Dinosauria 2009 – Detroit Michigan Child Photographer

My younger son’s class took a field trip to the Detroit Zoo  http://www.detroitzoo.org/ a few days before they got out of school. 

One of the things that we got to do was see the dinosaurs, and to be honest, I was a little nervous as to how the kids were going to react.  I remember going to see a dinosaur exhibit when I was about 6, and it was SCARY!  It was in a dimly lit room which seemed scary enough on its own, but then you add huge creatures with sharp teeth, making loud mean sounds and it becomes a lifetime memory, and not necessarily in a good way.  So, as I said before, I was a little nervous about how the kids would react…

(The dinosaur featured above spit water, which my son thought was awesome!)

Well, I must say that the Dinosauria Exhibit http://www.detroitzoo.org/Attractions/Other_Exhibits/Dinosauria_2009/ at the Detroit Zoo was a great way for the kids to experience these amazing creatures. 

 

When we first went down the path I kind of felt like I was walking into the Jurassic Park movie.  (You know, in the beginning of the movie before everything changes…)  It was sunny, it was inviting, and I am happy to report that I did not hear one scared or crying child the whole time we were there. 

Each dinosaur had a sign that taught you some things about it, and there were even a few carts that had different things that the kids could see, and touch.  They thought that it was neat to see how big a dinosaur claw was compared to how big their hand was.

One of the knowledgeable staff members told us that the Iguanodon was the first dinosaur bones to ever be discovered, and that the man in England that discovered the bones thought that it looked like a large Iguana.  And that my friends is how the Iguanodon got it’s name!

After you visit all of the dinosaurs, there are some sand tables where you can discover dinosaur bones.

They even have some tables and chairs that you can sit at to take a break, or have a snack.

Luckily for me, I didn’t have any children with the “gimmes”, because the exit out of Dinosauria is through the gift shop   

All in all, it was a great experience, and for those of you that are interested in going, the exhibit is open until Labor Day.

(There is an injured triceratops in the exhibit, and there was one dinosaur that had been caught by another.  Some children may be bothered by that part, but it is also a good teaching example about dinosaur life.)

I hope that your summer has been filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

5 Things That Made Me Happy This Week – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

I am going to try to blog about 5 things that make me happy every Sunday.  (The keyword being try, LOL!) 

Since this is the first week, and I am feeling extra happy you get  6 things.  Lucky you!

5 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

1. Watching my husband walk around in the shorts that we gave him for father’s day.  They fit, and he liked them.  And that, made me happy

2. Seeing family members on Father’s Day.  Between Mc Donald’s, and the get together at my aunts, I’m sure that I consumed way too many calories.  But, it was worth it, and it made me happy

3. Spending time with my family, and friends at the beach.  I love to watch the kids splash in the water, and dig in the sand.  It makes me happy to see them happy

4. Summer bbq’s with the kids running around, and everyone getting along.  Not to mention delicious food hot off the grill, and yummy salads to go with them.  Eating good food outside makes me happy

5. Watching fireworks.  There is something so romantic about snuggling your kids, and holding hands with someone you love under a dark sky filled with fireworks.  It’s almost like going back in time to simple days, and that makes me happy

6. My mother and father-in-law.  We are truly blessed to have them in our lives, and that makes all of us happy

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”  ~William A. Ward

And since I wouldn’t want to blog without a photo, here are some silly ones that my oldest son and I took in the parking lot of Lucky’s Steakhouse after out dinner date. 

Thank you Lyndsey for the photobooth template.  You helped to fill my day with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Little Mr. B – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

Little Mr. B is the super cute younger brother of Little Mr. J, and Little Miss B. 

This little cutie loved climbing up and down the slide. 

I loved that his mommy and I could let him, because we were the only ones at the park that day

If he hadn’t won me over with his long haired surfer look, 

he definitely would have won me over with spunky personality, and fantastic smile! 

And to all of my wonderful blog readers, may your day be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Little Miss B – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the adorable Little Miss B.

During our time together she showed me her pretty smile.

She showed me how great she is at doing cartwheels, and walking on her hands.

 

And she even showed me that she is missing a tooth!

And because these last two photos make me smile, I have decided to show them to you…

Thank you for being so wonderful Little Miss B, and I hope that the chocolate milk came out of your shirt  

I hope that all of you have a week that is filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Little Mr. J – Michigan Kids Photographer

Little Mr. J has a sweet, yet slightly serious personality.

But inside of that serious little guy there is also a playful, and silly side!

Little Mr. J wants to be Superman when he grows up, and even though I gave him some great superhero names of his very own, he has decided to stick with plain old Superman

He even offered to save me when he grows up.  So I guess that makes him my hero, sigh… 

Hopefully his biggest fan won’t mind sharing him with the world!

Enjoy being 5 Little Mr. J, and I hope that your summer is filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!  Especially since Kindergarten starts in the fall

Happy Father’s Day, From Our Home To Yours – Michigan Family Photographer

It’s hard to believe that it was almost 9 years ago that my husband and I welcomed our first baby into the world. 

When I look back on our first night together as Mom and Dad as we lay in my hospital bed holding our first baby my eyes fill up with tears.  It was amazing, enchanting, tear filled, and incredibly romantic all at the same time.  Those memories I will treasure for the rest of my life.

I am so grateful that my husband and I also went on to have 2 more amazing children after that, and I feel blessed everyday that my children have a father that truly loves them.

It was once said that the greatest gift that a father can give his children is to love their mother, and that is a quote that I believe with all of my heart. 

Happy Father’s Day M, we love, and appreciate you! 

And to all of you other Father’s out there, and all of the Mother’s that play the role of both Mother, and Father, happy Father’s Day.  May your day be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love

5 Reasons – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

5 reasons that I’m happy that summer vacation has finally arrived;

1. Everyone gets to sleep in. (8:30am may sound early to some of you, but around here it’s considered a blessing!)

2. I don’t have to hurry and get the kids into bed at night so that they won’t be crabby for school the next day. (Bedtime goes much smoother when the sun isn’t shining.)

3. I don’t have to try to figure where my oldest son left his belt, which is an important part of his school uniform. (Let me tell you, this one caused me some irritation on more than one occasion this school year…)

4. No one has homework. (I think I like homework less as the parent than I did when I was the student.)

I have saved the best for last, so drum-roll please….

5. We get to spend the whole day together! (Picnics, trampolines, parks, beaches, stories, arts and crafts, camping…  I love having my little ones home!)

 

 

Since I enjoy photographing real life, I am going to go ahead and keep it totally real.  There is one downfall to summer vacation.  

It gives my lovely children more time to aggravate each other!

And since I couldn’t blog without a photo, here is a darling pout that I completely adore

I hope that your summer has started off with as much sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love as our has!

Mother’s Day Giveaway Winners – Michigan Family Photographer

This lovely family won my Mother’s Day Giveaway Session that included not only the session fee, but also 10- 5×5 bordered prints in a leather session album.  Pretty lucky family, huh  

They drove a long way to come and see me, and the sky was grey when they got here.  It even sprinkled on us for part of their session. 

Luckily they were a wonderfully sweet family, and they didn’t seem to mind the less than perfect conditions. 

It was so nice to meet you guys, and may your family continue to be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Little Miss B – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

The last time that I saw Little Miss B she was still in diapers.  Now she is walking, and talking, and singing, and running… 

Needless to say she’s grown up quite a bit since then!

Since the last time we saw each other Little Miss B has also grown the most adorable curls!

And her mommy was looking as lovely as ever

Isn’t this little dress the cutest?!

Thank you for waiting so patiently for your sneak peek K, your gallery should be ready for viewing by Saturday evening!  And until then, may your days be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love

Baby B – Michigan Baby and Lifestyle Photographer

My darling neice turned 6 months old a few weeks ago, and we all know what that means… 

Time for photos!

And since this Auntie couldn’t decide what to show, you get a very big sneak peak.  Don’t worry though, there’s plenty more where that came from  

Isn’t she sweet?!

My sister’s girls have all started crawling at a young age, and Baby B is no exception.  Not only is she crawling, but she also pulls herself up on things.  Watch out mama, before you know it she’ll be walking!

 

My sister can’t wait to have a photo on her mantel that doesn’t make her think of winter

It was so nice to see you Baby B, kiss your mommy for me!

I hope that everyone’s week has been filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!