After a busy weekend, I am posting only a quick peek!  More tomorrow…

And to up the mommy love factor, I was joined by my own amazing mommy who is joining the Red Gecko Studio family for the year!

I hope that all of you had wonderful & warm Mother’s Days everywhere. 

A few days ago, I realized one thing about this birthday that makes me very happy.  In some capacity or another, photography has officially been my preferred method of artistic expression for HALF MY LIFE.  I find it somewhat amazing to have done or been any one thing for half of a lifetime.  What started as a class I took in school just 14 years ago, at the age of 14, has now become my daily passion and my career.

It is with this milestone in mind that I step into this new year of my life with a barrage of emotions and ideas.  This year, I will grow my business.  I will hone my craft.  I will attend my first conferences and workshops as a professional photographer and entrepreneur.  I will do my absolute best work for each bride and groom who have entrusted me with the documentation of their special and unique wedding day.  I will meet new people.  I will give my all.  I may even write a book. 

My birthday is a day that I’ve come to see as an excuse to splurge a little on myself.  This year, I thought it appropriate to splurge on some new shoes to wear on some of my adventures.  I walked into DSW Shoes (my very favorite shoe shop) with every intention to buy a pair of sensible, responsible, and comfortable shoes for the blustery winter months.  And then, I laid eyes on a pair of fun, sexy, and very IMPRACTICAL red heels…

This year, I will shoot a session in these shoes.    This year, I will splurge on more cute heels.  Life isn’t always practical, so why treat it that way?

Thank you so much to my family & friends for being so supportive to me on this journey into adulthood – I love you all so much.  Thanks also to my Facebook friends, who showed me more love than I think I’ve ever felt from friends on any other birthday, and to you guys- my blog readers who put up with my silly posts about big plans & cute shoes.

This year, I am thankful to officially be called a grown-up. It’s not because I’m married. It’s not because I’m officially a home-owner. It’s not even because I’m a tax-paying business owner approaching my thirties more quickly than I’d prefer. Nope. This year, I’ve reached grown-up status because I cooked my first Thanksgiving turkey! I began my foray into holiday dinner hosting in May of 2008 with my first Easter ham, and this year I graduated to the most challenging of poultry dishes. According to Mom, I passed with flying colors- but she’s my mom, she has to say that.Â

I grew up watching Martha Stewart with my mom, so the bar was always set high for an attractive holiday table. It was fun to put together a little theme and let my creative juices flow!

Quite a while ago, I bought a set of silver placecard holders (ya gotta love Target clearance). I had no idea when I’d use them, but luckily they were easily accessible for this special occasion. I decided to incorporate images from our 2007 Thanksgiving celebration. Mom is preparing her famous mashed potatoes in her photo:

I think she really liked hers!

Attention brides: don’t be afraid to register for that nice crystal or the silver candlesticks. If you make occasion to use them, you’ll enjoy it! Thanks, Gramma Marge and Emily and Cheryl (or Mom Haberman).

A quick shot of our fireplace mantle all dressed up for the upcoming holidays:

Moms are always an enormous help at the holidays and on big occasions like this. Thanks for being there, Mom!

Mom loves all her kids. It’s especially fun to mimic Luke’s froggy smile, though:

The puppies love it when Auntie Mariah visits. She lets Panda get closer to licking her face than anyone else in the family. And she looooves pictures with the puppies!

The puppies’ cousin, Maddie the Chihuahua-Jack-Russel mix, came along for the fun, too.

Meanwhile, the boys relaxed and watched the Packers.

Basting the turkey…it smelled SO good!

Mom wasn’t the only one working, I basted as well. It was my turkey, after all!

While we babysat the turkey, Mariah did a great job of peeling red potatoes for Mom’s famous dish:

We tried to introduce Mariah to good beer, a la Fat Tire. She’s gotta grow out of this PBR phase someday soon!

On the other hand, Luke was drinking something called “Steel Reserve” and felt that deserved a Zoolander “Blue Steel” impression:

Warning, BLURRY image coming up…but I was really proud of my turkey.Â

Isn’t it beautiful? 20 pounds of pure yummy…

And Eric took on the husband’s task…carving!

After we all enjoyed a satisfying meal, we set up a few family portraits, like always…

And with this goofy one ends my Turkey Day Tale. Happy Holidays everyone!