Not only have we celebrated Christmas and my nephew’s first birthday this week, but we also met our newest family member for the first time.  Living on opposite coasts is a bummer when it comes to visiting family, but every other Christmas, we are guaranteed a nice long visit with our family.  And this little man has brought us much joy and excitement this year.

We’ve all been eager to know him–what would he be like?  how would he look?  And of course, he’s better than we imagined.  A tender little guy who snuggles with his mommy and daddy, coos at his toys, and might have some blue eyes emerging.  You’ve stolen our hearts, little guy.

It’s been a fantastic week, not to mention, a fantastic year!

Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little nephew!  Everyone hurried into town to make his December 26 birthday.  It was complete with robots, spaceships, 3-D glasses, balloons, and red velvet cake cupcakes.  Yum!

There are lots of great images of all the party goers–grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, long time friends, dogs–and of all the hip decorations and delicious spread, but nothing beats the moment when a 1 year old gets to blow out his first candle and try his first cake.  This time was no exception!

We love you, little guy, Happy Birthday!

This morning was fun!  I was serenaded by a precious little girl and her Dora guitar, I swooned as big brother wrapped himself in his big bear and waited, and this tiny baby reminded me how precious and perfect life is.   This is a sweet and lively family, and I was honored to spend this morning with them.

Congratulations to you all!

Remember how I was going to take and post 1 photo a day for December?  That was a FAIL!  Life in December has been joyfully full (read:  super crazy busy, You know what I’m talking about!).  Maybe a July daily photo project would be a more realistic?

We did manage to get our Christmas card, though.  Thank you to my creative friend Stacy of Bumbleberry Ink for designing our card.  And, thank you to our tripod for taking the picture.  Tripods are a beautiful thing with small children.  The camera beeps, the light flashes, many small children think it’s hilarious, and you often get a really cute picture in the end.  (Tripod tip–make sure your camera is focused on someone!)

Merry Christmas to you all!  The big day is almost here, Love Emily

Less than 2 weeks until Christmas!  Are you ready?

(I’m not!)

Today we had the pleasure of spending the morning with this little man and his really fun mom. We talked, we played, we snapped some photos, and then, of course, we talked a lot more. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

These sweet sisters . . .

are head over heals excited to have a new little brother.

He’s precious and perfect and super kissable.

While his sisters hustle around playing with Mickey, Minnie, and their trains . . .

he peacefully rests in his proud Daddy’s arms and . . .

snuggles with his loving Mommy.

Congratulations everyone! This little guy is a dream!

At my home today.

(And when I say “totoes” I mean “totes.”  She loves the baby Jesus.  I’m pretty pleased that I still know where he is on December 8!)

December 7 is my brother and my sister-in-law’s birthdays. Happy Birthday, you guys!

It’s been yucky and rainy all day. Dark skies, low energy. Not a day I would naturally pick up my camera, but I had to, right? So as the girls colored at the table, I took my camera and plopped on the couch to think about today’s post. Hmmm… what significant is happening today? What photogenic activity are we doing? Blank. Nothing. So I put the camera up to my eye and noticed how my girls were wrapped up in their projects. They loved sliding from side to side on the bench to grab new paper and art supplies. I enjoyed putting my feet up and resting. And then I realized that that was one of the things I like most about photography. It causes me to step back and observe and see beauty where I wouldn’t necessarily see it.

So, this is what I saw this afternoon from my couch at around 4:15pm.

I’ve been working on a really great project since early October that is drawing to an end. I did the class pictures and portraits for my daughter’s preschool. It was fun and adorable, to say the least. My favorite portraits are of the children making silly faces or taking shy honest looks at the camera. Each child is so unique, and my goal was to try to capture their true personalities. And the class pictures? They turned out just how you’d expect when you ask 10 two year olds to do the same thing at the same time. Like I said, adorable!

And now, I’m finishing the last of the orders, packaging, wrapping, and delivering these precious pictures to their proud parents.