All that said, notice anything different?  Yep, I finally updated my sad-looking blog.  Now that I am officially just photographing seniors (tweens, teens, seniors, young adults) it was time to update the blog look to reflect this.  I’ve removed my old kid-friendly logo, updated the header with senior images, and added a cool side-bar with links to important info.  See how easy it is to find pricing, my senior site, my Facebook page, sign up for the newsletter, even follow me on Twitter.  And see that updated menu bar at the top, there’s a handy-dandy subscribe feature that will let you know when I’ve updated the blog.

One other new thing … need a children’s photographer?  I’m thrilled to recommend THE MOST AMAZING children’s photographer in Huntsville, Erin Cobb.  She has such an incredible connection with the kiddos, and her work is gorgeous.  So go check her out.  There’s a link to her site over there in the sidebar.

And since my work is never done, I’ll be updating a few more odds and ends on this blog, as well as tackling a complete overhaul for my senior website.  And maybe, just maybe, I walk on the wild side again and download the latest Lightroom Beta.

Be sure to let me know what you think of the new look.  Go ahead, try out the brand-spanking new comments section!  You know you want to …

P.S.  It’s never kind to post without pictures on a photo blog, especially when I’ve left you hanging for almost a month.  So enjoy one of my favorite images of my girls, from way back in um, July. 

my girls

Last year we changed things up and decided to start having our big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve.  It worked so well that we did it again this year.  We had a yummy ham with potatoes and a green bean casserole, followed by late night Christmas Eve mass.  The forecast was calling for high winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms so we thought it would be easier to go to mass Christmas morning, once the storm had moved out.  Sarah literally begged and pleaded to go to mass Christmas Eve instead.  Who could say no to a child who was asking to go to church?!  So we bundled up and off we went.  Luck was with us and the weather turned out to be nothing more than a little wind and rain.  But guess who fell asleep by the end of the first reading?!  By the end of mass both kids were sound asleep.  It made for an easier time getting everyone to bed to get ready for Santa,  that’s for sure. Ah well, the Christmas hymns were beautiful the message inspiring.  Another year to say thank you for our blessings.

The girls were so tired we actually were able to sleep until a little after 7:00.  They were so excited about their gifts from Santa, from us, from grandparents, aunts/uncles, and friends.  By the time we were done unwrapping it looked like Santa had thrown up Christmas in our living room.  I believe we’ve created a monster, now that Sarah has her own little digital camera.  And Anna is so excited to have a brand-new Leapster to replace hers that died.  Zhu-Zhu pets were the big winner for this year.  We have little Zhu-Zhu pet hamsters zooming all over the house and my parents’ dog isn’t sure if he’s going to go after them or run from them.  Mario Kart for the Wii has also been a big hit.

Did I mention its 7:15 PM and I’m still in my jammies?  Munchies and soup for Christmas day, spending time with family, watching my children’s faces light up with delight at their gifts, a nice long nap, and all day in our jammies … the perfect Christmas Day.  We are so blessed.

And what’s a post without a photo or two?!  I took the girls downtown Tuesday afternoon for a little Christmas mini session in their Christmas outfits.  It was fun taking them to some of my favorite photo spots.   More to follow, eventually, when I get back to editing.

I had these big plans for this year’s Christmas pictures of the girls.  I’d planned to have them wear their Christmas outfits (so cute!) and we were going to go downtown for some urbanish shots this year.  Well, I blinked and it was December 16th and we still hadn’t done Christmas pics.  Since both girls had to wear Christmas PJs to school that day, I decided that was a good enough Plan B!  And we abandoned the downtown idea for the quicker, easier idea of our own front yard. 

Here’s one.  Yep, just one.  I’m not posting the rest until after my Christmas cards go out (yeah, yeah, I know, I’m hoping to get them back from the lab today).  So you’ll just have to be patient (that means you, Mom).

Finally at the end of my rope I was in Marshall’s and noticed they had some Halloween costumes on sale.  I found THE Cutest. giraffe costume for Anna.  Seriously cute.  I bought it and prayed she would like it.  Score!  She loved it.  So then Sarah decided she wanted to be an animal with a hood.  Um.  Ok.  Do you know how hard it is to find animal costumes in her size (other than a kitty cat, which she was when she was three and didn’t want to be again)?  Much harder than I would have thought.  We searched and searched … and found the cutest lion costume.  Score!  Again!  I paid way more for that lion costume than I’d like to admit.  But it was all worth it, don’tcha think?

I’m starting with Day Three because … well, Days One and Two were spent in the car.  Driving.  Riding.  For Way. Too. Long.

I’ve got TONS and TONS of pics to go through from our trip to South Dakota.  The girls were in HEAVEN being spoiled by their grandparents.  We had an amazing trip, did a bunch of fishing (ok, so I lounged on teh dock with a book and Sarah climbed rocks) saw loads of wildlife, visited a water park (my children are fearless, let me tell you), did all kinds of other touristy fun stuff, and even snuck in a bit of R&R while we were at it.  And, I even lugged my tripod up the mountain (ok, so I made Elliot lug it) and set it up on the self timer for a couple of shots of the four of us.

Sarah was dying to see Mt. Rushmore, so our first full day in SD we headed up there to see the four presidents’ heads carved into the mountain.  She was very impressed and beyond excited about it.  Afterwards we headed over to the town of Keystone to explore the little shops (less impressive to me than to Sarah and Anna!) and have an ice cream cone.  The girls found this hilarious cutout of the presidents heads to pose with!

Believe me, I have more silliness where that came from.   And more trip details to follow.  Eventually.

For now, here’s that silly shot.

Ok, on to a few business details.  If you’ve called or emailed in the last two weeks I’m not ignoring you … I’m slowly catching up and returning calls/emails.  I promise, I’ll get through them all soon.  Also, July is jam packed with senior sessions, so stay tuned for a slew of sneak peeks this month.  And August is shaping up to be just as crazy … look for more seniors and a sprinkling of adorable kiddos.  So if you’re looking for a session in August don’t wait to schedule, I’ve only got a few openings left.  September is pretty open and October still has quite a few openings.

And yeah, its July and its HOT, but its not to early start thinking about getting on the schedule if you want holiday pics.  I recommend you schedule those sessions for September/October/November so that there’s enough time to get everything edited and back for the lab in time to mail out your holiday cards.  Last year I had two days of holiday minis, but this year I don’t think I’m going to do those unless the demand is there.  So let me know if that’s your preference.

So here’s your extended sneak peek girls!  I promise it won’t be next Christmas before the rest are done!  And yes, as requested, you will get your very own slideshow, just like my clients. 

Anyway.  We spent one whole day shooting around Franklin, the gorgeous historic old churches and buildings, and we also found a little overgrown field by the side of the road for some macro shooting.  I even learned to love my tripod!  Ok, so love might be a bit strong.   Anyway, thanks to Anna, the Queen of Macro for the helpful tips.  Then we spent another day shooting all around downtown Nashville, plus Hailey’s shoot at the hotel and at the carnival, then another half day of macro at a pretty little park.  I’ve got TONS of editing to catch up on.

Just a few quick scheduling notes:

• I will be out of the office June 26-July 7 for vacation.  I will have very limited email/cell access during this time.
• June sessions are booked and July has one spot left.
• 2010 Seniors, book your session by the end of June (to be completed by 10/31/09) and receive half off the session fee ($75 savings).

Also, thanks to all that participated here and on Facebook as part of my Starbucks gift card giveaway.  I’ll go through all of them and randomly draw a winner, and post the results tomorrow.

Submit your snapshot and tell us why YOU should win to info@marlalaramie.com.  Make it good, the best submissions will be voted on here and on Facebook.  Entries must be received by Tuesday, May 12th at midnight.  Contest is open to local high school students within the Madison County area.

Now for a few business-y items.  Be sure to check back often this week, as I have a couple of sessions to share.  First up is the first of my senior spokesmodels for 2010, then a fun family of six.  And I’ve got a couple of announcements coming up to share with you.  I’m still looking for a few more senior spokesmodels for 2010, and I’ll be announcing the details of a new contest soon to find them.  So if you know of a 2009 junior who is fun, outgoing, and active be sure to to point them here to the blog for details in the next week or so.

Last week was picture day at dance class.  Naturally I had to take some of my own later at home.

Last year our neighborhood had its first annual Daddy Daughter Sweetheart Dance.  They had it at our neighborhood clubhouse, with sweets, lots of music and dancing, and a flower and a balloon for each girl to take home.  The girls and I somehow convinced Elliot that he should take them, and they had so much fun they were excited to do it again this year.  In fact, Anna still talks about last year’s dance and was so excited about this year’s dance that she was in tears Thursday night because she had to wait TWO MORE WHOLE DAYS.

I feel so lucky to have a husband who chooses to be so involved in his girls’ lives.  They couldn’t ask for a better dad.  And I just love that one day they will be able to look back at all the memories he made time to create with them.

And a flashback from last year …