Caleb's big day

Caleb (our oldest) was able to take a big step and be baptised... he lucked out and was able to have his special day on his 8th birthday (Sunday, the 23rd). It was fantastic and he was SO happy. We were happy to have his Grandpa Wilson attend (he gave the talk on the Holy Ghost) and his Aunt Sara fly all the way from Boise so she could be there. It was a fantastic weekend. We were also lucky to have our awesome buddies Jessie and Tony drive up from Texas and COMPLETELY surprise us by showing up the night before the baptism. It was so cool. They were coming for Thanksgiving anyhow, but took off a few days early to make it here for Caleb. (They had, in fact, told us that they wished they could, but would not be able to be there - that's what the whole "COMPLETELY" was about.) All in all it was a great time for all. We are so blessed to have a son as wonderful as Caleb... I just can't believe that we are old enough to have an 8 year old! :)

Here are a few pics from the big day.

Finally... my EXCITING news

For those of you who haven't already heard I recently started up my photography business and am now going public so everyone out there can have a piece of the action. I plan on getting my website up, but that is always a longer process than one hopes for. For now, however, I have my photo blog ready and every thing is a-go. I have a link on my sidebar for it, but go ahead and bookmark it and check it often... I will have periodic specials/deals/discounts so keep an eye out (currently 15% off a session fee as long as it is booked by July 31st). The address is http://jenniferdormanphotography.blogspot.com/... For now you can reach me to book a session or for more info via email at jenniferdormanphotography@gmail.com, or by phone at 216-225-1736. I already have a few sessions for August lined up and have a couple of more tentative, so the slots are filling (and all these before this "public" announcement - I LOVE it!). This makes me so happy, I cannot even describe it. I love photography so much. It is my passion. I'm more than thrilled to be able to capture a moment in time for you and your family.

I prefer schedule standard portrait sessions around 1.5 hours before sunset so the light is warm and the colors pop. Keep this in mind when checking your calendars (exceptions can be made, so just check with me). I am offering gift cards (great for the mother-to-be... check out the "Mommy {& ME}" session on my page). I have an online site for you to order your prints... we will go over all the details on that as well as various other info (type of session, location, clothing choices, etc.) when we set up your session.

As of recently (you may recall my last post briefly mentioned this exciting news) I upgraded my SLR. I am now shooting with a BEAUTIFUL Nikon D300. This camera allows me to provide you with excellent portraits of any size (well, perhaps not the 'downtown LeBron poster' size, but close) ;)

So, okay... I've covered a bit here... go ahead and check it out... you are always free to leave comments (I love to hear what y'all have to say), so bring 'em on! :) And, by all means, contact me if you are in need of some great photos. Spread the word too... I love referrals so much that I'll credit any of you "Dorman Family" blog readers a 5x7 from your session if you refer someone over to me (just make sure they tell me that you sent them) :)

The kids 1st concert... and, No... it wasn't the Wiggles

Friday night we went downtown Cleveland to the Dew Tour. Unfortunately we got there too late for the actual events, but the Plain White Ts were playing a show. We were pretty excited about taking the monkeys to their first concert... they all liked it (except for Ben, perhaps, who fell asleep half way through - even Josh started fading). The cover band was some Metallica-type inspired band of kids (their website said 13 yr olds, but they must be older now) out of Oklahoma... They were actually pretty good... I'm still shocked to read that they are young... They sound like they really know their stuff. These guys were the typical loud headbanger type of band... Caleb came up to me after they were done and looked like he was considering something... he said, "Did you like them, Mom?" I looked at him (he was so cute and softspoken) and said, "Yeah, I did... I thought it was pretty cool." He smiled and said, "Me too." Too cute! :) Anyhow, after a LONG set change up the Plain White Ts came on. The kids were way excited to hear Hey There Delila (they listen to it almost every night in their rooms), but, alas, for some reason they didn't play it. We did, however, get to hear some great new stuff that is coming out in the fall... Looking forward to that album. We stuck around until about 11:05 (it was planned to end at 11) and figured the kids all looked tired enough... So, perhaps they did play Delila, but we missed the last song or two so we'll never know. The kids loved it. I'm glad we took them and now look forward to going to more shows with them. They love music so much - why not let them enjoy it up close and personal.

On to the annoying part... I just got my new beauty of a camera (EXCITING NEWS ON THAT TO COME... STAY TUNED) and lens in the mail that afternoon and was SO looking forward to bringing it downtown to catch some of the fans and athletes in action... Well, we parked and walked all the way down, bought our tickets and were then told that we couldn't have a camera with a detachable lens... UGH! SO stinking frustating! James took the kids in and I ended up taking the long walk back to the car to hide it under the seat so I could make it back for the show (all the while hoping beyond hope that no one would break into our car)... Half way back it dawned on me that I should have gotten my point & shoot out of my purse... Well, I was not going back (I already had a blister from my sandles - ones I wear all the time, I might add - which have NEVER given me even a hint of a blister)... I had my iPhone on me and those pics would just have to do (I mean, hey, our first digital camera was even worse quality than the iPhone camera - Crazy)... So, all that frustration out, here are a few (not stellar quality) pics of our fun night.

Hanging out before the shows...

(not a fan of this pic of me, but had to not only be the one behind the camera)

We had a nice comfy seat on the lawn with a good view...

And to top it all off - it was a BEAUTIFUL night!

Drugs anyone??? Hrmmm....

We were on our way to a friend's house the other day and I heard a funny little quip from the back... Caleb noticed (seemingly for the first time) a "DrugMart" on the corner (like a Walgreens type store) and said...

"That says Drug Mart" he proceeds to give a funny little chuckle (think Bevis & Butthead) and then said "Drugs are bad and that store is a drug mart." Repeat the chuckle...

Hrmmm... not sure about that kid... Actually it was so funny because, of all our kids (I am knocking on wood right now as I type) Caleb is going to be the one that causes us the least amount of grief. He is really good and has his head on straight... it was just funny how it all clicked in his mind.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

We hope you have a very happy day. We wish we could be with you - making sushi or something :) Maybe we can get you back up here for another visit soon... the kidlets miss you something aweful... they sure do love to play with you. I just got the pics off my memory card a couple of days ago, so I'll shoot those off to you soon... for now... enjoy this tidbit! :) We love you! Happy birthday!!!

Grandpa's visit

Grandpa Wilson came to visit for a few days. We had a good time with him here. The kids LOVE having him around. They have so much fun with him and would love to see him more (*hint, hint*) We kept him busy by taking him to the Westlake Rec Center pool, the West Side Market (no pics of that :( - not sure why I didn't take any), playing out back, playing games, making Sushi, and watching both National Treasures. Caleb also had a baseball game while he was here... that was great... it was the first time in the two years that he has played sports that we have had anyone but us go see him play... he was beyond thrilled.

Always the entertainer... reading to the kids (one of the things the kids LOVE to do with him)

Memory

A cute one of Ben

Baseball with Joshua

Westlake Rec Center - 100% worth being a member of... there are tons of pools, it is often quite empty, and it is LOADS of fun... a great family activity

The awesome slides... Caleb is lucky enough to be tall enough... the other kids are still a few years off... the slides are great!

This is the tot pool... there is a pirate ship slide, the coconuts fill up with water and dump out, the ropes in the background open the shower-type spouts above, and all the other water that comes from the pipes can be adjusted with little wheel cranks... it is a fun little place.

First time on a Wii...

Watching the movies... Kate loves to cuddle with Grandpa.

Making sushi... Very tasty! :) First time for Grandpa... he LOVED it!

Good-bye hugs... Come again soon!

For Grandpa

Happy Father's Day!!! Hope you have a great one! Love you!!!