Vogue....

Another great senior session this weekend with another cute 2011 graduate! Haley brought along her mom and one of her besties to help her loosen up in front of the camera. It took a few inside jokes and a little time, but I think I finally got a taste of the "real" Haley. This gorgeous girl kept telling me how bad she was at modeling. I think my camera tells another story, how about you?

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Woo hoo! alexis paige photography has officially photographed royalty! When you live in the middle of nowhere you would never expect to have the chance to photograph someone famous. Ok, maybe the occasional politician in the local parade--but only during an election year of course! Or, if you're lucky, you might get a cell phone shot of the country music star during Nebraskaland Days while you're being mauled by the crowd trying to inch their way to the front of the stage. But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined photographing a Queen AND a Princess! So watch closely for my new advertising campaign boasting my newest accomplishment. ;)

Meet my local royalty: two sweet girls who I had the privilege of photographing for their senior portraits this year. Adrienne and Jessica were crowned Homecoming Queen and Princess last night at their Homecoming festivities. Congratulations girls!

Mommy's Girl? Or Daddy's?

One of the first things I ask my seniors is if they know where they want to go to college. Of course some of them do and some don't but, living in a small community definitely creates an overwhelming urge in these teens. Even if they don't know exactly where they want the go the majority of them can hear the city calling their names. Ahhhhh, the lure of the big city! It's what most kids in small towns dream about, well that and world peace of course! ;)

The city: where everything you could ever want is at your fingertips. Shopping, restaurants, culture, night life...oh, and college of course. :) So they head off to school after growing up and graduating with the same 15 or so kids that they started kindergarten with and they step into their first lecture class of 300 students. I mean, that's bigger than the towns that some of these kids live in! It can be overwhelming at times and I think several college freshmen from small towns realize there is 1 thing that the big city doesn't have...their parents.

I saw myself through my lens last weekend. A sweet senior who is the baby of her family and is a self-proclaimed mommy's AND daddy's girl. Even though she's not exactly sure where she wants to go to school she already knows she doesn't want to get too far from home. Smart girl. The shorter the trip the more often she can come home with laundry and a request for gas money! I mean what dad could resist these big brown eyes!? Congratulations Adrienne! Enjoy your senior year. :)

Did your mom swallow a watermelon seed?

Ok, I know that's an old one and obviously so does my great-nephew because it sure didn't work on him. He stared at me with one raised eyebrow and a look on his face that totally read, "Who is this crazy lady and why would she ask such a stupid question?"

My niece was in town with her husband and 2 darling kids a few weeks ago. It was a quick trip. Just a day or so to visit Granny and Granddad before the new little one arrives and the 2 older ones lose a little time on the "cuddle schedule" to their baby brother. So, of course, we need pictures right? I mean WHO in their right mind wouldn't want to take one of the most active 6 year old boys and an independent 2 year old out into the 100 degree heat while they're 8 months pregnant? I mean just because you can't see your own feet doesn't mean you can't tie THEIR shoes, right? But seriously, I'm not sure what she was thinking because I would have been more than miserable and totally over a photo shoot on a day like that. She was determined and with help from her husband it all worked out in the end. We got some cute shots and now, even though they'll have to share cuddle time, they'll still keep their spot on the portrait wall! Thanks for playing Ethan and Evelyn. We had tons of fun at the park. We can't wait to meet your new baby brother! ♥

Giggles and Gaggles but no Goggles

It's official: we survived the state fair. Unfortunately I came home sick, so I haven't gotten these snapshots posted as quick as I had intended. All in all it was a fun fair and for the most part the new location was nice, but they definitely have some kinks to work out.


We had tons of GIGGLES when the girls got to spend Saturday afternoon doing everything they wanted. We had a break from the livestock barns so they got their faces painted, watched the diving show, rode a camel, went to the petting zoo and of course had their favorite fair food!

They loved the GAGGLE of geese that were paraded around the grounds. They were dressed in their Sunday best each day and I think I even saw them all painted up on Monday!


Unfortunately there were no GOGGLES for us. We made reservations at a motel with no swimming pool because we had plans to spend Saturday at the water park. We didn't know they were going to close it BEFORE the fair. Lesson learned for next year I guess.

That's okay our "giggles and gaggles" should last us until next year I think....

What happened to my baby!?

So today was the first day of school and after an entire summer of fighting siblings and the constant wail of "I'm boooooooored" I was DEFINITELY ready. But, then the day actually got here, and not only was it the first day of school, but it was also my baby's 6th birthday. Yes, my baby. The same baby who I still remember cuddling all day long as an infant. The same baby who walked at 8 months. The same baby who insisted on her first overnight sleepover when she was 2.5. The same baby who at 3 was so dramatic she kept us all entertained from minute to minute. The same baby who at 4 had perfected her catwalk and was ready to sign up for America's Next Top Model. The same baby who at 5 was intelligent enough to be able to "work" her father no matter what the situation was. And the same baby, who last night at 5 years, 11 months and 30 days was snuggled up to me and asked me,"Mommy, carry me to bed and pretend I'm your baby."

Happy 6th Birthday to my "baby".