Tuesday's Tip: Finding a Photographer

It's picture season!! Everyone is scrambling to get family pictures done for Christmas cards. I am so stinkin' glad that ours are done. As a Mommy, I am sure I can get an amen on the stress of getting pictures done. Outfits, fits, and the weather are always making me worry but when we found our photographer....I stressed a whole lot less.

There are a couple of things that were important to me when trying to find a photographer. I love sticking with the same one because it's so neat to have them as part of seeing your family grow!! Here are the top 3 things I looked for when finding a photographer!

1. Price
Some people are willing to drop tons of cash on pictures and that's all good but for us, and Dave Ramsey, the price is a factor.

2. Personality
We wanted someone easy going and relaxed. I kind of feel like our photographer is part of our family because of her genuine personality and the fact I have known her since she was in elementary school! : )

3. Patient
When your kiddos are trying to gather sticks to build a fire (this happened...true story) or one is crying and having a meltdown...a patient photographer is soooo important. I swear ours is heaven sent and just smiles or calms the kiddos down...or even makes it a sweet memory!

We have used Amiee Berry at AJ's Expressions and she is fabulous. If you need a photographer, I will leave her info at the bottom of this post. This is not an advertisement or anything at all. I have received a couple of questions about who we use and I thought it would be great to do a post on it!!! 

Here is a sample of some of our pics she has taken over the past few years!

And now a peek at this year's....

 You can find Amiee's photography page HERE! You can also find her facebook page HERE!

 I hope y'all have an amazing day!! I am hoping to get back to blogging!!! This week I will be posting some service ideas for your family during the holiday season!!!

Our Family Recap: Fall-La-La-La-La!

Everyone is saying it...how is November already here??? I swear as I get older, time goes by faster!! We have been enjoying Fall with family, friends, and each other!!

Joey, Grayson, and I enjoyed Red Ribbon Week a little too much!!!

We "Mustache" you to be drug free!

Pink Out for being drug free and breast cancer awareness!

Neon Day...me and one of my fav English teachers!

Twin day with one of my favs!

Crazy hair day!

 Since it's fall we have enjoyed festivals, baking and cuddling, and anything pumpkin!!!

Carving their first pumpkin and getting seeds to bake!!!

Grayson and Joey's school's Fall Festival!

The ONLY thing she wanted to do at the festival was get her face painted!

Decorating pumpkins for our neighborhood contest

It's cool when Daddy is Spider Man!

Playing cards and eating banana bread!

Cuddles!

Whoopee Cushions are fun just not when you make people think it's your mom!!!

Pickin' out a pumpkin at the clubhouse!

On Halloween, we enjoyed doing an outreach/party at our house and having family over! It was so much fun and I loved gettin' in time with my nieces and nephews!!!

The next day, we headed to our school's homecoming! The kids loved seeing our school and checking out the parade. We cuddled up in the back of the car with a blanket and enjoyed the show!! The kids even got to see my old room in the Chi O house!!

Here's a little bit of random...full of sweet memories made!

Someone may have gotten into my bible and notes

This sweet boy loves homework

The life of someone with Crohn's....Sprite and Crackers are a staple

These two...gaahhhh

Melt.my.heart. This sweet girl moves my picture next to her bed in the middle of the night when she can't sleep because she misses me...even though I am in the other room!

I will leave you with a glimpse of how excited we are for the upcoming Christmas holiday!!!

This is on Halloween......

Silver and gold, silver and gold.....

Who is ready to shop for Christmas??? We ARE!

Don't forget to check the blog tomorrow for Tuesday's Tip.....all about finding a photographer you love...and we have one we heart times ten!!!

Friday Favorites!

Today I am linking up with Andrea over a Momfessionals and Erika at a Little Bit of Everything.

Now I won't lie, this will be a whole lot of randomness but they are things that through the past couple of weeks that I have just thought..."Wow, I love this!"

The first is the book the Donkey Who Carried a King. Grayson and I LOVED this book. It has such a good message about being humble and faithful. You can find it HERE.

Y'all know I love Starbucks. Something about that cup just warms my heart. Now that it's getting cooler, my favorite drink to get is a venti nonfat latte with 3 splendas. Talk about a good dose of caffeine!

Love my coffee and this counselor!

When I am at home, I love using my Keurig. I heart Starbucks' Breakfast Blend K-Cups with the best creamer ever....Natural Bliss sweet cream. This with 2 stevias is perfection.  I like this creamer because it doesn't have a weird after taste like most creamers do...at least to me. I even put this creamer in my nightly cup of hot green tea.

 

Lately, I have been enjoying a hot bath, some tea, and good music. I have found that it is just an amazing way to end my day after the kiddos are asleep. I found these amazing bath salts and it did not irritate my super sensitive skin. It smells amazing! It's called Village Naturals Aches and Pains Relief. It is available in bath salts or an oil. 

 And if it seems crazy to think Halloween is right around the corner, I have been thinking about Christmas. Ella is wanting a big girl jewelry box and fell in love with this one at Pottery Barn Kids last time we were there. I love how classic it is and the fact that it can be monogrammed. It plays music and has the classic ballerina inside. It would be a great piece to pass down in the future! 

I can't wait to read about everyone's Friday Favorites. I hope you all have a fabulous Friday!!!