Dancing With Myself

Happy Halloween everyone. A lot of different things to talk about, so lets get right into it, okay? Over the weekend, my twin sister got married outside at a vary cold park. I photographed it for her as she stood frozen under a tree looking at her now-husband. Saturday evening, Me, Jill and Mia went to Andy's hockey game with my half-bro and his kids. They lost 4-2, but it was still a fun evening. Mia EVEN wanted someone to take her out on the large oval ice rink that surrounds the Petit ice arena (it's for speed skaters and open skating) so sure enough, her Dad takes her out. "MOMMY LOOK I'M ICE SKATING!" We could be in for some fun come winter :)

Sunday, I worked then we went trick or treating. Mia had SUCH a blast. The weather was better, a bit windy but temperature-wise not bad at all. She got lots of chocolate (oh great) candy. Halloween has always been one of my favourite holidays. As a kid, you get candy from strangers. As an adult, you get drunk in costumes with your friends. As a parent, you can get drunk in costumes and get your kid's halloween candy (because no kid really needs to eat that much candy right?) This year, like the last few, we just took our kid out. No parties. No big deal.

So Wednesday, Mia got a Halloween package from her grandparents in Illinois. She loved everything in it, including some tattoos. Now, we've tried doing temporary ink with her before and she ends up just putting them on Jill. Wednesday, she wanted them on HER. So, of course I did about 5 that she picked out. It was a great exercise in counting (passed her usual 20) She absolutely loved them and showed them to EVERYONE she could. Kept her sleeves rolled up all day. She also
started her very first dance class. Because she didn't nap all day, she was incredibly difficult. There were about 10 girls in the class, most were into it, others were defiant. Mia just was too tired and crabby to put up with some random lady telling her what to do. We'll see if she wants to do it next week. If it happens again, maybe we'll drop out of it. At home before she passed out on the couch, she was doing the basic ballet moves the instructor was showing her. The instructor seemed a bit scattered-brained, with no real flow to the class. So, we'll see what happens next week.

This weekend, we're doing some engagement photos up in Madison of Jill's old roomie and fiance'. hopefully the weather is good. Sunday, I work and we've got no plans so far. Have a great Halloween everyone!

The Gourd Innards Extraction

Morning! Was incredibly exhausted last night so I didn't get to write so I'll try to knock this out quickly. I've gotta wake up Jill shortly. Over the weekend Jill and I photographed a very country themed wedding in Columbus Wisconsin, which is approximately in the middle of nowhere. In the general Sun Prairie area. Anyways, the weather wasn't the best. Very cold and all day rain was threatening us with and shaking a fist exclaiming "WHO GETS MARRIED AT THE END OF OCTOBER OUTSIDE? MUAHAHA!" Well, kinda. Anyway, the bridesmaids looked awfully cold, but when it was time to go, they were ready. The ceremony was on a bridge and the sun was out! So we were quite happy about that. So like any creative team, we got to work. We used to photograph wedding all the time when we were kid-less so this was kinda fun to do again. I had to climb the very top of the ledge of the bridge to get some photos above the big crowd surrounding the couple. Luckily, I didn't fall in the river.

After the ceremony, the weather started to get ugly, so we didn't get to use the bridge for post-wedding photos, and after a few family and extended family shots, the rain came. On the way to the reception hall, we were bummed about it. Mia was patiently playing with Grandma and Grandpa Chicago during the wedding. Earlier she got to play with animals at the farm which she of course loves.  The reception, we spent most of the time getting as many photos as we could, and 10:30, we called it a night. I had to drive back to New Berlin because of my early shift (well 10am that day) so I made it home by 12:15am.

Wednesday, Mia and I bummed around a bit. Hung out with her Uncle Andy and Grandpa. She drew them some pictures, and shared nicely with Easton. Later after dinner, we carved pumpkins. Last year was "Sesame Street" themed. This year, kitty. I did a Hello Kitty one for her and Jill knocked out an amazing cat pumpkin. Mia loves both of them, so I'm happy. My Hello Kitty pumpkin was quite tricky, but in the end looks cool. we just need some candles. This weekend my sister gets married, we may go to Andy's hockey game, and I work 7-3pm Sunday. After work we're taking our little sea horse trick or treating. May do the morning trick or treating at Pick N Save Saturday while Jill's getting my sister ready for the wedding. Lastly, great win for Chelsea Tuesday. Love watching the highlights after a long day at work. That's all for now! Thanks for reading :)

Take Lots With Alcohol

Hello friends. The day off went pretty quickly. My friend Nicole and I hung out with our kiddos at Kids in Motion for a few hours this morning. Crappy weather required some much needed fun time indoors :) Mia had fun. Lots and lots of kids running amok in the facility. Mia enjoyed playing with the dinosaurs, hitting up the slides and the train room. She played her first game of air hockey against this kid before he flipped upside down and smacked the hell out of his head on the wall. Didn't know where his parents where, so I immediately checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding. Had to go to a meeting shortly after our fun, (which of course, was NOT fun) Mia was super talkative up until we walked in the door and everyone was coming up to her. I gave her a small bag of pretzels and a cup of water. After she finished both she said out loud "DADDY, THIS MEETING IS BORING!" I agree love. Before she got out of hand, we booked it. I got the info I needed for an HSA account and we left.

Other then that, Mia napped later when we got home, and after she woke up, we watched the end of that Toy Story Terror made-for-TV Halloween movie..thing. She enjoyed it. If Mia gets up at a semi-normal time tomorrow, we'll do story time and Friday, of course play group. Saturday, we've got a wedding near Madison in Sun Prairie. First time we've photographed a wedding in quite a few years. Should be fun.

Art wise, just sort of working on this portrait. Really need to get on some other projects. I want to make a new Thrill Factory logo as well as work on the Paper+Plastic commission stuff. It's going to be quite technical, but I think I can knock it out Saturday evening after the wedding. I hope. Alright, time to finish this Guinness and head off to bed. Thanks for reading! :)

Heartthrob

Hey all. Hope everyone's enjoying their week. Over the weekend, my sister had her wedding shower, while my Dad, my bro and I went mini golfing. Let me tell you, it probably wasn't the best idea for us to out when a storm was rolling through. We had the entire course to ourselves which was quite nice. Moved very fast as the heavy clouds were rolling in. Now I've played mini golf every once in a while. Like, once every few years. It's been a while since probably any of us three men. Somehow, I nailed THREE hole-in-ones. Couldn't believe it. The green on every hole was soaked, but I was able to get the best score in the end. And to make the victory sweeter, my bro took a slip in the drink. We all had a good laugh, but I felt pretty bad when later in the day, his volume on his iPhone wasn't working. Phones are expensive and I wouldn't wish anyone the bill of purchasing a new phone. It started pouring as we were heading out. What a day. When we got back, my bro was given his kiddo which promptly ended our "guys day". Didn't get to make it to the bar. Oh well.

Today, like most day offs, Mia and I bummed around visiting family and Jill. Earlier in the afternoon, we left my Dad's earlier and went to the park down the road from my parent's house. After a bit of playing and watching the boys running around, a girl showed up. Maybe, 4 or 5 years old. Probably 4. Anyways, as soon as she stepped foot on the playground, Mia made a point to follow and chase her around. She'd call out "little girl, where are you going?" "Oh Daddy, there she goes again!" "Hi, My name is Mia!" It was adorable. The girl looked a bit annoyed but eventually turned it into a game. It was incredibly entertaining. Later after she had 15 minute nap on the ride home, Jill came home from work and we headed over to Helium Trampoline Park. Jill always wanted to check it out, so we went as a family finally. Busier later in the evening. Lots of kids flipping all over the place. I had the most fun dunking on the basketball hoops. It's a lot trickier then you think.

Trying to get a grip of all the art I need to get accomplished. So many projects, so little time. I need to focus on these little record toppers that Paper + Plastic is putting out. Shouldn't be too difficult. I tend to go straight to my portrait of Mia that I've been working on for quite a while. It's looking really nice. Maybe my best portraits yet. I've done a small handful of portraits of her over the last few years. This weekend, Jill's family is coming up so I hope the weather holds out. I've got a ton of yard work to accomplish. That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

Not The Same

Hey all! As I type this, I've got my little girl sitting on my lap watching an episode of Hello Kitty on Youtube. She's like a teenager, I swear. Anyways, before I get into this week, I'd like to share a first for her and I. Friday, Mia and I went to a Friday Morning Play Group at the local library. There were a good amount of kids in this little room filled with toys. The kids get an hour to play and interact with other ones. Mia was a bit timid at first. But soon relaxed and was playing with some girls. Some were older then her. As soon as her and I sat down in the room, this little girl came right up to me, sat on my lap and complimented Mia on her princess shirt. Throughout the hour, Mia became friends with her. Her name was Grace and Mia really enjoyed playing with her, and her sister Hannah (which may actually be closer to age with Mia) Mia didn't want the playgroup to end, but we'll deffinatly be coming back this Friday. Over the weekend, we were in Illinois for my brother in law's birthday. It was a good visit, and he loved Mia's one-of-a-kind painting (including her key explaining what all of the obscure shapes and colours were). Mia has proven to be a hell of a lot easier with the 2 1/2 hour drive to and from Illinois, which is fantastic.

Today, Mia and I visited one of my best friends Jay, his wife Erin and their brand new baby Caleb. Mia didn't feel like talking, but it was good catching up and seeing their new little addition. Mia seemed more impressed with the wild turkeys wondering his back yard. She also liked Caleb's jungle nursery.  Other then a visit to Grandma and work and Grandpa at home, nothing too exciting to report. This weekend, my sister is having her bridal shower. Lots of family coming in, so it should be a lot of fun. Lastly, Chelsea FC's doing great (which is always wonderful) and the hockey season just started. That's all for now! I've got some NEW interesting freelance art I'm working on, but more on that later Thanks for reading.