Breast Pumps and Black Friday | Vancouver Photographer

 

These past two weeks or so, I have really enjoyed watching the leaves changing color in my front yard. Years ago, we panted huge 10 ft maple trees and needless to say, I have a front-row view of autumn goodness right outside my door. I just love the autumn! I love pumpkins, gourds, maple leaves, cozy fires, earthy colors, and the vibrancy that only fall can bring us.The crisp morning autumn air is by far my favorite to soak up.

©Bella Lucia Photography

With autumn comes back to school, Thanksgiving, snuggly sweaters, and of course my all time FAVORITE day of the year........

drum roll please.... BLACK FRIDAY! 

So yes, I am obsessed in love with this manically magnificent day full of shopping at 4am, standing in lines with other crazed shoppers all eagerly ready to grab up the best deals they can find. Black Friday Shopping is a tradition in my family. 

Sounds silly right?? WRONG! 

Some of my favorite memories with my mom and sisters are from Black Friday adventures, 

like 2 years ago when I dumped an entire travel mug of coffee at the front of the line in Kohls at precisely 4:45am, with only a mere 300 people in line behind us watching my graceful move. {smooth.... very smooth}

I mean, who doesn't love shopping in sweats & snow boots? 

And, I can't forget the year I was pregnant with Nevaeh and waddled..  

(and yes, this HOT MESS waddled) 

all over each store with such veracity to score the best of the best, despite my robust shape.

November 2006 - pregnant with Nevaeh

Even better, how about 2007, after Nevaeh was born and I was still pumping.... 

Oh Boy, this has to really bring up the giggles.

I'm one of those crazy moms who pumped about 9 times a day for a year. {don't ask} 

I cleverly lugged that beast of breast pump everywhere we went, and in between stores I would plug in that puppy and pump my way to the next store. 

Now, for those who have pumped before, you know how pumping SUCKS is so glamorous, especially when you are trying to swap full bottles of milk, with the pump still attached, wearing a seat-belt, in the pitch dark of 5:00am glory, while holding the perfectly wedged position so the 50 bags of goods don't fall over, while your mother is driving like a bat out of hell in hopes to get to Target in time for me to score the cheapest DVDs. 

 I mean, so yea, there was breast milk on my sweat pants, BFD!!! 

I got DVD's for $3 a piece BABY!

Black Friday always involves TONS of laughter, excited anticipation, and usually freezing in -32 degrees as we rush from store to store in snow boots complete with ice-walkers attached, parkas, hats, and gloves. I'm challenging myself this year to not only shopping on Black Friday, but also documenting the craziness! I attempted last year, but I soon was more focused on gathering goodies than picture taking. SO, be on the look out come November... because there will be some HILARIOUS photo moments being captured.

This time of year also means Thanksgiving, which I have happily taken the responsibility of. From turkey prep that takes 48 hours of brine, roasting, flipping, tenting, and carving, to homemade vinaigrette for salad, and of course, handmade dinner rolls, I'm a crazy turkey day connoisseur.  Thanksgiving is a workout to say the least, with at least 3 days of preparation, and all to be cleaned up, and done before our 3:30am start time for Black Friday shopping.

So people, I'm EXCITED! I can't wait for the holidays to arrive!! And if you want to tag along with my family fun, just let me know! We are always open for guests on our FAVORITE day of the year!

What is your favorite part of this time of year? I'd love to hear some of your fun holiday traditions in the fall!! Leave me a comment with your favorites from the Fall!!