CT PhotoMemories: April 2014

Another Lil' guy

I met them when big brother was born...

they are happy people...does that sound cliche'? I feel like I should have the Happy song playing along with this post...because that's how it felt to be in their home.

And let's be honest...when baby 2 comes along, you KNOW that your world gets turned upside down...and for some, it can knock us off kilter...

not so for this family...

Baby Boy #2 entered their lives and sure, schedules change and diapers mount...but, their hearts and attitudes soar above the sometimes "mess" of life...and it is so very evident when you meet them...

They are real, down-to-earth...they laugh and enjoy the moments as they come...

their boys are something special...let me tell you!

I was thrilled to be welcomed to their home again...these are the types of sessions (and families) that give me such hope and delight for our future!

hope you will enjoy:

Sweetness Alert

Her eyes are mesmerizing...and her smile is contagious...

She is the icing on the cake to an incredible family! She daughter #3 and sister #3 to the only brother...

Mommy knows how to make sure that she doesn't get lost in the sea of all the happenings that go on with older siblings...soccer games and dance recitals...school work and playdates...

Her mommy planned a special time, all to herself, so that she could just showcase her adorable personality!

I hope you'll enjoy it as well...

1...2...3...BOYS!!!

>> – Newborns

There's just something about a little boy :)

look at those big eyes and chubby little cheeks..

you want to squeeze them don't you?

Remember that little lady that I blogged about earlier? this is her cousin...not much age difference between the two...I can foresee lots of fun at family gatherings in the future!

He has 2 older brothers too...and I"m pretty positive that they keep their Momma quite busy just about 24/7!

This family took a special travel day to visit cousins and asked me to come on over to get some pictures too...I remember this clearly because it was a day that we got a LOAD of snow! Oh my goodness, it was coming down, but there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to meet up with them again.

I'm all about relationships remember...and this guy's momma is THIS girl's momma's sister (try saying that 3 times fast :)...They have a 3rd sister too (kinda like I have 3 daughters). I love to watch them all interact...to watch the cousins squeal and play...to just bask in the generations...

I love time spent with moms just being moms...just living life...loving on their babies!

I could eat her up!!!

>> – family sessions

She's gonna make you smile...

Her eyes and that huge laugh are just mesmerizing...you can't help but feel all squishy and happy inside after spending time giggling with this little girl!

I've written about their family so many times...I could go on and on about how I basically consider them part of my extended family already...

Doing "life" together with families does something to your heart...

it connects you...it makes you feel like you belong...it brings you joy in unexpected circumstances...

My family and I have had the privilege of watching this little girl's family grow over the years...

She and her big brother are delights to my 3 girls...

I'm always thankful for any moments we get to share with them...

which reminds me...

Amy, I'm thinking a visit to the park in the near future sounds like a GREAT idea?

Finally into 2014...

...and not a moment too soon...

Ya see, this little guy was 3 months old in these pictures...

I just took his SIX month pictures last weekend!

When I see these little squishy cheeks and pudgy arms...it just reminds me to soak up all the moments I have left with my little girls...my eldest will potentially be out from under my roof in just 6 short years to graduate and head off into that unknown world!!!

Therefore, I have been rather lax in getting all these blog posts finished during my "down season" with photography...but, I have thoroughly enjoyed going back and remembering these sessions...they bring such big smiles to my face!

Introducing Prince Charming:

He's a little brother to a big sister princess, so it makes perfect sense that Mommy got him a shirt like that!

I photographed his sister way back when she was a newbie...it's been fun to see the resemblances and to see their family dynamics ebb and flow with their latest little boy addition :)

I foresee many years of laughter, memories, and strong family bonds being formed...

It's amazing to me how children grow us...they force us to see new aspects of ourselves and recognize the depths of hearts...

They are getting it right...life is lived in the seemingly insignificant moments...in the mundane...

but, that's where the bonds are formed...

mom and dad have purposed in their hearts to love and sacrifice "self" for this family to thrive!

and thrive it does...

so worth it!!!

Getting Ready....

My baby sister is having a baby boy this summer...

She's not really a baby anymore...she's in her late twenties already, married, fixing up her home...but, she's still a baby sister to me :)

And the time has come that she's going to have a baby of her own...

I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to photograph a bunch of baby boys this year...just getting me ready to be an aunt again...to another nephew.

This wee one is a first born boy in his family too...his mommy and daddy loved to hover near and listen to his little squeaks. I'm always so encouraged to see both parents so in tune with their new child...especially the dads. What a gift they give to their son, parents that are actively involved in even the tiniest parts of their small lives. They are entering a huge, strange world...they will be bombarded with all kinds of ideas and thoughts and pathways to follow. But, if mom and dad have always been their steady foundation, they will always know where to turn when questions loom and futures seem uncertain.

I loved how their home just flowed with everyday life, but moments of their lives were hung in images all over their walls...I could tell that they value relationships and family...

They have already begun to instill into this little guy's heart a sense of belonging and love!

Priceless!

Christmas in April

Well...after this bitter cold winter, I'm not sure I am wanting to be reminded all all that snow and cold...especially from way back in December...but, goodness, that's where I am in the lineup of blog posts from 2013!

This little one had her first birthday in November so her Mommy decided to wait just a tad so that we could get Christmas celebrated in there too! This was my last Family Session of 2013! And what a fun one, on which to end!

I can't express to you the amount of giggling, laughing, squealing and just plain "girlie" play was taking place on this chilly afternoon! I always enjoy my time with them...the girls are beautiful and each have their own strong suit when it comes to personality...

And though I'm rather disappointed in myself that it's taking awhile to get to these blog posts...I have thoroughly enjoyed remembering and thinking through these sessions...and it is kind of fun to see pictures of Christmas...even if we are only weeks away from Easter...

Siblings and Friends

I'm the oldest child in my family. The next one after me is my brother...

I will be honest that I did not appreciate this sibling relationship until almost college...Growing up he was my playmate (who I bossed around), he was my scapegoat (because I totally blamed him for everything), and he had my back (though I never knew it, nor gave him any credit for it)

It sometimes takes years of bickering and just the plain ole journey of life, to finally realize how good you have it...other people, far more mature than me, figured this out in a lot less time...they did not take it for granted that they had siblings, but rather enjoyed it...sadly though, I was not one of those people...

My poor brother endured years of me tattling on him, pulling his hair to make him do my bidding and teasing him endlessly...

and yet, today I can say that I count him one of my closest friends...I can tell him anything...I can call him up and vent, cry, laugh, and just BE! I have no doubt of his love for me (and my little family)...I trust him and have stored in my heart the years of memories that we share!

Walking into the home of this family my heart just smiled...watching big sister with her new little brother...so many years ahead...I have a feeling that she's a lot smarter than I was...she adores this new little guy...and if I guess correctly, I have a feeling that they are going to become fast friends!!!

They are a family that is not tentative when it comes to demonstrating love to one another...it's a home where you feel safe just walking in the door...no pretenses or guards to put in place...you are welcomed as is and loved just the same! I was so honored to be asked to come photograph their new son...

Thank you for such a relaxing and enjoyable time with you all!!!

BLAINE: Senior pics

>> – Senior Sessions

A Life of Purpose:

that's what I would have entitled this blog post...

Never have I met another young man so focused, determined and unwavering in his purpose...

Not one of us ever are exempt from challenges, struggles, and things that just get us down...and so I know that he has had to face one or many of those obstacles along the way...

The only way I know this is not because he is bitter or whines about it...he didn't, but rather was extremely optimistic and excited about his future...it's not because he's cocky or over-sure of himself, he's not, but rather humble and thoughtful...it's not because he's got all the answers figured out and the money rolling in, he doesn't...

I know that he's had things to face because I can see the character that has been built into his being...it is impossible to miss his quiet wisdom & strength...even when he knows there is so much he doesn't know :)

I'm so honored to meet this next generation of men & women that are shaping our society...so thankful and hopeful to see men like him who are willing to sacrifice in order to attain their purpose!

In Your Own Backyard

>> – family sessions

My little family just got back from a spontaneous spring break getaway...just a little hotel stay so the kids could swim, a quick jaunt to Dave & Busters to play silly games, did a few area factory tours (cuz we're educational like that sometimes) and topped it off with free krispy kreme donuts (cuz we're also cheap like that too)

My hubby and I have marveled at the charmed lives that our children lead...it's not that we make millions or that they have the latest toys (none of them have cell phones, nor their very own electronic devices) It's not that they wear designer clothes (we shop Target and Kohls:) or have fancy cars (we drive a mini van and a used toyota)

However, they still lead a charmed life...in our eyes...

They have a mom & dad that love each other...we get to spend time together doing things that make life fun...we look for opportunities that require personal investment, not so much the monetary kind...

We watched them skipping down the hallway of the hotel (that we got to stay in for free) and just watched in wonder at their happiness of being able to swim in a tiny hotel pool with no hot tub and yet their joy was evident...with squeals and giggles to dive for pennies!

Having a family isn't for the faint of heart...it's for those that welcome a lifetime of effort..

I met this family in the fall...their simple backyard demonstrating the value they place on playtime with the kids...Each child, with their own unique personality, itching to tell me about all the fun they have together as a family! I can't tell you the happiness it brings me to watch moms and dads investing in the lives of their kids and their families...the goals they set...their purposeful approach to parenting...

Yep, having a family isn't for the faint of heart...

but, the payoffs are HUGE!

For love of a boy :)

>> – Newborns

I've finally been able to get to my last few sessions of 2013...I headed to this family's house in November...little did we know that the coolness of the day was just a foreshadow of the bitter cold that was to come this winter!

Little ones change so fast...it almost seems as if each new day brings some new discovery or expression...

This is why I have such a love and fascination for the candid pictures of life...the ones that just freeze a moment...

They only scoot and crawl for a season...once they find their balance, you won't have the opportunity to get a picture of them crawling again...they are only fascinated with a certain toy for what seems like a split second and then that silly song or dance won't be replicated!

How thankful I am when that insight and wisdom is found in moms and dads for their children...

It's why I teach classes with my Snapshop...so that parents have that knowledge at their finger tips to capture those moments 24/7!

I have lots of black and white photos in this session because I wanted to solely point out this sweet family's relationship...their ease with each other...no pretense, just BEing...

We spent a bit of time inside so we could play with this little guy's toys and follow him around...but then we headed out into the chill and kept warm by just being entertained by each other's laughter and love :)