Meet King, Lea, and the ever-smiley and simply hilarious Gavin:

Meet James, Lydia, sweet Ruby and snuggly Elliot:

Meet Ben, Juli, the beautiful Alyssa, energetic Ellie, expressive Lucy, sweet baby Samuel:

So much thanks to each of you for making my last sessions of the year so fun, so memorable, so heart-filling!

OTHER UPDATES: I will stay updated with blog posts and Food Friday posts as I can…and of COURSE we won’t forget to introduce baby boy Sundin here….so stay tuned and don’t delete us from your Google Reader!!  For all those looking to book photo sessions:

I will be taking a maternity leave from November 1 2011- February 1 2012.

Looking forward to booking with you in the new year!

*Hugs from our family to yours!*

One thing that I am constantly challenging myself to do is to not give my clients what I call “cookie cutter” photos.  I don’t want to have a list of 10 poses and 3 locations and just pop different families into them.  My dream is to make each photo shoot fun, unique, and totally YOU.   That being said, my biggest challenge with the Mini Session at the park was taking 5 families to the same location, and coming up with 5 completely different session (each suited to the family’s personalty).  I am here to tell you, it was a bit of a challenge, but it was SO MUCH FUN.

I will have to save the anecdotes for next time I get to see these 5 beautiful families (as Mini Sessions get mini blog post), but let me assure you: each family was so different, and each so precious and beautiful.  Since there were 5, I thought it would be fun to break it into two posts.  Meet the first two families!

Meet Kristi, Mike, introspective but dare-devil Madelyn and hilarious & outgoing Bennett:

Meet Dawn, Joe, shy but goofy Andrew and sweet dare-devil Lilly:

Coming up next….a first time having chocolate milk, squeezing kids into boxes, and my first family of six. Stay tuned!

Thank you God for this boy.  We pleaded, longed, waited, trusted….and now he is almost here.

Now I am in the home stretch of my third trimester.  This trimester  has by far been the best one….and I am daily praising God for the relief and joy that has come with this last month! I thought it would be fun to list all the things that I like about being pregnant (cause let’s be honest, it is easier to complain about pregnancy than it is to be thankful…it is HARD stuff).  So on that note, here are….

The things that fill my heart:

People who hold doors for you…bless their hearts.

Not having to “suck it in” for 9 months.

When I take a bath, I love that I have a little island to rest the book on and I don’t have to worry it will get wet!

The wondering what baby will look like, who he will be, and the blissful (and most certainly naive) dreaming of the future.

Listening to Dayla talk about and to baby brother.  It is not everyday, but to me the infrequency makes it feel that much more precious and true.

Having no one balk at the strange food I want to eat…seems everyone let’s you off the hook when you are pregnant.

Knowing I have a husband who is willing to go to the store late at night to fulfill my craving.

When Dayla thoughtfully picks out things when we are at the store for her baby brother…and she even buys them with her own saved up “ice cream truck” money.  If you knew how much that girl likes ice cream, you would know: that is love.

Stopping to think about how there is a person, a life, a little baby fresh from God’s arms growing inside me right now.

[**All these photos were taken yesterday because I have been *encouraged* pretty much non-stop (read: bullied by those who love me). I will say too, it is not easy to take pictures of the girl who hates being in front of the camera, especially when she is pregnant, emotional, and a *bit* bossy. And couple that with a preschooler who also hates having her picture taken and will not be told how to pose. So thank you to my loving husband for these! He is a man with patience beyond understanding.**]

Baby Boy,
We can’t wait to meet you! You may not have a name yet, but you have 3 people who are excited beyond belief to see your face and already love you beyond words without even having seen that face yet. Please be nice to your mama with your entrance into this world….
See you soon! With all our love…

When I set out to do these Holiday Mini Sessions this year for the first time, it is needless to say I was a bit hesitant to the idea….I will admit it, I was skeptical. One of my favorite things to do is spend 2 hours with my clients, and I inevitably fall in love with your family.  I could in no way picture myself falling in love with families in the 30 minutes allotted.

What can I say?   I was wrong.

It only seems fair to give a “mini blog post” for the “Mini Session”….but let me assure you…each of these families was a BLAST and I hope that they each book full sessions next year so I can hang out even longer with their smiles, laughter, fast running kids, and fun….

Meet the L family:

Meet the B family:

To those who know I am 37 weeks pregnant….yes…I am still going…..and LOVING EVERY MINUTE.  I decided to work until 38 weeks, just like I did when I had a corporate job, and I am having the time of my life.  There have been a number of moments during the photo shoots where I have completely forgotten I was pregnant!  And, although I am beyond thankful to be carrying a baby boy in my tummy, I haven’t met a women yet who doesn’t appreciate the moments during her 9th month when she is not thinking about the pregnancy.  ;)

Check in next week for this weekend’s Mini Sessions…..

I love this family and I am certain that if I keep telling you about how much I love them, it may lead to me having a police officer on my front door step telling me to “keep it calm mam.”  But if you met them, you would know why I am willing to take the risk of a restraining order and keep telling you how much I adore this family.  I mean, she had snacks and water ready for me when I got there!!  You know, cause I am pregnant and am hungry and thirsty all the time. Yeah, I know: awesome.

Truthfully I think the thing I love the most about this family is not that Lexi always has snacks out for me, or the fact that this family has an affinity to the coolest chairs ever, or because Adella makes the best faces when she laughs out loud …. (although I think everyone in life should laugh with their mouth open)….

What I love the most is this:

I love that I have gotten to watch Adella go from adorable baby girl with a coy smile to an energetic little girl with TONS of personality the most hilarious expressions.

I love that the last time I saw Nolan he was so tiny and cuddly, and now he is just as sweet and cuddly (but not so tiny)…

and with a dash of hilarity himself….

…and the way the two of them have fun together …that is incomparable…

But it is not just the kids….

I love that there was a moment (when the kids had no interest in me or getting their photos taken) where Tim just grabbed his beautiful wife so I could take pictures of the two of them.

[ To that I say YES!  When was the last time you got a chance to appreciate your spouse on camera?  Your wedding day?  Too long ago.  Ask me to capture you two at your next session too...I would be my honor!]

I love watching the kids grow, the family grow;  feeling like I am a part of their lives

and have the gift of getting to capture them along the way.

(and sure, it doesn’t hurt that Adella reminds me of all the best parts of my own little princess)

Thank you M family for once again taking such good care of me and for putting up with me telling everyone how awesome you are. I know you tried to scare me away this time with having a teething one year old (poor guy!), but I am here to tell you…it didn’t work. I can’t wait til next time!
*Hugs*

Turns out there is one thing that I have very few words for.

How can any words I have, anything I want to say, explain or compete with a little angel girl so fresh from heaven?

I love words.  I love to write.  But sometimes all you need is a picture.

Don’t let my lack of words give you cause to doubt how much I adored meeting and spending the afternoon with Stacy and Jaan.

Two of the sweetest people in the world and they surely deserve paragraphs….but then I look at sweet Morgan’s face….and I am left speechless.

I love being on this side of the baby.  Stacy and Jaan were just like any newborn parents: tired and a bit overwhelmed…and completely smitten.

I love being able to spend the afternoon with that…the love…the newness…the joy…the smitten….and just soak it all in.

It always feels like I walk away with a new appreciation of dreams and possibilities…and just of life.

Thank you SO much Stacy and Jaan!

You two were such a gift to be around (and were truly the most relaxed first time parents EVER) and I can’t think of a way I would have rather spent last Saturday afternoon.

Wishing you many sleep filled nights and joy and smiles beyond your wildest dreams!
(And for on the nights there is no sleep…hopefully this will make you laugh…)

*Hugs*

“No props?  What do you mean not fancy?  No lugging out an entire living room to a field?”  My heart started to race.  My palms were sweaty.  My hands started to shake. My head swirled with confusion. “I don’t understand.”

She wanted to capture JUST THEM.  Up close, personal, and just having fun, laughing, snuggling, loving, and just being THEM. No props.  No concern for the background.  Just them on a blanket being them. This wouldn’t shock me from a lot of families, but something that Kristy and I have swooned over in the past years are photographs from  photographers who lug all sorts of things into fields.  Not to mention that Kristy has incredible taste and style…so this simplicity caught me off guard.

But I was in.  Totally and completely.

Just blanket.  Up close.  Capturing all they are as a family.  Capturing all that makes their hearts overflow….

I love this family and I know that if you remember them from here or here, you already love them too (how could you not?!)  It is funny how each of their photo shoots with me have been so different, but I would still say totally them.

I did sneak in a book or two to encourage some close family time and snuggling….and we did end up climbing in some near-by trees, but I have to say that I love the simplicity of Kristy’s request. I love that we went simple this time; such a reflection of tearing away all the fluff in life and just concentrating on what matters truly: loving your family and your kids….something Kristy and Jeff do so well and I admire about them completely.

And of course part of capturing who they are right now was capturing the family member on the way…

…which did quickly turn into two sisters who excitedly wanted to share their affection with baby brother.

…and if you didn’t see the sweet sisters giving me a laugh last week (here)…make haste to check it out!

Jeff and Kristy, you know how much I adore you and how much I am so humbled by your trust in me as a photographer. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to meet your sweet family member #5 in just a few months and see how we will capture you all next year!

A sister is someone who will keep giving kisses even while the first one is getting wiped off.

A sister is someone who will try to make you laugh when the kisses are unsuccessful.

Is there anything like a sister?

I have actually been pretty grumpy today (chalk it up to pregnancy hormones and an obstinate 4 year old that lives with me) but then I imported this photo shoot, saw this series of photos, and laughed out loud.  What you see is pretty much how it went down.  There is nothing like a sister, is there?

This blog post was totally un-planned and is really a sneak peak to this family’s sneak peak….but I couldn’t help myself.   Stop by on Monday to see more!

One of my favorite things about Alyson is that she will answer this with: “Yes, but so is my heart.”

Sometimes you meet someone who is just so good at putting words to things you have struggled to express for so long.  Alyson is one of those women with the gift of whit and words.  I love her view on life, and more than anything, her outlook on being a mom.  Every time I see a post of hers on Facebook, I am reminded to take a deep breath and just laugh it off. Or as she said to me, “If it can be fixed with soap and water, then it is not worth freaking out about.  So many things can be fixed with just a little bit of soap and water.  Just say to yourself, SOAP AND WATER.”

She reminds me that being a good mom isn’t about the “perfect”…but about embracing and enjoying the imperfect. Being a good mom is laughing at the days when you walk out of the house with mismatched shoes.  Being a good mom is realizing, even on the hardest of days when you want to lock yourself in the bathroom and cry….that being a mother is still a blessing and a gift of God.

I wish you wanted to read a novel instead of reading (or skimming) this blog post, cause I could write so much more about this family.  There is Alyson, but there is also an incredibly brave man (who can grow the best mustaches I have ever seen).  There is the remarkably smart Jack who will amaze you with his power to out-whit you, even though he is only 5.  There is the silly, funny, ham-it-up-make-you-laugh-until-the-cows-come-home Finley.  And last but not least, the toughest AND sweetest little girl I have ever seen, Claire.

And of course, by now you have may have noticed that this family’s attire is not your usual photo shoot wear.  I haven’t introduced you to the other member of the family, the member that although it has caused a lot of heartache, is the reason behind this photo shoot:  THE HOUSE.   This family has a phenomenal house with character and charm beyond belief.  (Although I am pretty sure the family would say as of right now it is a thorn in their side, and anyone who has remodeled knows what I am talking about) Any visionary can see that it WAS a stunning home from 1909 and WILL BE again spectacular and the envy of the neighborhood when it is finished being remodeled.  And I have to say, I love that Alyson wanted to capture the house even though it is still in the midst of change (and with 1900′s attire!!)

Under construction. A reminder that nothing is perfect.  Just like life as a mom, life as a family, life as a Christian; we really are all just under construction.   So just sit back, laugh, and remember the good moments along the way while you wait for the final product to come to fruition (and don’t be afraid to take a picture of it all before it is where you want it).

With so much love and excitement….I can’t wait to introduce you.  The “P” family:

(serious for the vintage look of course, but don’t worry, there are plenty of smiles to go around…)

Alyson brought some of the coolest props for the kids to play with. On of my favorites was this beautiful vintage book that brought on family reading time.

Sometimes one image steals my heart and this next one is it. It was a candid moment where Alyson was fixing her hair….and two of her little ones admiring their mama from afar. Alyson couldn’t be more beautiful and the moment was so sweet….

Then we headed inside to frost some cupcakes……

…and to give everyone a little sugar boost….

…and cupcakes of COURSE….have to be washed off in the pool….

But not before we got a couple last portraits…

And because I have said so much already….I will just end with a THANK YOU “P”family…it was just as epic…just like you!  ;)

This photo shoot is a great example of this strange wives’ tale “truth”.  We attempted to make this photo shoot happen 2 other times, but the first time I had inadvertently scheduled a downtown photo session on the same weekend as the biggest convention in San Diego: Comic-con (um, duh!) and then the second time sickness won out.  The L family showed up to our third attempt just as the grey clouds came rolling in and droplets of rain started to hit my head.  Although only moments before I had thought to myself, “YES, the third time is a charm!“, now as the cold rain tickled my nose, my heart started to sink.  I couldn’t help but wonder:  will we have to reschedule again?

Then L Family all looked at my worried, furrowed brow and replied with, “This is nothing….we love the rain….and the lighting is great isn’t it!? Third time is the charm!”

Yes.  Oh yes.  I couldn’t have been more excited to hear those words…and couldn’t have said it better myself.

I love this family.

You have actually met this family before, here and and even way back when here, but I can’t help but tell you again how great they are!  The first time we did a photo shoot, I am sure we were equally nervous, them and I.  But as I have grown as a photographer, they continue to grow into not only some of the best “models”, but also one of the loveliest families I know.  My favorite thing about the L family is that they don’t actually just “model” for me.  Just like I tell all my clients, “just be YOU, do what you do at home with your kids, and have fun”, I have told them the same thing, and I am here to say that this family has mastered just that.

Every smile, laugh, tickle you see in these pictures is completely un-prompted by me.

It is just how they are….loving each other….loving their kids….loving life in the most beautiful and inspirational of ways.

I love this family.

And I especially love this family, cause this is what they do for a family picture. I know I have said it before, but I LOVE real family portraits….and I think all family portraits should be like this:

I am not going to even begin to pretend to know all the answers, but I am pretty sure that a family that can be real…and still laugh and love each other in the way the L family does, starts with love like this….

….and turns into joy like this…

…giving two amazing people, two amazing kids like these….

…who love each other like this….

L family, thank you once again for being the family you are…for loving and laughing in a way that inspires me everyday! I LOVE photo shoots with you and can’t wait til our next one!