Ian

Look who turned 8! Ian was super excited about taking his pictures and being the special one. We did it on his actually birthday.

He thought it was so funny that he could make silly faces, like in the second picture, and it wouldn't show. We teased his mom later about it.

What a great day this was! Can't wait for the better one, his baptism, up ahead.

Samara, a new niece

Yeah, so it's been over a year. We just celebrated her first birthday with her. She's a sweet, smart girl.

Check out this incredible quilt! I wish you could see all the detail that when into the stitching!

He told me his name was "Batman"

That's right. And rather than try to remember one more boy name, I just went with it. (I think his real name is Bryce.)

 The whole family is completely into the superheroes theme, so we tried a Clark Kent/Superman theme below.  (Makes even more sense why he told me his name was Batman.)

Sarah and Wayne

Wayne says he never smiled much before Sarah.

Sarah says Wayne understands her old soul.

That can only lead to one thing. 

Here they are engaged to be married.

Carson

This is from last year. Carson was getting baptized and his sweet mom got him a new suit for the occasion. He brought his scriptures and we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple to take pictures. He's such a special boy. He's a great helper at home and so kind!

And then he went with me to Harmons to buy milk since I desperately needed some and it was the one chance to go without my boys.

I'm super excited because I'm doing the same thing with his brother this weekend. Pictures that is, not buying milk :)

Ring Around the Rosies

This is still a fun game even if the nursery rhyme itself is literally a bit morbid. I'm a little ahead of myself on posting these pictures, my most recent, but I couldn't help myself tonight.

Baby Hunter

This lucky kid is related to me. I'm his great aunt, emphasis on great, of course. What could be better than that? :)

More Christensons!

So the Christensons also wanted me to do their extended family when they gathered together for a reunion. Wouldn't you know it was POURING rain that day. No signs of letting up. Normally I would try to reschedule, but since there were many people from out of town, that wasn't an option. We changed locations and attempted it. Now I can say I've taken family pictures in pouring rain.

I can't say it was the loveliest of locations. They stayed in the pavilion to stay dry. I faced them towards the side with the most light. And then I stood in the rain and shot away. I honestly think some of the shots I got (not shown below) were a little out of focus because my camera ended up focusing on a falling raindrop rather than my subjects. Fun right!

Overall they are a crazy family, as their sibling pictures show. And we still had a good time.

The teacher of the photo bomb becomes photo bombed.

Happy Girls

"Happy girls are the prettiest"

-Audrey Hepburn

feelings

"God gave us the gift of feelings, and feelings are good. But feelings should simply be indicators-- but never dictators-- of how we react to our situations."

-- Lysa Turkeurst

All About Natalie

Natalie is part of the Christenson family. I could have included her in the last post, but there are so many great pictures of her. She showed so much personality. She deserves this. :)

Christenson Family

I said I was going to post again, and here I am!

The Christensons have become some really close friends in our neighborhood. When their youngest was born (a day after my boy), I knew I wanted to take pictures for them. We found the greatest spot at Conservation Park in South Jordan. There are so many great spots for pictures, but it's very fun and inviting for kids to learn about our environment and plants! (I've already been back!)

 The hugging picture that their boy didn't really want to do. Can you tell?