Chicago, Chicago That Toddlin' Town ~ Chicago & North Shore Photographer

I had the privilege of getting together with some other Illinois photographers this weekend in the Windy City. It was great to get to talk shop with other folks doing the part-time photographer thing like me, as well as get our cameras on each other's kids. We even got to do a mini-engagement session. Here are a few favorites from the day:

Tuesday's Top 5

Have you ever been sitting at dinner with your husband (or wife or whoever) and started having a random "when I was little we...." conversation? This happened the other night. We had been out looking for a new "big boy" bed for Max, and so we started talking about what our bedrooms were like as kids, which segued into what our houses and furniture were like as kids. Next thing we knew, we were calling Adam's mom to figure out exactly what was where in their house and what happened to it. I just love these trips down memory lane. They serve no useful purpose, really, except to make you feel a little warm and fuzzy inside for a while. And inspire Top 5 lists, of course. So here goes...

THE TOP 5 MEMORY LANE TRIPS YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS WEEK

(See, it's like a challenge from me...read the list...and take your own trip. Cool right?!?)

5. Who was your best friend in elementary school? Even if you don't keep in touch anymore, this trip is sure to inspire some fun stories. For the record, mine were Jenna Caldwell and Brandy Aycock (who happens to be a blog follower. Hi, Brandy!)

4. What was the most memorable Christmas present you ever received? I cannot answer this one in one sentence or less, because there are like five or six things I could name, so maybe I'll save this for its own Top 5 list.

3. What family vacations did you take as a kid? I remember so vividly our summer trips to the beach. My sister and I would share a room and it felt like going to this super special place because we had our own special room with matching twin beds and pink bedspreads, we listened to our Beach Boys tape (oh yeah, don't hate), and would run around the hotel with our walkie talkies. Sunscreen. Salt water. The ice cream truck every day. Good times.

2. What were you afraid of when you were little? Have you ever heard the one about Bloody Mary, who shows up if you stand in a dark room in front of a mirror and spin around three times saying "Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary"? Yeah well, I still can't go into a dark bathroom without freaking out a little.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be the President of the United States. Thank goodness I outgrew that one. Never dreamed I'd be a part-time photographer!

So there you go. Get started on your own memory lane trip and let me know how it goes!

Madeline ~ Gurnee Family Photography

You've heard the saying "wrapped around her little finger"? I think it applies here. And really who can blame them with a little girl this cute?

Ms. Madeline came all the way from Florida to see me. Actually, she and her mom and dad came all the way from Florida to see Grandma and visit Chicago, but I got to be the finale of the trip! Madeline's mom and I slaved away at Torts and Contracts and Civil Procedure classes together way back in the day, so it was great to meet up in Grayslake this Sunday to catch up and meet adorable Madeline. Thanks for making me part of your trip, guys! Next time we'll have to schedule in some more time to visit (and maybe a shower for me first).

(p.s. Don't you just LOVE her eyes? For the photographers out there, I didn't touch them! Those are ALL HER!)