Shannon Montez Photography Blog » San Jose's Family and Child Photographer, Shannon Montez, captures all aspects of family life: Families, newborns, children, babies, high school seniors, and weddings.

A few months ago I was asked to contribute a Christmas-themed page to Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks Etc. for a feature they were planning. Of course I wanted to play! I’ve been very lazy in the scrapbooking department lately so it was fun to have something forcing me to scrap a christmas page. I’m so glad I did, because this party has been one of my favorite things all year my entire life.

If you are a Caldwell and recognize yourself in a picture or two, you might want to pick up the current issue for posterity.

Here’s the page (you can see it on page 69 of the nov/dec issue) Enjoy, as this may not happen again! (the publication, not the party)

I’ve barely had access to my computer the last couple days. I’m posting this from my kids’ computer, which until a few weeks ago, was my computer. So it feels all nice and comfy except for the little screen. Anyway… I just wanted to say hello to the world. I had a wonderful thanksgiving. So wonderful that I’m still feeling thankful. I took a bunch of pictures around my house today to remind me of how thankful I am of everything. Once I gain access to my computer again, I’ll make a post about my overwhelming thankfulness.

For now, I’m thankful for my new employee, Dave, the programmer/tech-support/accounting specialist. You see, I’m no good at any of those things and I needed help. Dave has taken the last few days off of his full-time job to work full-time at the offices of Shannon Montez Photography. On top of providing valuable support, he allows me to pay him in turkey and pumpkin pie. It doesn’t get better than that, folks.

His main project right now is getting the new shopping cart up and running and looking beautiful and easy to use. It is a project that made me want to hide under my bed and play with my hair while I ran my pillowcase under my fingernails (it’s just something I do… don’t ask…). He rescued me. And he takes short breaks to allow me to proof pictures once in a while. But as soon as I get up to eat or use the bathroom, he’s back in my captain’s chair and I’m back to the kids’ computer on the awesome metal folding chair. But that’s ok. He’s doing what I can’t stand the thought of doing. And I get to browse the internet until I want to pull my brains out of my ears.

Ok, that was a little graphic. Sorry. If you want to see what he’s been up to, you’re welcome to take a look. All of the mini-sessions are posted there, as well as several other sessions as well. I’ve been real busy. And so has he. Check it out: my new photocart! In order to view pictures, you have to enter a name and password. But at this time, the galleries aren’t password protected, so you can look until you want to pull your brains… nevermind.

  Been a busy week here! I have just one of the mini-sessions left to proof. YAY!

Just don’t remind me that when I’m done with that, I have about five full sessions to proof. I can’t complain, though… I love doing it. It just takes a lot of time, and I’m choosing to proof rather than do pretty much anything else, so the house is in dire need of a little TLC.

I’ve been thinking lately about how lucky I am with this whole thing. I really love doing it. It doesn’t feel like a "job," in fact it was months after I started my business that I realized that I’d gotten myself a job. I didn’t want a job! I came back from my session yesterday morning feeling excited and happy and Dave noticed it and commented on how it’s great that I come back from my sessions feeling happy and energized. It IS cool!

Today is planning day around the Montez household. We’re writing Christmas lists, a dinner menu, goals, whatever we can think of to write to help us get and stay on top of things. I’ve also been working on a list of goals… I plan to share it once I have it filled out a little more. I’m a huge believer in making goals and showing them to people. Nothing more committing than the possibility of public failure!

Ok… total rambling there. But I guess that’s the name of the game around here!

Before I go… I have to share this session from several weeks ago. It was soooo fun.

  I meant to post this stuff a week ago. But for numerous and various reasons, it didn’t happen.

Anyway… Halloween just happens to be my favorite holiday. I love that it’s mostly a normal day, only off one shade. And people actually visit their neighbors. Kind of. I love it for many reasons, the candy being a big one of them.

I’m a bit ashamed of the fact that while I love the day, I put zero effort or planning into it. We began the evening by carving the pumpkins we bought the day before. Notice… F-Dawg is using a marker rather than a knife. I’m just an awesome parent like that.

We set aside the pumpkin seeds so we could roast them. Don’t tell anyone, but that bowl is still sitting outside on the picnic table. The first couple days, I still mean to roast them. But at this point, it’s out there because I’m afraid to look at whatever science experiment it’s become.

The intense concentration… coloring even the seeds… this boy is thorough.

This girl makes me smile.

Posing with the finished products.

Although my kids had crappy costumes, my dog didn’t. I think she’s adorable.

She’s a bumblebee, by the way. Here’s a view of her wings…

Awwww…

One more shot of everyone before we took off, since Diggy wasn’t wearing his hat in the last one. Also, please note: Easter baskets are not just for Easter.

Shelby decided not to use the glasses, so I found use for them. Unfortunately, this costume felt way too natural…