Peter Pan and The D Family

I have known Momma and Daddy D since high school. I remember way back when they first started dating and quickly became high school sweethearts. They were a beautiful couple then, and they are an even more beautiful married couple now, especially if you throw in their precious little boy. Trey is an adorable, hilarious little man.





And he gets such a sparkle in his eye if you even mention Peter Pan, Pirates, Tinkerbelle, Wendy, or Captain Hook. I was thrown off at first when Daddy D promised to get him a pirate with a hook for a hand... then I realized how very seriously this little guy takes his pirates.






He would look up at the sky, and with the sweetest little imagination, you just knew he could see Peter Pan and Wendy flying through the sky. Then, just when I thought he couldn't possibly get more precious, he proclaimed, "Mirra, Mirra, on da waaaall, who's da faaaiiwest one of awll??" To which Momma D playfully replied, "It's Mommy, Trey!!" He glanced over at her and back at his imaginary "Mirra" and proclaimed, "Mirraa, Mirra, on da wall, MOMMY'S the faiwest one of all!!" He is so in love with his mommy, and it is so adorable.






You can tell just how close Momma and Daddy are to their little guy just by looking through the proofs from their shoot. They are a happy loving little family, and my goodness are they gorgeous!!!!












And as you can tell, I could not decide on my usual "just a few as a sneak peek" for this post, because they were so beautiful, I had to show a few more than a few. D Family: I hope you enjoy!!

The Gateway

I was a little nervous when Chris' Aunt asked me to take her son Ryan's Senior pictures... the whole deal. Cap and Gown, tuxedo, and the soon to be taken casual pics. I thought, okay, I can take pictures of babies and children and people doing completely random things...but can I take professional looking Senior pictures? And then after working myself up into an anxiety ridden hype, I started to feel a little nostalgic. I graduated from the same high school as Ryan, waaay back in 2002 (ha!). And I started to think a little bit about what finishing high school was like. How you have all these rock solid friendships that you just know will last forever. And some of them do. But most of them don't. I have always seen high school graduation as a gateway into adulthood. You aren't an adult just yet, but you certainly aren't just some "kid" anymore. You can go out in college and have no curfew. You are also knocking on responsibility's door. You are in the last years of getting a "pass" because you are a teenager. The gateway to a world where you really figure out who "you" are. In the next few years you go from awkward and silly to distinguished and mature. But I know that the awkward and silly is still lying dormant somewhere deep down, and comes to play every so often. And its so important that it does. Its the only link we have to the joyful, carefree, sleep-till-noon, giggle your way through, flirtatious days of our youth. I have to tell myself to keep that girl alive and well, because its easy to get sucked into a mommy/professional lifestyle. We need to keep the path from the gateway brightly lit to remember when we first became the people we are today. Ryan, you are a wonderful, intelligent, spiritual and mature spirit, with an old soul. And I say old soul in the most positive light. You were an adorable little guy when I first met you, way back in 2003, and you have become a fighter, and a leader, among so many other things. I wish you (and Courtney) the very, very best. Now, really, I'm finished being mushy gushy.

The M girls

I can remember being a little girl so well. There is a whole world that separates being a baby and being a grown-up. And it has pink, and bows, and ruffles, and dress-up jewelry, and plastic high heels. But then there is this fine line, this age between the in-between age and the being the grown-up. And you don't know really what to you are. When you still secretly play with barbies, but start to wear make-up. You know what stage I'm talking about. Its emotional sometimes, its trying to be grown-up other times. Its confusing. Well, these girls are hitting this stage with every ounce of grace you could imagine. They can really make you remember just how cute freckles and braces are. They are lovely and sweet, and have this beautiful, considerate and respectful relationship with their mom. And it's mutual. You can tell that Momma M just adores her girls. And being that they are 22 months apart, and my girls are 17 months apart, I had a bit of a sentimental perspective. It made me happy to see two beautiful young girls on the path to becoming beautiful, graceful young women. Alright, enough talk.

Sweet little gingers.

Out of 22 grandchildren, we have two red heads. And they are both mine. It was honestly the only thing I wanted my girls to have from me. (And it really was the only thing they got-- they both look just like their daddy).


We had an early dinner, so we unfolded some lawn chairs and let Maggie run around the front yard for a while. We took out her little car, and blew bubbles. And all I could think of is how lucky I am. My whole life I have been working to get to this point.







I have been ready to be married with a few babies since I was about 9 years old. And now that I'm Here, well, I'm just trying to soak it all in. I want to hit record on this little piece of heaven, and never forget it. The way Maggie runs to under the dinner table and hides when she has something she shouldn't. Or the way she say "Momma, I want pup!" (translated: momma get me a cup!) And lately she's just madly in love with the moon and "tars". The way she looks up to the sky in awe... it can really make me appreciate it in a whole new way.





And my little love bug Mollie, she might just be the happiest 4 month old I have ever seen. She laughs and smiles ALL day. She's the perfect addition to my little circus. And she's got these huge eyes, and they just light up when we talk to her.





There is something so magical about watching two sisters grow together, learning and getting to know each other. The younger sister watches in awe as the older runs and plays, coordinated and now almost graceful.

The big sister gently kisses the little sister's forehead in passing, as if to say, I know you can't play yet, but you're almost there! Mollie lights up and giggles when Maggie gets (too) close. I know they'll fight, and argue. But there will be so many more good times than bad. I'm not looking that far ahead. I'm just excited about them playing together in a few months.


And while Maggie was holding her, Mollie started to fuss. Maggie did the only logical thing. She gave Mollie her blankie to suck on. And let's face it. Blankie makes everything better.

The T family in Old Towne

It was a bright, sunny Friday afternoon. I had been running errands all day with my sister and was running a tad late for this shoot. I was a little nervous because I was meeting up with an old friend from nursing school and her three little ones. I know how funny kids can be, so I was kind of scared we would have trouble. I could not have been more wrong. Feast your eyes.



Three children, eyes open, looking at me, with gorgeous smiles. THREE! ....thats gotta be a record.


Oh and it didn't stop there. Little Peter was just a doll, and he loved that I brought this little newsboy cap just for him. And he wore it the whole time, and it fit him perfectly. He's definitely a little stud-muffin. I was totally in love with him, and he was totally in love with my camera.




The oldest, Annabelle, was a soft spoken, sweet, stunning little girl. She's very mature for her age, and smiled and posed all on her own.



And the youngest, Maddie, well... Let me just describe her for a second. She's this tiny little thing, with white blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and dimples you could just die for. And what a pepper! She's darling.




Here's a few favorites for your viewing pleasure.




I bribe children with gum. Don't judge me.

The Incredible S family!

So after having to reschedule due to bad weather, I was finally able to get together with the S family to do some portraits. I've known Mama S for a long time, as her little sister and I were inseparable when we were kids. We were very close, and I spent many slumber parties at their house. They have a really hysterically funny family, and its good to see that Mama S has brought that into her own family as well.

Their little ones have the best sense of humor, and really love each other through bickering over who gets to hold the mysterious bug they caught. They are a beautiful blend of their mommy and daddy, with daddy's eyes and mommy's smile. I was so lucky to get to capture a few sweet moments during what truly was a play date, complete with gum, tutus, and wild pink hats. Little Miss could be the definition of sassy, and i just loved every second of it.
The little man was beyond words adorable, and I nearly died of a sweetness overload when he did his "RAWR" for what a T-Rex does.


They are extraordinarily active, so by the end, I had worked up a sweat chasing them around, trying to convince them to do whatever it was that I needed to get a shot of open eyes, and a bright smile. I couldn't help but let my heart melt a little watching a brother and sister pair run around each other.




Thank you to the beautiful S family, and I hope you enjoy!

A sweet baby girls Post

When we were blessed to find out we were expecting our first baby, I immediately felt like it was going to be a girl. I just knew it. But we chose not to find out. And when she was finally ready to take her first breath, and our hearts were pounding out of our chests in anticipation, I still felt positive we were having a baby girl. And when she was born, we heard "It's a girl!"



I couldn't hide my excitement. I had always said I would never dress my girls in pink, or put bows in their hair, or anything. Then, right there in the delivery room, all I could see in my head was a vision of PINK everywhere.


And that vision came true. Maggie's color is, without a doubt, pink. Just 8 short months later, we found out we would be expecting another baby. I had the same feeling that I had with Maggie. I knew that our lives of pink would be doubled. And we found out early that our second baby, Sweet Baby Mollie, was in fact a girl. Now, although there are plenty of pink toys and blankies, and baby dolls that are pink, my sweet Mollie, is definitely a purple/blue girl.












I can't put into words how my beautiful daughters have changed me. Just know that they have. I stay at home with them during the week and work as a nurse on the weekends. And when I'm at home with them, I try really hard to have fun and be creative. But sometimes it just doesn't work, and we end up in pjs until noon. But this was not one of those days.



We got up, had breakfast, and got on our bathing suits (well, they did at least). We blew up the tiniest of baby pools, and even though it was a little overcast, we got a good 20 minutes or so of playing in the water before the air got just the slightest chill in it and the water was just a smidge too cool. The love I have for my two incredible baby girls overwhelms me. I am so lucky.