2-24, Nik's Birthday

You know how as you get older birthdays aren't as big of a deal anymore?  I'm wondering if we're already seeing that decline with Nikolas.  His birthday was on a Wednesday, so most of his day was consumed with school.  Sven did run out and get donuts for breakfast for a nice sugar-filled send off for his special day.  After school, it was time for karate and after karate Nik's favorite dinner:  sushi.  After dinner, he was even too full to eat his birthday apple pie.  Yes, nothing too terribly exciting.  Over the weekend though, we did take him and his buddies bowling.  Hopefully we can manage to liven things up a bit next year for his birthday.  But, seeing as how Sven and I celebrate our birthdays, I don't think we should get our hopes up too high.  LOL......  Anyway, here he is clocking in at the big 1-4.... good grief....14!!!!  Thank you to everyone who sent gifts!!

3-7, Em in the Studio

It's been awhile since I've had a session-- and I'm ok with that.  Life has been really busy at the Krauss Haus.  Dr's appts for Em's broken finger, mega karate classes in preparation for Nik's black belt test (this upcoming Saturday), Sven in overdrive with interviews and correspondence with interested employers as well as continuing to fulfill his Navy obligations until the very end.  Energy levels seem to be at an all-time low and demands at an all-time high.  We're getting by.  Mostly, it seems, day by day.  But, if survival is the goal then I guess we're winning (though most days by the time we drag ourselves to bed, 'winners' is not the term to describe how we feel!).  So, that's the update for us.  Let's point our spotlight to someone who hasn't run out of steam or smiles-- Miss Emalie.  She continues to dazzle our world, and we love her so much for those little happy breaks she gives us when times get hard.  Here she is helping me set-up for my upcoming session.  (Even if I didn't have real sessions, I think I'd still pretend I did just to coax the kiddos into the studio for these memorable, shared moments!)