I have some very exciting news to share!  As our clients have started their lives together, some of them have started families.  We have wanted to stay a part of their lives and capture these new special moments.  In addition, Stacey has had the itch to expand her focus beyond weddings.  With that in mind, we are thrilled to share the beginning of Life Stories Photography.  Although we have been pulling everything together for awhile, Stacey officially launched the blog today!  The focus of Life Stories will be on families, children, and high school seniors.  Although I will be involved behind the scenes, Stacey will definitely be the face of Life Stories.  Please don't worry, this doesn't mean she will no longer be a part of Staja Studios.  She will still be actively involved! 

As I mentioned, the first official step was launching the blog!  She has some really great ideas for it, and I'm personally excited to see them come to life.  If you or someone you know is looking for portraiture with a lifestyle twist, I encourage you to check the new blog out.  If nothing else, please swing by and leave a comment wishing Stacey the best on the new venture.  While you are at it, we would love it if you "liked" Life Stories on Facebook!

Wow, where is 2010 going?  It seems like not too long ago we were with family celebrating Christmas!  The start to the year has been pretty chaotic over here with Staja Studios and the Thon family.  My dad had some heart problems that took me out of town in January and March.  However, I am happy to report that he is doing much better.  Stacey and I have been searching for a new studio space, which we have found (more on that in a new post).  Now it's getting to be summer and we will be in full swing as Minneapolis wedding photographers.  All the while, our little babies just seem to keep getting bigger.  The other week, I thought I would bring a camera with me to Ian's ECFE class and try to capture a few moments in time of him and some of his classmates.  It was a bit of a slow day which was nice, but unfortunately not everyone was there.  I just can't believe how much he has grown in what seems like a short span of time.  I keep joking that he reminds me of a puppy trying to grow into his feet.  At any rate, as today was his last day of ECFE for the spring, I thought I would put a little slideshow together which you can find HERE!

P.S.  The music in the slideshow is by a great singer of children's music by the name of Elizabeth Mitchell.

Today is Jason's birthday and we are missing him like mad around here.  He has been in AZ helping his dad post-surgery since mid March.  Hopefully they will be heading home very soon. 

What can I say about the love of my life?  Jason is so good at writing mushy stuff to me (ie, my birthday post last month), that it's kind of a hard act to follow.

Bottom line is, I couldn't have found a more perfect person to spend my life with.  We are well suited and very well-balanced.  Sure, we argue and disagree sometimes.  I can be a feisty thing, especially when I'm using my well-polished talents in sarcasm.  Jason knows how to deal with that part of me though and has a way of changing my demeanor and turning those situations around.  Just like he said in my bday post, his IS the yin to my yang...that's so true:)

Aside from being the most awesome husband ever,  he is a really great daddy.  He has always been totally hands on when it comes to our children.  As a matter of fact, Lauren must have been like 3 days old before I changed my first diaper!

Jason makes a great jungle gym and gives the BEST elephant rides.  Some of our favorite times as a family are just rolling around on the living room floor being silly.  I'm so grateful that Jason isn't afraid to be silly:)) 

Happy Birthday to my JBird.  We love and we miss you very very much.
Safe travels home to you and Papa Deo:)

Here are some pix of my main squeezes and a video message to daddy from our munchkins!

Love, Lauren, Ian and Mama

Stacey and I (and the wee ones) wanted to take a moment out of our day and wish you all a Happy Valentines Day.  As you can see, we spent some time on the slopes sledding as a family.  It's too bad we didn't have the camera out for Lauren catching some serious air, but she is proud to report that she has now graduated to the "big hill".  We hope you were able to spend the day with your special loved one/ones! 

So I figured it was about time that I try to post a few images while we are on our family vacation in Florida.  It all started a few months back when Stacey's sister was wanting us to go with her on a Disney Cruise.  She had just been through a very difficult year and wanted as much of her family to join her as possible.  After some very strong persuasion and an "offer we couldn't refuse", we decided to join her family.  Since we were going to be in Florida, we made plans to also spend some time with Stacey's parents in Naples and check in on some photographers we know in Miami. 

So far we have been blessed by wonderful weather and a great time.  We got to meet up with four of the people I went to Tanzania, Africa with and met some new friends.  My friends Ray Santana and Kenny Kim were holding the portfolio plus workshop at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, and while doing so, Laura Parker, Phillip Glickman, and David Burke were all coming in to attend or help.  We all share a unique bond by going to Tanzania on the behalf of Thirst Relief.  The next day we had plans to meet up with another photographer I met a few years ago at WPPI by the name of Carlos Baez.  When I told him we were going to be in town, he and his lovely wife invited us over for lunch.  They have the two cutest boys and were such gracious hosts. We had Cuban sandwiches (which I have grown to love) followed by the best Cuban coffee, and a wonderful conversation.  Carlos has been working in photography for over 20 years and has so much great information to share.  

We have one day left at Stacey's parents and then are on our way to the boat!  If all goes according to schedule I heard there will be a shuttle launch the morning we get back to dock.  If so, we should be able to watch it from the boat.  How cool is that!  We have been having a great time and will try to bring some of the Florida sun back with us!  Here are just a few odd and end pictures that we grabbed so far while on vacation. 

Visiting the Polynesian at Disney World where Stacey's sister and her family are staying





Lauren waiting for Tinker Bell to open up the fireworks (which she did if you look at the far right :)



Disney from across the bay at night



South Beach



The "house" that Versace built



This guy would sing on the side of Collins Avenue both days we were there



Starting Lauren off on the right foot!



At Naples chilling out with Stacey's parents









P.S.  If anyone has tried calling me, my phone went out of commission and we haven't been able to get it fixed.  Please either try Stacey or e-mail us!