A reason, a season or a lifetime...

I have a sister who is 3 years younger than me.That is not a big age difference now. But 23 years ago when I was in the 7th grade and she was in 4th, the age difference seemed huge. I imagine our relationship was pretty typical. She would steal my clothes and make up and want to play in my stuff. And I would yell at her and tell mom in my most irritating, whiny, attitudy (google says attitudy is not a word and I don't care I'm using it anyway) voice possible. Back then she seemed so annoying and childish. Because you know, I was so grown ha ha. Well about this time in our lives is when she brought home a friend, her new BEST friend. Who was at our house ALL the time!!! She went to church with us every Sunday. Stayed at our house almost EVERY weekend.   Great now there were 2 of them. I was already the oldest of 5. And now there was another annoying brat I had to put up with. And this girl was even more annoying than my sister.. Because she talked A LOT, and oh soooo fast. Blah blah blah all the time. I remember her trying to tell a story and my Dad would would say, stop...breath...now slow down and tell it again because I didn't catch one word of that. Well it wasn't long before we were all in high school together. And it seemed worse. Now she was following me all over the place telling people she wanted to be just like me. Aaaagggghhh someone make her go away.

Well would you believe that 23 years later this girl Shannon, and my younger sister Jamey are two of my very best friends. And I wouldn't trade one of those annoying childhood days with either of them for anything in the world. I have heard it said that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. And I'll tell you God knows what He is doing when He brings people into your life. I am so thankful that over two decades ago my sister brought home one of the greatest gifts ever...another sister. And I love sitting next to Shannon and her family in church on Sundays.

This Sunday my little sister Shannon, her husband Brian and their daughter Brianna were baptized!! Ya know I have taken many a family picture. But this one is by far my favorite!! It means so much to me to be a part of this day.

Ah summer

I just realized  that I haven't posted in a while. There are so many pictures and things I have to share. In my last post we went camping. Since then we have been rollerskating, had birthday parties, been to six flags, visited a few museums in DC hung out at the water park and the beach etc... I will share a few pictures and stories from all of these things later. For now here is a pic of me and my grandma. Love you grandma, hope you had a great birthday last week!!!

Camping trip day 1...

What a day!!!  This morning we spent most of our time packing and preparing. Running around in circles making sure everyone has brushed their teeth and packed their tooth brush. We have enough flashlights for everyone to have their own. Blah blah blah. We made a wal-mart trip to pick up some odds and ends that we were missing from our 2 lists. Got home and started loading up the van. I don't know how many of you have tried to load up a mini van, but I'm here to tell you they don't hold much!! So once we got half of our kitchen loaded up on the roof (my husband was once a boy scout and will not be left unprepared for anything), it was time to load suit cases, sleeping bags, pillows, 2 adults, 6 kids and 2 dogs. Holy crap you couldn't fit a fart in there when we were done. The only person who's feet could touch the floor was the driver. And would you believe it was a very pleasant trip!! Not one fight or argument over ANYTHING!!! Amazing!! I normally can't even ride 10 minutes to the grocery store without someone screaming about something. I guess they were happy to be going camping.

We arrive to check in and get 2 of the kids to walk the dogs while we are inside paying and getting our key to the cottage. Someone ahem (not me) has to have an air conditioner to sleep. We get to the cottage and work some more unloading everything. Thank goodness my dad came by with the golf cart and took all the kids around the campgrounds so we could unload in peace. A little dinner cooked on the 100 year old portable stove and we are ready to go play. The kids got to do a flashlight lollipop hunt. And I got to hang out and chat with family and friends for a few hours.

What am I doing on the laptop after 1am??? Waiting for 3 little girls to fall asleep. They are watching a movie on another laptop. So no we are not really roughing it, but we are having fun. Hopefully there will be more fun tomorrow!! But for now I will leave you with a shot of my oldest perched on the roof of our cottage just because he can.

Congratulations on graduation Ms. Kenzie!!

I love shooting senior portraits. I arrived to this shoot, took one look at those eyes and I was instantly ready to start shooting.  Isn't she gorgeous?!!?

I love the feel the sunlight gives this shot.

Lily pads in bloom YAY!!  Love a lotus flower!!!

Congrats Kenzie!! I hope life is all that you dream!!!

Welcome baby Wyatt

Meet my newest nephew, Wyatt. He's such a good baby. The only time he cried was when he was going through a wardrobe change. Congrats Robin and Aubrey!!! He is beautiful!!

Cherise and Steaphan: Engaged

Just a little sneak at the engagement pictures. Can't wait for the wedding in October!!! They are such a beautiful couple.

Katina and Dameon Perfectly Matched

Oh what a dreary rainy day it was. That's what happens when you schedule your wedding the same weekend as Tiki bar opening, you are almost guaranteed a rainy wedding day. But you wouldn't have known that from the inside. Who needs sunshine when you have a radiant Bride surrounded by smiling family and friends?? I won't share too many of the getting ready shots. I know 3 girls that might not be too happy with Aunt Sarah for that lol. So I'll start with the shoes. Holy WOW I fell in love...with the shoes!!!

I love this shot. Hair almost done, and the Maid of honor in the background hanging out and making conversation. See what I mean about the smiling faces this day?!!? 

I don't know why but I love taking pictures of people taking pictures. Especially when they are using phones ha ha. Katina and her hair stylist/make up artist. 

 Don't even get me started about the phone ha ha. I have so many shots of people on the phone, I could make a slide show of just that!! I think I may just do that.

 A little shoe trouble Kerri???

A candle lit entrance, so beautiful!

 I'm not sure I know anyone else who corrects the Preacher man during the wedding. But then again, he did try to change both of their names ha ha. Every time he said the wrong name you could hear the wedding party giggle quietly.

Yes I had to lay on the floor to get this shot. But I couldn't resist. Good thing the wedding party was soooo big. No one could see me and I got my shot.

Here's the big wedding party I mentioned earlier...

 The happy couple. Congratulations, and many blessings to you and your family!!!

Cool yet disturbing...

This was taken at the dentist this morning. I have a thing for spotting and photographing reflections. I really love ones this cool. 

Introducing the lovely Miss Molly

I like to say picture time is play time. Well last week I got to play with this 2 week old little beauty. You would not believe the hair on her. She is so beautiful, and has a big personality to match. All little miss wanted to do while I was there is eat. She wanted nothing to do with having her picture taken. A natural born diva I tell ya. Can't you just see the attitude all over her face?? And she's only 2 weeks old. 

This one really makes me wonder what it is she's thinking about. Looks to me like she's planning something.

This is one of my favorites. I love a big ole' baby yawn. Makes me ready for a nap every time I look at it.

And it is way too close to Easter for me to not put her in a basket. It just had to be done. Plus her momma had 3 of them for me to choose from when I got there. How could I say no?!!?

A little snuggle from big sister.

One of my other favorites. The kissy face. That's what happens when you steal a pacifier mid suck and your trigger finger is fast enough to catch the pucker before it disappears.

Wishing you all big baby yawns and kissy faces.

Taking care of those pearly whites

My little man had his teeth cleaned today. He was so good. And I was so relieved. His last cleaning was a little traumatic. He wouldn't sit still or open his mouth. But we visited a new dentist office today, and they were great! The strange thing is the last place we went to was all about children. There were toys, T.V's movies for them to watch, interesting things painted on the walls, toys hanging from the ceiling etc... This office had none of that. But the way they talked to him put him completely at ease. And it's only a 15 minute drive. The last place was 45 minutes away. So yay for me lol. 

Check out my brave little guy.

Counting teeth...

Bright and shiny smiles to you all :)