Kylie

Kylie had the prettiest eyes and beautiful skin. She fussed a little, but we tricked her by laying her on her back. She thought she was just going to play for a few minutes and we snapped the pictures before she knew what was going on. Didn't get a ton of pictures, but we got a few smiles!

Haley, Tyler & Benjamin

I had a great time with this family. I hadn't seen baby Haley since she was a few weeks old. She has gotten so adorable and has very kissable cheeks! Her big brothers did great and tolerated my endless questions and requests.

Brylynn

I enjoyed catching up with Brylynn and her parents again. Brylynn was one of my very first clients two years ago. She was in her mama's tummy for our first session. She wasn't sure of what to think of me - especially when I tried to balance her pumpkin on my head while I was shooting and it fell off the bridge into the water 20 feet below. Of course, it was floating, so she kept talking about it. We had to distract her for awhile so she would forget about it, but while we were walking back through the bridge on our way out, she took her other pumpkin and pitched it over the side too! I'm sure those 3-foot catfish really enjoyed those two pumpkins!

This picture of Brylynn on dad's cell phone cracks me up and reminds me of my Natalie. She always talks to people with the cell phone on her eye, and then twists her eyes around to "look" at who she is talking to.

I am 0 for 2 on Halloween pictures so far this year. Both babies have screamed like crazy the minute those costumes went on.

ONE OF MY OWN...

I can't believe I have been a mother for 10 years! I have wanted to be a mom my entire life, but nothing could have ever prepared me for the overwhelming love I would feel. She is so much like me, and still so different. She is confident, compassionate, smart and amazing. I love to be with her....to hear her laugh and watch her smile. I am so glad that she shares her life with me. I wish I could slow her down a little, but for now I am just treasuring every moment! 

It is so different shooting your own kids! I had this session planned for months - had the outfit picked out, jewelry bought, etc. We waited for the perfect weather and a clear schedule. Of course, just minutes before we were leaving, the outfit didn't fit and the pants were too scratchy...the hat didn't match anything else and the sun was going down fast! I improvised with an entire new outfit and hat (but had no matching shoes - she is barefoot in all the pictures!) and we headed for some really cool weeds I had driven by. Unfortunately, the weeds were also full of stickers. The sun was in her eyes, stickers covered her pants  and she was not at all thrilled with me taking pictures of her. She wouldn't say any of the silly things my toddler clients will say and didn't even laugh when I tried to play peek-a-boo with her. I can't imagine why not! 

When I told her that lots and lots of people PAID me to take pictures of their children and that she should feel HONORED and PRIVILEGED that I was taking HER photo - this is the look she gave me...... 

What is their secret?

These three kids are some of the best behaved, grateful, compassionate, smartest and most loving kids I have ever met! I have had the opportunity to spend time with them at church (away from their parents), late at night, early in the morning, with and without snacks/naps, etc...... they still are the best. I have decided to make it my mission to find out what their secret is.

Baby Katie

Katie sure has grown since I saw her this summer. I half-expected her brothers and sisters to have "moved on", but I was very wrong! They argued (nicely...because they are extremely well-behaved and loving) about which one would get to hold her for the family picture since they took turns during her newborn session. Big sister Megan won this time. I sure hope they continue to love her this much. She is going to be very spoiled....but very blessed.

Brody...

I always look forward to seeing Brody again. He is always full of smiles for me - which was so funny that he screamed the minute he put on this darling lion costume and didn't stop until we took it off. Then the smiles came back out again. He is looking more and more like a little man and less like a baby! Time sure goes by fast.

Drake & Titus

Drake is so funny. That boy never stops talking and Titus doesn't stop running! Drake has a huge vocabulary and I love listening to his never-ending stories. He is turning six this month. Happy Birthday Drake!

Allison & Mattox

I've loved taking pictures of this family over the last year. When I first arrived this week, little Mattox would have nothing to do with me. He is so shy! We took a couple of pictures with his mom and dad, and then a few more on his new fort. Several packages of Smarties later and we were dear friends! Allison is still so tiny for a 3-month old, but still very sweet.

Courtney

This little four-year old was a riot! She has such a fun personality. She loved having her picture taken (can you tell from the poses and smiles?) I really had a great time with this session.