It was an exhausting, stressful, and crazy end to 2009 and quite frankly, I’m glad that year is over.  We had three years in our home state of Kansas and we thoroughly enjoyed being so close to family and old friends, however I do believe I’m ready for the next adventure.  

Being a military family and moving so much, we tend to categorize each duty station by the big events of our time there.  Here are some of the memoriable events of 2007, 2008, and 2009 at Ft. Leavenworth:

• –starting my business, Kelly Holder Photography, and watching it grow into something bigger than I could have ever imagined
• –Jake attending 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades at an wonderful school on post with amazing teachers
• –Jake playing his first year of intense tackle football
• –Cody growing from a 2 1/2 year old in a crib to a soccer playing kindergartener
• –the adoption of Fresco, the adorable long legged pound pup, the eventual sad return, and the happy ending with his new family
• –the purchase of our new puppy Remy, and all the trials & tribulations…and joy of having a new puppy
• –Jason graduating his master’s program with an MBA
• –getting reaquainted with old high school and college friend who live in Kansas City
• –networking with some amazing KC photographers who’ve now become great friends
• –traveling to Atlanta and Germany to shoot weddings
• –traveling to DC, Maryland, and North Carolina for week-long client shoots
• –traveling to Branson, Bald Head Island, North Carolina, and Las Vegas for workshops and conventions

I will look back on Leavenworth, Kansas with fondness–glad to have been there, but ready for my next life!  Texas is already treating us well.  We adore our new house and neighborhood.  The boys love their school and teachers.  I’ve become fast friends with some amazing ladies who are just “my kind of people”.  So far, so good.  I’m sure once Jason starts back to work next week in the “real army”, it will get crazy and hectic again, but there’s so much to look forward to…and I’m going to embrace that.

After a month off, I’m also ready to embrace shooting and working again.  My eyes have missed viewing life through the lens as I haven’t even picked up my camera once.  I did purchase a great little point and shoot camera since one of my 2010 goals is to take more candids of the boys and just life in general.  No more excuses that my camera is too big. 

Kelly Holder Photography “Texas Style” will be taking clients very soon.  I purchased a new website, office furniture, and desktop computer and will be working on getting all of that set up next week.  I still need to explore the area to find my shooting locations, but hope to take clients in February.  Check back to the blog for some fun incentives and promotions I’ll be running.  And if you are a friend, client, or stranger–please spread the word that KHP has moved and will soon be booking sessions!  There may even be a little something in it for you!

Late this fall, my good friend Julie Lackey shot a few family pics for our Christmas card.  Since a post just isn’t a post without a pic, I’ll share a few.

Wishing you fun and laughter in 2010!