Good Deal!

You know I am always up for a good deal. I found this cabinet on Craig's List for $30! You never know what you will find.

Another Chapter on Peyton!

We had a very interesting night last night. Cameron came home and informed me that he had a poster due since he was "Star of the Week". So, off we went to CVS to purchase some poster board. Peyton insisted on going with us. While in the store, Peyton pulled her usual "I want this, I want that" routine. And, I pulled my usual, "you don't need that." routine. Needless to say, she was not happy with me. So, we wandered around the store grabbing some odds and ends, checked out and went home. No longer than five minutes after coming home, I was approached by Cameron letting me know that, "we had a situation that needed to be delt with." And yes, those were his exact words! He loves any opportunity to rat on his sister. So here comes Peyton with those Hello Kitty sunglasses I had told her previously that she would not be getting.

OK, at this point, flashbacks of my younger years came racing through my mind including the time that I had "stolen" a little candy bracelet from Ben Franklin in Amherst and my daddy marched me right back up there, with the half eaten bracelet, and return it.

I knew what I had to do. I told her that when people shoplift they can go to jail. OK, at this point, had someone been listening outside of the bedroom, they would have thought that I had cut off her left leg, left arm and ear! Blood curdling screams could be heard from miles away from a little girl yelling, NO, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL!!!!!! Now, I didn't actually tell her that SHE was going to jail, I just told her that when people shoplift they can go to jail. But hey, it worked. It scared her half to death. I grabbed her by the hand (still screaming and kicking), grabbed my pocketbook, keys and phone and headed out the door and back up to CVS. All the way, I lectured her about shoplifting. She had finally settled down a little bit by the time we arrived. Needless to say, she was a little hesitant in getting out of the van, but she did. I handed her the sunglasses and told her to apologize. When we went in the store manager was still up front and I informed her that I had a little girl that needed to see her. The manager obviously knew what I was talking about and winked at me, which in fact did not help the situation. She knelt down in front of Peyton, Peyton told her what she had done and immediately started balling crying and wrapped her arms around this ladys neck. The lady consoled her and told her that she knew she was sorry by the look on her face. No lady, the look on her face was that of, "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL!" Anyway, I think Peyton knows what she did was wrong and will go without her cartoons for the rest of the week.

This is just another chapter in the book I will someday write about Peyton!

Not to mention that earlier in the evening she blasted me for talking to a client for 10 minutes by telling me that it was, and I quote, "adiculous".

New Studio + Amazing Husband!

First of all I have to start by saying....I HAVE AN AMAZING HUSBAND! Not only did the cringe when I mentioned starting this project but he started and finished it in under three weeks! And, NO I didn't hassle him about it! I am so proud of the way my studio looks and I can't wait for my first in studio clients to see it on Monday.
So, on that note, I am revealing the new CAPture.it Photography Studio.............

I have asked Santa for a new desk and these AWESOME zebra print window panels for Christmas. I hope he listened to my request.

Thanks again Chris, you are amazing and I LOVE YOU!

Theme: Polka Dots

Each year I try a different theme for my tree. This year I chose polka dots and I really like it. Now, let's see how long it takes Addison to dismantle the tree. :o)

Need a good laugh?

I felt the need to post this excerpt from my sister's blog. Needless to say, as I read this earlier I couldn't stop laughing and crying from laughing so hard. I feel honored to be inducted into my sister's version of "sainthood".


Dear Lord, Please Grant Me Patience...
"It's quite possible that my sister deserves sainthood. Peyton came with my Mom this past weekend to stay with me while Steve was out of town. How can one child have so much energy? Not just energy - how can one child talk so, so, so very much? And don't get me wrong. She was good - she really was. And she's cute as a button. But I have never seen a child who could talk - and go - as much as she did. I really think the only time her mouth wasn't moving the entire weekend was when she was asleep. She didn't let eating keep her from talking. She didn't let TV keep her from talking. She didn't let not having anything to say keep her from talking. Once Grayson went to bed and my Mom went up to shower I suggested that Peyton sing me a few songs. Not knowing the words didn't keep her from talking either. One song went something like this..."chair on the floor, fork, leaves up in the tree, light of mine, sleep in the bed, Nana, pink skirt, shopping, etc." I swear she says whatever thought flashes through her head just to be speaking. She makes me tired. I don't know how my sister does it. Oh wait - Kim was just like this. Perhaps that explains it.

So silence and rest were not a part of the weekend, but we did have fun at the park."

This just about sums up Peyton's weekend with her Aunt KK, Grayson, Luke and Nana. Needless to say, all of us in the Jennings household enjoyed our weekend vacation!
As a side note, I spoke with Peyton on the phone Sunday morning. She asked to speak to Cameron, to which Cameron replied, "I will talk to her when she gets home, I am on vacation right now!"

Outside - Before and After

Here are the first official pictures of the outside of my studio. More to come soon!

New Studio

Well, I am pretty excited today. With everything that is going on and will be going on, I am in need of a larger space. I was adamant on working out of my home so the only solution was to make my own space within our house. I have quickly outgrown the front room/office because my backdrops and lighting equipment take up way too much room not to mention an 8, 4 and 1 year old running around. So, the only solution was to inclose our attached garage and make it my studio. Today is officially groundbreaking day! Hopefully, within two or three weeks my studio will be in working mode. It is going to be pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I am going with the black, brown and cream color scheme and the studio will contain a reception area, actual studio and office area. I will officially have plenty of room for indoor studio portraits! YEAH! I will keep you posted on the happenings and stay tuned for the official OPEN HOUSE! I will also post some before, during and after shots.

I love you, honey, and thanks for making my dream come true! muah.....

Halloween: Tricks and Treats

Again this year, the kids choose to go to the Kids Carnival at church on Halloween. They had a great time! They spent two hours running from game to game to bouncer to game and back to bouncers. Mom and I were worn out to say the least. However we did find out one thing. If you put Peyton on an obstacle course bouncer against teenage boys, she will win! Mom said she climbed the wall and flung herself over it quicker than you could blink and teenage boys were having trouble getting to the top. That's my girl! After we left there we took a quick swing by The Bowen's to see Miss T all dressed up in her dragon costume. Adorable! My kids didn't really ask for costumes so I proceeded to get them each Halloween shirts and the girls matching pants. I thought they looked cute! :0) Peyton, however, wanted a little added design to her face so we broke out the black liner and painted her whiskers like a kitty to match her shirt. I didn't even attempt it with Addison because I knew it would be smeared everywhere within a matter of minutes.
Now that Halloween is over I still have one pondering question.....Who was the wise guy/girl that came up with the idea of giving kids candy? Was is the candy companies? A dentist (I know it wasn't Carole)? OR perhaps a person that DID NOT have children and thought it would be a fun way to test us parents. Obviously that person has NO CLUE as to what happens to a child when they enter sugar overload. I guess we will never know the answer. Here is a little peek at my kids on Halloween...

Brotherly love...

Jennings Family Pictures - Take 2

After I finished my photo sessions today I was determined to capture some family pictures of all five of us. I will officially add.......I GIVE UP! It is impossible to get all of us to look at the camera and smile at the same time so I have to settle for the candids. Cynthia came out to take some of of us and she did pretty well. We also managed to get some shots of the two of us (Cyn and I) for the website. I will add that Chris and I managed to take a great picture.....at least I think so. Anyway, here is a peek......

The Jennings "Gang"
While out on the town with another client today we stumbled across this really cool wall in an alley. I had to test it out with my crew as well. Here is what we ended up with. :o)

Finally, Pictures of my kids!

Here are some of my favorites of the kids fall pictures. Enjoy.....

Lions and Tigers and Birthday Boy, Oh my!

Today we celebrated my nephew Grayson's birthday at the North Carolina Zoo. Kelly fixed a wonderful lunch and we tail/table gated in the parking lot. We had so much fun walking the paths and looking at all of the animals. Here are just a few pictures of some of the animals we saw and the kids. Happy 2nd Birthday, Grayson!

Lions,
No tigers,
And Bears....
Oh My!

A rare moment!

OK OK OK, here is a blog!

I have been fussed at over the past week about not updating my blog. So in a nutshell here are the happenings over the last month:

Chris HAS returned from Texas.
Chris is ready to go back to Texas. :0)

If you check out my Capture.it Blog you will see why I haven't been updating this one.

I have photographed 3 weddings.
I have taken 2 sets of Senior portraits.
I have taken 5 sets of family pictures.

And, I have been getting ready for the bridal show that was held last week.

Oh, oh, oh...... and I had the flu the week prior to the bridal show!

I am organizing the Lynchburg Bridal Expo 2009 that will be held on Sunday, March 8. So, if I don't update my blog you will know that I am either behind the computer or on the other end of the phone booking vendors and organizing the show.

Let's see, I have been cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, doing homework (I am going back through second grade again), handling the books for Chris' business.

Phewwwwwwwwwww................. I think that just about covers it. And, I am not even working full time! Go figure?!?!

I will try to do better but in the meantime you can check out my Capture.it Blog for all of the latest.

Until next time.................

Texas Bound

Tonight, Chris left for Texas. He is going with Lifeline Ambulance Service out of Christiansburg, who is contracted through FEMA, to assist in disaster relief and transports predicted with Hurricane Ike. Right now it is unknown how long he will be there. It could be two weeks, it could be a month, it just depends on how hard the hurricane hits. The first crew from Lifeline has been in Florida for the past two weeks assisting with the last hurricane. Now, FEMA has redirected all emergency services to Texas. Chris' good friend is already down there. What most of you don't know is that the longest Chris has ever been away from us is two days. So, as you can imagine, this is going to kinda be a culture shock. The kids are handling it okay however Cameron knows more about where his dad is going and what he will be doing so he is a little more concerned than the girls are. Needless to say, he has been glued to the Weather Channel all evening. I am sure that will be a staple channel in our house until Chris returns.
So, when you say your prayers at night, say a little one for Chris and our family. I will keep you posted.......

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Ok, here is the deal. I have a MAJOR bridal show coming up on October 4 here in Lynchburg and wanted to have a WOW portrait to display. This portrait is actually going to be a 16x20 framed canvas print. Luckily, one of my good friends.........just look at the pictures, need I say more? She's gorgeous! I know she is probably unable to get into her car right now because her head is so swollen but she did take some absolutely beautiful pictures. The problem is, I can't decide which one to use as the portrait. Soooooooooooooooo......I need your help! Go to my myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/capphotodesign and click on BRIDAL and VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! Please let me know your favorites. Which ever one gets the most votes is the one that will be on canvas, framed. By the way, I forgot to mention that Sabrina is SINGLE, well sorta, and IS NOT GETTING MARRIED! She just so happened to fit perfectly into my sisters wedding dress. Here is one of my favorites.....
Oh, and by the way, you can go on my website, www.capphotodesign.com, under slide shows and see her complete session.

Addison's New Dress

Aunt Kelly gave Addison and Peyton matching dresses for their birthdays. Here is Miss Addison in hers.

Addison's Birthday Pictures

Tonight we had a cookout to celebrate Addison's 1st Birthday. We had lots of family and friends over and had a great time. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Chestnut Hill went above and beyond on our cakes once again. But this one, I would have to say, tops them all!

Can you tell who is lacking attention in this picture? Click on it to enlarge.

Daddy and his little girl before everyone got here.

This is what happens when 3 eight year olds get hold of cake.

And then bring a 3 year old into the trouble.

We thought Addison and Aiden would dig into the cake but no such luck. We actually expected these two to smash cake, not the older ones.

But they did get the hang of pushing each other on her Disney ride along.

Check out their shoes. They have matching "Cow, Got Milk" shoes! How adorable is that?

And, for once I had some cake left over and I am actually sitting here enjoying a piece while I type this blog. YUM YUM YUM!!!

She's Walking!

Just 4 days shy of her 1st Birthday, my baby is walking. Here are a few pictures I managed to catch before my eyes teared up.

Give her some tap shoes and watch out....

A star has risen! And, the sound of clatter on my hardwood floors is ringing in my ears. Peyton is officially signed up for dance lessons. She is so excited. In fact, as I am in here typing, she has her dolls lined up on the sofa giving them dance lessons. Thanks mom for the "tap, tap, tap, together"! Now she can REALLY do it, and it comes compete with SOUND! I managed to pull her away from her "teaching" to get a few shots of her completely dressed in her dance outfit.

Be sure to click on the picture to get the enlarged version complete with facial expressions! :0)

First Day of School

We are back in the swing of things on the first day of school. Cameron was so excited this morning. He even got up before the alarm, got dressed AND fixed his breakfast. I guess that is what happens when you go to bed at 8:00pm. Note to self: put them to bed at 8 more often! (You would think my mom would have told me to do that! ;0) Ha Ha Ha) Anyway, his friend Dawson is catching the bus with him and riding the bus home which gives him company in the morning and afternoon and on the bus. I am hoping this year will be a great one for Cameron. We have made a deal that for every "A" he gets on his report card he will get $5.00. He is motivated now! Peyton will start a half day pre-school next Tuesday and she is so excited. We are going to register her today for ballet and tap lessons compliments of her Nana which she is equally if not even more excited about. And last but not least, my baby Addison. She will be turning 1 in one week! Where has the time gone? Before we know it she will be out there catching the bus. Which brings me back to Peyton. She will be catching the bus next year. God help TJES!

I wonder how many more years I am going to be able to get away with taking their picture catching the bus. If my memory serves me correctly, I think my mom took our picture catching the bus up until we were 16! ;0)