HAIR: cut, chop, slice, butcher, sever, slash

Let me just preface this post by admitting, yes, I'm a dork. Yes, I thought this through. And yes, self-portraits are hard to take (see below!). I've been wanting to get my hair cut and colored for a while now. My stylist, Melissa, has been along my side for over 8 years now! I love her. She always takes such great care with me. And I totally admire her as she just started her own business! Just check out my site for more of her information. I was supposed to go in last week, but the Mini threw everything off and I knew I just needed that ponytail to survive!

It's weird to think that some of you only know me with short hair (post college, pre-babies), and some of you only know me with longer hair (pre-"adult" life, post babies). And then there are those fortunate few that have been with me through the good times and the bad (remember the perms, the bouffants...and the ever classic 80's chili bowl!?)

Well, today was the day to start fresh! I decided to do some before/after pictures. My favorite "before" pictures are when the woman is slouched over with no makeup on and looks like she's about to kill someone. Her "after" pictures are when she's sitting up straight with a big smile on her face and has had her make up done by Glamour shots! I tried to do it that way, but I freaked myself out after looking at the yucky picture! Here are a few of my shots today. Apparently I should have wiped the goo off the mirror before taking the pictures...

Jeff and Bobbi Take 2

I'm on a roll. Now that I have my slideshow program working again I'm going crazy! Here is a slide show for Bobbi and Jeff. You'll definitely be able to tell how much fun and relaxation we had a couple of weeks ago! You guys rock!

Layna's slide show!

I had Layla's slideshow done right after the pictures but I couldn't get my program to work! I finally got things going and I just had to show everyone how amazing this party was! Deneen (Mommy) is beyond talented. The details of the day were found around the entire house. The menu alone blew me away (she printed it out and everything was themed!) The cake was completely made from scratch (the eyeballs were donut holes!) I was SO impressed. I told her she needs to start her own business (maybe when the kiddies are older?) Please enjoy the happiness of the day!

I DID IT!!!

Well, it's official. I've run 13.1 miles without the whole keeling over thing. You know how most people you meet, run the mini and love it so much they say they're going to run it forever...well, I am NOT one of those people. I made my goal of not stopping, and getting under 2:30, and now I'm all done. It certainly was a great experience and I'm really proud of myself. Some family did get some pictures of me, so after I get those downloaded, I'll share. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and love throughout this whole process...WAHOOO!!!

Bobbi and Jeffy

I don't really know why I call him Jeffy...we went to high school together and played soccer together. The last time I saw him he was 16...now he's getting married (that sounds like a country song or something). I guess he'll always be Jeffy to me. Bobbi was the most laid back bride I've ever seen. She was fabulous! She was so beautiful and natural. Mindy and I had such a blast taking pictures of them. Here are a few of my favorites from the day. I promise a slide show soon! WC in the house!

The Mini Marathon is Here!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen...it's finally here! I can't wait until tomorrow morning to run my little heart out. I'm giving Josh my camera...so it's up in the air on whether or not I'll have any pictures to post :o) More about this tomorrow. I had my pasta dinner and now I'm off to bed! Wish me luck!


In the mean time...my friend, Amanda Elpers, came over to take some pics for me! I'm so excited to post some more next week. Here is a sample:

Mr. Manning

It's hard to be Peyton Manning. Seriously. Everyone wants to talk to you, ask you questions etc. I think we all feel like we kind of know him for one reason or another. I was so impressed with how he handled all the press, those crazy picture takers!, and random people coming up to him all night. All the of the Mannings (his wife, Ashley, Archie and Olivia)just carried themselves with such grace and dignity. And what a great night it was! The official name of the event was: The Inaugural Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Celebration of Caring. Basically, it was a big gala to raise money for the kiddos at St. Vincents.

The Hurst family donated their venue. They make lots of Hambeens. I have their products in my cupboard right now! What an amazing family. So sweet and generous! I just loved them.

The music during dinner was amazing. Gregg Bacon played some sweet jazz...I could have taken pictures of them all night!

James Brown (the sports announcer, not the singer), was the emcee for the evening. "JB" is the host of "The NFL Today" on CBS. He was so entertaining and hilarious. You could tell that he truly loved the Manning family.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard were there as well. Governor Daniels could hardly take a bite without someone coming up to talk to him. It must be hard to him too!

John Mellencamp performed a private concert for all the guests. He actually had major surgery for his spina bifida when he was a kid, so the gala meant something extra special to him.

I got this gig via my friend Kevin Swan...he's kinda a big deal. He takes lots of pictures for St. V's and Peyton. He needed an extra shooter that evening and it was a no-brainer. I was there! I tried to call him K-Swan for a while, but it sounded too much like K-Fed...and he's NO K-Fed.

All this being said, I'm definitely NOT ready for Hollywood! It was weird taking pictures of someone with my telephoto lens all night. Could you imagine someone taking your pics ALL the time (I make WAY too many weird faces to deal with that). Here are some of my favs of the night, with a slideshow coming soon!

With these first ones he and Archie looked right at me...so technically they "know" who I am. No, I didn't go up and talk to them ALL night...I'm such a wuss!







I know you're thinking what I'm thinking...freakin' flower!!!!












Gorgeous Mrs. Manning






Gorgeous Mrs. Hurst...check out her eyes!

Uncle Jason Rules!

How awesome is it to have a fireman in your family...SOOO awesome! My sister-in-law, Yuliya, and I took the kids to see my brother at his station for a few hours last week. Xavier was in a complete zone the entire time. Uncle Jason let them crawl around, push buttons, try on equipment, and even drove them around the block. They had such a blast. And Xav had quite the melt down when I tried to buckle him up to go home...I guess we take the good with the bad. Here are some of my favorites from the day. I love my point and shoot camera for times like these. We love you Uncle Jason and Aunt Yuliya!

Brooke and Jake's E-Session

Brooke and Jake let me drag them all around downtown this past weekend. I actually shot in a few new places due to the Earth Day celebrations happening downtown that day! I don't how I seem to book people with the most beautiful eyes...but Brooke and Jake are yet another example of some stunning ones. I love the fact that some of the following pictures are totally smiley and others are totally badass. I can't wait to take pictures at your wedding this September guys!