Since I know everyone has been on the edge of their seat just *WAITING* for me to post pictures of my kids… thought I’d make good on my promise. Here’s a few snapshots of the kiddos enjoying the beach!

Just in case any of you are looking for a super cool condo in Orange Beach, I highly recommend Phoenix West! It’s right on the beach… PLUS has a super cool water slide, lazy river & zero entry pool! The units are UBER nice too…. around 2000SF so everyone isn’t right on top of each other. We’ll definitely be going back!

I just have to start this whole thing off by saying that I am literally just SOOOOO proud of my boys today. I mean, of course, I’m proud of them all the time - it’s just that today… well, it feels like a home run!!!

Second - Report cards came out today! This was Jackson’s very first report card & he was just a little nervous & excited. It was really kinda cute! I’m proud to report that he made all G’s (good) which is the best grade you can get when you’re in Kindergarten. Another interesting tidbit - in the conduct column, his teacher typed in “Is such a joy to have in class.” WOW. I’m speechless. Anyone who knows Jackson knows what a miracle accomplishment this is. Again, WOW.

Second - Nathan won the 4H photography contest at school! Naturally, I’m just giddy! When he brought home a flyer telling about the contest, we looked over each category… and I have to admit that I kinda, sorta, possibly gave him a nudge toward the photography category. He got a 1st place ribbon & will be competing at the next level! Here’s his winning photo, he named it “Amazing Sunset”. haha!

And what else did I get today with Nathan’s report card? His nomination for Beta Club, that’s what! Amazing!

And last, but CERTAINTLY not least…. Tucker made the A honor roll & was nominated for the National Honor Society!!!! I’m jumping up & down!!!! Can you tell?!?! Or should I use more exclamation marks?!?!?!!!!!

WAY TO GO, BOYS!!! I’m so proud of you… and I know you’re excited too. I told you all that hard work would pay off! I love you!<3<3<3

Now that I’m home from vacation & have re-joined the real word (boo!)… thought I’d blog a few photos in between editing, scheduling, and answering 562 emails. (!) Here are some of my faves from Brittni’s senior session. Get ready for photo overload - the camera *LOVES* this girl!

I was really loving the light here!!!

and the famous yellow chair that I *cough* found on the side of the road….(yes, people, I’m weird like that!)

Promise to post some pics of my kiddos just as soon as I can get through this fat pile of work! Not that I’m complaining…. apparently since I’m “recently beachy” I’m not allowed to gripe… right Kendale & Rachael? *wink wink*

I’m on vacation! WEEEEEEEEEEE! I love the beach *so* much that I honestly believe I must’ve been a beach bum in another life. *wink wink*

I’ll definitely be sharing some personal photos soon, but for now I thought I’d share one from this morning’s mini session at the beach. I’m not sure this one qualifies as a beach portrait considering it was taken in the parking lot, but I thought she looked beautiful!

Angie - I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your vacation!

EVERY SINGLE DAY I say to myself (did I just admit that I talk to myself?) “Self, you need to blog today!”

And then, well……. life happens. Life with 4 kids… and a husband with a fireman’s schedule (all you fireman’s wives out there know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!)… and then there’s always that silly ole thing called WORK (which for me encompasses a whole list of things)… and then boy scouts and football and dance class and homework and projects and facebook (shutup Eric) …. well, you get my drift. I’m going to quit making excuses (I hear you… “here she goes again” lol) and get back to bloggin’. Regular-like. And if I don’t… well, then, y’all can start floggin’ me! (not sure what flogging really means, or where it came from, but it sounds kind of painful so take it easy!) *wink wink* Hmmm… blogging vs. flogging. heh.

So anyway … in celebration of Tuesday, and since I’ve never, ever done a “Ten on Tuesday” post in my life, here are 10 random updates/things/excerpts.. a few of which may embarrass the kiddos my kids may enjoy in years to come. After all, what are blogs for? *baaa hahaha!*

1) I turned 33 on September 7th. I’m thirty-something. I seriously hate getting older… and think it really stinks that birthdays seem to come so quickly now! Don’t you all remember when you were 10, and it seemed like it took foreeeeeeeeever for your birthday to come around? I vividly recall it feeling like my birthday only came once every 7 years - now it feels more like a bi-annual event or something. And instead of presents, you get wrinkles. Boo.

2) My kids say the funniest things! On the way home the other day, Nathan announces that he knows all about black widow spiders, and of course… Nathan being Nathan & all… he felt he must share this newfound wisdom with the masses. “Did you know that after two black widows get married, the wife kills the husband? That’s why they call them black widows.” Same car ride, 5 minutes later… “Was it only a glacier that sunk the Titanic or was an octopus involved?” Sheer genius.

3) Recently, I’ve noticed my wrinkles are multiplying like rabbits (see #1 re: getting old), so I’ve decided it’s time to get serious. I need to pause here & say: thank you, Jesus, for not putting a Sephora near me. I’m doing enough damage online. Amen. Okay… back to business. I’m seriously loving Philosophy skin care products. Specifically, the purity made simple (facial cleanser) and hope in a jar (moisturizer)… but the real STAR of the show is… drumroll please… Philosphy’s Microdelivery Peel. Can I just say, I got a sample application of this stuff… and I am IN LOVE. If you’d like to try it, you can get a little sample kit if you spend $25 at Sephora. And c’mon, who can’t spend $25 at Sephora? Here’s the code (thank me later): PHL45 - it’s awesomeness, guaranteed. Your skin will be baby soft!

4) Pause for pictures (because I know that’s what you’re really here for):

I went to high school with the mom of these 3 precious kiddos… aren’t they the CUTEST?!? Man, I feel for her… I sure do miss mine being little, but BOY! They’re an awful lot of work when they’re young. Wait - they’re an awful lot of work when they get older too. Then they turn into teenagers. Which scares me! But anyhoo, Maranda & Chuck, you definitely have 3 beautiful babies! For the record, I know these look “summery”, that’s because they are. I forgot to blog them… so sue me. *wink wink* or scroll wayyyyyy up & see disclaimer about life happening, yadda yadda.

5) I finally got to go to a photography thing! Granted, I should have taken a boat vs. the Tahoe, but still - I finally got to go to a photography thing!
WPPI Road Trip at the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta, GA. Such awesome speakers & I learned so much! Kirk Voclain was an absolute IDIOT (and I mean that in a GOOD way). If you ever have an opportunity to hear him, don’t miss it… I laughed so hard my face hurt. And check out his work… the photos in the water are taken with a Canon G9! Ridiculous!

6) I’m still looking for the *perfect* house plan… starting to think my husband will bury me in the back yard if I don’t pick one soon. He’s got the building bug. (Have to admit, I’m anxious too, I’m getting a S.T.U.D.I.O.!!!!)

7) Monday night madness has begun at the Arnold household. I’m still trying to figure out how in the world we scheduled every activity known to man on Monday night. We have football practice at 5:30pm, dance class at 6pm, and webelos (boy scouts) at 6:30pm. All at different places, of course. What fun would THAT be? I knew I hated Mondays for a reason.

Picture Pause #2 at one of my favorite photo spots! CUUUUUTE couple… and just look at her! She looks fabulous pregnant. I’m so jealous.The little one is already here & doing great. You might guess he’s cute as a button by looking at his parents! CONGRATS!

9) I am a facebook addict. Okay, there… I said it. I hope my husband doesn’t read this because he’s always giving me crap for it. I love catching up with all of my buddies from high school and college and work and old jobs and well, you get the drift. It’s a nosey person’s paradise!

10) I’m so excited to be going to the BEACH! I deserve a vacation… haven’t been on one since DisneyWorld back in the spring. I’ll be in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL area from October 11th - 17th & have a few mini beach sessions left. Packages start at $75 & include prints. Email me at stephanie@stephaniearnoldphotography.com for more info!