jen mcken lately: may | blairsville, pa photographer

This past month has been awesomely busy! You can tell that the warmer weather is here, I’m booking senior photos left and right! So pumped to work with all of you!!

So…..besides all the shoots, I’ve also been hanging out a lot with the family and keeping busy with my weight loss journey that I started back in January-January 15th to be exact! It’s been a rollar coaster all on it’s own, but I’m so proud of myself for sticking with it and creating a new eating lifestyle.

These are all instagram photos…because if I don’t have my “big girl camera” with me, I’m usually using my iphone! 🙂 I give you…….. total randomness!

Does this photo look weird…or possibly even scary?! Yeahhhhh, well this caused me to literally pee in my pants. Being the jokesters we are, Greg and I are always playing practical jokes on each other. He got me good with this one. It’s a mask we bought for Halloween a few years ago when we went to Ireland. He put it in the bed so that when I rolled over…it would scare the crap out of me…well it worked! I’m still plotting on how to get him back! Suggestions are welcomed! haha!

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, we’ve been taking his Chop Top/Rat Rod out for ice cream. Right now, we’re trying to decide what color to paint it….if at all. 🙂

I mentioned above that I’ve been working really hard on this whole weight loss gig. I got myself an UP bracelet and it’s been really helping to keep me on track with tracking my steps, my sleep and I can keep track of the food I’m eating. Plus I have some pretty awesome team members (hayyyy Cheri!!!)…and I can just wear it like a bracelet so I’m less likely to loose it! I’ve also been eating much healthier and I’m proud to say…I’m officially down 40 pounds. As for my secret that everyone emails me about…….are you ready for it? A simple lifestyle change in the way I eat and exercise-THAT’s IT! I’ve still got a ways more to go…I’m hoping to loose another 40…..slowly but surely! And trust me when I say…I’ve wanted to punch every pound in the face along the way.

May 5th was my birthday!!! BUT more importantly, it was my BFF Nicole’s baby shower. Since it was on the 5th…she had a Cinco De Mayo themed shower…and it was soo insanely cute. There were margarita flavored cupcakes!!!! I mean, I’m told they tasted like margarita’s because you know, I didn’t eat any! hahaha!

This was super cute. Our small town has recently finished a river front trail and are encouraging families to get out on the trail and build gnome homes using natural materials found in nature.  The purpose of this project is to promote positive interactions between the community and nature in our great little town. Every time we’ve been on the trail there are always new homes/dwellings each time. Mallory really gets a kick out of it and we really enjoy all the creativity. For all of you locals, *here* is the facebook page if you’d like to get involved. Take your camera along, because the kids will love it…..plus you’ll be outdoors spending time together! <3

My 8 year old has somehow-overnight-become a little teenager. She’s all picky about her clothes, her hair and soon *gasp* we’re going to have to argue about the makeup. I snapped this one morning as I passed by the door. As I took a glimpse over, i couldn’t help but see what she’s going to look like as a teenager. SIGH…I guess it’s bound to happen! :-/

This is my Pappy Davis! Ever since I’ve been self-employed, he stops over once in a while so that we can go out to breakfast! I’ve really enjoyed spending time together and sometimes…….sometimes, it’s always at the most inconvenient times-right when I’m chin deep in a bunch of work….but I know one day I’ll cherish these times, so I always put down the work and head out to our “hole in the wall” small town restaurants for some bacon and eggs. Pap’s always got his camo shirt and his black beanie hat…it’s how I will always remember him! <3

SW PA has been rather wet for the first part of May…….I’m looking forward to the sunshine and the HOT HOT HOT weather where I can just sit by the pool…..with my lap top and a margarita!

After YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, I put on an “old school” pair of skates at the roller rink. MAN was that a leg workout! I didn’t fall once….but I did make a total fool out of myself….notice there are no photos of that! haha!

And lastly, over Mother’s Day weekend, we went to Erie to visit Greg’s Dad in the hospital. On our way home, we made a pit stop at the Splash Lagoon….and it.was.awesome!! There was hardly anyone there-no lines to wait in and we rode all the water slides until our little hearts content. It was an awesome day to go too because on that particular day it was cold and rainy….but inside it was hot and felt like we were at the beach. I’m so proud of Miss Mallory for trying all the slides….and it was an awesome family day!

 

And this picture on the right you may recognize from Splash Lagoon, but the picture on the left was taken last year……..what a difference 40 pounds can make!

 

Soooo, that’s all I got. If you want to keep up with my shenanigans, feel free to add me on Instagram (jenmcken) and remember…..suggestions for getting Greg back, are always welcomed! HAHAHA!