We had the most beautiful cloudy skies! (kind of a rarity in sunny California)… I had fun playing with my flash off-camera to make sure they were captured properly.

Love them!! Can’t wait for their wedding next month.

But anyway…

I think it will be fun and I was flattered and excited when they asked me to participate. I’m the “crazy family life/successful business/trying to balance it all” angle.  I don’t know that I’ve mastered my life in any way, I’m probably more an example of “what not to do” at times, but I HAVE learned a lot about life and business in this journey! I always love it when people get together to share what they know and help each other along the way. While I walk into it feeling nervous, I walk out of it feeling really happy and excited and inspired. So, tomorrow should be lots fun.

Of course, while I’m here, I’ve got to post pictures! I’ve got a really special place in my heart for families. Even my weddings/engagements I consider to be “family” photography because it’s really just the first family photos they ever take. It’s all people who love each other and devote their lives to each other and stand by each other and sacrifice for each other. Seriously, what could be more beautiful?

Here’s an awesome family welcoming a new member. Such a magical time, I always feel so honored to be there to witness it.

Thanks for your prayers.

Teddy is doing well. The surgery went as well as can possibly be expected. They were able to remove the entire tumor, and the doctor is confident that it’s benign (lab tests will confirm, but it takes a couple weeks). He was able to come home on Sunday after only a few days in the hospital. He had a rough couple of days because the anitbiotic they gave him made him sick and loopy, but once they figured that out, he did great. He’s sore, but so happy to be home. His parents are relieved and happy to have that experience behind them!

(a word about the image: it’s not mine. I found it online months ago, and didn’t save the location. I’m sorry! But I really love how it feels… reverent)

Don’t they have the most amazing eyes?

This is their new best friend. Love the head tilt. Dogs are so funny.

The session was held at their beautiful home. Last year, we were mostly inside. This year, we played outside for the most part.

Love!

I really love these shoes. Fun and casual. Perfect.

LOOOVE these flowers.

Bryan’s daughter was a huge part of the day. It was so beautiful watching them become a family. It wasn’t two people joining, it was three. It was beautiful. I love the small version of the bouquet for little missy.

Getting pretty…

I love the little photographer.

I love this shot of Molly and her sisters.

Happiness.

Some details.

Moments before Molly pulled up to the venue… Love this father/daughter moment.

Molly pulled up in the amazing old car (her dad’s!)

I can’t even tell you how lucky we got this day. It was POURING. Pouring pouring pouring. It magically stopped long enough for her to get into the tent, then poured some more. In fact, much of the time during the ceremony, we could barely hear what they were saying, the rain was so intense and loud. Part of me was enjoying beautiful moments like these:

And another part of me was dying over the fact that she brought me across the entire country to be there for her wedding, to take beautiful pictures of her, and we were going to be stuck in the tent because the weather was just so crazy. I was praying that the rain would stop for just a little while so I could get her some pretty shots to make her investment worth it!

God listened. As soon as the ceremony ended, the rain stopped. We ran outside, hoping to get any pics we could during the pause.

To me, it felt like a miracle. I was so relieved to be able to capture these (and more) images!

The speeches were really touching. Everyone was in tears.

All of their rings…

The guys had some fun…

Dancing… man and wife…

Father and daughter…

I love this shot from the father/daughter dance… The ground was so saturated and muddy from the rain that in spots you could sink in the mud up to your ankles. They weren’t concerned… it didn’t dampen the fun at all, probably even added to it!

It was such a beautiful, amazing day. It was so wonderful to be a part!

(this was not photoshopped…)

So here goes…

A sweet baby. Love them!

Yummy little rolls.

I’m not really sure what this bowl is meant to be used for, but to me, it seems perfect for little babies!

I love the interaction in these two shots.

Sweet little family.

The brought him a hat, a toy firetruck, and a t-shirt. We were all delighted with their generosity, but didn’t expect more. But these guys went way above and beyond a simple little visit.

They took him for a ride in the truck. They brought three trucks! If I was paying better attention, I could tell you which ones… a ladder, an engine, and a small one, not sure what it was called.

They even let him drive it.

Just kidding. That would be stupid.

But they did let him raise the ladder.

Sophie and Franklin went up while he raised the ladder too… they felt like rockstars.

They showed all the kids how everything works, all the gauges and gears and tools…

Each neighborhood kid was delighted to get a chance to spray the hose. Our lawn got a nice watering.

They let everyone try on the gear.

I love this shot of Teddy and his Dad.

And these shots of my own cuties.

Notice the missing teeth. *love*

Here are a couple shots of the cool guys that not only protect our homes and serve our community, but uplift and bring joy. I have so much respect for them.

At this point one of them jokingly asked if I could photoshop double-chins, etc. And I jokingly replied that I’d have to charge extra. To which he replied: “what’s your address?”

Getting his point, I offered to do all photoshopping free of charge. Thanks, guys, for having my house’s back! And for that, I have your double-chin’s back. (Did that even make sense?)

Thanks so much for everything, guys!

p.s. if you want to see more, I put a slideshow together of our fun afternoon.

Dave hates the tree in front of our house because of all the “poinky balls”  it drops on the ground. I guess I can see his point, it messes up the lawn and sends sharp little bombs into his ankles when he mows the lawn. But given that I don’t mow the lawn and it’s the only tree left in our yard since the day Dave bought a chainsaw, I love it.

I think it’s beautiful.

Even the poinky balls.

I know I’ve said this before, but I really love my job! There is nothing more beautiful than people who love each other. And I’ve had the good fortunate of coming across some of the most amazing, loving people in the world.

This images speaks childhood. Happiness on the playground. Love.

Check out this sweet face!

Love this shot. I think it illustrates life so well. Each kid doing their own thing. Parents holding hands, in this crazy ride called life together…

Father and son. Totally acting like a father and son.