Big Brother

In the midst of my failed attempt to get a good family picture for Christmas cards this year, I captured this shot.  Eli loves being in front of the camera.  Sam was not in the mood.  Eli was trying to cheer him up.  Unfortunately there was no "cheering" for this photo shoot.  Sam went down for a nap just a few moments after I took this picture.  Sam is lucky to have a big brother like Eli!

O Christmas Tree

 

 

We put our Christmas tree up last night!  Samuel was fascinated with the lights.  It doesn't matter how old you are there is still something magical about turning on the Christmas lights in your home.  Every year we talk about how we should have a fake Christmas tree...until the tree is finally up.  Then I am always reminded of how beautiful the real deal is.  Eli kept smelling it all night!  I'm still a work in progress when it comes to the simplest tasks with the camera.  I consider myself lucky when I get a good shot!  

Company Newsletter

We did a mini photo shoot for Sam's birth announcement in my husband's company newsletter.  They wanted him to wear his R&M t-shirt.  The camera's battery light was flashing and about to die any minute - so I had to make it quick.  I just put the camera on the Program mode to make it easy.

Step-Daddy

My husband was thrown into fatherhood suddenly - with almost no warning at all!  Just over two years ago we became an instant family.  Obviously he knew I had children, but doing life with them is a whole new ball game.  Any bachelor who can marry a woman who has a pre-teen and energetic 6 year old is an act of God.  Seriously!  He is such a blessing to us, and I don't think he ever gets enough credit.  I hope someday he can look back and see what an impact he made on this family and how much we really did appreciate him along the way.  And I think the kids will realize it someday too - he gives a lot of himself for us.  I love him for it.  I don't tell him enough.

Baby Sam

And here's my youngest, baby Samuel Matthew, at just ten weeks old. I prefer to not use a flash when I take pictures - mostly because I haven't quite figured out how or when to properly use it - but obviously natural light always looks better. This one is taken with the flash, and I think it turned out pretty good. I love my sister's red couch that he's laying on - made a great back drop. This picture might even end up on a Christmas card this year!

My Daughter - Brilynn Ashley

My daughter is making fun of my blog....yes, she is a teenager....so that explains it. But she loves it when I get a good picture of her. She may not admit it. But I can tell. She loves it. I practically threw her in front of the camera when she got home from church last night. I thought she looked pretty - so "Brilynn".

Road Trip

I'm in love with this picture of my son, Eli. I feel like I can reach out and touch his soft little face. I am afraid if I blink my eyes, when I open them he'll be graduating from high school. This photo stopped time just long enough to capture an every day...but oh so precious...moment.

Harper Nicole

As I said before...if there is one thing I learned about children's photography over the weekend is that it is HARD, people!! It is HARD! Ha ha! :) But SO worth it once you finally capture a good shot. They're constantly moving, and could care less about that perfect picture you're crossing your fingers for. Again, I am fully aware that I pretty much suck at taking pictures. I'm looking forward to the time I finally have an "ah-ha" moment and it starts to all make sense. ...That does happen, doesn't it???

Saylor Grace

Here is one of my favorite pictures I took of my niece, Saylor, over Thanksgiving weekend.