My quest for simplification

So my New Year's resolution this year was to simplify my life. I have had a good start towards my goal! This past week I finished the laundry room. I had an old sink in the laundry that was basically being used as a catch all for all my junk. My philosophy is, "If you aren't using it, get rid of it!" So I had Dave rip out that old sink and we replaced it with a beautiful entryway system from Pottery Barn. Now why didn't I think of that sooner. It is amazing. The kids now have a place to hang coats and backpacks. I now walk in that room and feel, well, so simplified! I also covered up that old orange paint with a fresh coat of chocolate brown. I love it! Next step in my quest, my closet and the kids' bathroom! So much to do and so little time before wedding season starts again!

Jack is ONE!

It just seems like yesterday that I was shooting Amanda's maternity pictures and now look, Jack is already 1. It has been such a pleasure this past year shooting baby Jack as he grew up. A little bit of a bummer that I won't see him as often now! I will be posting soon some pages from Jack's first year storybook. Here are some pix from his 1 year shoot!

On trade

I really think they had it right in the old days. Everyone had their trade and they bartered for services. I just love the concept. So if you didn't know already, I am all about doing things on trade. If you have what I want, and I have what you want, let's trade! Right now I am taking names of people who would like to be on trade with Banks Photography for 2010. Here are a couple of disclaimers about trading:

1. I only trade with people who have services I want or need so don't be upset if I don't trade with you.
2. I will negotiate the trade with you before services/products are traded. Most of the time we do a dollar for dollar trade.
3. Here are some things we have traded for in the past and will in the future

dance lessons
tennis lessons
hair cuts/color
gift cards or discounts from retail stores
carpet/window cleaning
house cleaning
cakes

4. Here are some things that we would love to add to our on trade list

professional landscaping
contractor/builder
interior designer
furniture
mechanic
massage therapist
professional organizer (thanks Lara for that suggestion!)

So if you have something we might want or know someone that might, shoot us an email and offer a trade!

bankspix@yahoo.com

SIMPLIFY

We're back. Back from the holidays and back from the craziness of the holidays. And here's my New Year's resolution: simply my life. I am going to do this in all areas of my life and business. I started with stuff, simplifying my stuff. I am getting rid of things I don't need and use. I started with the kitchen cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator. They are done and I feel so relieved. Next up was my closet. 3 large trash bags full later, I feel amazing. Then comes the office. As soon as I get that all sorted through, we will be hosting a Banks Photography garage sale online. Stay tuned for some equipment, frames, albums, and decorations to be for sale. I am going to list the items here on the blog first and then on craigslist. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of what we don't need! Everyone should take time every year to do this. After all the stuff is gone through, then I will start on business structures to get everything simplified! I just love that word. It just makes me feel good.

Reindeer School

It's time to get caught up! Yesterday was Isaac's first preschool Christmas concert. The theme was Reindeer School. Isaac was a great little entertainer. Gotta love my little reindeer. I worked with him before the program on his smile. I said "If you don't know the words, just smile and look cute!" Well, he was able to do both: smile and look cute. After the concert we enjoyed a little party with the kids and Dave's parents were also able to join us. Now we are on to the Christmas production at church, Hope! Should be amazing!

Rock it!

It's that time of year to have our own family pictures done. I decided this year it was time to go out on a limb and do something different. I saw this cute line of clothes from Gymboree called "superstar" and I loved it so much that I started to theme all our clothes around it. Our theme this year was Rock Star! We shot the images at the old grain mill in Plain City. Gotta love it! I love shooting pictures with our family because I get to see everyone's personalities come out. We have our kids trained to do different things in pictures and so far it has worked like a charm! Thanks so much to Ashley and Cody who came out early Monday morning to shoot these images. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And now, to design the Christmas card "Rocking around the Christmas Tree!"

Nikon D2X for sale

More blogs coming soon but for now I want to tell you that we have a Nikon D2X for sale. It is a great camera. Total workhorse. It has been great to us but we must say goodbye because we now shoot with the D3. If you are interested, please let me know!

The Butterfly and the Boxer

Trick or treat! Look at the Banks kids this Halloween. We had a butterfly and a boxer. The butterfly was clearly not happy with being punched by the boxer! We had a great time trick or treating with the Brennan family this year. The kids got more candy than they'll ever be able or allowed to eat! Can I just say, I love fall! I love the decorations, the food, trick or treating and everything else that goes with it. Now I think I love Christmas more but fall is still super fun!