and popular blog: The Nie Nie Dialogues, which I just discovered after hearing about their tragic accident. I don't know the Nielsons personally and I only spent a short time going through her blog archive but it didn't take long for me to discover what an amazing person she is! She has a strong testimony of the gospel and is not afraid to share it, she loves being a wife and mother, she adores her husband and children and she finds so much beauty in her everyday life. I left her blog feeling really inspired. Hence the reason for this post. Gabrielle Blair (aka Design Mom) initiated a whole slew of silent auctions which are going on in the blog world throughout the month of September. All proceeds from the auctions will go directly to the Nielson family to help them with their medical expenses on their long road to recovery. If you want to participate, you can check out the entire list of auctions here.

Three Weeks to Three Years

Wow, that went fast. My first baby boy is three years old today. He was born on Labor Day (ironically) in 2005, ten days past his due date. While he took his merry time arriving, we couldn't be happier with his relaxed, (usually) sweet demeanor and all the joy he brings into our home. Happy Birthday Mitchell!

(Jared is out of town today so we'll have a small celebration tomorrow. Pictures to come next week!)