Santa Babies

It's time for a little vacation. All the client Christmas cards and orders are done (although I know there are a few orders coming in next week). My Christmas cards are in the mail. Yes, I know, you're thinking "Finally! We always get the Thaemert's cards after Christmas." Next year I think I'm going to get them done in October. LOL

Anyway, I had a couple of recent babies and just had to put the santa hat on them. The little guy on the towels is only a couple of weeks old. I wasn't even going to work on their session until next week but I couldn't resist this one shot. I can't wait to prepare the rest of the session for viewing.

Today's tasks include baking sugar cookies, finishing the wrapping, running to the store for a couple of last-minute items and getting our Church clothes ready for tomorrow. I think I'll put the kids in the studio in their Christmas clothes today as well. Tomorrow will be too hectic for photos.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas! Now, here are those cute babies (click on the photo to see it a bit larger):

Sing Choirs of Angels!!!

Hello friends! I have no photos to share with this update. I've just spent the past 4 days in 6 performances of The Boar's Head Festival at my church. Wow! I love this weekend.

I started out a week ago Sunday with absolutely NO voice and completely determined to be able to perform. Monday afternoon, I saw my doctor and was given some GOOD meds. Tuesday, I thought I was dying. The medicine had some serious side-effects. By Wednesday, I was starting to get my upper range back, but was still honking out the low notes. Somehow (through God's grace) I was able to sing with the choir on Thursday night and even muddled through my solo. I never did recover completely in my lower range, but was able to sing to my heart's content in today's performances. After 6 performances, I'm actually stronger today than 4 days ago. The healing continues. :)

Thank you to all who held me (and the other performers) in prayer this week. It was much appreciated. For those of you who have no idea what the Boar's Head Festival is, I'll give a quick run-down. It's basically two stories in one, with the Christmas story of Christ's birth the main focus. The first half of the show is set in medieval times in a King's court. There is a FULL attendance of courtly people and they perform for the king (dancing, singing, fun and games of the jesters...) In the second half of the performance, we move into the Christmas story. The choir sings with the angels to the shepherds and tell of the birth of Christ. The wisemen make their trek and at the end all bow down and worship - including the king. The music is wonderful and it's a big let-down each year when the weekend concludes.

We were blessed with 6 terrific performances and a full-house each time. Now, it's time for me to rest my voice and prepare for the Christmas services. (We're doing part of the Messiah in one of the choirs I'm in.)

Our Christmas tree is finally up. I guess I could have shared a photo tonight. But, since it's not handy, it'll have to wait. I hope you are all in preparation for Christmas. Blessings to you!

Karen Thaemert

Snow DAY!!!!

Thursday night brought in the first snowstorm of the season. The kids enjoyed a wonderful Friday in the fresh-white outdoors.

Before I share my photos, I have to share a "funny"... On Thursday night, Rachel added to her portion of family prayers, "Please let it keep snowing so we can have a snow day." Scott quickly added his portion, "No, please let the snow stop so I can go to school and learn a lot."

Oh my goodness, that's so adorable. You can tell he's in kindergarten and loves it.

Anyway, the kids had a wonderful time. Sarah's one goal was to make snow-angels. They all wanted to shovel the snow from the driveway, but once they realized that below the thin layer of snow was about 4-inches of ice they decided that sledding would be more fun!

When they returned indoors, they were treated to hot chocolate and a blazing fire in the wood stove. It can't get any better than that for a kid!

So, here's my photo share!







Thanks for visiting! Remember to leave a comment if you stopped by and if you want an easier way to track my new entries, consider subscribing to a reader service like "Sharp Reader" or another one that you trust.

Karen Thaemert

Thanksgiving Fun!

Well, Thanksgiving was a little more than a week ago, but my blog company has been fritzing out (again) and I'm just now getting around to sharing these.

The first photo is Donna, Rachel, (Leah) and I in the kitchen getting things ready on Wednesday evening. Donna's on my back because we're laughing at how we need to cook together in such a small kitchen. LOL We're literally on top of each other. :)




Rachel is helping with her first pie-crust. I also recruited her to help pull bread apart into pieces for the stuffing and I taught her how to make "Pink Stuff". You can't have a holiday meal on my side of the family without Pink Stuff.


Scott learned how to play Spyro on the boy's old Playstation (1) and was completely addicted from the beginning. They sent it home with us and he's in little dragon heaven. I think Randy enjoyed it just as much now as he used to when he first got the game.


This last photo is actually back in Missouri on Saturday following Thanksgiving. This is Chase (my nephew-dog). No one posed him for this shot. He just found a spot under the foot-rests of the couch and this pillow must have just been there. He's such a pampered pooch!



It was a nice time up in Michigan we got to stay at my Dad's, visited with Grandma P. and Beth and Uncle Richard and everyone at Donna's house (we missed you Mike and Bobie) and my good friend Amanda, her husband Tony and their kids.

Now we just need to get some of you northerners to come down here for a visit. (hint hint).


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All in the Family

I've been busy, busy with photo editing. Welcome to "crunch time". All my available time is spent proofing photos and getting them ready for ordering. I can't believe tomorrow is the first of December!

So, here's a family I photographed this past weekend. We met at Forest Park and the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. I was a bit disappointed that the fountain in front of the World's Fair Pavilion was off and the water had been drained, but it worked out anyway.

Here are the kids (in all their various ages). What a terrific family!

And finally.... the little princess! All those big brothers to look after her.

Thanks for selecting me to capturing the family!

Trying to update

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm spending this week trying to get my webpage RSS feed ready. Bear with me and I'll get it going soon.

I've had bunches and bunches of sessions. Check out the client galleries. I havn't updated my regular galleries.

Remember, the deadline for getting photos for Christmas is November 30th!

Brownies, Children and Weddings

Wow, it's been an adventerous week. I came on my blog site and noticed that Monday's post wasn't fully published. Who knows why? At least I got it up for viewing now. It also appears that the last of the yellow bucket poses didn't make it in the post. I'll share it today.

Tomorrow I have the honor of taking photos of my daughter's Brownie troop. I'm going to teach them a little about my equipment and then we'll dwell on posing and tips for females. I wonder how I'm going to get all 22 of them together for the group photo. They are a little "excitable" in the afternoons.

I've gotten a couple of calls this week for future photo sessions. I want to formally and publicly thank my happy clients who are spreading the word of my services and handing out referral cards. I really do appreciate you! This week I've taken calls for future One-year-old Birthday portraits (gotta love the messy cake shots!), a high school senior and two weddings. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I look forward to many more happy clients.

Ok, here's the last of the photos from Monday's post. I love this close up of this little doll:



I want to also take a moment to give "faith" to the moms and dads who bring their adorable children to me. Please, please don't worry if they throw a little fit. It's completely natural for a 1-year-old to do that. (8 year olds do it on occasion too!) I have a lot of patience and I'll make sure we have some wonderful "keepers" in your photo session. Not every "trick" works on every child, but rest-assured, I have a LOT of tricks.

Until next time! Thanks for visiting.

Karen Thaemert

p.s. I promise to get back to the Randy/Leah wedding soon. They are still on the old compter. Keep checking back all you Michigan family!

Got a new computer!

Hello everyone! Sorry to be absent again. I spent the latter part of last week gearing up for a computer switch and then I spent the weekend setting up my new computer. I actually went and picked it up on Friday afternoon. I put the new computer together after supper and was very disappointed to find that it wasn't working! I got a lemon. So Saturday, I went back and switched it out for another one and now I'm enjoying a boost in power, speed, and productivity!

I havn't gotten back to the wedding pictures. Sorry. They are still on the old computer and I need to move them over first.

Two weekends ago I spent Saturday at an auction down the street from our house. My wonderful find was a pair of antique chairs with red velvet and exceptionally short legs. I thought they would be perfect for studio photos! I was really looking forward to using the chair in my session last week. Well, this little guy was exceptionally good and willing to pose. We tried valiently to get his little sister to join him and she wanted NO part of my chair.

I'll share some of my favorite photos from that session.

More Wedding Pictures

We didn't do much today. It was cool and we had a little bit of drizzle. This afternoon was nice enough to play outside.

I worked on a few more wedding photos. The ceremony ones were taken from my seat. I'm short, but not quite that little. Hee hee.

You can see any of the photos in larger form by clicking on them. It'll bring up a new window and a bit larger print.

In this last one, Randy is watching Leah come down the isle. His expression was so terrific and happy, I knew I need to capture it in a photo. The one of the girls just above Randy's picture is the girls watching Randy come down the isle with Donna and Karl. Here are a few more:

That's all for now. I'll post more soon.

Business news - It's time to think about your family Christmas portraits. We can do indoor sessions or outdoor ones. Call soon to schedule your appointment. Available timeslots are sure to fill up quickly.

Have a wonderful day friends!

Karen Thaemert

Finally, an update

Well, it's been a while since I posted. We enjoyed our trip to Michigan over Labor Day. Randy and Leah were married!! The kids had a wonderful time. Scott kept asking, "Isn't this great, Mom? Isn't this great?" Rachel danced the entire night away with her dad and a little bit with Uncle Tom. (She loved it, Tom!) Sarah was a dancing, twirling machine. That beautiful, fluffy dress was perfect for spinning around!

Since the Michigan trip, I've spent all my time trying to either catch up or keep up. I finished proofing a senior session from the week before the holiday. Here's a little peek from that session:

It was fun using the car as a prop. Our outdoor photos were all taken at New Town. It was fun there. A little bit of urban, a little bit of class.

Everyone has been asking me if I have been through the pictures from the wedding. Well, as a matter of fact, no I haven't. LOL Seriously, I was busy with pictures from clients and it wasn't until tonight that I actually started looking at my wedding snapshots. I wasn't the hired photographer and I had to be careful to grab my photo opportunities without getting in their way. (One photographer and her two assistants.)

Here are a couple from the wedding:

Ladies first. I'll get some guy photos put up next. Leah, you were simply gorgeous!

I also had the opportunity, while in Michigan to shoot Amanda's Senior portriats. I will work on those next and will share some soon.

It's fun to read your comments. I'd love it if you'd either put your last name or your last initial. Sometimes I have to guess who posted. Christie - the earings are doing wonderfully. There is no pain and the girls barely remember they are in. I'm looking forward to buying them earings as gifts. (That would make nice Christmas gifts!)

Thanks for checking in even when I wasn't posting. I'm getting caught up here so I shouldn't be as delinquent for a while.

Karen Thamert

Up-Do's and Earings

Happy Sunday to you! We started out the day bright and early (actually it was rainy/dark and early when I got up). Last night, after showers, I put sponge rollers in the girl's hair with hopes of having curls today. It actually worked better than I expected. The last time I attempted rollers was when Rachel was four. The curls didn't hold back then. Both girls looked simply adorable in curls and tied in a bandana. And NO, I didn't snap any photos. Sorry. It took so long to get them done last night that I was just ready to send them to bed.

This morning, the up-do's went much better than they had on Saturday afternoon. The sponge rollers really made a difference! I think we'll be ready by the day of the wedding.

Here's a quick photo of the girls right before we dashed out the door for church. I hope you like it, Leah! Sarah's looks better in this picture, but I actually thought Rachel's turned out better. Her hair is just enough darker that it's hard to see in this shot.

So, as the title of today's entry indicates, there are also EARINGS in the day's happenings. The girls and I went to the mall and they each got their ears pierced. We went directly from the mall to an outdoor birthday party (complete with water balloons, silly string and mud) so Rachel was in no condition for pictures tonight.

Their earings match and are white gold "diamonds". We let Sarah go first because she's a bit braver. They each did very well and are extremely excited for all these fun changes. Rachel almost chickened out on the way to have them done, but eventually got over her anxiety and decided that if Sarah was going to do it, she could too.

Scott and Kirk spent back-breaking hours at his parent's house today. The men were splitting wood for our winter warmth. There's enough wood for the entire winter for all three families with some left over. Is it almost that time again? It's hard to think about wood-burning stoves when the air conditioning is still on. Scott and his cousin spent the day scooping up sawdust and hanging out with Grandma.

I have a high-school senior portrait session tomorrow. I'm praying for good weather! At this point it's about 50/50 in the rain predictions. I enjoy the teens. It's fun working with them and they all come with their own ideas. We're planning on a car-photo too.

There's still time to schedule high school senior portraits. Call me soon to schedule your teen. Many Seniors are getting their required photos done where the school dictates and are coming to me for the fun, "everything else" shots. Now that fall is looming, and the heat is less intense, your outdoor sessions will be wonderfully pleasant.

Thanks for keeping in touch. As always, leave me a note or drop me an email when you visit.

Karen Thaemert

She's Unique!

Now that school's back in full-swing, our days are pretty much the same. I babysit the neighbor's little girl every morning. She loves playing with Sarah and they carry baby dolls around almost the entire time.

After lunch I spend time with Scott. I can tell he needs some "Mom time" when he gets home from school. I'm really proud of him. He's so diligent with his homework. He's already completed his two homework pages that were sent home on Monday and due on Friday. They're working on "Letter People" in Kindergarten and have Mr. M (with a Munching Mouth) this week.

For our entertainment this evening, my free-spirited Sarah shows up wearing every one of the new headbands I just bought for the girls. A little while later, she is called up from the basement to get her jammies on and has some new SHOES on her feet. In reality, the shoes are toilet paper wrapped around her feet and ankles and then taped securely.

Of course, these will be the pictures I share with you today. They are just quick snapshots taken with my digital point-and-shoot camera, but it does the trick. What do you think of my little Diva?

There's one more thing to notice in the above photos. Sarah's standing in the newly painted living room. I still need to buy/make curtains and buy new shades. The windows are very plain and exposed, but the nice light tan-colored walls are visible. We also don't have anything hanging on the walls. I plan on taking a family portrait and having a large canvas print created for over the couch. I'll need to go shopping and get us coordinating clothing before we venture outdoors with the camera. Kirk will make the frame and then we'll be ready for the walls.

I have a sample canvas print in my studio. I think everyone should have at least one large family portrait prominently hung in their homes. Let me know how I can help you!

Take care! Jot down a comment so I know you stopped by!

Karen Thaemert

Rachel's new "do"

Well, Rachel's new haircut isn't much different than what she looked like the last time she got it cut, but her teeth are grown in a bit and she's definitely changing in to a sweet young lady. I had to bribe her to do these photos. I gave her a pink lip-gloss and she was "all mine" for about 15 minute.

I moved my lights around to a position that I don't often use and it worked wonderfully for her since glasses-glare is often a problem. Not this time!

So, here they are. Let me know what you think of my "little" girl. (To see a larger version, just click on the image and it'll bring it up in another window.)





I'm excited and can't wait to get some of these photos printed. Let me know if you want one!

We had some excitement around here tonight! The neighbor down the street called and told us that the Mid-grade gas at the station closest to us was only $1.87 a gallon. Word spread quickly and everyone flocked to fill up. Kirk took my car and the gas can. It was only that grade of gas and it wasn't advertised. We think it was a mistake and enjoyed being able to get in on it. Too bad the truck is diesel. My tank in the Neon is so small that my savings aren't nearly as good as someone with a larger one.

Other than that - it was a normal Thursday. Well, mostly normal. Adult Choir hasn't started up yet, so I was home tonight.

Thanks for stopping by! I'll make sure I share your comments with Rachel. Leave her a few - ok?

Karen Thaemert

First day of School 2006-2007

Today was the FIRST day of school. Rachel started third grade and Scott started Kindergarten. It was very exciting for both of them. We dropped Scott off first and then took Rachel down to her classroom. Rachel couldn't wait for us to leave. Ha! She needed to get down to business and put her last couple of things in her desk.

The big news is that I didn't CRY. I did come close to it when I told Sarah and the neighbor baby (the one I babysit) that today was Scott's first day of school and that it was just us at home this year. I quickly got them buckled in the car and composed myself. Not too bad. We'll see how mom fares next year.

Here are two quick shots. I have a couple more, but didn't want to take the editing time away from my other necessary to-do's for this evening.

Don't you just love that second photo. They are holding hands as they walk to the door. So sweet. Those are some pretty full backpacks too, huh?

Oh and I also got Rachel in the studio for a "new hair" session this afternoon. They turned out wonderfully. I'll put them online in tomorrow's blog entry. Make sure you pop in tomorrow. I had to bribe her to get her to come down. I put a little blush and powder on her face and then bought her a pink lip gloss from my Mary Kay closet. Good bribery works every time!

Thanks for stopping by. Leave a message in the comments so I know who was here! I love reading them (and your emails too).

Karen Thaemert

Our Last Horrah!

Today is our last day of summer vacation. I took the kids to the zoo for our last summer outing. This is the first zoo trip without a stroller since my days before kids. A very significant milestone for sure.

Highlights include our search for the waving lizzard. We failed but enjoyed ourselves none-the-less. On our last visit to the herpitarium, there was a lizzard that would wave at us. He was so funny and the kids just loved him. They havn't forgotten and talk about it all the time. It was high on Sarah's list to find him again. Unfortunately, they changed some of the displays again and we didn't find him.

We ate our lunch fairly early and were soon ready for a snack. I splurged and bought 4 bowls of Dippin' Dots. What a refreshing treat. I got Oreo, but I wish I had gotten Rainbow like the kids each selected. Yum!

The orangutans weren't outside today. We have yet to find them active. The giraffe was friendly and was eating hay right by the sidewalk. We arrived at the Sea Lion's area just in time to watch them get fed. We were all entertained by them!

Amazingly enough, after we left the zoo and started the hike back to the car, Scott and Sarah were still RUNNING. One gentleman going the opposite direction made a funny comment. He said, "Mom, you didn't make them walk enough. They aren't worn out." No kidding!

None of the kids fell asleep on the way home either. I was happy about that though, because I wanted them to go to bed easily, which they did. So, here are a few photos. It was beautiful but very sunny!

Last night we starting moving furniture into the newly painted front room. We're making that the living room now and the other one will become the dining room. I love how it turned out. Now I need to find some fabric for curtains and get something to replace the blinds. Photos of the room will be a project for another day.

Until next time!

Karen Thaemert

Happy Birthday Scott

Join with me in celebrating Scott's 6th birthday. He had a very exciting two days. Yesterday we had a party at the bowling alley. There were 5 boys (ages 4-6) and they played Bumper Bowling. Scott had the highest game at a whopping 91. He even beat the girls (Rachel, Sarah and a classmate of Rachel's). Ice-cream cake and presents were done next door at Dairy Queen.

Today we had School Registration Day and picture day and take your supplies to your classroom day. Wow, my kids were wound up! Pretty much all the supplies are at school and waiting for the kids to return on Wednesday. We kept Scott's gym shoes at home for a few more days so that we can continue teaching him to TIE his shoes!

Rachel has a new hair cut. I didn't get her in the studio today for photos. Perhaps tomorrow! Scott however DID make it for his 6-year-old Portrait session. He and I had such a fun time. He was a little "stiff" so I started singing the funny version of Happy Birthday... You know this version: "...You look like a monkey and you smell like one too!" He was laughing so hard. I guess he doesn't remember me singing that to him last year. Anyway, he was a great subject and adorable too. Hmmm, he's growing up, maybe I should say 'handsome' instead.

So, of course, for my photo shares, here are some Birthday Boy portraits. Kirk came home as we were ending the session and I got him to pose for a couple. (Literally - he posed for two shots.) I'm glad I got a good one. I think I need to print a large photo of the two of them. :)

Remember, if you want to see the larger version, just click on the photo and you'll be taken to a new page with an easier to see picture.





Thanks for stopping by. I'll share your well-wishes with Scott.

Karen Thaemert
St. Charles, MO