• SimplyHollyJo

    • Prairie Center Family Photos | McCutcheon Family

      by SimplyHollyJo on August 6, 2019 , No Comments

      I love being outdoors in nature. So Prairie Center calls to me. I knew the first time I ever saw it that it would be an amazing place for photos. I love shooting there. This awesome family came out in the summer evening, when it was still blazing hot, to capture some great images! I attempted to give them some breaks from the sun and heat here and there. They were great sports as we navigated the beautiful prairie. I loved having the buildings to use as backdrops as well as some shade here and there. They also created a […]

      Photography
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    • Black Hoof Park Extended Family Session | Carey Family

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 30, 2019 , No Comments

      Extended family sessions are so much fun. I love getting to see family dynamics, and finding out what really captures each family unit. This Black Hoof Park session was no different! There’s nothing quite like getting family photos with Grandma and Grandpa. My family does extended family photos every year, and I love having images with grandparents and my kids! It’s such a great way to capture everyone. This family took it to the next level with GREAT grandparents! They even brought great props! A family wagon and an adorable beanie hat that their grandfather wore when he was a […]

      Photography
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    • My 10 Favorite Instagram Accounts

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 24, 2019 , No Comments

      Instagram. It kind of calls to me. I’m all about photos, so I enjoy scrolling through them. I wish there was a little more interaction available on the platform, but that’s life. I have a few select accounts that I really enjoy and engage most with, and I’m going to share those accounts with you. @NotYourGrandpasWhittling This is a couple that I actually went to high school with that I “ran into” online years later. Joshua carves awesome ornaments and figurines. I’m a little addicted and have to control myself. My mother always had “her” Christmas tree when I was […]

      Blogging + Writing
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    • Prime Day 2019 Deals

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 15, 2019 , No Comments

      It’s Prime Day ya’ll! I’m going to share some of my favorite Prime Day deals! 1. Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, 6 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use Programmable Pressure Cooker I love my instant pot. I have the 8 Qt so that I can make insane amounts of yogurt and stock at once, but the 6 is great too! Take advantage of the discount to try it out. I got rid of my crockpot and my rice maker, and I love it for hard boiled eggs and cooking frozen meats. I mean, it’s ridiculous how many times I forget to thaw […]

      Gadgets + Gizmos, Kids
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    • Sprinkle and Splash Play Mat | A Reveiw

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 15, 2019 , No Comments

      Hey all! I just wanted to share one of our favorite outside toys for babies, toddlers, and above: a sprinkle and splash play mat! Let me start by saying this family LOVES water. My kids would be in water all day long if they could, I’m sure. They do have moments where they complain about getting wet…when they are already dripping from head to toe. I’m not sure what that’s about.  ANYWAY! Today I want to talk about the Splashin’kids 68″ Sprinkle and Splash Play Mat Pad from Amazon.  We originally had the Banzai 54 inch water play mat since […]

      Kids, Recommendations + Reviews
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    • Calamity Line Park Family Photos | Holle Extended Family Photos

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 11, 2019 , No Comments

      What a day! This shoot in Calamity Line Park was originally going to be done at Black Hoof Park for an extended family that was all going to be in town for the weekend. They wanted to take advantage of being in the same state together and get family photos. Great idea! Then the weather tried to dampen our spirits! Rain was in the forecast all week and we changed up our plans last minute to shoot in Calamity Line Park in Olathe. It has a small shelter area that we could hide from rain if needed, and it’s a […]

      Photography
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    • Family Vacation to Colorado Springs

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 2, 2019 , No Comments

      We recently went on our first family vacation as a family of four. We wanted something relatively simple so that we could test out how the kids did with a change in their routine and environment. I worry about losing sleep. It’s a problem. I mean, I know that I am not the best person when running on low sleep. I try not to make people hang out with that person! We usually go on family vacation with other family, especially my in-laws. They are vacation people. Having other people there definitely helps. We have great dreams of going back […]

      Photography, Travel
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    • 4th of July DIY Decor or Photo Props

      by SimplyHollyJo on June 28, 2019 , No Comments

      When it comes to home decor and photography props, I love getting crafty. I often see things online or out and about and think, “I could do that!” So I do. For photography props that I purchase, I prefer things that are multifunctional and can be used in many ways. So the shoot specific items are often created, as needed, by myself. Today I will share how I made these super simple and cute “firework” decor or props, depending on your needed use! Supplies needed: 2×4(s), cut to desired sizes (I used some scrap wood and cut a couple down) […]

      Crafts + Creations
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    • Fiona’s First Birthday Shoot | Lemon Photoshoot

      by SimplyHollyJo on June 24, 2019 , No Comments

      I can’t even you guys. Seriously. This lemon photoshoot has me all giddy like a school girl. It came together so fluidly. A nickname turned into a first birthday photoshoot. Perfect. This precious little girl dove right in to the setup. She wasn’t content to sit in the chair once she realized there was water WITH lemons in the bucket. Time to eat! She stood there for some time quite content to nibble on her lemon slice and look at me like I was crazy. She was a blast to work with, even with a few tear filled moments about […]

      Kids, Photography
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    • Room-Sharing for Toddlers | A Transition Story

      by SimplyHollyJo on June 19, 2019 , No Comments

      Room-Sharing : A Goal Room-sharing. It’s been on our mind for years. It was a goal we always had. I just always felt that it would be nice for the boys to share a room. It would give them bonding time, help with the dreaded scared of the dark/scared of being alone issue, and it would also help when traveling that they would be use to not having their own room. Mom-Fear The problem was that I was scared to pull the trigger. The boys were sleeping well and I didn’t want to change that. I didn’t want to go […]

      Kids, Motherhood
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    • Realistic Expectations for My Kids | Surviving Parenthood

      by SimplyHollyJo on May 31, 2019 , No Comments

      As a mom of two toddlers, I sometimes have a difficult time keeping the expectations of my kids within normal range. I don’t have a lot to base my gauge on  since I was never really around a lot of small kids while growing up, or ever really. I’ve only recently dove into the world of little ones.  Some days it’s easy to remind myself that they’ve only been on the earth for a very short time. They are just trying to figure out the many, many things that are happening to them and around them. Other times mom guilt […]

      Photography
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    • How to Make a Family Yearbook

      by SimplyHollyJo on May 18, 2019 , No Comments

      Every year I make a family yearbook. I know, I’m one of THOSE people. Both of my boys have large coffee table baby books. See? I’m one of THOSE people. I like being one of THOSE people! Photography IS my passion. I should probably print all of the images I shoot. It all started with a coupon: It all started when I went on my first kid-free vacation after Liam was born. My husband had to go to Hawaii for work and got permission to take me. It turned out that work was crazy and he was gone from sun […]

      Photography
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