I started September with a date with this little guy. He's got it in his head that we go to Steak 'n Shake for all of our dates. Hey, works for me!
On our dates, I let him pick out a specialty milk shake, and this time I even let him play the claw machine.
We then headed over the The Web for some mini golf and arcade games.
I love my one on one time with the kids and have made it a goal to incorporate more of it.
Morgan had a very busy day in September. First we headed to the doctor for her annual check up. They said she grew three inches this year!
She got two shots this time and did not cry a single tear. She did whisper to me "I didn't know it was going to hurt!"
Later that day we went to her very first dance class.
Taylor has taken on the responsibility of changing her shoes for her whenever it is time.
I think Morgan enjoys dance class because she can fully participate without being expected to speak.
Finally, we headed to school for Meet the Teacher night.
Again, Taylor demonstrated her stellar big sister skills.
This little guy joined the Cub Scouts this year.
Here's Taylor with one of her best friends who also happens to be neighbors with the Wells family.
All best friends need a secret handshake.
Finally, after almost 4 months off, it was time for Morgan to go back to school.
People tell me that she looks like me in this photo.
She was absolutely fine with going to school on the first day and happily waved goodbye to me.
We celebrated her first day with a lunch date at Skyline where she proceeded to give me all the details of her morning. I was in heaven.
Charlie started dance this fall, too.
He started out in a hip hop class. (He was the only one in his class so he has since moved to a hip hop/jazz/tap combination class)
His teacher took advantage of Friends/Family month and drug us all in for the last ten minutes of class.
Morgan invited her friend, Lucy, to come to class with her during Bring a Friend month.
While, Morgan did great on her first day of school, she did cry on her second day. Then I went out of town on her third day (more on that in a minute). I am happy to report that she has now gotten back into the swing of things and goes to school happily each morning. She's still very quiet so I did not trust the school's photographer to capture her sweet personality on picture day. Instead, I took matters into my own hands. Here's some school photos I took of her.
On September 10th I flew to Salt Lake City for a photography conference called Click Away. This was a conference hosted by the photography forum to which I belong. Therefore, I knew many, many of the attendees, and got to meet some instructors from online workshops I've attended.
For four days, I immersed myself in all things photography.
I met amazing women like Me Ra Koh.
I laughed a lot. Usually it takes me quite a while before I feel comfortable chatting with people that I don't know. But here I felt I could turn to anyone next to me and strike up a conversation. And I did. Repeatedly. And you know what? Every single person I spoke to was friendly, open, and kind. Every. Single. One.
To save costs, I roomed with someone named Julie We had never met before the conference, but I couldn't have asked for a better roommate experience. We hit it off immediately and became quite comfortable together. I know that I now have a new life long friend.
Julie and I took head shots of each other (above). She also took this photo of me shooting.
Here's me with Sarah Wilkerson, CEO of Clickin Moms. Trust me, she's a big deal. And guess what?! When I introduced myself, she referenced one of my photographs that I had submitted as an assignment in her workshop six months ago. I was very flattered that she remembered it.
I even got to see my images used in presentations and image critiques.
I loved going on an outing to Silver Lake the last day.
Here's an iPhone picture taken of me and another one of my former instructors. I love this photo because you can see just how happy we were. Click Away was such an amazing experience. Being around 1000 women, all of whom are lifting each other up and encouraging each other to be true to ourselves, is truly a unique and inspiring experience. I left not only inspired in my photography journey, but inspired to live my life in a way in which I am bravely and unapologetically 'me'.
I also loved coming home to these faces.
Morgan invited Addison to be her guest in her next dance class. (It's hard to believe that she is a full year older than Addison.)
Here's some photos from Open House at the kids school.
It had been awhile since I shot any macro, so I rectified that.
Charlie got a rock kit from his scholastic book order and is learning about all the different types of rocks.
The week after my return from Click Away, I had a music therapy all day event. I was still a little drained from my trip, but was so happy I got the chance to see this amazing musician in person. It was definitely the highlight of my day.
Our friend, Corinne, turned 2 this month. A few months ago, when Morgan and I were scaling down her toys she picked out this doll with Corinne in mind. We gave it to her and she carried it around with her for the first half of her party.
We left the party and headed to a fall festival with the Wells and Julie and Mark.
The kids had fun with this silly donut eating contest.
Well, most of them had fun.
One Saturday morning I woke up to a very quiet house. Wondering where everyone was, I wandered downstairs to find this adorable scene.
Poor Morgan was sick last week. I always feel so sorry for my kids when they aren't feeling well, but I must admit, I cherish the extra snuggles that result. It's awe inspiring to realize that your mere presence can bring such comfort to a child.
She didn't stay down for long, though!
Charlie has been waiting all summer to be allowed to take his bike on a walk with the family. I made him wait until Mark could come with us figuring there was safety in numbers.
He did great!! (And he didn't even mind the pink helmet.)
Well, that's it. Tomorrow starts my favorite month of the entire year!!!
