Easter

I let Jenna pick out our egg dying kit this year and she chose a kit where you could make marble looking eggs. The kids had a lot of fun with it...and the eggs turned out really neat!

Jacob ready to decorate his egg (he looks so old to me here!!)....
Jenna's favorite....

We went to church Easter morning as usual. For the past couple months we have been looking for a new church, so this was the first Easter Sunday in forever that we haven't either been at our regular church or at my parent's church. It felt weird to be driving somewhere else...but the service was awesome. All week we have been quoting the pastor...."Jesus is alive....Heck yeah!!".

I forewarned my family that we would be taking photos right after church and that they would participate without complaining. It is usually cold or rainy or even snowy on Easter Sunday, but this year was perfect! We stopped at Central to snap a few photos on our way home. This was the first photo I snapped. I'm sure it looks like they are sharing a touching brother/sister moment....but actually they were laughing because Jacob "tooted" (as Jenna says) right when I went to take the photo. I love how it turned out though... It's so them!

Quick family photo courtesy of the self-timer.....

My little girl...always willing to pose for me...

And Jacob...who's not so willing to pose for me, but still will do it once in a while - especially if I make him feel guilty. :)

Suzuki Family {3.10}

During Spring Break I got to take photos of the Suzuki family. If you check my blog frequently, you probably remember Meah - her photo has appeared on my blog many times during the past 4 years. In November I got to meet her new baby brother Cohen and take photos of him as well.

They wanted an updated family photo now that they are a family of 4, so we loaded into their golf cart and headed to the main streets of Rockford to shoot some family photos.

Cohen is 4 months old, so it was time for some updated photos. It was a beautiful day so we headed outside for some photos. I love his rooster tail hair!

Meah is turning 4 very soon. We started with some photos in her bedroom...

...and then moved on to her swingset....

...and finished with some photos uptown. Meah has the cutest personality and I love that it shows up in her photos!

Holmes Co.

While many of our friends were spending their Spring Break on the beach in Florida, or Disney World, or a cruise, or Myrtle Beach...we spent 2 days in Holmes County, Ohio visiting Amish Country with my parents. We stayed in Berlin and spent a lot of time visiting the shops in town, eating lots of good food, and relaxing at the hotel.

Jenna had spotted a sign for buggy rides right away, so we checked it out. A nice Amish man named John took Jacob, Jenna and I for a ride. He talked non-stop during our 15 minute ride and shared a little about his lifestyle and his history. I've read lots of books about Amish, so it was fun to actually talk to someone and learn a little more. He allowed us to take photos, but he tried to stay out of them. He's been doing buggy rides for 10 years, so I'm sure he's used to the photos by now. Jenna and Grandpa walking through Berlin...

I am really fascinated by the whole Amish culture and lifestyle. I've read quite a few fiction books based on Amish culture and loved getting to see some of it in person. I really could have spent more time just driving around the area and snapping photos. Chris and my dad were both patient and stopped the car a few times to let me lean out the window or run across the street for a few photos.

My favorite photo....I saw this house as we were driving to a bakery we had heard about and told Chris he had to stop on the way back. I loved the rainbow of laundry on the giant pulley clothesline!

Jason & Jen {2.13.10}

On Valentine's Day weekend I got to shoot a wedding with Jodi! I was so excited to work with her! She was so organized and laid back and I really had a great time with her! The wedding was at St. Johns Catholic chuch in Delphos, which is a gorgeous church for a wedding. Here are just a few favorites from the day...

Dance to the music.....

Jenna had her first dance competition this past weekend. She was so excited to finally perform! She was only able to do two of her dances at this competition since they didn't allow tap.

Dressed and ready to go for jazz..... Close up of her with all her make up, hair, and her fancy earrings....

Jazz - "New Girl in Town" from Hairspray.....Jenna gets lifted up to be the "homecoming queen"....

She is in the middle row, second from right....

You can't tell, but she is totally making a "dance face" during this pose. She practices them in the mirror!

Ending pose....she is in the middle right - one of the first ones standing up...

Ready for lyrical and waiting oh so patiently between dances. Thank goodness for her Nintendo DS!

Lyrical (ballet)

Close up (Brenda....check out that 1" part in her hair!)...

Gotta love those eyelashes!!! She was excited about them at first, but then couldn't wait to take them off at the end.

Lyrical - "Send it On"

She's front row, second from left...

The end of the dance - she holds a candle out front...