It’s pretty late… 2:47am to be exact. My side of the electric blanket has been on for 3 hours. It’s really calling my name.
However, I really wanted to get a few pictures up for Amanda & Paul of their boys. 
Goodnight… I think… Not really. (I still have emails to return!)
My sessions with this family are always laid-back. Amy is happy. Brian is happy. The kids are both happy. All of this makes for a VERY fun morning!
I got into my car after my session with the Clayton boys and there was grass in my hair, dirt on my jeans and I was slightly out-of-breath. Meanwhile, the whole way home, the only thing on my mind is how much I looooooove photographing kids! 
I’ve known this family for a long time and I really enjoy our yearly session. Also, if you’re looking for a dentist, look no further. I’ve known Dr. Clayton since I was in high school. He is ridiculously smart, super-funny and very honest. Everyone that knows him, loves him.
Before our shoot, Melissa (Shelby’s mom) asked if I could get a picture of Shelby sleeping. Without consulting Shelby first, I confidentiality answered, “Sure!” Turns out, Shelby really liked my camera. As a matter of fact, regardless of the warm room, feeding and soft blankets, Shelby was perfectly happy just watching me.
I’m sure she’s pretty while she’s sleeping, but just look at how beautiful she is wide-awake… 
When online registration opened for our Small Group (through 12Stone), I became crazy-excited when I got an email from Ashley and Jason saying they were thinking about joining.
It was perfect… I have always had a desire to lead a Small Group. And, since music is so important to me, I always envisioned live-worship. (The first time I met Jason was when he was singing and playing his guitar at our youth group over 12 years ago. I knew that if Jason joined, my dream for music at our Small Group would be an awesome reality.)
Turns out, our Small Group wasn’t all about me and my desires. Luckily though, God must have known how much Jason’s talent would bless everyone in our group each week. To my delight, Jason and Ashley DID join our Small Group. Some of my favorite moments have been Jason leading worship in our living room.
Jason and Tanaya have joined their musical talents in their band ‘Dixie Dandelions.’ They have a lot of exciting things in store next year. But, first things first: Pictures for their album!
In case you didn’t notice, I’ll just clear the air: Tanaya is beautiful. Aside from winning almost every pagent she entered, she also has catchlight (aka: light reflection) in her eyes even when she’s looking AWAY from the camera. Impressive-stuff. 
I know it’s wrong, but as I pulled into Chuck and Erin’s driveway, a pretty strong case of house-envy hit me. It wasn’t JUST their incredibly gorgeous home; It was their land… barn…fire pits and cows. (Yes, I’m actually jealous of fire pits and cows. I am a country girl at heart.)
We met Chuck & Erin over 5 years ago at our first Small Group at church. Erin is a photographer, but, like most photographers, she wishes she had family pictures and personal pictures with her children. I photographed their family a year ago. However, since that time, something wonderful happened to their family…
God had a special plan for Mae to join this wonderful family! It’s obvious how much her family loves her. Although she really loves her dad and brothers, here’s where she’s the happiest…
Just because she’s wearing totally trendy knee-boots doesn’t mean she can’t pull-off a tough shot with her 3 brothers… 
To read more of Mae’s story, click here to read Erin’s blog.
Chuck & Erin- Thank you for inviting me out to your home. As always, photographing your family felt more like play than work! I am so thankful for God’s many blessings on your family.
In my last post, I talked about one of my favorite places in San Francisco being the Saturday morning market.
Here’s THE mystery of my trip: Matthew actually preferred THIS (1lb pear)…
to this…
As I post these pictures, I noticed a common-theme:
‘Why I Love Matthew’
1. He enjoys me taking pictures of him acting like he’s hanging over a large body of water. (If I would have taken the time to crop the grass out below his feet, this picture might be a little less-weird.)
2. He can take a quick look at a totally confusing map in a new city and, without a second thought, have the rest of our day planned out. (Since I have NO sense of direction, I am VERY impressed with this!) 
3. He’s a loyal fan. He’s been a San Francisco 49er fan as long as he can remember. (All of his school pictures are of him wearing his 49er shirts.) Since the team has had better years, he’s always getting the question: “Growing up in NW Arkansas, how did you ever become a ‘9er fan?”
This was our first 49er HOME game together. It was great to see him in his element. Even this little guy was a huge fan…
4. He likes carrying on our strange traditions. We started this on our first ski trip together in Colorado. Some of our favorite shots: feet in the sand (honeymoon), feet at Eiffel Tower in Paris, feet together in hospital bed hours after Ross was born. Anyways, I always seem to forget. I love that he always remembers….
5. He tries so hard to ‘compose’ and ‘focus’ his pictures correctly. Since it was my 30th birthday, I got to be the subject. There were about six before this shot where the bricks were completely in focus, but I was un-recognizable. But, he did it!
6. As Matthew lays in my lap right now watching football, I am typing this blog and asking him, “Did people clap or yell as you drove down Lombard Street?” Without looking away from the t.v., he says, “I think they were screaming, ‘Get out of the way! That guy has no brakes!’ ”
Yep. That’s why I love going on trips with Matthew. Most people drove about 5-12 MPH down the “the crookedest street in the world.” I’m so use to his driving, I didn’t think anything about how fast we were taking the turns. Until, however, we got to the bottom and people acted like we had just broke some type of record getting down. 
Before we raced down Lombard Street, we drove our rental car down the Highway 1 coastline.
I have a ton more, but I’m going to finish up with a few random details from the trip that reminds me of one of our new favorite cities…
I am certain these will make Amanda feel better. My precious and p diddy are soooo cute
So good, Christy. Love your work!
Thanks so much Christy!! Love, Love, Love them as always!!! You are amazing!-Amanda