A visit to the pumpkin patch

Like I mentioned in my previous post, we took our annual pumpkin patch road trip down to Cedar Hill Farms a couple of weekends ago.

I think this is our third visit to Cedar Hill Farms, and we absolutely love it! 

There is SO much for the kids to do.

As soon as we got there, in true Isabella fashion, she took her time and 

was rather methodical in picking the perfect little pumpkin.

Sam on the other hand, decided his time was better spent climbing as high as he could.

From there, we moved on to face painting. 

I gave you a little taste of what that looked like. 

BTW, if anyone is in the market for a face painter you may want to consider using Ms. Pickles. We hired her for Sam's first birthday party and for Isabella's Carnival birthday. She is super nice, talented, affordable, and a HUGE hit with the kids. We would definitely use her again! So call or e-mail me if you'd like her contact info.

I just had to share this one with you guys since it totally cracks me up!

The pony rides are one of the highlights of the visit for the kids. 

They actually rode them three times!

Isabella is an old pro when it comes to the pony rides.

But this was the first year Sam rode them all by himself. 

And apparently I neglected to take a photo of it. 

Oops!

He is such a big boy!

Taking a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch wreaked some serious havoc on my sinuses was super fun! The kids love all the open spaces they have to run wild in, and Scott and I love watching them exhaust enjoy themselves.

Again, Isabella took her time examining all the pumpkins at the patch 

and making sure she was picking the "perfect" one.

Sam literally picked up the first one he came across and called it a day.

And he was oh SO proud!

In addition to all of this we fed the farm animals, watched the pigs race, the kids played in the maze and a couple of the playgrounds, we ate some yummy fudge, and we stocked up on pumpkins and gourds.

I think I speak for both Scott and I when I say that our annual visit to Cedar Hill Farms has definitely turned into one of our favorite Fall traditions!

You can read about some of our previous visits here and here.

Ten on Tuesday

1. OK, I don't have a lot of time, so I have to make this short and sweet.

2. I have fallen off the reading wagon something awful. It appears I've been working on the book I'm currently reading for a month. And I'm not even half way through it... that is so sad. Pathetic, really!

3. I miss reading!

4. The entire family is counting down the days until our Disney trip. As of today, it is exactly 46 days!!! Eeekkk!!!

5. I wish the city schools had the same amount of fall break as the county schools. Seriously, who is the idiot that decides all of this?

6. Back in August, during "Meet the Teacher" night, I signed up to volunteer for just about everything in Isabella's class. Well, everything except for being a room mom. You all know how I feel about that!

7. Guess who was assigned to being the room parent for Isabella's class! How the heck does that happen?! I wasn't even asked!! Yeah,... let's just say I'm not exactly giddy with excitement over this one!

8. My blogging to-do list is bursting at the seams with tons of fun stuff I'm dying to share with you.

9. One of the blog posts I've been trying to put together for some time now is the one about our visit to the pumpkin patch. So. Much. Fun! Stay tuned for that one, it's coming soon.

10. Is anybody out there watching the show Parenthood? Oh my goodness... it is seriously the Best. Show. EVER! And it's starting right about now, so I gotsta go! Until next time.

Oh and yes, since I don't like words-only posts, here's a sneak peek from our pumpkin patch visit:

Sam, the pirate, with Isabella, the neon tiger.

Wordless Wednesday - My Girl...

...takes my breath away!

A hairy situation

Last Thursday, as I'm brushing his hair before school, Sam informs me that he wants to wear his hair ALL crazy.

Ummm,... OK!

A little gel and a whole lot of hair spray later, we ended up with the return of the faux-hawk!

Well, not one to leave well enough alone, the next day he decides he wants even crazier hair.

OK!

A whole lot of gel and a whole lot of hair spray later, we ended up with Mr. Spikes!

Step aside, Zoolander,... this boy can work these crazy do's like it's no one's business, lemme tell ya!

And if this is the only way this boy will willingly step in front of the camera for me, then I will gladly go and buy industrial size bottles of both gel and hairspray  ;-)

I Love Hearty Laughter ~ Memphis Family Photographer

Remember I mentioned a couple of days ago that I recently had a really fun session with my brother and his family? Well, fun doesn't even begin to describe it. I realized it would be a fun one from the time they called to book it. You see, my brother's sense of humor is pretty much out of this world, so I knew I was in for quite a treat. But what I didn't expect was the amount of hearty belly laughs heard throughout our time together. Lucky for me, I was able to actually capture some of those for them:

My nephew totally cracks me up in these pictures!

I promise it wasn't all fun and games. 

I was also able to capture them in all of their awesome glory!

Thank you guys for the laughs and for the opportunity to capture your beautiful family, just as you are!

For more images from this session, check out Liz Butler Photography on Facebook.

I can explain....

I could sit here and wallow in self pity over the fact that I have severely neglected my poor little blog.

Or, I could sit here and sheepishly give you 1001 excuses reasons as to why I've been MIA for over a month.

Or, I could sit here and grovel for forgiveness for the lack of posting and humbly thank you for still sticking with me, even when it appears I've vanished for ever.

But since I've already done all of that before, today I won't!

Instead, I will gladly tell you why I've severely neglected my poor little blog and why I've been MIA for over a month, and I will humbly thank you for sticking with me, even when it appears I've vanished for ever!

You see, after years of dreaming about starting my own business and thinking about the pros and cons of being "self-employed" and debating whether or not I am capable good enough meant to embark in this new adventure, Scott and I finally decided it is time (well, with a little push from a friend).

We have taken a HUGE leap of faith, and decided to take the bull by the horns and just do it!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great delight we introduce to you:

I am now an on location, natural light photographer, serving Memphis, TN and surrounding areas.

EEEKKKK! 

Can you believe it? 

I can hardly stand it! 

I've had the honor of mentoring under one of the best photographers in Memphis, Marci Lambert. If the name sounds familiar, it's because she has photographed our family on many occasions and I never tire of singing her praises. She is not only an amazing photographer, but a wonderful human being as well! And I am eternally indebted to her for believing in me and for all of the guidance and assistance she's given me over the last year. I can honestly say this new venture would not be possible without her! Thanks, Marci! You so totally ROCK!!!

So,... I'll leave you with this here image of my beautiful sister in law, Maria, joyfully celebrating the conception of Liz Butler Photography.

Isn't she adorable?!

Stay tuned for a few more photos from the fun session I had with my brother and his beautiful family last weekend,... and for information on some of the great specials I am running!