Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Monday {Overland Park kids photographer}

I guess Six on Monday doesn't have the same ring as Six on Sunday, huh?  Well, what can I say?  It's my hubby's fault!  I was all ready to blog last night, but he was hogging the desk:)  Right now, we each have our computer on the same "L" shape desk.  But we're going to change it up over our Christmas vacation.  With that said, here goes...

1.  This was my weekend to bake.  I'm not kidding.  I made cookies and treats from 8:00am to 3:30pm Sat.  Then I finished up on Sunday morning.  All in all, I made 10 different kinds:  snickerdoodles (for hubby), PB kisses, candy canes, sugar cookies, spritz cookies, Pioneer Woman's favorite cookies from childhood, gingerbread men, Hershey's Hugs on a pretzel (from Becky Higgins), caramels, and chocolate covered pretzel sticks.  I took lots of pictures.  I'll try to post on that later this week.  Yum! 

2.  We've been doing our advent calendar with the kids again this year.  It's usually a hit - although as they get older they want "bigger" prizes.  Some things we've done so far:  stay up until 9:00 (although they had to forgo their books that night), breakfast by candlelight, manicures and pedicures by yours truly, movie night, and a scavenger hunt for prizes just to name a few.  

3.  #1 had her synchronized swimming show on Sunday.  They all looked great and it's so adorable to watch them get all ready together.  I love seeing the camaraderie - it's really neat to watch. 

4.  I have decorated for Christmas - I'll try to post some pictures.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I love to sit downstairs after the kids go to bed (finally - peace and quiet) and enjoy all the twinkly lights with my mug of steaming tea.  Actually, now that I write that, I realize I haven't done that yet this season.  I better hurry before it's too late!

5.  We  had some of our neighbors over Sunday night before our annual hayride through the neighborhood.  It was really fun and very laid back - my kind of get-together!  And the weather was just perfect for the hayride.  All four girls came along and #4 promptly fell asleep.  So precious:)

6.  Last, but not least, another sneak peak for my neighbors.  Last week I had Top Chef calling me.  Tonight, just my bed...no TV.  So here you go...

Cute story about this last one...when I asked if they were too cool to stand together and hug it out, Andy shrugged and said, "Well, our mom will like it."  So they did it - love that!  Mom, this one's for you.

 

Smizing...smiling with your eyes {Overland Park kids photographer}

Well, well, well, where have I been, you're thinking?  I've been busy!  And that means tired...so my nights have not been spent here:)

This past weekend we had four birthday parties, two sleepovers, a photoshoot, and my birthday - all in two days!  Yes, I tried to skip past the whole, it's my birthday, thing.  But alas, I turned 36.  So I have four more years to get ready for the next milestone. 

Adding one more year to my life does have it's perks, though.  I got a new toy for my birthday.  My hubby surprised me with a point and shoot Canon Powershot Elf.  You'd think since I have a 7D I could pop it out of the box and use it, right?  No!  I had to read the instructions and play around with it for awhile.  It's been years since I've owned a p&s and it took some getting used to.  I think I'll really like it when we go places where I want to use a more discreet camera.  I can't wait to really use it!

Lastly, I had a shoot this weekend with two of my neighborhood kids.  We had a blast!  Really.  I always have fun on my shoots!  Mind you, it was 44 degrees out on Saturday afternoon, but Andy and Olivia were up for anything.  So we'd go shoot in one place and then race to the car to warm up.  Then we'd drive two minutes to the next location and shoot again.  They were great.  Andy, however, needs to learn to smize.  You know, like Tyra says on America's Next Top Model, smile with your eyes.  We practiced.  A lot.  Olivia is a natural - in fact, I don't think she was done taking pictures after more than an hour! 

 I wanted to post more from their session and sooner, but sometimes things don't work out as planned.  So I only have one, but there's lots more where this came from...

  

I'm off to watch the season finale of Top Chef - I wonder if one of the brothers will win??? 

My neighbors {Overland Park kids photographer}

I had a blast yesterday photographing my 3 neighbor kids!  It took them all about 3 seconds to really get into it:)  There were so many great images - I had a really hard time choosing.  Take a peek...

This one just cracks me up!

  

I thought this one was sweet.

  

The light here is to die for!  And Elena..all I can say is, Work it out!!

  

Here's Audrey...

  

And Ethan...

  

And Elena...

  

The last one for now...

 

There's lots more where these came from!