snap Snap SNAP!

I feel like all I have done lately is take pictures and edit them...and perhaps that is because all i have done is take pictures and edit them lately...haha!

I finally got my "studio" all set up and scheduled several sessions this weekend to get some much needed practice!  First thing Saturday, a mom friend of mine brought her newborn and, hubby, and 2 year old daughter over.  That was a fun shoot:

Then I had several mom's shuffling in and out for a Mother's Day Mini Session I set up through our Meetup group.  I basically just told my mommy friends that I would be around from about 12 - 3 and available to take photos of the mom's and their babies.  It was a great time!  I definitely got a lot of great practice trying to wrangle kids of all ages (well, all under 3!).  I don't know how, but Rylie managed to sleep through all the squealing and laughing and general ruckus just outside her bedroom.

On Saturday night, we joined some more mommy friends, their hubbies, and their babies for Fiesta Night to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  Lots of great food, fun, and laughter!  It was kind of funny, though...a few year ago we all would have spent Cinco de Mayo enjoying the largest margaritas possible...this year, with babies' in tow, we had an equally good time sipping small drinks and enjoying each other's company, sharing our "mommy stories".

I had planned to take Rylie's birthday pictures on Sunday, but by "planned" I really mean "I wanted to"...I hadn't actually done all the planning, so that meant a few shopping trips were needed before the pictures could be taken.  I did manage to take a few, spur of the moment pictures, though... We (I) have chosen a Pink Lemonade birthday theme...

We also had some wicked storms on Sunday, so shopping was postponed until late in the afternoon, after naps.  Chris and I started picking up some party essentials (cups, plates, forks, decorations) and did our regular Sunday grocery shopping.  Last night I baked and decorated Rylie's SMASH CAKE prop that I ended up using tonight to take her birthday pictures.  Rylie had a great time playing with the cake!  I'm kicking myself now for not getting it on video...but I certainly got some great photos!  And, I'm proud of the fact that we were able to keep the inevitable mess contained!  Of course, I was hoping to be able to keep these pictures a secret until her invitations go out (which have to go out asap!)...but I can't contain my self! Check out this adorableness:

What a great weekend to try out my new studio set up for the first time...here's to many more fun times in there :)