My Favorite Girls

This time of year is when I try to get caught up on the editing of my personal photographs. I wish I had time to do it the other 9 months out of the year but it just never happens. This shoot is from this past late summer/early fall. Every year I do a shoot with my girls and my two niece's. My sister in law and I spend weeks planning what everyone is going to wear and where we are going to go. The sad thing is I only do this once a year, it really needs to happen in the Spring and in the Fall. My poor girls are hardly ever in front of my camera....something I want to change this year.

Here they are....my favorite girls in the whole world. I know I am a bit biased....but they are so beautiful!

My niece Kearsten. Kearsten is one of those kids that is just good at anything she does....soccer, dance..whatever she tries. Plus she is SUPER smart! I just love her and I love the incredibly close close relationship my girls have with her.

My trio (oh how I LOVE them!!)

My oldest Abby. Abby the animal lover with a heart of gold. When I tell people I have a 13 year old they usually say "Oh I am sorry" lol! Well, I am certainly not. She is a fantastic teenager and is the easiest child.....soooo blessed to be her mom.

My baby Riley. Oh help me sweet Jesus, this child is a spit fire. She doesn't let anyone push her around, she stands up for her friends and what she believes in. At the young age of 7, she is the first to come to the defense of someone she thinks is being wronged. Sometimes she just goes about it in the wrong way. She also makes us laugh all the time. The clown of the family, that is for sure.

My middle child. Emily...sweet sweet Emme Lou. She can be super stubborn but 95% of the time she is a people pleaser (like her mother). She wants to make sure I am happy with her, that her dad is happy with  her. She wants to do the right thing. She fights to be seen and heard because...well, she is the middle child. But if I want someone to snuggle with...she will knock her sisters down on the way to climbing in my lap first. She is my sweet girl.

The whole beautiful group. Five granddaughters for my mom and dad....I think they are pretty darn lucky!

And Clara, the baby of the group. She is soooo cute I just want to squeeze her. She has lots of cousins and aunts and uncles....lots of love for this baby.

My girls have two favorite things when it is pictures time. #1 - making funny faces and #2 - jumping. They love the jumping in the air shots.

When life is crazy it is hard to remember to be thankful for the little things.

I am so thankful for these 5 beautiful girls in my life. What a strong force they

will be as they grow. I look forward to all the celebrations and the

awesome moments with them. Thank God for them!

Clara's 1 Year Shoot

My darling, beautiful, precious little niece is turning one in just a few short weeks (where does time go....seriously, where??). So we did her 1 year shoot at my house on a cold day. It was a family affair, with her big sister and cousins holding up make shift back drops. Her Daddy walking out of the room every 5 minutes because he can't stand to see her sitting in a chair because he is afraid she is going to fall (he is a bit paranoid....but it is sweet). But her Mommy worked her butt off, I was feeling like total crud and just really didn't have the energy to move chairs, stools, re-position Clara every 5 minutes. So her Mommy got to do all of that :) Love working with family...lol!

I LOVE what we got....but how can they not be beautiful photos, I mean look at this subject :)

So big!!!

Ok, I know poor Jess is probably so sick of hearing that her baby looks like her Daddy (my little brother) all the time. But this picture below literally gave me chills when I opened it. She is my brothers clone....I need to find a picture of him at her age and post them both. It is unbelievable!!

That is right baby girl, it's your birthday!!

I loved this cake! Jess and I had a vision in mind and Jess' good friend Kelly (owner of Kelly's Cakes and Cupcakes) totally rocked it out! That paired with my Grandma's vintage cake stand. Perfection!

Clara was so dainty about how she ate her cake. She never really "dug in". She would just grab a tiny pinch and eat it. She wasn't really diggin' having the icing on her fingers :) It will be interesting to see what she does at her birthday party.



Love you soooo much Clara Boo!! I can't believe your almost one....your first year flew by!

I love watching your darling personality come shining through. Your going to keep your

Mommy & Daddy on their toes :)

xoxoxo

Aunt Lisa

Look Back at 2011

When I began sorting images and picking my favorites from each and every session of 2011 I was filled with many emotions. Shock, disbelief, surprised, honored, in awe...exhausted :) I thought I would try to squeak out a "Top 100" I quickly learned I shot WAY over 100 sessions last year. Wow!!! To what was my busiest year ever. I have mixed feelings as on one hand I am so proud of what I was able to accomplish while working a full time job and being a mother and wife. On the other hand I don't know that I will ever take on this much again, but many of you know I have a hard time saying NO :)

To the 135+ families, couples and High School Seniors that I had the pleasure to work with this year..Thank You, Thank You and Thank You!!! I am very very grateful for your business and your trust. I would not be where I am with out my amazing fantastically awesome clients who spread my name like wildfire. You all rock!! xoxo

And here is too a rockin' 2011, in no particular order.......