Experimenting

Recently I've been working a lot on some new techniques, and what better way to do it than with the flowers my husband brings me! Yes, I am still spoiled rotten....
Maria

Textures

Last Saturday I headed up to Brookings for an engagement session. Since Kris was working at his internship, Cory Ann gave me reason to stick around pretty much the entire day! Her idea was for a photo safari of textures. We had so much fun battling the cold to get some awesome images!
Maria

Thanksgiving

This past Thanksgiving, as some of you may already know, Kris and I traveled to Huron to be with his family. Having spent last year around my family, it was my first experience of the Gross traditions.
On Thanksgiving, the entire family gets together to eat turkey, potatoes, stuffing, etc. After stuffing their bellies full from the meal, they bring out pounds of candy and pre-made structures for making gingerbread houses! It's such a unique idea, because most people create them closer to Christmas. I had a blast watching the kids dig into the scrumptious candies and lick their fingers covered in icing!

Here are a couple portraits from the day

Thanksgiving night, after we all had time to let our stomachs settle, we had the 10th Annual Gross Thanksgiving Soup Cook-Off. Taste testing started with a large bowl filled to the brim , but didn't last long before we demanded half-cup sizes! (None of us wanted to try stuffing nearly 16 cups of soup into our stomachs - just for a cook-off!!!) Each family member kept track of their favorite soups, and, after tasting all 8 recipes, we tallied up the scores to determine the winner. You'll never guess who the winner came out to be! (No sillies, not me. I suck at cooking.) My husband!
Maria

Here is Chef Kris preparing his pasta e fagiole before the contest

Huron 2

One more image from our adventure over the trellis at Thanksgiving
Maria

Halloween

I know that it's past the deadline for a New Year's resolution, but I've been trying to back-date my postings to cover some of the things I did last year. For all of you that have been patiently waiting, thank you! I promised I would get them up soon!

Every Halloween, after I insist that Kris dress up as Captain Jack Sparrow, (because he could be Johnny Depp's twin) we carve pumpkins. This past October we were lucky enough to have Kris' cousin Alex join us in our creative tradition. Even though we had seeds and pumpkin strings strewn all over the kitchen counters, it was all worth the mess after seeing our final creations.
P.S.
Just because you have a pattern that shows EXACTLY where to make your cuts for the image on a pumpkin DOES NOT mean it will be equally as easy...
Maria

Here's mine

Kris' (funny it's the Pirate's of the Caribbean)

Alex's

Our pretty pumpkin lights we strung along the front walk-way

Ashley + Jonathan: 01.12.08

Even though there was freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, Ashley and Jonathan's wedding was packed full of fun and warmth.
I was very excited that these two were not afraid to schedule their day during one of our coldest and snow-packed months; it made for some unique images (not ALL people get the opportunity to see snow in their lifetime) and who doesn't just want to cuddle with the one they love when the wind's blowing? Needless to say, it didn't take much to see the love between Ashley and Jonathan while shivering during some portraits.
After the ceremony, we traveled about 30 miles to where the reception took place in Marshall, MN. Eveything was decorated with beautiful snowflakes and lights, along with the scrumptious looking cake and a full candy "bar". I had such a fabulous time, and enjoyed the energy and fun that Ashley and Jonathan's friends and family brought to their day. Thanks you two!
Maria


Before the ceremony, I had a chance to steal Ashley's shoes and capture this.

Some alone time right before heading down the isle.

What spunk Ashley had the entire night!!

Vintage Hollywood

As I was attempting to find a way to photograph my new do last night, I decided not to take just any image. I grabbed my hubby and went to work on playing with some new techniques. I hope you like them!
Maria

This makes me think of an actress head shot for an old horror film.

Mr. Potato Head

While I was at my parents for Christmas, I kept busy entertaining my niece. She'll be 2 in April, and she's loads of fun! As it was getting late one night, I took her downstairs to look for some toys to keep her occupied. Coincidentally, my parents have kept every last board game, Barbie, tractor, and record that we ever had as kids. I started handing KD Barbies, and I happened upon our Mr. Potatoe Heads! Once I reached for it, KD got really excited and couldn't put the thing down. Apparently this has to be cheapest and most entertaining toy anyone could have come up with! It kept her busy for hours, as I knew it would.

P.S.
Am I the only one that used to put the ears in my ears and the lips in my mouth, thinking they could really make me look like a Potatoe Head??? Oh, and the little hats on my head!
Maria

Here's a couple images of the 10 yr old Mr. Potatoe Head getting used...and possibly abused.

He looks a little exhausted.

Hangin' with Ayden

This past fall, Kris and I headed up to Brookings while Cory Ann and Erin traveled to Iowa for a wedding.
Ayden kept us on our toes with all the activities he came up with! Lucky for me Kris has just as much energy as a 5 year old!!
Maria

Rockstar!

Here they are playing soccer. I think Ayden got his mad soccer skills from his mom - he might even be the next Beckham!

This is Ayden's pet turtle Martha. Isn't it great how fascinated they both seem to be by her?

I came into Ayden's room where he had all of these animals perfectly lined up. He informed me that they were having a battle with the cars on the other side..... is that even possible???? I wonder if they've ever tried it in real life.........hmmm...