I am not a big fan of New Year’s Eve.  I never really have been.  Not being much of a party girl, I usually spend a quiet evening at home (much more my style).  But the part that always gets me is the looking back on the year.  I am such a sentimental soul and now that I have children, I realize how quickly the time goes.  From one year to the  next, they grow and change so much.  And while I am grateful for the blessings in our life and the joy we shared in 2009, I always get anxious about the future.  That’s just me – I always think, can it get any better than this?

As you move into 2010, remember to pick up your camera and snap everyday moments of your kids while they are young. Nothing moves me more than sitting and looking through old photographs and albums from when I was growing up.   I love the silly things like hairstyles, clothing,  the cars my parents drove. But mostly, I love seeing who we were – who our family was and the moments we spent together.    Many things have changed as the years have come and gone, but the love of family has always been there.

Just looking at the pictures of my babies from the past 12 months makes me all too weepy.     I wanted to share a few (ok…a lot) with you here tonight.  Some of these are ones you may have seen  before but they are some of my favorites.

What a wonderful year! Thank you to all of my wonderful clients and blog followers.  2009 has been an incredible year  and here’s to an even more beautiful 2010.

Love,

~ M

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Enjoy your family and friends.

I will be out of town through New Year’s and will be returning all emails then.  I get to enjoy a little snow filled wilderness escape with my family… looking forward to a crackling fire and lots of hot cocoa.

Merry Christmas to all,

~ M

You turn two today. I don’t know how it is possible. Time goes so quickly – too fast. Miss Maddy, you are truly a joy and a blessing beyond belief. The little light of our family. We all love you so much (even your brother… who gets a bit grumpy when you dump his crayons on the floor or pull all of his clothes out of his dresser just for fun but he loves you just the same)

So many things I love about you. Here are just few..

• Your chubby toes and the way your 2nd and 3rd toes are “webbed”. Yes, my little duck. Daddy says it is something your future husband will tease you about.
• When you want to dress up like  a princess in the pettiskirts just to push the shopping cart through the house
• The way you play with your food. Yes, playing with food is a no-no but how cute is it when you make your bits of turkey “gobble” on your plate or march your chicken nuggets around saying “bawk-bawk”
• How you are warm and cuddly just like a little puppy
• Your kisses.  You must be a little bit European because you must kiss both cheeks.  We never taught you that – it’s just you.
• How you are always sticky. Little fingers of stickiness.  And always smelling so sweet.
• How you bob your head and dance in the backseat – with rhythm,  I might add. You definitely get that from Mommy.
• The morning good-byes you give Daddy.  So many hugs, so many kisses and waves.  He loves every minute of it.
• How much you love your bunny.
• The way you say “I love you” .

The list could go on for days.  My sweet, spunky girl – I love you so.   Happy Birthday!

My final session of 2009.  And how fabulous to be able to get outside on a very chilly December morning, especially since we are hit with a cold rain and 35 degrees today! Who would have thought we would be able to do outdoor photos when we planned baby Rylan’s session months ago.   But we got lucky!

Rylan is such a cutie with his big beautiful blue eyes and his fluff of strawberry blond hair.   It is always such a treat to be asked into a families home to document their child’s life.   He is a doll baby, cuddly and sweet.  And obviously so so loved.

Because this is my last official “session” post of 2009, I have to bombard you with more photos than I normally do.   I am looking forward to meeting so many new faces in 2010.  I will begin booking again next week, so if you would like to be on the contact list please send me an email.

And now on to the good stuff… Baby Rylan…

These are proof of why I love shooting family sessions outdoors – the connection and emotion are so natural and our gorgeous valley  provides such a beautiful backdrop.

Thank you Jillian and David for inviting me over to photograph you all.  It was such a pleasure.  And a special thank you to you, David for serving and protecting our country.  We all appreciate the job you do for us.  So glad you could be home  for the holidays.

~ M

This is a special post about a very special couple.  Curtis and Mary Ann are friends of mine and two of the greatest people I know.  Kind, generous, always there with a smile or to make you laugh and  so happily married.   The kind of people you just know will be amazing parents.   But their little miracle hasn’t come yet.    After many years,  my sweet friends are now hoping to adopt.

I asked them if I could post their parent profile on my blog.  You just never know who might be reading this or who may know someone.  If you have a chance,  I would love for you to read about my sweet friends and their hope for a baby here.

I sat down last night and read their words. I have so much hope, knowing that somewhere there is a baby for them… a little miracle who is going to be so lucky to have such amazing parents. Curtis and Mary, I can’t wait for you both to hear that pitter-patter.  

xoxo

~ M

Beautiful twin girls – twice the blessing.  I was so excited when Mom contacted me about a newborn session for her twin baby girls on the way.  This was my first set of twins and they were so perfect in every way.  I loved seeing how different their little personalities are even at this very young age.     It was more than a pleasure – it was a complete joy to get to be the one to document them at their tiniest.

Best friends for life…

Sweet Olivia.

Beautiful Caroline.

Thank you so much Jessica and Chris for having me out to photograph your sweet baby girls.  It was such a wonderful experience – they are just simply gorgeous.