Celebrating Four!

Four is such a fun age!  One of my favorite ages for kids.  I was lucky enough to be in AZ to celebrate a special fourth birthday!!  We had fun in the desert with magical gumballs and birthday balloons...even if we did lose one to the blue skys.  Here are a few of my favorites....happy birthday sweet girl!!  

and love this one of birthday girl with her daddy!

Lovin' the Desert Backdrop!

I have a thing for the desert.  Always have.  Not sure if it's the dry heat and gorgeous weather or the unique southwest landscape.  You just don't get the prickly cactus, desert palms and beautiful mountains in the midwest.  The desert makes for a gorgeous backdrop and it feels so good to have a session outdoors again!   I was looking so forward to getting a chance to photograph these sweet girls again.  I'm lucky enough to be their Aunt and I only wish that I could get them in front of my camera more often!!  We had so much fun and it was such a treat to spend a whole weekend with them!  I have so many great images to process....but I wanted to get a quick sneak peek up on my blog!!  Thanks for the super fun visit!!

This about Sums it up!

This image about sums up how we felt leaving MN winter and heading southwest for a long weekend!  Just in time to escape some seriously cold winter weather!  We soaked up the warmth and had a great visit to the desert landscape that I just love!!  Surrounded by mountains, cactus, palm trees and red rock....ahhhh, good 'ole Arizona!!

Amazing Blue Eyes Ahead:

I blinked....I swear I just met this little sweetheart yesterday at her newborn session!  One blink of an eye and now she is celebrating six months!  What a treat to get the opportunity to work with this darling baby girl again.  I couldn't wait to see how she had changed!  Amazing blue eyes and the most content personality ever.....she did make me work for a smile, but I admit I am in love with her serious expressions just as much!   Here's your sneak peek!!  

Her signature move as she likes to grab her little toes from behind.....too cute!!

and her beautiful smile!!

Sending Messages of Love....

Sending messages of love has been a longtime tradition every February 14th!  Check out some of my new Valentine Templates available this Valentine's Day!!  Click here for more details:  Valentine's Cards

As always, cards are available using photos from any of your sessions or feel free to submit one of your own photos!  

All Grown Up!

This little sweetie turns five in a few weeks and is so grown up!  I've been lucky enough to know her since the day she was born.  I've had photo sessions with her and her siblings in the past but today was just about the soon-to-be birthday girl!  And, she was a great little helper as she posed for a few "Valentine" images that I can use on my Valentine's samples that I will be posting in the next few days....watch my blog!  

From the Heart

With Valentine's day around the corner you may be starting to think of gift ideas for your Valentine.  Each year I am on the hunt to find something unique that really comes from the heart.  This collage can be created either using photos from your session or if you have several of your own special memories that you've captured throughout the year and you would like a heart shaped collage created, I am sure your Valentine's Day gift will be a hit!!   **note:  If you had a session with me last year, see if you can find yourself in the Valentine's collage below!  


Note:  This Collage was created as a 10x10 square.  Additional sizes available.

Another Celebration in the House!

Well, we have another birthday in the house....they come so quickly around here.  This time my baby turns two!  I attempted a two year session with him.  I didn't set out to capture this image but as you know, it's nearly impossible to take photographs of your own children. It was getting close to nap time and he wanted his 'Bun-yay' (sounds almost French for Bunny) as it's referred to around our house.  My fourth baby has been my only one to suck his thumb.  It's soooo sweet (for now, ask me when he's 6yrs and cannot stop the habit!).  His ritual:  he takes the little tag on Bun-yay and rubs it against his nose and sucks his thumb as his comfort and makes his own little humming noise.  I know someday he will outgrow this....and these sweet days will be a memory for me.  Even though I was going for an image of his smiling face and big brown eyes, I was so happy to capture this moment as he was snuggled up with his Bun-yay and his thumb while getting some kisses from his big brother.  This is one of those images that truly captures a moment, a moment in time that I will treasure!  Happy Birthday baby boy!

Home for the Holidays

Nothing says Christmas time better than spending it with family.  This family counted their blessings as their loved ones traveled across country to be together this snowy Christmas;  a first in many years that they could all be together.  Nothing better than to share in the excitement of little ones awaiting Santa's arrival, stockings filled with chocolate, and an heirloom mistletoe hung for all who enter.  How wonderful to document and capture some of the memories made this special weekend.  Here are just a few from today:

Her Nana's mistletoe....love traditions!!

Love the twinkle in his eyes.....

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Season is one of my favorites.  It's an extra busy time of year for all of us.   Decorating the house, baking, shopping, and wrapping; and when the craziness of the day quiets down and the kids are finally tucked in and asleep, there is peace found in the quiet of the house when only the glow of the Christmas lights shine.  I love nothing more than to take  time each night to enjoy the reason for the Christmas Season and reflect on what I am most grateful;  my family, my friends and the opportunity to do what I love.  I am also grateful for all of the new families I have worked with throughout 2010.  I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!