CT PhotoMemories: November 2010

Baby Z

>> – Newborns

There is something so very special about newborns...their sweet smell, their tiny cries that are quickly soothed by Momma's voice, tiny toes, big eyes...the whole package really...

Beau & Amy received the most incredible gift this holiday season with the birth of their daughter.

I had the utmost pleasure and privilege to come to their home and photograph their tiny bundle....and I must admit that I had such a wonderful time.

As any new princess, she had lots of "wardrobe" changes...which basically included a plethera of hats and bows and blankets and the ones that loved her most vying over who would be in the picture with her next:)

Her Daddy had a special wagon that was handcrafted for him as a youngster...and she fit right inside.

Since she had just been born a little over a week prior to my arrival, Grandma was still staying on to get to know her sweet new granddaughter (and to help out her Momma just a bit:)

Amy's Dad passed away very recently and it meant a lot to her to somehow allow her dad to have a part in his granddaughter's beginning...we took a few pictures with Grandpa close by...

I just remember hearing Amy telling Beau that Baby Z was the BEST Christmas present ever!

I couldn't agree more...

Merry Christmas!

Please enjoy a few more pictures in the slideshow below by clicking PLAY. I thought it only fitting to share some Christmas music as well.

It was a dark and stormy...afternoon?

Yes...it's November...and weather in the midwest, especially in the autumn time...well, it can go from 60s down to the 30s in about...ohhh, 3 hours!

Michele so desperately wanted her parents to be apart of this photo session and they were only flying in over the Thanksgiving weekend...and so I was willing to do everything I could to accomodate...

Unfortunately, the weather was not so cooperative...We arrived at the Barn at 4pm to dark clouds and freezing rain...this does not bode well for outdoor photo sessions!

Fortunately, there is an overhang with beautiful white washed walls...and so we got creative and bounced some light and were able to capture some fun memories...These are just a few that I thought were living room wall-hanging worthy:)

I had to add these in b/c "Mom" wanted her eldest to "show some teeth"...

This is what I got:

Not sure that's what she had in mind...but it sure made me laugh!

Thanks again Michele, for trusting me to take your family photos again this year! Even through the cold and rain, I enjoyed being with your family! Hope you enjoy!

My Boys

Okay...they're not REALLY MY boys...but they're the closest thing that I'll have to boys...considering we have a household of estrogen, princess-crazed girlies!

At the risk of sounding all sappy and emotional...I just want to say that I love my brother. He and I have not only grown up together, but we experienced life in a similar fashion...As children, we were each other's playmates and friends...I remember bike rides, make believe and campouts in the backyard...I remember fighting and arguing and pulling his hair until he let me have my way (Mom if you are reading this, I'm very sorry...not really, cuz I ultimately got my way and obviously didn't get in trouble for it...but still...)

As we got older, although he was my younger brother:) , I depended upon his advice and input...I remember late night talks ...into the wee hours of the morning. We are a lot alike...even today, to be in the same room with us as we "debate" something...bring earplugs...our voices tend to escalate when we get excited about a topic...and man, when we get going...

Well...let's just say that our spouses..our dear, wonderful spouses, have great patience with us...

Speaking of spouses...Don, although I love him dearly, certainly married "UP"! Laurie is incredible. I loved her from the moment I knew my brother loved her...but, now I just love her cuz she's Laurie. She is a wonderful wife to my brother, an phenomenal mommy to their FOUR..yes I said FOUR...BOYS! And, she's just an awesome friend. I appreciate her personality and her friendship.

And then we come to the BOYS!!! These sweet little things definitely keep their parents on their toes...they are well-behaved and obedient...but, they are also all boy! (as evidenced by some of the pictures as you'll see)

I have a GREAT family! Thank you all for letting Aunt Colleen stick a camera in your face for awhile!!

I love how my brother & sister in law have taught them to "never leave your wingman!"

Oh Laurie...I don't know HOW you do it!

The Little Gym and Soccer

I've known Lori since my eldest was about 2 years old. Lori opened a Little Gym in our area and we were one of the first classes to try it out! From then on, we've been friends. She's such a sweet person and loves her husband and kids with all that she has in her!

Once our girls were old enough, they started playing soccer...this is where Eric comes in...He has been coaching with my husband for nearly 3 years now. The two of them are opposites in personality, which makes for some fun conversation and entertainment on the sidelines of the soccer games.

We have so enjoyed getting to know their family over the years and it's always my pleasure to take some photos for them to capture some memories!

Here are a few!

Be sure to stop over to my facebook page to see these photos processed slightly differently...such fun what cropping and photo editing can to do enhance images...

GracePoint Pastors

My husband and I, along with our girls, have been attending GracePoint for over 5 years now. The thing that attracted us most about this church was the realness of the leadership. I'm not here to say that we have the perfect church or to "bash" any other places of worship...Everyone looks for different things in a place where they want to bring their families to learn more about God.

Our search began first with finding a place that had God's Word as their single place of reference. From there, differences arise...what type of music, what kind of preaching, what type of children's programs...I know that there are some places that have nearly perfected these categories...but, what caught us at GracePoint was the fact that the pastor was authentic...he's open, honest and a man of integrity. And he choses people to serve with him on staff that posess those same qualities.

We are honored and privileged to be shepherded under these guys...

I got to spend a little bit of a morning with them in order to get some up to date photos for their website and just church ongoings...I thought I'd share a few of the fun ones:)

New Wedding Post...

Please link over to CTPhotoMemories Weddings to see the latest Wedding post!

Old Friends

I met Steve at Cedarville University...some 12398723487234587237 years ago...ahem

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I honestly believe that all the Diet Pepsi I drank seriously damaged multiple brain cells, including the ones that are for the memory...and for that fact, I have a very difficult time remembering much...HOWEVER....

I do remember Steve...and I remember him b/c I can't ever remember NOT laughing when he was around...and when I say laughing, I mean the type of laughter that gets your stomach hurting and your eyes tearing up...

Steve also has a heart for God and for his family. I knew he had integrity, even alllllllll those years ago as well. And even though he possessess all that...he married UP...b/c Christy...oh my...

Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but her heart is so gracious, sweet and kind...

I was so excited to capture some pictures of their family a couple weeks ago. Their eldest daughter is graceful and an incredible big sister...their son is ever the gentleman, but has his dad's ability to tease and laugh...and sweet, little baby of the family...through her shivers in the chilly air, was just doing her best with her smiles and giggles...

I loved every minute...THANKYOU Steve & Christy for a great afternoon...

Be sure to check out CTPhotoMemories Facebook Page to see more images and a collage of Steve & Christy!

A Cowboy Hat and All!

A pick up truck was in front of me on the drive to my photo session.

In the driver's seat was a man. He had a big 'ole cowboy hat on his head and you could tell by the way he was boppin' that he must have been listenin' to some good 'ole tune on the radio...

Hmmm, I thought...Wouldn't that be fun if he were in the photo shoot...that hat would be so fun!!!

He didn't turn in where I had to turn...oh well...

And then Kim and her family showed up...and as her dad came stridin' up to me, I looked up from the brown boot shoes he was wearing to see large, black cowboy hat sittin' right there on top! Talk about a dream come true???

I had a sweet laugh with him when I told him about my ride in...However, the rest of the family wasn't as "keen" on the look as I may have been, albeit they had twinkles in their eyes...but, we just went with the flow...and got some great family & grandkid shots!!!

Kim has such a great family...Mom and Dad have been married decades upon decades and I was honored and privileged just to see them love on each other and on their kids. Kim and her sister each married wonderful guys...I could tell just how they interacted with each other...their tones of voice, their gentleness with their children, the words they used with each other...I think that type of love is evident in pictures too...

It's getting brisk out as we head deeper into fall and creep into winter. The little ones were huddling with their mommies & daddies...everyone was so kind and such troopers as I kept clickin' away.

I couldn't help but take photo after photo of their adorable children...

Please enjoy as you see our evening unfold...