Sometimes Simpler Really is Better

The arrival of fall has become synonymous somehow with the need to get beautiful family pictures in preparation for the looming holiday cards.. We have loved the professional photos that we have done since HG was born, and I am so thankful to have some of the really beautiful shots of our family as she has changed over the last two years.  The process, at least for me, of getting ready for those photos however seems to turn into way more work than it really should.  Picking and coordinating outfits, getting everyone ready, the pressure of getting good shots in a time limited fashion with a child who has actually been sick the last two times that we have done it, etc etc etc.  So, this fall with everything else that we had going on, I just couldn't bring myself to face another big process, but I still wanted to have something cute and I definitely wanted to capture HG as she continues to change.  Enter the impromptu photo shoot with the Ross's in downtown Zionsville.  As it turns out, give Hunt a professional grade camera, some decent lighting and scenery, and very cute subjects- and over two hundred pictures later we have some absolute gems.  The Ross boys are adorable and I just love the pictures of the three kids running and playing, and Harper's outfit which was really simple and easy is just too precious.  I even managed to get her in some of the gold accessories passed down to me which is really special to me.  Mostly I really treasure that even weeks after these were actually taken, every time that I look at them they still bring me absolute joy to look at.

Sweetness

Harper and I have been spending some pretty extensive quality time together while Hunt has been travelling. It's been completely wonderful and entirely draining all at the same time.  It is no joke keeping up with the whims of a toddler, and I have no idea how people function with several of them.  These are just some selfies and random edited pics while playing around with some new apps to try and clean up the iPhone shots..

Trick or Treat!

Halloween was delayed here by a day this year due to terrible weather and moved to a Friday, which sounds like a good idea but was actually kind of a jumble.  I was steadfast on going to the gym for the first time in a week, and by the time I got home from that and Hunt was home from work with HG, the door bell was already ringing non-stop and the neighbor kids were all out in force.  We hustled to get Harper ready so she wouldn't miss everybody and then in the end made pretty much a loop around the cul-de-sac and called it a success.

Little Lady and her daddy

Hmm, what do we have here??

Lady and Wonder Woman aka Grace

Batman aka James and Skeletor aka Miles

Harper, Lucy, CeCe, James and Lorigrace

Lady and her monkey, aka Harrison

So cute watching them walking around holding hands

Halloween Pre-Party

Sometimes, I feel like I am really on the ball and kind-of the do-it-all mommy that can juggle a lot while still finding time for the fun things like cupcakes, holiday decorating, etc etc.  This fall, not so much.  Between an onslaught of unexpected expenses, not enough time and a variety of other excuses there has been zero holiday decoration or general effort put towards Halloween this year.  I bought a bunch of random decorations last year after all of our neighbors were putting together these elaborate porches and lawn decor together, but in the end what I had out felt sort of random to me and not particularly well executed, which annoys me.  I have since decided that I would prefer to do more of a sophisticated fall themed decor the next time around, which means all new purchases and that just wasn't happening this year.

I was at least committed to Harper having a cute costume!  She was surprisingly ok with wearing the kitty costume last year, and I had a feeling that another animal would be a good way to go.  I found the "Lady" costume and since she likes dogs and it was cute, I figured it was worth a shot. Surprisingly once again she wasn't totally annoyed by having it on-- although after about 20 minutes she was peeling off the velcro pieces and starting to undress!

Our little kitty last year.. Hadn't started the blog yet, so figured it should be included here!  She was SO cute, and little!

And our big girl one year later as Lady from Lady and the Tramp.. She has no earthly idea who that is, but I thought she would enjoy being a puppy..

I made these little guys for the neighborhood Halloween party.. Super easy and turned out very cute

Loaded up to head over to the party.. Can't believe that little Lady actually sat there still and kept an eye on the cups for me

Harry needed some kisses

Making witches brew.. So excited that Melissa wanted to pull this party together 

Wish I could take credit for this little gem.. how cute!

Mr. H Turns Two!

Our second favorite toddler turned two!  Harper and Harrison are officially full blown toddlers together, and to see them you would think they are brother and sister with all the fighting and stealing of toys.. it's pretty funny actually.  Mindy and Jim were sweet to invite us to their family's birthday brunch, and Harper was happy to partake in "Happy Harry" cupcakes.

Is he in there??  I may have made her do this five times or so to get the picture..

Toddlers sharing some birthday brunch

Such serious little faces, but they both have such depth to their eyes

Golden locks and baby blues..

Her face is priceless

This was much more G rated in person

Pumpkins and Mums

So, if you have on a curduroy skirt and a jean jacket, chances are I am going to decide that we need to get some pics!  I borrowed Mindy's lovely fall porch scenery and then poof, Sunday morning impromptu photo shoot before Harrison's birthday party.