Ah, sisters.  A sister has a way of bringing you up when you’re feeling down…

Sometimes its just good to have a sister to hang around with…

Or goof around with…

Or tag because you’re it…

Or take with you on a wild adventure…

But soon, very soon, there’s going to be someone else in the mix.  Someone new.  A boy.

So in the mean time, I loved shooting a joyful momma…

A very loved daddy…

Two distinctly funny and lovely personalities…

And one silly family that’s about to get one baby bigger in the new year.  Can’t hardly wait.  Here’s the slideshow and click here if you would like to check out the online gallery…

Posted by Mel @ 7:49 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

What I’m (especially) thankful for this Thanksgiving:

The birth of my niece, the health of my family, my sweet boys, the amazing strength and warmth of friends, never feeling bored, never feeling like we’ve got it all, and for the way the universe makes sure we have what we need somehow even if we don’t have what we want.

And I’m very, very grateful for a job that continues to reveal, in its own mystical language, what it looks like to love and be loved in return.  Happy Thanksgiving…

Posted by Mel @ 9:35 pm, in Personal | 1 comment | Permalink

Michael is 15 months old, on the move and crazy charming.  When I first arrived, he showed me one of his favorite games: run from mommy to auntie and back again… fast, fast, fast!

It just sort of happens.  There’s always this once space in a house where we take photos progressively over time and you get to see how things change.  For Caroline and Michael, its the guest bed.  Here’s a wee sampling, I know its just four photos but not only do things change, personalities seem to emerge a little early in this household.

But wait, look who knows how to work this shot all of a sudden?  Who is getting all vogue-y with it for the camera?  While it may be a more recessive trait, I’m starting to think Michael carries the camera ham gene.

Though he did maintain his more predictable, stoic camera demeanor outdoors:

…until big sister, Caroline, came home from school and then it was a lot of leaves, dance moves and sibling love.  The best way to spend a fall afternoon, IMO.

Then daddy came home….

…and it was time for  family photos.  We never really know what Caroline is going to do, which is what makes these photos so much fun!

Here’s a slideshow with a song suited to a budding baby model.  Or, click here to see the gallery.  Or, jump in a leaf pile and celebrate this fall season with your family before we all get quickly ushered into the next crazy season!  Yes, you know the one I speak of…

Posted by Mel @ 6:51 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

Ain’t no stopping her now… she’s on the move!  (insert disco groove by McFadden & Whitehead here).  We needed to get this shoot on the books before Reese got even faster and was on her feet!

Its rare that my favorite photos of the day happen within the first 5 minutes of my arrival.  But you never know when opportunity is going to knock, you just answer the door.  Reese was getting up from her nap and standing in her crib, sticking out her tongue like she likes to do right now.  All babies go through this phase, don’t they?

Then big brother Brayden asked if he could get into the crib too.  And the party began…  I love that Sammy the dog is nestled up in Reese’s chair in the background, trying to ignore the munchkin hullabaloo.

Why stop the fun there?  We went downstairs so that Reese had more space to show off her new crawl when a family band of sorts spontaneously broke out.  While they aren’t the Partridge Family (yet), you have to admire their style.

I’m pretty sure this is why men have kids…

And then we got to see the crawl.  She was in hot pursuit of my lens and as you can see she’s pretty quick…

I love the shadow of Reese’s hand reaching forward in this one:

Then it was outside to play and check out the pumpkins.

Here’s a slideshow of the day and click here if you would like the view the gallery.  This year is going by so fast, I can’t believe that this little girl is crawling herself closer and closer to turning one… Stay tuned for more then!

Posted by Mel @ 8:20 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink