Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these extra-sweet crafts and treats!

Valentine Pancakes
Just use an empty condiment bottle and some pancake batter—delicious and so yummy! Add strawberries and whip cream for a special touch. (Don’t forget to mix in some love. That’s very important.)

http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/3/24/pancake-doodles.html

Pillowbox Alligator Valentine
This adorable do-it-yourself valentine can be downloaded for free and filled with candy.

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/02/06/id-snap-at-the-chance-to-be-your-valentine/

Heart and Lollipop Flowers
A fun and simple gift—perfect for school valentine exchanges!

http://www.marthastewart.com/267672/sweet-tidings-handmade-valentines-for-ki

Crayon Heart Valentines
These gifts are candy-free, adorably sweet and easy to make too!

http://mrspereasclass.blogspot.com/2011/08/tales-of-frogs-and-cupcakes-having.html

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
Use a heart shape for fun twist on this decadent treat.

http://www.bakerella.com/easy-and-easier-valentine-treats/

Happy Valentine’s Day from Adam & Anne at Larkin Photography!

Each year Adam & I try to do something special and out of the box to make our Valentines memorable.  We started this a few years ago and intend to keep the tradition going.  The first time, we were sitting in the mall and one of the table tents had an advertisement for Dinner & Swing Dancing Lessons in Mt. Pleasant; two birds right?  I signed us up for our first adventure.  We had so much fun together stumbling over the dance moves and eating a delicious meal.

The next one we did was “Ghost night” at Space Studios in Midland.  Adam and I learned to use a pottery wheel like Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze in the movie.  Was it as romantic and sensual as the movie?  Heck no!  That really takes some muscle to get the clay going.  We did get the hang of it though, and both of us ended up with two pieces to take home.  Adam had a change dish and bowl & I had a cup and saucer.  Are they pretty, not really, but they are wonderful memories of that Valentines.

This year we did something even more fun and challenging.  We went to Legacy Art Studio and Gallery and did a couples painting workshop!  It was so much fun   Hannah helped guide us thru our painting, helping with some techniques to achieve the look we were going for.  Also, she is an awesome paint mixer!  Giving us all the crazy colors we requested.  Adam and I are very proud of our work, so if you are a master painter – don’t judge –   See below for a peek at our day.  (Pictures of Adam & I that we didn’t take were on our cell taken by Hannah)

Adam and I diligently making our circles – finger painting is fun

Adam and I with our completed painting

Our work of art hung up in our bedroom

Some cute details made: All of our names; Adam, Anne, Logan, Artie & Baby are all incorporated in the painting

Can’t forget to mark why it was made

All of the love that makes up that tree

Thank you for sharing our day with us. I hope your Valentines is amazing!

Please join us in our journey and check back for updates.

I would like to start this post out with a special note to Adam.

Adam,
 For 7 years now we have had our ups and downs but like I have said many times before, I would never have changed a thing.  I have always believed everything happens for a reason.  Somehow you found me, simply on Yahoo Messenger, I didn’t block you and now I know why. 

 Even through some of our most in depth cleaning arguments taking any sort of breaks were never an option for us.  As we said quoting the awesome Malibu’s Most Wanted “the only way out is in a box” and I mean that.  Till death only do we part.  I’m in it for the long haul baby.  We can do anything  

 We have raised two spoiled dogs and run a successful business together.  For some, that could end up being a breaking point, but I can’t help it.  I love spending time with you.

 Happy Anniversary Love!  I look forward to what the future holds for us.
 -Anne

P.S. I love you – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD9CrZODlNA

If you get technical, this is Adam’s and my 7th anniversary. I’d like to keep it that way, it sounds so much more dedicated and long term.  But marriage, like everyone says, changes things.  It took our 7 year anniversary down to 1. (Just for reference, Adam and I wed on our 6th anniversary 10-2-10.  I chose this date so we wouldn’t have to remember another one and our anniversaries would just stay the same.)

Here I sit, professing my love for Adam on the Internet for all of the world to see.  I’m not embarrassed to type it from my living room.  I will even shout it “I LOVE YOU ADAM LARKIN! FOREVER AND ALWAYS!!”

I mulled over what memories to share, most of which we probably Face-booked already.  But here it goes.  Our first year of marriage.

*Queue the music and flashbacks*

After Vegas we came back and partied it up with our friends and family for a Michigan reception.  Around the same time we repainted our studio (thank you to Adam’s parents for all of that gorgeous hard work)  Shortly there after we enjoyed lots of newlywed time relaxing and never ending working with the studio.  In the spring, we decided that enough was enough with the downtown studio and found something with more to offer us.  Hence, our new location in the Circle Plaza.  With the new location, of course, brought more renovations.  (Thank you to all the people who helped with this one!)

I didn’t realize how hard it is to sum up a year. Or did we just not do enough eventful stuff for ourselves?    Either way, in case you are asking the burning question, no we are not pregnant and not sure when. 

Thank you for sharing our memories
-Anne

Alzheimers Memory Walk
This year the Alzheimers Memory Walk was at Emerson Park. The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research — and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Year-round, our participants are leaders in the effort to defeat this devastating disease.

Walkers can view and download event and team photos by visiting http://www.larkinphotographyproofs.biz/photocart/index.php

1.) Left Click on your event
2.) Find your picture
3.) Left Click on your picture to open
4.) Left Click the download arrow (above your image)
5.) Download your photo

This year, we are playing it a little more low key.  For our first married Valentine’s Day we will be having a nice dinner at Shari’s Gourmet Dining in Auburn. 

-Adam & Anne

P.S. To share our love – see the Current Promotion below:  LP Love

Send a Gift Card today!!
Few gifts are appreciated more than portraits. Larkin Photography Gift Cards are a beautiful and easy way to give portraiture as a gift. The Gift Cards can be for any amount and can be applied towards session fees or any studio portraits. Purchase your Larkin Photography Gift Card by going to http://lpblog.biz/gift-cards/ ( or by calling the studio at 989 708 8722) After payment has been collected, we will gift wrap your gift card and mail it to you or the recipient free of charge

Alzheimers Memory Walk
First the Alzheimers Memory Walk at Chippewa Nature Center. The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research — and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Year-round, our participants are leaders in the effort to defeat this devastating disease. http://bit.ly/cW2vJX

Kid’s and Kidney’s Walk
Next we have the Kid’s and Kidney’s Walk at Dow Gardens. The National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Walk is a fun, inspiring community fundraiser that calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation. It’s also an opportunity for patients, family, friends and businesses to come together.

Thanks to the money raised through the walks, NKF is able to offer free early detection screenings for kidney disease, support research, educate patients and the public, advocate for kidney patients and other groups affected by kidney disease, and much more. http://bit.ly/cYzh3D

Walkers can view and download event and team photos by visiting http://bit.ly/cHbRjj

1.) Left Click on your event
2.) Find your picture
3.) Left Click on your picture to open
4.) Left Click the download arrow (above your image)
5.) Download your photo