2008 March — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

More Snow…

March 31, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

This is getting a little tough to take.
March 31st, the snow was nearly gone yesterday
and it was sunny and 52. It’s just not fair.
We Minnesotans put up with an awful lot
(do I even have to mention Jesse Ventura?)
Yep, another 4-7 inches of the stuff is on
it’s way as I type. It’s just not good.

Find a happy place…..

Hey, I’m attending a seminar on Work Flow
today lead by the wonderful Mr. Dave Johnson
(of National Camera fame).
I’m horrible at managing my time so this is
just what I needed.
The fees collected for today’s classes,
put on by my TCPPA, are going to our charity
partner “Operation Smile”. The call this
“Super Monday” and there are many classes
being held throughout the Twin Cities ranging
from starting a blog to finding the high end
brides and increasing sales…I just thought
that my “time management” selection might,
in the long run, assist me in all the other
areas! Looking forward to it.

Well, it’s official…Owen is 3. We had a big
celebration at Mike & Kindra’s yesterday.
A hugely scrummy brunch and cupcakes! Perfect.

I gave Owen our old 2.1 megapixel Olympus.
He LOVES to take photos, push the buttons and
he’ll have a ton of fun with it (by the way,
it was actually a request from Kindra!)

Topped off with a photo of all the cousins.

Hard to believe this was taken yesterday.
This day will be a total 180! Photos to
follow tomorrow!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday Owen!

March 30, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Owen turns 3 today!
I can’t wait to go over for the
birthday brunch and hear him tell
more stories!

Going to relax today.
Tomorrow I’ll be attending another lecture/class.
This time it’s on work flow & time saving tips.
I so need that!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: birthdays

RNC!

March 29, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Kim Martin made a follow up call yesterday
while I was out. CRAP! Her message was that
she had some more questions for me regarding
the Republican National Convention taking
place here in St. Paul this summer.
They WANT ME!!!!! This will have to go on my
“top 5 list” of things I’ve done. I’m so excited!
Thanks to Heather at Starkey for recommending me.

Huge success with Cory yesterday regarding
my web site. I’m jazzed about the changes
and I know you will like them too.
Just have to hammer out some text swapping
and add some more images.

Oh, and as for this blog…I just got an
itch to change it too.

Here’s Cory’s babies…

Gerty…

And here’s Alice…

I just love them so much!

In closing…I stole this from Gary Fong today.
I absolutely LOVE this…

Life is pretty simple when you think about it.

Observations:
The two most vibrant factors in your
day-to-day existence would be~
a) your finances and b) your weight.
It may sound shallow but when you think
about it, when you can’t pay your bills,
or you can’t fit in your jeans…
doesn’t it wreck your day?
So here’s simple advice:
1) always eat healthy and
2) spend less than you earn.

Thanks Gary, I’ll just add that I’m going
to get off my ass and go for a walk!

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: cat fun, cool opportunities

Thursdays with Owen

March 28, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Apparently, Owen decided that he needed to come
and see me for a haircut yesterday so I squeezed
him in! He is becoming quite the talker…I mean
this guy can talk you into a coma and it’s like
being in a trance. You just listen so carefully
and next thing you know…he’s told you all about
something that either he has already done or is
going to do. Sometimes he tells you stuff that
he did a month ago. It’s really pretty funny.

Anyway, here’s Owen 3 days before he turns 3!

The hat is from his dad (my brother, Mike).
He went to UMD and his broomball team is also
the Bulldogs!

Today’s Minnesota Miracle at the Hilton is going
to be an early one. The family is taking the bus
down due to the fact that their car is apparently
not reliable enough to make the trip so Bob
is going to pick them up at the bus station and
then Cheryl, Mike LeSage & I will greet them back
at the Hilton around 11:30 for a Noon check in.
Shawn Anderson (resident miracle worker and sales
manager at the Airport MOA Hilton) is making
certain that they are able to check in early!
Today’s guest is a 4 year old boy…I don’t know
what type of cancer he has but I can’t help but
transfer that to like my nephew, Owen or my
friend’s son, Will. How sad for a 4 year old
to be going through all this.
It’s why the MOMF started the Minnesota Miracle
weekends with the Hilton. I’m so proud to be a
part of it. I count my blessings everyday!

If you are unfamiliar with what the MOMF or MM
does, please go to their link under “check these out”.

Meeting with Cory later today regarding my web site.
Which also means I get to see
Gerty

& Alice!

Maybe even Bob!

TGIF!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: cat fun, Family, pets

Final 4

March 27, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

No, not basketball silly, days left in March!
Gary, for the past, oh, 20 some years has
always held a “Final Four” party at our home.
Tons of awesome food, cocktails, people…
some even here to watch the games!

The girls started attending when I came into
the picture about 13 years ago but now,
we’re over it. We’d like to plan our own thing
that day.

This year, however, will be different.
We have given that day to my brother Tim and
his wife, Laurie. They celebrate their 25th
wedding anniversary on April 1st and are having
a huge party out at Dahlgreen on the Saturday
of the “final 4″ (April 5th).
I guess we’ll have to put a note on the door,
because people come from all over to Gary’s
soiree…we don’t send invites…people just
show up. It’s really fun, actually.

So this year, no Final Four party at our house.
It was always a great way to get after the
spring cleaning…I’ll miss that! HA!

Tim sheepishly asked me last weekend if I would
consider taking pictures at their party…
he was so cute. “Of course!” I said. “You know
I would have brought my camera along!”

Perhaps I’ll put a little slideshow for them too.

I love you both. Congratulations on 25 years!

Filed Under: Family, Personal Tagged With: Family

G’s new do.

March 26, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Here she is…I have to keep reminding her
that you can’t just keep going from blonde
to brunette and back again~over and over.
I think she get’s it now.
This was her Christmas present (color & cut)
that she finally redeemed!
She’s been dark for quite awhile. I think
we will all agree that we like her a little
bit lighter!

Here’s more kitten shots from Easter @ Baker’s.

Shhhhh…Gary agreed to let me take one and I
don’t want him to change his mind! It’s
better if he just doesn’t remember!
They are so darn cute.

Jacquie, don’t let Scott forget that I offered
to let Jet out. He can e-mail me or call.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Family, kittens, makeovers

Run Fatboy, Run.

March 25, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

This looks hilarious! Run Fatboy Run.
I can’t wait to see it!

Oh, also…another photographer,[b]ecker
(or just simply “[b]” to most) has posted this
quite silly political view by “the onion”.
I think no matter which side you are on,
you will find it to be quite truthful as well.
click HERE

Today G is coming over for a bit of a makeover.
She’s elected to color her hair a couple of
times in recent months and has gone back to her
reddish~brown hair color. Blonde has been a
real eye~opener for her. Altho’ we all like it,
it’s pretty tough and expensive to keep up.
Today we will weigh all the facts and consider
also that she has chosen to attend the
University of Missouri so we will need to select
a color that is a little less “maintenance” filled.
I’ll post photos tomorrow.

Owen turns 3 on Sunday. He is so funny.
He knows the order of everyone’s birthdays…
I asked him on Sunday, “who’s birthday is after
your birthday?” and he goes “Sue-Sue!” so cute.
Love him.

Bye.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Family, movies, Political Humor

Happy belated Easter…

March 24, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I had a post all ready to put up and then I had
to head out yesterday to get my Mom. Sorry.
Happy Easter everyone!

Saturday night Gary and I went out with our good
friends & neighbors Jacquie & Scott and Ron & Cindy.
We went downtown to dinner and then to the Wolves/
NY Nicks game at the Target Center. Oh what fun
we had!

First the Palomino for an early dinner, then the
game, then for a bump at Bellanotte after the game.

Here’s some of the fun…

Wolves won.

(All shot with my 10D and my 50mm 1.4~
You see, they won’t let you in with a big ‘ol
camera and lens. The lens can be no longer
than a drivers license or credit card so I
usually don’t even bother. But I’m glad
I hauled it with this time!)

I’m so grateful for our friends and lucky to
live so close. Thank you Ron & Cindy for the
great times and Thanks Scott & Jacquie for taking
time away from the needy, new puppy, Jet.
Wouldn’t have been the same without everyone there!

13 days ’til my birthday!!!!

Filed Under: Out and About, Personal

No movie for old girls…

March 22, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I’m sorry, but I finally sat down and watched
“No Country For Old Men” last night.
WOW. HUGE waste of time. Such a guy movie.
I may just swear off movies all together.
I love Ethan & Joel Coen…but seriously.
I’m sick of the hype, I’m sick of trailers,
I’m sick of “Oh, wait ’til you see…”,
I’m sick of “And the Oscar for Best Picture
goes to…..” I may just start reading books.

My sister in law shared this with me today.
She only likes to forward either truly funny
things or truly gross things….enjoy THIS.
I’m just happy to see that she can take time
out from being a mom every once in a while and
giggle like a little school girl! tee hee!

I talked with Cheryl MacLennan yesterday for
quite awhile. Cheryl is the liaison for the
photographers for this year’s Starkey Gala
.
I’ll be working the red carpet at the Gala
among other events that week. It’s so fun!
This year the Gala will be on Saturday, June 14th.
I know for sure that there will be 2 parties
at Bill and Tani Austin’s home. One for VIPs
and one for the Celebs that come into town for
the big event. More details to come.

Wolves game tonight with Ron & Cindy, Scott &
Jacquie…dinner at the Palomino first. Yum.
Always a crazy time when we all get together.

Um, and again with the snow today…a few more
inches…it’s salt on last weekend’s margarita!
What the…..!!
Gonna be tough to find all those Easter eggs
tomorrow!

Back to organizing files….

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: starkey, YOUTUBE

Good Friday? hmmmmm…..

March 21, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Yea well, the jury is still out on that one.

As I see it, after being rousted out of bed
by the sounds of snow plows and snow blowers
this morning, it’s like pouring salt on the
proverbial open wound. I truly feel that
“March Madness” has little to do with basketball
and more to do with people going postal
here in in the state of Minnesota in March!
Am I right? I mean, I’m not sayin’,I’m just sayin’.

I’ll be hooking up with Becky (Mitch’s mom) later
today at the Hilton. I believe 2 cancer families
are checking in today for a Minnesota Miracle weekend.

Find a happy place today!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: weather~worthy