Ek...

Oh my goodness...

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted anything... Ek! I'm so sorry!

Life sure is INSANE at the moment.

To sum up the past month, we had quite a few weddings in a row, while trying to get ready for vacation. I'm not sure why we planned a vacation right in the middle of wedding season, but a girl still has to get some sun in the summer too, right?! We got back from vacation to hit right back into the weddings, while hosting a house full of family to celebrate the 4th with. Phew... It's been a busy summer so far and I feel like it's almost over. Boo! I guess it's only July and summer "technically" just began a few weeks ago, but still... makes me sad!

But we had a great stretch of weddings, before we headed to the most beautiful place on earth. The couples that we worked with were A-MAZING, as usual. Then we had about 10 days of down time while we travelled to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. What a fun trip! We had a blast and our little guy had a TON of fun as well!

We had lots of first for our little man, this past month as well, as he has learned to sit up in his crib, which scared me half to death when it happened, I went to check on him through our video monitor and he's sitting up trying to hoist himself out of the crib. Then it seemed like the next day, he wants to do more and more dare devilish things, including getting a nice bloody lip that wouldn't stop bleeding, to banging his head against our brick fireplace... I'm sure this is just the beginning! Haha!

But vacation was super nice! If anyone has never been to the Outer Banks, I totally recommend it! Todd used to go every summer as a kid, and I had the oppurtunity to go when we first got married. But this time was even better. It was actually warm, since last time it was freezing, and our little man got to go on his first real road trip.

It felt so good to get some sun and not worry about doing anything except relaxing, which is actually a lot harder than I thought. We went from rush, rush, rush to slow, slow, slow... and that in itself is hard to do.

We did spend each morning walking the beach (both Jackson & my favorite part). He seriously LOVED the beach...



Most afternoons either laying in the pool, teaching our little guy to swim, or playing with lots of people inside, since we all know Jackson wasn't blessed with the greatest skin coloring, he's going to be a burner. But he did great and had fun...





And most evenings playing games, laughing, more walks, and for myself... sleeping! Ha! I'm pretty sure most nights I was asleep before it was dark outside, you can call me either smart or lame, but Jackson was not sleeping well, which meant I was up all night as well! Poor guy and mama!

All in all it was a perfect trip as a family...



Here are a few I had the chance to take with my camera for his 10 month photos...





He sure is perfect!



"What is this I'm sitting in?"



"Mmmm... it's yummy!" Ha!



This is how he claps... he uses his elbow... haha! (See video below)



Wiggling his lips... he's so funny! (See video below as well)



The new tricks he has learned...



But summer continued and we came into our first fever, which was terrible! I felt so bad for him... he looked terrible as well...



He FINALLY got over it, which I'm so thankful for... but then my family made the trip up to visit for the holiday. I was so excited since I hadn't seen them since April. But unfortunately, the trip did not go as planned. My sister came down with some kind of sickness and was pretty much quarenteened for the time she was here, then it rained and fireworks were cancelled, and then they left. Waa Waaa... What a bummer! But I guess you'll have that.

I did get a chance to see these two cuties...





And Jackson had fun playing with them both...



Plus he has since learned a NEW trick...



This is one proud and now even BUSYER mama!

I'm working hard on keeping up on everything, but clearly I've failed miserably. I might just have to do a recap of the sessions we've had to catch up completely!

Happy Holiday everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends!

Emma :: 2 years old

I love the color PINK...

I have more than my share of tops that are pink, and for some reason I am drawn to that color. Todd gets on me because whenever I pink, I mean pick (Ha!), something out, it is usually PINK. It's just so fun and fresh, and it reminds me of summer flowers, bubble gum, rosy cheeks, LOVE, and my favorite: Strawberry Ice Cream... Mmmm! And let's just face it, what girl doesn't look good in pink?! Exactly!

One of those special girl's who looks quite adorable in pink, as well, is Miss Emma!

What a ball she is...

I have known Emma since she was born and boy-oh-boy is she becoming quite the character. I, seriously, love this girl! Her smile is so contagious, her spirit is absolutely the sweetest, and she is the cutest little love muffin around... it's probably because her mom and dad are A-MAZING! LOVE them! It has me excited to see how Jackson will be in a few years when his personality is in full swing. I'm really trying to cherish these moments now as he's growing so fast... Ek!

Congrads on the beauty... I've loved watching her grow and excited to see her continue over the years to come!

Check out a few of my favorites from our session...

Can we say A-DORABLE?!



Ha... she's so expressive...





SO sweet...



She's so innocent...



And fun...





Her smile is gorgeous...

Griffin :: 6 months

Who doesn't love a cute baby?

It's so hard not to want to hug and squeeze them, especially when they smile, coo, and laugh at things that you do that people would seriously make fun of you for. But that's the great thing about kids... they don't care! They don't make fun of you... they really can't, but they love you and they love all the fun things that you may do.

I used to chuckle when it came to how parents would make their kids smile. I've heard numerous songs, especially Twinkle, Twinkle, jumping up and down, lots of tongues sticking out and other funny faces, lots of toys that sing, squeak, or make noises, a few cell phones with daddy's voice on the other end... whatever it takes to get some smiles! I chuckle because when they did end up grinning, it was like the world melted and my heart melted with it! It was so sweet... and I've learned a thing or two from all my clients. You do whatever it takes to get the shot... even if you are jumping up and down, making monkey noises with lots of hand gestures... oh yes, you do WHATEVER it takes.

I especially love a baby who has such fun facial expressions, fun hair, fun smiles, and is an all around easy going baby.

Enter Griffin...

He is one of the cutest babies, with such handsome curls and the sweetest face and smile! I wanted to hug and squeeze him to pieces! He did so good and was such a champ even if he did fall out of his little chair his mama made. He shook it off and kept working the camera. I cannot wait to watch him grow into such a handsome boy!

Congratulations you guys... we are so glad to have met him FINALLY and share in on the fun time in your lives!


Check out a few of my favorites from our session...


ADORABLE...



LOVE this one...



So stinkin' cute...



Look at that face... aghhh...



Haha...



Such a beautiful family...



Who adore him... he's so lucky!



A little confused on why he's sitting in the leaves with a "G"... he'll get it when he's older... adorable!



Look at those EYES...



I'm thinking the yawning meant it was a wrap...

Miss Eden :: 2 Years Old

Good news...

I LOVE good news. Good news always puts a smile on my face, and I love it when people share their good news.

Good news is a WIN-WIN situation... Ha!

When I showed up to take Miss Eden's two year photos, their parents were all smiles and after asking how I was doing, they shared some wonderful news as well. That they were expecting their second child in May. I was so excited for them. I had the biggest smile on my face and I think I jumped up and down a few times causing Miss Eden to get a bit confused!

Miss Eden is one of the most adorable little girls. She has an amazing smile, laugh, and is so very sweet! I am excited to meet the next one of the bunch, as I'm sure he/she will be just as perfect!

Congratulations on both Eden being so beautiful and the soon to be newest member of the clan! We are so happy for you all!!!

Check out a few of my favorites from our session...

Ha... she was so interested in the camera... I love that! Future Photog? Perhaps...



Adorable!



She can be so serious...



But I love her little face...



And her excitement!



Haha!



Love this family... xoxox!

Max :: 1 Year

I know I'm the worst blogger in the world... No excuses... I'm just awful!

This month has surprisingly been EXTREMELY busy and in between all the fun sessions I've had, I've been taking care of our growing baby boy. He's getting so big and cute... I can't believe he'll be 3 months old on Friday. Wowzaaazzz!



But as the year winds down, I'm catching up on filling you in on all the special and fun sessions we've had... One of those special sessions has actually been all year long.

I had the opportunity to not only photograph this couple's wedding a few years back, but also their first child's whole first year (3 months, 6 months, & 9 months)! What a privilege! I've been able to watch Max grow from a super cute little guy into a super cute little boy. PLUS, his mom and dad had great news to share as they will be expecting their second child in the spring. How fun! I sure hope to be a part of the newest ones life as well.

Congratulations Joe & Megan on your beautiful growing family!!! It's been so special to be a part of these important moments in your life.

Check out a few of my favorites from our session... and check the links above to see how much he's grown...

Adorable...



He's starting to stand, but not quite walking...



Too cute...



Family LOVE....



Handsome boy...



Max is seriously the happiest baby...



Love it...

Isabelle :: 6 months

I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but seriously, where does the time go?

It's been such a busy last couple weeks, I have not yet had the chance to update you all on what has been going on. I have had tons of photoshoots that I will be posting since I have a little bit more time now... now that I have our little-big guy on a "schedule"... well, sort of "schedule". I'm trying, and being a first time mom, these last 8 weeks have been the most challenging, yet most wonderful moments of my life. I knew it was going to be hard, but man-oh-man is it tough. It didn't help that Jackson got pretty sick and the only way he would sleep was propped up in his bouncer for a week. Poor guy! Along with myself only getting maybe 3-4 hours a sleep that whole entire week. I don't quite remember all of the photo shoots I had due to the haze of sleep depravation I was under, but things are getting SO much better... and it could not be in better timing because...

Our little-big man started SMILING a few weeks back! He has got the cutest smile and I get so excited to see it. When I go pick him up from his naps, when he's done eating, when I change him, when I ask in my baby-type voice "Where's your smile?", or when I sing 'Twinkle, Twinkle' to him, he gives me the biggest open mouth smile... similar to this... (Note: I took this at 6 weeks, so it's much better now... but he's napping right now so I don't want to wake him just for this post! Ha!)



Pretty darn cute, huh?! I think so too.

But someone else that is pretty darn cute is Miss Isabelle...

I met Miss Izzy back in March when her mama was WAY past due... I'm talking 3 weeks past due. Ek! I have a "new" perspective on that situation, and I could not even imagine those three long weeks for her. But I'm sure she is thinking how time is flying by since Miss Izzy turned 6 months old, and she is the sweetest, most precious 6 month old. I love her big brown eyes and her super sweet smile. She is A-DORABLE!

Check out a few of my favorites from our session...

Love her little facial expressions...



Love her smile...



Mama brought her REAL pearls...



And in the mouth they went... and why wouldn't they?! Ha!



I LOVE this one... look at those eyes!



Umm... is this tutu the most adorable tutu ever?




Haha!



LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the colorful paper balls...



Happy Wednesday!!!