Merry Christmas - let the celebration begin!

After today, the saying "I'll be home for Christmas" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I am home and my "home remodel" is finished! My house is clean...I love my floors, the new color of my dining room, the new bright yellow kids bathroom and EVEN THE NEW TOILET! I'm am so thankful to have a home this Christmas! I love being here with my family!. The snow storm last night was amazing!  It's totally adding to the feeling of wanting to stay home and be with my kids. The snow-blowers are out and humming  just outside the house. I love looking at the white blanket that covers my yard and the snow gently falling...it's really beautiful. I hope they stay on top of plowing all day cause I'm really excited to go to our Christmas Eve Service tonight. If you were looking for somewhere cozy to go to church tonight please feel free to join us at Bethany Church at 5:30pm. It's an hour service filled with music, the Christmas story, candlelight ambiance...It just might be my favorite service of the year.

I'm so excited for Christmas and can barely contain myself! I totally want to let Adriah open a gift or two today. I'm bad, eh? I won't let myself bend (mostly cause Matt wouldn't appreciate the gesture) and so, I'll force myself to wait for tomorrow.

Later today we're going to make birthday cupcakes for Jesus today. I hope he likes strawberry cake with rainbow chip icing...I know Adriah will!

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Grandma Jeanne...and Grandpa Tony!

There's nothing like the feeling of other people loving your kids! We have been so blessed by this! Especially by Grandparents. Jeanne finds something special to do with Adriah every time she visits. This last time they sewed a stuffed animal together...from scratch! Adriah loves the crafty one-on-one time and soaks up the attention.

I have to comment on how proud I am of Jeanne...even though i know it will embarrass her. She just finished chemo-therapy and radiation for cancer. Through it all she grew in so many ways...I am so happy to say she is a cancer survivor! And she lives cancer free! In the process of all the treatments she lost all of her beautiful hair. But, in the weeks we spend together she got more and more bold in not wearing her wig and letting the new hair shine! I loved it! Here's probably one of the first pictures of her with her new due!

ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL?

And Tony not bad either...I love them both dearly!

thank you for loving my kids the way you do!

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Vacation Pictures...gotta love warm weather in November!

I'm needing to get ready for the next wave of holiday pictures so I thought I'd finish up with our family vacation...and share them with you! We went to Ed-Venture for the second time and Adriah found the African Safari exhibit! She was so excited because her Daddy was in Africa at the same time. :) So cute!

Leyton loved this floating bridge...

This next shot is one of my fav's ever...I wish I knew what he was thinking! We were in the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store for kids and Leyton stopped to watch a little girl pretend to check her food out! I LOVE HIS FACE!

Isn't she beautiful?

Crazy how different my kids eyes are, eh? I wonder what this next little one is going to have!

Adriah is a cautious, careful, clean 4 year old...we went for a walk and she fell face first in the mud! She was horrified until her cousins convinced her it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen!

Gotta love CRAZY HAIR on little boys!

Avery...i miss you!

Leyton loved playing outside with the BIG kids. It's fun to watch him try anything. He played with the skateboard a lot and gave me a couple heart-attacks!

Yes...he is about to fall on a cement driveway...and yes I continued to take pictures. Can you read his shirt? It says "I do all my own stunts!" HOW TRUE! My kids couldn't be more different in this area!

Macie...I miss you too!

Playing basketball with Daddy!

Love this next shot cause it looks likes Avery is about to nail her sister with the Basketball!

Joel tried rollerblading for the first time and did amazing!

Well...there's a few of us having fun outside with the Haley's! Soon this blog will be covered with snow pictures so enjoy these while they last!

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The Haley Family Portraits!

This family is amazing! They graciously hosted us for 2 1/2 weeks while my husband went on a mission trip to Kenya! I don't know if you've ever had family crash at your house for an extended amount of time but, it's a lot...I know this and I'm extremely grateful. Not only are the Haley's some of my favorite people to hang out with...they are family. They are people who look for opportunity to bless and willingly do it. I'm challenged by this family's generosity. Their example isn't common but, I want it to be how we live as a family.

In my small way I wanted to thank them. We did a short family photo shoot the morning we left...Adriah had to get in on the action. Here she is with Aunt Amy and Uncle John!

Just looking at this picture makes me cry...I love you both so much!

Here's your beautiful family. So funny, trying to get the boys to laugh Adriah was behind me making silly faces!

Just THE BOYS! It took 10 shots to get them to really squeeze! And poor Joel took the brunt of it :)

For the next 8 months their having their two nieces (Avery 7 and Macie 9) live with them. The girls came the weekend before we left so I got to get to know them too! Here's there new family photo! WE MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Joel lost a tooth while we were there so I had to show you the close up!

Jake's the football player. He carries the ball around with him all the time and Adriah didn't understand why..."He must really like that ball!" was all she kept saying:)

John turns 13 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY...he's growing into such an amazing man. I can't wait to see who he becomes in the next couple of years.

AMY thank you for being such a great listener and pouring into my kids as if they were you're own. I am blessed by your love...and true beauty.

Lastly, Joel and Adriah were up late the night before creating this incredible robot. Isn't it cool!??

So I gave you a bunch...now I want to know which is your favorite! the CD is on the way!

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The Reilly Family Portraits (Eden Prairie, MN)

There is nothing like capturing a brother-sister moment. It's the precious times that siblings look out for each other, make each other laugh, help each other out that are the moments we parents love...even cry over. Hugs say it all!

This next shot isn't a normal image I'd blog but I couldn't resist! It screams the season! Fall is everywhere and my favorite of the four seasons! Remember when you were a kid and loved to make a big pile and jump in it or throw it up into the air. It makes me smile now just thinking back!

The Boys...

LOOK AT THOSE LIPS! Love it!

This is a precious family from our church and it's truly my pleasure to share life with them. We're entering into our third chapter of kids at the same time and it's special for both Jen and I. We're bonded through growing bellies (she's due a couple weeks after me), kids that are similar ages and love hanging out and our mutual love for games - especially Settlers of Catan! Can't wait to show you the rest of your images!

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The van Dis Family Portraits (St. Paul, Minnesota)

I love St. Paul, Minnesota! It has beauty around every corner. It was my first time capturing this family and they live in the most adorable neighborhood...we braved the weather and got great shots of their sweet family!

I love the contrast of the first two shots. And you know they were taken seconds apart from each other. Nothing like two year old twins to keep you on your toes!

Twins...I love pictures that show height at this stage.

Sheer delight!

Look at those precious dimples...how adorable!

Look at the color! It's a beautiful backdrop...and reminds me why I love shooting outdoors.

thanks for choosing me to capture your family...your CD of photos will be arriving shortly!

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The Ferden Family (Minnesota Harvest, Jordan MN)

This was my first time meeting this family and I have to say I hope it's not the last! Their little boy was so fun to capture...and this couple was so sweet! They drove over an hour to meet me at the apple orchard and I hope after seeing these pictures they'll think it was all worth it!

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The Welmer Family (Minnesota Harvest, Jordan MN)

I had the privilege of capturing this couple on the wedding day a few years back...and now their family has grown and they invited me back to share in it! SO FUN! Little Johan was adorable and a joy to capture. I think 6 months is one of my favorite times to take pictures of kids. they have expressions but, they're not usually mobile...and I love their chunky cheeks...so kissable!

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The Mulligan Family (Minnesota Harvest, Jordan MN)

There's nothing like taking pictures in a place where kids can run, eat great food, and run some more! I'm happy to report that this photo-shoot was the beginning of their youngest son's new found love for apples. Apparently, he wasn't a fan of them before this shoot! I don't normally recommend a photo-shoot as a cure for food aversions but, I'll take credit for this one!

The Lindsay Family (Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, MN)

I've known this family for years and have taken their family photos since Aidan (their oldest) was a baby. It is an honor to share them with you again! We had so much fun at the Orchard together! I highly recommend taking your family there and don't forget to bring your camera (or your favorite professional photographer) along for fun!

Teaching moments are one of my favorite to capture...Shannon is a natural teacher!

i love the concern on Aidan's face...

CHEESE!

So, Girls who came to the workshop...How did my pictures turn out!???

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The Gruber family (Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, MN)

I love this family. I'm getting to know them more and more with every shoot we do together. I'm really honored to be their family photographer and I hope I keep up the good work because I'd love to see their family grow up - capturing them every step of the way! They made the long drive from St. Paul to get these seasonal family shots. i love the apple orchard and this time of year.

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My baby is going to school...

...well, pre-school! But, it stills counts as school to me cause she has a teacher and will be gone Tuesdays and Thursday for 3 HOURS! That's a long time! Seriously...part of me wants to change me mind and keep her home for another year but, the rest of me knows she's ready and will grow in a million ways this year! I need to focus on growing with her and sharing these new experiences with her. So hard when I want to hold on to her and freeze time. I watch "Special Agent OSO" with Adriah and every show has a problem to solve and "3 Special Steps" to solve them...here's my 3 Special Steps to starting school.

Step 1. Let go and let her grow a little.

Step 2. Focus on the time I still have her at home...make the most of it!

Step 3. Take a ton of pictures! I'll freeze time with pictures and always remember this week and how I feel because of them.

I know this will all be routine in a couple of weeks but, for now, it's real.

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The Newcome Family Portraits

I love that I still get to capture families through out the summer! I'm in the thick of wedding season and things are busy but, switching gears and hanging out with a new family for a couple hours...we just play and I get great shots! Painless, actually really fun!

What a great family! Thanks for letting me capture Max at this precious stage of life! I loved it!

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Horton Family Reunion/Photos for Grandpa!

This was a CRAZY FUN shoot! It was 90 degrees out and we did a shoot with 11 kids and 11 adults...I'm sure the parents were totally stressed...I know I would've been! Our Objective: to get the kids with Grandpa, a family shot and anything else we can grab in the process.

Here's a few of my fav's from the day!

it my pleasure to capture this family...maybe we'll do the whole thing again next year? I'm in if you're in!

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The Wegleitner Family

augh...one year old triplets, a four year old and parents...piece of cake!

What a sweet family! Kate, Please forgive me for getting your white capri's SOOOO dirty! You are such a trooper!

The Girls!

The Boys!

I'm so sorry girls...but your pictures turned out pretty...I hope it was worth it!

We did this shot last year and couldn't resist doing it again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Hanlin Family Portraits

This is my third time capturing this lovely family...and yes they have 2 year old triplets! I must admit I still get nervous when a mom of triplets (at any age) calls and asks if I can capture their kids...it's a big risk every time! But, we have been so lucky every time AND it helps that these kids are adorable! Having said that I'm a firm believer that mothers of multiple are prime candidates for needing a professional photographer to capture their family! So, I'm up for the challenge - ANY AGE!

I love this next one...it's such a great picture of mom surrounded by kids...yet it's gentle and soft!

The boys...

The girls...

I love it! Thanks for choosing me again this year. I hope to capture these kids every year...it's only going to get easier from here on out!

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The Greenhouse Family Portraits

I love taking pictures in the Wilds neighborhood...it's so beautiful and there's so many hidden treasures. I'm all about open fields, wild grass, water and the simple things that make my subjects stand out!

I love you guys...thanks for letting me capture your family!

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Torkwase's Family Portraits

Now I have gone through the toddler years with my girl but, I haven't raise a boy through them and I have a feeling he is going to give me a run for my money...especially after shooting this 2 year old at my last shoot! He was crazy fast and couldn't care less about the camera lady...he totally made me laugh...I love a challenge! His little sister was a dream! Just a month old and she is an angel.

This family was precious.

talking to mom...

A rare moment of brother sitting long enough to kiss little sister!

Angela's Family Shoot!

I had so much fun capturing this next family. They were primed and ready for pictures...the girls literally came up with a new pose everytime they heard the camera click. It was easy to capture their fun...because it was contagious!

More to come from the other 2 families I shot that day!

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The Morrison Family Portraits

Most of you who have read my blog for years know that this family is very close to my heart. I promised Brianna and Ryan a family shoot a long time ago but, with the surprise of Ivy, moving to Wisconsin and LIFE it was postponed until just a couple of weeks ago. I love this family so much and capturing them brought so much joy to my heart. Sylas is hularious and his smile is so contagious...love him.

This is real life...I love to capture it as it's happening instead of trying to make it perfect for the shot!

Do all boys like to drum?

Brianna...You are a beautiful women and an amazing mother. It has been my privilege to be your friend for almost 10 years. How time flies.

Isn't he beautiful? I'm smiling just looking at this picture...

More in love then ever...precious.

The little man that has stolen so many hearts!