Friends of my husband and I recently asked us to come over and photograph their grandmother’s 75th birthday party. The whole family was there, some from out of state, complete with all the yungin’s!

It was a completely casual and fun-filled day. I was overjoyed by the fact that they asked me to come out, plus we had the chance to partake in the festivities! What a joy!

Here are our friends with their gorgeous daughter Lily:

All the grandkids with granny:

They all have the same eye color! This beautiful deep blue - too cool!

Of course when I wasn’t photographing the family, I spent the majority of my time following around the little ones. Here is one of a pretty, little girl who simply stole my heart. What a beauty!

And would you just look at her! She has the most beautiful brown eyes. So pretty!

Another one of pretty Lily. I loved her pigtails!

I couldn’t forget this little guy - he was SO intense. Look at that thoughtful expression! He had that look all day!

And finally, one of the whole gang! I can’t believe we got everyone all together and looking in the same direction - tough, but this proves it can be done!

Thanks guys for letting me a part of your special day! And happy 75th granny!

So it’s official! My new site is finally up and running! Yay! It can be found at: www.photosbymcdonald.com

Here’s the header of my site to give you a little taste:

Please take a look and tell me what you think. I would LOVE to hear from you!

And if you like what you see and need a site done, contact Chad over at Web Site Design Michigan. They’re great!

So for months I’ve been having my poor friend Chad over at Website Design Michigan tweak, change, switch and polish my new FABULOUS Web site. I can’t wait for it to be up and running. (I’m sure Chad will be happy too!)

Hopefully within the next couple of days everyone from the United States to Japan will be able to see what new things McDonald Photography has to offer the world - fresh products, new storyboard and card templates, wedding albums, prices - all the fun stuff I’m sure you’re just dying to know!

Anyway, that leads us to the final decision of what photo (graciously taken and provided by Mary Lyn D’Aigle at Imaginique Studios) I should use for my “about” page. I’m having a hard time deciding, so what’s a better way to choose then by asking YOU! Please help me out and let me know just what photo you think would fit best in my very, own biography. I’ll be eternally grateful

I’d love all of my fun blog readers to vote, but for those who are thinking about a portrait session, I plan to give a FREE session fee and 8×10 to the first five blog readers who vote, leave a comment and e-mail me at jennifer@photosbymcdonald.com to claim the prize.

Drum roll please! And the finalists are:

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

Photo #4

Photo #5

We’ve just been waiting for the weather to finally warm up to take some outdoor photographs and it finally has! So yesterday I went downtown to Holly with my sister-in-law and niece to take some fun “hip” urban shots. It’s amazing what my niece will do with the promise of ice cream!

She doesn’t quite know how to jump rope yet, but she’ll get the hang of it. Isn’t her outfit crazy cute? We were going for a different look She helped pick it out.

I always love black and white.

My ABSOLUTE FAV from the day - when I saw this on my screen I said CANVAS! I think I will get a big one for my studio.

…Or in Jacob’s case, JUMPING in the rain!

We had fun on Friday jumping in mud puddles. Especially since Aunt Jennifer is the only one who would go outside to play with him in the rain. He was OVERJOYED! I guess jumping in mud puddles is every little two-year-old’s dream I was equally as happy to take some fun pictures of the adventure:

Here he’s waiting for me. “Come on Aunt Jennifer! Put that camera down and let’s get going!”

In search of some puddles:

Ah! He found some good ones!

Aren’t these the cutest boots EVER?! Even with all the mud on them

I had the greatest opportunity to assist Paul and Mary Lyn over at Imaginique Studios with their first wedding of the year on April 26! And what a sweet couple! Meagan and David were everything and more that a photographer could ask for! Congrats you guys!

Look at her! She was just glowing!

Cutie pie flower girl:

I loved this little guy’s eyes! So blue!

The handsome groom:

Leaving the church in her father’s Buick Grand Sport:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this location! So pretty.

Just for fun -

Running down the steps to kiss his bride - they were SO cute!

Well that’s all I have time for now. Perhaps I’ll add some more later? Let me know if you’d like to see more…

Look who hopped by my house today to say hello -

Isn’t he cute?

And here’s a little something to show from my vacation! I took so many photos, it’s so hard to narrow it down.

First a few of the family -

My aunt and uncle were more than willing to be my subjects outside the Coshocton, OH Courthouse. Aren’t they sweet?!

Yes his shirt says, “Your village called, their idiot is missing” LOL! My uncle LOVES his graphic T-shirts!

On Saturday we went over to Sugarcreek, OH - the little Switzerland of Ohio! LOL. I remember going there as a child with the whole family to take a train ride and have ice cream. Now the train isn’t working but it’s still there and we got some fun photographs.

My uncle and mom - the jokesters!

This is the bar my great grandfather owned in the early 1920s - It wasn’t called the Edelweiss then, but no one remembers the original name.

This is the original photograph of my grandfather behind the bar - my uncle has it framed in the rec room of his house. I remembered to snap a picture of it before I left. I love old photographs - they help me remember where I came from and shows how far technology has come - especially with photography

Here’s the whole gang being a little goofy

Now for some pretty ones. This one was my absolute fav from the trip. It was taken on our way back to MI. I made my mom stop and pull over - thanks mom!

A blossom on a magnolia tree - I couldn’t resist!

This was in the Baltic Mill in the town where my mom grew up - it’s the tiniest town you’ll ever go to - one blinking stop light, a gas station, school and restaurant. That’s about it But I loved it!

The old hardware store in Baltic - now closed

You would never see this in Michigan

We had so much fun and I just can’t wait to go back! It’s too bad they don’t live closer!

… I’ll be out of the office until Wednesday, April 23. I’ll traveling south to visit some relatives in Ohio - can’t wait for this “mini-vacation.” I hope everyone out there is well and enjoying the sunshine - perfect driving weather

I’ll be sure and return any phone calls or emails when I return next week.

And since I can never post to my blog without pictures, here is quick snapshot collage of my nephew Jacob, who came over last week - boys will be boys - LOL!

Enjoy!

I went to the park Monday afternoon with my faithful friend - Canon 40D. I’m glad I did! It was absolutely beautiful, even if it was quite brisk.

Here are the first buds I’ve seen on any trees! YAY! There is hope for spring and warmer weather

This little guy followed me around the pond as I was walking. I guess he thought I had something for him to eat.

And here is another funny fellow. He quacked at me as I took his picture, as if to say, “Hey! I’m trying to sleep here!” LOL

That’s exactly what he did - slept!