Have to share these cuties.  I know it’s going to be a good session when the parents just let us wonder off to play and the 9 year old little BOY says, “hey, look, what about this” and strikes a pose.  Ha!  I was loving it.  At one point I had to stop him because it was getting a little cheezy.  Once I told him to kiss and hug his sister he was suddenly *over it*!

Whew what a crazy season it was.  It was a good year, believe it or not, but since I decided not to hire a new assistant it was a bit hairy.  I definitely didn’t to keep up my blog and FB and photo galleries like I should, but the family stayed clothed and fed and clients got their orders on time (hopefully =)….

A few from the season…

I guess you can tell the rain has stopped since we’ve been outside non-stop for the past three weeks.  It’s so much fun though, kids are much more comfortable exploring outside…

I know I say it all the time, but wow, how fast a year flies.  I used to gauge time by school year and summer vacation.  Then it was in semesters, then baby milestones.  Now it seems time in measured in years.  Ugh, I guess next is decades.

Just a year ago we were playing and singing and skipping around…

Is there such thing as “sassy” for a boy?  I guess since he knows me now he’s relaxed and can act goofy (makes my job sooo much easier =)  We had the best time – he was cracking me up the whole time.  He had scraped both feet on the pool that day so mom literally piggy backed him all over the park – luckily it was only 90 degrees and muggy that day (yikes!) – both were troopers!  

I kept telling him I was going to give him a wet sloppy kiss if he didn’t give me that “Will” smile.  We were walking back to the car and the sun went behind the clouds and I said quick, go stand on the step for me for one last image and I promise I won’t kiss you.  He was so cute, he stood there with the cheesiest smile and talked between his teeth – “did you take it yet”.  OK, I knew it was time to be done!  You’re the best Will!!

Wow, how a year flies by.  We were just at Maymont for her 4th birthday.  Now she’s 5 and growing all up.  Mom and Dad finally jumped in.  I always recommend it, but like most people I don’t love having my photograph taken either.  I have been planning a “formal” portrait with me and my girls for years now.  I guess that’s just not us (I’m not very formal), so I just need to have my husband photograph us playing in the yard or something.  At a seminar last year the speaker said “raise your hand if you like having your photograph taken”.  We all nervously looked around, giggling at each other.  She said, “well that’s how your clients feel”.  Wow, that was good for me to hear since I tend to “guilt” parents into being photographed with the kids.  I know I’m in very few portraits with the kids, so I assume most parents are the same way.

Anyway, Layla.  What a sunshine!  

Mom & Dad – you’ll be so happy to have these one day!!!

Oh my gosh, is she not the sweetest?  I have been photographing her since she was a baby, but you would think we were long lost friends.  She talked and talked and we had the best time – she’s never met a stranger – so darn cute!!

OK, I know I brag on the kids out here, but do 2 year olds (was a few days away from her second birthday actually) say their ABC’s and count and speak like a 3 year old?  I don’t have much of a memory, but I don’t think so.  What a smartie!!  We carried on conversations almost.  Best of all she understood bribery!  Mom, I hope she got her ice cream!!!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!

Wow, 4 kids.  You’d think chaos, right?  Nope these guys were so well behaved and such good sports.  Way to go Mom & Dad, what great kids!

What a fun age.  They’re still little, but they’re exploring their independence from you.

Yesterday my 8 year old woke up early and came and got in bed (snuggles are few and far between now so I was loving it).  I needed to get ready so I told her to stay in the bed and watch cartoons while she woke up.  She said, “mom I don’t watch cartoons anymore” (with an eye roll I didn’t see I’m sure).  Stab me in the heart.  You’re 8, of course you still watch cartoons.  I watched cartoons well into middle school.  I guess we didn’t have the little preteen tv shows that are on now.  Jeez, I sound more like my mother every day.  Because her sister is 4 years older she never really got to watch age appropriate cartoons and movies when she was little (therapist could probably use that against me, huh?) – she always had to watch what sis had on.  Oh well, luckily they are far enough apart in age that I don’t let my 8 year old do everything her sister does (can you say make-up?!). 

I guess my point is that I love playing with kids this age.  They’re aren’t self aware enough to feel weird about having their portrait taken, but they know Miss Missy is just as goofy as they are and we have fun!