One of my favorite families did it again! These boys!! It is so much fun to see these boys grow up. Last year, James wanted nothing to do with photos for Christmas. This year, he was totally willing to play with his mom’s funny ideas. Grady; not so much. And I have to say that this is my favorite Christmas card I have EVER created!
Santa made time to visit Castle Farms to read a story book to some children! Whatta guy!!
This lovely little family; complete with a darling, spunky little doll and her faithful furball companion, were able to enjoy one of the last perfect Northern Michigan fall days on Old Mission Peninsula.
This family! Oh my goodness! These little gentlemen have such manners! The minute they popped out of the car, they each came up and introduced themselves to me and shook my hand, while looking me in the eye. They were engaging with directions, appropriately playful, and really got along well together. What a fun time!
What is better than great neighbors? Oh, just great neighbors with super gorgeous families and kids that are willing to try my crazy ideas! I’ve seen the white box idea before and now that I have garage space to store these nutty and often large concoctions, I can make more! Sure, the fall color was perfect in my yard and we had to use that; but I think the first crack with the box went pretty well. Holds a family of four, right? At least it passed the structurally sound test! Now I need to get thinking up some new ideas for it!
Pretty little Abigail turned ONE this week. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone! She is such a little sweetie! It was a sure thing that she enjoyed her birthday cake!
The Wyatt family all came together as a family at their summer home in Northport. There are three little people in this growing group, two of whom know how to steal the show! These cousins may be ones to watch as they grow up; cousins are always your first best friends.
I am so excited to introduce this super cute little guy! I just love watching this family grow! Jace is going to have lots of fun with his big brother! It took us quite some time to get this guy to sleep for us. Luckily, Super Grandma had all the tricks!
This wonderful young family has three little people that keep them on their toes! Just a fabulous group of people! Grandma and Grandpa are just in love with their roles of teaching and playing. So much fun!
The thing about young children is sometimes, as much as we love them and they are wonderful little learning sponges, cuddly, happy, and carefree; there are those moments in parenting where you’d like to lock them in a closet. Or just have a gallon of wine readily at hand. This is normal. This is real life. I love this family because at the root of all the good and bad, there are these two small little hearts that are actually really big.
When photographing children, you have to break down some walls quickly to make friends so they will play with you, or at least accept you a little bit. Sometimes that playfulness gets a little out of control. This day, like so many others, somebody pushed things a little too far and I got hit in the head with a rock. Not a particularly small rock, either. For me, not a big deal, it happens all the time on jobs. For moms and dads . . . usually a mortifying, I-want-to-crawl-under-that-rock-and-hide, moment.
But what makes it all okay, like really okay, is what happens after. We all make mistakes and that is part of what being a kid is about; learning from our mistakes. So after the tears passed (his, not mine, as I did my best to not freak the kid out any further – – a.k.a. adulting), the good part showed. That little voice, all sheepish and remorseful, says, “I didn’t mean for that to hit you, will you still be my friend?” “Yes, buddy, of course, but you can’t do that anymore.” “Ok, good, I won’t. I promise.”
Really, how could I be mad as that little blue-eyed mug?!? Oh, and the “I want to give my sister this flower, just right, like this, oh, let’s do it again,” part of the afternoon was rather priceless, too.