Porch Envy

The first time I saw this porch, my jaw dropped. It's just gorgeous. And it screams "come enjoy a lazy afternoon sipping lemonade!" Who doesn't want a porch like that?!?!? I knew this porch would be perfect for a bridal or an engagement session, or a lovely little family dressed to the nines like this one! Don't you just love little girls in their holiday dresses? Thanks Jill, for letting us borrow your porch!
These girls looooooove their grandpa!!

And I'll end with this one. It makes me smile.

The Reason Why I am So Tired Today...

Saw New Moon, but missed the Leonids meteor shower. I need to live in the sticks so I can go star-gazing EVERY night.

These Two are Quite a Pair!

Quite a handsome pair, that is!

Oh, the many faces of Aubrey....

Watch out, ladies!!

The Perfect Gift

You know those people who are so hard shop for, have everything, don't "need" anything else, all they want for Christmas/Mother's Day/Birthdays is "a hug & a kiss" My mom used to always say that - a hug & a kiss - and yes, I'll probably say it to my own kids one day. For the person who has everything, what could be better than receiving a nice portrait of their loved ones? Whether it's the kiddos for Mom or Dad or the grandparents, a portrait of yourself as a gift for your spouse, or you & your spouse for your children & grandchildren (Hey, you guys need to get your portrait done too you know!!), who doesn't love getting portraits of their favorite people?!?

Besides, every year you should take the following pictures purely for family record purposes: an individual picture of each person in your immediate family - each parent, each child deserves a picture of just them (so each person knows they are important!), you & your spouse together (without all those kids hanging on you), and finally the whole family together. Obviously, Christmas time is a great time to do this. I also make it a point to get a family group shot on every vacation we go on or fun weekend activity we do.

So, without further adieu.... The Cousins... I don't think I am spoiling any Christmas surprises...

Overcast Days

I love overcast days.

And I love blue eyes.......and eyelashes...

OK, so at first glance I dismissed this image because it's not sharp in the face. BUT look what is - Dad holding his daughter's hand.

This One's My Favorite

There are many things I liked about this portrait session, but I am really enjoying these two shots of Mom & Dad. I've been doing this pose for a while now and suddenly - with this family - it's different. You know, with engagement/bridal pictures and even with small young families, of course the couples are cute & lovey. So having experienced this shot with young couples, and now here with a cute & lovey husband & wife who are now grandparents(!), it really speaks to me.

Do you want to know what it's saying? (Of course you do.)

"We've weathered the storms, we've jumped through all the hoops and dodged all the snowballs we could that life has thrown at us, and we are more in love now than before. I need this person, and he/she needs me and I can't imagine my life without him/her. I'm looking forward to growing old with this person and facing whatever else life wants to hurl at me, 'cuz I know I can take it as long as I've got this person right by my side."

(sigh) They're just beautiful. Don't you think so? Beautiful parents = beautiful children (& spouses)

... and beautiful grandchildren...

Three Handsome Boys + One Princess Baby

Is it just me, or does this seriously look like a handful of kids? I know it's only four (four kids ages 5 and under!!!), but I think the way the are sitting all sprawled out and all the arms are really playing tricks on my eyes! :)
I knew Christine wanted to replicate this shot from last year.

Airplane!!

These kinds of shots are quickly becoming some of my favorites!

Dancing is NOT for Sissies

Tuesday was "Parent Observation Day" at my daughter's tap & jazz class. While there, I "observed" this fun little exchange. The dancers were told to spread out arms-width apart for stretching. This boy was too close for Rosie's comfort!
Out of my space!!

He's not having much luck with the ladies today...

Love & Laughter

The entire portrait session was like this! There were jokes, a little teasing, a lot of love-y-ness, ok and a few tears. I paid two little girls a quarter each to not cry!!! If they cried, they had to return the quarter. Luckily they earned their pay. :) We also ran into some sprinkler action, and um, yeah, I was late. How many times can I make a wrong turn???

Anyways, take one awesome mom & daughter duo....
plus some darling little cuties...

throw in some rambunctious boys...

a handful of sweet families...

add a generous amount of tender moments...

and what do you have??? Family togetherness that can't be beat.

Making Waves

I've had a love for finger waves since high school. I always thought my hair was too long for it, and after a few disastrous attempts at pincurls (which was how a beauty school girl told me to do it), I gave up. Until there was YouTube.
This side view on the left looks like ribbon candy, but this right side is alright, if I may say so. I got compliments from one of the widows at church so I must be doing something right!!! This is only my second attempt at this :)

30 by 30 goal # 25 - CHECK!

Red Doors, Blue Eyes, Happy Smiles

I realize now that this next picture might be slightly confusing for some of you. Yes, it is two separate photos. No, there is not a place that has a crooked sidewalk and two crooked red doors. Sorry.

Aren't the blue eyes in this family amazing?????

This little girl is a perfect doll. She has a doll face, doll smile, doll hair, and even a doll voice! She is so precious. And she loves her daddy!

I really really like how this one turned out. Jen & Steve were replicating one of their wedding pictures with that pose, and then I told the kids to go join in.

This one will go in Steve's office so he can stare at you all day and not get any work done. Heee-hee-hee!

Calling all Bloggers - Win This Give-away!

Need a facelift for your blog?? Visit Mary at Blog Rock and win a blog make-over!!

Tell her I sent you - it gets me more chances to win :) Tell your friends - it gets you more chances to win!

Some day I'll host my own give-away..... I know, you are on the edge of your seats now....

Mary is in such a giving mood, she's also given me an award.

For real, I get nervous with these things!! I feel like I'm at a complete loss for words at the podium giving my acceptance speech. Well, I'm supposed to share the love so here goes:

Mrs. Write - She's clever

Brittani's Beautiful Mess - she's also a writer. I like writers.

Rachel who hasn't blogged for a while but I wanted to send her some love.

(Fine Print Rules: Post the award on your blog, link back to mine, pass the award on to 15 other blogs, notify them of their award, smile and know that you brightened someone's day) (15??? I have to limit myself to three, I don't have that many friends.)