Presenting - Denise Slater Photography

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing our Youth Pastor's Family. It was so much fun, their kiddos are adorable! I've had a dream for a long time to have my own photography business. As the boys have gotten older, I search out and find new ways to improve how I photograph. Dan and I prayed about it and decided that NOW would be a good time to "soft start" my business. Which means I am publishing the photos I have taken, along with sharing with friends and family on Facebook. The hope is to generate business through word of mouth. When the boys hit Kindergarten, I will then step it up with my own website, backdrops, and advertising.

So, please check it out! (click on the link below)

You can also join my Facebook Page for updates HERE.

Thanks to everyone that has given such positive feedback! I've been really having fun :)

House Update #2

It has been a little over a month since I posted our last house update HERE. Our builders sure work fast! I have barely been able to keep up with photos, nonetheless blog about it. Some of these photos are not the best, they are taken with my phone. This post today will be by far the most photos in a post! I doubt most people will get through them (except the grandparents :D)

Enjoy!

5.12 - we came out to find some framing started!

Stairway to where?

Cool new hideout

Resisting the urge...

Plumbing lines in the bathroom

View from the kitchen to Easton's room upstairs

Quinton's room

The playroom

Eason's proud of his "window"

Crazy boys overlooking the entry

Living room, to kitchen, to family room

The fun of being on a building site

all framed out and roofed!

The ceiling in the living room

"let's move this here, brothers"

From this mini crowd we found out that our "house" is

THE after hours place to play for the neighborhood kids

The tubs are in!

Ahhh, the fireplace

"Mom, look! There are BRICKS!"

... the newest fun thing to do at the house. Run up and run down the plank

I shall call this "Dance of the air conditioning"

The electrical is almost done!

Quinton was so thrilled to see the windows installed

They started bricking!

Our house number!

This is today - 6.17. They were mudding out where the stones will be laid.

The boys watched this FOREVER!

Also, the drywall men are working inside. This one told us about his kids, and showed us his grandbaby's picture. He let the boys "help" cut drywall!

Thrilled to help cut more drywall for Dalton's closet

We are excited for this process, and will be thrilled to move in! It has been a fun adventure for all of us to see the building process. Next time I'll try to post pictures more frequently.

pArTy!!!

After Dan's graduation, we drove a detour home via Springfield, MO to visit some of our dear friends. (see more about graduation HERE). Knowing we would only be there overnight, and wanting to visit with as many people as we could, Julie helped me plan a surprise graduation party for Dan!

Here is what you have to understand about Dan...

1. He does not like to be the center of attention

2. He can smell a surprise a mile away

3. If I would have asked if he wanted a get together, he would have said "no"

Well, WE DID IT!!!! Julie picked up the supplies for me and graciously opened her home to 12 adults and 14 kids. Melanie made from scratch a YUMMY cake. The best part was Dan was totally clueless, even with the party prep going on around him! :) About 10 minutes before the party, I had all the kids go down and tell him what was going on - he was VERY surprised!!!

We were able to hang out and chat with some of our oldest friends. They are those friends that will always be there to pray and support us, even if we don't get to see them often. Friends before any of us had kids, and now after 14 kids :)

THANKS EVERYONE for coming and making this time special :) It was great to see everyone and catch up. Next party is in Tennessee! Come visit us!!! :)

Going downstairs to warn Dan about his surprise party....

HE had NO idea that in 15 minutes we were having a PAR-TAY!

The DELICIOUS cake made my Melanie! Two layers of yummy butter pecan cake topped with home made cream cheese frosting. YUM!

Congrats, Dr. Slater!

Ahhh, the swingset

"Hi, Girls!!!"

Food time for the kiddos

Two of the boys with one of their favorite people

Princess Ash and Princess Katie

The Owens Family

The Denton Family

She is the miracle that was never supposed to make it

The Brennan Family

Linda & Danny

I have more pictures of the individual kids on my Facebook photo albums. They all have grown up so much!!!

Unfortunately, I never got a family picture of our host family OR a picture of myself and Julie. You'd almost think we were never there since we are not in the pictures :) It's ok, next time.

Thanks for being GREAT hosts, Dave & Julie!!!