Here’s the conversation I have with my sister-in-law’s voicemail each month:

“Uhm, Michelle… Yeah, I know you’re busy… but, it’s time for pictures… again.  It’s been over 4 weeks since Kenslee’s last session.  Soooo…. let’s make some plans.”  

It’s not completely normal to have your photographer bugging calling you every month to update your child’s picture, but I can’t help it!  I’ve got some cute nieces and nephews that NEED some camera-time each month!   

I love the catchlight in her eyes… I love the texture of the old bucket… I love those baby-fingers… I love the peacefulness of this image. 
It makes my heart happy.
 
The first time I saw this old bucket on my parent’s front porch, I already knew:  
Old yellow bucket + Kenslee (diaper-only, of course!) + big, open field =  

Thank you for a FUN session, Kenslee!  I’ve got you on my schedule for your 8-month session!

I’m so happy to introduce Parker Ryland.  If you follow this blog, you will see a lot of Parker in the next 10-15 years.  He is not only my sister’s baby, he is Rayna’s new favorite “BABY!”   It will be all too soon when Parker is running around the house with Ross and Rayna.  Until then… enjoy some sweet newborn pictures from the hospital.   

As you can see from this picture in the hospital, he’s very alert.  (I love how he’s holding on to Hannah’s finger.  How sweet is that?) 
Hannah and Jason enjoying Parker…
Ahhhh… the smell of a newborn!  Can’t you smell that-baby-powder-skin….yummy-smelling-breath… ‘Yum’ isn’t the right word, but YUM!

Kissable lips…
Hannah, Jason and Parker came over a few days ago for lunch.  I took a few more pictures of him while everyone else was at the pool. 
I love old things.  My grandmother used these scales to make sure her babies were gaining weight.  The scales were then used by my mom for myself and Hannah.  Hannah and Jason recently used them to make sure he was getting enough to eat.  I love things that have been passed down and used by several generations. 

Sweet lil’ smile…

Pretty normal morning… I made breakfast and was in the process of getting the kids ready when I remembered the storm we had during the night.  I grabbed my camera because I knew the rain probably did a lot of good for my thirsty vegetables outside.  Before I headed out, I got a picture of Rayna with my camera lens cover her new favorite toy.  

I headed outside to visit with my beautiful new bellpeppers, tomatoes, squash and onions.  (And, yes, I really think my vegetables are beautiful.)  I couldn’t resist this perfect, green tomato.  I plan to see it again tonight at dinner.  It will be fried to a golden brown, ready to be dipped into a little Ranch dressing. 

I was about to go back inside when, just a few feet from me, I spotted this guy just hanging out above my garden…  

I grew-up with my dad catching snakes and was pretty sure this particular one was non-venomous.   Nevertheless, I am still a girl.  As a girl, it’s embedded into our DNA to scream or run (or both at the same time) whenever we see a snake.    
On the other-hand, I am also a mom to a 3-year old little boy.  The non-screaming side of me wanted to catch this snake where Ross would think I was the coolest person in the entire world.  
 
When I walked a little closer, thinking I could at least get a close shot of his face, he made a very quick movement which involved his mouth opening and his body tightening up.  

THE GIRL SIDE WON.  I ran in as fast as humanly possible.  (I’m pretty sure I also woke-up a few neighbors with my screaming.)

I went inside to get Ross and my telephoto zoom lens.  At this point, I’m outside shooting the snake (a LOT farther away) with a 300 mm lens vs. the 50 mm I had just a few mintues before he decided to open his mouth at me.  Can you tell I’m really nervous now?

To make a very dramatic story a little less… well, dramatic , Murphy (our dog) some how got outside as Ross and I slipped out.  He also quickly discovered what Ross and I were looking at.  Murphy decides he wants to try to LICK this interesting thing.  I’m yelling at Murphy to STOP and go inside.  As always, Murphy doesn’t listen.  The snake had all the licking he could stand and decides to lunge after Murphy.  Murphy starts running… TOWARDS ME AND ROSS.  The snake is chasing Murphy (and kind-of me and Ross who are running beside Murphy). 

I’m carrying Ross and running faster than ever.   
My camera is flopping around my neck.
Oh, and I’m screaming, AGAIN. 

Thank you, 300mm lens.  Here is a close-up of our old friend. 

Oh, I must also note Ross’ prayer tonight: 
“Dear Jesus, Uh, 2 things:
Thank you for the slide at the pool.
(laughing.  trying not to laugh.  laughing more)
Thank you for not letting Murphy die when the snake bit him.
The End.”

Meet Doug & Jill…
We met this couple when we joined our first small group at 12Stone.  
A lot can happen within a six year friendship.  Let me share a few from ours:
Adopt 2 dogs… Bury 1 dog… Peaceful dinners at nice restaurants… Crazy dinners at our house with 2 screaming kids… 
Playing cards way too late… Building fires… Going to festivals… Meeting for dessert… Staying connected despite a cross-country move… PHOTOGRAPHS

What?  No photographs?!?!  

Don’t blame me.  For YEARS I have been bugging them.  Finally, after dinner at our house a few weeks ago, we jumped in the car and quickly took some pictures before the rain started pouring down. 

Turns out, their wedding (10 years ago) was the last time they had pictures together.    They are both (obviously) very natural in front of the camera.  I think I should start photographing them every year.

Love you guys!