Mom's Visit... and SNOW?!

{this post blog was imported from my old blog}

My Mom & Pat visited us this past weekend. Like always, it was a whirlwind- but oh so nice! We ate, shopped, worked, shopped and ate some more. We may have also convinced them that 'Castle' is the greatest show on earth.

We woke up on Sunday morning to what felt like Christmas. I had been keeping a close eye on the weather report, so when there was a slight chance for snow overnight, I couldn't wait to wake up and see! I sprung out of bed, peeked through the shades and then woke Kyle up out of pure excitement. I was quite disappointed that we hadn't gotten snow all winter, but somehow now, at the end of March, it snowed. Granted, it was only about a half inch and melted by the time we left church. But still, it was snow- and beautiful.

The day before was the Charlottesville 10 miler. My fingers & toes were numb the first three miles. Nonetheless, the all stars of the race were in (what I like to call) their skimpies. Short, short shorts and tank tops. It made me shiver looking at them. My friend Patti ran with me the last five miles, which made it much more enjoyable! 

I'm throwing my hat & gloves to my mom, but it looks like my leg is about to break in two.

Mom & Pat were on a mission to help with our landscaping. We had a lot to do, as our lawn looked like a really bad haircut. The drought in C'ville added in with the shaded parts of our lawn make for one uneven and annoying piece of property to work with. Kyle didn't have to work Monday, so I came home to find three people goin' to town outside. They raked, mowed, laid grass seed, pulled weeds, moved rocks, planted trees and flowers, laid pavers and spread mulch. By the time I got home from work, they had already made two trips to Lowe's and found time to drive around neighborhoods looking at other people's grass. Kyle was what I describe as giddy about the progress, and he felt very relieved since they only found one house that had nice grass. Gosh, there is are so many jokes running through my head right now. I'll restrain.
Moving on...

My man is strong.

They planted a new flower bed along the side of the house where no grass can grow. Once the trees mature, it will be perfect!

I can't wait for the hasta, boxwoods and lilies to start growing and blooming! It's amazing what a little lawn lovin' will do.

We also spoiled ourselves to the best.pedicure.ever...ever. In an all-natural salon, so I didn't feel dizzy or get high from chemicals (always a plus ;)

We had a great weekend with Mom & Pat. We can't thank you two enough for all of the hard work you helped us with. We were spoiled. (and Kyle loves his new birthday toys)

Finally!! (we can say it!)

{this post was imported from my old blog}


We are going to be an AUNT & UNCLE!!!

That's right, my brother & sister-in-law are pregnant. I. can't.  handle.  my.  excitement!!!!
I've kept it in for what seems like an eternity!! (well, to be honest, I/we did tell most of our friends here in Charlottesville. But I knew they wouldn't spill the beans on facebook or the blog)  However, now we can tell the world!!!

Overflowing with joy may be the only way to describe it. Emily is such a blessing to our family, even saying "sister-in-law" sounds odd because I feel like she is our sister. Matthew will be an incredible father and Emily an incredible mother. I cannot wait to see them enter this new chapter of their marriage as parents.

Ever since my brother called to tell us about the wee one, I have been thinking alot about family. About the role of an Aunt & Uncle. I couldn't help but think about the times when my parents were this age, seeing their siblings begin to have children & watching families grow and grow as the years went by. Were our aunts and uncles this excited when our parents announced they were pregnant? Talking with my parents, the answer is definitely yes. It feels like I can imagine that more than I can imagine what is present: Our turn. Our turn to begin families, host holidays, take our niece and nephews to ball games, on vacations, and play dates with cousins. To begin to shape memories from our own families. This baby is the first in our family to open the door to that new chapter for each of us. 
Both Kyle and I have had Aunts & Uncles who we have been or are very close to. We look back at our childhood and they are included in so many of our memories. Holidays, vacations, birthday parties, learning how to fish, giving us junk food or the advice talks when you felt like you could turn to no one else. We hope to be just as much of a blessing to this new baby (and the ones long down the road) as our Aunts & Uncles have been to us.


One of my grandmothers is positive it's a girl, and considering she has had years of experience seeing pregnancies (she is the oldest of 19!), I am sticking with her gut feeling. Here are some of the things I've already picked out that are boy, girl, or neutral. I will admit, I am over.the.top. Kyle has had to put his foot down on numerous occasions in order to stop me from purchasing "...the cutest hat everrrr!!" because "the baby neeeeddssss it!"
(In case you were wondering, Yes, the baby does need Michigan booties & a jumper)

This child is going to be surrounded by so much love!!
Baby Hotchkiss is due Oct 20th!


And here is a picture of the parents to be! (it's one of their engagement photos that I hijacked)

It's Here Again... Yikes

{this post was imported from my old blog}

I clicked the "Submit" button, biting my lip the whole half of second. What can I say, I am a sucker for peer-pressure and punishment. I registered for the Charlottesville 10- miler again this year... which happens to be on Saturday. I do happen to be a procrastinator. Last year, it was my very.first.race...ever. I wouldn't say I actually trained for it, but since I ran on a pretty regular basis (and I can convince myself of almost anything) I thought I could do it. Well, it turns out I could do it, and did- and LOVED it. However, I was completely exhausted the rest of the day, had some stomach issues and thought I could eat my weight because hey, I ran 10 miles. Funny how perceptions change. 7 months later I ran my first marathon & waived off 10 miles like it was nothin'. Well Hello full circle, I'm back to thinking 10 is a hefty amount.

March came so quickly this year and I was caught off guard by how close the race actually was. I have a special place in my heart for this lil' run of a race, so my heart and my pride forced me against my will to register. Considering the fact that I barely ran 6 miles two days before the race last year (and that was the longest I had ever run since high school) I am going to take a leap of faith and just say that I think I am in better physical and mental shape for this year's race. However, let us not forget the knee issue that oh so suddenly tends to creep in at that most inopportune times.

Your mind is a powerful thing. I will be concentrating on the following as I power up the insane hill, after hill, after hill, after hill: pedicure waiting for me after the finish line, to smile for the camera (because who doesn't look good after running an hour?), don't trip- don't fall- don't trip, pretty houses, pretty trees, don't trip, breath, water, water, water, how fast can I get to the bathroom after the finish line (b-line strategy), oh look! my family!, don't trip.
I'm starting to get butterflys like a 4th grader who received her first Valentine.

Afterwards I will be indulging in something a little like this:

(thanks thepioneerwoman.com.)

and of course let's not forget... any excuse for this...Tiramisu AND Cheescake. Someone take the fork away from me. Now.

(cheesecake factory stock photo)

PS. Thanks for all of the positive, encouraging feedback via notes, messages & emails about the engagement session pics. I feel so loved & supported :) It was a blast & I can't wait to do more!

Tim & Naomi Engagement {engagement photographer}

{this post was imported from my old blog}


Tim & Naomi met while they were both studying for their MSW at VCU in Richmond. Not only are they passionate social workers, but they both happen to be talented photographers too. Naomi showed up at my door step for small group last spring and we instantly connected over our high reaching goals to run a marathon, our love for photography, traveling and social injustice issues. Shortly thereafter, we began running together to train for our marathons. We spent hours running and chatting about everything under the sun- including this man named Tim. I had heard so much about their love story and had the privilege of seeing the amazing way that God had brought them back together (it still makes me smile!). Tim is sweeping Naomi away, back to Richmond, but thankfully it is only a short drive for her to come back every Tuesday for small group;) Just seeing the way Tim looks at her now, I can't wait until her sees her walk down the aisle in September. I had a blast photographing these two! It was impossible to settle on "just a few" to post.

Girls Weekend in the Tropics

{this post was imported from my old blog}



I recently returned from a girls weekend in the Bahamas. I was in desperate need for a break from reality and a refreshment. My sister-in-law, Kelly, and GG (Grandma) were venturing down to the Bahamas for Kel's spring break and it just worked out that I could go for a long weekend. My mother-in-law also flew in early on Sunday, so we were all together for a day prior to me departing back to Charlottesville.
We spent hours soaking up the rays, gambling away our $20.00 allowance (Kel & I are high rollers) at the casinos, eating dessert with each meal (seems GG and I are on the same page), and enjoying the gorgeous views that the ocean presents.

As I've mentioned before, I thoroughly enjoy learning about my family history- mine, and now Kyles. The first two days had crazy winds that caused you to have chills until the sun peaked out from behind the clouds only to tease us. While our stubbornness caused us to bear the wind and cuddle up in our towels, we were able to have great conversations. I love hearing how GG and Grandpa Robert met, what their lives were like, how they decided to build where she now lives, learning about their childhood in the great depression, the war, the company, and laughing at the crazy names ancestors choose to name their offspring. I could ask a million questions and then proceed to find another. GG and Kyle have always been so close, as he grew up only a few doors down. They would always do crossword puzzles together and she would read him one encyclopedia after another, just for fun. She has been so instrumental in my husbands life, I was excited to be able to spend some time with her- separate from the chaos that occurs when we go back to Michigan.

I almost clung to a palm tree so that I didn't have to leave. Kyle and I have been incredibly blessed to have supportive and loving families, who have equally welcomed each of us into our families with wide open arms. It seemed natural to go on a vacation with his family without him (although I did miss him a bit;). I'm hoping we started a tradition of vacations with just the VK girls (no offense boys, you can go hunting)

Hellooo Bahamas!

Dinner at the Poop Deck. Yes, you did read that correctly. It was delicious.

Running path each morning

 The colors at night were to die for.

 GG may not have put on enough sun screen.

We ventured to Atlantis for a day to enjoy the waterparks

Kel & I rode double the whole day. It was great.

 

 

We celebrated GG's 80th 50th, which is right around the corner!

 I wish I had taken a video of this; but it was a surprise & I was fumbling around just to get this. We may have mentioned it was GG's birthday, and this man has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Really. We had tears.

GG teared up too- and he won her heart by topping it off with some ice cream

Shopping on Paradise Island, enjoying good ole' Ben & Jerry's, the million dollar yachts, and blackjack.

Don't worry Bahamas, I won't leave you for too long.