Moving Announcements

Our friends, Chris and Sonya, are moving and asked me to design their change-of-address announcements using some of the photos from their Portrait Session back in November. It was fun playing in Photoshop and coming up with these designs!

Note : If you know Chris and Sonya, please note that all of their information on these samples has been changed to pseudo info for online purposes!

Chris and Sonya you will be missed! Best of luck in your future endeavors and all that the future has in store for you :)

Colby

Last week I got the sad news that my family's sweet dog had to be put down. I picked Colby out of a beautiful litter 13 years ago, and she has been a joy to our family ever since. We adore her personality and will miss her sweet smiling face greeting us!

#1 : Rare Bush

Last weekend my lovely friend Karen took Ben and me to the horse races!! It was my first time, and couldn't leave without betting at least once...so on the last big race I put $5 on Rare Bush - he did not disappoint! We got back $25, pretty good return :) I put up more photos on our blog : Ben and Chelsa!

Paul, Susan & Belly

Well we were finally able to get together Sunday morning for a belly session that included Paul! Between work/training schedules and this crazy on-again-off -again weather, we managed to meet before their little man decides to come (which could be any week now!! I am so excited!!).

Ben and I totally enjoyed our time with you two, it is so apparent how much you already love this little guy and what wonderful parents he is going to have! Thank you so much again for this wonderful honour of documenting your little miracle :)

Chelsa

For Sean...

above: i call this the "peek-a-boo" shot, Case just snuck in behind the girls and you can barely see the cute little guy!



above: this is one out of a little series...a tender moment with mom :)


above: Makynna was the flower-finding queen of the morning :)


This past Friday I met Christi and her 2 adorable blondies - Makynna and Case. Christi wanted to get some photos done for her husband, Sean, who is currently serving overseas. I had a great time walking around the big airplanes on Pope Airforce Base with them...Makynna and Case did really good with the camera, and all three of them were super easy to photograph - not to mention super sweet as well :)

Christi it was so nice to meet you, I had fun visiting and photographing your gorgeous family. I hope that before you all know it you are reunited with the love of your life. Thankyou so much for all your hard work on the homefront, and your dedication to your husband. I will have the rest of the photos online for you and your husband soon! I'll be in touch :)

Chelsa

Belly Shots ~ Susan & Baby

This week I had the delightful honour of doing belly shots for Susan, who became one of my first friends here at Fort Bragg over a year ago. Her and her husband, Paul, are expecting their first baby...in just a few weeks!! Susan is sweet, genuine, honest, and a great person to be around. It's no wonder why so many people trust her as such a loyal friend. I am so glad that I have met her and cannot wait to meet their newest addition!!!

Paul and Susan, I hope that you love these first sent of belly shots! We will get some with Paul in them before your Little Man comes - I'm determined - so keep me on speed dial for weather and schedule openings ;)

Washington, DC

This week I am crossing the first trimester finish line! The nausea - although still here - has diminished substantially over these past 2 months...and this is my excuse for being a terrible blogger-updater during that time!

Last weekend Ben and I took advantage of his long weekend and went up to Washington, DC. Ben posted about it on our blog, Ben and Chelsa, with more photos as well! But I thought I would share a few here too :)

For Reggie....

This family has waited so patiently for me to get their photos published online! The past couple weeks I've been feeling "under the weather", and so it is hard to believe that our Troop Session was 2 weeks ago already... Ang thank you for your continued patience :) Today is my catchup day!

Meet Ang, Chanelle, Regan, and Amari. I had such a great time photographing and hanging out with them downtown. Even though I know it can be uncomfortable and awkward getting your picture taken, the kids did great and I think that their dad will be blessed by these images of his beautiful children. Ang, thanks for leading the way with your fun-loving nature! Even though I probably saw the shy side of your family, I could tell they each have a part of that in them too...you and Reggie must feel so blessed! I hope and pray that this time apart goes by speedily, and that in some way these images can connect you all and bring you all closer :)

For Jeff

Last weekend I met another wonderful military family out at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens...although it was a lovely winter morning, it was still a bit chilly! I'm amazed that Kim has been a military wife for 20+ years! I'm praying that the remainder of this deployment goes quickly for you all and that your husband stays safe and healthy. These families are truly a special kind. Scott, their oldest son, leaves for his basic training in just a few weeks. We made sure to get some nice photos of him and his sweet girlfriend - Brittney - to take with him :) Good luck at training Scott...and Joey enjoy your high school years!

All the very best to you guys! Thanks for contacting me, it was great to spend the morning with you. I hope that these photos can bless your family during this time...thank you all for all the years that you have given to serve!

Chelsa

Myles Schaefer Gilbert

As some of you know, Ben and I spent New Years in Colorado visiting his side of the family. Although it was great to see everyone, the best part was finally meeting this little guy - Myles Schaefer Gilbert, our first nephew. The name "Myles" means soldier. Born with Downs Syndrome, Myles and his parents have already battled through so many health issues in his young age. You can read more about their journey on their blog - Gilberts Nuthouse.

These are Myles' 5 month pictures! We had a heck of a time doing this session, but it was fun! The first major challenge was lighting. It was 10 pm, so we had no natural lighting. Gilby remedied this by setting up those huge construction lights - bright and hot! I should have taken a photo of our set up. It was photography challenge to say the least. All in all I think we got at least a few good ones!! I hope you guys like them :)

Chelsa

My Snow Angel & Resolutions

January's Quote : "Life is tough. I recommend getting a manicure and a really cute helmet." ~ Curly Girl Designs - live imperfectly with great delight.


Happy New Year! Ben and I had an amazing Christmas celebration with my family in Canada, and then were blessed to be able to see his family for New Years (those photos coming soon!)...it's been some time since I blogged! Here we go again....

This lovely lady is my younger sister, Taylor. She is one of my favourite people to photograph because she is always up for shining for my camera and letting me play :) Plus she is super fun, funny, brilliant, bold, glamourous, & not only a great person but a truly loyal friend.

Doesn't the winter snow make for some awesome photos?! I love it!!! It was a fun treat :)

Okay, so what are your New Years Resolutions? I haven't truly made any in past new years, but this year is a little different....I don't know, maybe because I am older and I find as you get older staying motivated becomes more and more your own responsibility! Remember when you were younger and doing things like keeping your brain stimulated (school) & staying active (because you played school sports)...weren't really options!

So here are my official 2009 Resolutions :

- Do more yoga, and just stretching in general. - Go to the gym at least (bare minimum here) once a week - and try to do a spinning class once a week. - Read a book a month (anyone looking for a book club?) - Try out a hot yoga class (is that what it's called?) at least once (total). - And keep up with Sudoku (I joined the bandwagon over Christmas thanks to Ben who was the first person to successfully teach me).

I have plenty of more things I would like to do in 2009... these are just a few things that I think I can realistically do each month to stay active and healthy :) Please comment and share a few of yours!

Family Christmas Photos in the Park

My friend Heather asked me to do their family Christmas photos this year! You truly are a beautiful family.

It is crazy that Christmas is in a week, and it has been mid 60's here...way too warm for Christmas!

So here are a few good ones from the session, I hope you like them!

Pee Ess - This months book is "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd....we are going to have a get together sometime in January over it..If you want to want to be a part of this get in touch with me :) (It is SO good so far!!)

Blog Worthy Movie Titles

Since my man has been Armying it up the last couple weeks, I have been educating my movie/book palette....and there are definitely some noteworthy titles to share! This is a good post for those of you like me who get to the movie store and have NO clue what to rent. These are great choices!

Finishing up "Time Travelers Wife" ... in fact we have our book club get together tomorrow...definitely a noteworthy novel! It is a great love story...the plot and writing is so very brilliant.

My sister in London recommended "Amelie" as her favourite french movie. AMAZING. I loved it. It is adorable, clever, colourful, and fun.

Tonight's watch was "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day" based on the novel by Winifred Watson. Definitely would make a great bookclub book. The movie is just great!! It will make you smile :)

And then of course I had to watch "PS I Love You" and cry my eyes out!

Soon to see "Mamma Mia" and "Baby Mama".... they look like fun too :)