Wow, ten weeks already! Well, he'll be 10 weeks old on Tuesday, but still! We had a super busy week over here at Shuttersmack HQ now that we've hit mid-November. I've been doing more shoots, which means much more work at the computer as well. This, sadly, results in less time for Ezra photos (although I still photograph him a lot). So here we go!
Last Sunday was Ezra's first trip to the Mall of America. Look at that face! He's just as overwhelmed as we are by that place! What a cutie. We went there to get in some exercise (tons of walking since the sidewalks here were covered in ice) and then we found some huge sales at baby stores. So it was a pretty good day.
I like this photo a) because you can see all the standing that's happening around these parts, b) you can see adorable Magda trying to kiss Ezra and c) you get a sense of his size in comparison to my sweet (yet crazy) Vizsla. 
With all the added work, my friend Meredith is coming over to watch Ezra a few times a week so that I can catch up on computer work. SUPER HELPFUL!
And, uh, we had shots this week. Poor kid. I snapped these photos super quick before scooping this cutie up into my arms to comfort him. Amazingly, he quieted down immediately and then just slept all day -- which was the most I could have hoped for. This photo seriously tugs at my heart though.
But see!? This was taken today, so he's all over those traumatic shots and just happy to be hanging out with the family.For your internet share of the day, are you listening to Serial? It's not a band, it's a weekly show on NPR. I was immediately sucked in and now I'm more skeptical, but I still love to listen. Anyway, this graphic on the show is AMAZING. Enjoy!
Last night we got gussied up and went to see 
Today I got an AMAZING surprise in my inbox. My buddy 
Ok, I would give you an internet share today because I know there are a million wonderful things out there, but Jamie and I have a DATE NIGHT tonight! Yes! We are going out to dinner and a concert like the old days! And I need to figure out what the hell I'm gonna wear. So if YOU have found something great on the internet lately, please share it in the comments! Even if it's a silly cat video. I'll take it!
Isn't Rosie here adorable? I photographed her family's holiday photos this past weekend and just fell in love with this sweetie all over again. She's... 1 and a half? One? She's a youngin', that's what's important, and she is impeccably trained. And? She looks adorable in reindeer antlers as well, but you'll just have to trust me on that one.For your internet share of the day, if you're trying to figure out what to spend that extra $2.8 million on, 
This is one of my favorite shots from this weekend. One thing I really try to focus on in my work is photographing kids having fun instead of photographing kids posing for photos. I think we all hate posing for photos, so if we can make the experience fun, it's just ... better. Yeah?Anyway, these two LOVE to play with my props, and in general they just make everything entertaining. They came up with the concept for this photo and art directed it themselves, which was super fun to watch happen. What a couple of cuties.For your internet share, how about 
This weekend I was prepping for my holiday shoots in my studio (8 families in 8 hours!), and I wanted to test the holiday lights in photos. So.... Magda got called into duty. She was not very pleased. But the good news is that treats weren't even needed because once you begin wrapping her in electrical wiring, she freezes! Great survival instincts on that one. Oh, and don't you worry, she got her treats anyway.And for your adorable Magda story of the day, I had Ezra in his bassinet in my office while I was working this week. He was sound asleep, Magda was on the first floor, and I ran across the hall to use the restroom. When I opened the bathroom door, Magda was standing over his bassinet wagging her tail. I ran over to make sure all was OK, and she had gently laid two of her toys on his feet while he slept. She wanted to play. ADORABLE. I cannot wait to see these two grow up together.For your internet share of the day, check out 
Oh yeah, I think chili season is upon us now that we are in single digit temperatures in Minnesota.Jamie's brother was in town last weekend, and he made us his white chicken chili one night for dinner. It was so perfect for this weather, so I thought I'd share it with you!
First, here's what you need:
Begin by dicing the onions and garlic. Next, combine beans, chicken stock, garlic and half the onions in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.While that's simmering, saute remaining onions in oil until they soften, then add the chiles and spices and mix thoroughly. Once the seasoned onions are ready, add them and the chicken to the bean mixture and simmer for an hour.
And that's it! We served it with shredded monterey jack cheese, salsa, sour cream and fresh cilantro on top. The nice part about this recipe is that most of the ingredients can be kept in the pantry, which means you can be ready to make it at a moment's notice. Also? This makes an enormous pot that make fantastic leftovers to enjoy all week long. Bon apetit!