...a mother's love. "Sneak-Peek"

I had honor of meeting these beauties a few days ago. It is always so refreshing to meet wonderful people, with such beauty and grace. Hearing this sweet, beautiful mom talk about her girls and shopping just reminded me of my mom and me. Love it, love my momma! ... and meeting these 2 beautiful girls made me wish I had a sister and not having a sister made me thankful for my mom, close girlfriends, my aunt who is like a sister. I mean the closest thing I had to girl fights, sharing and arguing over clothes, despising each other one minute and being there for them the next min. no matter what! :)
To the "R" family, thank you. Thanks for allowing me to capture these precious pics. Enjoy your "sneak-peek" and your gallery will be ready so soon!!! Thanks for your patience!

One of my Fav's:

Gorgeous!

Oh... and Happy Birthday today to my little "big"man Sal. He is 6!!! He will have his own special post soon. Thank you for 6 years of joy and happiness.

Happy Day.

Ashley

Childhood memories and sore legs.

It is always fun doing things that bring back childhood memories, and passing those traditions on to your kids. Right? Well that is exactly what we did. We have sore legs to prove it! I could not refuse the invite to go roller skating! The kids really had a blast, but us adults.... I think we had more fun! Ha! They had an adult race after all the kids raced, my aunt and I knew we could do it! Okay not to toot my own horn but when I was little I was a really good skater, I was fast, had great balance and won the races. I had to try! So this is us going out there before the races looking at the 3 MEN next to us: I knew I had to start off strong because those rental skates were bad... I did not know what the corners would bring(probably me falling and embarrassing myself, hard.)So here is me starting off strong:

I can not believe we did this! I know that all of Kettering and most of Centerville heard me yelling as I turned the first corner so fast. I had not done this in YEARS, I mean a really long time. I was in the lead but had people right next to me, so I yelled. what would you do? (I know, not race in the first place...) Okay so I yelled again going around the 2nd corner. It was hilarious. I actually won. Yeah, I still got it! Hahaha.. That was the funniest moment I have had in awhile. My kids rejoiced and thought I was cool, I was so embarrassed and could not believe that I did this. So go have some fun, do things that bring back your childhood memories, you might have sore legs... but you will not regret it. Jamie, thanks for the invite. Timm, thanks for these pics that I will never live down. Hahah!

Happy Day.

Ashley

So thankful.

I am always thankful, everyday really. I try to be. Some days I have to take a step back and remind myself, whoa there girly...! Those are those eye opening moments where we learn from ourselves. Yeah.. .more on that another day.

I feel very blessed and content which is a beautiful thing. Thanksgiving is a time to really remind ourselves of all that we are blessed with in our life and to be thankful. A thankful heart is a good and happy heart. :)

Not to mention all the yummy, delicious food that we stuff ourselves with, and then some! I ate so much yesterday, I am not even that hungry today! Seriously!

I am so thankful for my family, for good health and laughs. My kids bring such joy to my life I really do not even have words to express how thankful I am. I am thankful that you are reading my blog right now because without my fans, supporters and God I would not be here doing this! So thanks.

Oh and a shout out to my cousin... he is a dad today! Congrats Rick!!!

Hope all of you had a happy thanksgiving and a fun black Friday. For all of you craze-shoppers that went shopping at midnight, I salute you! I was going to go at 2am but sleep would not allow me to get up and move. Darn it. I wanted to go to.

In celebration of black Friday I have to do something so............................

I am giving a few things:

1. Past brides you can receive a disc of your images (all of your wedding images) on a disc for a discount of $500. Usually this is offered only 2 times a year, but today I am making an exception. I am only doing this for the first 2 couples that e-mail me. So if you did not get your wedding images on a disc to archive, now is your chance.

2. A free customized session.... yep, free! ($150 Value) This can be used for engagement, family, newborn, senior whateva!!! It must be booked within 2 weeks though. :) I am only offering 1, so the first to e-mail me gets this.

3. ...and finally for anyone who books a session with me today (for any date, even spring) will receive an additional $50 print credit. Your session must be paid for within 1 week and date booked today.

...and because no post is fun without a photo...

Here is my family...

This picture makes me laugh. Lori, thank you for capturing these for us. I really do not like being on this side of the camera. I am not photogenic at all and would much rather be taking the photo. :) However, it was fun for us to get some updated shots. :)

Happy Day!!!!!!

Ashley

For my mommies holding their breath...

We have been b-u-s-y... and loving every second of it. I have had the opportunity to see these beautiful faces and capture these amazing pictures...I must show you a few pics from some recent of these sessions as I have mommies e-mailing me, and they can't wait any longer for their "sneak-peeks"!!! I LOVE my clients and can not keep them waiting any longer!!! :) When a mommy calls I must oblige!
On to the eye candy...

Holy cow my clients are GORGEOUS.

I have more sneak-peeks coming, bear with me...

Mommies... you can exhale now.

Much Love,

Ashley

One of those days...

So today is one of those days, you know the one where you go to bed tired, get no sleep and your up at 5am working? Yup, one of those days. With such a busy weekend planned, I know it is going to catch up to me if I do not get my much needed (yes I NEED my sleep) shut eye. As much as I really wanted to sleep at 5, one thing was not going to allow that: kids. None the less it was beautiful watching the sun come out, or should I say black turn to gray. Hence we are in OHIO and this time of year we are gray. My amazing husband surprised me when I was in the shower with Bills Donuts for the kids (sprinkles!) and for me a Ho Ho Mint Mocha from Caribou, a large! There is nothing like a Ho Ho Mint Mocha to wake you up that early! It is destined to be a good day with a start like that. Right? :) Well I hope so. Thanks Pete for the surprise and sorry if I was a grumpy monkey before the coffee kicked in. No sleep, 5am, screaming kids and a packed schedule, oh and did I mention messy house?? For those of you who might be having one of those days... cheers!

...and because no post is ever fun to read without a picture...

Random inspiration.

Ashley

Family Sessions- What to wear???

People often ask me, "what should I wear for our family session??" So today I want to give a few tips and then I am showing some eye candy from a recent family session. For family sessions.. it is so important to coordinate without being too matchy-matchy! Avoid white when shooting outside if at all possible. White grabs and reflects light in a not so flattering way....sometimes. There are exceptions to the white rule though... more on that later. Brides, do not worry you are supposed to stand out!!! :) This recent session was fun, they are so beautiful and had so much fun. Lori is a friend and another photographer in the area. Lori is in Cancun right now... Hi Lori!!! So I did a family session for her and added a few head shots for her website.
Okay Okay, on to the eye candy....

So lovely, so fun, love those mom shoes by the way!!!

Happy Day!

Ashley

November 17th...a good day.

Yes today was ultra fab, an unusually beautiful day. Most days are beautiful, and those that are gray I always try to find some beauty somewhere, but today... different. My little man, yes people LEO is ONE today!!! What a great day. Those of you who have had the honor of meeting this precious boy know how incredible this little man is. I am not just saying that because he is my precious boy, he truly is magical and makes the world a happier place.

Leo...

This has been an amazing year and such a joy to watch you grow. We thank God everyday that you are here in in our lives. You are amazed by the little things and find happiness in the simple, usually overlooked, things. We learn a lot from you little man. You entertain yourself with shoes, one hand in and there you go... crawling and clonking around... it is your thing, you like it and you make it work! You get the potatoes out of the cabinet, try to take a bite and toss the others all over the floor. You love cars and you can throw a ball better than most two year olds!! You love your siblings, mommy and adore that daddy. You are signing and speaking "ma-ma", "da-da" "thank-ewww", "please" and I swear you were saying "trick-or-treat" by the end of Halloween this year. There is lots of other jibber-jabber, Leo language. It works for you and people understand what you are trying to say. You are patient, and yes you are kind. I mean seriously?? You are that good. You have beautiful eyes that sparkle in the dark, and you seriously melt people's hearts. You lay your sweet little head on their shoulders and yes... you give them your love. It is a beautiful thing my man. It makes me teary-eyed thinking that my baby is already one. I am grateful for everyday and I am excited for yet another year. Another beautiful year to watch you continue to grow into this perfect little man.

We love you Leo, you are magical and make everyday more special.

I hope that your day was yummy, sweet and precious as can be.

Ashley