New Job!

I wanted to let any of you that still read my blog know that Brian got a new job.

He'll begin Dec. 1st. It's with his former boss. He named a new company and became a division of another company who was looking into hiring an in-house marketing firm.

The other company will be the ones supplying the pay, benefits etc...

We're happy but nervous. Since this has the potential to not work out, as with any company that hires new people. 

But we are praying for the best. 

Brian says he never wants to have to look for a job again. 

I don't blame him, it was one big emotional roller coaster. So he's relaxing now the last few days before he has to set the alarm again.

He hadn't relaxed the whole time, so he needs this time to rest and enjoy.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Fun session

Here I am helping out with a senior session last Thursday. 

Destiny is a senior from Coopersville High School and does dog sled races and brought them in for part of her shoot. It was so much fun! I just had to get in one shot with the dogs, two very furry Samoyeds, Baleia, on the floor (not sure if I spelled that right, sounds like Bah-la-ya) and Jenny, up on the crates.

I came home with a ton of fur on my clothes!

I'm back....

I'm back with Pics from the last months events!

First we start off with the lovely chocolate/chocolate cake that Jalyssa and Blake decorated for my 32nd birthday. Isn't it beautiful?!?

Gotta lick the candles!

Then we have the Bat, Spider, Ghost and Pumpkin that Blake drew and cut out, then taped to pencils and stuck them in our front yard for Halloween decor.

Blake "gutting the pumpkin."

He did most of the carving himself this year, with one war wound to prove it.

Jalyssa didn't want to participate in the annual carvings. Party-pooper!

Ooh scary!!!

This year Blake was the Bumblebee Transformer. He is standing next to my nephew Mason, who was Darth Vader.

Jalyssa dressed up too, she chose to be a Dragon Geisha.

Now we're into November...it's supposed to be a nice week, time to get the leaves cleaned up!

October's End

Wow I didn't post at all in October until now!

It was a busy month. With the kids and their school work, sports events and everything else, the month flew by.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday on the 17th. The kids decorated my cake, like usual and did a wonderful, colorful job.

Blake had his last soccer game, he loved it and will start the 2nd half in the spring. 

Jalyssa started out well in school but then her grades dropped and she was ineligible for the last few tennis matches. She was planning on joining swimming again this year, but I think is overwhelmed by 8th grade homework and a new boyfriend. YIKES!

I shot my first wedding last Friday with another photographer friend of mine and had lots of fun.

I'll hopefully post pics of the months events soon.

Brian has yet to find a new job. But we're trying to stay positive.

Talk more later.

We just found out our neighbors sold their home and we are super sad to see them go.

They have become friends over the past 5 years. Blake will probably be upset the most.

He has gone over there countless times to play on their playset and as their little boy got older he's enjoyed playing with him too. When they had their second baby, Blake just "had" to go see him.

We will miss them dearly.

More updates

I had forgotten to take Jalyssa's first day of school pic (it was early). So I asked my sister to take one of her when she got home from school. 

This is what she got. Yep her skirt was appropriate length for school.

The VanderMaas Reunion Pic. Lots of people missing this year.

Blake had his first soccer game on Saturday, they only had 1 practice prior to that because the other one was rained out.

They lost but still had fun. He loves his cool uniform.

Later Saturday we went to a Church Block Party down the street from us. 

Blake had a Bat painted on his face. Cutie!

Jalyssa

Jalyssa has changed so much this summer.

She did wear mascara most of the summer, but for some reason she didn't the day we shot the Left picture. 

So it's a very drastic change when you compare the two.

I'm sure even her 1st day school picture (which I forgot to take of her this morning) will even look different than these.

Lots of updates

School has begun. Boy summer went fast!

Lots has gone on. Blake started Soccer last week, he loved it.

Blake and I went to the zoo a few weeks ago.

Oh and Jalyssa loves skinny jeans. She's changed a lot this summer.

Blake's 1st day pic.

Soccer practice...kickin' it in.

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Getting ready to dribble

Getting a high 5 from the coach.

Lions at the zoo.

Riding a camel...he's so serious!

This little monkey giving us 5... I mean...10. :)

Blake trying to make sense as to why they are picking at eachother.

The "gotta have" picture.

Blake showing me how the fishes mouth is moving.

Jalyssa modeling her new skinny jeans.

Some new and interesting pics

Starting out with Jalyssa. I don't seem to have as many pictures of her as in the past because she's usually not around. She's busy with her friends or hiding in her room.

Brian got this RARE shot of her while she was watching TV. He loves to annoy people with the camera.

Then we go to a silly picture of Blake. Apparently while I was at the studio Jalyssa used my camera to take this picture. I'm pretty sure they are clean undies!

And lastly some pictures of an usual baby cucumber from our garden. It grew all twisted.

I thought it was a snake at first glance, but realized it was a cucumber.

It's cute so I had to share.

It's been awhile...

As any of my regular readers may have noticed I haven't updated in awhile.

This summer is flying right by and we've been super busy.

This week the kids are camping with grandma and grandpa. This is the first time ever they have gone without me.

This kids and I usually go for a week with my in-laws each summer.

But I need to be around for my studio sessions this year. I am grateful though, that my in-laws still took them. I'm sure they are having a great time and being spoiled with soda and sweets, stuff they don't usually get to have.

People keep asking how my photography business is going, I usually say "good," which is true. I'm not sure what else to say. We've been busy. Not much to talk about really other than it's going really well and I'm having fun. It's been interesting meeting all sorts of different kids and getting to know them in the 1 to 2 hours I'm with them.

School is only a few weeks away and I think Blake is the only one excited to go back.

I am not ready for them to go back and I know Jalyssa isn't excited about it either.  I'm definitely not looking forward to the shopping involved, I do not like to shop. It's just not in me to shop. Jalyssa is a shopping queen, I'm not sure where she gets that from.

Blake should start soccer practice soon. He's super excited about that. The kid loves to run, so he'll be good at it. I'll be sure to post pics of that.

I'm sure I have other new pics to post but it's late though. The only reason I'm not in bed is because I took aspirin this evening for a bad headache and the caffeine is keeping me up.

I'm tired but my brain won't slow down to sleep. Not good.