Happy New Year!

This past year has been busy, crazy, amazing and filled with blessings.


I've been blessed with incredible families to photograph. Families I've gotten to know, families that bring me happy tears (yes, I cry at sessions), children that remind me each second how happy they make the world and solve each problem with a simple smile, and families that make me thankful they invited me to be a brief part of their lives.


Honestly, it doesn't get better than that.


I am blessed.
When thinking of this new year and what it holds. I smile. I couldn't even imagine the new year topping all the happy moments held in 2009....but I know it will.

I want to thank each family that has trusted me and welcomed me.


I want to wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year...and many more happy moments to fill your days.


More importantly, thank YOU for reading my ramblings.

Beauty |Phoenix Family Photographer

Yesterday I met with two very sweet families. Two families from opposite sides of the country. Two families with beautiful children. And two families gifted with a family session from their sweet mother.

When talking with the incredible woman with this sweet idea...I loved her reasoning. She wanted each of her children to have a session capturing them, something a family rarely does for themselves. She was so right. As parents we take the time to get wonderful pictures of our children, but seem to forget ourselves as a whole...let alone the two that are the glue holding the family together.

So right. So true!

Here is the glue to the beautiful B family.

And, I have to add...this gorgeous mother just had a baby 6 weeks ago. Now seriously, what are these other mothers doing that make them look so good and me like I rolled out of bed each second of the day.

While I'm technically on vacation... I couldn't resist processing a few. This one made me giggle out loud!

Sharing....

Okay, so the title of this post may be totally silly...but that is all I could think of.

While I'm am beyond grateful that I have an amazing job, it's actually more than a job and I only think of it as work when I'm doing my data entry.

I love each of the families I photograph. Getting to know each family is the highlight to my job and love being able to capture their sweet family just loving. And, each day and shoot I have I'm thankful I'm able to document families lives.

I love the families I work with, and in turn happily share their beautiful story.

Last April, I was happy to work with a family that had a few hours in their day broken free of the cancer their mother was battling. A few hours when we all giggled, took pictures, talked about anything and everything...and I raved about how stunning their mother Paula was.

To read more details from this session, click here for the post.

What I didn't write in the post was that Paula had been battling cancer for years and was losing. And that her priority was creating and documenting memories for her children to have of her. That as any mother, all she wanted was for her babies to not forget her. She knew that one day she wouldn't be able to kiss them goodbye before going to school. Or kiss them when they're sad. And today, I cry as hard as I did then at the thought of it.

Sadly, I'm writing to share with each of you that Paula is now at peace. She passed just days before Christmas.

When I received the phone call, I tried hard to not cry. To not think of each of her children. Thinking about her teenage daughter soon going to prom and not having her mother. And how each of her kids NEED her. How unfair it is.

But what made it more real for me was that Paula and I are the same age...34.

Paula was an amazing woman. I got to know her and her family for only a few hours but have followed her family through updates.

Most importantly, Paula was a wonderful mother who loved her children.

One thing that isn't seen in these pictures, is that this entire session Paula was in pain. That even the slightest movements were uncomfortable. However, the day of this session was a good day for her. She felt better than most days. She was so proud to have her picture taken with her children that she went and bought a new dress, had her hair and makeup done.

She was amazing.

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While I've known since before Christmas, I've spent this past week thinking about Paula. Thinking that life is precious. Life is short. Too short to fill it with anger and sadness.

While I've had countless happy moments this past year, I've also had situations that truly left me angry, sad and hurt. But, when thinking of Paula and her story...I've let those times go.

Now you...while it's honestly the happy moments that make us smile each day, I so recommend letting go of those moments that are always in the back of your mind. You know those moments. Let them go. Forgive those that were mean. It feels so incredibly good.

Life is short...live it up!

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My girlfriend and I were talking about her friend who lost her mother. One day, my girlfriend had called her friend to check in on her. When she asked how she was doing, her friend simply said that she felt alone. That while she had grown, had a family of her own ... that she simply felt alone to not have her mother here anymore.

I couldn't even imagine not having my mother just a phone call away.

Mom, I love you and I'm thankful to have you a phone call away.

One of our fun days!

Just a glimpse into one of our days...a cloudy day that had bits of a breeze that blew the leaves from our tree. And my girls had loads of fun just trying to catch one.

And a little bath fun.

And fun pictures.

Trying to find a leaf that she felt in her shirt.
Having a few...I mean a few moments left of my baby crawling.
As he's almost a full blown walker...{sigh}.
I can't wait for days filled with other simple moments...and probably still in our pajamas.

My baby is 1!

Since my last blog post...I have been BUSY...very BUSY!

My days have been filled with oodles of family time. Celebrating my sweet husband's birthday on Christmas and the bitter sweet celebration of my baby boy's birthday the day after Christmas.

It's so hard for me to believe that a year has passed since the glorious day of his arrival. It really makes my heart sad...yet happy at the same time. Happy for each of the days that have come and gone...and the days that are yet ahead.

Here are just a few pictures from his little celebration with a few of his favorite peeps.

Easton with two of his biggest fans...and future girlfriend Miss P.

The biggest memory that comes with this milestone is his curiousity for everything. He happily fills his days with pointing at everything.
My baby. My super happy baby. Always filling his days with smiles and giggles. I love my little man...and he'll always be my baby no matter how big he gets.

Just a reminder, I will be taking January off. While I will be spending each day creating wonderful family moments...but will be checking my email occasionally.

And I'm REALLY signing off!

I know...yeah yeah! But really, this time I'm walking away from my computer and committing to not touch it again for almost a week....ahem, I have two sessions next week.

Today we went to my parents house for down time. I can't think of the last time we did this. We're always in town for one reason or another. And I guess I didn't realize it until Cash asked me where I was going after I dropped them off at their Mimi's. I told her I wasn't dropping her off, that we were just going to hang out, talk, play in the leaves, see the horses and just play. I guess that didn't register with her as she then asked who I was taking pictures of. I kept telling her that I didn't have to work, that we were just having a fun day.

All I can say is...while I planned on taking December off, it really didn't play out that way. So, thankfully I only have a couple sessions in January scheduled so January will be my month off. Plus, I'm taking a super nice photographer vacation in January with a few other photographers that I {heart}!

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas...and loads of giggles!

What I love....

While the bulk of newborn sessions are spent on getting newborn portraits, I have to confess...my favorite time during newborn sessions is spent with the family. I've tried to spend the bulk of the time with newborns, but my heart is pulled towards family time.


This is the time that I think of how I would love to have the same pictures of myself with my parents. The time where parent's hearts are just swooning in love with their new babies. And this is exactly what this mother wanted to treasure...this fleeting time where her babies are welcomed.


And, I have to just mention my clients have the best bedrooms...filled with glorious light and sa-weet decor. When I saw this bedroom...I thought perfection. It's this room that gave me direction in how I processed each picture.
Oh, how I love this picture...their hearts and hands completely full.
On a personal note: This session made me miss these newborn days....but sadly not the newborn nights.
But, it did make me miss my babies.


I recently had lunch with one of my favorite photographer friends, Maggie and our assistant. When talking about this session, they asked me when baby number 4 was on the way. While my husband would fall flat on his face if we had more, my heart aches for more. Even though I get giddy happy at the thought of adding more, I'm not sure I could stop. I'm not sure that I could ever lose the feeling of wanting more. I think it's just a part of me. The part where I constantly long for one more. It's a craving that I could never satisfy.


I'm in heaven with my three...and I'm at peace with three. But my heart will always want one more.


After processing this session, I'm thinking I need to pull my twins newborn session out and post. Posting to not only show the sleep diet and horomonal rollar coaster I was on...but how teeny tiny my twins were. I'm ever grateful to my friend Allison for capturing this beautiful time in our lives. So, be warned...I'm going to get sappy with my blog scrapbook.


To the Green family...be prepared for your ridiculously large session to be shared soon!

And just one more again!

There is nothing like giving a little solo light on each twin...

Meet sweet baby Miss L.

Sweet L was so tiny and petite...it brought back so many memories of my little babies after they were born. Baby L was just a few ounces bigger than Camryn when I brought her home. She is simply and adorably sweet.

For every newborn shoot, I bring along my bag of goodies...I had several with me to use on this one. But, what I didn't think about was how each of these darlings were sweet, little darlings and could be swallowed up by my little baby accessories! Too cute! But we did manage to get one in my little peanut pod.

Oh, squishably cute!

And just one for tonight.

I {heart} twins |Gilbert Twin Photographer

When I was contacted by an extremely sweet mom expecting twins wanting a newborn session...during my "vacation"...it wasn't a tough decision. It was a session I couldn't refuse. Why? One word...twins.

As a twin myself and mother of twins...I should say I have a super sweet spot for this duo. And capturing, in what I believe, the most beautiful time in a family. I love babies.

And I love super relaxed moms that are go with the flow.

When I met the new mom of twins, I'll be honest...I was jealous. She looked great. After I had my twins, I looked like I had been on a sleep diet for over a year. And not to mention the hormonal rollar coaster ride I was on.

While she claims it helps to have a night nurse, I believe it has a lot to do with her amazing attitude with babies. She is such a champ.

But what I didn't think she expected, was having her photographer hang around and looking like I was planning on joining them for dinner. I'll say again, newborn sessions take a long time. They require loads of patience. But every single second is worth it.

Now...time to get on with the pictures.

The proud big sisters.

And the adorable twins.

One perfect girl. One perfect boy.

As I read my reservation form for this family, I laughed as the mommy wrote about her baby boy being quite the mover. And her sweet girl being quite the mellow one.

Even in utero she had them pegged. Little mister E was all about running the show. He definitely had me work for his sleep. But little miss L was all snoozes...
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On a personal note:

I have to give a huge shout out to my babies second mother...Auntie Kimi. She saved the day and took care of my babies during this shoot. While she had a doctor's appointment, she arranged her day to be with my babies. Their time with Kimi was filled with all things yummy...loads of tv and great food. She was a champ...when I arrived to her house I giggled as I found her family room barricaded with chairs to trap my little mover...whom wasn't a huge fan of sleeping while at her house. Shortly after leaving her house, I took Easton to the doctor as he just wasn't being himself. And, to my surprise...he has a double ear infection. That makes 7 in his first year. My poor baby.

I am so thankful for good friends that help me when I'm on a shoot at the last minute.

I guess this is a confession...

...I'm addicted to blogging! Or, I just couldn't resist sharing a picture I just edited from a friend's session that has yet to be processed.

I'll go with couldn't resist sharing these sweet pictures.

Meet "Junior" our personal elf! | Queen Creek Elf Photographer

A few months ago, my girlfriend shared with me the cutest story about an Elf on a Shelf. Weeks later, I finally ordered one. And tonight, Santa delivered him. My girls were giddy happy to find him sitting on his box at our front door. And, I think I was happier about him.

We quickly brought him in and the girls couldn't slow down in their ideas on how he arrived. It was so cute.

As a family, we sat on their bedroom floor and read the story that joined him. We went over the rules that we have to follow and talked about what would happen in the days leading up to Christmas. But, I think the best part was coming up with his name.

After much debate, we agreed on his name....Junior.

They thought it was hysterical that he reported to Santa each night on how they did each day. But, that really didn't mean much to them. It then turned into the girls telling him nonstop all the things their friends and cousins have done that they think are naughty...what total tattle tails!

Long after the girls went to bed, my husband and I went about our night and soon found the girls sneaking out of their room looking for him.

Surprisingly, we found him snuggled in our Christmas tree...waiting for the girls to go to sleep.

Again, the girls were talking nonstop about how he got in the tree. And here is just a glimpse of the difference between my girls.

Camryn....she came up with this elaborate story on how he got there. It went something like this.

He jumped down from the counter, ran to the tree and then with his Christmas magic he flew up in the tree to get comfy.

And Cashlyn, she just kept giggling and saying...

No Camryn. That's silly. He doesn't walk or fly. That's silly.

When I told the girls to say good night to Junior...Cam happily blew him a kiss and said good night. Cashlyn just looked at me and laughed. Then told me...No mom. Junior doesn't really talk. Cash is such a realist.

Over the next several days, I can't wait to photograph him in all the weird places he'll find himself. And I'll happily share these just like my friends Lyndsay and Jodie.

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And I have to confess....while I really do hold two college degrees...apparently it's toilet paper.

My friend in Flagstaff, who's also a teacher, corrected me from the 24 feet in Flagstaff to actually being 24 inches that fell! Now, that is a huge typo! Thanks Kasie!

And...I was just sent an assignment from my sweet friend who also blogs to list 10 things that make me happy. I can't wait to blog it...how fun is that! I love talking about all that makes me happy!

My incredibly fun weekend!

If you're wondering where I've been...then let me tell you, recovering from a fabulous weekend with great friends, several feet of snow, loads of sledding and a sweet ride on the Polar Express in Northern Arizona.


For a few months, we've had a trip planned to go on the Polar Express and then followed by an amazing weekend in Flagstaff, Arizona. The week before our trip, the weather was not planning on being friendly. Just a few days before leaving, a winter storm had rolled in and 24 inches of snow fell in Norther Arizona. I'll be honest, we were terrified of what we were driving up to. While we were planning a weekend of fun, we also planned to for the potential trapping in a winter snow storm.


But, as we drove up there...with our cars loaded with blankets and enough food to survive on...we were happy to only find perfect driving weather, clear roads and the idea of fun ahead of us.


Our weekend was perfect...while it was cold, it WAS perfect! Our kids had a great time. They loved every second of our fun in the snow, nonstop playing and movies to watch. It was great.


The day we left, we woke up to another snow storm rolling in...


This is what we woke up to.
And a glimpse of the snow falling while we were packing to leave.
And did I mention the massive amounts of coffee we drank while relaxing...often not getting out of our pajamas until noon.
Two of the days there, we spent hours sledding and playing in the snow.
My sweet Cashlyn...the apprehensive twin. The second day of sledding, she was a pro. She was flying down the hills full of giggles, not one reservation and begging for more. She shocked my husband and I. She couldn't get enough. On one ride with her sister, she was riding down on her back and giggling so loud.






There were plenty of snowball fights!
Lots of climbing up hills with sleds.
Showing off random trees....

Time with friends.Kids dressed warm and reminding us of Ralphie from the Christmas movie.
Did I mention loads of sledding?
And learning to walk in a few feet of snow.
Watching grown men tap into their inner child.
My sweet Cam and Rman sledding....and laughing the entire way down. These two have the funniest conversations, we loved listening in on them. Right after this ride, I heard this:
Rman: Cam, are you okay?
Cam: Yeah, I said "who turned off the lights?" (entire ride Cam's hat was over her face)
Rman: I know. Are you okay?
Cam: Yeah, I said "who turned off the lights?"
The conversations were cute and sometimes really random!
This weekend was good. I think what I loved most is that I left my "big dawg" camera at home. I decided I didn't want to think one second about settings. All I wanted to do was take pictures without thinking. Just point, shoot and use the yucky on camera flash. But...within one day of shooting with my glorified point and shoot...I was ready to drop kick it into the several feet of snow.


There's a reason I love shooting manual...because cameras really stink in deciding the best exposure. Don't get me wrong, they do a good job at times....but in snow...absolutely NOT! Do I regret not bringing my big Nikon? Well, not really! I didn't think when I was taking pictures...but it would have been nice as there were several times I got angry with the horrible white balance it shot in, the overexposed snow and underexposed skin. I've spent the last hour trying to fix all of the three things mentioned above. Thank goodness for photoshop!
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And where you will find me these next couple weeks....sadly, with not a whole lot of blog action going on. I have my hands happily filled with family time, the never ending scrapbooking I've got in the works, and more family time.


I have to admit, I'm pretty happy staying up til midnight scrapbooking and not looking at my computer for a second. Looking at my piles of laundry and thinking, maybe tomorrow night...and I smile. I'll be in heaven these next couple weeks.


But...I will have a sweet photography playdate with 7 day old twins in a couple days! While I'm technically on vacation...I'm really giddy happy to meet them! Like almost nervous happy....I can't wait. My husband's already told me to take all the time I need to soak up their newborn goodness as that's as close as I'll get to having another baby!


And...to each of you...I hope you are having a fabulous holiday season. I hope you are filling your days and nights with complete and utter happiness with your family. Spending your time hugging, laughing and creating happy memories to cherish in the years to come.


Right now...my Cash just woke up from being asleep for 4 hours, telling me she doesn't want to go to sleep by herself. So, off I go to make sure she doesn't. I can guarantee I won't sleep much as she's a roller, kicker and likes to sleep horizontal but I'm okay with that. Because I'm on vacation.